Foot pain is a common issue for people living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA is an autoimmune disease that causes your immune system to attack your joints, including those in your feet. This can lead to pain, swelling, and changes in the way you walk. Finding the right foot pain solutions for RA can make…
Can RA cause weak grip? If you’ve ever found yourself struggling to open a jar, twist a doorknob, or even hold a pen, you’re not alone. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve had countless patients walk into my clinic frustrated by a loss of grip strength—and more often than not, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the…
If you’ve ever dealt with joint pain in your fingers, you know how tricky it can be to figure out what’s going on. Is it rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or something else entirely? When it comes to RA vs osteoarthritis in fingers, the distinction matters—not just for treatment, but for understanding how your day-to-day life might…
Let’s be real—joint pain is a frustrating beast. I’ve had countless patients walk into my exam room convinced they have rheumatoid arthritis (RA) just because their knees or fingers ache after a long day. And I get it—when your joints hurt, it’s easy to assume the worst. But here’s the thing: not all joint pain…
Rheumatoid arthritis and the impact on foot health is something I talk about with my patients almost every day. And let me tell you, foot pain isn’t just a footnote (pun intended) when it comes to RA—it’s often center stage. If you’ve ever dealt with swollen toes, burning arches, or that awful morning stiffness that…
Can rheumatoid arthritis cause jaw pain? That’s a question I hear more often than you might think in my rheumatology clinic. Most folks associate RA with joints like the hands, wrists, or knees—but the jaw? Yes, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can absolutely be involved, and when it is, it’s not just annoying—it can really interfere…
Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) means learning how to work *with* your body instead of against it. And let me tell you, one of the most common things my patients ask is how to strengthen hands with rheumatoid arthritis without flaring things up. As a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how frustrating it can…
Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) isn’t just about joint pain — it’s about reclaiming your quality of life. As a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve walked alongside so many patients navigating this chronic illness. I’ve seen the exhaustion in their eyes, the stiffness in their steps, and the frustration of flares that seem to come out…
As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can significantly affect a person’s quality of life. One of the most challenging symptoms of RA is the persistent joint pain, which can make even the simplest tasks feel overwhelming. While traditional medications play a vital role in managing pain,…