Diseases, Illnesses & Conditions

in 2010, my husband was diagnosed with bladder cancer and had to get a urostomy. This article assists with practical steps on how to change the urostomy bag and also discusses some of the other practical issues around the urostomy.

If a friend or loved one suffers from Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, this article can help you understand what it feels like to walk a mile in their shoes.

My diet as a colostomy patient wasn’t much different from my pre-ostomy days, and If you’ve just had an Ostomy, you want to know what you can eat & drink, and what you can not. Here, you’ll find tips on my experience, the nutritional pattern I followed, my diet, and my general eating habits.

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

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

Sleep is a major indicator of good health. I am not a fortunate one on this aspect, and I will share what I did to improve my sleep patterns over the years.

My colostomy reversal procedure was done one year after my colostomy surgery. But what do you need to know about and stoma reversals and how long should you wait before the stoma reconnect procedure? Find out what to expect, and more.

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.

If you're looking for juicy tips for your intimate encounters, this is not the page for you (sorry). Here, I share how to pass the time enjoyably when you're obliged to be in bed due to illness.

I have had this foot malady and surgery for it twice! Learn all about Morton's neuroma and how your choice of shoes might affect its painful growth.

Lupus is curious disease that greatly decreases your quality of life. Trust me—I've lived with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) for over 45 years. I'll walk you through what it was like to live with lupus and the changes I had to make to regain control of my life.

Why can't they just do the things they're supposed to? Written by a woman with diabetes.

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.

When I was diagnosed with diabetes, I did not realize how much my life would never be the same again.

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

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.

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?

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.

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.

As a colostomy patient, you will experience a few stoma problems 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.

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.

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

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

An encounter with transient global amnesia, or sudden memory loss. How life can change in an instant...

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.

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

Hold the flowers, please! What? No “get well” cards? Learn the secrets for assembling the ideal gift or care package for a cancer patient, while avoiding dangerous blunders.

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

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.

I discovered the importance of my thyroid gland only after I no longer had one. Following my thyroidectomy, I struggled with weight gain. In this article, I share what I've learned.

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.

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

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.

If you've just been diagnosed with PMR and feel leery of taking prednisone, this article will list the pros and cons of choosing to use steroids and the effectiveness of other PMR treatments to help you see the larger picture.

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

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.

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.

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.

In this article, I review three popular oral probiotics: Life Extension's Advanced Oral Hygiene, GUM's PerioBalance, and Oragenics's EvoraPlus. I also share my dentist's impressions.

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.

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.

Carotid artery dissections are rare, so there isn't a lot of information out there. This is the story of my husband's experience with this life-threatening condition.

In this article, I discuss what it was like for me to have a cancer diagnosis and treatment while beginning grad school.

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.

One day I briefly lost my sight in one eye. It turned out that I had glaucoma. I'll describe a procedure my ophthalmologist performed to control the pressure.

Topical steroid creams and ointments, as well as over-the-counter steroid creams used for any skin condition, have a potential for Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome (TSWS). Please practice caution if using.

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

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.

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.

I thought preventing cavities would be easier with Invisalign than with braces, since the Invisalign trays can be removed for teeth cleaning. It turns out, however, that it's not quite so simple.

Do you get an itchy rash after being in the sun? Are you sensitive to the sun? Do you spend most of your sunny days bathed in the shadows? If so, you might want to read about prickly heat and PMLE.

Getting dentures can be a process—from getting the teeth pulled and impressions made, to learning to talk and eat again. I've been through this already myself, I can help you know what to expect.

I was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer. Here is my experience of undergoing chemotherapy.

Sometimes PMR is hard to diagnose. Many have to persist—through scores of tests, misdiagnoses, misinformation, and lack of knowledge—to find out what's wrong with them. This article is to help newly diagnosed PMR sufferers understand what is happening to them and know what to ask their doctors.

Do you know if your house was built using asbestos? If it was built before 1990, it likely was. This is the story of how we found out our house was built from asbestos, including important health and safety information.

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

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.

Restless Legs Syndrome is cruel, but I am determined to work with my body to find ways to manage it holistically. These are some of the things I have discovered.

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.

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.

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.

Ménière's Disease is an inner ear disorder causing tinnitus, vertigo and hearing loss. It can also lead to depression, fatigue and endless sleepless nights. It is an incurable condition that often only affects one ear. Discover how I was diagnosed with Ménière's disease and manage its symptoms.

Chemotherapy is hard on your body. It can cause nausea and decreased appetite. Taking care of yourself is very important. Here's how I ate and coped with the side effects.

My father's story of having throat cancer and his first warning signs. Throat cancer symptoms can include hoarseness, change in voice, and coughing up blood. Read his heroic journey.

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.

Whether you are a child or an adult needing braces, it is helpful to be prepared for the that first week of new sensations in your mouth. Take it from someone who has been through it twice.

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

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.

We're everywhere, but most people never know that even though we may be eating the same food as them, playing the same sports as them, that we're diabetics. Listed here are a few of the things a diabetic needs to do every day in order to live a seemingly normal life.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

As a concerned mother and registered nurse, I'm writing this article with not only the hope 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.

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.

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

Did you wake up with a weird waddle hanging down the back of your throat? It could be a swollen uvula. Here I share information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments for this condition.

As an ostomate, caring for your stoma and ensuring that it is clean and germ-free is an important part of a stoma care routine. A clean stoma will guard against bacteria that may result in irritation, or worse, an infection. Learn how to keep your stoma hygienic and infection-free.

In February, I reached out to get started with Smile Direct Club. My experience was horrendous with problems from the start and customer service had no idea why their own company was unable to fulfill my order.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

This article discusses the signs and symptoms of a bowel obstruction, what you can do to treat it on your own, and how to know when to seek help.

I have MGUS—monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance. Never heard of it? Neither had I until it was discovered on a routine blood test.

Knowing about this change in your body that piggybacks another symptom may save lives.

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.

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.

Sleep Apnea affects more people than you think, and you might have it. You could be exhibiting various symptoms, both at bedtime and during the day, and don't know it. Find out more!

I am unable to walk in the dark. Little did I know, I have vestibular migraine. This is story of my symptoms, diagnosis, and everyday experience with the odd condition.

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.

Here are five great online resources for MS patients and their families that provide emotional support, disease information, need-based grants, registries for clinical trials, and more.

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.

When someone in your family is living with cancer, everything changes. In 2018, my husband was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. This article chronicles his experience from having difficulty swallowing to having an esophagectomy.

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.

Breathe Right strips are great for opening your nasal passages for freer breathing, but if you leave them on too long, they can be hard to remove. Learn how to easily remove them without hurting yourself.

A lucky few kids go through life with perfect teeth; however, many kids have teeth that require more attention, possibly including tooth extractions. Here are some guidelines to help you prepare.