Actinic keratosis (AK) is a common skin condition that serves as an early warning sign of skin cancer. In fact, about 58 million Americans have one or more spots of actinic keratosis! This condition shows up as rough, scaly patches or bumps on the skin. It is primarily caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV)… Continue reading Actinic Keratosis: A Warning Sign of Skin Cancer
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
Understanding the Signs of a Heart Attack
A heart attack happens when the blood flow to the heart is seriously reduced or blocked. This blockage is usually caused by a buildup of fat, cholesterol, and other substances in the heart’s arteries. These buildups are called plaques. Sometimes, a plaque can burst, leading to a clot that blocks blood flow, causing damage to… Continue reading Understanding the Signs of a Heart Attack
Preparing for the Unexpected: What to Do During a Healthcare Service Outage
Early in the morning on July 19th, 2024, an IT glitch associated with Microsoft’s cloud computing services led to major outages to services worldwide. Airlines, health systems, law enforcement agencies, and banking were all affected. The outage was due to a faulty software update by the cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike. Long lines formed at airports as… Continue reading Preparing for the Unexpected: What to Do During a Healthcare Service Outage
Why is Proper Medication Management so Important for Mental Health?
If you are living with a mental health condition, prescription medication may be a normal part of your daily life. Medication management and sticking to a treatment plan is crucial. You may need to closely monitor your medications, doses, and side effects. On PatientsLikeMe, we have members managing a wide range of conditions with all… Continue reading Why is Proper Medication Management so Important for Mental Health?
Understanding Mania and Manic Episodes
Mania and manic episodes are among the many symptoms of a mood disorder known as bipolar disorder. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, bipolar disorder is “a mental illness that causes unusual shifts in a person’s mood, energy, activity levels, and concentration.” There are three types of bipolar disorder: bipolar I, bipolar II… Continue reading Understanding Mania and Manic Episodes
What is Nephrotic Syndrome? Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Every year, around 200,000 people in the United States suffer from nephrotic syndrome. This is a disorder affecting the kidneys, causing them to leak protein into the urine. Nephrotic syndrome is actually a group of symptoms and findings that include: Our kidneys help remove waste and excess fluid from the blood. They do this by… Continue reading What is Nephrotic Syndrome? Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
The 5 Stages of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women in the United States. About 30% of all new cancer diagnoses in women are breast cancer. Approximately 13% of U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. Men can also get breast cancer, though it is much rare. Fortunately, after increasing for… Continue reading The 5 Stages of Breast Cancer
How to Tell if Your Low Back Pain is Serious
In 2020, low back pain affected 619 million people worldwide. It is the single leading cause of disability, and is only expected to increase in prevalence over the next few decades. This condition can make it hard to move, affecting your quality of life and mental well-being. Often, the exact cause is unknown! This is… Continue reading How to Tell if Your Low Back Pain is Serious
Study Finds Nearly Half of Adult Cancer Deaths Preventable
A new study from the American Cancer Society found that about 40% of new cancer cases and nearly half of cancer deaths among adults in the U.S. are due to preventable factors. Key risk factors include smoking, excess body weight, alcohol use, lack of physical activity, poor diet, and infections like HPV. These are things… Continue reading Study Finds Nearly Half of Adult Cancer Deaths Preventable