The Woodlands TX Arthritis Specialist Near Me

Are you currently looking in The Woodlands, TX, for an Arthritis specialist near you? Well, have we got the professionals for you. Advanced Rheumatology of Houston is the premiere institution when it comes to understanding and caring for arthritis afflicted patients.

Dr. Tamar Brionez, M.D., specializes in dealing with all sorts of rheumatic diseases. From proper diagnosis and treatment to providing sound medical advice, Dr. Brionez fights on the frontlines of internal medicine. There are hundreds of known types of arthritis that can afflict people of any age. In this article, we look to cover the causes of arthritis within individuals and what changes you can make to your lifestyle to help make life with arthritis much easier to manage.

What are the causes of Arthritis?

Arthritis is the swelling and inflammation of joint tissues. Affected areas can be located all over the body but are most commonly found in the hands, feet, and lower back. Generally, cartilage is the main culprit when it comes to arthritic pain.

Cartilage, a firm but flexible connective tissue in your joints, protects the joints by absorbing the shock and pressure created when you move and put stress on them. A noticeable loss in the average amount of this cartilage tissue causes some forms of arthritis. The process of cartilage getting torn apart causes osteoarthritis in your bones.

It Depends. Which kind?

Specific factors cause different kinds of arthritis. For example, Rheumatoid Arthritis, or RA, is the result of the body’s immune system attacking tissues found in joints. This event is what is commonly referred to in the medical field as an autoimmune disorder.

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Psoriatic Arthritis is indirectly linked to having psoriasis of the skin and will sometimes manifest arthritic symptoms before scaly lesions of the skin can be seen by the naked eye.

Osteoarthritis is caused by normal wear and tear compounded over time. If the joint becomes infected or fractured further, the rate of cartilage breakdown occurs much faster. 

In the United States today, 1 in 4 adults are dealing with arthritis in one form of the other. Living a healthy and active lifestyle provides your body with a lot of healthy benefits. However, arthritis cant truly retroactively be prevented, even if you dot all your I’s and cross your t’s. Also, if you eat correctly and exercise daily, data has proven these factors don’t necessarily stave off arthritis forever.

The condition has been linked to genetics, previous accidents where people were injured, and just randomly starting up from scratch. Another somber fact is that once you receive an affirmative diagnosis of arthritis, it doesn’t go away. You can only manage the symptoms and we are about to lay all the ways to do that for yourself right now.

How do you combat Arthritis?

1) Get Checked Out

Just because your body feels sore one day, don’t simply boil it down to arthritic pains. It is always better to be checked out by your rheumatologist to see if the symptoms of irritation you feel are related. At the same time, if you feel constant daily joint pain and prescribed painkillers don’t seem to be doing the trick, don’t hesitate to set up an appointment.

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If you go a long time avoiding the symptoms, in some cases, untreated arthritis can turn into much more significant and prolonged problems. Dr. Brionez can help asses your condition through an initial physical examination, as well as x-ray or MRI scans if the mentioned case calls for it. These images can provide a better look at the bones and cartilage of problem areas. A proper diagnosis will help your Rheumatologist form a more individualized plan of attack in handling your arthritis.

2) Medication

In this day and age, specific prescriptions have made living life with arthritis a breeze. Because of all the different types that can develop, there are several options you can choose from to help relieve associated aches and pains.

  • Painkillers – You might be prescribed painkillers to help you manage flare-ups. Great for relieving joint pain instantly, this type of drug does not, however, prevent any further deterioration of cartilage or bone.
  • For more severe pain, opioids might be an option. Opioids target the central nervous system to relieve pain. When you use opioids for a long time, they may become habit-forming, causing mental or physical dependence. Be very mindful when taking this kind of medication, as their detriments tend to outweigh their benefits.
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – NSAIDs reduce both pain and inflammation. Over-the-counter NSAIDs include ibuprofen and naproxen. However, some types of NSAIDs are available only by prescription.
  • Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) – Often used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, DMARDs slow or stop your immune system from attacking your joints.

Nevertheless, whatever orders you might receive to give you a more pain-free life, plan to still maintain a balanced diet and exercise frequently for optimal results.

3) Diet and Exercise

Once you’ve established your arthritic condition, the one thing you should begin to change is your diet. To promote healthy joint function, cut out fried and processed foods immediately. Limit the amount of fast food you consume. Without a doubt, this dietary method seems to reduce inflammation in joints. It can also help to boost your immune system.

Also, you should be avoiding foods with high sugar output. High amounts of sugar in your diet can spike inflammation. Stick to fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, and meats high in protein.

Although you might feel too sore to move, one of the best things to do for your joints is to move around. Not only do you keep weight off by working out, but you also build muscle tissue to lessen the strain on and around your joints. Now, this doesn’t mean to hit the gym and start lifting weights right away. For most people with arthritis, it hurts to just roll out of bed in the morning.

Subsequently, make sure to ask if fitting exercise into your plan is doable when you discuss treatment options with Dr. Brionez.

4) Surgical Intervention

You can explore surgical options to alleviate pain or even replace joints in the body entirely depending upon the severity of pain and inflammation in your bones. To learn about what procedures are available to you, consult with Advanced Rheumatology of Houston today!

The Woodlands TX Arthritis Specialist Near Me

If you or a loved one is currently looking up The Woodlands TX Arthritis Specialist Near Me and is in the midst of a battle with your joint pain, contact Advanced Rheumatology of Houston today. You can reach our clinic at (281) 766-7886 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Tamar F. Broniez. Don’t let your pain go untreated. Stop by, and we can work to make your life pain-free.

Fun Facts

  • Locals call The Woodlands area”The Invisible City.”
  • Eight thousand acres of open space and forestry remain untouched in the area.
  • Many bird species migrate and live here each year!
  • Learn more about The Woodlands here!