Raising awareness about health conditions.

[Rob]

It's World Health Day and we want to raise awareness about a range of health issues, chronic disorders and hidden disabilities. Here are a selection of experiences shared by members in our Articles to help you become better informed:

1. Fibromyalgia - A musculoskeletal condition causing chronic pain - http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f128-...-fibromyalgia/
2. Irritable bowel syndrome - An intestinal disorder which causes discomfort - http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f82-g...-syndrome-ibs/
3. Dyslexia - A learning difficulty affecting reading and writing - http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f128-...1171-dyslexia/
4. Hyperhidrosis - Chronic or excessive sweating - http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f82-g...hyperhidrosis/
5. Autism - A spectrum of disorders affecting communication and behaviour - http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f128-...trum-disorder/
6. Visual impairment - A partial loss of sight - http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f128-...ent-interview/
7. Celiac disease - An autoimmune disorder caused by gluten intolerance - http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f82-g...oms-treatment/
8. Sanfilippo syndrome - A childhood cognitive disease - http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f82-g...ippo-syndrome/

We have many more informative articles available covering a range of health issues and disabilities.

Please feel free to ask questions and share your own health journey below.

[Dawn.]

I think this post is such a great one! Not all medical issues are visible.

[hocus pocus]

I have fibromyalgia and was diagnosed with it almost 11 years ago now. It is quite painful and goes in and out of remission for me. One thing I have found with other people trying to understand is that (at least with me) it doesn't have a pattern. Someone I know has arthritis in his arm - so that arm is where the pain always is. It moves with fibro. I have actually had some flares the last few weeks, due to increased stress. But other things, like injuries (even minor) or the weather can have an impact. Doctors don't all believe it exists either, which is upsetting sometimes.

I also have endometriosis. I really had a hard time advocating for myself with doctors. I have had several surgeries to remove it but am guaranteed a few more because the disease has damaged some (non-essential) other organs. I will need them removed as well as any disease that has returned but I am trying to prolong their lifespan. My bladder and bowels, and a few other areas, have some permanent damage.

I have a few other things as well, but these are ones that are most significant in my life.

[FONT=""][COLOR=""][SIZE=""]I'm dyslexic and when I was in elementary school that's when my parents found out about me having this. I mix up words a lot and sometimes it takes me a while to read when I'm doing my school work. The school wanted to put me in special education and my parents told the school no, they will help me with this and I was in all of the regular classes and everyday I worked with a tutor the whole time in school and going through all of the grades,
even on the weekends to help me with my school work and this tutor was amazing. She helped me and I always had A+'s as low as B+ and I never wanted to take anything less than B+ and I didn't because I worked very hard on not using dyslexia to get a pass. School is still hard for me, I told myself that I am never going to use having dyslexia to get something in life. I never want anyone to feel sorry for me and I get a good grade. I will work very hard and not give up and if I fail, it's because I didn't try hard enough. The truth is, I'm very glad that my parents went against the school because this made me so much stronger. When you have a disability, it is something that is part of you and you are never this. Always remember that.[/size][/color][/font]