Crohn’s disease may not be as well-known as cancer or heart disease, but it can consume a person’s life just as much, if not more so. Crohn’s is a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It most often affects the large and small bowels, though it can wreak havoc on any part of the […]
13 Things You Should Know If You Have A Friend with Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s may be unfamiliar, but it’s not top secret. A year ago, I had no clue what Crohn’s Disease really was. Sure, I’d heard of it, but I didn’t know what the symptoms are or how much of a lifestyle change it requires. (For those of you who don’t know, Crohn’s disease is a “relapsing […]
28 Things Only Someone with Moderate to Severe Crohn’s Would Understand
As Crohn’s patients, we experience the bathroom with a different set of eyes … and smells. Get your toilet paper or baby wipes ready — here are 28 things only someone living with Crohn’s will understand. 1. Baby wipes aren’t just for babies. 2. It’s possible to clog a toilet bowl without paper. 3. “Fast […]
Osteoporosis Guide: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options
What is Osteoporosis? Osteoporosis is a bone disorder. The bones become thinner. They lose some of their strength and are more likely to break. People with osteoporosis have a higher risk of fractures. Bones can fracture even during everyday movements, such as bending or coughing. The most common osteoporotic fractures occur in the wrist, hip, […]
10 Things I Wish People Knew About Living With Celiac Disease
Imagine growing up constantly feeling sick and not knowing why. Feeling queasy every morning and not knowing why. Having a foggy head and complete inability to focus and not knowing why. Being told you have 20/20 vision but blurry eyes and not knowing why. Going from being “too skinny” to “too large” too quickly and […]
A Letter to Those Who Know Someone With Hypothyroidism
Hello friend, family member, work colleague or doctor of someone who lives with an underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism. You know someone very brave, very strong, battling a difficult disease. If you’re not a medical professional, you’re probably wondering what exactly an underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism is, or how it affects someone who lives with it, […]
When Chronic Illness Means You Don’t Fit Into Any Friendship Circles
By Lucy Lewis • I’ve never really had that many friends, even when I was at school. I had two very close friends that I grew up with, but by the time I was in my late teens and we had discovered boyfriends, we slowly grew apart. Then when we got older into our early […]
12 Things That Can Make Rheumatoid Arthritis Worse
While you likely know your main RA triggers, you may be surprised by some of these other factors. We often discuss treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and keep an eye on what’s in the pipeline. We are focused on what can help manage RA symptoms and disease progression, as you would expect. But it is equally important to […]
6 Foods to Avoid When You Have Rheumatoid Arthritis
Certain foods can worsen rheumatoid arthritis inflammation which leads to joint pain. As part of your symptom management strategy, consider removing these foods from your menu. There is no cure-all diet for rheumatoid arthritis. But if you suffer from RA symptoms such as joint pain and inflammation, it’s smart to stick to a nutritious diet and avoid foods that may […]
8 Things About Rheumatoid Arthritis That Are Difficult to Explain or Understand
It takes some time for newly diagnosed RA patients to understand their disease. RA is complicated. It is even more of a challenge to get family and friends to understand. Most people have heard the term “arthritis.” Most think of it as an old person’s disease. They may have an elderly grandparent or other relatives […]