Rheumatic Reading List May 2021
Each month we like to compile a list of all the rheumatic themed articles and studies we find.
Our hope in compiling this list is to help you become educated on your illness so you can advocate for better care in our complex healthcare system.
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Blog Reading
This article goes further into common terminology used in the medical industry for Sjogren's and Lupus patients.
10 Things I Wish I Knew On My Road to Diagnosis with Sjogren’s and Lupus (Part 3 of 3)
This post shares a little bit about my story with my road to diagnosis and the things I wish I knew when I was looking for a diagnosis. I put this list together to help others who are looking for a diagnosis.
In case you missed it, here is the link to the first article in the series:
Learning about Rheumatic Autoimmune Diseases: Common Questions About These Diseases (Part 1 of 3).
This articles has answers to some of the most common questions about our diseases.
News Articles
The importance of the rheumatologist to treat diseases that affect the locomotor system
"Rheumatology is the medical specialty that is responsible for preventing, diagnosing and treating systemic musculoskeletal and autoimmune diseases."
Blood Tests for Autoimmune Diseases
“Autoimmune diseases are a group of conditions that occur when your immune system attacks healthy cells by mistake. Diagnosing autoimmune diseases can be a lengthy process: It can take more than five years to accurately diagnose an autoimmune disease.”
What happens when chronic dry eye turns out to be something more?
Patient Jennifer Douglas describes her Sjogren’s Syndrome journey from initial symptoms to daily maintenance routine.
Sensory Neuropathy and Sjögren’s Syndrome
Sensory Neuropathy such as Trigeminal neuralgia is a comorbidity of Sjogren's.
How your tears may soon help diagnose you
"And tears are not the only bodily secretions that are being used in a new generation of painless diagnostic tests. Scientists say we can also use earwax, sweat and nasal mucus to detect everything from depression to gout."
Stressful Life Events May Trigger Sjögren’s Onset in Women
"Women with primary Sjögren’s syndrome experience more negative stressful life events than healthy people in the year before symptom onset, and the number of these negative events is associated with more severe disease activity, a study has found."
Research and Studies
Researchers probe link between COVID-19 and autoimmunity
A large US study has evaluated the risk for developing incident rheumatic disease following a positive test for SARS-CoV-2.
COVID-19 Vaccine Response Can Be Affected by Certain Medications
"Most patients with Sjögren’s syndrome and other rheumatic diseases develop antiviral antibodies after their first COVID-19 vaccine shot, but their treatment affects the chances of them developing antibodies, a recent study has found."
Stroke Outcomes in People with Lupus
"According to new research, lupus is a risk factor associated with a poorer outcome for stroke patients."
Small Tear Glands Grown in Lab Could Aid in Studying Sjögren’s
"A newly established cellular model of the tear gland may be useful for studying Sjögren’s syndrome and other diseases in which the tear glands become damaged, according to researchers."
In Lupus, Even Minor Changes in Disease Activity Matter
"One-unit increase in disease activity score raised mortality risk by 22%, study showed."
Lupus clues from cellular 'power stations'
Researchers at Imperial College London have revealed crucial insights into the medical condition systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
"Irrigation of the major salivary glands in patients with SS increases salivary flow and reduces xerostomia."
Free Resources
Free Worksheet - Preparing for your Rheumatologist Appointment
We created a free worksheet that you can use to help get prepared and organized before your next appointment.
Anyone can use this worksheet whether it is your first appointment, or have been a patient for many years. This free worksheet can help you!
You can get a copy of this worksheet by visiting our Free Resources Page.
As always we hope that everyone is finding time to take care of their bodies.
Warriors, we want to thank you for sticking with us and continuing to learn, grow and be inspired to live your best life with a chronic illness.
Wishing you Health and Happiness,
Heather & Marc 💜
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