Ashley Boynes-Shuck
(She/Her)
Covers:
Music, Entertainment, Pop Culture, Fashion, Celebrities, News, Current Events, Women's Issues, True Crime, Health, Wellness, Science, ChatGPT, Generative AI, Animals, Art, Technology, Education, Books
Published #author | freelance #writing & #PR | storyteller | love music, animals, tech | views are my own | #writingcommunity #writer #amquerying 📚
Articles by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
Heartbroken 87-Year-Old Veteran and Cancer Patient Searches for 'Lucky' Dog Stolen in Shocking Multi-State Carjacking
Stolen in Pennsylvania: A Senior Veteran’s Beloved Dog is Taken in Carjacking with Suspect Caught in North Carolina, but a Desperate Cross-Country Search for the Airedale Terrier Mix, Lucky, Urgently Continues (Isstories Editorial):- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Oct 4, 2024 (Issuewire.com) – An emotional plea has been made by 87-year-old veteran Willard Martz, who is battling cancer and desperately seeking the return of his beloved dog, Lucky.
Heartbroken 87-Year-Old Veteran and Cancer Patient Searches for 'Lucky' Dog Stolen in Shocking Multi-State Carjacking
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Oct 4, 2024 (Issuewire.com) - An emotional plea has been made by 87-year-old veteran Willard Martz, who is battling cancer and desperately seeking the return of his beloved dog, Lucky. The 10-year-old male Airedale Terrier mix Lucky was stolen during a carjacking at a Tractor Supply store in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, right outside of Pittsburgh on September 23, 2024– and Lucky was not just a companion—he was one of Mr. Martz’s last connections to his late son.
Features, Setup, How to Use, and More Original
This user-friendly app offers a way for people with different bodies to find events, restaurants, and destinations that work for them. As a chronically ill individual, navigating the world can often feel like traversing a maze of uncertainty. It’s not always easy to know ahead of time what to expect when you go out to a popular destination or how accessible a local restaurant is. Luckily, there’s an app for that. Read on for my experience and honest review.
Responding to Comments About Your Chronic Illness at the Holidays
Try these funny or serious responses to comments that might be more frequent during the holidays. Navigating life with a chronic illness often means encountering hopefully well-intentioned, but sometimes confusing or annoying comments from friends, family, colleagues, and even strangers. As the holiday season approaches, these comments may become more frequent.
Connection Between Migraine, Rheumatoid Arthritis
Share on PinterestWomen are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis and migraine. Tommaso Tuzj/Stocksy United Researchers say there appears to be a dual connection between rheumatoid arthritis and migraine. They say people who have migraine are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis, and people with this type of arthritis are more likely to develop migraine. They say women are at higher risk of both RA and migraine, and recommend getting screened more often for both conditions.
#Fast50 : Fun Facts!
#abshuck The challenge: share 9-12 stock pictures that represent you. Then share a #Fast50 fun facts or beliefs you personally hold true. fast 50: 1. when in doubt, over-dress; and use the nice plates. Don’t save ‘em for a special occasion. 2. time spent on, in, or near water is never wasted 3. making memories and capturing moments is better than ‘stuff’ or ‘things’ 4. pugs are their own thing, their own creature, unlike any other dogs 5.
My friend, Gavin Rossdale
A hug from Gavin Rossdale in 2019 (Pittsburgh) Okay, so, to be clear, he’s not *really* my friend, but, we live in a ‘clickbait’ society, do we not? This blog post is an open letter about a man who 1.) helped me get through both middle school and grief and the pandemic year and 2.) is one of THE MOST underrated frontmen of one of THE MOST awesome yet under-appreciated rock bands, like … ever.
Joint Decisions and the Analysis Paralysis of My Summer
I’ve had health problems for almost my entire life. I’ve even written two books and an award-winning blog about all of it! But, they never really “got to me” until recently. The past year or so have been tough, to say the least. But — if I’m being honest, it’s the last decade, really. Sure, I dealt with RA & JIA, OA, Celiac, Bell’s Palsy, Dysplasias, Headaches, and Anxiety prior to 2011. But, the hits just kept coming after that year. A brain surgery for Chiari. Hospitalizations for POTS.
#FreeBritney 101
What do I do in the time I have before I start my work days, or, on a typical weekend morning? Well, I’m glad you asked. Typically, I have 1-2 cups of vanilla coconut or cinnamon coffee in my sunroom with my 3 dogs: a doberman, Brutus … a tiny little blind & eyeless “min pin pom” a.k.a. “pinscheranian,” Pip … and a black rescue pug, Olive, surrounded by my houseplants.
Tech-Centric Real Estate Firm Taps Savvy Sister Duo to Lead Pittsburgh Market
Have you heard about Compass? It’s the new direction of real estate — a buzzy, tech-savvy independent real estate brokerage that is sweeping the nation. Pittsburgh is its hot new location and they’ve chosen blonde powerhouse duo The Sisters real estate team (who sold the infamous Silence of the Lambs home among many others,) to represent them as Founding Agents.
Silence of the Lambs Home Sure to be a Killer Draw
Get your fava beans ready, Pittsburgh. When a stately Fayette County home was built in 1910, adjacent to property once owned by George Washgington, no one knew that one of the most beloved cult-classic horror films of all-time would be filmed there.
Why Rheumatoid Arthritis May Actually Be 2 Different Diseases
Share on PinterestResearchers say rheumatoid arthritis can be divided into two types: people with autoantibodies and those without them. Getty Images Researchers say rheumatoid arthritis may actually be two diseases instead of just one. They recommend that the disease be divided into two types: people with autoantibodies and people without them. They say people with autoantibodies appear to have better long-term outcomes in the reduction of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.
Why I Choose Positivity in the Face of Chronic Illness
My body and my life aren’t perfect, but they’re mine. And that, to me, is beautiful. I missed my deadline for the article you’re reading. No, really. I did. You see, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can be unpredictable. Pain, flares, and sickness can pop up out of nowhere — derailing life, ruining plans, causing frustration, and making me appear flaky or unreliable. One of the most challenging parts of living with chronic illness is that unpredictability.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Flare-Ups May Be Predictable a Week in Advance
Share on PinterestResearchers say the presence of “PRIME cells” in a person’s bloodstream may indicate up to a week in advance when a rheumatoid arthritis flare-up might occur. Getty Images Researchers say a previously unidentified type of cell may be able to help predict when rheumatoid arthritis flare-ups might occur. They’ve identified “PRIME cells” that they say appear in the bloodstream about a week before a flare-up happens.
New Drug Combo May Ease Fatigue Caused by Rheumatoid Arthritis
Share on PinterestThe drugs methotrexate and prednisone were effective in a 2-year study in reducing the fatigue that plagues many people with rheumatoid arthritis. Getty Images Researchers say a new combination therapy involving two drugs may help ease the fatigue associated with rheumatoid arthritis. In a 2-year study, the drugs methotrexate and prednisone were effective in reducing the fatigue of participants who took them.
Plaquenil Shortage Leaves RA, Lupus Patients in Pain and Demandin
Living with rheumatoid arthritis or lupus is hard. Living with rheumatoid arthritis or lupus without the medications you need can be even tougher. Changes to regulatory laws regarding the prescription process surrounding painkillers have been one hurdle that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and lupus patients have had to deal with in recent years. Now, it may become equally difficult to obtain refills on a commonly prescribed anti-malarial drug that is also used to treat both conditions.
People with Rheumatoid Arthritis Have Higher Risk for Heart Disease
Share on PinterestResearchers and experts say people with rheumatoid arthritis are more likely to have major cardiovascular events, such as stroke and heart attack. Getty Images A new study says people with rheumatoid arthritis face a higher risk for cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke. The Arthritis Foundation also notes that people with rheumatoid arthritis face a 50 percent higher risk for heart disease than the general population.
The Benefits of Music: How Listening to Music Impacts Your Health...
Author: Ashley Boynes-Shuck The famous philosopher Plato once said, “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” Many of us curate the perfect playlists for our workouts, or have music playing while we work, commute, or cook up our fave Noom recipes in the kitchen. Most public spaces like restaurants, shops, gyms, and even doctors’ offices also have music lulling in the background.
Exercise Can Slow Cognitive Decline for People with RA
Share on PinterestResearchers say exercise can help people with rheumatoid arthritis avoid cognitive difficulties such as brain fog. Getty Images A new study concludes that exercise can lower the risk of cognitive decline for people with rheumatoid arthritis. Past studies have reported that rheumatoid arthritis can increase difficulties with cognition such as brain fog. People with rheumatoid arthritis tell Healthline that exercise helps them both mentally and physically.
IBD, Diabetes Can Raise Your Risk for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Share on PinterestExperts say people with rheumatoid arthritis should be routinely checked for heart disease, sleep apnea, and blood clots. Getty Images Researchers say people who have type 1 diabetes, a history of blood clots, or inflammatory bowel disease have a higher risk for developing rheumatoid arthritis. They also report that people with rheumatoid arthritis have a higher risk for blood clots, heart disease, and sleep apnea.
What People with Rheumatoid Arthritis Can Do About Fatigue
Share on PinterestDisruption of sleep is one factor of RA fatigue, but experts say the tiredness can happen even when people get proper rest. Getty Images Fatigue is a common and debilitating symptom for people with rheumatoid arthritis. Experts say they aren’t certain yet why fatigue is so prominent in the lives of people with the autoimmune disease. This fatigue can affect people’s moods and ability to work.
Can a Vegetarian Diet Help Ease Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms?
Share on PinterestA plant-based diet can help reduce inflammation and improve the health of gut bacteria. Getty Images Researchers say there’s more evidence that a plant-based diet can help ease some symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. They say vegetarian-like diets can reduce inflammation and improve gut health. Some experts say just adhering to a plant-based diet isn’t enough. A person must still eat healthy.
How Antibiotic Use May Raise the Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Share on PinterestThe type of antibiotic doesn’t seem to matter when it comes to the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. Getty Images Researchers say antibiotic use may increase a person’s risk for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). They add that higher antibiotic use seems to correlate with a higher risk of RA. They add that the type of infection the antibiotics treated seems to make a difference. A new study has found that antibiotic use can increase the risk of RA by 60 percent.
A Mom's Rheumatoid Arthritis Can Raise Health Risks for Her Children
Some experts say the children of women with rheumatoid arthritis can develop autoimmune diseases themselves. Others say the risk is overstated. Share on PinterestResearchers say a mother’s rheumatoid arthritis can potentially change the DNA of their children. Getty Images Mothers-to-be often have enough to worry about. Now, pregnant women with rheumatoid arthritis may have an added concern: lifelong health effects on their children.
The Dilemma with Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs: Benefits vs. Toxicity
Since inflammation is a component of rheumatoid arthritis, medications can sometimes alter a person’s immune system functions. Share on PinterestFor many people with rheumatoid arthritis, the benefits from medications outweigh the risk of toxic side effects. Getty Images “Serious and sometimes fatal infections and cancers can occur.” In most instances, a phrase such as this would raise more than one red flag.
Why It's Difficult to Keep Your Job If You Have Rheumatoid Arthritis
The painful condition can limit a person’s productivity, force them to take time off, or even cause them to leave a job. Share on PinterestRheumatoid arthritis can limit a person’s productivity or make it nearly impossible to perform a task. Getty Images Finding — and keeping — a job that works within the limitations imposed by rheumatoid arthritis can be a challenge for many people who live with the painful disease.
Doing Yoga for as Little as 8 Weeks May Help Ease RA Symptoms
Researchers say regular yoga sessions can help relieve physical and emotional symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Share on PinterestSome participants in the study did two-hour yoga sessions five days a week. Getty Images Can eight weeks of intense yoga help alleviate symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis? Some experts think so.
A Fish Diet May Not Have Impact on Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
Researchers say fish and marine omega-3s have “no clear protective effect” against RA. Share on PinterestOne expert interviewed by Healthline says a fish-oriented eating plan such as the Mediterranean diet can still help people with autoimmune conditions. Getty Images A diet rich in seafood — including things such as fish oil and krill supplements — has long been touted for people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and similar inflammatory conditions.
How to Make It Through the Holidays When You Have Rheumatoid Arthritis
Here’s some tips on how to deal with shopping, parties, travel, and greeting cards. Share on PinterestMaking things easy on yourself is a good strategy during the holidays for people with rheumatoid arthritis. Getty Images For many, the holiday season is a time of joy and celebration. For some people, however, this time of year can be difficult. Living with a medical condition such as rheumatoid arthritis is one thing that can make the holiday season not so bright. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Blood Donations and Autoimmune Diseases
Many people with autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, are advised against donating blood. Share on PinterestThere are instances in which people with autoimmune diseases can donate blood. Getty Images. Many myths and misconceptions surround the ideas of blood and organ donation. This is especially true for patients with autoimmune diseases. Some doctors advise patients with illnesses, such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and diabetes, against donating blood.
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Artificial Intelligence Treatments
Tools such as chatbots can make some aspects of RA treatment easier, but there’s still some skepticism from people with the condition. Share on PinterestArtificial intelligence such as chatbots are being used more and more often in the healthcare world. Getty Images Digital coaches have become a new tool for people trying to keep their rheumatoid arthritis (RA) under control. The next step may be chatbots using artificial intelligence.
Why Rheumatoid Arthritis Is Plaguing 9/11 First Responders
It is well-documented that workers who responded to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks face increased health risks, including various forms of cancer, respiratory illness, and mental health problems. But now, autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been added to their list of worries.
New Drug for Rheumatoid Arthritis Will Be Available Soon
Patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis will soon have a new way to manage their condition. A drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was approved this summer by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The medication, known as baricitinib, is expected to be available sometime this fall. The oral pill is taken once a day. It’s for people with RA who have not responded well to one or more anti-TNF agents, which are a type of biologic drug.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis Prediction
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is often thought of as a frustrating — and unpredictable — disease. But now, researchers are finding new ways to predict who’ll develop RA early on. Two new studies presented at the annual European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Conference showed some insight into certain molecular changes that were found before the onset of RA.
Autoimmune Diseases and Stress
There’s a significant link between stress disorders and people living with autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. A new study has found an association between stress-related conditions such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, celiac disease, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The recent study out of the University of Iceland has corroborated what other studies — like one done in 2017 — have found about autoimmune diseases.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Morning Stiffness Drugs
Many people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) scoff at the notion of anti-inflammatory drugs being much of a help when it comes to painful flares. But the truth is these nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help some people with pain and inflammation — and now, research shows they may help ease morning stiffness, too. A recently published article in the medical journal Drugs & Aging showed evidence that anti-inflammatory drugs might help lessen morning stiffness in some people with RA.
Ashley Boynes-Shuck on LinkedIn: “Check out my books! https://lnkd.in/dHMvw-P”
Main content starts below.
Ashley Boynes-Shuck
Main content starts below.
Staying Positive May Not Cure RA… But Depression Can Worsen Flares
“My RA is a reflection of my emotions. If I’m stressed or depressed, my body will react with pain and inflammation.” That’s how Carolina Ocampo Duncan of South Carolina describes her battles with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). She’s lived with the autoimmune disease for six years — and she isn’t the only person with the ailment who feels this way. Depression and suicide have been linked to rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic pain conditions.
Ashley Boynes-Shuck
Main content starts below.
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Huntington’s Disease May Share a Common Link
What do a terminal brain disease and a painful autoimmune condition have in common? More than we thought. Scientists from the University of California San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York have discovered an apparent epigenetic overlap between the origins of Huntington’s disease and that of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The researchers shared their findings last month in the journal, Nature Communications.
What Do You Do When Writer's Block Strikes?
If you've ever experienced writer's block, then you know just how frustrating it can be. The words you want to use seem like they are stuck in a labyrinth or, perhaps, quicksand. It feels like all creativity and inspiration has drained from your body. In short, you just feel stuck. Instead of getting down and letting writer's block stop you in your tracks, you can use some simple tips and tricks to get yourself un-stuck, and free the words you want to say.
Lions Club Social Media: #RobinsonLions
Lions are known for bringing uncommon kindness to the world, but what is your club known for in your community? I am sure that you are doing so much more than your community knows, providing valuable service, creating opportunities for caring men and women to give back, and changing lives in ways that most don’t see. Technology offers so many ways to share our story with our community, and social media is one of the most effective. Social media can help you instantly connect with your community.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Digital Coach
With digital and electronic healthcare options abounding, it’s no wonder that digital coaches have a stronghold in the rheumatoid arthritis patient space. But 5 or 10 years ago, you may not have been familiar with a digital coach. Now, online health coaches are everywhere — and some of them are dedicated specifically to helping people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) live better.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis With Cancer Screening Tool
If you have ever heard of a PET scan, then you have likely heard of it in relation to cancer. PET imaging (positron emission tomography imaging) historically has been used to look for or monitor cancer presence or progression. Recently, it was found that PET scans may also be able to detect rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by using an innovative new technology.
So, LinkedIn: Is It Gonna Be Me That Works with Live Nation and JT?
You may have noticed a subtle shift in some of the branding on my LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages, as well as some vague -- and not-so-vague -- Justin Timberlake-related posts on my Instagram as of late. The reason is the #LinkedInTopCompaniesContest. I've entered to work with Live Nation helping to manage Justin Timberlake's social media for a day. You can view my video, here. If you know me, you know that I love puns (despite having been an English major.
How Grief and a Knee Replacement (at Age 33!) Reignited my Professional Spark
It's not often that I'm vulnerable on LinkedIn -- at least not in the same way that I might be on my personal blogs, or even in my nonfiction books. But I have learned that true strength is allowing oneself to be vulnerable and open, even if it can, at times, feel a little bit uncomfortable. After all, isn't that what both personal and professional growth are about -- stepping outside of our (often self-imposed) comfort zones? Sometime in 2017, I lost a little bit of my professional zest and zeal.
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Obesity
Weight is often a conundrum for people living with rheumatoid arthritis. They’re told they need to lose some pounds, but at the same time they may have difficulty achieving that goal due to their inability to exercise properly as well as their propensity to gain weight from medications. It’s also a complicated issue because being too thin can be just as big a problem as being too heavy for people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
The Pros and Cons of a Life Lived Online
After Facebook was in the news recently for issues surrounding privacy and data sharing, many users jumped onto the #DeleteFacebook bandwagon. But is doing so a good idea? It depends on who you talk to. I do a lot of work in the patient community, and very frequently interact with people who live with illness or disability. Oftentimes, the Internet is a safe space for disabled folks to share, commiserate, collaborate, and even a place to cultivate friendships.
Baking Soda May Be Just What the Doctor Ordered for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Baking soda is often touted for its many uses, ranging from household cleaning to dental care and more. Now, treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may be added to its ever-growing list of purposes. It’s important for your overall health to maintain proper pH balance in the human body. An environment that’s too alkaline or too acidic can result in a wide array of health problems and negative physical symptoms. Experts say baking soda can help to alkalize a too-acidic environment in the body.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Ashley
Contact Ashley, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack