General Rheumatology

How to Handle Unwanted Autoimmune Advice

February 17, 2025 ·

When you’re diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, it feels like your world shifts overnight. You’ve got new doctors, new medications, and a long list of new symptoms to manage. But one of the most surprising parts of the whole journey? The flood of well-meaning, yet unsolicited, advice that starts pouring in. It’s like everyone you know suddenly becomes a health expert!

Dealing with this constant input can be tough, especially when you’re already navigating the complexities of your rheumatology care. But before you feel overwhelmed, let’s talk about how to sort through the noise and stay focused on what really matters—your health, your goals, and your well-being.

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Swallowing when you have Scleroderma

February 10, 2025 ·

Living with scleroderma, or systemic sclerosis, means dealing with unexpected challenges that can impact your daily life. One of the less-talked-about areas is how scleroderma affects the mouth and esophagus, leading swallowing problems. While these symptoms might seem minor, they can have a significant impact on your quality of life and overall health. Let’s dive into what’s happening and how to manage it.

What is Scleroderma?

Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that can affect many parts of the body, including the skin, joints, lungs, and even the digestive system. But unlike other autoimmune conditions that cause inflammation, scleroderma’s symptoms often result from fibrosis. Fibrosis means the buildup of scar tissue, which can cause the skin and tissues to harden.

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Why Primary Care is Essential for Autoimmune Patients

February 3, 2025 ·

Managing an autoimmune condition can be complex and overwhelming, especially when you’re frequently visiting your rheumatologist. However, it’s crucial not to overlook the importance of your primary care doctor (PCP). Let’s explore how a good relationship with your PCP can benefit your heart health, coordinate your care, and keep you up-to-date on vaccinations.

The Importance of Cardiovascular Health

Heart health is a critical aspect to monitor when living with an autoimmune condition. Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and psoriatic arthritis increase the risk of cardiovascular disease due to chronic inflammation. Your PCP is essential in regularly checking your blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure, and weight, ensuring these risk factors are controlled.

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Can Your Medications Cause Lupus?

January 27, 2025 ·

Drug-induced lupus, a form of lupus caused by certain medications, and not something you hear much about. It differs from the regular “systemic” lupus in multiple ways, including the expected symptoms, the positive blood tests and the prognosis.

What is Drug-Induced Lupus?

We’ve all heard of lupus, but did you know there’s a version that can be triggered by medications? It is called drug-induced lupus. Unlike the more familiar systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which is a chronic autoimmune disease, drug-induced lupus occurs when your body’s immune system reacts to a specific medication.

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Rheumatology Appointments, Morning Stiffness & Joint Pain

January 20, 2025 ·

Let’s delve into some crucial topics brought up by my newsletter readers: how to handle the wait for your rheumatology appointments, the mystery of morning stiffness, and dealing with joint pain.

Palindromic Arthritis: A Closer Look

One of the most intriguing conditions I frequently encounter is palindromic arthritis. This type of inflammatory arthritis comes and goes, causing intense but short-lived joint inflammation and pain. It tends to affect the joints of your hands, fingers, knees, and shoulders. Unlike gout or CPPD (pseudogout), which can have similar symptoms, palindromic arthritis doesn’t involve crystals in the joint fluid. Instead, it affects the structures around the joint, like tendons and ligaments.

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