What causes inflammatory arthritis flares?

In this week’s episode of Inflammatory with Debbie and Katy, the hosts dive into a conversation that every person living with inflammatory arthritis can relate to - what causes a flare and how to cope when it hits.

From birthday party chaos and moving-house stress to hormones, grief, and sleepless nights, Debbie and Katy share their personal experiences, insights, and practical coping strategies. They explore the “cycle of doom” when life’s stresses, fatigue, and overdoing it collide, and discuss how to break that pattern with self-compassion, rest, and a realistic approach to living well with inflammatory arthritis.

This honest, funny, and heartfelt chat reminds listeners that while flares are tough, they don’t define you, and you can still live a full, joyful life beyond diagnosis.

Key takeaways:

• Stress is a major trigger: even positive stress like birthdays or weddings can cause a flare.

• Sleep is crucial: fatigue and poor rest often make symptoms worse.

• Hormones, grief, and big life events can all affect inflammation levels.

• Listen to your body: rest when you need to, without guilt.

• Don’t blame yourself: flares sometimes happen for no clear reason.

• Empowerment over management: learn from each flare rather than just “managing” it.

• Reach out for support: use your rheumatology team’s helpline, and don’t delay if pain persists.

Resources & Links:

• Inflammatory Arthritis website & newsletter

• Follow Inflammatory with Debbie and Katy on

  • Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Bluesky

If this episode resonated with you, please rate, follow, and share the podcast. Your support helps others living with inflammatory arthritis discover they’re not alone and that life goes on, even through the flares.

Disclaimer: Debbie and Katy are not medicalprofessionals. They share personal experiences of living with IA to build connection and community. The podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. We talk about our personalhealth journeys and the podcast is not intended to provide professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We are not medical professionals and in no way claim to be medically trained. The podcast does not take responsibility for anylosses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of the podcast. The podcast does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of third-party content.

· Formore information, head to https://inflammatoryarthritis.org/