Diagnosing and treating inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
Rheumatology
Comprehensive Care for Rheumatic Diseases
Our rheumatology team focuses on diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal disease and autoimmune conditions, which are more commonly known as rheumatic disease. A rheumatic disease affects your joints, muscles and bones, causing, oftentimes, severe pain.
Common diseases treated by a rheumatologist include:
- Gout
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Lupus
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Sjogren's Syndrome
- Psoriatic arthritis
The most common symptoms of a rheumatic disease include:
- Joint pain
- Stiffness
- Joint swelling
- Muscle weakness
- Recurring fevers
What Can Cause Rheumatic Disease?
Rheumatic diseases are the result of inflammation affecting the body's immune system by breaking down connective tissues and related structures. These diseases affect tendons, ligaments, bones and muscles, but can also impact organs, ultimately causing a loss of function in the body.
Rheumatic diseases are caused by genes, environmental factors or a combination of both. The disease, in addition to the most common symptoms of pain, stiffness and muscle weakness, may also produce fatigue, eye inflammation, eye infections, rashes, sores and difficulty breathing.
Diagnosis
Blood tests are necessary to diagnose a rheumatic disease. Other testing, such as X-rays, CT Scans or MRI may also be needed to fully diagnose a condition and the severity of it. As part of the diagnosis process, your doctor will provide a thorough exam as well as speak with you about your level of pain, your symptoms, factors that worsen your pain, when your symptoms began, among others.
Treatment
Once diagnosed, treatment options include medication, topical analgesics, steroid injections and infusions. Your doctor may recommend other treatment methods, including:
- Strength and exercise regimens
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Orthopedic surgery
46
Million
Americans are affected by rheumatic diseases.
200+
Disorders
There are more than 200 distinct rheumatic diseases.
Arthritis
Arthritis is inflammation or degeneration of one or more joints. A joint is the area where 2 bones meet. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis.
Meet the Providers
Care You Can Rely On, Right Here in Your Community
We are dedicated to providing quality care from diagnosis to treatment and, when necessary, post-surgical recovery. With access to the Bristol Health network of providers, assuring complete and comprehensive care has never been easier, or more convenient.
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