Most people think of aches and pains when they hear about arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia, and similar ailments. The truth is, these conditions are complex, and there are still so many unknowns that surround each of them. Yes, pain and inflammation are often a huge part of various forms of arthritis and other chronic autoimmune illnesses, … Continue reading
Tag Archives: rheumatic disease
An Open Letter to Lady Gaga: Synovitis Stinks! – from Ashley Boynes-Shuck
Dear Lady Gaga, a.k.a. Stefani: Synovitis stinks. I, too, am a twentysomething who knows what it is like to have put on hold the things I love because of pain, and I interact with thousands of others every day who have felt the same exact way. I read on your Twitter page that your doctor … Continue reading
The Big Debate: Medical Marijuana for Arthritis and Chronic Pain – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
The medical use of marijuana has been a hotly debated and highly politicized topic in recent years. In many circles, it is touted for naturally alleviating symptoms of a variety of medical conditions including, but not limited to, arthritis and chronic pain. In other circles, it is frowned upon as a gateway drug that is … Continue reading
Arthritis and The Flu: How to Handle Influenza and Rheumatic Disease – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
This has been one of the most dangerous and widespread flu seasons in years, and it is important for everyone to take proper precautions in preventing the flu. One option is gettinga flu vaccine. While the flu shot is controversial to some, it has been shown to reduce the occurence of certain strains of … Continue reading
Top Arthritis Stories of 2012 – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
‘Tis the season for holiday cheer, and we’re wishing you all a wonderful holiday filled with joy, health, and happiness! As 2012 comes to a close (without a Mayan apocalypse) we’d like to count down just some of the most important and most inspiring arthritis-related news stories of the year. If we’ve forgotten or overlooked … Continue reading
The Hot and Cold of Arthritis: The Heat vs. Ice Debate – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
Some people swear by heat for arthritis; others will only use ice. With weather, too, responses vary: some people enjoy a warmer climate, others prefer cooler weather. So, what’s the deal: is “hot” or “cold” better for arthritis patients? The truth is, as with anything, it varies from person-to-person and case-to-case. Some of it has … Continue reading
Setting Goals while Living with Chronic Illness – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
As the new year approaches, many of us will make resolutions, but, it is important to always have goals in mind all year ’round. Goal setting may seem like an insurmountable task when faced with chronic illness, but, having goals is a great way to cope with your illness. Remember that it is never too … Continue reading
All About Inflammation – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
Inflammation plays a huge role in rheumatic ailments such as arthritis…but what, exactly, is inflammation? According to Medical News today, “Inflammation is part of the body’s immune response. Inflammation is the body’s attempt at self-protection; the aim being to remove harmful stimuli, including damaged cells, irritants, or pathogens – and begin the healing process. When something … Continue reading
This Fall, Focus on Preventing Falls – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
This fall, do yourself a favor and take the time to focus on preventing falls. We’ve all taken a tumble or a spill here and there, and the truth is, while we sometimes come out unscathed, we can sometimes really hurt ourselves! We often associate falls with children or the elderly, but the truth is, … Continue reading
Managing Stress While Living with Chronic Pain or Illness – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
As many as 90% of doctor visits, and thus coinciding conditions, have stress as a causative or effective component. Stress is a part of life for everyone, and how stress is handled varies from person to person. Unfortunately, for people living with a disability, chronic illness, or any other medical problem, life tends to come with a … Continue reading