If you’ve ever had that little spike of anxiety right before your blood pressure reading at the doctor’s office—you’re not alone. It’s incredibly common, and as an Internal Medicine physician who’s had countless patients ask me how to reduce BP before doctor visit, I can tell you: there’s more you can do than just “relax.”…
Living with asthma can be a daily juggling act—managing symptoms, avoiding triggers, and trying to get a good night’s sleep. One small but often overlooked factor that can make a big difference is the best pillow height for asthma sufferers. From my experience as a pulmonary nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how something as simple…
If you’ve ever tried juggling long shifts at a medical clinic while dealing with the exhausting symptoms of GERD, you already know—it’s no joke. I remember rushing between rooms, charting vitals, and assisting with scopes on an empty stomach just because the wrong snack earlier flared my reflux. Over time, I learned how to fuel…
If you or someone in your family struggles with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), you know how tricky mealtime can become. As a Medical Assistant working in a busy Gastroenterology Clinic, I’ve seen firsthand how the right food choices can make a world of difference. Planning meals that are not only tasty but also GERD friendly…
When folks ask me what rheumatoid arthritis (RA) really looks like inside the joints, especially on an X-ray, I usually start by saying—”It’s not always obvious, but when you know what you’re looking for, it practically jumps out at you.” What RA looks like on Xray isn’t just about bones—it’s about a deeper story of…
If you’ve ever woken up with stiff fingers and thought, “Hmm, must’ve slept weird,” you’re not alone. But if that stiffness starts lingering a little too long—or if your rings don’t fit like they used to—it might be time to look closer. One of the most early signs of RA in hands isn’t a dramatic…
Feeling constantly drained, even after a full night’s sleep? If you or someone you love has asthma, this might sound familiar. It’s a question I’ve heard from so many patients in my pulmonary practice: can asthma cause low energy levels? Short answer—yes, absolutely. But let’s dig a little deeper, because it’s not always just the…
It’s not unusual for patients to ask me why they feel so breathless when exercising, even though their asthma seems “under control.” As a pulmonary nurse practitioner, I’ve had countless conversations with folks who were surprised to learn how asthma impacts blood oxygen during exercise. It’s a tricky topic, but such an important one—especially for…
If you’re like me and you’ve worked in a gastroenterology clinic long enough, you’ve probably heard a ton of patients say, “I wake up gasping or feeling like I can’t breathe — is this really from reflux?” And the answer? More often than not: yes. That tight chest feeling, especially when lying down at night,…