Coastal Rheumatology Associates

08/07/2025

Living with vasculitis or another chronic condition often means dealing with symptoms no one else sees—and hearing comments like “But you don’t look sick.” We are here to remind our patients and community: your experiences are valid, even if they are invisible to others.

This is another thing that many vasculitis patients hear, especially if their disease doesn't manifest itself in visible ways. Share this gentle reminder with your network if you can relate!

08/03/2025

At Coastal Rheumatology Associates, we see every day how the power of friendship helps our patients thrive—especially when living with arthritis or chronic illness. Friends who show up, stay connected, and simply listen can lift spirits in incredible ways. 💚

Living with arthritis and other chronic illnesses reminds us just how powerful friendship can be. Whether it's someone who shows up on your toughest days or simply listens without trying to fix things — those friends are everything. 💚

07/30/2025

Before we say goodbye to July, we are taking a moment to highlight Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month. Arthritis does not just affect adults — nearly 300,000 children in the U.S. are living with this autoimmune condition. At Coastal Rheumatology Associates, we believe awareness leads to better outcomes and stronger support.

Learn more ➡️ bit.ly/40DHdQj

07/25/2025

🌟 Patient Spotlight 🌟

We are so grateful for these thoughtful words about Dr. Stephens and our entire team. At Coastal Rheumatology Associates, we are dedicated to treating the whole person—not just the condition. Taking the time to listen, explain, and support each patient is at the heart of what we do.

📍 Savannah & Bluffton
🌐 coastalrheumatology.com
📞 Savannah: 912-349-4227
📞 Bluffton: 843-815-6555

07/23/2025

Sjögren’s is a complex autoimmune disease that affects millions—and often overlaps with conditions we manage every day, like arthritis and lupus. At Coastal Rheumatology Associates, we’re proud to stand with the Sjögren’s Foundation in raising awareness, supporting our patients, and advancing understanding of this often-overlooked condition.

Learn more at sjogrens.org 💜

Today is World Sjögren’s Day. Sjögren’s disease is a serious, prevalent and complex autoimmune disease that affects millions of people, and often overlaps with conditions like arthritis. That's why we're proud to stand with the Sjögren's Foundation to raise awareness and show our support. Learn more about Sjögren's at sjogrens.org

07/16/2025

Did you know that dry eye affects up to 95% of people with Sjögren's syndrome and is common in many other autoimmune conditions? During Dry Eye Awareness Month, we want to highlight this important connection between rheumatic diseases and eye health.

If you have rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or scleroderma, you may be at higher risk for developing dry eye syndrome. Additionally, some medications we use to treat autoimmune conditions, including methotrexate, can contribute to dry eye symptoms.

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐫𝐲 𝐞𝐲𝐞 𝐬𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞:
▪️ Burning or stinging sensation
▪️ Gritty feeling in the eyes
▪️ Blurred vision that improves with blinking
▪️ Excessive tearing (your eyes overcompensating)
▪️ Difficulty wearing contact lenses

At Coastal Rheumatology Associates, we believe in treating the whole person. If you experience persistent eye discomfort, discuss it with us during your visit and consider seeing an eye care professional for proper evaluation.

Learn more about dry eye and autoimmune conditions ⬇️
bit.ly/4kFLQQY

07/10/2025

Living with a chronic condition like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or fibromyalgia takes incredible strength every single day. Today, we celebrate the resilience of our patients and the loved ones who support them on this journey.

Who motivates you to be your strongest self? Whether it's family, friends, or your own inner determination, that motivation makes all the difference in managing chronic illness.

At Coastal Rheumatology Associates, we are honored to be part of your support system. Your courage inspires us to provide the best possible care every day.

Share a pic of who motivates you and use - we would love to see what keeps you strong!

07/10/2025

A new clinical test may help predict which biologic treatment will work best for people with rheumatoid arthritis—marking a step toward more personalized, effective care. Research like this holds promise for improving outcomes and reducing the trial-and-error of RA treatment.

🔗 Learn more:

A new clinical test may be able to predict which biologic may be the most effective for each individual with rheumatoid arthritis and help take the guesswork out of treatment, a new study suggests.

07/07/2025

☀️ 𝐔𝐕 𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄𝐓𝐘 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐇: 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐋𝐔𝐏𝐔𝐒 𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒 ☀️

For people living with lupus, sun exposure can be more than just uncomfortable - it can trigger serious flares. UV radiation can worsen skin rashes, cause fatigue, joint pain, and even affect internal organs.

𝙐𝙑 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙞𝙥𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙡𝙪𝙥𝙪𝙨 𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨:
🔸Use broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen daily, even on cloudy days
🔸Seek shade between 10 AM - 4 PM when UV rays are strongest
🔸Wear protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats, and UV-blocking sunglasses
🔸Remember that UV rays can reflect off water, sand, and concrete

At Coastal Rheumatology Associates, we help our lupus patients develop comprehensive protection strategies. Living with lupus doesn't mean avoiding the outdoors - it means being smart about sun safety.

Talk to us about UV protection as part of your lupus management plan.

07/04/2025

Today we celebrate the freedom and independence that makes our country great. We're grateful to live in a nation where we can pursue our dreams, care for our families, and serve our community.

From all of us at Coastal Rheumatology Associates, we wish you a safe and joyful Independence Day filled with family, friends, and celebration!

07/01/2025

It’s our one-year anniversary as part of Southeastern Rheumatology Alliance, and we could not be more thankful. This year has been about growth, collaboration, and a shared commitment to quality, patient-first care.

We appreciate our colleagues, staff, and most of all—our patients. Thank you for being part of this journey with us here at Coastal Rheumatology Associates. The best is yet to come!

🎉 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐀! 🎉

As we mark our first anniversary, we want to take a moment to reflect with deep appreciation.

To our 𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬—thank you for your unwavering commitment to patient-centered care and your support of one another as colleagues.

To our 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟—your grace, grit, and dedication through this year of transition have been nothing short of inspiring.

To 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐑𝐡𝐞𝐮𝐦, your guidance has been key in helping us deliver high-quality care in today’s complex healthcare landscape.

And to our 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬—this is all for you. Thank you for trusting us, adapting with us, and continuing to be the heart of our mission.

Here's to a year of growth, collaboration, and compassionate care—and to the future we are building together.

06/25/2025

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐃𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐍𝐀 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐧? 🧬

An ANA (antinuclear antibody) test can sound alarming, but a positive result doesn’t always point to an autoimmune disease. ANA are autoantibodies—proteins that mistakenly target your own tissues—and the test is often used when evaluating conditions like lupus, Sjögren’s syndrome, or scleroderma.

Key take-aways:
✅ A positive ANA is just one piece of the diagnostic puzzle.
✅ Many healthy people—especially over age 65—can test positive without disease.
✅ Your full medical history, physical exam, and additional labs are essential for accurate interpretation.

If you’ve had an ANA test, talk with your rheumatology provider about what the result means for you and whether any follow-up is needed.

🔗 Learn more from the American College of Rheumatology: bit.ly/3TDxBB4