January is Thyroid Awareness Month—a time to shed light on a vital yet often overlooked part of our health, especially for women. The thyroid, a small butterfly-shaped gland in the neck, regulates metabolism, energy, mood, and overall well-being. When the thyroid is not functioning properly, it can lead to a variety of health challenges that disproportionately affect women, including weight changes, fatigue, depression, and hormonal imbalances.

Understanding Thyroid Health

The thyroid produces hormones that regulate many of the body's systems, including heart rate, body temperature, and how efficiently you burn calories. You may not even think about it when it works as it should. But when it malfunctions, it can cause conditions such as hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). Both conditions can significantly impact your energy levels, mental clarity, mood, and heart health.

Research shows that women are five to eight times more likely tha...

As the sun rises on a brand-new year, a sense of hope and renewal is in the air. New Year’s Day marks a fresh beginning, a time when many of us set new goals, resolve to break old habits and look forward to what lies ahead. One of the most common resolutions at the start of a new year is the desire to improve our health. Whether getting in shape, eating better, managing stress, or cultivating mental and emotional wellness, the start of 2024 offers a perfect opportunity to prioritize your health and well-being.

Health as a Holistic Goal

When discussing health, it is important to remember that true health encompasses more than just the physical. While exercising regularly and eating nutritious foods are essential, a well-rounded approach to health also includes mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness. A holistic view of health ensures that all areas of our lives—our bodies, minds, and spirits—are nurtured and balanced.

As you set health goals for 2024, consider how you can care f...

Christmas is filled with lights, laughter, and the warmth of gathering together. It is a time of giving and receiving, decorating our homes, and sharing special moments with family and friends. But at the heart of all the celebrations is something far deeper and more lasting: Christmas joy. This joy is not rooted in presents or festivities but in the arrival of the greatest gift of all—Jesus Christ.

The Source of Christmas Joy

The joy of Christmas begins with the good news of Jesus' birth, as declared by the angel to the shepherds: “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11, KJV). This proclamation was not just for those shepherds but for all of humanity—for each one of us. The birth of Christ brings a joy that transcends time and circumstance because it is grounded in the truth of God’s love for us.

Jesus' coming to earth fulfill...

What is lupus?

Lupus is a chronic (long-term) disease that can cause inflammation and pain in any body part. It is an autoimmune disease, which means that your immune system—the body system that usually fights infections—attacks healthy tissue instead.

Lupus most commonly affects your: 

• Skin
• Joints
• Internal organs, like your kidneys and heart

Because lupus affects many body parts, it can cause many different symptoms.

Who is at risk for lupus?

Lupus can affect anyone, but it is important to note that women are most likely to be affected by it. However, men and children can also be affected. This understanding can help women feel less isolated in their struggle with lupus.

Those with the highest risk for developing lupus are:

• Women aged 15 – 44 years
• People from racial and ethnic minority groups
• People with a family history of lupus or other autoimmune diseases

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), lupus occurs more often in...

Lupus and Women’s Health: A Christian Perspective

Lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease, presents unique challenges for Christian women. It causes pain, fatigue, and inflammation throughout the body, making it an “invisible illness.”  Living with lupus can be a daunting journey, both physically and emotionally, especially when viewed through the lens of faith.

Diagnosis

Lupus can be hard to diagnose since its symptoms are often mistaken for symptoms of other diseases.

A rheumatologist can diagnose lupus.

• A rheumatologist is a doctor who specializes in painful conditions affecting the body's joints, muscles, or connective tissues, such as lupus.

There is no one test for lupus. But your doctor will most likely:

• Discuss your symptoms.
• Do physical exams.
• Take X-rays.
• Run lab tests.

How is lupus managed?

There is a lot that women can do to manage lupus.

Women with lupus can have a typical lifespan and a high quality of life. They can take steps to control sym...

What it is

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), often just called lupus, is:

• An autoimmune disease. This means the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its healthy cells and tissues, leading to inflammation and damage in organs or systems.
• A long-term (chronic) disease that affects many different parts of the body.

There are many signs and symptoms of lupus.

• This can make it hard for doctors to diagnose.
• Symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening.

There is no cure for lupus, but it can be treated.

• The earlier you can diagnose lupus, the better you can treat and manage it.

Types of Lupus

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common form of lupus. It can affect a person's joints, skin, brain, lungs, kidneys, and blood vessels. This form of lupus is more likely to occur in people from racial and ethnic minority groups than in non-Hispanic White people.
• Cutaneous lupus is a skin disease that affects people with or without SLE in the form of a ra...

Each year on May 10, the world comes together to recognize Lupus Awareness Day, shedding light on the struggles and remarkable resilience of those with lupus. For many women, lupus is a daily challenge, affecting their health, energy, and ability to engage in life as they once did. As Christians, our hope is in God’s promises, even in the face of chronic illness. On this day of awareness and support, we lean into the strength and peace in the Word of God, encouraging those walking through the lupus trials.

What Is Lupus?

Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissues, leading to inflammation, pain, and damage to various organs. It predominantly affects women and can cause fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes, and, in more severe cases, organ complications. Living with lupus requires daily management, perseverance, and great inner strength.

As we acknowledge the realities of lupus, we must also reflect on the truth of God’s ...

May is Lupus Awareness Month

It is a time when we rally together to shine a spotlight on this often misunderstood and invisible disease. Let’s dive into what Lupus Awareness Month is about and how you can get involved! 🌟

1. What Is Lupus Awareness Month?

   • Lupus Awareness Month, observed throughout May in the United States, is a dedicated time to increase understanding and knowledge about lupus, an autoimmune disease. This month, various events, campaigns, and initiatives are organized to educate communities, dispel myths, and advocate for individuals impacted by lupus. The goal is to raise awareness about the symptoms, treatments, and challenges of living with lupus and to promote support and research efforts to improve the lives of those affected by this complex and often misunderstood condition.
   • Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can impact various organs and systems in the body. While its symptoms are not always visible outside, they can wreak havoc internally, affecti...

It may sound strange, but people who have lived with abuse for many years may not even realize that they are being abused.

If you have grown up in a family where abuse occurs almost every day, you may think that hitting, pushing, or constant yelling are normal ways to treat the members of your family and other people.

Every family has arguments, but when yelling goes too far or lasts too long or when disagreements turn physical, that is abuse, and abuse is not normal or healthy.

National Crime Victims' Rights Week is April 18-24, 2021

If you have been hurt—physically, sexually, emotionally, or due to neglect—you are a victim of abuse.

 

Abuse and neglect can affect the way you view yourself and the rest of the world.

You might—

Feel afraid, anxious, angry, confused, or sad.
Fear being hurt again.
Have trouble sleeping, eating, and concentrating.
Skip school or not do well in school.
Have lots of headaches or stomachaches.
Use drugs or alcohol.
Feel ashamed or even blame...

It is common to want to have a sense of belonging. When women belong, we are established as part of the group. That sense of belonging is a normal human need, just as food and shelter. If you feel like you belong, you feel your life has value. And you cope with your emotions better.

Sometimes, we lose our sense of belonging, though. This can be for a myriad of reasons. Traumatic events could influence a person’s self-compassion and self-esteem. Trauma can leave survivors out of sync with the world. They feel lonely, overwhelmed, in turmoil, and have emotional pain that creates a different sense of anxiety.

Humans are social beings. The quality of our relationships is affected by our emotional, mental, and physical health. Researcher and author Brené Brown says, “A deep sense of love and belonging is a fundamental requirement of all men, women, and children. Biologically, cognitively, physically, and spiritually we are wired to love, to be loved, and to belong.”

Regaining a Sense ...