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Frank Arnett, Jr., M.D. |
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Maureen Mayes, M.D. |
HOUSTON – Autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases are on the rise and researchers and physicians at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston are at the forefront of efforts to stem the tide. These diseases are often hard to diagnose and often affect individuals differently.
Photos above, left to right: Maureen Mayes, M.D., is a rheumatologist and Professor of Medicine in the Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunogenetics at the University of Texas-Houston Medical School where she directs the Scleroderma Clinic. She is also a member of the Scleroderma Foundation Medical Advisory Board. Frank Arnett, Jr., M.D., is a clinical professor, the Elizabeth Bidgood Chair in Rheumatology and the Linda K. Finger Chair in Autoimmune and Connective Tissue Diseases at the UT Medical School at Houston. Dr. Arnett is also on the Scleroderma Foundation Medical Advisory Board. |
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Pulmonary function tests (PFT’s) are breathing tests to find out how well you move air in and out of your lungs and how well oxygen enters your body. The most common PFT’s are spirometry (spy-RAH-me-tree), diffusion studies and body plethysmography (ple-thiz-MA-gra-fee). Sometimes only one test is done, other times all tests will be scheduled, often on the same day. |
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The Critical Care Assembly of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) is a group of doctors and other hospital staff who are experts in taking care of critically ill patients. As we developed a Web site for our Assembly, we noticed that there was no place where the families of critically ill patients could get information on common practices in the intensive care unit (ICU). |
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 If you are looking at this tool kit, you are either thinking of making a health care advance directive (such as a living will or durable power of attorney for health care), or you may have already signed one. In either case, you should be aware that just having a written advance directive by itself does not ensure that your wishes will be understood and respected.
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A resource for family caregivers caring for people living with pain.
Pain hurts physically, emotionally, and interferes with everyday life. It affects an estimated 76 million Americans—that is more than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined. Pain is a serious and costly public health issue and one of the top reasons people seek medical care. |
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The end of the year is gift giving time—an ideal time to give the "gift of a Scleroderma Foundation Membership."
It’s a common dilemma at this time of the year—you have gifts to buy. You have also been scratching your head, wondering what to get them.
For as little as $25, you can support our mission, and give your friend or family member a yearly membership to the Scleroderma Foundation. As a "thank-you" for becoming a member, they will receive our quarterly magazine and receive a discounted registration fee at our National Conference. |
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