These are the new rules of thumb for protecting yourself and others.
By Kelsey Kloss
5 Steps to Stay Safe When Your College-Aged Kid Comes Home for the Holidays During COVID-19 and You Have Chronic Illness
Welcoming teen/adult children back home from a college campus can pose a risk, but there are simple strategies you can use to avoid getting sick when you have underlying health conditions.
By Kelsey Kloss
11 Extra Steps Chronic Illness Patients Should Take to Stay Safe from COVID-19 This Winter
The winter months bring cooler, drier air, holidays, other viruses like flu, and a greater risk of coronavirus transmission.
A slew of new studies presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology yields key takeaways for patients and providers.
By How to Treat Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis During COVID-19: New Clinical Guidance
A task force of dermatologists, rheumatologists, infectious disease, and other experts reviewed the latest research to ensure psoriatic disease patients get the right care during COVID-19.
By Kelsey Kloss
‘COVID-somnia’ and ‘Painsomnia’: Why You Can’t Sleep During the Pandemic, and 8 Tips to Help
Many people with arthritis and chronic pain are experiencing the double-whammy of COVID-somnia and painsomnia, which are causing significant sleep disturbances.
The targeted therapy, known as a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, may help people who are hospitalized with COVID-19 recover more quickly when given with the antiviral medication remdesivir.
By Susan Jara
Don’t Stop Taking ‘Immunosuppressive’ Medication During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Plea from Doctors Who Are Studying COVID-19 in Inflammatory Diseases
Data doesn’t seem to show that people on disease-modifying medications are having worse COVID-19 outcome. Second, staying on medication is critical to prevent flares and maintain quality of life.
By Susan Jara
TNF Biologics and COVID-19: What Autoimmune Patients Need to Know
These medications are often called “immunosuppressive” but some research suggests they may actually be protective against COVID-19. Here’s what the latest research says.
A new study found that many patients who tapered their meds wound up flaring.
Suspect Rheumatoid Arthritis? Seeing a Rheumatologist Within 6 Weeks Is Key
Time is of the essence when RA symptoms strike.
By EULAR 2020: 50+ Updates That Could Change the Way You Treat Your Arthritis
Held virtually, the 2020 medical meeting from the European League Against Rheumatism shared important medical breakthroughs and updates about managing rheumatic conditions.
Important new data suggests that people with a psychiatric diagnosis were more like to contract COVID-19—and at the same time, people who got COVID-19 were more likely to develop a mental health condition afterward.
By The 19 Mental Health Tips Everyone with Chronic Illness Needs to Get Through the COVID-19 Holiday Season
The holidays are never easy when you have a chronic illness, but this pandemic year is especially fraught with loneliness and anxiety. Here is advice to help you cope when things less than merry and bright.
‘But I Don’t Feel Grateful’: A Psychologist’s Advice to Cope with Mixed Thanksgiving Emotions
This advice from Laurie Ferguson, PhD, clinical psychologist and Director of Education Development at the Global Healthy Living Foundation, can help you think differently about your negative emotions this holiday season.
The Global Healthy Living Foundation regularly polls the members of our COVID-19 Patient Support Program to understand the perspectives of chronic illness patients during the pandemic. Here is information about whether people plan to get a coronavirus vaccine when it becomes available.
COVID-19 Patient Support Program Poll Results: Do You Support More Stay-at-Home Orders?
The Global Healthy Living Foundation regularly polls the members of our COVID-19 Patient Support Program to understand the perspectives of chronic illness patients during the pandemic. Here is information about support for more stay-at-home orders amid rising COVID-19 infections.
By Dibs Baer
How I’m Coping with COVID-19 Deniers, Covidiots, and Anyone Not Taking the Pandemic Seriously
“I’ve felt compelled to be hyper-vigilant and often confrontational. On one hand, social shaming works and can help things change. But it’s also caused me resentment, anxiety, and exhaustion,” says chronic illness patient Dibs Baer.
These are the new rules of thumb for protecting yourself and others.
Many People Hospitalized for COVID-19 Have Complications After Being Discharged, Including Readmission and Death
Two new studies reveal the extent and nature of health issues that continue to face people after they are discharged from COVID-19 hospitalization.
COVID-19 Patient Support Program Poll Results: Will You Get a Coronavirus Vaccine When Available to You?
The Global Healthy Living Foundation regularly polls the members of our COVID-19 Patient Support Program to understand the perspectives of chronic illness patients during the pandemic. Here is information about whether people plan to get a coronavirus vaccine when it becomes available.
In a recent study, 86 percent of people with lupus and 72 percent of rheumatologists treating lupus agreed that having people fill out short surveys about fatigue, pain, and more helped improve communication.
Why the Future of Patient-Centered Arthritis Research Will Involve Your Smartwatch
A new study from ArthritisPower shows that patients are very engaged when it comes to using a smartwatch along with short surveys to better understand rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.
What Prompts Axial Spondyloarthritis Patients to Change Their Treatment? New Research Examines This Complicated Condition
Many axial spondyloarthritis patients are talking with their providers about their treatment plan — and wanting to prevent long-term damage is a major factor in how they think about it.
A new study shows that lupus patients who need to take hydroxychloroquine can be reassured that it does not have a significant risk for serious heart toxicity.
By Kelsey Kloss
Hydroxychloroquine Is Not Linked to Abnormal Heart Rhythm in Rheumatoid Arthritis or Lupus Patients
New research shows that use of hydroxychloroquine did not predict prolonged QTc, a key measure of heart rate.
By Kelsey Kloss
Black Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Are More Likely to Receive Glucocorticoids, Which Have Risk for Serious Side Effects
New research sheds more light on the racial health disparities that exist in arthritis treatments.
Staying active can help reduce your arthritis symptoms and help you feel better overall.
If You Have Knee Osteoarthritis and You’re Not Exercising, Your Quality of Life is Likely to Suffer
According to new data, only 11 percent of people with knee osteoarthritis in the U.S. are considered physically active.
Can Eating a Healthy Diet Reduce the Risk of Lupus? Probably Not, a New Study Shows
For the most part, researchers found that people who ate healthy diets were no less likely to develop lupus than people who ate less nutritious diets — with one possible exception.
Rheumatoid arthritis patient Eileen Davidson has had her share of doctor visits virtually and in person. Here’s her take on the good and bad of telehealth — and why it’s transformed her care.
By Susan Jara
Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain: 7 Things You Should Tell Your Rheumatologist
Communication is the key to getting your RA pain under good control. Here’s what you need to discuss with your doctor if you’re experiencing an increase in RA pain.
By Susan Jara
How to Discuss Your Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain During a Telehealth Visit
Pain isn’t as easy to manage when providers can’t see and touch your joints in person, but you can effectively discuss and treat RA pain during virtual visits. Here’s how.
