Autoimmune Disease Specialist
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Delaware Arthritis
Rheumatologists & Infusion Therapy located in Lewes, DE & Millville, DE
Your immune system is designed to protect you from illness. However, for as many as 50 million Americans with an autoimmune disorder, that’s not the case. At Delaware Arthritis in Lewes, Delaware, and Millville, Delaware, experienced rheumatologist Jose A. Pando, MD, and his team of providers specialize in diagnosing and managing autoimmune disorders and can develop a treatment plan to manage your condition. Call the office or request an appointment online today.
Autoimmune Disease
What is an autoimmune disorder?
An autoimmune disorder occurs when your immune cells mistakenly attack the healthy cells in your body. Researchers aren’t certain what causes an autoimmune disorder to develop, but they tend to run in families.
Common symptoms of an autoimmune disorder include muscle aches and pain, fatigue, and a mild fever. These disorders also cause inflammation, which may lead to swelling and redness.
What are common autoimmune disorders?
There are over 80 different autoimmune disorders and many cause similar symptoms, which can make getting an accurate diagnosis difficult. Dr. Pando has more than 20 years of experience and offers comprehensive examinations when you come in for care to identify the underlying cause of your symptoms so you can get the most effective treatment.
Some of the more common autoimmune disorders include:
Rheumatoid arthritis
With rheumatoid arthritis, your immune system attacks the lining of your joints, leading to pain and inflammation. However, this autoimmune disorder can also attack other tissues in your body, including your heart, lungs, and blood vessels.
Psoriatic arthritis
People with psoriasis, an immune-mediated skin condition that causes red, scaly skin, can also develop psoriatic arthritis, or inflammation and pain in the joints. Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis often mimic rheumatoid arthritis.
Lupus
With lupus, the immune system attacks many different tissues in the body, including joints, kidneys, lungs, and nerves.
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder in which your immune system attacks and destroys the myelin sheaths that cover your nerve cells.
Conditions that affect the thyroid, including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Grave’s disease, are also autoimmune disorders. Type 1 diabetes is also an autoimmune disorder.
How are autoimmune disorders treated?
Treatment for your autoimmune disorder may depend on the type of disorder you have. Our providers develop individualized treatment plans specific to your condition to alleviate symptoms and minimize damage to your body. DMARDS, biologicals, and steroids are often prescribed to help reduce inflammation.
Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis benefit from disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), which help stop your immune system from attacking your tissues and slow down the progression of the disease. Many of these medications are given intravenously and Delaware Arthritis has an on-site infusion suite for infusion therapy.
Our providers takes a holistic approach to care and often recommends an exercise program to improve quality of life. They work closely with the Lewes Wellness Center, which offers many exercise classes for all fitness levels, and may suggest a specific class that meets both your health and physical needs.
To schedule an appointment with the warm and compassionate team of providers, call Delaware Arthritis or request an appointment online today.
