There are many aspects of living with a chronic condition that family, friends or coworkers might not understand or even think about. Chronic illness affects pretty much all aspects of life- work, hobbies, social life and relationships to name a few. It’s not something that can be easily compartmentalized, nor should it have to be. Being understanding and compassionate toward your loved one living with a chronic condition means so much.

While there is no formal medical definition of an invisible illness, medical conditions are generally labeled an invisible illness when they are chronic, cause significant pain or fatigue, and are entirely or mostly invisible to the casual observer. Most people with an invisible illness are women, and there are tens of millions of Americans who live with at least one invisible illness. Virtually everyone is guaranteed to know at least one person with an invisible illness, whether they are aware of it or not.

Practicing ways to be an advocate for yourself at the doctor’s can help ease stress so that your appointment can bring you one step closer to an answer. Here are some quick tips to help you feel confident in your ability to self-advocate at your next appointment.

When you’re looking forward to an upcoming trip with friends or family, the last thing you may want to think about is managing your chronic illness. Wouldn’t it be nice to totally check out? Unfortunately the reality is we can’t take a vacation from our chronic conditions. But that does not have to deter you from enjoying your time on a vacation or make you fear traveling. In fact there are things you can do to be well prepared and have an incredible trip no matter what your condition may be. We’ve created a quick guide to get you prepped and ready to travel with confidence!

As temperatures rise and we prepare for hot days at the beach or plan outdoor events, it is important that we don’t overlook the impact of extreme heat on those of us with chronic conditions.

A list of products for chronic illness patients to help you manage symptoms while going about your day and completing daily tasks.

If you have a chronic condition with debilitating pain and fatigue symptoms, you probably have an invisible illness. These conditions interfere with your daily way of life, but can’t be easily recognized just by looking at someone. Below you will find tips to share with loved ones on how to best support you.

If you have a doctor’s visit coming up, you may be wondering what can you do to prepare so you can have the most effective and efficient appointment. From setting a goal for the appointment to gathering and sharing your information to building a list of questions, we’ve broken down the appointment preparation process step-by-step so you can feel empowered sitting in the waiting room.

You finally have a diagnosis, and now the work begins to get your symptoms under better control. Managing a health condition often includes a combination of medications, procedures, follow up appointments, test monitoring, alternative therapies, and lifestyle changes. Every patient is different, so you’ll need to work closely with your care team to find a treatment approach that works best for you. With the potential of a lot of new information heading your way, coming prepared to an appointment with a list of questions can help you feel empowered in your ability to manage your disease.

When you aren’t feeling well, but have yet to receive a formal diagnosis, it can be a very overwhelming time. You may be seeing a lot of different doctors and/or having a lot of tests performed. Your care team are your partners during this time of confusion, and building a report of strong communication can make a huge difference in your experience as a patient. By asking questions, you highlight to your doctor what is important to you, and ensure you both are on the same page. Being proactive enables you to understand the meanings of complicated medical terms or gain clarity on certain instructions.

Whether you are looking to find a diagnosis or treat an existing health condition, your symptoms provide the clues that tell your story. As a patient, you are in the unique position to be the expert on what your symptoms feel like and what your body is telling you. Some symptoms are “invisible” to the outward eye, so ensuring you track your symptoms and share them with your doctor could make the difference in getting you to the correct diagnosis and treatment sooner.

At one point or another, everyone is likely to need a copy of their medical records. Perhaps you need to send information to your new doctor. Maybe you want to share your health information with caregivers. If you are dealing with a complicated diagnostic or treatment process, you might want to share your records to help with coordination of care across several practitioners or to ensure you don’t repeat any tests or procedures.

While gathering and sharing your records can be a tedious process, applying the following tips can make it much easier.