The journey of parenthood is often filled with joy, laughter, and countless memories. However, for many families, the road to expanding that family can be rife with unexpected challenges. If you’ve experienced the joy of having one child but find it difficult to conceive again, you may be grappling with the realities of secondary infertility.… Continue reading Understanding Secondary Fertility: Navigating the Challenges of Expanding Your Family
Category: Conditions
Living with a health condition? On the PatientsLikeMe blog, find helpful health information and patient stories about being diagnosed, trying different treatments, and living day-to-day with a chronic condition.
Impact of Fertility Journey on Self Worth and Shifting Identity
The journey of fertility can have a significant impact on an individual’s self-worth and identity. When faced with difficulties conceiving or carrying a pregnancy, individuals often experience feelings of inadequacy and shame. The inability to conceive a child naturally can lead to a sense of failure or self-blame. This can put a serious strain on… Continue reading Impact of Fertility Journey on Self Worth and Shifting Identity
“Drug Holidays” – The Risks of Stopping Medication During Breaks
For many, the holiday season brings thoughts of relaxation or celebrations with family! In the medical world, medical holidays or “drug holidays” are planned breaks from a prescribed medication. While taking a break from certain medications can be beneficial for some people, these pauses come with risks. This is especially true for people on weight… Continue reading “Drug Holidays” – The Risks of Stopping Medication During Breaks
Understanding the Stress-Fertility Connection and Finding Light Through Gratitude
In today’s fast-paced world, stress has become a common part of life, affecting nearly every aspect of our daily routines. For those trying to conceive, understanding that stress and fertility are connected is crucial. You might be wondering, “can stress really cause infertility?” The connection between cortisol levels and reproductive health is a deeply intricate… Continue reading Understanding the Stress-Fertility Connection and Finding Light Through Gratitude
4 Signs of Infertility in Men: What to Know and When to Seek Help
Congratulations, you and your significant other have made the decision to start trying to have a baby! Starting a family can be one of life’s most meaningful moments, but sometimes the journey isn’t as straightforward as expected. Infertility doesn’t just fall on women, it affects men just as much. For men, identifying the signs of… Continue reading 4 Signs of Infertility in Men: What to Know and When to Seek Help
The CKD Kitchen Reset: A Practical Guide to Restocking Your Pantry
If you have chronic kidney disease (CKD), adopting a renal-friendly diet is essential to managing your health and improving your quality of life. One of the first steps in this journey is restocking your pantry with the right ingredients. This blog will walk you through what a renal diet is, who benefits from it, and… Continue reading The CKD Kitchen Reset: A Practical Guide to Restocking Your Pantry
Chart Your Course: Goal Setting for Mindful Eating
In a world filled with dietary advice and trending nutrition plans, building sustainable eating habits can be hard! But one powerful way to create long-lasting, healthy habits is through mindful eating and goal setting. Here, PatientsLikeMe will explain how to make mindful eating a part of your lifestyle. We will discuss the benefits of setting… Continue reading Chart Your Course: Goal Setting for Mindful Eating
Ulcerative Colitis: Preparing For and Recovering From a Colonoscopy
Medically reviewed and verified by Kate Burke, MD, MHA A colonoscopy can be daunting! People are often worried it will hurt and they will suffer from bleeding or post-procedure effects. Having anxiety around getting a colonoscopy done is perfectly normal. It should not, however, stop you from getting them done! They are an important part… Continue reading Ulcerative Colitis: Preparing For and Recovering From a Colonoscopy
Surgical Options for Ulcerative Colitis
Medically reviewed and verified by Kate Burke, MD, MHA Ulcerative colitis can be managed with medications, lifestyle changes, and dietary adjustments. The majority of people living with the condition don’t need their treatment to extend beyond this! Studies1 have found, however, that just over 20% of people with UC will need at least 1 bowel… Continue reading Surgical Options for Ulcerative Colitis
Toxic Megacolon: A Life-Threatening Complication of Ulcerative Colitis
Medically reviewed and verified by Kate Burke, MD, MHA Living with ulcerative colitis means managing a few potential complications. Some are minor, and easily dealt with due to a combination of medication and lifestyle changes. Others, however, are far more dangerous. Toxic megacolon is one of these. This is a potentially life-threatening complication that can… Continue reading Toxic Megacolon: A Life-Threatening Complication of Ulcerative Colitis