Heart disease. We all know about it, we all want to prevent it and sadly, we all know someone with it. When we think of heart disease, our minds naturally think of heart attacks or maybe heart failure. We think of an overweight man with high blood pressure and diabetes, although we know women are just as affected. But did you know that inflammatory arthritis can be associated with heart disease? In fact, most autoimmune or inflammatory arthritis types can lead to disease of every part of the heart. Watch the video above or keep reading to learn more!
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What is a Rheumatologist?
Have you ever been told you should see a Rheumatologist? And when you were told, did you know what they were talking about? I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t. Rheumatology is a somewhat obscure field, even though there are close to 5000 of us in the United States. Rheumatologists are specialists who complete 4 years of medical school (after college), either an Internal Medicine or Pediatrics residency (3-4 years) and then a Rheumatology Fellowship (2-3 years). Keep reading or watch the video to learn more about what a Rheumatologist does!
[Read more…] about What is a Rheumatologist?Why Meditation is the best medication
We all hear how great meditation is. And at some point we may have been advised that we should be doing it. To start a new meditation practice sounds easy, but I know first hand, it is not. It can be hard to start something so out of our norm when the benefits aren’t easily apparent. If we have chronic medical conditions, especially if they are rheumatologic, inflammatory or autoimmune, it can seem as if meditation isn’t for us. That perhaps we are too far down the “sick road” to get any benefit. But that couldn’t be further from the truth! EVERYONE benefits from a meditation or mindfulness practice – but what does it do exactly and how can it benefit you?
[Read more…] about Why Meditation is the best medicationThe TPO Antibody explained
Autoimmune thyroid disease is common but can be confusing. A big component of the diagnosis is the blood test for TPO antibodies. TPO stands for Thyroid Peroxidase and it is vitally important for the production of thyroid hormone (which impacts almost every system in our body…so yeah, it’s important). Those with an antibody for TPO can then develop problems producing thyroid hormone and a slew of problems can follow.
[Read more…] about The TPO Antibody explainedPsoriatic Arthritis: The Basics
I have found most people know about Rheumatoid Arthritis (and if you haven’t, learn more here & here) and a lot of people may even know someone with Psoriasis, but not many people have heard of Psoriatic Arthritis. Understanding what psoriatic arthritis is, who can get it and what to look out for can help you know when it’s time to see the doctor.
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