Rheumatology/Immune System Health
Extensive Treatment for Rheumatic Diseases on the Mississippi Gulf Coast
Memorial Hospital offers cutting-edge diagnosis and treatment for rheumatic diseases. Our multidisciplinary team’s uncompromising mission is to provide you with unmatched, top-rated, comprehensive care. Team members collaborate to develop an individualized treatment program for each and every one of our patients.
About Rheumatic and Autoimmune Disease
Rheumatic diseases are diseases that cause your immune system to attack your joints, muscles, bones and organs, causing pain. “Arthritis” is the umbrella term that can encompass over 100 of these autoimmune and inflammatory diseases and conditions.
Systemic autoimmune diseases are a broad range of related diseases characterized by dysregulation of the immune system, which can lead to the activation of immune cells that attack autoantigens and result in inappropriate inflammation and multi-tissue damages.
Rheumatic and Autoimmune Conditions
Memorial rheumatologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases, connective tissue disorders, and musculoskeletal disorders, including:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Systemic sclerosis
- Inflammatory muscle disease
- Polymyalgia rheumatica
- Temporal arteritis
- Sjogren’s syndrome
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Gout
Diagnosing Rheumatic Disease
Arthritis
The early signs and symptoms of arthritis are very similar to those of many other diseases, so it is difficult to diagnose in its early stages. Blood tests and physical exams can’t confirm a diagnosis. However, during a rheumatology physical exam your doctor checks your joints for swelling, redness and temperature.
Autoimmune
A C-reactive protein (CRP) test checks for autoimmune disease. An erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) test checks for inflammation not caused by infection or other causes.
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders can be detected and diagnosed by imaging tests like x-rays, bone scanning, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and ultrasounds.
Make an Appointment with Memorial Rheumatology
Speak with your primary care provider for a referral to see the rheumatologist.