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,…
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably found yourself deep into research late at night, wondering if natural healing from RA is truly possible. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner who’s walked this road alongside many patients—and to be honest, even had my own brief scare with autoimmune inflammation—I’ve come to understand there’s more to rheumatoid…
Can asthma cause restless sleep? Absolutely—and I’ve seen this play out time and again in my years as a pulmonary nurse practitioner. Honestly, it’s one of the most overlooked reasons why some of my patients wake up feeling like they’ve run a marathon instead of catching z’s. You wouldn’t believe how many people come in…
Let’s be real—living with asthma can feel like riding an emotional and physical rollercoaster. One day you’re breathing easy, the next you’re tight-chested and wheezing like you’ve run a marathon just from climbing stairs. If you’ve ever wondered, can asthma cause fluctuating symptoms daily, you are definitely not alone. As a pulmonary nurse practitioner, I…
Winter is that season when many people cozy up by the fire and enjoy hot drinks — but for those of us managing asthma, it can also be a challenging time. How to prevent winter asthma attacks is a question I hear a lot from patients, friends, and even colleagues. From my years as a…