As a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner, I’ve sat across from countless patients who’ve asked me the same thing in different ways: “What are early warning signs of rheumatoid arthritis?” It’s a question I wish more people asked sooner, because with RA, timing really matters. Rheumatoid arthritis is sneaky—it doesn’t always come on with fireworks. Sometimes it…
If you’ve ever had a patient sit across from you, eyes wide with frustration and pain, asking, “Why am I flaring up again when I haven’t missed a dose of my meds?”, you’re not alone. I’ve heard this more times than I can count. And one of the most overlooked triggers I often find myself…
If you’ve ever wondered, can rheumatoid arthritis cause chronic headaches?—you’re not alone. As a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner, I’ve had plenty of patients sit across from me, rubbing their temples and saying, “Tarra, I thought this was just joint pain. Why does my head hurt all the time too?” Trust me, it’s a question worth exploring….
Have you ever wondered, can rheumatoid arthritis cause dizziness? Honestly, as a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner, I’ve had so many patients over the years bring this up during visits — and I get it. When you’re dealing with a chronic illness like RA, anything out of the ordinary can feel alarming. Sometimes, the dizziness creeps in…
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide, and as a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how it can impact individuals’ daily lives. What many people don’t know is that there’s more to RA than just joint pain and inflammation. The gut microbiome – the trillions of bacteria and microorganisms…
Can rheumatoid arthritis cause stomach pain? You wouldn’t believe how often I hear this question in clinic, usually right after a patient notices gut issues cropping up alongside their joint flares. At first glance, it might seem like the two aren’t connected—joints and stomach? But as someone who works closely with autoimmune patients every day,…
When we think about rheumatoid arthritis and its effect on the spine, most folks picture painful, swollen fingers or knees—not aching backs. But as someone who has walked beside patients for years in Rheumatology, let me tell you: the spine, especially the neck (hello, cervical spine!), doesn’t escape RA’s wrath. I’ve had many patients sit…
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that primarily targets the joints, but its impact extends far beyond the joints. As a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how RA can affect a person’s quality of life in ways that go beyond just pain and stiffness. One area that often gets overlooked is how…
Can rheumatoid arthritis cause blurred vision? That’s a question I’ve been asked more times than I can count in my clinic. And honestly, it’s a fair one. When patients come in with joint pain and stiffness, they’re often so focused on managing the physical symptoms that they don’t even think about how their eyes might…