• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
BlackDoctor.org
Where Wellness & Culture Connect

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

  • Health Conditions
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Longevity
  • Resource Centers
    • Cancer Resource Center
    • Covid Resource Center
    • Clinical Trials Resource Center
  • Find A Doctor
  • BDO TV
Home / Lifestyle / Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis / 5 Tips To Get The Most Out of Your Next Doctor Visit

5 Tips To Get The Most Out of Your Next Doctor Visit

doctor visit

Preparing for a rheumatoid arthritis doctor consultation is essential for optimal therapy. The disease might make it hard to get out of bed, do chores, or work if not treated.

Rheumatoid arthritis causes joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, especially in the hands and wrists, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. There’s no treatment, but you may go into remission when your symptoms hardly impair your daily life. Many individuals work with a rheumatologist or primary care doctor to identify the best drugs and lifestyle modifications to lessen their symptoms.

Start A Rheumatoid Arthritis Journal

Monitor your symptoms and routines to help you recall how you feel, what you eat and your prescriptions. Doing so may help you assess your mood, identify rheumatoid arthritis triggers, and assess treatment efficacy.

Journal entries:

You May Also Like
13 Signs You Need to See a Dermatologist
  • How frequently joint discomfort, stiffness, and edema occur. Describe the pain and location to assist your doctor in finding pain relief.
  • Your diet.
  • Your workout regimen, including frequency, kind, and after-effects.
  • Smoking and drinking habits.
  • Stress, depression, and anxiety.

If you’re constantly in pain and too sad to chat with your friends, your doctor needs to know how much it impacts your quality of life. Many doctors hope patients address mental health during consultations. They may recommend an insurance-network therapist.

Rheumatoid arthritis affects you emotionally and functionally. You should keep a notebook to spot depressed tendencies and less common rheumatoid arthritis symptoms like eye discomfort and redness. 

RELATED: How To Ace Every Doctor Visit

Do Your Research

Between consultations, you may have rheumatoid arthritis questions or wish to learn how others manage their symptoms. Message boards, Facebook support groups, and blogs are natural sources of knowledge.

Laura Christine Cappelli, M.D., M.H.S., M.S., assistant professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, recommends visiting trusted organizations to ensure you read evidence-based information.

You May Also Like
7 Proven Ways to Cure an Upset Stomach

Dr. Greer recommends the Arthritis Foundation website. Visit the American College of Rheumatology website to learn more about the disease and treatment options.

Talking to individuals who understand your struggles may bring people together. You should verify these organizations’ information with

Continue Reading

The Latest In Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis

foods that cause inflammation

5 Foods That Cause Inflammation

It may not sound like it, but in a healthy body inflammation is actually a good thing that protects and heals. However, if chronic inflammation persists in the body it can damage healthy tissue and lead to other serious conditions read more about 5 Foods That Cause Inflammation
arthritis and weightlifting

5 Ways Weightlifting Can Ease Arthritis Symptoms

Experts have discovered a cheap, powerful tool that can relieve pain, improve motion, and generally make life a little easier for people with arthritis. It's powerful enough to relieve many symptoms of both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, yet safe enough read more about 5 Ways Weightlifting Can Ease Arthritis Symptoms
can rheumatoid arthritis come on suddenly

Can Rheumatoid Arthritis Come On Suddenly?

When it comes to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), everyone is different.  Over time, your symptoms might not be the same as those of a friend or neighbor with the same disease. How you feel will depend on things like: How far read more about Can Rheumatoid Arthritis Come On Suddenly?
nail salon

Dreading A Trip To The Nail Salon? Here’s A Popular Alternative

First impressions are always important, no matter who you’re meeting. You always want to look your best wherever you go because even when you may not be at your best self, you never want to look like what you’re going read more about Dreading A Trip To The Nail Salon? Here’s A Popular Alternative
pineapple water benefits

Pineapple Water: 9 Things That Happen To Your Body When You Add Pineapple To Your Water

Pineapple, pineapples, pineapples! Comedian Kevin Hart is famous for a story where he explains how the word "pineapples" would help him get out of a sticky situation. The truth is, pineapples is does much more than add sweetness to your read more about Pineapple Water: 9 Things That Happen To Your Body When You Add Pineapple To Your Water
Foods for Penis

5 Foods That Fight Pain

On the Internet and around the water cooler, you're likely to hear stories claiming that eating a certain food or eliminating one kind of food from your diet can change your quality of life. Except in rare cases of food read more about 5 Foods That Fight Pain

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to our newsletter

Poll

Popular Posts

  • 10 Signs You’re Living With Clogged Arteries 10 Signs You’re Living With Clogged Arteries
  • Tracee Ellis Ross at 50: Loving Her Body With No FilterTracee Ellis Ross at 50: Loving Her Body With No Filter
  • Like Father, Like Son: ‘Miami Vice’ Star’s Son Handsome Like his DaddyLike Father, Like Son: 'Miami Vice' Star's Son Handsome Like his Daddy
  • Mo’Nique at 55: Slimmer, Happier & Wiser: “I Love Us For Real”Mo'Nique at 55: Slimmer, Happier & Wiser: "I Love Us For Real"
  • The Cast of The Bernie Mac Show: 20+ Years LaterThe Cast of The Bernie Mac Show: 20+ Years Later

Footer

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

BDO is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. BDO understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BDO gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.

Connect With Us

Learn More About

  • Hepatitis C
  • Diabetes
  • Sickle Cell
  • Mental Health
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • BlackDoctor.org Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
  • Daily Vitamina
  • TBH

Copyright © 2023, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.