Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine specialties are expanding their office space. Sleep services will remain in Suite D-24 and Pulmonary will move to Suite D-21, 25 Newell Road in Bristol, beginning March 25.

Less Swelling. Less Pain. More Living.

Rheumatology

Diagnosing and treating inflammatory and immune diseases.

Rheumatology

Your rheumatology team focuses on diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal disease and autoimmune conditions, which are more commonly known as rheumatic disease. A rheumatic disease affects your joints, muscles and bones, causing, often times, severe pain. 

Common diseases treated by a rheumatologist include::

  • Osteoarthritis
  • Gout
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Back and joint pain
  • Tendinitis
  • Lupus
The most common symptoms of a rheumatic disease inlcude:
  • Joint pain
  • Stiffness
  • Inflammation
  • Muscle weakness

What Can Cause Rheumatic Disease?

Rheumatic diseases are the result of inflammation affecting the body's immune system by breaking down connective tissues and related structures. These diseases affect tendons, ligaments, bones and muscles, but can also impact organs, ultimately causing a loss of function in the body. 

Rheumatic diseases are caused by genes, environmental factors, or a combination of both. The disease, in addition to the most common symptoms of pain, stiffness and muscle weakness, may also produce fatigue, eye inflammation, eye infections, rashes, sores and difficulty breathing. 

Diagnosis and Treatment

Blood tests are necessary to diagnose a rheumatic disease. Other testing, such as X-rays, CT Scans, or MRI may also be needed to fully diagnose a condition and the severity of it. As part of the diagnosis process, your doctor will provide a throughout exam as well as speak with you about your level of pain, your symptoms, factors that worsen your pain, when your symptoms began, among others.

Once diagnosed, treatment options include medication, topical analgesics, steroid injections and infusions. Your doctor may recommend other treatment methods, including:

  • Strength and exercise regimens
  • Physical therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Splints and braces
  • Surgery

46
Million
Americans are affected by rheumatic diseases.
200+
Disorders
There are more 200 distinct rheumatic diseases.
100
Arthritis
Arthritis accounts for 100 disorders.

Arthritis

Arthritis is inflammation or degeneration of one or more joints. A joint is the area where 2 bones meet. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis.

Learn More on Arthritis

Care You Can Rely On, Right Here in Your Community

We are dedicated to providing quality care from diagnosis to treatment and, when necessary, post-surgical recovery. With access to the Bristol Health network of providers, assuring complete and comprehensive care has never been easier, or more convenient. 

Our Location

  1. Bristol Hospital

    41 Brewster Road

    Bristol, CT 06010

News, Advice & Stories

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Luckily, the “wearing out” of your knees and hips is not something all of us will experience. But for those who do suffer from severe arthritis in their joints, it can make what used to be even the simplest moves more difficult than expected. Over the course of time, the arthritis in the joint worsens. It can often result in debilitating pain that limits you from normal daily activities and erodes your quality of life.

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This might sound silly but having fun can be hard, especially when you are learning how to re-socialize after a year of practical isolation. It can be exciting because you are eager to spend time with people.

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Some people find it helpful to choose a day of the week when they are least busy and prepare meals. For example, you can cook chicken in bulk to be used as a topping for a salad or used in a sandwich.

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Apr 23, 2021

Bristol Health lab services on Route 6 moving across the street from current location

Bristol Health on Monday will be moving its Route 6 lab and blood raw services to a location that better fits its growing base of patients.

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Nov 25, 2020

2020 Press Ganey Leading Innovator

Bristol Health has been named a 2020 Leading Innovator by Press Ganey for our overall response to meet our community's needs during the pandemic.

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Sep 16, 2020

Experts Say Routine Medical Care Is Important Amid Pandemic

Andrew Lim, MD, medical director of emergency medicine at Bristol Health, discusses on NBC Connecticut how COVID-19 affected hospital emergency departments across the state and why continuing to receive your routine care is important during the pandemic.

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Lisa Coates Featured on "Face of Connecticut"

Lisa Coates, LCSW, operations manager of the Bristol Health Counseling Center, was the featured guest on this Sunday's WTIC Face Connecticut public affairs program. Listen to her interview here.

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HEALTHY LIVING: Make emotional health a priority during these trying times

During times of increased stress, we have to consider our emotional immune system. Our emotions play a significant role in how our body responds to stressful situations. To care for our family members and all those in our lives, we have to take care of ourselves as well.

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Mar 30, 2020

Bristol Health launches telemedicine program to limit in-person contact and help flatten the curve

Bristol Health Medical Group doctors have begun seeing many patients using a telemedicine video service that helps limit person-to-person contact and cut down on possible exposures to the coronavirus.

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