All Dealing with an illness pages
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Information
16 health symptoms women should never ignore
While it’s tempting to curl up on the sofa when you’re feeling poorly, you shouldn’t ignore the following symptoms…
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Guidance
Coping with irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects about one in five UK adults but embarrassment can stop people from seeking help for this very common problem. Learn why it’s important to get the right advice and support from your doctor so that you can better manage this chronic condition.
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Guidance
What is heart failure?
Heart failure refers to the condition when the heart is unable to pump blood around the body as well as it should. This can lead to oxygen deprivation to the rest of the body, and abnormal back pressure developing within blood vessels of the body, causing a number of problems.
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Guidance
What is coronary heart disease?
It’s estimated that over seven million people in the UK have a diagnosis of coronary heart disease (CHD), with more men than women affected. Learn about the risk factors, symptoms and treatments associated with this condition.
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Guidance
What is a stroke?
A stroke occurs when part of the brain dies as a result of oxygen deprivation, typically due to a blockage in one of the arteries leading to the brain or one of the small vessels deep inside the brain. Learn how to spot the signs of a stroke.
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Guidance
What is atrial fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm disturbance in the UK, affecting around one million adults. In AF, the normal regular electrical impulses of the heart become disorganised, leading to an irregular heartbeat. Find out more about the condition.
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Guidance
What is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an umbrella term for a number of chronic lung diseases which include chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Learn about the symptoms of COPD and the treatments that are available.
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Information
Long term medical conditions or a terminal illness
If you require support over a longer period of time, our physical grants are available for a wide range of concerns.
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Guidance
The reality of living with terminal cancer
Pat (Patricia) Mackey was an inaugural member of North York General Hospital’s Patient and Family Advisory Council. Following her cancer reoccurrence in the winter of 2013 and while receiving care at the Freeman Centre for the Advancement of Palliative Care, she generously shared her time, candid thoughts and observations, on video, of what it is like to live with a terminal cancer diagnosis.
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Guidance
Caring for someone with terminal cancer
Ciaran Devane, Macmillan Cancer Support’s CEO from 2007 until 2014, talks about his experience of caring for his partner with terminal cancer. He describes the emotions he and his partner went through and the support they received from Macmillan.
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Guidance
How to communicate with someone with Alzheimer's
Learning how to communicate with a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be difficult and feel awkward. This is a wonderful account of how one granddaughter communicates with her grandmother who has Alzheimer’s.
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Guidance
Caring for a loved one with dementia
In this video Pauline speaks candidly of her own experience of living with and caring for a loved one with dementia.
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Guidance
Ways to support a loved one with cancer
Drawing from her own experience with cancer, Ilonka Meier shares six simple ways to support loved ones and friends with cancer.
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Guidance
The hidden costs of cancer and where to find help
Anthony was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in June 2014. In this video, he talks not only about the money worries and financial difficulties he faced due to cancer, but also of the huge support and advice which Macmillan Cancer Support was able to give.
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Guidance
Five things to know when caring for someone with dementia
Learn about the five things to avoid when caring for people with dementia.