Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a journey that affects every part of your life—from how you move to how you eat. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how inflammation can hijack even the simplest daily tasks. But here’s the thing: small changes in our lifestyle, especially what we put on our plate…
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a condition I’ve seen up close in my years as a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, and one topic that often comes up in discussions with patients is the role of nutrition and supplements in managing symptoms. One supplement that’s sparked a lot of interest lately is magnesium. You might wonder, how does…
Let’s talk about something I see a lot in my clinic — rheumatoid arthritis and iron deficiency. If you’re living with RA, and you’re feeling unusually tired (like more than your usual flare-up fatigue), you might be surprised to learn your iron levels could be to blame. It’s a topic I often dive into with…
Living with rheumatoid arthritis and skin dryness can feel like a double whammy. I see this often in my clinic. Patients come in focused on their joint pain, but as we dig deeper, they’ll often say, “Oh, and my skin’s been super dry lately too—could it be related?” Absolutely. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve…
As a pulmonary nurse practitioner, I’ve come across many patients who ask, “Can asthma cause trouble concentrating?” It’s a question that might seem surprising at first, because when we think about asthma, our minds usually jump to wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. But the reality is more complex. From my years in respiratory care,…
If you’ve ever sat across from a patient and heard them whisper, “Can RA go into remission?” with a mix of hope and fear in their eyes—you’re not alone. I’ve been in that exact spot more times than I can count. As a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve walked alongside many people living with rheumatoid arthritis,…
If you think rheumatoid arthritis in young adults sounds like a contradiction, you’re definitely not alone. I’ve had more than a few patients look at me in disbelief when I bring up RA as a possible diagnosis—especially those in their 20s and 30s. Most folks picture their grandparents when they hear the word “arthritis”, not…
Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) means navigating a complex landscape of symptoms, treatments, and lifestyle adjustments. One topic that comes up a lot in my practice as a Rheumatology nurse practitioner is the connection between RA and gluten-free diets. Patients often ask if cutting out gluten can ease their joint pain or reduce inflammation. From…
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably found yourself deep into research late at night, wondering if natural healing from RA is truly possible. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner who’s walked this road alongside many patients—and to be honest, even had my own brief scare with autoimmune inflammation—I’ve come to understand there’s more to rheumatoid…