Let’s be real—when you’re juggling flares, fatigue, and the never-ending list of meds, thinking about your daily water intake might feel like the last thing on your mind. But as a rheumatology nurse practitioner who’s worked with hundreds of patients living with RA, I’ve seen firsthand how something as simple as staying hydrated can make…
High blood pressure with slow pulse is one of those puzzling situations that I’ve come across quite a few times in my years managing hypertension as an internal medicine physician. Usually, when we think of high blood pressure—also known as hypertension—we imagine a fast or pounding heartbeat, right? But sometimes, patients show up with elevated…
If you’ve ever wondered, can RA cause itchy skin?—you’re definitely not alone. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is well-known for causing joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, but many people, including some of my patients, are surprised to learn that skin symptoms like itchiness can also show up. From my experience as a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen…
If you’ve ever experienced an aching jaw that just won’t quit and you’ve been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you might be surprised to learn that the two could be connected. RA and jaw pain explained—that’s exactly what we’re diving into today. As a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen patients caught off guard by this…
Night sweats and rheumatoid arthritis — if you’ve ever experienced these two together, you know it’s more than just an annoying symptom. As a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how this uncomfortable combo can disrupt sleep, affect daily life, and even cause anxiety for those trying to manage their condition. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) isn’t…
It always catches people off guard—when they tell me their neck makes that crunchy, grinding sound and I gently ask, “Has anyone ever talked to you about RA and neck cracking pain?” As a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve heard it more times than I can count. That unexpected creak in the neck? It might not…
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Can RA cause nausea?”—you’re definitely not alone. I’ve had several patients over the years, and even some of my own close friends living with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), casually mention that uneasy, queasy feeling that sneaks up on them. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve learned that nausea is one of…
Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) means constantly juggling symptoms, treatments, and lifestyle tweaks to keep inflammation and pain in check. Over the years working as a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen countless patients ask about natural remedies that might complement their medical care — and one topic that keeps popping up is the idea of…
If you’ve ever sat across from a patient with swollen, aching joints and a look of exhausted hope in their eyes, then you know exactly why I’m writing this. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve had countless conversations about natural options for managing rheumatoid arthritis (RA), especially with patients who are wary of long-term pharmaceutical…