Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis, affecting 1.3 million adults in the United States. It’s an autoimmune disease, meaning the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the body instead of protecting them. A healthy immune system protects against germs and sends fighter cells to attack them. But with autoimmune diseases, the immune system treats normal cells like foreign cells and releases autoantibodies that attack healthy cells. Autoantibodies are… Continue reading 5 Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Category: Patient Experiences
Osteoarthritis vs Rheumatoid Arthritis: What’s the Difference?
There are over 100 different types of arthritis. While many forms of arthritis are similar, different types are more painful than others and can impact daily activities. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are two of the most common types. These two specific types of arthritis share some symptoms, but they have different causes and treatments. What… Continue reading Osteoarthritis vs Rheumatoid Arthritis: What’s the Difference?
7 Ways to Deal with Emotional Exhaustion
No matter what you’ve faced this year, 2021 has been full of challenges and change. With one stressor after another, including the continuation of COVID-19 on top of pressures from a job, raising a family, or managing a chronic illness, you may be wondering what else you will have to face. As adversities continue to… Continue reading 7 Ways to Deal with Emotional Exhaustion
Medications for Multiple Sclerosis
Although there is currently no cure for multiple sclerosis, there are several medications that can help improve the quality of life for MS patients. Medications can help ease symptoms, keep the disease from progressing, and reduce the frequency of a relapse. Medications for multiple sclerosis include pills, injections, or infusions. Finding the right medication to… Continue reading Medications for Multiple Sclerosis
10 Ways to Get Through Tough Times
Life is like a roller coaster. There are a lot of ups and a lot of downs. Sometimes you’re on a flat track, moving along at an even pace, and other times you feel like things have come to a screeching halt. It’s the downhill moments when we feel the ride of life coming to… Continue reading 10 Ways to Get Through Tough Times
Holiday Recipes for People with Chronic Illness
When you have a chronic illness, traditional holiday meals can affect how you feel. If you have kidney disease, you may need to watch your protein and salt intake. For other conditions like heart disease or diabetes, you may need to limit refined sugars. Still, other conditions like multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease may require… Continue reading Holiday Recipes for People with Chronic Illness
Everything You Need to Know About the Weather and Parkinson’s Disease
As the seasons change, you may notice your Parkinson’s disease symptoms getting worse. You may be more sensitive to temperature, experience more fatigue, and movement may become slower. Though it’s not often talked about, extreme changes in weather can exacerbate symptoms. Many patients with Parkinson’s disease report greater stiffness and pain during the winter months, along with more freezing… Continue reading Everything You Need to Know About the Weather and Parkinson’s Disease
What Does Rheumatoid Arthritis Really Feel Like?
Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is more than joint pain. It’s a chronic pain, accompanied by many other symptoms, that often gets worse over time. Symptoms can come at inconvenient times without any warning which makes them difficult to manage. But what people think RA feels like and what it actually feels like are often two different things. How does rheumatoid arthritis really feel? Rheumatoid arthritis isn’t “just” arthritis. When you have RA, it affects your body or one part of… Continue reading What Does Rheumatoid Arthritis Really Feel Like?
Your Illness Does Not Make You a Burden
One day, you’re full of energy, doing chores around the house, running errands, and spending time with loved ones. The next, you’re laying down with your feet up, heating pad across your abdomen, asking your friend or family member to bring you an easily digestible, diary and gluten-free meal and if they would switch the… Continue reading Your Illness Does Not Make You a Burden
9 Gift Ideas for Someone Living with Chronic Illness
Now that the holidays are here, many of us have started looking for the perfect gift to give to our loved ones. Finding the right gift can be hard. But when you are trying to buy a gift for someone with a chronic illness, it may be even harder. Chronic illnesses are persistent or long-lasting… Continue reading 9 Gift Ideas for Someone Living with Chronic Illness