October is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Awareness Month, and its milder forms, COPD—an umbrella term for lung diseases that include emphysema and chronic bronchitis—can seem like you’ve just got a cold, or a cough that won’t go away. COPD is most often linked to smoking, but can also be caused by inhaling other chemical gases … Continue reading “Could your cough be COPD?”

Staying safe on halloween night can often come down to having the right costume—while dark and scary are the vibe many kids go for on halloween, there are ways to keep them safer when darting through the streets in search of candy. Dark, bright, bold, and light When I was a kid, we regularly got … Continue reading “A Safe and Healthy Halloween: Costume and Candy Safety”

We may be halfway through the month of Halloween, but it’s also National Baking Week—and no, it’s not just for the Food Network! The great thing about baking is that it’s an activity the whole family can do together, or can be done with a friend and the results shared! Baking also allows you to … Continue reading “A Batch of Healthy: National Baking Week”

World Obesity Day aims to help end obesity while also decreasing stigma around obesity for those who are currently affected. While obesity can be the cause of health issues, it can also result from health conditions, and the stigma faced by people who are obese can cause far-reaching problems including those related to employment, access … Continue reading “End Weight Stigma: World Obesity Day”

Having a chronic illness is stressful, even if you manage your disease and your stress well. It is true most chronic diseases are connected with a higher chance of developing a mental health problem. Tomorrow is World Mental Health Day–and there is no better time to talk about mental health than today. A few statistics … Continue reading “Mental health with chronic illness, and the importance of medical ID jewelry”

When I was 21, I was diagnosed with ADHD. Like many women with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, I have the primarily inattentive subtype—or, ADHD that has more symptoms associated with inattention than hyperactivity. Also like many girls and women, I learned to compensate for my ADHD symptoms to the point that it went undiagnosed until … Continue reading “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Not Just for Children”