According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Breast cancer occurs when cells mutate and become cancerous cells that multiply and form tumors in the breast. While the cause of each breast cancer diagnosis is unknown, we know many of the risk factors.… Continue reading Is Breast Cancer Hereditary?
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.
Menopause and Mental Health
Menopause is a period in a biological female’s life that can cause immense hormonal changes. These changes can have a significant impact on a person’s physical and mental health. Specifically, for individuals who have suffered with depression or anxiety throughout their lifetime, menopause may cause a resurgence in symptoms. And for those who are new… Continue reading Menopause and Mental Health
Life Expectancy with Amyloidosis
Medically reviewed and verified by Kate Burke, MD, MHA Amyloidosis is a group of diseases that happen when certain proteins in the body change shape, clump together, and form amyloid deposits. These build up in organs and tissues, making them stiff and damaging them over time. Different types of amyloidosis affect different organs, and their… Continue reading Life Expectancy with Amyloidosis
End-Stage Amyloidosis: What to Expect for Patients and Caregivers
Medically reviewed and verified by Kate Burke, MD, MHA End-stage amyloidosis is a phase of the disease where the condition has progressed to its most severe form. At this stage, patients experience significant symptoms affecting multiple organ systems, and the focus of care shifts towards managing symptoms and improving quality of life. It can be… Continue reading End-Stage Amyloidosis: What to Expect for Patients and Caregivers
Fibromyalgia: Self-Care Tips during a flare up
4-6% of Americans are living with fibromyalgia, which is characterized by widespread body pain or aching muscles (myalgia) and multiple points on the body that are tender to the touch, called tender points. During a flare, you may experience pain throughout the body, brain fog, sleep issues, increased sensitivity to stimuli, intestinal issues, and emotional… Continue reading Fibromyalgia: Self-Care Tips during a flare up
How Virtual Reality is Transforming ALS Treatment
In an incredible leap for medical technology, a 64-year-old named Mark with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), has become the first patient to use the Apple Vision Pro headset through an implantable brain-computer interface (BCI). This highlights the potential of BCIs in treating neurodegenerative diseases like ALS. It also opens up new possibilities for enhancing the… Continue reading How Virtual Reality is Transforming ALS Treatment
How Common is Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)?
If you notice a depressed mood or loss of interest in things that once brought you joy, you could be experiencing a depressive episode. Throughout our lives, everyone has depressive periods whether due to traumatic events, grief, stress, or various other causes. But individuals who suffer for extended periods of time with a depressed mood… Continue reading How Common is Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)?
Overcoming Self-Limiting Beliefs: The Power of ‘YET’ in Personal Growth
Positive Mindset in Personal Growth and Pain Management Beliefs and habits are created because they have served some purpose in your life at one point in time. They guided you to where you are now, and you kept using them because they worked. They help drive your choices each day in a way that doesn’t… Continue reading Overcoming Self-Limiting Beliefs: The Power of ‘YET’ in Personal Growth
Causes of Parkinson’s Disease
What is Parkinson’s Disease? Parkinson’s disease is a progressive, neurological disorder. It causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, such as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination. Typically symptoms begin gradually, but become more severe over time. As nerve cells die, involuntary movements, tremors and shaking commonly appear. Many of the symptoms of Parkinson’s can… Continue reading Causes of Parkinson’s Disease
Chronic Conditions Common in Minorities
Around the globe, race and ethnicity play a role in people’s health and wellness. Genetics may predispose some minorities to chronic health conditions and culture or lifestyle may also be a factor. But we must also consider health disparities among minority groups. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines health disparities as preventable… Continue reading Chronic Conditions Common in Minorities