Do you think you are battling a rheumatic or autoimmune disease?
Diagnosing an autoimmune disease can be a difficult and challenging endeavor. While some patients might have a clear-cut and straightforward case, another patient could have a more complicated and complex one.
Autoimmune diseases have a mind of their own and manifest themselves in different ways. Two individuals with the exact same diagnosis may not experience identical health challenges.
When trying to determine if you have a rheumatic or autoimmune disease, it is important to track your signs and symptoms. Let’s explore the different indicators that may suggest you have an autoimmune disease.
JOINTS - joint pain, joint stiffness, joint swelling, joint redness, joint tenderness, joint warmth
GASTROINTESTINAL - loss of appetite, weight loss, weight gain, abdominal pain, diarrhea, digestive issues
NERVES - numbness, tingling, lack of sensation, sensitivity, neuropathy, sharp nerve pain
SKIN - rash, blisters, lesions, red patches, white patches, dryness, scaly, itchiness, thickening, hardening
EYES - dry eyes, red eyes, burning sensation, visual changes, loss of vision, abnormal eye movements, eye pain, excessive watering
BONES - bone loss, bone fractures, reduced bone density, osteoporosis
ORGANS - complications with your lungs, heart, kidneys, liver, brain, spine
OTHER AILMENTS - recurring fevers, fatigue, tiredness, muscle weakness, unsteady feeling, balance issues, headaches, restricted movement capabilities, swollen glands, mouth sores, dry mouth
Diagnosing a rheumatic disease or autoimmune disease could be compared to piecing together a difficult puzzle. There are numerous ways to get all those different pieces in their correct spots, right? You can first turn over every piece picture-side up. You can sort by color. You can find all your straight-edge pieces and build out the border first. You can assemble the puzzle from the center on out.
Building a puzzle takes a strategy, and so does diagnosing an autoimmune disease.
Here at Paducah Rheumatology, we use all our puzzle-solving skills to help you determine whether your signs and symptoms are the result of an autoimmune disease or rheumatic disease.
We strive to understand your personal situation, and then put all the puzzle pieces in their proper place to be able to see the big picture and form a treatment plan designed just for you.
We know no two people are alike, and we take the time to listen to your concerns and figure out what is going on based upon your individual symptoms.
As part of the diagnosis process, we also conduct a thorough physical examination, gather family health history, and possibly order lab work or imaging as well.
No matter if you are in the beginning stages of your autoimmune disease journey or a veteran patient, our team at Paducah Rheumatology is ready to provide personalized treatment for your specific autoimmune disease.
Give us a call today at 270-408-6100 to set up an appointment. A physician's referral is required for all new patients. We look forward to seeing you!