Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic condition that causes inflammation in the joints, often making everyday tasks painful. For people living with RA, flare-ups—times when symptoms get suddenly worse—can be especially hard. The good news is, there are ways to ease the pain and manage flares at home. Understanding what causes these flares and how…
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to mistakenly attack healthy joints. This leads to pain, swelling, and stiffness—mostly in the hands, feet, and knees. RA can make everyday tasks harder and may affect how you move, sleep, and even how you feel emotionally. Understanding how RA impacts daily habits…
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…
As a rheumatology nurse practitioner and a mom myself, I know firsthand that coping with RA as a parent is no easy feat. Between juggling morning stiffness and soccer practice, managing meds while making dinner, and explaining your flares to little ones, it can sometimes feel like you’re trying to run a marathon with ankle…
If you’re like most of my patients, you’ve probably spent countless mornings trying to figure out how to start your day without that familiar joint stiffness dragging you down. Believe me, I get it. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve had so many conversations that start with the same question: “Is there a *daily routine…
If you’ve ever found yourself asking, can RA cause depression?, you’re not alone — and as a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve heard this question more times than I can count. Rheumatoid Arthritis isn’t just about joint pain and stiffness. It’s not just physical — it’s emotional, it’s mental, and it can quietly take a toll…
So many of my patients come to me asking, “Is there a way to stop RA naturally?” And honestly, as a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I get where they’re coming from. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) isn’t just about joint pain—it’s about fatigue, flare unpredictability, and just feeling like your body has turned on you. While conventional medicine…
Is RA considered a disability? That’s a question I’ve been asked more times than I can count in my years as a rheumatology nurse practitioner. And honestly, I get why it comes up so often. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) doesn’t always “look” like a disability to those on the outside—but the fatigue, the stiffness, the unpredictable…
Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is no small feat, especially when juggling the demands of a full-time job. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how this chronic autoimmune condition not only affects the joints but also impacts every aspect of a person’s daily routine — including their ability to work comfortably and efficiently….