Medically reviewed and verified by Kate Burke, MD, MHA Since ancient times, people have noticed that certain traits and conditions tend to run in families. Early civilizations, such as the Babylonians, recognized hereditary patterns in animals and crops. They practiced selective breeding to build desirable traits, though the underlying mechanisms of heredity were still a… Continue reading A History of Hereditary Diseases: How our Past Informs the Future of Care
Category: Health and Wellness
The Power of Perception: How Your Mindset Shapes Your Health
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes Health Perception We’ve all heard the saying, “Perception is everything.” But what if it were also a predictor of how healthy we are and how long we live? It can be important to reflect on our overall perception of health so that we can identify areas of improvement and establish… Continue reading The Power of Perception: How Your Mindset Shapes Your Health
Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy: A Guide for Patients and Caregivers
Medically reviewed and verified by Kate Burke, MD, MHA When proteins in the body misfold, they can spread to different organs and tissues. There, they start to accumulate. Over time, this build up of proteins can damage wherever they have landed. In many cases of amyloidosis, they spread to multiple parts of the body. In… Continue reading Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy: A Guide for Patients and Caregivers
Oral Amyloidosis: How it Can Affect the Tongue
Medically reviewed and verified by Kate Burke, MD, MHA In previous articles, PatientsLikeMe has covered how the disease amyloidosis can affect different parts of the body. The digestive system, the brain, the heart. When proteins misfold, they can spread throughout the body and cause damage to any number of organs and body parts. That includes… Continue reading Oral Amyloidosis: How it Can Affect the Tongue
Stem Cell and Organ Transplants as Treatment for Amyloidosis
Medically reviewed and verified by Kate Burke, MD, MHA In the course of treating amyloidosis, doctors will try to manage and control the disease with medication. There is no cure, so the goal of treatment is to manage symptoms and limit the further production of harmful amyloid proteins. For some, medication cannot stop the disease… Continue reading Stem Cell and Organ Transplants as Treatment for Amyloidosis
The Effect of Amyloidosis on Vision
Medically reviewed and verified by Kate Burke, MD, MHA PatientsLikeMe has covered how the condition amyloidosis affects the body and various organs. This disease causes proteins to misfold, and as they build up across the body they disrupt its normal function. These protein deposits can land anywhere, although they are more commonly found in places… Continue reading The Effect of Amyloidosis on Vision
Managing Heart Health with Lupus
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes Managing Heart Health with Lupus Lupus, an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack healthy tissues, can affect various organs, including the heart. If you are living with Lupus, managing heart health is crucial. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to manage heart health while living with lupus.… Continue reading Managing Heart Health with Lupus
Bell’s Palsy and Stroke: Similarities and Differences
Bell’s palsy and stroke are two conditions that can cause one side of your face to droop. While both are alarming, they have distinct differences, risk factors, and treatment options. It can be easy to confuse the two! The aim here is to help you understand these conditions, how to tell them apart, and what… Continue reading Bell’s Palsy and Stroke: Similarities and Differences
The Benefits of Cold Plunging and Cold Therapy for Chronic Pain and Chronic Illness
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes Chilling Benefits? What to Know About Cold Plunges Cold plunging and cold therapy, also known as cryotherapy, have gained popularity for their potential benefits in managing chronic pain and chronic diseases. Let’s explore the science behind this buzzed-about therapy and its potential to improve health and wellness. Understanding Cold Therapy… Continue reading The Benefits of Cold Plunging and Cold Therapy for Chronic Pain and Chronic Illness
Early Signs of Dementia
“Dementia is a general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia.” Alzheimer’s Association Dementia itself is not a disease, but rather a group of symptoms that are caused by diseases such as Alzheimer’s. “Diseases… Continue reading Early Signs of Dementia