Medically reviewed and verified by Kate Burke, MD, MHA Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a severe complication of diabetic retinopathy (DR) that affects the retina. If untreated it can lead to vision impairment or even blindness. This condition happens when there is swelling in the macula caused by leaky blood vessels. Blood vessels leak because… Continue reading Treatment Options for Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)
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.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)
Medically reviewed and verified by Kate Burke, MD, MHA Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a serious eye condition that affects people living with diabetes. It is a complication of diabetic retinopathy, a common diabetes-related eye disease. Around 750,000 Americans live with DME, and it is becoming more and more prevalent around the world. DME happens… Continue reading Common Signs and Symptoms of Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)
Is Ataxia a Symptom of Parkinson’s?
Struggling with balance, coordination, or shaking hands can be concerning, especially if these symptoms interfere with daily life. Ataxia, or impaired coordination, can make simple tasks like walking or reaching for an object feel unpredictable or challenging. But is ataxia a symptom of Parkinson’s disease, or does it stem from other neurological conditions? Understanding the… Continue reading Is Ataxia a Symptom of Parkinson’s?
Sleep Environment Modifications for CKD During Holidays
The holiday season is often filled with joy and celebration, but it can also be overwhelming—especially for those managing chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this article, we’ll explore how common CKD-related sleep disorders, like insomnia, sleep apnea, and restless legs syndrome, can worsen during the busy holiday season. We’ll also share practical strategies to help… Continue reading Sleep Environment Modifications for CKD During Holidays
Reasons Why Your Hands Are Shaking
Experiencing shakes and tremors in your hands can be unsettling, especially if they start to interfere with your daily routine. While occasional hand tremors can be normal in cases of high levels of stress or consuming excessive amounts of caffeine, persistent or worsening symptoms may indicate an underlying condition like Parkinson’s disease. What is Causing… Continue reading Reasons Why Your Hands Are Shaking
When It’s Hard to Swallow: Understanding Dysphagia and Its Connection to Parkinson’s Disease
Difficulty swallowing, known in the medical world as dysphagia, is more than an inconvenience, it can be a sign of an underlying condition like Parkinson’s disease. For those living with Parkinson’s, recognizing and addressing dysphagia is critical for maintaining nutrition, hydration, and quality of life. What Causes Difficulty Swallowing? Swallowing is a complex process that… Continue reading When It’s Hard to Swallow: Understanding Dysphagia and Its Connection to Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s and Constipation: Understanding the Link and How to Manage It
Constipation might seem like a common and harmless issue, but for people with Parkinson’s disease, it can be a significant concern. Being one of the earliest signs of this condition, many patients experience constipation years before receiving their Parkinson’s diagnosis. In fact it may take years before a patient receives the correct Parkinson’s diagnosis. A… Continue reading Parkinson’s and Constipation: Understanding the Link and How to Manage It
When Conditions Collide: The Mental Load of Managing Multiple Diagnoses
Managing chronic kidney disease (CKD) is tough enough on its own, but many people with CKD also have to deal with other conditions like diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and anemia. It can be a lot to handle—both physically and emotionally—and can feel overwhelming trying to keep everything in balance. In this post, we’ll talk about… Continue reading When Conditions Collide: The Mental Load of Managing Multiple Diagnoses
Managing the Sugar-Sleep-GLP-1 Triangle with Holiday Sweets
The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and for many indulgence. For people taking GLP-1 medications to lose weight or manage diabetes, this season has some unique challenges. With holiday treats tempting your sugar cravings, festive stress disrupting sleep, and irregular schedules impacting medication adherence, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Let’s take a… Continue reading Managing the Sugar-Sleep-GLP-1 Triangle with Holiday Sweets
Thriving Through the Holidays: Weight Loss Tips While on GLP-1 Medications
By: Kellsey Reed, RDN, LDN, PatientsLikeMe Contributor The holiday season is a time for joy, togetherness, and yes, plenty of delicious food. But if you’re on a GLP-1 medication like Wegovy, Ozempic, or Mounjaro, navigating holiday meals and festivities can feel like a balancing act. These medications can be a powerful tool in your weight-loss… Continue reading Thriving Through the Holidays: Weight Loss Tips While on GLP-1 Medications