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their bodies, a nd offer ways to get them feeling better a nd more norma l," says Dr. Wa ldma n. " There is of ten not a sing le test or procedure to ma ke the diag nosis with most rheumatic issues, a nd patients s u f fer i n g w it h t h e s e d i s e a s e s c a n present w it h a g reat dea l of a mbig u- it y. That is why listening closely a nd thoroughly investigating history — both the patient 's a nd their fa mily 's — is so vita l to our practice," adds Dr. Stewa r t. T hey poi nt to lupus a nd Sjog ren's Syndrome as two exa mples from a long list of autoimmune a nd autoimmune- related disea ses that ca n have major l i fe s t yle i mpa c t but a r e t r a d it ion- a l ly ha rd to dia g nose in t he prima r y ca re setting. "Systemic lupus er y thematosus, or simply ' lupus,' a nd the lesser-know n Sjog ren's Syndrome seriously a lter a n individual's life. From decreased energ y, dr y eyes a nd mouth, pa in, swelling a nd stiffness, specia l dieta r y restrictions, t he need for d a i ly med icat ion s a nd other a lterations to what is considered a norma l life, a patient ca n suffer greatly both physica lly a nd emotiona lly," says Dr. Wa ldma n. Drs. Stewa r t a nd Wa ldma n a lso help diag nose f ibromya lg ia a nd g ive treat- ment recommendations. In addition, they work with patients suffering with seronegative spondyloa r thropathy a nd gout — the latter which is increasing in preva lence as it correlates with obesity. " Luck i ly we k now more now t ha n ever before a bout t hese cond it ion s, g iving us a n improved abilit y to ser ve a nd educate these patients a nd their loved ones who are a lso impacted by the diseases," Dr. Wa ldma n notes. "One of the things we emphasize is the close relationship we develop with our patients," says Dr. Stewa r t. " We get a thorough histor y and physica l, perform some basic tests, a nd then it is la rgely sit ti ng dow n a nd put ti ng t he pieces together. We a re much less dependent on t ech nolog y a nd more dependent on thinking." Dr. Stewa r t a nd Dr. Wa ldma n accept referra ls for patients presenting with a broad spectr um of sy mptoms. They strive to provide exper t diag nosis a nd t reat ment of d isea ses such a s rheu- matoid a r t hritis, a r t hritis, systemic autoimmune diseases, musculoskeleta l pain disorders, osteoporosis, gout, lupus, Symptoms to Consider for Rheumatic Disease Referral + Joint pain and/or swelling and stiffness + Dry mouth and eyes + Ulcers in mouth + Red skin rash + Hair loss + Positive blood tests: antinuclear antibodies (ANA), rheumatoid factor (RF) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) + Family history of autoimmune or rheumatic disease + Periodic flare-up of symptoms followed by periodic symp - tom improvement " There is often not a single test or procedure to make the diagnosis with most rheumatic issues ... ." • KIM STEWART, MD vasculitis, f ibromya lgia and tendinitis. The two doctors understa nd the of ten urgent needs of patients with rheumatic disease a nd offer phone consultations a nd prompt appointment schedu ling at both of their convenient locations: 2660 W. Market Street in Fairlawn and 5655 Hudson Drive in Hudson. For more infor mation or to refer a patient to D r. Stewart or D r. Waldman a t U n i t y H e a l t h R h e u m a t o l o g y , call 330-926-3240 or 330-926-3462. ■ M D N E W S . C O M /// M D N E W S C L E V E L A N D /A K R O N / C A N T O N n J U LY/A U G U S T 2 016 1 1