Lupus Treatment in Knoxville
Leading-Edge Care for Lupus with a Patient-Centered Approach
Lupus is a medical roller coaster – an unpredictable autoimmune disease that can leave you feeling fine one day and turn your whole world upside down the next. Those who are lucky enough to receive a proper diagnosis after symptoms start can find relief through an aggressive treatment plan, but for too many patients, their lupus ends up misdiagnosed, or worse, the warning signs are ignored altogether.
Rheumatologist Dr. Tonya Baker of Rheumatologix in Knoxville has become one of Eastern Tennessee’s top specialists for lupus treatment because she takes the time to listen to her patients and crack the mystery behind your extreme fatigue, joint swelling, and headaches. It’s a long, complicated process that involves a deep understanding of your family and medical history, extensive lab work, and in some cases, a tissue biopsy. But when a care plan is based on a breakthrough, rather than guesswork, you can find the relief you’ve been after for so long.
If you’re suffering, this is no time to jump from provider to provider to find answers. Instead, you need one experienced rheumatologist in Knoxville who can solve the puzzle of your pain within days of your first visit.
What are the Symptoms of Lupus?
Lupus is a condition in which your body’s immune system attacks your healthy tissue and organs. Although anyone can be diagnosed with lupus, it most often affects women between the ages of 15 and 45. Lupus can be trigged by a combination of factors, including genes, hormones, or infection, and there’s no cure for this chronic condition.
Many providers misdiagnose lupus because its symptoms mimic those of other conditions. However, signs of lupus may include:
- A facial rash that resembles a butterfly’s wings
- Skin lesions that worsen with sun exposure
- Extreme fatigue
- An ongoing fever
- Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling
- Chest pain or shortness of breath
- Headaches
- Confusion or brain fog
- Dry eyes
- Hair loss
- Fingers and toes turning blue or feeling numb
How Does a Rheumatologist Treat Lupus?
Lupus can be extremely difficult to treat since its symptoms and their severity can vary day-to-day. Partnering with a lupus specialist is the best way to manage this lifelong disease. Ongoing treatment requires several strategies to control symptoms, keep your immune system in check, and protect your tissues from further damage. Just as important, your rheumatologist should empower you with the right information so you can take greater control of your health.
At Rheumatologix, your care plan may include antimalarial medicines to reduce the autoantibodies that attack healthy cells, steroids to reduce pain, nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to ease inflammation, immunosuppressives to keep your immune system in check, and a series of other medications. Because lifestyle habits can lead to lupus flares, Dr. Baker also integrates alternative therapies and home remedies into your treatment plan to ease your symptoms and avoid certain triggers.
A Lupus Specialist Near Me in Knoxville
Because diagnosing lupus is such a complicated process, one of the best things you can do for your health is to schedule a consultation with a rheumatologist in Knoxville as soon as possible. As a direct-pay, direct-care provider, Dr. Baker can see you for an appointment within days of your first call, and once you become a member of the practice, you can talk to her directly anytime your symptoms worsen or new ones emerge.
Discover why patients living with lupus across Eastern Tennessee have trusted Dr. Baker with their long-term care.
Contact Rheumatologix in Knoxville today at 865.995.7006 for your one-hour medical consultation.