Can asthma cause swallowing difficulties? That’s a question I’ve heard more times than I can count during my years as a pulmonary nurse. The short answer is yes—but it’s not quite as straightforward as it sounds. Many people living with asthma notice that, at times, eating or even swallowing saliva can feel uncomfortable or oddly…
Ever since I recovered from COVID, I noticed something weird—my lungs didn’t bounce back the way I expected. And I wasn’t alone. A few of my patients, and even some nurse friends, started complaining of similar symptoms. Shortness of breath, coughing fits, chest tightness. Turns out, this wasn’t just lingering COVID stuff—it was something more….
Living with rheumatoid arthritis and how to relieve wrist pain naturally is something I talk about with patients almost daily. As a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how frustrating and limiting wrist pain can be. From difficulty holding a coffee mug to the challenge of buttoning a shirt, it’s often the little things that…
As a Pulmonary Nurse, I’ve seen firsthand how air travel can have a significant impact on individuals with asthma. The experience of flying, while exciting, can also introduce a number of triggers that might worsen asthma symptoms. But can air travel worsen asthma? In my practice, many of the patients I’ve worked with express concern…
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years working as a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner, it’s that understanding rheumatoid arthritis and how to avoid common triggers can be life-changing for patients. And I don’t say that lightly. RA isn’t just about aching joints or stiffness in the morning—it’s about fatigue that sneaks up on you…
Let’s be real for a second — who doesn’t love the occasional fizzy drink, especially on a hot afternoon or during a meal? I used to grab a cold soda almost daily without thinking twice. But working in a Gastroenterology clinic for several years, I started noticing a trend among patients dealing with chronic heartburn…
As a Medical Assistant working in a Gastroenterology Clinic, I’ve seen firsthand how acid reflux on an empty stomach can be a huge issue for many patients. It’s one of those things that people don’t really talk about much, but the discomfort can be unbearable. If you’ve ever woken up with a burning sensation in…
As an Internal Medicine physician who’s spent years helping patients manage high blood pressure, I’ve been asked just about every lifestyle-related question under the sun. But one that’s coming up more and more lately is this: Can screen time increase blood pressure? It’s a great question—especially as our lives become more intertwined with smartphones, tablets,…
If you’re dealing with rheumatoid arthritis and the best stretches for knee pain are on your radar, you’re absolutely not alone. As a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner, I see so many patients who quietly suffer through their day, unsure if that stiffness in their knees is just “getting older” or something more serious. I totally get…
