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Adrienne’s back!  She and Nicole discuss living with chronic illness and how it affects their relationship with their children.  What they need from their support system and how anyone can be an ally to someone with chronic illness.

 

Definitions

Chronic Illness is broadly characterized as conditions that last 1 year or more and require ongoing medical attention or limit activities of daily living or both.

Rheumatoid arthritis

A chronic inflammatory disorder affecting many joints, including those in the hands and feet.In rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system attacks its own tissue, including joints. In severe cases, it attacks internal organs.Rheumatoid arthritis affects joint linings, causing painful swelling. Over long periods of time, the inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis can cause bone erosion and joint deformity.While there’s no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, physiotherapy and medication can help slow the disease’s progression. Most cases can be managed with a class of medications called anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS)

Lupus can affect the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs.Symptoms vary but can include fatigue, joint pain, rash, and fever. These can periodically get worse (flare-up) and then improve.While there’s no cure for lupus, current treatments focus on improving quality of life through controlling symptoms and minimizing flare-ups. This begins with lifestyle modifications, including sun protection and diet. Further disease management includes medications, such as anti-inflammatories and steroids.

The condition that they thought Nicole’s migraines might be was called: Intracranial hypertension means that the pressure of the fluid that surrounds the brain (cerebrospinal fluid or CSF) is too high. Elevated CSF pressure can cause two problems, severe headache and visual loss. If the elevated CSF pressure remains untreated, permanent visual loss or blindness may result.

Resources

Parenting With Chronic Illness

Transcript Chronic Illness and Motherhood

Supporting someone with Chronic Illness