General Rheumatology

Raynaud’s Treatments to Ease Discomfort

September 16, 2024 ·

If you’ve ever experienced those uncomfortable episodes where your fingers turn white, then blue, then red, you’re not alone. Raynaud’s affects millions of people worldwide, and understanding how to manage it can make a huge difference in your quality of life.

What is Raynaud’s?

Raynaud’s phenomenon is a condition where the blood vessels in your fingers, toes, and sometimes other extremities overreact to cold or stress, causing them to spasm and restrict blood flow. This can lead to numbness, tingling, and pain, and in severe cases, tissue damage.

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Methotrexate – Everything You Need to Know

September 9, 2024 ·

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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Finding Relief: How To Use Sleep For Fibromyalgia Pain

September 2, 2024 ·

Living with fibromyalgia can feel like an uphill battle, can’t it? The constant pain, the overwhelming fatigue – it’s enough to make anyone feel defeated. But what if I told you that there is already something in your house that can make a huge difference?

The Overlooked Solution: Sleep

Here’s the thing: research shows that poor sleep quality is closely linked to increased pain and may even cause fibromyalgia symptoms. That means if you’re not getting the restorative sleep your body needs, you could be setting yourself up for even more pain and fatigue. We also know that treatments are less likely to help if you have night after night of poor sleep.

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Deciphering the Rheumatoid Factor: More Than Just a Blood Test

August 26, 2024 ·

Understanding the Rheumatoid Factor (RF) and its relationship with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) isn’t as easy as the names imply. You might think that a positive RF test result spells out RA without a doubt, but as with most things autoimmune, it’s not that simple.

The Rheumatoid Factor autoantibody

The Rheumatoid Factor is an autoantibody, which means it’s a protein produced by our immune system that mistakenly attacks our own tissues. Our immune system is constantly producing autoantibodies, however we also have a built-in regulatory system that finds these autoantibodies and destroys them – making sure they don’t cause trouble. When an autoimmune condition, like Rheumatoid Arthritis develops, it’s because our regulatory system is faltering and isn’t doing a good job of getting rid of autoantibodies and other autoimmune factors.

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Exploring the potential of Ozempic in autoimmune disease

August 19, 2024 ·

Ozempic is everywhere! But is there a role for it in autoimmunity?

But before we dive in, let’s rewind a bit and talk about the complex relationship between autoimmune conditions, like lupus, and our overall health.

Autoimmune Conditions and Metabolic Syndrome

Here’s the scoop: autoimmune conditions, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, often come hand in hand with something called metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a collection of findings that stem from insulin resistance, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. It can account for the why those with autoimmune conditions have a high risk for cardiovascular disease down the road.

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