Hand pain can be frustrating and confusing, especially when it starts to interfere with daily life. You may wonder: is it just part of getting older, or could it be something more serious like rheumatoid arthritis (RA)? While osteoarthritis (OA) and RA can both affect your hands, they’re very different conditions with different treatments. Let’s dive into the key signs that can help you understand what’s causing your hand pain.
[Read more…] about Spotting RA in Your HandsArticles
Lupus Flare Survival ToolKit
Lupus flares can feel like a storm you didn’t see coming—pain, fatigue, and inflammation hitting all at once. If you live with lupus, you know flares are part of the journey, but that doesn’t mean you have to face them unprepared. Here’s your guide to building a lupus flare toolkit so you can manage symptoms with confidence and care.
[Read more…] about Lupus Flare Survival ToolKitSilent Signs of RA in Your Lungs
When most people think about rheumatoid arthritis (RA), they picture swollen joints, aching knees, and stiff fingers. But here’s the thing: RA isn’t just about your joints. It’s a systemic autoimmune disease that can quietly affect other parts of your body, including your lungs. Surprised? You’re not alone.
Up to 30% of people with RA develop lung complications like interstitial lung disease (ILD) or pleural disease. These conditions can often go unnoticed until symptoms like shortness of breath or a persistent cough become too big to ignore. Let’s break down what you need to know about these sneaky complications, how inflammation plays a role, and what steps you can take to protect your lungs.
[Read more…] about Silent Signs of RA in Your LungsWhat Your Back MRI Really Means
If you’ve been dealing with back pain, chances are you’ve had a back MRI or X-ray done. And if you’ve seen that report, you know it’s full of medical jargon: “spondylosis,” “facet joint hypertrophy,” and “spinal stenosis.” Sound terrifying? You’re not alone.
But here’s the truth: spinal imaging findings like these are incredibly common, especially as we get older. They don’t always explain your back pain, and they definitely don’t always mean you need surgery. Let’s break it all down.
[Read more…] about What Your Back MRI Really MeansRetesting the ANA or Rheumatoid Factor
Blood tests like the ANA (antinuclear antibody) and rheumatoid factor (RF) are often the first steps when a doctor suspects an autoimmune condition like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. But what happens when these tests come back negative, and your symptoms persist? Or when they’re positive but don’t seem to tell the full story? Let’s break down when retesting might make sense and how these tests fit into the bigger picture of autoimmune disease management.
[Read more…] about Retesting the ANA or Rheumatoid Factor