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…
As a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges that patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) face—not just in terms of pain and joint inflammation, but also in managing the secondary complications, such as muscle wasting. The impact of muscle wasting on people with RA is often underestimated, but it can significantly affect quality of…
Can asthma cause weight gain from steroids? Oh, absolutely—this is a question I get asked all the time in my clinic. And I get it. You start on steroids to help your breathing, finally feel like you can take a deep breath again, and then bam—your jeans don’t fit, your energy feels off, and you’re…
Can Asthma Cause Muscle Weakness? First things first, let’s address the question head-on: Can asthma cause muscle weakness? The short answer is yes, but it’s a bit more complicated than that. While asthma itself doesn’t directly cause muscle weakness, it can set off a chain of events that leads to weaker muscles over time. Here’s…