Latest news with #chronicillness
News24
3 days ago
- Health
- News24
‘My fight against lupus is part of my mission to empower others'
Lolo Lekgoane's life changed when she was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus. The Mahikeng resident faced immense challenges, including giving up her job, losing mobility and enduring frequent hospital stays. Yet, her indomitable spirit turned adversity into purpose. Lolo (37) launched a foundation dedicated to educating others about lupus and offering support to those affected by the chronic autoimmune disease. This is her story. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lolo Loliza Lekgoane (@lolo_lekgoane) 'I was diagnosed in 2012. Basically the symptoms I experienced were joint pain and fatigue. I would sleep for eight hours and I would feel like I hadn't slept and like I had been hit by a truck. I ignored the symptoms because I was young and I thought I was okay. But the symptoms persisted. One day I was on the couch and I couldn't breathe. I was rushed to the hospital. I also had what they called a butterfly rash – it's a rash in the shape of a butterfly on your cheek. That's one of the most common symptoms of lupus. Thankfully, when I arrived at the hospital, there was a doctor who immediately recognised my symptoms and suspected lupus. Her quick understanding and expertise led to tests that confirmed the diagnosis. The first thing that came to my mind when I was diagnosed was my aunt, Kgomotso, who died from lupus at the age of 33. She was ill for 13 years but she was misdiagnosed. Lupus is often misdiagnosed because its symptoms mimic many other medical conditions. For years, doctors believed she had arteritis [arterial inflammation], and she was treated for it until further tests finally revealed the correct diagnosis. By the time doctors realised it was lupus, it was too late – her fingers had been amputated, and her body was deteriorating. I started my treatment, which included steroids and antidepressants. For about two years I was good. Sometimes I even forgot to take the medication because I was doing well. But in 2015 I had a relapse, or what we call a flare-up. It was very severe. I was diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) which causes inflammation in your brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. I lost my sight, I got meningitis and I was hospitalised for two months. I was wheelchair-bound. I'm partially blind in my left eye. My life has never been the same since. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lolo Loliza Lekgoane (@lolo_lekgoane) I worked as a marketing intern at an airline. I used to wear heels but I just couldn't do that as I was sick. I started missing out on work a lot. I eventually had to resign. In 2023 I spent seven months re-learning how to walk, how use a fork – things most people take for granted. Every year since 2017, I've been hospitalised due to NMO. I hadn't heard a lot about lupus in local media, so I started sharing my story on social media. Once I started, others living with lupus shared their stories with me. I was inspired to start Lolo Lekgoane Lupus Foundation in 2018. It was important for me to use my voice and to be an advocate. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lolo Loliza Lekgoane (@lolo_lekgoane) Lupus isn't that visible. On the outside you look okay but the battle you're fighting on the inside is completely different. I want to educate, raise awareness and offer counselling. Every May, during lupus awareness month, my foundation has a walk in Mahikeng, in the North West. We also do talks at schools, churches and businesses. I also run support groups on Facebook and WhatsApp and caregivers are also welcome to share their experiences. I also do a lot of media interviews. I feel like the government prioritises other illnesses, such as cancer and HIV/Aids but I want our battle with lupus to be recognised too. A lot of people I've met have been sick for years, and only get diagnosed years later, like my aunt. Because of this I'm committed to raising awareness and speaking out. Protea Hotel by Marriott Mahikeng and Clicks Mafikeng with our warriors after giving out some nice Souvenirs 👌🏾... Posted by Lolo Lekgoane Lupus Foundation on Sunday, May 11, 2025 At these talks there's always a mother or sister who comes to thank us. It's great to see how many people have realised they aren't fighting lupus on their own. I can't completely change their or my situation but being able to be a voice goes a long way. Being able to build community helps. Having my mother and the support of my family and friends has really helped me on this journey. You can manage lupus by taking your medication and taking care of your mental health. And do things that bring you happiness, and surround yourself with people who won't keep reminding you that you're sick.' Show Comments ()
Globe and Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Globe and Mail
Prescription drug costs are forcing Canadians to make dangerous trade-offs
Heather Evans, 60, used to eat boxed macaroni and cheese three times a week, but not because she loved it. She had to scrimp on her food budget to afford the thousands of dollars a month for the medication keeping her alive. Ms. Evans was diagnosed with a chronic heart condition in her 30s. 'I had my first two heart attacks when I was 39. I didn't sleep for almost 10 months because I was afraid I wouldn't wake up, and I didn't want my five-year-old son to find me gone.' At the time, Ms. Evans was an unemployed single mom in Calgary with no health insurance benefits. Most prescription medications aren't covered under Canada's universal health care plan, meaning patients without extended benefits have to foot the bill. Canada is the only country with universal health care that does not have universal coverage for prescription drugs (outside hospitals). The cost of survival nearly broke Ms. Evans. 'You go to sleep with tears in your eyes, worried about the next day. If it wasn't for my doctor giving me samples for so many years, I don't know that I'd be here today.' As millions of Canadians struggle to cope with the cost of their medications, many have taken drastic steps to alleviate the pressure, often leading to a worsening of their symptoms over time. A 2024 survey by Leger found that nearly one in four Canadians (22 per cent) say they've split pills, skipped doses, or chosen not to fill or renew a prescription because of the cost. The survey also revealed that 1 in 10 Canadians living with chronic conditions have landed in emergency after their health worsened because they couldn't afford the medications they needed. 'There are real downstream impacts. If you can't access drugs for prevention purposes you end up burdening the health care system, and that's much more expensive,' says Manuel Arango, director of Health Policy and Advocacy for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. 'It's way more cost effective to provide these drugs and tear down affordability barriers, so that people can be healthy, manage their conditions and stay out of the emergency rooms.' Canada has a patchwork of public drug benefit programs (with varying eligibilities), along with many private insurance plans. But insurance coverage, while helpful, isn't a guarantee of affordability. The 2019 Hoskins report about pharmacare implementation found that about 7.5 million Canadians still face high out-of-pocket costs. Gaps in coverage are made worse by shifting work patterns and employer plans that offload costs onto workers, putting part-time, contract, and low-income workers most at risk. Canada's proposed national pharmacare plan aims to provide coverage for essential prescription medications. The federal government says the program will roll out in phases, and has already started with coverage for contraceptives and diabetes drugs in British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba and Yukon. The plan's advisory panel recommended covering medications for cardiac conditions, but they remain uncovered. 'We appreciate these initial steps the government has taken, but we need to move more quickly,' says Mr. Arango. 'We need to get on the same playing field as all other countries that have universal health care systems and institute universal drug coverage.' A recent study from Arthritis Research Canada (ARC) showed that for nearly 1 in 20 people aged 12 or older, cost is a major barrier to taking their medications as prescribed. Some groups face higher risks for non-adherence with prescriptions, including women, members of racialized communities and people with diverse sexual orientations. Each skipped dose has ramifications for patients, says Dr. Mary De Vera, an ARC senior scientist. 'Drugs are health care. So why is it so disjointed?' she says. 'The ideal situation is that we have a system that mirrors our medical system.' Ms. Evans is now the general manager of a GoodLife gym in Calgary, and has health insurance that covers her medication. Others are not as fortunate. She says she wishes decision-makers would put themselves in the shoes of families forced to choose between paying for food or their prescriptions. 'I want them to think about their own loved ones being in the same situation and tell me they wouldn't move a mountain to make sure they'd be okay. People are dying because they can't afford life-saving medications,' Mr. Evans says. 'It's so unjust and we need to do better.'
The Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
EastEnders star details nightmare turbulence on flight after travel hell while battling with chronic illness symptoms
EASTENDERS star Melissa Suffield has revealed her nightmare journey home from a family holiday while battling her chronic illness. The actress - who used to play Lucy Beale in the BBC soap - was diagnosed with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) after experiencing "horrible nausea" in 2023. 2 2 And it has had a huge impact in her life - which makes her family holidays and quality time all the more precious. But today she has revealed that she had the journey from hell home - undoing the good the holiday did. Taking to Instagram, Melissa wrote: 'I've been a bit quiet because life has been a LOT. The trip away was so restorative but honestly the act of getting home undid it 'The ship didn't make it into the final port of my trip due to very bad weather, but obviously my flight was booked from there! 'So booked a flight home from the next available port very last minute, which was a midnight flight, which was delayed by 2 hours because of weather again, and then the ENTIRE 3 hour flight was mad turbulence and lightning out the window I s*** you not. 'I'm not a nervous flyer but I was on that flight. 'Honestly, not a fun experience, followed by only 4 hours of sleep and then a 3 hour train journey home with River and all my luggage. 'On the list of things I simply do not need in my life, this experience was a high ranking one.' Melissa added: 'Not aided by the fact that towards the end of the trip, my symptoms started getting worse. 'I think the combination of not eating anything other than steak and potatoes, as well as the stress of making a new very last minute plan and the childcare and everything that went along with that is probably what did it. Former EastEnders star has had '40 doctors appointments' and spent 'over five figures' amid gruelling health condition 'Also my period always makes everything worse- I've actually just had a test arrive that looks at your DNA and hormones to see if I can pin point anything I'm missing. 'But anyway, I am home now safe and sound, I have done all the washing, I've got full control over my diet again, and I've got my boy back. But I am feeling rough in a way that I haven't in a while, so l'm focusing all my energy on resting. What is SIBO? SIBO is also known as Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. Melissa experiences nausea, reflux, constipation, and other symptoms like her hair falling out and suffering from dry skin. According to the Mayo Clinic, the condition occurs "when there is an abnormal increase in the overall bacterial population in the small intestine — particularly types of bacteria not commonly found in that part of the digestive tract." Symptoms are listed as a loss of appetite, abdominal pain, nausea, bloating, an uncomfortable feeling of fullness after eating, diarrhea, unintentional weight loss, and malnutrition. 'I've got a really busy week next week too, so I've really got to try and get back on top of things quickly tbh. But when your nervous system is frazzled, that time limit way of thinking is completely counter productive.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
6 Things to Do in the Morning to Help Prevent Inflammation Throughout the Day
Reviewed by Dietitian Karen Ansel, M.S., RDNChronic inflammation can increase the risk of chronic illnesses like heart disease, diabetes and cancer. A nutritious diet, exercise and mindfulness may protect against inflammation. Healthy morning habits like yoga or a quiet cup of coffee or tea may help fight your day on the right foot sets the tone for the rest of your day. So, why not begin by helping your body fight off inflammation? We hear a lot about the negative effects of inflammation, but it can be helpful to know that not all inflammation is bad. Acute inflammation is a short-lived natural response our body has to injury or illness. That's a good thing. Chronic inflammation, however, is prolonged and can reduce our body's ability to repair and heal, leading to increased risk of conditions like diabetes, heart disease and cancer. So, anything you can do to prevent it may keep you healthier in the long run. These six inflammation-fighting morning habits can get you going. Your body loses fluids while you sleep, so in the morning, you naturally wake up a touch dehydrated. Starting your day with some water is a good choice for many reasons. Hydration is linked with longevity, reduced risk of chronic illness and general health and well-being. If those reasons aren't enough to start your day with a cup of water, dehydration is tied to higher levels of inflammation in the body. Chronic dehydration may even lead to 'inflammageing,' or chronic inflammation that happens as we age. Plus, starting your day with a glass of water is free. So, this is one anti-inflammatory habit that should be easy to start if you're not doing it already. Your dog and cat are onto something when they take a big stretch as they roll out of bed in the morning. But getting some gentle morning movement shouldn't be reserved just for our furry friends. Regular exercise helps reduce your risk for chronic inflammation. As good for you as physical activity is, intense exercise can increase inflammatory markers in the short term. While exercise's overall benefits outweigh any downsides, starting your day with some gentle movement may be especially beneficial if your goal is reducing inflammation. Research has found that moderate and lighter movement is not tied to the same increases in inflammatory markers in the body as intense exercise. That's where stretching comes in. Its benefits go beyond just feeling good. Studies show that limbering up can help reduce inflammatory markers throughout your body, as well as locally in the tissues you are stretching. However, that's not the only way to gently move your body. A stroll around the block or an easy yoga session works, too. You may have heard that getting outside in the morning light can help you sleep better at night. That's because a.m. sunshine helps regulate your body's circadian rhythm, which strongly influences your sleep-and-wake cycle. This, in turn, helps you wake up more easily in the morning and fall asleep at night. But your circadian rhythm isn't just about sleep. It is also closely tied to your immune system and to inflammation. Conversely, lack of daylight may send your circadian rhythm into an inflammatory tailspin. One study found that shift workers with misaligned circadian rhythms had higher levels of C-reactive protein, or CRP, a marker of systemic inflammation. Plus, getting some rays helps your body make vitamin D, which is known for its anti-inflammatory effects. Research has found that vitamin D's ability to help reduce inflammation may be particularly impactful in reducing the risk of metabolic, cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases. The deep purples, vibrant reds and rich blues that color our favorite berries are indicators of just how loaded these tiny fruits are with antioxidants. In particular, berries are rich in phenolic compounds, like anthocyanins and flavonols, which work to reduce inflammation in the body. Berries are also delicious. When they're in season, load up on colorful, fresh berries. When you can't find fresh berries, frozen berries are just as good for you and often more affordable and convenient. Try them paired with protein-rich strained (Greek-style) yogurt or whir them into a smoothie for a tasty breakfast. Stress is a sneaky trigger for inflammation. Why? When you're stressed, your body goes into 'fight or flight' mode, stimulating the release of stress hormones like cortisol. That may have been helpful back in the days when we had to be ready to outrun a saber-tooth tiger at a moment's notice. Today, it's still humming behind the scenes when that surprise 9 a.m. meeting suddenly drops on your calendar. Once in a while, that's no big deal. Yet, being constantly stressed can also lead to inflammation in your brain and body. To help keep stress and stress-related inflammation at bay, carve out a little time for mindfulness exercises like deep breathing or body scans, or try a morning meditation. Your morning cup of joe or tea is more than just a nice, calming ritual that kicks off your day with a caffeine boost. Coffee and tea are jammed with inflammation-busting antioxidants. Take green tea, for example. It's packed with antioxidants, like EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate), which research has found helps lower inflammation. Black tea is also full of antioxidants shown to calm inflammation. But don't turn your nose up at coffee, especially if that's your morning drink of choice. Coffee contains more polyphenols than green tea, plus other antioxidants that help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in your body. Morning is an ideal opportunity to get a jump start on fighting inflammation. But why stop there? These strategies can help you combat inflammation throughout the day and even at night. Get Enough Sleep: While this isn't necessarily a morning habit, a good night's sleep is crucial for reducing inflammation. Research has found that inconsistent sleep is tied with raised inflammatory markers, particularly for women. Taking the time to wind down at night with a relaxing evening routine may help you get the zzz's you need to fend off chronic inflammation. Stay Active Throughout the Day: Exercise is one of the best things you can do for your body, including fighting off chronic inflammation. So, try to move your body regularly throughout the day. Stay moving by taking frequent walk breaks, having a kitchen dance party or getting more structured exercise at any time of day. A good goal is 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, plus two weekly strength-training sessions. Limit Added Sugars: While there are plenty of anti-inflammatory foods to include in your diet, there are also some foods to limit. Like added sugars, which have been linked to increased inflammatory markers. No need to stress if you have some sweets occasionally (remember, stress and inflammation go hand in hand). Just do your best to intentionally choose where you are getting sweetness in your diet. That means checking the ingredient list when buying foods like breads, crackers, yogurts and sauces to make sure they don't contain too much added sugar. And when you do eat sweet foods, choose smaller portions of those that satisfy your sweet tooth. Your daily habits can have a surprising impact on reducing your risk of chronic inflammation. So, why not get started in the morning? Starting your day with a glass of water, a relaxing cup of coffee or tea, a bowl of fresh berries, and some gentle stretching, deep breathing, yoga or an outdoor walk in the sun are all easy—and enjoyable—healthy habits you can add to your morning to keep inflammation at bay. In addition to fighting inflammation, they'll benefit your overall health in other ways, too. That means they do double duty in keeping your body in tip-top shape. Try adding all, or most, of these to your morning. Then, keep the momentum going throughout the day with plenty of colorful foods, hydrating beverages and regular movement. Read the original article on EATINGWELL
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Embarrassing illness Jennifer Aniston's hunky health guru boyfriend kept secret
Jennifer Aniston's new boyfriend hid an embarrassing secret for years, Daily Mail can reveal. Hypnotist health guru Jim Curtis, 49, says he suffered from acute irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) due to a chronic health condition and confessed that 'accidents happened a lot.' Baring his troubled health history in a brave 2018 interview, Curtis said that a mystery condition gave him the embarrassing symptom that sometimes left him caught short in airports – as well as causing a host of other debilitating and serious afflictions. But he said he kept his illness secret from colleagues at his 'macho' Wall Street job, instead telling them he was in a motorcycle accident. 'Up until 10 years ago, I had IBS, and accidents happened a lot. As a salesperson on the road a lot, I would have to walk through major airports literally for a couple miles; I didn't want to wait for a wheelchair and trip and fall and be so sweaty,' Curtis told Fast Company magazine in 2018. 'I was doing that and not talking about it and pushing through. When something terrible happened–which it did–I would go into disaster mode or go home and take care of it and go back to work for another day.' Curtis, who has been thrust into the spotlight after being pictured on a romantic vacation with new beau Anniston, revealed that his health troubles began at age 19, when he started to lose the use of his legs and found lesions on his spinal cord. Things got so bad, he said, that at one point he 'wanted to die.' Curtis, who has been thrust into the spotlight after being pictured on a romantic vacation with new beau Anniston, revealed that his health troubles began at age 19, when he started to lose the use of his legs and found lesions on his spinal cord 'I was definitely depressed. You don't realize what a toll that takes. I was in sales, I was entertaining [and consumed] a lot of bad food and alcohol and was easily 50 pounds overweight,' Curtis said 'It was unknown how they started, but I very rapidly became ill and soon had trouble walking,' he told Fast Company. He suffered pain, headaches, muscle spasticity, and paralysis. Top neurologists at the Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins couldn't figure out what was wrong. But with treatment he was eventually able to return to his studies at the University of New Hampshire, getting around campus on a motorbike and fitted with a catheter from a vein in his arm to the top of his heart, he told the university alumni magazine in a 2017 interview. He said things got worse after college, when he started a job on Wall Street. 'Wall Street comes with a lot of macho ego,' he told Fast Company. 'It couldn't have been a worse choice. I had to stand up in a crowd all day. It was super high-stress, which is inflammatory and devastating for a condition like mine. 'It increased symptoms of fatigue and pain, and it brought on new ones like IBS and other things I couldn't control. 'I was walking with a limp and I didn't want to get into the 'why.' So for most of the time I lied. 'I said I'd been in an accident–often it was motorcycle accident–because that fit perfectly, that's kinda cool and that's tough enough.' With treatment Curtis was eventually able to return to his studies at the University of New Hampshire, getting around campus on a motorbike and fitted with a catheter from a vein in his arm to the top of his heart After two years he left finance and went into sales, working for publisher OnHealth. He still hid his condition, and occasionally faced the embarrassing consequences of trying to schlep across the country with crippling IBS. 'I was definitely depressed. You don't realize what a toll that takes. I was in sales, I was entertaining [and consumed] a lot of bad food and alcohol and was easily 50 pounds overweight,' he said. 'I learned quickly [to be] charming to manipulate people into not asking what was wrong with me, and because I was happy–seemingly–and the best at what I was doing, no one really questioned me.' Curtis moved to another health publisher, Remedy Health Media, and he credited his boss there, CEO Mike Cunnion, for helping turn his life around. 'He would always ask me, 'How are you feeling? How's your health?'' Curtis said. 'He said to me, 'You're doing great and you're an amazing person. Why do you hate yourself?' 'He set me up with my first big speaking engagement, which allowed me to share the truth of my struggle to 700 people in the industry,' the hypnotist added. 'Everything changed after that.' Curtis has since written two self-help books, tours the country speaking at health conferences, and sells holistic health coaching courses for tens of thousands of dollars. He has trained in hypnotism and says he uses the practice to help people overcome their own obstacles. His clients reportedly include model Miranda Kerr, television host Julianne Hough, and model and entrepreneur Chrissy Teigen. 'Through hypno-realizations, I not only transformed my health, anxiety and relationships, I've helped thousands of others break free from their past & patterns to create an entirely new reality full of connection, community and love,' Curtis says on his website.
