Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term condition that affects your joints. It can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling, especially in the hands and feet. Spotting the early signs of RA in your feet is important because early treatment can slow the disease down and improve your quality of life. Understanding what to look for helps…
Managing more than one autoimmune disease—especially when one of them is rheumatoid arthritis (RA)—can feel overwhelming. Autoimmune diseases happen when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body. When you have RA and other autoimmune conditions at the same time, it can affect many parts of your body and make daily life more challenging. But…
Does RA affect memory? That’s a question I hear more often than you’d think. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve had patients look at me with a mix of frustration and fear when they say, “I feel like I’m forgetting everything lately… is it the RA?” It’s not just aches and swollen joints anymore—we’re talking…
It’s wild how something as simple as water—something we take for granted every day—can play such a critical role in managing a complex disease like rheumatoid arthritis (RA). As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve sat across from patients who were surprised to hear me emphasize hydration right alongside…
If you’ve ever wondered, is RA genetic or acquired?, you’re definitely not alone. I get asked this almost daily in my clinic—and honestly, it’s not a simple yes or no. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) can feel like such a mystery when it first hits, especially because symptoms often creep in slowly before roaring to life. As…
If you’ve been living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you probably know firsthand how frustrating it can be when something as simple as walking becomes a challenge. RA and walking limitations often go hand in hand, and understanding why this happens can make a big difference in managing daily life. From my years as a rheumatology…
If you’ve ever experienced an aching jaw that just won’t quit and you’ve been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you might be surprised to learn that the two could be connected. RA and jaw pain explained—that’s exactly what we’re diving into today. As a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen patients caught off guard by this…
Night sweats and rheumatoid arthritis — if you’ve ever experienced these two together, you know it’s more than just an annoying symptom. As a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how this uncomfortable combo can disrupt sleep, affect daily life, and even cause anxiety for those trying to manage their condition. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) isn’t…
It always catches people off guard—when they tell me their neck makes that crunchy, grinding sound and I gently ask, “Has anyone ever talked to you about RA and neck cracking pain?” As a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve heard it more times than I can count. That unexpected creak in the neck? It might not…