Living Better with Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis affects nearly 30 percent of people living with psoriasis. The inflammatory arthritis is marked by joint pain and stiffness, and can also lead to other changes in the body like fatigue, swelling, and changes in fingernails. The autoimmune disease can affect anyone, but most people initially develop symptoms between the ages of 30 …

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Dating with Sjogren’s Syndrome

Sjogren’s syndrome affects more than 4,000,000 Americans making it one of the most prevalent autoimmune diseases. Almost ninety percent of people affected by Sjogren’s are women. The most common symptoms associated with Sjogren’s syndrome are dry mouth and eyes, joint pain, and fatigue. Other organs like the kidneys, liver, and lungs can also be affected. …

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High Blood Pressure; What Gives?

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension or HBP, happens when blood moves through your arteries at a higher pressure than normal. Many people with high blood pressure don’t have any symptoms, but those who do, typically do so after blood pressure has reached a dangerously high level over time. Keep reading to find out …

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Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis Through the Winter Months

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when your body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. RA affects the lining of the joints causing pain and swelling that may eventually lead to joint deformities and bone erosion. Many people with RA experience symptoms in parts of the body unrelated to joints such as: …

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High Blood Pressure: What Does It Mean?

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension or HBP, occurs when the force of blood pushing against the walls of blood vessels (arteries), as your heart pumps blood, is consistently too high. We are able to gauge blood pressure by taking a blood pressure reading. Blood pressure readings are written like a fraction with one …

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Eczema: Treating the Winter Itch

Atopic Dermatitis, or eczema, causes a red skin rash that leaves skin itchy and dry. The patchy rash most commonly occurs on the arms and behind the knees, but can appear anywhere. Winter is often dreaded by eczema sufferers as dry air and harsh temperatures can trigger an eczema flare. While eczema flare-ups are common …

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Managing Gout Through the Holiday Season

Surviving the holiday season can be a stressful task on its own. When you add gout to the mix, it certainly kicks things up a notch. The pain the accompanies a gout attack can be excruciating. Redness, swelling, and inflammation in the affected joints are all symptoms you may experience. While the big toe is …

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Rheumatoid Arthritis and Sjogren’s Syndrome: What’s the Link?

You’ve probably heard of the chronic autoimmune disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, or RA. The inflammatory disorder affects joint linings causing painful swelling, and can even cause joint deformities over time. RA can also affect many structures aside from joints including the skin, eyes, heart, kidneys, and nerve tissue. Signs and symptoms may vary and can even …

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Managing High Blood Pressure During the Holidays

Over 85 million Americans have high blood pressure. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension or HBP, usually has no symptoms but can increase your risk for developing heart disease and stroke. Obesity, smoking, heavy drinking, and family history are all determining factors for developing hypertension. Managing HBP can be difficult all year round, but …

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Diet Do’s and Don’ts for Gout Sufferers

Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis affecting around 2 million American women and 6 million American men. Gout is caused by high levels of uric acid in the bloodstream. The acid then forms crystals in joints causing sudden and severe episodes of pain, swelling, tenderness, and redness known as gout attacks. The affected joints …

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