If you’ve ever felt like your body was fighting you from the inside out, you’re not alone. I’ve seen it time and again in my years as a Rheumatology nurse practitioner — patients coming in, exhausted, achy, and unsure of why they feel like they’re running on empty. One of the most common culprits? Rheumatoid…
When someone asks me, “Tarra, can rheumatoid arthritis cause chronic migraines?” my first instinct is to say, it’s complicated—and that’s exactly what makes this question so interesting and worth unpacking. As a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how rheumatoid arthritis (RA) doesn’t just attack joints; it can affect the entire body in surprising ways,…
Can rheumatoid arthritis cause jaw pain? That’s a question I hear more often than you might think in my rheumatology clinic. Most folks associate RA with joints like the hands, wrists, or knees—but the jaw? Yes, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can absolutely be involved, and when it is, it’s not just annoying—it can really interfere…
Living with rheumatoid arthritis and skin sensitivity issues is something many people don’t talk about enough—but it’s real, and it can be frustrating. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how skin flare-ups can sometimes be just as uncomfortable as joint pain. My patients often walk in for joint issues and then hesitantly mention,…
When people hear about rheumatoid arthritis, they often picture an older adult struggling with joint pain. But what many don’t realize—and what I’ve seen far too often in my practice as a Rheumatology nurse practitioner—is that rheumatoid arthritis in teenagers: what to know is a whole different world. It’s a journey full of surprises, setbacks,…
Can rheumatoid arthritis affect memory? This question pops up more often than you might think, especially from patients and families navigating the day-to-day challenges of living with RA. From my experience as a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how this autoimmune condition goes far beyond just joint pain and stiffness. It can also touch…
If you’ve ever wondered, can rheumatoid arthritis cause kidney problems? you’re definitely not alone. As a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I get this question a lot from patients who are navigating the complexities of RA beyond just joint pain. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is often thought of as a disease that mainly attacks joints, but in reality,…
Can rheumatoid arthritis cause chronic dizziness? It’s a question I’ve heard more often than you’d think, especially from patients who’ve been dealing with RA for years. I remember one woman, late 40s, newly diagnosed, sitting in my exam room and asking, “Why do I feel like the room is spinning some days? Is it the…
If you’ve ever wondered, can rheumatoid arthritis cause balance problems?—you’re definitely not alone. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how this autoimmune condition affects much more than just the joints. People often focus on the classic symptoms like joint pain and swelling, but balance issues are a sneaky, lesser-known challenge that many with…