Patients searching “Tomball TX lupus specialist near me” should schedule an appointment at Advanced Rheumatology of Houston. Dr. Brionez, the sole rheumatologist, wants to help patients feel better and live more comfortable lives. Lupus is a complex rheumatologic condition and needs the right kind of expertise.

Dr. Brionez has more than 10 years of rheumatology experience. She has helped all kinds of patients live with their rheumatologic diseases. For those who do not know, rheumatologic diseases affect the connective tissues of the body. So, joints, muscles, ligaments, and organs are commonly affected. Lupus is capable of affecting many areas of the body.

Lupus is not an easy disease to diagnose and treat. It has no known cause, its symptoms represent numerous other diseases, and it has several levels of severity. Patients can feel comfortable in what Advanced Rheumatology of Houston has to offer. Even though lupus may be a complex disease, it can very well be managed.

Dr. Brionez will work with patients to diagnose and treat the disease as best as possible. It is also important for lupus patients to make lifestyle changes in order to improve their quality of life. Of course, Dr. Brionez will help you achieve those goals through her techniques and medical advice.

What is Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that affects the skin, joints, and organs. Autoimmune diseases are categorized as when the immune system attacks healthy tissue in the body. A normal immune system fights pathogens, infections, and viruses. The cause of lupus is unknown, which also adds to its complexity. As alluded to earlier, lupus can be very mild, or it can be very severe. Severe cases are associated with vital organs such as kidneys, brain, lungs, and heart.

Anyone is able to develop lupus, but children and teenagers are more affected. In fact, 20% of lupus patients are children or teens. More specifically, most children or teens that develop lupus are females going through puberty. It is rare for children under the age of five to develop lupus. Childhood-onset SLE is the term used for lupus in children.

Lupus Symptoms and Diagnosis

Lupus has many symptoms that are related to several other diseases, as mentioned earlier. Fever, fatigue, and weight loss are just a few examples. The wide range of severity in lupus also gives it a long list of symptoms. So, diagnosing lupus is also difficult. However, Dr. Brionez knows what tests to use when looking for this disease. You can find the full list of symptoms below.

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Hair loss
• Stomach pains
• Chest pains when breathing deeply
• Rashes
• Cold toes or fingers
• Blood clots
• Mouth or nose sores
• Soreness or swelling in joints (arthritis)
• Kidney problems
• Neurologic problems (seizures or strokes)
• Pregnant women may have miscarriages

As you can see, lupus can affect many parts of the body. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, then you should see a medical professional. From there, they can inform you if you need a rheumatologist. Dr. Brionez will help you identify the cause of these symptoms. If she suspects lupus is the case, then she will run an ANA test.

ANA tests detect antinuclear antibodies in the body. These antibodies appear in almost all lupus patients and cause the immune system’s attacks on the body. If antinuclear antibodies are found in the body, then patients will be diagnosed with lupus. Further tests will be performed in order to find more specific antibodies.

Lupus Treatment

Lupus does not have a cure, but recent advancements in treatment options have given patients easier and longer lives. Since there is no cure, the symptoms of lupus are treated. Plus, rheumatologists can help patients reduce the activity of the immune system, which will help the condition as a whole.

Antimalarial drugs are prescribed to almost all lupus patients. Once used to prevent and treat malaria, these drugs now help treat symptoms. Fatigue, rashes, arthritis related to the disease, and mouth sores can be controlled through this medication. These drugs can also reduce flares.

For more serious cases, corticosteroids are prescribed to suppress the immune system. Patients who have lupus that affect the vital organs are given these kinds of medications. Corticosteroids may also reduce pain to help patients live with their condition.

Living with Lupus

Because there is no cure for lupus, patients must learn to live with the disease. There are times it will enter remission while other times it will flare-up. Depending on your medication, they can help with these issues. There are ways of reducing flares, such as avoiding excess sunlight. Sunlight can cause rashes to flare and the disease itself. So, wear long-sleeve shirts, hats, and pants. If you are in a hot climate, then use a lot of sunscreens or take an umbrella.

Lupus increases the risk of heart and kidney disease in patients. So, they are recommended to exercise regularly and eat healthily. These steps will help reduce the chances of developing heart disease. Exercise also helps improve the feeling in joints for patients with lupus-related arthritis. Patients need to be wary of signs for kidney disease. Renal inflammation is possible with lupus, so patients should look out for swollen feet or hands, puffiness around the eyes, changes in urine, and high blood pressure.

Finally, it is important to develop a support group. Patients commonly report anxiety, stress, and depression. Surrounding yourself with loved ones, close friends, and caregivers is an important factor in living a happy life with lupus. Be sure to develop a long relationship with your rheumatologist. Dr. Brionez will make that easy for patients.

Tomball TX Lupus Specialist Near Me

If you are tired of searching “Tomball TX lupus specialist near me,” then give Advanced Rheumatology of Houston a call today. You can schedule an appointment by calling (281) 766-7886. Patients with lupus should also consider participating in a lupus research study known as SLE-BRAVE. Our Houston location is participating in this study, and you could help test a new treatment option for lupus. So, stop searching “Tomball TX lupus specialist near me” and start calling.

 

Fun Facts about Tomball

• Tomball was awarded the “Superior Public Drinking Water System” from the TCEQ.
• The city has a 97% Excellent rating of the Utilities Gas System.
• Tomball is ranked as one of the top three cities in Texas for our gas system.
• Find more fun facts about Tomball here.