Ever had a patient—or maybe even yourself—ask, “Can asthma cause pain between shoulder blades?” At first glance, it might seem like a stretch, right? But as someone who’s been a pulmonary nurse practitioner for years, let me tell you, this is a surprisingly common complaint. I’ve had folks come into the clinic convinced they were…
Let’s talk about something that doesn’t get enough attention in the world of rheumatoid arthritis: RA and lower back stiffness. I can’t count how many patients have come into my office, eyes a bit weary, asking, “Could this tight, aching feeling in my lower back really be my RA acting up?” Spoiler alert: yes, it…
Managing asthma isn’t always straightforward, and if you’re like many of my patients (or me during my clinical rounds), remembering every symptom, trigger, and med dose can feel like a full-time job. That’s why finding the best apps to track asthma symptoms can be a game-changer. When I worked in a busy pulmonary clinic, we…
When you’re dealing with GERD, finding something tasty that won’t trigger reflux can feel like a guessing game. I’ve seen it firsthand with so many patients at the gastro clinic—and honestly, I’ve gone through my own struggles with it too. One of the most common questions we’d hear was, “Can I still enjoy smoothies?” And…
If you’ve ever experienced that uncomfortable burning sensation in your chest or the frustrating feeling of pain while swallowing, you’re not alone. GERD and pain while swallowing are common complaints I’ve seen many times during my work as a Medical Assistant in a busy Gastroenterology Clinic. It’s more than just occasional heartburn—when acid reflux starts…
Living with RA and hip joint issues is something I see almost daily in my work as a Rheumatology nurse practitioner. And let me tell you—it’s not just a “joint pain” kind of problem. The hip, being a deep and weight-bearing joint, makes this a completely different beast compared to something like RA in the…
If you’ve ever dealt with acid reflux, you know that even something as simple as grabbing a drink can turn into a guessing game. As someone who works closely with patients in a gastroenterology clinic, I’ve seen it time and again — folks trying to figure out what they can sip on without setting off…
Let’s talk about something I see more often in my practice than you might expect—blood pressure after alcohol withdrawal. It’s one of those things that can sneak up on people, especially when they’re trying to do the right thing and quit drinking. As an internal medicine physician, I’ve had more than a few patients come…
When fall rolls in, I always look forward to the cozy foods and warm spices that fill the kitchen. But if you’re like many of my patients at the gastro clinic, fall meals can be a landmine for acid reflux. That’s why I wanted to share some of my favorite GERD friendly fall dinner ideas…