In the United States, 1 in 5 people live with a mental illness. They can range in severity, from a condition that minimally affects your day to day life to a serious illness that requires intervention. Whatever the case, the most popular treatment among various options is managing through medication. Understanding these medicines, what they… Continue reading Common Medications for Treating Mental Health
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.
Can CKD Cause My Skin to Itch?
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition that affects your kidneys’ ability to filter waste products from your blood. While kidney disease may not initially show signs on your skin, it can lead to a range of symptoms as it progresses. One common symptom experienced by many CKD patients is itchy skin, also known as… Continue reading Can CKD Cause My Skin to Itch?
Understanding Early Signs of Lupus in Women
Lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease, affects women more often than men. This condition can cause damage to any part of the body as the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells, tissues, or organs. Women with lupus have a higher risk of experiencing other health problems, such as heart disease and osteoporosis. In this overview, PatientsLikeMe… Continue reading Understanding Early Signs of Lupus in Women
Comparing Multiple Sclerosis and Atherosclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) and atherosclerosis are often confused. They sound similar, but affect the body in different ways! The key to understanding the connection between the two lies in the end of both: the word sclerosis. Sclerosis in itself is a condition. It is the abnormal hardening of a tissue or body part, such as… Continue reading Comparing Multiple Sclerosis and Atherosclerosis
Is MDD Hereditary?
In 2024, 8.2% of adults in the United States experienced a major depressive episode. For further context, thats around 21.4 million people! Two times as many women as men are believed to experience major depression, however some studies show that men are undiagnosed due to environmental or cultural issues. Depression is a serious mood disorder… Continue reading Is MDD Hereditary?
Fibromyalgia and Stomach Pain: What’s the Link?
When living with fibromyalgia, you need to be prepared to manage a wide variety of symptoms. This condition is complex, and characterized by widespread pain and fatigue. A constant dull ache is the most commonly reported side effect. However, it can and often does end up affecting the gut! Stomach pain is another common symptoms.… Continue reading Fibromyalgia and Stomach Pain: What’s the Link?
How to Help Someone With Depression
When a person has a mental disorder like major depressive disorder, and you are on the sidelines watching your loved one suffer, it can be difficult. People have a natural inclination to distract those suffering from feeling the symptoms of their disorder. This is not necessarily the best course of action. Though it may provide… Continue reading How to Help Someone With Depression
A Focus on Potassium: Curbing the Rise of CKD
What is Potassium? Potassium is an electrolyte, meaning it carries an electric charge when dissolved in body fluids like blood. It is primarily found inside cells and is vital for maintaining proper cell function, nerve signaling, muscle contraction (including the heart muscle), and fluid balance within the body. Additionally, it helps regulate blood pressure, supports… Continue reading A Focus on Potassium: Curbing the Rise of CKD
What is Diabetic Neuropathy?
Medically reviewed and verified by Kate Burke, MD, MHA Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that can be caused by having diabetes. High blood sugar or glucose levels can cause nerve damage throughout the body, specifically in the legs and feet. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Depending on the affected nerves, diabetic neuropathy… Continue reading What is Diabetic Neuropathy?
Insulin and Glucose: Understanding Key Players in Type 1 Diabetes
Medically reviewed and verified by Kate Burke, MD, MHA According to the American Diabetes Association, Diabetes is “a problem with your body that causes blood glucose levels to rise higher than normal. This is also called hyperglycemia.” When we eat, our bodies break down foods into glucose (sugars) which get sent into the bloodstream. Insulin… Continue reading Insulin and Glucose: Understanding Key Players in Type 1 Diabetes