Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that often affects the joints, leading to pain, swelling, and stiffness. It’s a condition that I, as a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner, encounter regularly in my practice, and one of the most common questions patients ask is, “Does rheumatoid arthritis get worse with age?” While this question doesn’t…
If you’re navigating the rollercoaster of menopause and suddenly your blood pressure is creeping up for no clear reason—you’re not imagining it. Blood pressure and menopause: what to know is a topic I find myself discussing more and more often in the clinic. I’ve been an Internal Medicine Physician for over a decade, and let…
As a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges faced by patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It’s a condition that doesn’t just affect joints; it impacts daily life in ways that can be difficult to describe. But here’s the thing: despite the discomfort and restrictions that RA can bring, there’s still hope for maintaining…
As we age, our bodies undergo numerous changes that affect almost every system, and the digestive system is no exception. One of the most common and troublesome conditions that tend to worsen with age is GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease. If you’re someone who’s struggled with GERD for years, you might notice that your symptoms…
Asthma is one of those conditions that can be unpredictable—some people grow out of it, while others find it creeping back into their lives stronger than ever. If you’re wondering, can asthma worsen with age? The answer isn’t always straightforward. As someone who has spent years diving deep into respiratory health, I’ve seen firsthand how…
What the Heck is GERD? 🤔 Okay, so before we get into how GERD affects older adults, let’s quickly talk about what GERD even is. Basically, it’s when stomach acid or sometimes bile sneaks up into your esophagus (that’s the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach). This usually happens when the lower esophageal…
Hey, What’s Hypertension Anyway? So, hypertension—basically, it’s just a fancy word for high blood pressure. A lot of people have it, but the tricky part is, it often doesn’t show any obvious signs. You might feel totally fine, but if left unchecked, it can seriously mess with your health. As we get older, the chances…
Blood pressure changes with age, but how does it evolve throughout your life? In this guide, we’ll break down how blood pressure varies as you get older, the factors that influence these changes, and what you can do to maintain healthy levels. As we age, our bodies go through a variety of changes, and blood…
Managing hypertension in older adults requires careful attention to treatment plans, lifestyle changes, and regular monitoring. Let’s dive into the most effective strategies to keep blood pressure under control in senior citizens! Understanding Hypertension in Older Adults As we age, our bodies go through a lot of changes, and one of the most common is…