Diseases, Illnesses & Conditions

Pareidolia is a condition in which one perceives familiar patterns in inanimate objects. One of the most common examples is seeing faces. This is known as facial pareidolia.

An honest account of what it's like to get gum grafting surgery, written by a patient the morning after the procedure.

Ingrown toenails can be painful and debilitating, but surgery to remove the toenail is no fun, either. You may be able to avoid surgery with these tips.

Is there a special colostomy diet for stoma patients? If you have an ostomy, you probably want to know if you have to make major changes to your regular diet, or not. As an ex-colostomy patient, I can only tell you of my experience and the nutritional pattern I followed.

Personal experience with cataract surgery and a Crystalens implant, including the surgery, early results and the costs of the procedure

Debating on whether to get invisible aligners such as Invisalign? (Not Sponsored) Here’s my experiences with them, cost, time, pros, and cons.

A mastectomy causes both physical and emotional pain, not just from the surgery but because of the lifestyle changes it requires. Knowing what to expect helps. These tips for adapting to your new body should also help.

Burow's solution was first invented in the mid-19th century by Karl August Burow for ophthalmic use. Domeboro soaks are a useful way to dry out skin eczema weeping and have antiseptic qualities.

Living with pancreatitis sucks. If you have pancreatitis, you know what I'm talking about. In this article, I share how I managed to live with it as well as tips to avoid further complications.

As a concerned mother and registered nurse, I am writing this article with not only the hope that my son's symptoms will be familiar to others who may be able to help us conquer a diagnosis, but also to increase awareness on the growing number of mystery illnesses in today's population.

How to take care of full and partial dentures so they continue to fit well and look great. Proper care can save you money on early replacement due to accident or avoidable damage.

Your doctor may not tell you everything about what to expect during treatment for breast cancer. I learned the hard way.

How does one cope with wearing colostomy bags? If you asked me a week after my procedure, I’ll tell you I wish I were dead! But then, a few weeks down the line and I soon became an expert at managing a stoma. It’s not so bad after all.

My personal experience with Duane Syndrome, a rare eye condition that does not allow me to move my left eye to the left.

I cannot offer you a miracle cure for tinnitus, but I can suggest some techniques that can help you enjoy life again.

If you have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, here are the things you need to do to make informed decisions regarding surgery and treatments.

This article describes a struggle to get proper treatment for a father with bladder cancer. If you or someone you know is infected by BCG, seek an infectious disease specialist.

What are some of the most common reasons for not taking thyroid medication? There are many reasons why you might avoid taking medication, but of course there are many important benefits, as well.

I’ve probably had reflux my entire life. I’ve taken reflux medication, and I’ve done natural alternatives. One surprising and very important strategy in my arsenal is my adjustable bed.

Pompholyx eczema is a painful skin disorder. For me, adult-onset allergies to dairy and lemons were to blame. I am completely cured now!

As a colostomy patient, you will experience a few challenging situations that are best described as minor mishaps. What are they, when do they occur, and how can you overcome them or keep them to the barest minimum? Find out in this article.

Here are nine strategies you can use at home to stop tooth pain in its tracks. I've tried all of these solutions, and I can vouch for their effectiveness.

Learn how to recognize the warning signs and symptoms of a stroke.

When I had floaters and flashes in my eyes, I learned that I had Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD). I'll tell you about the symptoms and what you need to do.

There are basically two types of colostomy bags, the disposable types and the re-useable ones. This article is about the disposable bags and the advantages and disadvantages of using them.

In this article, I talk about my experience having my wisdom teeth removed and offer personal tips and facts from sources regarding the preparation, surgery and recovery. Learn what to expect if you are having or expect to have this procedure done in the future.

What do you call it when your ears are ringing? The condition is called tinnitus, and this article explains what's known about causes and treatments.

Fainting while laughing is a rare occurrence, but it does happen. It's happened to me. Here I share my story, as well as more information about this condition, also known as gelastic syncope.

After leaving the hospital, ostomy patients are on their own. No more stoma care from the nurses. Perhaps you think that taking care of the stoma may be a bit of a challenge once you get home, but caring for it is not as hard as you think.

How can I have terminal cancer and be grateful for it? Sounds like an oxymoron doesn’t it? The truth is that it has taught me so much and has made me more appreciative of things I may have taken for granted.

Anosmia is a lack or loss of the sense of smell. To learn more about this smell disorder, from causes and treatments to my personal experience, read on.

Braces are a great investment, but they can also be a pain. Here are some tips, based on my personal experience: from finding the right orthodontist to eating with braces to proper oral care.

Are you home from school or work because you're sick but you've checked Facebook one too many times already? Here's 22 productive things to do when you're home sick and bored.

"Gastroparesis is treatable," said the first website I found. I was so relieved—now I would find the answer to my suffering. Unfortunately, it was not going to be that easy.

Once you advance through the stages recommended by your surgeon and/or dietician post-op, many patients find that they don't get much guidance other than protein first and drink between meals. Here are some tips on protein rich foods and recipe sources from a bariatric patient.

Here are three lessons I learned as I walked with my wife through her fight with breast cancer. There is a way to walk this path every step of the way, and have no regrets.

Can you be allergic to melted cheese? Why do some people have a cooked cheese allergy? We look for answers to these questions.

I would like to share with you my personal experience with an invisible illness in hopes to stop the judgement cast upon those who do not "look" disabled.

Symbrachydactyly is a congenital hand malformation that occurs in 1 in 32,000 births. I was born with this condition, and this is my story.

This article explains what a cataract is, what the symptoms are, and a summary of my own experience with this condition.

Bile reflux disease affects not only the sufferer, but those close to them as well. Here, I share my experience and tips for coping with bile reflux disease.

Detached retina symptoms can erupt literally in a flash—and with a flash. Discover the warning signs from a real-life experience.

What is sleep apnea? What are the symptoms, causes, and treatments? This is my story of this hidden illness.

Twenty-two years after surviving breast cancer, I was diagnosed with stage IV inoperable lung cancer. I decided not to let cancer beat me. This is my story.

In October 2017, I developed DVT (deep vein thrombosis) and PE (pulmonary emboli) left and right. Here I recount my experience and share my accumulated knowledge of causes, symptoms, treatment, and preventative measures.

You no longer need to endure the embarrassment of cold sores. From effective first aid to long-term prevention, modern developments have transformed life for cold sore sufferers.

This article talks about what happens to hair after chemo therapy has ended and your hair starts growing back.

Taking antibiotics can make you very sick, and even kill you. After taking clindamycin for a oral infection, I developed a rampant C. diff infection that landed me in the hospital.

Are you thinking about getting dentures? Learn what it's really like from someone who has personal experience. Separate fact from fiction.

A review of the postoperative results of a Crystalens AO implant. Observations, improvements, and problems from a patient's viewpoint.

Do you plan to get this vaccination? How long should you wait? What might happen if you don't get it? What are the risks of the vaccine, and is it worth the trouble? Learn all about it here!

Ringworm isn't a worm at all; it's a fungal infection that is not only contagious but also embarrassing. I tried a succession of treatments over a three-month period before I finally got rid of the rash.

Some helpful suggestions on how to take care of your teeth, especially when you don't have dental insurance.

I've had all of my wisdom teeth removed in two different procedures. These are my tips for a smooth and healthy recovery.

I am losing my eyesight to a disease called MacTel, or Idiopathic Juxtafoveal Macular Telangiectasia. The doctor told me there was no treatment, but I found out that laser treatments or cryotherapy injections can be done.

We know that type 2 diabetes can be caused by lifestyle factors, but it can also have genetic underpinnings. Learn how to control your blood sugar through diet and exercise.

Discovering you have a genetic susceptibility to developing cancer is terrifying, but it is important to know if you have BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 mutation so that breast cancer and ovarian cancer can be caught early, or even prevented.

Life can throw us a curve ball sometimes. It’s up to us whether we want to let it keep going or hit it out of the park. Learn about my experience with this disease and how I've been able to manage it.

My Mother has high-functioning autism. Having her as a parent brings with it a unique set of challenges.

Asthma isn't just for children; it can develop when you are an adult, as well. Learn about adult-onset asthma's symptoms, causes, and treatment.

One day I suddenly lost my sight in my right eye for a brief moment. It turned out that I had glaucoma. My ophthalmologist performed this procedure to control the pressure in my eyes.

Temporal arteritis (TA) is a potentially deadly disorder. Hopefully, my mother's experience with it may answer questions you have about TA.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is different than IBS, which stands for irritiable bowel syndrome. One is a disease that needs medical attention, whereas the other, little can be done medically.

I have bad teeth, and I know I'm not alone. This article lists 10 things people with bad teeth want you to know about them and their situation.

Nasal irrigation, with a Neti pot or bulb syringe, can relieve nasal stuffiness as well as flush out excess mucous secretions related to allergies, rhinitis, sinusitis, and sinus infection.

U.S. and Canadian tourists flock to Los Algodones, Mexico, for affordable dental care. My husband and I have had extensive dental work done there, and we've been very happy with our experience.

The best shoes for plantar fasciitis offer good arch support and motion control for your foot. I've compiled recommendations that can help with heel pain as well as a torn or inflamed plantar fascia.

A personal story of how I was cured of ulcerative colitis, what the cure cost me, and whether I would recommend it to anyone else.

Some colostomy patients wonder if they can travel with an ostomy without having unpleasant occurrences but having an ostomy shouldn't stop you from travelling long distance. Find out how you can travel without worry, how to prepare, and why you don't need to cancel a holiday because of your ostomy.

Many people suffer from the debilitating effects of degenerative disc disease without fully understanding what the disease entails. This article explores what causes DDD and how it is treated.

What you should know about temporary colostomies and stoma reversals. How long should you wait before a reversal procedure, and what should you expect?

Read one mother's experience of trying to eradicate pinworms from her household—and regain some semblance of a normal life.

The cost of a Crystalens implant can vary widely. Learn how the cost can be affected by a surgeon's philosophy and product packaging—from personal experience and the experience of others.

For certain women, 23andMe's BRCA 1/2 report can be very useful, as long as you understand what it means and its limitations.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that steals your vision like a thief in the night. What is it? What are the symptoms? Learn more about this silent thief.

Bleeding and bruising are common problems for those who are aging and have thinning skin due to excess sun exposure. Skin care treatment is essential for protecting the body from common infections.

Movement disorders, collectively known as dystonias, can render sufferers unable to function without treatment. The good news is: therapeutic botox, not cosmetic botox, can give them back their lives.

Encouragement for African Americans to make use of a life-saving therapy that is often neglected

Learn about what GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) feels like from someone who knows all too well.

This is the story of my yearlong battle with scabies—followed by a series of confusing and worrisome reactions to the treatment. I hope this information will be helpful to others.

For many years, I struggled with health issues that were a consequence of genetics, not diet. I now struggle with the notion that type 2 diabetes was somehow my own fault. I want to share a few home truths that will help some sufferers and hopefully re-educate others to stop blaming and shaming.

Almost a year ago, I had an implantable cardiac loop recorder placed in my chest to monitor my arrhythmia. This is a short tale of that experience.

Colostomy bag blowouts can turn out to be a very unpleasant situation and many ostomy patients will encounter this. How do you know when to expect this colostomy bag problem and what can you do to reduce its incidence to the barest minimum? This article is about my own personal experience.

A personal guide that will help you recognise thyroid symptoms and side effects that your doctor may not know, from harmful tablets to seeing the illness in your face and body.

Eczema can torment sufferers with terrible itching, blistering, and weeping skin that turns into scaly patches. I suffered for years before finding a complete cure.

I've detailed my experience with the human parasite cleaner, Humaworm. I've included pictures of the actual parasite found in my stool. Find out if this cleanse is right for you and what to expect.

Eye floaters are those annoying dots, dashes, and specks in the eye that only the affected person can see. This article explores what causes them.

Reusable colostomy bags are best for you if you discharge waste frequently. Because they are drainable, you'll not only save money, you will also worry less about disposing of filled pouches.

Diverticulosis is a condition, which for most people, will not show symptoms. It can be diagnosed in a routine colonoscopy. Diverticula, or small sacs that emanate from the intestinal wall, sometimes bulge and break through the muscle tissue of that wall. Inflammation may result.

Crawling sensations? Itchy bites? Doctors sometimes don't recognize scabies because of inaccurate or incomplete knowledge. My husband and I had a yearlong battle with misdiagnosed scabies.

For your stoma care, there are some important colostomy supplies you cannot do without, that is asides colostomy bags. There are some other products you’ll require, without which proper management of your stoma will be virtually impossible. What are these supplies and how important are they?

Carrageenan is a thickener used in many foods that can cause allergy and intolerance symptoms in some people. Learn the symptoms of a carrageenan allergy and how to avoid foods with carrageenan.

If you are living with a colostomy, bags ballooning out, caused by gas build up, is one of the most common problems you’ll encounter. How can you avoid this? If it happens to you often, what are the possible ways to reduce its occurrence? Find out how I coped with my ostomy bags ballooning issues.

Doctors and other professionals advise against popping cold sores—and for good reason—but the temptation will always be there. Learn how it worked for me and how to do it safely.

Kidney stones cause a great deal of pain, especially when urinating, and can even cost you one or both kidneys. In this article, I will discuss how to prevent kidney stones from forming.

A sleep study may help you stop snoring and start sleeping through the night. Here's what the experience of having a sleep study was like for me.

Are you really flexible? Have you dislocated your knees or other joints? Hypermobile joint symptoms may mean you have a disorder often called hypermobility joint syndrome, or Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

Diverticulitis is easy to confuse with other health issues, such as food poisoning and the common stomach flu. This was my experience with diverticulitis and how I was able to identify it and seek treatment.

On September 13, 2016, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. This is my story, with my tips for coping with your own breast cancer diagnosis.

Rest easier by knowing what to expect when cataract surgery looms in your future.