Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a journey that affects every part of your life—from how you move to how you eat. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how inflammation can hijack even the simplest daily tasks. But here’s the thing: small changes in our lifestyle, especially what we put on our plate…
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a condition I’ve seen up close in my years as a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, and one topic that often comes up in discussions with patients is the role of nutrition and supplements in managing symptoms. One supplement that’s sparked a lot of interest lately is magnesium. You might wonder, how does…
Let’s talk about something I see a lot in my clinic — rheumatoid arthritis and iron deficiency. If you’re living with RA, and you’re feeling unusually tired (like more than your usual flare-up fatigue), you might be surprised to learn your iron levels could be to blame. It’s a topic I often dive into with…
If you’re living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you’re probably all too familiar with joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. But what many people—and even some healthcare professionals—don’t realize is that RA and brain inflammation can go hand in hand. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how this disease extends far beyond the joints. In…
If there’s one question I hear over and over from my patients, it’s this: “Is there a connection between my rheumatoid arthritis and sugar?” And let me tell you, after years working as a rheumatology nurse practitioner, diving into research, and listening closely to patients’ lived experiences, the answer is far from simple — but…
Living with rheumatoid arthritis and skin dryness can feel like a double whammy. I see this often in my clinic. Patients come in focused on their joint pain, but as we dig deeper, they’ll often say, “Oh, and my skin’s been super dry lately too—could it be related?” Absolutely. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve…
If you’ve ever found yourself wide awake at 3 a.m. because of throbbing joints, you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not imagining things. As a rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve had so many patients sit across from me, bleary-eyed and frustrated, asking, “Why is the pain always worse at night?” It’s a real issue, and it’s not…
Waking up to stiff, achy joints can feel like your body is stuck in a stubborn time warp — especially if you’re living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). You might have asked yourself, “Why does RA hurt in the morning?” As a rheumatology nurse practitioner who’s seen countless patients battle this very question, I want to…
Living with RA and poor sleep patterns can feel like you’re stuck in a vicious cycle that just keeps spinning. As a Rheumatology nurse practitioner, I’ve seen it firsthand—patients tossing and turning at night, only to wake up feeling like they ran a marathon in their sleep. And let me tell you, it’s not just…