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 cause shortness of breath? If you’ve ever worked in rheumatology—or lived with RA yourself—you’ve probably heard this question more than once. As a nurse practitioner in the field, I’ve had countless patients bring this up, usually after a flare-up or a bout of unexplained fatigue. It’s not something we always associate with…
Can rheumatoid arthritis cause numbness in feet? That’s actually one of the more common (and confusing) questions I get asked in my clinic. You’d think joint pain and swelling would be the main issue with RA—and they are—but when a patient starts describing tingling toes or a “pins and needles” sensation in their feet, it…
Can rheumatoid arthritis cause chronic sinus infections? That’s a question I get more often than you’d expect—and one I’ve found myself digging into more than once both professionally and personally. As a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner, I’ve seen patients raise their eyebrows at the connection between their relentless sinus pressure and their autoimmune condition. If you’ve…
If you’ve been managing rheumatoid arthritis and hearing loss, or you’ve had patients mention their ears “just aren’t what they used to be,” you’re definitely not alone. I can’t tell you how many times a patient has come in for a follow-up on their RA and casually mentioned they’ve been asking people to repeat themselves…
If you’ve ever wondered how does rheumatoid arthritis affect the lungs, you’re not alone—and as a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner, I’ve had more conversations about this than I can count. Many patients are shocked when I first bring it up. “Wait, RA can affect my lungs too?” Yep, it sure can. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) isn’t just…
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide, causing joint inflammation, pain, and stiffness. But did you know that RA can also impact your lung function? It’s not something many people think about when they hear about rheumatoid arthritis, but it’s a crucial connection that can significantly affect your overall health….
Can rheumatoid arthritis affect your kidneys? It’s a question I get asked more often than you might think. As someone who has spent years diagnosing and managing RA, I’ve seen firsthand how this autoimmune condition doesn’t always stick to just the joints. While most people associate RA with stiff, painful fingers or swollen knees, the…
Hey there! If you’re reading this, chances are you or someone you love is dealing with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and you’re wondering, “Wait, what does RA have to do with my lungs?” I get it—when people think of RA, they picture achy joints, swollen fingers, and stiffness, but very few realize that it can also…