Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term condition that causes inflammation in the joints. One of the first and most noticeable symptoms for many people is a loss of grip strength. That means things like opening jars, turning doorknobs, or holding a pen can suddenly become difficult. Understanding why this happens can help you find ways…
Living with asthma can be challenging in ways that go beyond breathing. Some people with asthma describe feeling mentally “foggy” at times—forgetful, unfocused, or just not quite themselves. It raises an important question: can asthma cause brain fog? The answer isn’t always straightforward. While asthma is primarily a condition of the lungs, it can affect…
Asthma is most often linked with breathing difficulties—things like wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. But for some people, symptoms may feel more complex. If you’ve been managing asthma and notice body aches without a fever, it can be both confusing and unsettling. This article explores how asthma might be connected to body aches,…
You’ve likely felt it—wrists stiff in the morning, joints swelling when you least expect it. Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can be a daily challenge, not only physically but mentally. When your immune system mistakenly attacks your own joints, it’s more than just pain—it’s unpredictability, fatigue, emotional strain. That’s tough. And if you’re trying to…
If you’ve been navigating the rollercoaster ride of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you’ve probably wondered more than once, “Is my food making this worse?” As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve had more patients ask me about foods that trigger RA flares than almost anything else. And let me tell you—diet can absolutely make a difference. The…
If you’re anything like me, working long hours in rheumatology and seeing patients battle rheumatoid arthritis (RA) day in and day out, you know how critical diet can be in managing inflammation. And let’s be real—when you’re juggling meds, flares, and fatigue, the last thing anyone wants to think about is complicated food prep. That’s…
If you’re living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you’re probably all too familiar with joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. But what many people—and even some healthcare professionals—don’t realize is that RA and brain inflammation can go hand in hand. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how this disease extends far beyond the joints. In…
If you’re living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you probably already know that what you eat can either help ease your symptoms or make them flare up. Over the years, working closely with patients as a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how some foods can be real troublemakers for those battling this chronic autoimmune condition….
As a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve had countless conversations with patients about what really makes rheumatoid arthritis flare—and what actually helps calm it down. Let’s be real: managing rheumatoid arthritis and balancing inflammation triggers is a bit like walking a tightrope. You try to stay steady, but the smallest gust (say, a stressful week or…