Rheumatoid Arthritis

Talking About Your Autoimmune Pain

December 23, 2024 ·

Living with an autoimmune disease often means navigating a world of chronic pain. This pain can be frustrating and hard to explain, which can make it difficult to communicate effectively with your doctor. If you’re feeling like your pain isn’t being understood or taken seriously, you’re not alone—let’s discuss some ways to bridge that gap.

Why Is Autoimmune Pain So Hard to Explain?

The pain experienced with autoimmune diseases can be incredibly complex. One reason it’s so difficult to describe is because pain itself is subjective—what feels like a 3 on the pain scale for one person might feel like an 8 for someone else. Plus, autoimmune-related pain isn’t always consistent. It can flare up, calm down, and then change location or intensity from one day to the next.

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What the Sedimentation Rate Really Says

December 2, 2024 ·

If you’ve ever had a blood test and wondered what your ESR results mean, you’re not alone. The ESR, or erythrocyte sedimentation rate, is a common test used to check for inflammation in your body. But while it’s a useful tool, it doesn’t always paint the complete picture of your health. Let’s dive into what ESR is, what it can tell us, and why tracking it over time is so important.

What Is ESR?

ESR stands for erythrocyte sedimentation rate. It’s an inflammation marker that measures how quickly your red blood cells settle at the bottom of a test tube over an hour. The faster they settle, the higher your sedimentation rate, which typically indicates more inflammation in your body.

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Transform Your Autoimmune Health with Small Diet Changes

November 25, 2024 ·

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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JIA v. RA: Key Differences

November 18, 2024 ·

When we think about arthritis, it’s usually in the context of adults. But what happens when kids are affected? If you’ve heard about Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA), you might be wondering how it differs from what adults experience. Let’s dive into the world of JIA, how it compares to Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), and what you need to know about managing joint pain in children.

What is Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis?

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is a type of arthritis that affects children under 16. Unlike Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), which is typically an adult condition, JIA presents some unique challenges and characteristics. The term “idiopathic” in JIA means that we don’t have a clear understanding of what causes it. However, we do know that it involves inflammation in the joints, which is why it’s grouped under autoimmune conditions.

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Facing Multiple Autoimmune Conditions

November 4, 2024 ·

If you’ve been diagnosed with more than one autoimmune disease, you might feel overwhelmed and unsure of how to handle it all. Trust me, you’re not alone in this.

You’re Not Alone in the Autoimmune Journey

First things first, if you’re facing more than one autoimmune condition, you’re definitely not alone. Finding out you have an autoimmune disease is isolating enough, and getting more than one diagnosis can feel like the universe is playing a cruel joke. But here’s a comforting fact: it’s actually pretty common to have multiple autoimmune conditions.

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