Autoimmune Disease Specialist

What are autoimmune diseases?

Autoimmune diseases fool your immune system into attacking healthy cells, tissues, and organs. They can cause pain, fatigue, and other crippling symptoms. Of the more than 80 autoimmune diseases, the most common include:

• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Sjogren’s syndrome
• Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Seronegative spondyloarthropathy
• Polymyalgia rheumatica
• Vasculitis
• Giant cell arteritis (temporal arteritis)
• Polymyositis
• Dermatomyositis
• Type 1 diabetes
• Autoimmune hepatitis

The cause of autoimmune diseases isn’t clear, but getting proper treatment can reduce their unpleasant symptoms.

What are the symptoms of autoimmune diseases?

The common symptoms of autoimmune diseases include:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Warmth
• All-over pain
• Joint discomfort
• Stiffness
• Fatigue
• Reduced range of motion
• Limited mobility

The symptoms you have can be mild, moderate, or severe and affect your life when left untreated. The symptoms might linger, or they can come and go periodically.

What are the risk factors for autoimmune diseases?

Autoimmune diseases tend to run in families and affect millions of people of all ages in the United States. Other risk factors include exposure to certain chemicals and viruses and other environmental factors. Women have a higher risk of developing autoimmune diseases than men. If you have one autoimmune disease, your risk of developing another one is higher.

How does my provider diagnose autoimmune diseases?

To diagnose an autoimmune disease, the experts at Rheumatology Associates ask about your symptoms and your medical history. They check your vital signs and complete a physical exam to look for signs of a problem.

Your rheumatologist will likely order blood tests, joint fluid tests, and an imaging procedure like X-rays, an MRI, a CT scan, or an ultrasound to pinpoint which autoimmune disease you have.

How are autoimmune diseases treated?

Depending on which autoimmune disease you have and how severe it is, the Rheumatology Associates team could recommend making lifestyle changes, taking medications, or receiving injections. They might also suggest that you undergo physical therapy, occupational therapy, or, in some cases, surgery.

It’s essential that you eat nutritious foods, maintain an ideal body weight, and get regular exercise and plenty of sleep. And keep your stress levels low. Don’t smoke or drink alcohol to excess. Your rheumatologist will tell you which foods and drinks to consume and which to limit or avoid. They can also suggest you try dietary supplements.

If you suspect you have an autoimmune disease and want relief, call the Rheumatology Associates office today or schedule an appointment online.