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About Dr. Maggie

Dr. Maggie is a board-certified Rheumatologist, making her an expert on all things joint-related. Her education has resulted in a personal passion for treating your body and joints right in everything from food to workouts. In an effort to help others treat themselves better, she shares her knowledge and advice here, on her blog.

Read More About Dr. Maggie

The Basics of Joint Health

Rheumatology 101


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When it comes to healthcare, there are a lot of de When it comes to healthcare, there are a lot of decisions to be made. ⁠
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While your doctor may strongly recommend a prescription or course of treatment, it is ultimately your decision whether to take their advice. ⁠
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For National Healthcare Decisions Day, let's talk about what you should do when you're not sure what decision to make. ⁠
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Many doctors encourage nervous patients to get a second opinion. It can also help to talk through all your options with a doctor or even a trusted friend or relative. Trust your gut - you know your body best! ⁠
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I have no issues encouraging my patients from all different cultural backgrounds to seek a second opinion when a diagnosis is not confirmed or if the individual feels anxious or uncertain about treatment plan.
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You have to trust your gut!
You know your body best!
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You have to feel comfortable in the physician-patient relationship that you are in so you can make informed decisions that will affect your short term and long term health.
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It is ok to have your questions, discuss your fears and treatment options, and take a moment to make the best decision for yourself.
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Feel empowered!
Know your rights!
Advocate for yourself!
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Do you look for second opinions?⁠
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#drmaggiecadet #nationalhealthcaredecisionsday⁠ #healthcareworkers #decisionsdecisions #healthcareheroes #healthcareprofessional #healthcareforall #healthcareworker #healthcareprofessionals #lifedecisions #lifedecisions #toughdecisions #healthydecisions #powerfuldecisions #makingdecisions #trustinyourself #trustyourinstincts #instincts #treatments #opinion #secondopinion #doctordoctor #doctorsbest #medicaladvice #adviceforlife⁠
Have you ever experienced dry eyes? _ Dry eyes ca Have you ever experienced dry eyes? 
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Dry eyes can occur when there is some dysfunction of a healthy tear film which has three layers and helps the eyes to stay lubricated. 

1. Aqueous fluid 
2. Fatty oils 
3. Mucus 
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Keratoconjunctivitis sicca occurs when there is decreased aqueous layer production. 
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Increased tear evaporation can also cause dry eyes! This happens when the Meibomian glands, (at the edge of the eyelids) which produce the oil film, clog up. 
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Reasons for Dry Eyes: 

👁️ Autoimmune Diseases: Sjogren's Syndrome, RA, Lupus, Scleroderma, Sarcoidosis, Thyroid disorders 
👁️ Eyelid gland inflammation 
👁️ Allergic eye Disease 
👁️ Hormonal changes 
👁️ Vitamin A deficiency 
👁️ Aging 
👁️Desensitization of corneal nerve from contact lens use and nerve damage from laser surgery 
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If Sjogren's Syndrome is suspected, then check blood work and have your ophthalmologist do a Schirmer's test involving special blotting paper held to the eye to assess the degree of tear production. 

Check your medication list for: 

🔹Antihistamines 
🔹Hormone replacement therapy 
🔹Antidepressants 
🔹Blood pressure medications 
🔹Decongestants 
🔹Birth control 
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See your doctor if you experience: 

🔹Eye burning 
🔹Grittiness 
🔹Eye redness 
🔹Mucus discharge 
🔹Excessive tearing 
🔹Light sensitivity 
🔹Blurry vision 
🔹Corneal abrasion 
🔹Eyelid twitching 
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Do you get dry eyes? ⁠
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#drmaggiecadet⁠ #dryeyes #dryeye #dryeyesyndrome #dryeyespecialist #dryeyetreatment #dryeyerelief #dehydration #hydrationiskey #hydrationnation #hydrationtreatment #hydrationserum #eyedrops #eyedrop #blinkblink #sjorgendyndrome ⁠#butyoudontlooksick #autoimmune #autoimmunewarrior #eyeswideopen #redeyes #doctorlife #doctorslife #doctorsbest #eyedoctor
We've all experienced that achy, sore feeling in o We've all experienced that achy, sore feeling in our muscles in the days following a new or particularly hard workout. ⁠
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This pain is caused by inflammation and microscopic tears in our muscles. The muscles repair themselves and that is how they grow and we get stronger. ⁠
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This isn't a bad pain and should go away within a few days. In the meantime, reduce the pain with these tips: ⁠
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💪 Ice sore areas ⁠
💪 Take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory⁠
💪 Stretch it out ⁠
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Muscle spasms can be temporary involuntary contractions of a muscle group which can cause muscle pain. Some causes can be:
- Overexertion
- Under use of a muscle causing stiffness
- Dehydration
- Low magnesium or potassium
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People with Fibromyalgia and chronic pain syndrome can experience prolonged painful muscle spasms and twitching.
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With a regular fitness regime, you should notice this pain less frequently. ⁠
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How do you handle muscle soreness?⁠
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#drmaggiecadet⁠ #soremuscles #musclesoreness #musclestrength #workoutrecovery #achesandpains #painful #painfree #feelingtheburn #workingitout #loveworkingout #workouttips #workoutdone #workoutideas #stretches #stretchitout #stretchingexercises #reliefpain #relieffrompain #icepack #antiinflammatory #antiinflammatorylifestyle #naturalantiinflammatory #fitnesstime #fitnessadict ⁠
#BlackMaternalHealth week🤰🏽 This campaig #BlackMaternalHealth week🤰🏽

 

This campaign was created and led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, to Amplify the voices of Black mothers, women, and families while also highlighting community policies, research, and care solutions to improve maternal health in minority populations. 🤱🏾

👩🏽‍⚕️In the U.S., the CDC reported that black women experience maternal mortality at a rate two to three times higher than that of white women! 

 

👩🏽‍⚕️The CDC study, based on analysis of national data on pregnancy-related mortality from 2007-2016 showed

🔹”For women over the age of 30, pregnancy related mortality rates for black females was four to five times higher than it was for white women.” 

🔹”The pregnancy related mortality rates for black women with at least a college degree was 5.2 times that of their white counterparts.” 

🔹”Cardiomyopathy, thrombotic pulmonary embolism, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy contributed more to pregnancy-related deaths among black women than among white women.” 

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👩🏽Being a mother means so much to me.

When I was pregnant, I had this anxiety throughout my pregnancy because I knew the statistics.

I was already disturbed by the disproportionately high mortality rates for Black babies.  When I was whisked away for an emergency C section, these statistics kept playing over in my head. 

 

🤰🏽It is important to keep addressing the needs of Black and minority mothers by creating programs that improve prenatal care and patient -physician communication during pregnancy. 

🤰🏽Hospitals need to provide quality improvement initiatives and other interventions that can alter the course of the health of the minority babies and mothers. 

🤰🏽 It is crucial to continue to keep having these conversations surrounding the implicit bias in reproductive care in minority populations. 

#drmaggiecadet
#Chronicillness Individuals living with chronic a #Chronicillness

Individuals living with chronic autoimmune  illness like #Lupus, #RheumatoidArthritis, #Psoriaticarthritis,  Diabetes, Sjorgren’s Syndrome ,Multiple sclerosis face an uphill challenge everyday.
Sometimes they may seem to be doing ok from the outside but their bodies are being attacked by inflammation constantly. It might be difficult to just got out of bed abs brush ones teeth or comb ones hair.
They battle pain,disability, Depression, Anxiety and issues with self confidence.

But there’s hope. These individuals are warriors and they survive!

Thank you my dear friend @lupuschick official for all the motivation and encouragement you have provided to the lupus and autoimmune diseases community.
Congratulations on your book #Chronicallyfabulous and for always leading by example!
I’m so proud to know you and work with you!
You are a true inspiration and Fabulous!

With L💜VE,
Dr. Maggie
When you arise in the morning ☀️ , think about When you arise in the morning ☀️ , think about what a precious privilege it is to be alive- to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.
- Marcus Aurelius

So often we get very comfortable in our daily routines and just follow the script of the day.
It’s nice to deviate sometimes and just do something that can bring a little smile or chuckle into your life.
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I admit, I like having a schedule and I’m the first one to schedule, make plans way in advance and stick to my routine.
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Several weeks ago, on a random Sunday I decided to just go for a polar 🥶 plunge! It was freezing but something about being in the ocean/bay 🌊 on that particular day just got me excited.

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I don’t even like the cold but after having so many restrictions this past year with the pandemic, I figure to go for it!  I didn’t go all the way in but it felt wonderful to use my senses, be a little carefree and  feel alive! 

What are you waiting for?
#drmaggiecadet

© 2021 Maggie Cadet, MD | Design by The Girl Brand

All opinions expressed on this site are my own. You should not consider this legal medical advice. Please consult your physician with any concerns.