If you are searching “The Woodlands TX gout doctor near me,” then contact Advanced Rheumatology of Houston today. Our sole rheumatologist, Dr. Brionez, has more than 10 years of experience. She has worked with numerous patients with rheumatologic conditions such as gout, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and more.

Rheumatologists are gout doctors, but they specialize in various different diseases. More specifically, rheumatologists diagnose and treat arthritis, gout, lupus, and other rheumatologic conditions. These conditions are diseases that affect connective tissues in the body. Connective tissues are considered to be joints, ligaments, bones, and muscles. Gout can be a serious condition and occurs in patients with other specific conditions. There are also risk factors for developing gout.

Dr. Brionez started her medical education at Texas A&M University. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Science while there. Afterward, she pursued her Doctor of Medicine degree at Baylor College of Medicine. She also completed her Fellowship in Rheumatology.

Then, in 2007, Dr. Brionez was board-certified in internal medicine. Two years later, in 2009, she became what she had sought out to achieve, a board-certified rheumatologist. Since then, Dr. Brionez has been in practice and has offered her expertise to patients. Dr. Brionez is capable of diagnosing and treating a wide variety of conditions. You can see the full list of them below.

• Gout
• Myositis
• Osteoarthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Polymyalgia Rheumatica
• Psoriatic Arthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Scleroderma
• Sjögren’s Syndrome
• Spondyloarthropathies (Ankylosing Spondylitis)
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus)
• Vasculitis

What is Gout?

Gout is a condition that primarily affects the big toe but is capable of appearing in any joint. It occurs when uric acid builds up in the body. Uric acid is naturally filtered out of the body through the kidneys. Once enough, uric acid is built up, urate crystals form, which resemble needles. The crystals can enter the joints, which causes pain.

While in the joint, the crystals will attract white blood cells. They will attack the crystals leading to pain and swelling in the joint. Normally, uric acid is removed from the kidneys, but there are a few reasons why the crystals are appearing in the body. Firstly, the kidneys could not be working properly and are not filtering out as much acid. Secondly, there is an excess amount of uric acid in the body, and the kidneys are unable to remove all of it.

Excess amounts of uric acid can come from the types of foods patients may be eating. There are a number of risk factors that can lead to gout. Obesity leads to a greater risk of gout. The foods you should avoid with high levels of uric acid are as follows.

• Seafood
• Red meat
• Organ meat
• Soups
• Alcohol
• Sugary drinks
• Foods high in fructose
• Processed foods

Risk Factors of Gout

As you already know, obesity and the food you eat are risk factors of gout. Anyone is capable of developing gout, but there are even more risk factors. Firstly, men and women after menopause are more at risk of gout. In addition, those with kidney disease are more at risk of gout. Since their kidney is not working efficiently, uric acid is capable of building up in the body.

Patients with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes are also at a higher risk of developing gout. Genetic factors are thought to have a role in the development of gout. The best way to reduce your risk of gout is to eat healthy foods and exercise regularly. Whole grains, vegetables, nuts, water, oatmeal, and lean meats are great options. If you believe you are experiencing symptoms of gout, then you should see a rheumatologist. Many types of arthritis are capable of mimicking the symptoms of gout.

Diagnosing and Treating Gout

The best way to identify gout is through the identification of urate crystals. A rheumatologist may use a needle to extract fluid from the affected joint. Examining the fluid underneath a microscope would reveal if crystals are present. More advanced stages of gout will have crystal deposits underneath the skin known as tophi. Other methods of diagnosing gout include blood tests, symptoms, time course, advanced imaging tests, and the pattern of joint involvement.

Gout is a chronic condition, so patients must learn to live with it for several years or for the rest of their life. The quality of life when it comes to gout can teeter at times. However, a balanced diet and exercise can greatly improve the lives of patients. These actions lower the uric acid levels in the body, so there is less crystallization.

In addition to these lifestyle changes, some medications can be used to reduce inflammation and flare-ups in gout. Gout is an extremely dynamic condition as it appears in each patient differently. Dr. Brionez will take this into account when diagnosing and treating patients with the condition.

The Woodlands TX Gout Doctor Near Me

If you are looking for a gout doctor, then Dr. Brionez is the right choice for you. She has more than 10 years of experience and knowledge in the field of rheumatology. She and her team will offer the highest form of care possible for patients. Conditions such as gout can cause great amounts of pain or discomfort. Her goal is to reduce that discomfort and provide as much relief as possible. She will do her best to help patients live a more comfortable life with their conditions.

Ther is no longer a need to search “The Woodlands TX gout doctor near me” because Advanced Rheumatology of Houston has just who you need. If you are experiencing symptoms of gout, then contact Dr. Brionez’s clinic today. She and her team will provide excellent care to your symptoms. Call Advanced Rheumatology of Houston at (281) 766-7886. You may also contact us via the online form on the contact us page. Regardless, you will receive the same great care our team offers. Gout can be a very painful condition, but you do not have to tackle it alone. Instead, let our team help you live comfortably. So, stop searching “The Woodlands TX gout doctor near me” and start calling today!

Fun Facts about The Woodlands

• Creekside is one of nine villages that make up the Woodlands Township.
• Woodlands High School is the largest high school in the state! Woodlands High School is one of the top high schools in the country!
• Creekside is considered a commuter town, but there are a lot of nice recreational activities here! There are over 200 miles of fun outdoor activities in the Woodlands area!
• Find more fun facts about The Woodlands here.