As we deal with various health challenges that are thrown at us throughout life, we must also deal with the consequences of taking certain medications and treatments. We are incredibly fortunate to live in a time of advanced technology and scientific knowledge regarding new and effective treatments for many of the common diseases we face as a society.…
Symptoms are changes in your body that signal the presence of an underlying medical condition. A symptom journal is a record of your symptoms and how they change over time. Maintaining a symptom journal can help you and your doctor identify patterns, monitor your condition, and make treatment decisions.…
Are you someone trying to manage one or more chronic illnesses, mental health concerns, or have chronic fatigue? Do you feel tired and exhausted after routine activities of daily living where other people do not feel the same? Does your mental energy drain faster than the people around you?…
Sjögren syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the exocrine glands. The exocrine glands are responsible for producing tears and saliva. Sjögren syndrome typically affects middle-aged women, although men and women of all ages can be affected.…
Arthritis is a general term for conditions that affect the joints and surrounding tissues. There are many different types of arthritis, but the two most common are rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). An arthritis flare up can be a time when symptoms spring up suddenly or because of a known trigger.…
Lupus flares occur in people with lupus when the symptoms of the disease worsen. Flare ups can occur suddenly and last from days to weeks. Flare ups are not dangerous but can make lupus uncomfortable and limit your ability to work, play, or have fun with friends and family.…
POTS, or postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, is a condition that affects the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system controls many of the body’s automatic functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion. People with POTS have trouble regulating their blood pressure and heart rate when they stand up, which can cause lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting, and fatigue.…
Endometriosis is a chronic, often painful disorder in which the tissue that lines the uterus (the endometrium) grows outside of the uterus. Endometriosis most commonly involves the ovaries, fallopian tubes and the tissue lining the pelvis. Rarely, endometriosis may involve other organs such as the lungs, brain or skin.…
Honestly speaking, tracking and managing any autoimmune diseases is no easy task. It is a lot easy said than done. Quite frankly, life gets busy, and on top of it all, dealing with the disease itself and all of its associated symptoms.…
The body is such a wonder because it can protect itself from foreign bodies. It has the immune system which is essential for survival. This vast network of tissues and cells is on-call 24/7 checking for viruses, bacteria, or even parasites that may threaten the entire body.…