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The Pediatric Rheumatology Shortage: What’s a Juvenile Arthritis Patient to Do? – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Approximately 300,000 American children and teens live with juvenile arthritis – that’s about 1 in 250. Yes – you read that correctly: 1 in 250 kids suffers from arthritis. If that number isn’t eye-opening enough, check out this staggering statistic: there are only 250 active and board certified pediatric rheumatologists in the United States. Unfortunately, … Continue reading

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Can Bacteria or Fungus Cause Rheumatic Conditions? – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

For decades, naturopathic doctors and practitioners of holistic and alternative medicine have claimed that bacteria and fungus are to blame for our nation’s epidemic of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. Candida and small bowel bacterial overgrowth have especially garnered attention in the natural medicine communities. However, in recent years, traditional western medicine and esteemed medical doctors and scientists … Continue reading

Advocacy / Arthritis / Arthritis Foundation / Juvenile Arthritis / Types of Arthritis / Uncategorized / Wellness

Kids, Teens, and Young Adults Get Arthritis, Too! Celebrate JA Awareness in July – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Kids and young adults get arthritis, too. And July is Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month. According to the Arthritis Foundation, JA refers to any form of arthritis or arthritis-related condition that develops in children or teenagers who are less than 18 years of age. Approximately 294,000 children under the age of 18 are affected by pediatric … Continue reading

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Spanish Speakers – Check out ReumatoIDEAS from the Arthritis Foundation, Mid Atlantic Region – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Hola, buenos amigos! If you speak Spanish and have arthritis or know someone who does, ReumatoIDEAS is for you! Some of your favorite “Wellness with a Side of Life, Please” blog posts are translated into Spanish and shared on this new blog, so that we can reach even more readers who live with arthritis or … Continue reading

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The Juvenile Arthritis / Cancer Link – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Most of us are aware that there is a heightened risk for cancer if diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune diseases, because many of them “act” similarly at the cellular level. Additionally, certain medications may put RA patients at higher risk — but these same medications can ironically be used to treat cancer. “RA … Continue reading

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Keeping an Eye on Arthritis: Links Between Arthritis and Eye Health – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Did you know that having arthritis can affect your eyes, too? Sure, arthritis inflammation attacks your joints, and most people also associate arthritis pain with the bones, muscle, and tissue, as well. However, inflammation can also attack the eyes — a little-known fact about arthritis. Let’s explore some ways in which certain eye problems can … Continue reading

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The Juvenile Arthritis Conference is Underway! by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Arthritis is Unacceptable….and Juvenile Arthritis is even more Unacceptable! Did you know that Kids Get Arthritis, Too? Every year, the Arthritis Foundation organizes a national Juvenile Arthritis Conference during the month of July, which is JA Awareness Month. Over 300,000 children in the United States live with a form of Juvenile Arthritis, and it is … Continue reading

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In a Perfect World – A Life Without Illness: What Would You Do? – by Ashley Boynes

 Today there was a “trending topic” on Twitter that simply said, “Serious Question” and provoked users to ask their followers a serious question to answer. I thought about what I’d like to hear from my “tweeps” – especially those who are chronically ill or disabled – and the question I decided to pose was, “We … Continue reading

Advocacy / Arthritis / Arthritis Foundation / Awareness / Juvenile Arthritis / Personal Stories / Uncategorized / Wellness

A Nation Unaware: We Need To Increase Juvenile Arthritis Awareness – by Ashley Boynes

“She’s just a hypochondriac.” “He’s lying.” “It’s all in their head. They just want attention.” “You’re faking!” “Oh,  you’re too young for arthritis.” These are all phrases that children and teens with juvenile arthritis will, unfortunately, come across many times during the course of their lives and their illness. Even the adults that these kids … Continue reading

Advocacy / Arthritis / Arthritis Foundation / Awareness / Personal Stories / Uncategorized / Wellness

“The Others” – What Do Our Healthy Friends & Family Members Feel About Our Arthritis? – by Ashley Boynes

Sometimes living with arthritis affects “innocent bystanders” nearly as much as it affects those of us living with it, but sadly they often get left by the wayside in the hurricane of all that comes with dealing with a chronic illness. We, as the patients, want to only view our condition from our own personal … Continue reading