Connected Rheumatology

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Other Rheum Conditions

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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Raynaud’s Treatments to Ease Discomfort

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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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Understanding and Managing Dry Eye in Autoimmune Conditions

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Whether you’re dealing with dry eye as a standalone problem or as a symptom of an autoimmune condition like lupus, dry eye can be incredibly frustrating and uncomfortable. Let’s shed some light on this issue and offer practical tips for managing it effectively.

What is Dry Eye?

First things first, let’s talk about what dry eye actually is. Dry eye, also known as dry eye syndrome or keratoconjunctivitis sicca, occurs when your eyes either don’t produce enough tears or when the quality of your tears is compromised. This can lead to itchiness, redness, irritation,  or gritty sensations in the eyes but can also cause increased watering of the eyes.

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Behcet’s Disease Explained

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If your eye doctor, gynecologist, or even your rheumatologist has mentioned Behcet’s and left you scratching your head, you’re not alone. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the intricacies of Behcet’s Disease, from its characteristic ulcers to the underlying inflammation and geographical factors at play.

The Mystery of Behcet’s

Behcet’s Disease is a systemic vasculitis, meaning it affects the body’s blood vessels, both large and small. At its core lies inflammation, a common thread in many autoimmune conditions. But what sets Behcet’s apart is its enigmatic nature—it’s not a condition you hear about every day, and its diagnosis can be challenging.

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