Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune condition that impacts the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. It affects nearly one million people in the United States and more than 2.3 million people worldwide. MS is a progressive disease, meaning it can get worse over time without treatment. However, treatment can’t always slow the progression of the disease. There are four types of multiple sclerosis: clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting MS, primary progressive MS, and secondary… Continue reading 4 Types of Multiple Sclerosis (Plus Two You Didn’t Know About)
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.
5 Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis, affecting 1.3 million adults in the United States. It’s an autoimmune disease, meaning the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the body instead of protecting them. A healthy immune system protects against germs and sends fighter cells to attack them. But with autoimmune diseases, the immune system treats normal cells like foreign cells and releases autoantibodies that attack healthy cells. Autoantibodies are… Continue reading 5 Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Medications for Multiple Sclerosis
Although there is currently no cure for multiple sclerosis, there are several medications that can help improve the quality of life for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Medications can help ease symptoms, keep the disease from progressing, and reduce the frequency of a relapse. Medications for multiple sclerosis include pills, injections, or infusions. Finding the right… Continue reading Medications for Multiple Sclerosis
Everything You Need to Know About the Weather and Parkinson’s Disease
Estimated reading time: 3-4 minutes As the seasons change, you may notice your Parkinson’s disease symptoms getting worse. You may be more sensitive to temperature, experience more fatigue, and movement may become slower. Though it’s not often talked about, extreme changes in weather can exacerbate symptoms. Impact of the Weather on Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms Many patients with Parkinson’s disease… Continue reading Everything You Need to Know About the Weather and Parkinson’s Disease
What Does Rheumatoid Arthritis Really Feel Like?
Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is more than joint pain. It’s a chronic pain, accompanied by many other symptoms, that often gets worse over time. Symptoms can come at inconvenient times without any warning which makes them difficult to manage. But what people think RA feels like and what it actually feels like are often two different things. How does rheumatoid arthritis really feel? Rheumatoid arthritis isn’t “just” arthritis. When you have RA, it affects your body or one part of… Continue reading What Does Rheumatoid Arthritis Really Feel Like?
What is Seasonal Depression?
As the weather gets colder and days become shorter, you may notice you have less energy, feel a little less optimistic and spend more time alone. While this may not be a cause for concern, about 5% of the U.S population experience seasonal depression during the fall and winter months. Seasonal depression, or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), is a subtype of depression that begins and ends around the same time every… Continue reading What is Seasonal Depression?
6 Possible Causes of Multiple Sclerosis
If you’re living with multiple sclerosis, you probably have a lot of questions about your diagnosis. You might be wondering how you developed the disease and what your outlook is. While the course of the disease will vary from person to person, an exact cause has yet to be identified. Scientists have found that a combination of factors often causes multiple… Continue reading 6 Possible Causes of Multiple Sclerosis
Medication-Free Ways To Feel Better With Parkinson’s Disease
Getting a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis can be overwhelming. This neurodegenerative disorder affects movement and doesn’t have a cure, but with the right medications and complementary or alternative therapies, symptoms can be managed. Incorporating medication-free ways into Parkinson’s treatment can help people living with the condition improve their health and well-being, along with preserving physical function… Continue reading Medication-Free Ways To Feel Better With Parkinson’s Disease
9 Anti-Inflammatory Foods to Fight Chronic Illness
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes Eat Your Way to Relief: 9 Powerful Anti-Inflammatory Foods to Fight Chronic Illness If you’re living with a chronic illness, there’s a good chance your doctor has suggested altering your diet to help reduce or eliminate inflammation in the body. Increasing evidence suggests that there is a link between inflammation… Continue reading 9 Anti-Inflammatory Foods to Fight Chronic Illness
MS and Stress: Managing the Holidays
Stress is a normal part of life for many people. For some, holidays can be especially stressful because of gift buying, traveling, and making holiday dinners. If you have multiple sclerosis, the stress of the holidays can be compounded by managing your illness on top of everything else. Living with MS is not only a… Continue reading MS and Stress: Managing the Holidays