How I Battled RA Brain Fog by Decluttering
Rheumatoid arthritis and the accompanying brain fog make it hard to keep on top of the chaos in the house. In my new column for HealthCentral, I share how decluttering minimized the impact of my brain fog and share tips for how to get things organized: “I have always been a collector. I like to…
Chronic News Bites: November
In a new monthly feature for HealthCentral, I provide snackable summaries of all the information that impacts your chronic life. This is November’s edition: “Grab yourself a hot beverage and get ready to click through some news you can really use. HealthCentral rheumatoid arthritis (RA) columnist Lene Andersen offers her monthly roundup of must-read news…
Feeling Like a Cog in the Healthcare Machine? We Get It.
Going to yet another medical appointment, waiting for hours, andall the rest that comes with chronic illness can make you feel like a number. In this column for HealthCentral, I share tips for person-first care at the doctor’s office: ““See how the vocal cords are stiff? This is common in people with rheumatoid arthritis or…
You Deserve a Better Shower With RA
Do pain and fatigue make this daily ritual an ordeal rather something to enjoy? Check out my tips for showering with rheumatoid arthritis and chronic pain in my new column for HealthCentral: “STARTING THE DAY with a shower can be one of the most exhausting things you do with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Mornings can be hard,…
This Year, Embrace Goals That Impact Your RA for the Better
Getting a slow launch on 2023? Ditched your resolutions? Check out my approach to setting intentions that puts long-term wellness with RA front and center in my first HealthCentral column for the new year: ““NEW YEAR, NEW me!” For many, self-improvement is an essential part of January, along with social media posts about the ambition to…
Made With RA: A Twitter Exodus Hurts the RA Community
When you rely on a particular social media at four community, information, and the latest research, it can be downright terrifying to watch it potentially claps. In my new column for HealthCentral, I talk about the importance of Twitter to the rheumatoid arthritis and chronic illness communities, as well as share alternative platforms that might fill…
Made With RA: Made With Love – Celebrating the Season, RA-Style
In my latest column for HealthCentral, I share holiday hacks that make this magical time accessible to your RA self: “THE HOLIDAY SEASON can be very stressful and not just because we’re packing a lot of extras into an already full life. For some, it’s the extra expense, others dread holiday meals marred by conflict…
Made With RA: Gifts I’m Giving My RA Self for the Holidays
While you’re shopping for others this season, add these ‘just-for-you’ items to your list, too. Your RA will thank you for the tips in this HealthCentral column: “AH, THE HOLIDAYS! It’s a season of overdoing simply everything—eating, socializing, shopping, decorating, cooking, baking, wrapping, and all the rest. Oh, and flaring, too. Due to the relentless holiday…
Made WIth RA: How to Manage Your Next Dental Visit With RA
Jaw pain and other limitations can make a trip to the dentist a real pain when you live with RA. In my new column for HealthCentral, I share tips on how to make it easier: “DID YOU KNOW that you move your jaw about 2,000 times a day as you eat, brush your teeth, drink, and…
How Do You Cope With RA Burnout?
It might be a term most commonly associated with your 9-to-5 work, but chronic conditions are 24/7, and they can cause burnout, too. In my new column for HealthCentral, I delve into the causes of chronic illness burnout and share tips on how to reduce the impact: “I AM SICK and tired of feeling sick and…
Ready to Try a New Diet for RA? Read This First
Research shows eating certain foods can improve rheumatoid arthritis symptoms for some, but don’t clear out your fridge just yet. In this column for HealthCentral, I share tips on how to change your diet with RA: “I WAS 13 years old the first time a rheumatologist suggested I try adjusting my diet for my rheumatoid arthritis…
Made With RA: Solutions for Opening Nightmare Packaging With RA
Trying to open any package with rheumatoid arthritis hands can be next to impossible. In my new column for HealthCentral, I write about the problem with packaging design and share some workarounds: “AS SOMEONE WHO lives with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), packaging is the bane of my existence. From medication dispensed in childproof caps and blister packs…