What’s Positive About Disease?

It may seem counterintuitive, but according to some of our members, there are actually some good things that can come out of being diagnosed with a serious illness.  In the spirit of Thanksgiving – a time when many people are reminded of all the things they have to be grateful for – we thought we… Continue reading What’s Positive About Disease?

Common Women’s Health Conditions

When you think of women’s health, you probably think of conditions specific to the biologically female body. This includes pregnancy, gynecological concerns, menopause and breast cancer. But there are many common women affected health conditions outside of these select few that greatly impact women around the globe. Johns Hopkins reports, “Many health issues affect women… Continue reading Common Women’s Health Conditions

Coping with Changes in Physical Appearance

When you are diagnosed with a life-changing illness, your doctor may prepare you for how the disease will affect your physical functions.  But as our members point out, patients also need to be prepared for the changes in physical appearance they may experience.  For example, how do you deal with hair loss, facial swelling, weight… Continue reading Coping with Changes in Physical Appearance

A Patient Poem for the Modern Age

Can you be friends with someone you’ve never met in person? The members of our online health community – now 300, 000+ patients strong – think so.  In fact, many of them say they depend on other members for support and encouragement, and for the all-important reminder that they are not alone. As evidence, here… Continue reading A Patient Poem for the Modern Age

FDA’s New Guidance on Patient-Reported Outcomes

We’re big fans of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) here at PatientsLikeMe, defined by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) as: “A measurement based on a report that comes directly from the patient about the status of a patient’s health condition without amendment or interpretation of the patient’s response by a clinician or anyone else.” The self-report… Continue reading FDA’s New Guidance on Patient-Reported Outcomes