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.

Difference Between Depression and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Depression is a mental illness that can have mild, moderate, or severe symptoms. Clinical depression, also known as MDD or major depressive disorder, is the most severe form of depression. This is different from the depression one might experience because of grief or another medical condition.   Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder Health professionals have a… Continue reading Difference Between Depression and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Ozempic Shown to Reduce Risk of Serious Illness and Death

Weekly injections of semaglutide medications, such as Ozempic, have been shown to significantly reduce the risk of serious kidney outcomes, major cardiovascular events, and death in people with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease, according to a recent study. These drugs have become tremendously popular because of their potential for diabetes management and weight… Continue reading Ozempic Shown to Reduce Risk of Serious Illness and Death

Comparing Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how the body processes blood glucose. In 1980, 108 million people had diabetes. By 2014, that number rose to 422 million. It is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation. There are two primary types of diabetes to understand. Knowing the… Continue reading Comparing Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement and coordination. Symptoms develop gradually and can vary! Recognizing the early signs is crucial for managing the disease effectively. Here is an overview of the key symptoms and what to watch for. Early Symptoms Progressive Symptoms Ways of Managing Parkinson’s While Parkinson’s disease cannot be… Continue reading Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

Types of Bipolar Disorder 

Bipolar disorder is a mood condition that dysregulates an individual’s mood, energy, activity levels, and concentration. When extreme shifts in these moods are occurring, it can feel difficult to accomplish everyday tasks. Medical professionals agree that there are three main types, though type I and type II are most diagnosed. According to Medical News Today,… Continue reading Types of Bipolar Disorder 

Signs of Poor Circulation

It may be hard to believe, but your body contains over 60,000 miles of blood vessels. That is long enough to go around the earth 2.5 times! These blood vessels keep our bodies healthy and functioning properly by carrying oxygen and nutrients. If they are not working properly however? You can run into serious problems.… Continue reading Signs of Poor Circulation

The Four Stages of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Are you familiar with the four stages of rheumatoid arthritis (RA)? An autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the joints, RA is characterized by chronic inflammation. This inflammation leads to pain, swelling, and joint damage. Millions of people worldwide live with RA. About 70% are women, and 55% are older than the age of 55. This… Continue reading The Four Stages of Rheumatoid Arthritis

How to Know if You Have Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is a condition where abnormal cells grow in the skin tissues. Normally, old skin cells die off, and new ones replace them. But when this process is disrupted, often by exposure to sunlight’s ultraviolet (UV) light, cells can grow rapidly, leading to cancer. These abnormal cells may be benign (noncancerous) or cancerous. If… Continue reading How to Know if You Have Skin Cancer