Sarah Schafer, MD
Gastrointestinal (GI) Manifestations
Sjogren's often impacts the gastrointestinal tract. Many symptoms are neurologically based but mistaken for IBS.
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Sarah Schafer, MD
- May 18
- 4 min
Celiac disease, gluten, and your health
Celiac disease is common in Sjogren's patients. Every Sjogren's patient should be screened for celiac disease, regardless of symptoms.
1,759 views
Sarah Schafer, MD
- May 11
- 3 min
Pulmonary hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension is no longer considered rare in Sjogren's. Early detection and treatment are critical to improving outcomes.
2,802 views
Sarah Schafer, MD
- Jan 6
- 2 min
Lifestyle support
Lifestyle changes help many Sjogren's patients feel better. Learn about credible sources of information here.
2,122 views
Sarah Schafer, MD
- Dec 12, 2022
- 4 min
My POTS diagnosis: worth the struggle
Learn how self-advocacy helped me get diagnosed and treated for POTS, an autonomic disorder.
2,945 views
Sarah Schafer, MD
- Oct 11, 2022
- 4 min
Sjogren's and heart health
Sjogren's patients are at increased risk of strokes, heart attacks, and other cardiovascular diseases. Much can be done to reduce that risk.
3,765 views
Sarah Schafer, MD
- Oct 6, 2022
- 4 min
Choosing skincare for health
What you put on your skin is as important as what you eat and breathe, especially with dry skin that comes with Sjogren's.
1,872 views
Sarah Schafer, MD
- Sep 14, 2022
- 4 min
Sjogren's and the sun
Learn why sun protection is important for Sjogren's patients.
3,717 views
Sarah Schafer, MD
- Jan 3, 2022
- 3 min
Why doesn't my doctor understand Sjogren's?
Clinicians who believe the" nuisance sicca disease" myth are being led astray by outdated assumptions about the disease.
2,546 views
Sarah Schafer, MD
- Sep 18, 2021
- 5 min
Do you have antibodies?
Everyone with Sjogren's, including seronegative patients, should be routinely monitored for systemic manifestations of the disease.
8,304 views
Sarah Schafer, MD
- Feb 16, 2021
- 3 min
Sjogren's is Sjogren's; it is not secondary to any other disease you may have.
The term "secondary Sjogren's" is inaccurate and misleading. Sjogren's is Sjogren's, alone or with another disease.
3,164 views
Sarah Schafer, MD
- Jan 24, 2021
- 4 min
Exercise helps Sjogren's- here's how to do it safely
Developing an exercise program is one of the best ways to reduce Sjogren’s inflammation, improve overall health, and manage symptoms.
16,274 views
Sarah Schafer, MD
- Oct 6, 2020
- 4 min
What is good Sjogren’s care?
Does your rheumatologist Listen to your lungs during routine clinic visits? Order tests for blood cell counts, liver function, and kidney...
3,895 views
Sarah Schafer, MD
- Aug 31, 2020
- 3 min
Four pillars that support clinical practice
How do clinicians learn to treat diseases? They rely on these four pillars: 1. Clinical research. This includes studies that look at...
883 views
Sarah Schafer, MD
- Jul 8, 2020
- 4 min
HCQ III - practical considerations. Updated 11-18-2022
1. Discuss HCQ (hydroxychloroquine) use with your rheumatologist. Rheumatologists vary when it comes to using HCQ for Sjogren’s. It can...
3,882 views
Sarah Schafer, MD
- Jun 24, 2020
- 6 min
HCQ II - why treat Sjogren's? (updated 09-11-2023)
Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ, aka “Plaquenil”) is the primary systemic medication used to treat Sjogren’s. Rheumatologists vary greatly when...
17,379 views
Sarah Schafer, MD
- Jun 16, 2020
- 2 min
HCQ I - how the shortage highlights Sjogren's neglect
HCQ = hydroxychloroquine, brand name "Plaquenil" During the peak of the recent HCQ shortage, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR)...
1,300 views
Sarah Schafer, MD
- Dec 26, 2019
- 1 min
How dry are your eyes?
It is actually more accurate to say “How dry and inflamed are your eyes?” Find out why this is. Watch this wonderful, practical,...
1,569 views
Sarah Schafer, MD
- Jul 3, 2019
- 4 min
Setting the stage for rheumatology care
This blog post is designed to “set the stage” for working with rheumatologists. Understanding how the health care system impacts...
568 views
Sarah Schafer, MD
- May 11, 2019
- 3 min
Neuropathy: Maybe it's all connected... Updated 09-19-2022
Do you have any of these? 1. Relentless, profound physical fatigue 2. Brain fog: Mental fatigue/cognitive changes 3. Dizziness or...
7,832 views
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