It takes a medical degree, a 3 year Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship to learn how to best treat Rheumatoid Arthritis. There are many nuances and caveats and even seasoned rheumatologists find themselves asking for help from colleagues. But it doesn’t serve anyone to leave all the decision making to the doctor. Although the topic can get complicated, there are concepts that everyone with RA should be familiar with. Understanding the strategy behind why your doctor prescribes certain medications can ensure that you continue to have productive and effective conversations.
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Know the Facts: Rheumatoid Arthritis (part 2)
We’ve discussed what it is, who gets it and how we make a diagnosis (and if you missed it, check out our previous post). But WHY does this happen? And can it be avoided? Rheumatoid arthritis is truly life changing. Getting the right rheumatoid arthritis information and understanding how and why our bodies do this can help us gain back control.
So why Rheumatoid Arthritis? What causes it and why did this happen to you? Well, as with most things rheumatic, it’s complicated. Genetics most definitely plays a big role. Having a family member with RA will put everyone in the family at higher risk for developing, not only RA, but any autoimmune condition. This is why it’s so important to know your family history.
[Read more…] about Know the Facts: Rheumatoid Arthritis (part 2)Know the facts: Rheumatoid Arthritis (part 1)
When getting a new diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis, I find that most people need to start with the basics. It can be overwhelming. I know that not much beyond “You have Rheumatoid Arthritis” is heard and that everyone will need time to digest all the information out there.
So let’s talk about some Rheumatoid Arthritis facts and start with “What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?” RA is an autoimmune, systemic, inflammatory disorder. Seen in almost 1% of the US population, RA is more often seen in women compared to men and usually happens during middle age.
[Read more…] about Know the facts: Rheumatoid Arthritis (part 1)Transitioning from the pediatrician’s office
Being diagnosed with a chronic medical condition during childhood or adolescence shapes the lives of the patient and their family. In Rheumatology, the pediatric rheumatologist can become an additional parent and a partner. Pediatric hospitals and clinics become homes away from home. They are often painted bright colors, have comfy furniture and entertainment throughout the halls as everyone tries to make the heartbreaking reality of disease in children more palatable. Thankfully, treatment success in rheumatology is the norm and there will come a day in most patient’s lives when they need to say goodbye to their pediatric rheumatologist and find a new adult-focused rheumatologist. Transitioning from the pediatrician’s office is a day most patients and parents dread. This process, known as “transition,” is an integral part to any young person’s care.
[Read more…] about Transitioning from the pediatrician’s officeArthritis & the Heart Disease
Heart disease. We all know about it, we all want to prevent it and sadly, we all know someone with it. When we think of heart disease, our minds naturally think of heart attacks or maybe heart failure. We think of an overweight man with high blood pressure and diabetes, although we know women are just as affected. But did you know that inflammatory arthritis can be associated with heart disease? In fact, most autoimmune or inflammatory arthritis types can lead to disease of every part of the heart. Watch the video above or keep reading to learn more!
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