Screening is important because silent hepatitis B and C infections can spring to life when you start biologics or new synthetic DMARDs. Before you start taking a biologic drug or one of the new targeted…
Chronic Awareness
Raise awareness about chronic illnesses by understanding their impact, symptoms, and the importance of support and education.
Good News for Pregnant Women with Arthritis: Most Babies Exposed to Biologics in Utero Don’t Get Serious Infections
Although biologics cross the placenta, research shows they lead to few infections in babies after they’re born. The prospect of pregnancy can be daunting for women with inflammatory arthritis. Not only can disease flares occur,…
The 5 Ways My Artwork Helps Me Cope with My Multiple Chronic Diseases
‘Art enables me to face my body and my life with courage.’ Chronic 24/7 pain, fatigue, swelling, and a host of other symptoms are all part of my journey with rheumatoid arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, osteoarthritis,…
Fibromyalgia vs. Lupus: What’s the Difference?
Fibromyalgia and lupus are both chronic diseases with no cure, can both cause some similar symptoms, and can both take a long time to get the right diagnosis. But fibromyalgia — often called fibro —…
Fibromyalgia Symptoms: 10 Clues You Might Be Ignoring
If you’ve had a nagging sore throat, your doctor may take a swab to check for strep. If you’re suffering from a high fever and bad cough, your doctor may order a chest X-ray to…
Is There a Difference Between Having Ankylosing Spondylitis with Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis with Back Pain? A New Study Says Yes
Having AS with psoriasis may have some things in common with psoriatic arthritis, but research shows these are two distinct conditions. About 25% of people who have an autoimmune condition develop at least one more;…
Does Fibromyalgia Cause Back Pain?
Fibromyalgia — a disorder that causes widespread chronic pain and tenderness — affects 2 to 4 percent of women and men in the United States (women ages 20 to 50 are the most affected) and…
Arthritis in Your Wrist: Signs of Wrist Arthritis, and What to Do About It
When you think of arthritis, you might think of creaky knees or painful, swollen fingers. But if your wrist is feeling swollen and stiff, this wrist pain may be caused by arthritis too. The wrist…
Is Your Jaw Pain Because of Arthritis? The Signs Your Arthritis Is Affecting Your Jaw
The connection between arthritis and jaw pain might not be immediately apparent because we often associate arthritis with pain and stiffness in the hands, elbows, or knees. But if you’ve been noticing pain on the…
Arthritis in Your Neck: Signs of Neck Arthritis, and What to Do About It
When you think of arthritis, you might think of creaky knees or painful, swollen fingers. But if your neck is feeling stiff or you have pain when you turn your head, this neck pain may…