Sleep, it turns out, is incredibly important. Shocking, right? But for how important it is to both physical and mental health, the reality is that people do not get enough sleep. In 2022, the CDC took a survey to see how many American adults were getting the recommended 7 hours of sleep each day. Overall?… Continue reading The Unexpected Connection Between Better Sleep, More Energy, and Cardiometabolic Health
Category: Patient Experiences
What Should I Actually Be Asking My Doctor? FA Appointments, PT, and Planning Ahead
Interview with PatientsLikeMe Patient Advocate, Kelly Gregory Doctor’s appointments can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re not sure what questions to ask. In this Q&A, I’m sharing what I’ve learned about preparing for appointments, getting the most out of physical therapy, and planning ahead while living with FA. Q: How do you prepare before an appointment… Continue reading What Should I Actually Be Asking My Doctor? FA Appointments, PT, and Planning Ahead
What No One Mentions About the Mental Exhaustion of Trying to Lose Weight
Weight loss is often set up as a simple equation: eat less, move more, and the results will follow. But anyone who has actually been on a weight loss journey knows that is only part of the story. The reality is that losing weight can be exhausting! It is about making hundreds of decisions every… Continue reading What No One Mentions About the Mental Exhaustion of Trying to Lose Weight
Making Your FA “Elevator Pitch” – How to Explain the Condition
When it comes to explaining complicated medical conditions, people can find themselves at a loss. Parents and patients alike have a hard time telling friends, family, or even strangers exactly what is going on and how it affects them. This is especially true for a condition like Friedreich’s Ataxia, a rare disease that few have… Continue reading Making Your FA “Elevator Pitch” – How to Explain the Condition
My FA Experience: Hiking El Camino de Santiago
Kathleen Moore, 31, has been living with Friedreich’s Ataxia since getting diagnosed in college. A member of PatientsLikeMe, she has made staying active and pursuing her hobbies a priority even as the condition progresses. Recently, Kathleen went on a trip to Spain to complete the Camino de Santiago, a vast network of trails that extend… Continue reading My FA Experience: Hiking El Camino de Santiago
Cancelling Plans Constantly Because Socializing Suddenly Feels Overwhelming?
Everyone has been there. You have a party or group event coming up that has been on your calendar for weeks. Maybe you were excited about it when you got invited! But for whatever reason, as the day approaches, you start to feel more and more anxious about going. Cancelling plans is nothing out of… Continue reading Cancelling Plans Constantly Because Socializing Suddenly Feels Overwhelming?
Protein-first Breakfast Swaps That Help Reduce Afternoon Energy Crashes and Cravings
People always say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Whether or not you think this is true, how you start your day does have a significant impact on how you feel and your energy levels later! Traditional breakfasts include foods like yogurt, bagels, cereal, eggs, and fruit. But did you know… Continue reading Protein-first Breakfast Swaps That Help Reduce Afternoon Energy Crashes and Cravings
How Improving Sleep, Stress, and Recovery Habits Can Support Blood Pressure, Weight, and Heart Health
When people think about their heart health, they usually focus on two areas: eating better and exercising more. These habits are important, butthey are only part of the picture. For people who have cardiometabolic health conditions like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, or heart disease, sleep, stress, and recovery habits are often… Continue reading How Improving Sleep, Stress, and Recovery Habits Can Support Blood Pressure, Weight, and Heart Health
How Depression Affects Communication and Relationships – And Small Ways to Reduce Isolation
Depression is often described as a condition that affects mood, energy, and motivation. While those symptoms are very real, depression also has another powerful effect that is sometimes overlooked. It can change the way people connect, communicate, and build relationships. Relationships play an important role in emotional well-being. When depression interferes with this, it can… Continue reading How Depression Affects Communication and Relationships – And Small Ways to Reduce Isolation
How to Talk About Menopause Symptoms So You Get the Right Help
For many women, menopause symptoms can feel confusing, frustrating, and difficult to explain, especially when they affect more than just your physical health. Hot flashes, sleep changes, brain fog, anxiety, mood swings, joint pain, and fatigue can all show up differently from person to person. And too often, women leave appointments feeling dismissed, rushed, or… Continue reading How to Talk About Menopause Symptoms So You Get the Right Help