At some point in your life, you’ve engaged in some kind of physical activity. Maybe you were an athlete as a child, take your dog for regular walks, or enjoy the serenity of a yoga class. Then you were hit with the diagnosis and progression of your chronic illness, causing you to slow down exercise… Continue reading 5 Tips for Exercising with a Chronic Illness
Category: Patient Experiences
7 Things You Need to Know About Living with Lupus
After months or even years of experiencing symptoms like extreme fatigue, skin rashes, pain, or swelling in the joints, you finally got a diagnosis. It’s lupus. Because symptoms differ from person to person, can come and go, vary in intensity, and mimic symptoms of various other diseases, lupus can be difficult to diagnose. Lupus is a… Continue reading 7 Things You Need to Know About Living with Lupus
10 Things Not to Say to Someone with Chronic Illness
The Center of Disease Control reports that six in ten adults in the United States have a chronic illness, like multiple sclerosis, ALS, diabetes, kidney disease, and major depressive disorder. Because chronic illness is so common, it’s likely you have a friend, parent, co-worker, or maybe even you, have one. Chronic illnesses can be tricky… Continue reading 10 Things Not to Say to Someone with Chronic Illness
Health Benefits of Being In Nature
The pandemic forced many people to spend more time indoors and engaged in technology. Since the start of the pandemic, the average American spent 90 percent of their time indoors. With all this time indoors, Americans spent 7 hours and 50 minutes per day consuming media alone. Now think about how much time you spend on… Continue reading Health Benefits of Being In Nature
Dave’s Journey with Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 8 (SCA8): Getting Back on the “Bike of Life”
Meet Dave (@SlowDave) Dave, a retired attorney, and avid mountain biker was riding in the car with his wife when he felt very dizzy, asked her to pull over, and collapsed on the side of the road in 2005. This incident sparked many subsequent trips to the emergency room and meetings with neurologists and other… Continue reading Dave’s Journey with Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 8 (SCA8): Getting Back on the “Bike of Life”
Signs of Caregiver Burnout and How to Prevent It
When a loved one is suffering from a chronic illness or disability, it can be difficult to navigate their care as well as your own. If you’re one of 40 million caregivers in the United States providing care to adults over the age of 18, you may be experiencing an increased demand of your time,… Continue reading Signs of Caregiver Burnout and How to Prevent It
5 Tips for Managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Living with and managing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a constant battle that leaves many feeling frustrated, exhausted, and emotionally drained. There are days when symptoms are so strong, it prevents you from the daily tasks you want, and need to be doing. While it’s completely normal to feel this way, it is important to… Continue reading 5 Tips for Managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Is Your Doctor Gaslighting You?
You’ve noticed symptoms for a few weeks, maybe months or even since childhood. You visited doctor after doctor with no answer. Over time, the symptoms progress and may start to interfere with daily living. So you go to your doctor again, seeking some answers and solutions. But again, you don’t get a diagnosis or are… Continue reading Is Your Doctor Gaslighting You?
8 Celebrities Who Struggle With Depression
Celebrities have it all – status, wealth, power, resources, luck – or so we think. From the outside, they don’t appear to struggle with mental or emotional health and seemingly have it all together. But looks can be deceiving. Celebrities have real feelings and mental health issues that interfere with daily living. On the inside,… Continue reading 8 Celebrities Who Struggle With Depression
How to Ask for Help
Everyone needs it, but sometimes the hardest thing to do is to ask for help. Opening yourself up to feeling vulnerable, especially when you are already feeling compromised by your condition, can be challenging. It is important to remember; you do not have to shoulder it alone. Your chronic health condition may force your hand… Continue reading How to Ask for Help