Diseases, Illnesses & Conditions

My fear of dying outweighs the annoyance my CPAP machine provides so I choose to force air up my nose each night. Apparently, looking like Hannibal Lecter of the night isn't scaring my dogs off!

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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?

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

The painful story of how I lost friends after I was diagnosed with cancer. I'd heard from my cancer therapist that it's actually a common phenomenon, but I never thought it would happen to me.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Getting diagnosed with cancer an be a great shock to the system. These are some of the things I wish I knew when I was diagnosed with cancer.

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.

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

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.

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.

Although costochondritis, or Tietze's syndrome, was first described in 1921, little is known about this condition, even today.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

Are you in need of gum graft surgery? Living in the UK and not sure how much this procedure will cost you? This is my experience with getting a gum graft surgery due to an ongoing infection.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Do have anemia? Are you wondering what a round of iron infusions might be like? I have lived with chronic iron deficiency anemia and have had two iron infusions. I share my experience in this article.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

After working in the medical industry for over 38 years I was exposed to all sorts of communicable blood-borne diseases. After all those exposures I got the one disease I never thought I would have: Parkinson's Disease. It's not contagious, but it is like an alien being has taken over my brain.

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.

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.

Warts come in various forms and can be extremely unsightly and distressing. Discover the different types of warts, what causes them, together with pictures of warts. Discover how to get rid of warts fast at home.

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.

If your mom was just diagnosed with breast cancer, there's a good chance you're feeling scared, confused, and depressed. Here's what I learned about handling life when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in early 2019.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

The caloric test examines inner ear function in patients who have balance problems or who suffer from dizziness. Knowing what to expect can ease anxiety about the procedure.

Use these hacks to make travelling with hemorrhoids much more comfortable.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.