patientslikeme

Gift guide: Gadgets for people with health conditions

Who needs another scarf or coffee mug? With the holiday shopping season upon us, PatientsLikeMe members are crowd-sourcing a list of handy products and tools that can actually help people living with pain, fatigue and other symptoms of chronic illness or aspects of aging. Check out the list below, for starters, and then join PatientsLikeMe or log in to… Continue reading Gift guide: Gadgets for people with health conditions

Parkinson’s Freezing Triggers and Fall Prevention

Gait freezing and falls are common among people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Take a closer look at patients’ experiences, common triggers of freezing and tips that may help prevent falls. What is known about freezing and falls? Researchers and movement experts have been studying gait freezing in people with PD for several decades. The exact… Continue reading Parkinson’s Freezing Triggers and Fall Prevention

Brits are boosting men’s mental health — can the U.S. follow suit?

The British Royals’ passion for improving mental health is giving us all the feels — and possibly helping reduce male suicide rates in the U.K. Who’s raising awareness of men’s mental health in the U.S.? (See how PatientsLikeMe member John, pictured above, is doing his part!) Diverging stats in the U.K. and U.S. The U.K.… Continue reading Brits are boosting men’s mental health — can the U.S. follow suit?

Lupus Diagnosis and Lupus Self Test: Member Hetlena’s Pointers For Her Old (Newbie with SLE) Self

What would someone who has lived with lupus (SLE) for decades tell her younger, newly diagnosed self? PatientsLikeMe member Hetlena (@TheLupusLiar), who was diagnosed with lupus in 1993, recently answered that question for us in the following personal essay reflecting on what she’s learned through the years… Tips For A Newly Diagnosed SLE Patient “This… Continue reading Lupus Diagnosis and Lupus Self Test: Member Hetlena’s Pointers For Her Old (Newbie with SLE) Self

5 must-watch TED Talks Mental Health

Ever watch TED Talks? TED is a nonprofit “devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or less).” We’ve rounded up some of the top health-related videos from the TED series (1,700+ talks and counting) that might resonate or give you food for thought. Phil Hansen – “Embrace the shake” Hansen developed… Continue reading 5 must-watch TED Talks Mental Health

Ommm: People with cancer practice chair yoga for bone benefits

Chemotherapy and other cancer treatments can take a toll on your bones and overall strength, so some patients are turning to chair yoga to boost their bone health and balance. Things like bone health ‘seemed trivial compared to cancer’ We heard about chair yoga in this New York Times article, “Chair yoga for my funny bones.” The… Continue reading Ommm: People with cancer practice chair yoga for bone benefits

Healthcare = hot election topic. Check out some Election Day basics

Ready to cast your ballot? Election Day is almost here and recent polls show that healthcare is one of the top issues on voters’ minds. Here’s some quick election-related info for you. Election Day and voting basics – Tomorrow (November 6, 2018) is a general election for most states, except Louisiana (where November 6 is a primary and December 8… Continue reading Healthcare = hot election topic. Check out some Election Day basics

Fall feast: 3 ‘Parkinson’s-friendly’ recipes + cooking tips

Are you living with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and looking for some dishes for Thanksgiving or another fall feast? Or just to boost your appetite? Our friends at Community Servings — a Boston-area nutrition and meal delivery organization for people with health conditions — handpicked three tasty recipes with a healthy balance of nutrients for people with PD.… Continue reading Fall feast: 3 ‘Parkinson’s-friendly’ recipes + cooking tips

Parents with lupus (or any health condition) ‘don’t have to be perfect’ — take it from this mom

PatientsLikeMe member Jeanette Alston-Watkins (JeanetteA6872) was diagnosed with lupus in 2006, when her kids were 11 and 14. “My kids are my strength and they gave me energy and willpower,” she says in this Q&A about parenting with SLE. (Jeanette is on our 2018 Team of Advisors.) Can you share a bit about your diagnosis and… Continue reading Parents with lupus (or any health condition) ‘don’t have to be perfect’ — take it from this mom