If you’re living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you know that flare-ups can hit without much warning — turning a normal day into a painful struggle. How to prepare for a rheumatoid arthritis flare-up isn’t just about managing pain when it happens; it’s about anticipating those tough days and arming yourself with strategies to lessen their…
Can rheumatoid arthritis cause jaw pain? That’s a question I hear more often than you might think in my rheumatology clinic. Most folks associate RA with joints like the hands, wrists, or knees—but the jaw? Yes, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can absolutely be involved, and when it is, it’s not just annoying—it can really interfere…
Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) means learning how to work *with* your body instead of against it. And let me tell you, one of the most common things my patients ask is how to strengthen hands with rheumatoid arthritis without flaring things up. As a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how frustrating it can…
When I first started working as a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I didn’t think much about how rheumatoid arthritis could affect things beyond joints and mobility. But over time, I’ve had several heart-to-heart conversations with patients trying to start or grow their families—and that’s when it really hit home. Rheumatoid arthritis and its impact on fertility…
If you’re dealing with rheumatoid arthritis and its effect on energy levels, you’re not imagining it—this fatigue is *real*, relentless, and often misunderstood. As a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve had countless patients tell me they’re tired of being tired. And honestly? I get it. The kind of fatigue that comes with RA isn’t the same…
Living with rheumatoid arthritis and skin sensitivity issues is something many people don’t talk about enough—but it’s real, and it can be frustrating. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how skin flare-ups can sometimes be just as uncomfortable as joint pain. My patients often walk in for joint issues and then hesitantly mention,…
Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is no small feat, especially when juggling the demands of a full-time job. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how this chronic autoimmune condition not only affects the joints but also impacts every aspect of a person’s daily routine — including their ability to work comfortably and efficiently….
When you’ve worked with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients as long as I have, you start to pick up on the subtle but powerful ways certain nutrients affect symptom management. One trace mineral that keeps popping up in conversations lately is magnesium. So, let’s dive into something I’ve been exploring more both personally and professionally: the…
When people hear about rheumatoid arthritis, they often picture an older adult struggling with joint pain. But what many don’t realize—and what I’ve seen far too often in my practice as a Rheumatology nurse practitioner—is that rheumatoid arthritis in teenagers: what to know is a whole different world. It’s a journey full of surprises, setbacks,…