Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune condition that affects millions of people worldwide, and as someone who works closely with individuals dealing with RA, I’ve seen firsthand how it can truly impact daily life. One of the more concerning and sometimes overlooked symptoms of RA is the sensation of numbness in the hands. If…
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…
Living with rheumatoid arthritis and anti-inflammatory lifestyle habits is more than just managing pain—it’s about taking back control of your life, one small habit at a time. As a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner, I’ve had countless conversations with patients overwhelmed by flares, stiffness, and fatigue, wondering if there’s anything beyond medications that can actually make a…
If you’ve ever had a patient look at you, eyes half-lidded, voice barely above a whisper, and say, “I’m just so tired… all the time,” then you already understand how deeply intertwined rheumatoid arthritis and the connection to autoimmune fatigue really is. As a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner, I can’t count the number of times I’ve…
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,…
If you’ve ever watched someone you care about struggle to get out of bed in the morning because of joint pain—or maybe you’ve been there yourself—then you know how real and frustrating rheumatoid arthritis can be. As a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner, I’ve had the privilege of walking side-by-side with patients navigating this condition daily. Over…
As a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner, I’ve seen countless patients struggle with the chronic pain and inflammation that comes with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). If you or someone you know has RA, you understand just how debilitating this autoimmune disease can be. The pain, stiffness, and fatigue can often make even the simplest tasks feel impossible. But…
Ever notice how your gut seems to have a mind of its own? As someone who’s spent years on the pulmonary floor watching patients struggle through asthma flares, I can tell you there’s more to this condition than just what’s going on in the lungs. One thing that keeps coming up more and more—in both…
Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can be challenging, but one thing that can make a significant difference is incorporating a safe stretching routine into your daily life. As a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how beneficial the right stretches can be for patients managing RA. Not only can they help reduce stiffness and pain,…