Living

It's the heat of the summer. The temperatures are soaring, with record heat across the country. News stations are reminding people to stay hydrated, to stay inside during peak hours, and...

I have always been very protective of my health, and since I was diagnosed in 2005, I have been protective to prevent the spread of hep C. Any amount of my...

Hepatitis C can cause inflammation and scarring of the liver, such as fibrosis and cirrhosis. If hepatitis C is left untreated and continues to do damage to the liver, it...

Early-on in my diagnosis of hep C, I noticed some symptoms I was having. These symptoms, I learned later, were all normal and common ones for those fighting hep C. Fatigue...

There is help for those suffering from brain fog (known in medical terms as hepatic encephalopathy). Experiencing brain fog can be very scary for an individual who does not understand...

Once the news sunk in, the hardest aspect of being diagnosed with chronic Hepatitis C was coming to terms with my own addictions and informing my family and friends that...

Having a liver disease such as hepatitis C can leave you with a no-alcoholic-beverages diet. I have never been much of a drinker anyway, but after getting diagnosed, it was made...

Having hepatitis C does not prevent you from getting your hair colored or permed. However, before you get any type of process on your hair, think it through. I was...

Summer is here and that for me means fresh vegetables and fruits from my garden. I have always been a green thumb type person.  My family comes from a long line...

Finding balance with hepatitis C is difficult, and it's important to remember that "No" is a complete sentence. How many of us struggle with saying “No” when it comes to...

I thought that my only scars were from a bike wreck when I was a kid. You know, the one on my leg – well, it’s still there, even if...

What does life after hep C mean for us? As we see, there is no single path our lives will take because, once again, we are all uniquely different. Pre-existing...

It’s just not realistic to think that we are going to cook everything from scratch. Even during my roughest days with hepatitis C treatment, I ate a sweet toaster pastry...

Have you been missing out on a solid night's sleep because of skin issues from hepatitis C? It’s tough to try and stay tucked in when you’re kicking the covers...

Sometimes we want evidence that we’re doing okay. With liver disease, that’s not always easy. We can look perfectly fine on the outside, and yet our liver may be sending...

Fermented foods (and beverages) have been a part of cultures around the world for thousands of years, as fermentation provides a way to preserve foods, gives them additional nutritional value...

There are many lab tests done to help diagnosis liver disease. Understanding and tracking liver lab tests can help you, and your doctor, make decisions about hepatitis C treatment, and...

Most of us have spent time staring at those numbers from our blood work. When trying to understand the comprehensive metabolic panel, or CMP, it’s good to have a general idea...

Some of the truths surrounding hepatic encephalopathy are not easy to live with. The side effects are scary to the patient. They are also bewildering to the family and friends...

Losing track of everyday life and things around you. This was the hardest part of fighting hep C.  And to be honest still a huge struggle I deal with daily...