Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is not just about managing physical symptoms like joint pain and stiffness; it’s also deeply intertwined with emotional well-being. From my years as a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how RA and emotional support ideas play a crucial role in helping patients cope with the daily challenges this chronic…
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 tried to juggle a full workday while battling joint stiffness, brain fog, and relentless exhaustion, you already know this: rheumatoid arthritis and strategies for managing work fatigue are topics we seriously don’t talk about enough. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen far too many patients struggle in silence—pushing through meetings with…
If you’ve ever dealt with asthma—whether personally, through a loved one, or like me, from years of experience as a pulmonary nurse practitioner—you know it’s more than just “trouble breathing.” People often expect wheezing and coughing, but something I’ve been asked more than once in clinic is: Can asthma cause flushed face? And honestly, it’s…
Let’s talk about something every rheumatology patient—and let’s be real, every rheumatology *provider*—dreads as soon as the temperatures start to dip: how to prevent flare-ups during winter. I can’t count the number of patients who tell me their joints feel like they’ve aged a decade overnight once cold weather hits. As a rheumatology nurse practitioner,…