Can rheumatoid arthritis cause permanent disability? As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve had this question tossed at me more times than I can count—usually with a mix of fear and uncertainty in the patient’s eyes. Honestly, it’s not a simple yes or no. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) isn’t just about achy joints or occasional stiffness. It’s…
Let’s get real—can rheumatoid arthritis cause sleep problems? Absolutely. And if you’re nodding along while massaging your shoulder or rubbing your aching knees at 3 a.m., you already know the answer deep down. As a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve had countless conversations with patients who feel like they’re in a never-ending tug-of-war between managing pain…
If you’re living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), then you already know—this isn’t your average joint pain. It’s inflammation on a whole other level. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve sat across from countless patients who’ve asked me, “What can I eat to help calm this down?” And I get it. The idea that the best…
Can rheumatoid arthritis affect your teeth and gums? Honestly, that’s a question I hear more often than you’d think—especially after someone sits in my exam room and starts connecting the dots between joint pain and those weird dental issues they’ve been brushing off. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve had a front-row seat to just…
Let’s be real—living with rheumatoid arthritis isn’t just about managing pain or medications. It’s the little things that slowly become a challenge—twisting a doorknob, reaching for a jar, tying your shoes. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how people’s lives shift, sometimes drastically, after their diagnosis. One of the biggest concerns I hear…
As a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner with years of hands-on experience, I’ve had the privilege of working with countless patients who struggle with the complexities of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). One of the most common questions I get from my patients, especially those dealing with the more debilitating symptoms, is: “Can rheumatoid arthritis cause chronic fatigue syndrome…
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that often affects the joints, leading to pain, swelling, and stiffness. It’s a condition that I, as a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner, encounter regularly in my practice, and one of the most common questions patients ask is, “Does rheumatoid arthritis get worse with age?” While this question doesn’t…
If you’ve ever watched a patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) try to unscrew a stubborn jar lid or button a shirt on a flare day, you’ll know what I mean when I say: living with RA isn’t just about managing pain—it’s about navigating a hundred little challenges that most people take for granted. Over the…
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic condition that affects millions of people worldwide, often leading to pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints. As a Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner, I’ve seen first-hand the struggles that individuals with RA go through. It’s more than just an inflammatory condition; it impacts daily life in profound ways. But, did…