Erica Patino

Portland

Contributing Health Writer at Everyday Health

Writer, editor, and ramen noodle enthusiast.

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Articles

How Doctors Monitor Your Health

3 weeks ago | everydayhealth.com | Erica Patino

Graves' DiseaseTreating Graves’ DiseaseShareEveryday HealthON THIS PAGEYour Monitoring ScheduleWays Your Doctor Will Monitor Graves’ DiseaseON THIS PAGEYour Monitoring ScheduleWays Your Doctor Will Monitor Graves’ DiseaseWhen you have Graves’ disease, regular monitoring is essential to ensuring thyroid hormone levels reach — and stay in — a healthy range.
5 Hand Exercises to Try for Dupuytren’s Contracture

4 weeks ago | everydayhealth.com | Erica Patino

Health ConditionsSkin ConditionsDupuytren's ContractureElena Shi/Adobe StockON THIS PAGEHand Exercises to TryOther TipsON THIS PAGEHand Exercises to TryOther TipsThere are many ways to treat Dupuytren’s contracture, including injections and surgery. But if your symptoms are mild, you may be able to manage the condition with more conservative treatment, such as hand exercises and stretches.
How to Manage GVHD’s Impact on Your Skin

1 month ago | everydayhealth.com | Erica Patino

CancerAdobe StockON THIS PAGEAcute and Chronic GVHD Skin SymptomsManaging Skin SymptomsON THIS PAGEAcute and Chronic GVHD Skin SymptomsManaging Skin SymptomsGraft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a complication that can develop after a bone marrow or stem cell transplant. It occurs when the donor’s immune cells mistakenly attack the tissue in the recipient’s body.
5 Tips to Stop Stress from Reaching a Breaking Point

Oct 28, 2024 | care.twill.health | Erica Patino

The Impact of Stress Over TimeFollowing an acute stressful event—think a job interview or getting stuck in traffic—there's usually a calmer period that allows for rest and recovery. But when we go straight from one nerve wracking occurrence to the next, the stress can pile up.
5 Types of MS Rehab Plus Tips for Successful Rehabilitation

Oct 21, 2024 | care.twill.health | Erica Patino

By Erica Patino October 21, 2024 Successfully managing multiple sclerosis (MS) goes far beyond taking medication. In addition to healthy lifestyle habits, like not smoking and eating an anti-inflammatory diet, neurologists often recommend MS rehabilitation (rehab) services to their patients so that they do—and feel—their best.
How to Be Less Anxious About a Doctor's Appointment

Jul 29, 2024 | care.twill.health | Erica Patino

Between confusing medical bills and insurance plans and fragmented care that often pushes us to see several physicians across multiple practices, it’s easy to feel discouraged. In addition to feeling intimidated by the healthcare system, many of us may struggle to understand what our providers are saying (hello, medical jargon) or what actionable steps we need to take once we leave an appointment.
The Schedule of Doctor Visits During Pregnancy

Jul 19, 2024 | care.twill.health | Erica Patino

This is what it looks like for most people: Up to 27 Weeks: 1 Visit a MonthIt is good to call a doctor as soon as you think you are pregnant. The first visit is often around six to 10 weeks into your pregnancy. “Your doctor will ask about the date of your last period,” says Teresa Hoffman, M.D., a board-certified ob-gyn at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore. This will help them set your due date. Here are some tests your doctor may do: Ultrasound.
An Occupational Therapist’s Favorite Grip Strength Exercises for MS

Jul 12, 2024 | care.twill.health | Erica Patino

If grip strength is an issue for you, your neurologist or MS specialist can refer you to an occupational therapist (OT), who can teach you exercises to strengthen your grip and improve hand dexterity. In addition to making writing, eating, and dressing easier, performing MS grip strength exercises may help you with tasks such as gripping a chair to get up from it, or holding on to a cane or walker.
Swimming During Pregnancy: 4 Tips to Stay Safe

Jun 28, 2024 | care.twill.health | Erica Patino

According to ACOG, swimming during pregnancy is an especially great workout choice, as it utilizes many muscle groups. Water workouts also help you support the extra weight of pregnancy, so you’re less prone to muscle strain and injury. Benefits of Swimming During PregnancySwimming can be beneficial during pregnancy for a variety of reasons: It’s easier on your body. During pregnancy, your ligaments and joints loosen up, which means weight-bearing exercises can become uncomfortable.
What Are the 4 Types of MS?

Jun 14, 2024 | care.twill.health | Erica Patino

The BasicsResearch into multiple sclerosis has yet to establish the cause of the disease. It’s most often diagnosed in adults between ages 20 and 50. The NMSS also states that women are three times more likely to get it than men, which may be due in part to hormones. MS is an immune-mediated disorder in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the central nervous system (CNS), including the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves (the connection between the back of the eye and the brain).