If you’ve ever wondered, is RA genetic or acquired?, you’re definitely not alone. I get asked this almost daily in my clinic—and honestly, it’s not a simple yes or no. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) can feel like such a mystery when it first hits, especially because symptoms often creep in slowly before roaring to life. As…
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…
Working from home sounds like a dream for many people, but if you’re like me—a Rheumatology nurse practitioner who also understands the daily grind of managing rheumatoid arthritis—it’s not always that simple. The idea of staying cozy at home is great, but when your joints scream at the thought of a stiff chair or cold…
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’ve been living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you probably know firsthand how frustrating it can be when something as simple as walking becomes a challenge. RA and walking limitations often go hand in hand, and understanding why this happens can make a big difference in managing daily life. From my years as a rheumatology…
Let’s be real—when you’re juggling flares, fatigue, and the never-ending list of meds, thinking about your daily water intake might feel like the last thing on your mind. But as a rheumatology nurse practitioner who’s worked with hundreds of patients living with RA, I’ve seen firsthand how something as simple as staying hydrated can make…
If you’ve ever wondered, can RA cause itchy skin?—you’re definitely not alone. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is well-known for causing joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, but many people, including some of my patients, are surprised to learn that skin symptoms like itchiness can also show up. From my experience as a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen…
If you’ve ever experienced an aching jaw that just won’t quit and you’ve been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you might be surprised to learn that the two could be connected. RA and jaw pain explained—that’s exactly what we’re diving into today. As a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen patients caught off guard by this…