Can rheumatoid arthritis cause swollen lymph nodes? This is a question I hear more often than you might think—usually from patients who are already overwhelmed by joint pain, fatigue, and the laundry list of RA symptoms they’re trying to manage. It’s a fair question, and honestly, not one that’s talked about nearly enough. As a…
Let me tell you, as a rheumatology nurse practitioner who’s spent countless hours walking patients through flares, stiffness, and overwhelming fatigue, I’ve had one question come up again and again: how to stop rheumatoid arthritis from progressing. It’s not just a medical concern—it’s deeply personal. When you’re the one waking up with aching joints or…
Can rheumatoid arthritis cause sudden weight gain? This is a question I’ve heard more times than I can count in the exam room. You’d think that with all the joint pain and inflammation, folks would actually lose weight, right? But the truth is, sudden weight gain isn’t just common—it can be a real and confusing…
If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, it’s that stress and arthritis go together like thunderstorms and leaky roofs — one just makes the other worse. When my patients ask me about the best ways to manage stress with arthritis, I always say: it’s not just about popping pills or stretching…
Can rheumatoid arthritis cause low blood pressure? You’d be surprised how often I get asked this question, and honestly—it’s not a simple yes or no. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve had plenty of patients who came in for joint pain but ended up sharing symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, or even fainting. Naturally, the question…
If you’re like me, navigating the world with asthma can feel like you’re constantly tiptoeing around triggers — dust, cold air, smoke, pollen, even stress. But here’s something many people overlook: what you eat can either fan the flames of inflammation or help calm the storm. Yep, I’m talking about foods that calm asthma inflammation….
Can rheumatoid arthritis affect your bladder? It’s not a question I get every day, but when I do, the look on a patient’s face tells me everything — surprise, worry, and a tinge of “why hasn’t anyone mentioned this before?” As a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen first-hand how RA can show up in places…
Can rheumatoid arthritis affect your hearing? It’s not the first question most people think of when RA comes up in conversation, but believe me—after years of sitting across from patients, I’ve learned that rheumatoid arthritis can sneak up in some pretty surprising ways. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve had patients walk in worried about…
If you’re anything like the patients I see in clinic every week, you’re probably tired of the ups and downs of arthritis. One day, you’re fine, and the next—bam!—your joints are stiff, swollen, and just not cooperating. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve had more conversations about flare-ups than I can count. But here’s the…