Are you searching for The Woodlands TX lupus rheumatologist near me? Then you need to contact Advanced Rheumatology of Houston because they have everything you need to manage the symptoms of your rheumatologic illness. Dr. Brionez is one of the best in her field when it comes to diagnosing and treating patients. She has over ten years of experience caring for patients and several years of experience in research studies. Patients love her because she truly cares for patients and strives to help them live a healthier, more comfortable life.

She earned her undergrad in Nutritional Science from Texas A&M University. After her undergrad, she earned her Doctor of Medicine from Baylor College of Medicine. Then she went to the University of Texas Health Science Center to complete her Fellowship in Rheumatology. Once she completed that, in 2007, she became board certified for internal medicine, and in 2009, she became board certified in rheumatology. And ever since she has been in practice.

If you are looking for a kind and compassionate doctor to help you through this difficult time, then you need to talk to Dr. Brionez. With her experience and kind nature, you can’t go wrong. Setting up an appointment at Advanced Rheumatology of Houston will help you to get your life back on track. So, choose her to be your The Woodlands TX lupus rheumatologist near me.

Continue reading to learn more about lupus, its symptoms, and its treatments.

What are Lupus and What Are The Symptoms?

The full name is systemic lupus erythematosus, or it is also known as SLE. Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease that affects mainly women and, in rare cases, men. It will begin to show signs begin during puberty or early adulthood. About twenty percent of patients with lupus are children and teens. In rarer cases, it develops in children under the age of five and is called childhood-onset SLE.

SLE or lupus can range from mild to severe and cause systemic inflammation of vital organs or joints. In mild forms of lupus, it causes inflammation of joints, while severe cases cause inflammation of vital organs. The organs that can be affected by lupus are the heart, brain, lungs, and kidneys. Regardless of if the disease is mild or severe, it can still cause major disruptions to a person’s daily life and cause a lot of pain and discomfort.

If left untreated, it can cause permanent damage to organs and joints. It is chronic, and there is no cure at this time. However, there is hope. Treatment for lupus has come a long way and will help improve your quality of life and increase your lifespan. Many people with lupus can live fulfilling and enjoyable lives.

There are many symptoms to lupus, and some of the symptoms aren’t specific to lupus. This can present a challenge when diagnosing lupus because the symptoms could be from anything. Some of the symptoms you could face that aren’t specific to lupus are:

• heartburn
• blood clots
• weight loss
• fatigue
• fever
• hair loss
• stomach pain
• poor circulation in extremities

There are other reasons that lupus can be challenging to diagnose. One of the reasons is that the symptoms can vary from person to person. However, The American College of Rheumatology has created a list to help doctors better diagnose lupus. This list has symptoms that are more related to lupus. Some of the symptoms are:

Rashes

When you are dealing with lupus, you could have a couple of different rashes. For lupus patients, they could be faced with a malar rash, discoid rash, or rashes from sunlight. Malar rashes are rashes that are butterfly-shaped and will appear on your cheeks. A discoid rash is red raised circular patches on the skin. Then rashes from sunlight are because lupus tends to flare-up because of sunlight. So, if you expose your skin to the sun, then there is a likely chance of getting a rash in that area.

Mouth Sores

These are sores that you can find in your nose or mouth and will last for a few days to a month.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a disease of the joints. It will cause tenderness and swelling in two or more joints, which will last for weeks. You can have arthritis with or without lupus, and a rheumatologist can help diagnose and treat your arthritis. Some other forms of arthritis you can have are rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. If you are struggling with lupus or arthritis from a different source, then Advanced Rheumatology of Houston has medical treatments that can help.

Lung or Heart Inflammation

Inflammation of the lungs or heart can cause chest pain whenever you breathe deeply. There are specific medical terms for inflammation of the heart and lungs. These terms are pericarditis, which is inflammation of the heart and pleurisy or pleuritis, which is inflammation of the lungs.

Kidney Problems

If you have a possible kidney problem, then your doctor will run tests to check your kidney function to see if it is poor. Another way to check if there is a possible kidney problem is to see if there is blood or protein in the urine.

Neurologic Problems

A neurological problem is a problem in the nervous system. Problems you may experience are seizures, psychosis, or strokes.

Abnormal Blood Tests

There is one abnormality that is common in nearly all lupus patients, which is positive antinuclear antibodies. These antibodies are what cause your immune system to attack itself. Other antibodies could be present such as anti-Smith, anti-double-strand DNA, and antiphospholipid antibodies. Some other abnormalities that could be found are anemia, low white blood cell counts, and low platelet count.

Since lupus is different between patients, it can be challenging to diagnose. Also, symptoms don’t appear all at once when it comes to lupus. With these complications, it is no wonder that it can be a challenge to diagnose. However, blood tests are the best way to diagnose lupus, especially the blood test ANA. Once you get the diagnosis, then you will be able to create a treatment plan and better your quality of life. This is why you should contact Advanced Rheumatology of Houston to be your The Woodlands TX lupus rheumatologist near me.

The Best The Woodlands TX Lupus Rheumatologist Near Me

Contact Advanced Rheumatology of Houston at (281) 766-7886 to set up an appointment with DR. Brionez. You can also learn more about her practice by checking out her services and by visiting her location. She has valuable medical advice that will improve your quality of life and get you back to doing the things you love. Allow Dr. Brionez to be your The Woodlands TX lupus rheumatologist near me.

Fun Facts About The Woodlands TX

• There are nearly 150 parks in this area
• The Woodlands has about 8,000 acres of forest
• Woodlands High School is the largest High School in the state
• For more facts about The Woodlands TX come to visit us