"Hip pain" means very different things to different people. One of the most helpful questions your clinician can ask is simply: point to exactly where it hurts. The answer often narrows down the cause before any test is ordered, because pain in the front, on the side, and in the back of the hip tend to come from completely different structures.

Most people know GLP-1 medications for their effects on weight and blood sugar. But we are also learning that their potential benefits may extend beyond these areas. There is growing research, including convincing preclinical data, suggesting that GLP-1 medications may influence inflammatory pathways as well.

Fibromyalgia has one of the most fascinating and misunderstood histories in all of medicine. For decades it was doubted, dismissed, and even blamed on patients. Today, we understand it far better than we ever have. Here is the story of how our thinking evolved, what the science now tells us, and what you should do if you think you might have it.

Taking medication consistently isn’t always easy, especially when you’re taking multiple medications every day. Many with a chronic disease can relate to this, especially patients with rheumatic illnesses.

The truth is that RA cannot be reliably prevented with certainty today. But this is one of the most exciting areas in rheumatology, and there is real, encouraging news. A large share of RA cases are linked to factors you can actually change, and researchers are actively testing whether we can stop the disease before it ever starts.

For years now, patients have been asking me an important question: beyond my prescriptions, what else can I do to reduce inflammation? It is a reasonable question. So, which natural anti-inflammatories are actually worth discussing?

Sjögren's is an autoimmune disease that targets the glands that make saliva and tears. Most people associate it with dry eyes and dry mouth. But Sjögren's can be a whole-body disease, not just a "dryness" problem.

In general, we do not combine biologic medications in rheumatology. But there are unique circumstances where we may thoughtfully and cautiously consider combining biologic therapies. Psoriatic arthritis is one example.

If you have gout, you’ve probably heard a long list of foods you’re “not allowed” to eat. The good news is that managing gout does not require an extremely restrictive diet. However, lifestyle changes usually do not lower uric acid enough to replace medication in someone with established gout.