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Autoimmune Health and Your Diet

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Managing an autoimmune condition can be challenging, and one of the most common questions asked is, “What should I be eating?” It’s a great question, and one that shows you’re ready to take charge of your health. Let’s dive into how your diet can make a big difference when you’re living with an autoimmune disease.

The Role of Diet in Autoimmune Disease

When you’re dealing with an autoimmune disease, your immune system is on overdrive, causing inflammation throughout your body. Inflammation is a natural body response but becomes overdramatic and inappropriate in autoimmune disease, leading to a range of uncomfortable symptoms. That’s where diet comes in.

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Seronegative Autoimmune Disease and Abnormal Test Results

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Today is a question grab bag – we tackle your questions about seronegative disease and handling abnormal autoantibody results.

What is a Sero-Negative Autoimmune Disease?

First off, let’s talk about what “sero-negative” means. “Sero-” refers to blood, and “negative” means that when we run auto-antibody blood tests, they come back negative. So, a sero-negative autoimmune disease is one where these specific blood tests don’t pick up the antibodies we typically look for.

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Methotrexate – Everything You Need to Know

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If you’ve been handed a prescription for this medication, chances are you’re feeling a mix of emotions – curiosity, apprehension, maybe even a little fear. Well, fear not! Today, we’re going to unpack everything you need to know about methotrexate, its role in rheumatology, and how it can help you tackle those pesky autoimmune symptoms head-on.

Understanding Methotrexate’s History

Methotrexate may sound like a mouthful, but it’s been a cornerstone of autoimmune treatment for decades. Back in the late 1940s, its predecessors were first used to combat leukemia in children – and thankfully they were effective! Methotrexate then made its debut into Rheumatology with successful use in rheumatoid arthritis and then later psoriasis. 

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The 5 reasons you have a swollen knee

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If you’ve ever woken up to find your knee looking more like a balloon than a joint, you know it’s no walk in the park. Knee swelling is one of those things that can really throw a wrench in your day, leaving you scratching your head and wondering, “What on earth did I do to deserve this?”

The Sneaky Culprit: Overuse Injuries

So, picture this: you’ve been hitting the court hard, playing pickleball like a champ, or maybe you decided to lace up your running shoes and go for a 10-mile jog instead of your usual 3. Sounds like a recipe for knee trouble, doesn’t it? Well, it just might be.

You see, overuse injuries are like the silent assassins of joint pain. They sneak up on you when you least expect it, leaving you unable to keep active. And if you happen to have osteoarthritis, well, consider yourself even more susceptible!

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Know the Prednisone Side Effects

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Let me be clear – I wouldn’t want to be on prednisone either. In fact, when suffering from a wicked case of vertigo, I fought my doctor buddies who advised I take a Medrol dose pack to ease the symptoms.

“I’m going to gain weight!” “I’m going to have anxiety!”

As a Rheumatologist, I am well-versed in all the possible side effects of prednisone (and similar meds) and feared the worse.

But I also know that there is a time a place for prednisone. Not only was I currently in need of the benefits of prednisone, many of my patients are as well. But there ARE side effects that need to be considered and discussed.

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