Author: Editor

November is National Diabetes Month, a time when communities across the country seek to bring attention to diabetes. This year’s focus is on taking action to prevent diabetes health problems. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease There are several types of diabetes, including: Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes impacts 1.25 million Americans, and can occur at any age, in people of every race, shape, and size. In this type of diabetes, the body does not produce insulin, so insulin therapy is generally needed to manage the condition. Type 2 diabetes is the…

“National Family Caregivers Month – celebrated each November — is a time to recognize and honor family caregivers across the country. “Caregiver Action Network According to the Caregiver Action Network, 90 million Americans provide care to a loved one. For those of us living with chronic conditions, this number likely includes our spouse and perhaps other family members. While these family members may not be living with a diagnosis, chronic illness can dramatically impact their lives as well. November is National Family Caregivers month. If you have a spouse or family member who helps you manage your chronic illness, please…

The big holiday meals are coming! And, if YOU are the one responsible for planning, shopping, prepping, cooking, and cleaning these meals can be SUPER stressful. We asked real mamas living with chronic illnesses to share their best tips and ideas for making holiday cooking more manageable. Delegate, Plan Ahead, and Accept Help “Honestly? I generally don’t host the biggest meals in my family. We usually do Christmas morning at our house, which is more casual. Since we have our big meals at my sister’s or my mom’s, I always make sure I can contribute a dish and I try…

Perhaps one of the most challenging aspects of motherhood with chronic illness is helping your children understand what is going on with your body and encouraging acceptance about how your illness may impact them. How can you help them develop empathy about what you’re experiencing, especially if your illness is invisible? Where’s the line between being honest and making them worry? What’s the best way to address their concerns in kid-friendly language? This is a topic that will likely need to be an ongoing discussion in your family – and sometimes reading a book together can help! Because there are…

MotherToBaby, a service of the non-profit Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS), is the nation’s leading authority and most trusted source of evidence-based information on the safety of medications and other exposures during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Whether you are TTC (trying to conceive), pregnant, or breastfeeding, the MotherToBaby website has Fact Sheets (in English and Spanish) that answer frequently asked questions about the use of medications during pregnancy and breastfeeding. You can also email an expert or chat with one live if you have additional questions. If you are taking a medication while pregnant or breastfeeding, you can also…

For many moms, it is a time-honored tradition to have this thought on a regular basis: what do you mean it’s time to feed them AGAIN?!?! Feeding tiny humans (and their parents) is an endless and time consuming task!! We asked real mamas living with chronic illnesses to share their best tips and ideas for making cooking and meal planning easier! Weekly Menus & Grocery Lists “I sit down once a week with the schedule, look at what we have planned each day, estimate how tired I might be or how much time I will have to cook, and I…

For millions of people, chronic illnesses and depression are facts of life…Many people with [chronic illness] become depressed. In fact, depression is one of the most common complications of chronic illness. It’s estimated that up to one-third of people with a serious medical condition have symptoms of depression.Dealing With Chronic Illnesses and Depression, WebMD It’s extremely common for people living with chronic illness to struggle with their mental health. Being diagnosed with a lifelong illness can cause enormous life changes, make it difficult to do things you love, and impact your self confidence. Managing a lifelong chronic illness for years…

Whether you’re having a flare of your chronic illness or you caught a bug, keeping toddlers entertained when you don’t feel well is no easy task! We asked real mamas living with chronic illnesses to share their best ideas for entertaining toddlers when you don’t feel well. Relax your screen time guilt “No shame in screen time!” – Cheryl “We are camped out in front of the TV at times, and the guilt is real in these moments, but I try to remember that we need to have that downtime so we can rest and be ready for the next…

Worldwide about 10% of pregnant women and 13% of women who have just given birth experience a mental disorder, primarily depression. In developing countries this is even higher, i.e. 15.6% during pregnancy and 19.8% after child birth. In severe cases mothers’ suffering might be so severe that they may even commit suicide. In addition, the affected mothers cannot function properly. As a result, the children’s growth and development may be negatively affected as well. Maternal mental disorders are treatable. Effective interventions can be delivered even by well-trained non-specialist health providers.World Health Organization Maternal mental health disorders are the #1 complications…

Perhaps one of the most challenging aspects of motherhood with chronic illness is helping your children understand what is going on with your body and encouraging acceptance about how your illness may impact them. How can you help them develop empathy about what you’re experiencing, especially if your illness is invisible? Where’s the line between being honest and making them worry? What’s the best way to address their concerns in kid-friendly language? This is a topic that will likely need to be an ongoing discussion in your family – and sometimes reading a book together can help! When Mommy Is…