If you’re living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you probably know all too well the struggle of waking up with stiff, swollen joints that make getting out of bed feel like a challenge. RA and morning swelling relief isn’t just about comfort—it’s about reclaiming your day and your independence. Over the years as a Rheumatology nurse…
Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) means navigating a lot of unexpected challenges—one of which, surprisingly, is how RA affects nail health. From my years as a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how patients often overlook their nails when managing their disease. Yet, nails can tell us a lot about what’s happening beneath the surface,…
If you’ve ever lived with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you know how stubborn joint pain and stiffness can be, especially when the weather turns chilly or after a long day on your feet. Over the years, working closely with patients as a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how simple tools like heat wraps can offer…
Night sweats and rheumatoid arthritis — if you’ve ever experienced these two together, you know it’s more than just an annoying symptom. As a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how this uncomfortable combo can disrupt sleep, affect daily life, and even cause anxiety for those trying to manage their condition. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) isn’t…
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’ve recently been diagnosed with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you’re probably feeling a mix of emotions—uncertainty, frustration, maybe even fear. I get it. As a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve walked beside many patients during these early stages. One question I hear more often than you’d think is, “How to reverse early RA?” While there’s…
As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I get this question more often than you’d think: does RA affect blood vessels? Short answer? Yes, and in more ways than people realize. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) isn’t just about achy joints—it’s a full-body inflammatory condition, and that inflammation can take a toll on your blood vessels, too. I’ve seen…
As a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve had countless conversations with patients about what really makes rheumatoid arthritis flare—and what actually helps calm it down. Let’s be real: managing rheumatoid arthritis and balancing inflammation triggers is a bit like walking a tightrope. You try to stay steady, but the smallest gust (say, a stressful week or…
If you’ve ever wondered how to reduce joint pain from rheumatoid arthritis, you’re not alone. As a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how frustrating and exhausting this condition can be. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) isn’t just about achy joints—it’s an autoimmune disease that can seriously impact your quality of life. But here’s the good news:…