19 Comments
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Leslie McMullen's avatar

Wonderful article, Dr. McBride! An excellent description of the types of inflammation and approaches to try to minimize it's negative effects. As you say, it does seem that incorporating the basics....healthier diet, appropriate exercise, less stress, more relaxation and sound sleep are part of the healing process. If that is not enough (which is often the case), adding in anti-inflammation medications. And it can be quite a process to figure out which ones work best. Rheumatology (presuming there is chronic, systemic inflammation) is more of an art than a science. It often takes observant, insightful and motivated medical professionals like yourself to put the clues together to make an accurate, or at least most likely, diagnosis. Thank you for this information and all that you do to help and educate others about health and medicine.

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Dr. Lucy McBride's avatar

Yes rheumatology is an art and science - like all of medicine really ☺️

Thanks for the feedback and for writing in!

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Terry's avatar

Totally appreciate this explanation since there is too much noise and only little sound bites on the subject in the media. It is most important for me now since I have had a very anxious year with downsizing our living arrangement which included getting rid of lifelong treasures, having a new home built, and selling our previous home. We moved into a community with neighbors when I have been used to complete privacy the past 40 years. Lots of upheaval for a Type A Introvert who really does not like change. Some of my good habits fell to the wayside as anxiety and depression increased. Used to feel 71 years young, but now feel 71 years very old and haggard. Other than eating too much, my lifelong eating plan is a healthy one. However, have to get back to limiting sugar and white flour which have been used for comfort. Have to get back to my 30 minutes of gentle exercise each day of a combination of aerobics, strength, and balance work. Decided I need to get outside everyday and keep lights on in the darker areas of the house to keep my spirits up. Have invested in some house plants to bring life and indoor growing since outdoor growing which used to be a large part of my life is much limited now. Hoping that doing the above with improve my horrendous sleep deprivation. Onward and upward; better days are ahead.

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Dr. Lucy McBride's avatar

I love your attitude of hope and optimism mixed with honesty about how difficult change can be. Thank you for sharing this, Terry.

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Lynette Greig's avatar

I've been eating a lot of fish and leafy greens & veggies. Hoping my CRP would have come down. 🤞

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Dr. Lucy McBride's avatar

🙏🙏🙏

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Robin Cutler's avatar

Great article. My CRP is elevated prob because of a resistant urinary tract infection. I'm on week four of antibiotics and praying that works. I hope that's the reason but I also have some arthrosclerosis and other issues that usually are not a problem for CRP. Usually I eat only salmon and vegetarian and the things Lynette mentioned but it's been hard because need to eat carbs, kefir, etc to keep a stomach settled on antibiotics. This was very helpful.

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Dr. Lucy McBride's avatar

Glad to hear this was helpful 💕

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Grace Fierce's avatar

"Our medical system loves treating symptoms, improving numbers, and prescribing medications. The wellness industry can be equally prescriptive, favoring symptom management through diets and supplements."👏🏻🙌🏻

The fierce, courageous presence and loving defiance medical professionals like you need to effectively contend with these opposing truths--annnnd share them so clearly with those you help heal--is truly remarkable in our culture.

We must first know agency intimately to speak its truth so clearly.

Thank you. May you and all those you love receive these wise gifts you so willingly give your patients and readers back in abundance🙏🏻

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Dr. Lucy McBride's avatar

Thank you, Grace!

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Peggy Fox -Warren's avatar

My PCP put me on metformin years ago in my late 60's because of metabolic syndrome, and since I had a history of breast cancer. My A1C remains in the low prediabetic range after 18 years with weight loss of 15 pounds and daily hour walks plus swimming weekly and reducing alcohol to one drink a week. However, wth my family history of heart disease and diabetes I remain healthy and active at age 78 and have survived early stage breast cancer 3 times. Get your yearly mammograms! Consider the risk of prediabetes and alcohol for breast cancer as Dr. Lucy has talked about.

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Dr. Lucy McBride's avatar

Yes! 👏

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Loretta Etafo's avatar

This is a very lucid write up ! Thank you Dr Lucy!

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Dr. Lucy McBride's avatar

Thanks, Loretta ❤️

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Janet Jeffers's avatar

This is such a good analysis, especially since today I am having my first thorough medical checkup — with a new doctor in a concierge practice my husband and I just joined — in over 6 years (I have annual GYN appointments, mammograms, and dermatology checkups). I turn 60 later this year and need to be proactive about my health. I’m active and feel half my age most of the time, but I have some concerns (blood pressure, family history) and small issues (discomfort in one side of my neck) that I want to make sure don’t turn into those alarm bells. I have some anxiety about medical stuff so it’s no small deal for me to do this. I have to confront rather than avoid. Your framing of this helps me a lot! Thank you.

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Dr. Lucy McBride's avatar

Oh good! Wishing you all the best as you take good care of your health!

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Gayla Kunis's avatar

Minimizing red meat and dairy.

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Domenico Ianuale's avatar

si dicono che le carni rosse producono u accumulo di acido urico nell'uretra ed ancche i latticini fanno ingrassare.

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Domenico Ianuale's avatar

la questione artrosi ed ginocchia doloranti e' seria se poi si associa anche una perdita di forza ed energia che cotraddistingue la terza eta' e ancora piu' difficoltoso risolvere questa malattia che e dovuta non ad una particolare patologia ma solo all'eta' che avanza.

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