CIRL is taking a break I've been trying so hard to avoid this but my chronic illnesses are forcing me to pull back on a few things in my life. Unfortunately, this blog / CIRL as a whole is going to have to be one of the things I drop... at least for a while.

Hey don't forget that your brain uses a huge amount of calories just keeping you alive and thinking so, even if you're not moving around much today, you still need to eat! Next time you get up, grab some snacks and fuel your body! #ChronicIllnessCommunity

"In 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a total of 2,289 measles cases. Today, 21 July 2026, that number was officially breached, reaching 2,295 at the time of writing." www.sciencealert.com/us-measles-c... #USA #Measles

US Measles Cases Just Hit a "Grim Milestone". They Are Now The Highest They've Been in 35 Years

Measles cases in the United States have just passed a "grim milestone", reaching numbers that haven't been seen in 35 years.

sciencealert.com

Considering getting a cane? Check out this video by Orthopedic One which gives a demonstration of how to walk with a cane and how to go up and down stairs: youtu.be/oGmquoFBiDU?... #ChronicIllnessCommunity #MobilityAids

How to Use a Cane for Better Balance

Follow along as Orthopedic ONE's Diane Fleming, DPT, GCS demonstrates how to properly fit a cane, how to walk with a cane, and how to use a cane to go up and down the stairs. 💻 To learn more…

youtu.be

If you like what I'm doing here and you have a spare dollar to support my efforts, you can send me a tip at ko-fi.com/chronicillne... I run CIRL because I'm a nerd and I consider this a hobby, but tips help me pay for subscriptions and services, so any amount will be greatly appreciated ✌️

This printable info sheet covers what strength of compression tights to look for, tips for comfort, when compression tights should not be used, and a brief paragraph on alternatives: www.potsuk.org/wp-content/u... #POTS

Don't forget you can suggest a topic or give me feedback (positive or negative; all feedback is appreciated) and you can do it anonymously if you wish: form.jotform.com/chronicillne...

What you should know if you and your medical provider are considering a cervical collars for your neck pain/injury:

Cervical Collar for Neck Support: Uses, Tips, Side Effects

A cervical collar, also known as a C-collar, neck brace, or neck support collar, is used to support and protect your neck. It may be used for neck pain, injuries, fractures, or surgery. Learn about…

healthline.com

"While cyclosporiasis cases typically increase during the warmer months, the CDC said multiple states have seen more cases over the past two weeks than during the same period last year." www.health.com/cyclosporias... #USA

8 Things to Know About Cyclosporiasis, the GI Infection Surging This Summer

A parasitic illness previously tied to fresh produce has been spreading across the country. Here’s how to stay safe.

health.com

The most common triggers of #fibromyalgia flares, things you can do to help prevent them, and ways to recover faster when they strike...

Fibromyalgia Flare-Ups: Triggers, Prevention & Recovery Tips That Work in 2025

Learn about fibromyalgia flare-ups including common triggers, how to prevent them, and practical recovery tips to reduce pain, fatigue, and emotional stress in 2025.

chronicillness.co

For those of you in Canada/North America affected by the wildfire smoke: www.health.harvard.edu/blog/wildfir...

Wildfires: How to cope when smoke affects air quality and health - Harvard Health

Wildfire smoke contributes greatly to poor air quality, and as wildfires become more frequent due to climate change and drier conditions, more of us and more of our communities are at risk for heal...

health.harvard.edu

Some definitions for the medical jargon around blood pressure and tips on how to cope with low BP: www.potsuk.org/managingpots... #POTS #Dysautonomia

Advice for living with low blood pressure - PoTS UK

Understand the medical jargon and tips on how to cope with low BP What is low blood pressure? Blood pressure (BP) is measured in millimetres of mercury (mm Hg) e.g. 120/70 mm Hg Blood pressure…

potsuk.org

Demodex blepharitis is a common condition that causes itchy eyes, puffy eyelids and crusty flakes along your eyelashes (called collarettes or cylindrical dandruff).

Resting is not quitting. It’s strategy. #ChronicFatigue

How are Ehlers Danlos syndromes (EDS) diagnosed? It may differ slightly depending on your country so here's a thread with links to info on the EDS diagnostic process for Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, UK, and USA... ⬇️ more ⬇️

What Is The Biopsychosocial Model? www.verywellmind.com/understandin... "The biopsychosocial model is an approach to understanding mental and physical health through a multi-systems lens, understanding the influence of biology, psychology, and social environment."

How Much Vitamin C Is Too Much? This article covers recommended daily intake, where to get vitamin C, how much is too much, and symptoms of vit C toxicity...

Have you got meds waiting for you at the pharmacy? Here's your reminder to go pick them up ✌️ #ChronicIllnessCommunity

Do you live with MCS, MCAS, CIRS, or another type of Environmental Illness (EI)? nus.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_... Screenshot from the MCS Aware July 2026 newsletter I haven't vetted the study myself.

Our latest News in Brief summary has headlines and links to further reading about ME/CFS, Long Covid, and related news for the week of July 6 - 12. s4me.info/threads/news... #MEcfs #PwME #LongCovid #PwLC

The Top 14 Reasons Why An Endometriosis Diagnosis Gets Delayed "When [the patient]… • Think their symptoms are normal • Feel too embarrassed to seek help • Delay seeking doctors’ advice • Encounter barriers accessing the services they need ⬇️ more (link at end of 🧵) ⬇️

What is the difference between endometriosis and PCOS/PMOS? www.healthline.com/health/women... #endometriosis #PCOS ⬇️ more ⬇️

Endometriosis vs. PCOS: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

Endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are disorders that affect some people who have vaginas. Both can lead to heavy bleeding, but their treatments are different. Learn more about how…

healthline.com

Wondering if your resting heart rate might be too high and whether you should talk to your doctor? This article gives an indication of where your resting heart rate should be by age and fitness level... www.medicinenet.com/what_is_a_go... #ChronicIllnessCommunity

What Is a Good Resting Heart Rate? Chart by Age and Gender

Good resting heart rate (RHR) values typically fall within the range of 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm). It is an indicator of both fitness and general health.

medicinenet.com

To my fellow spoonies, please take this as a sign to check in on how loaded up your life is and make any adjustments before you crash ✌️

Chronic Illness Resource Library@spoonieresources.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Behind-the-scenes update: I've come to the sad realization that I've overstretched myself by trying to post twice a week on Substack as well as daily on here and Tumblr. As a chronically ill and disabled person myself, my energy is limited and I need to be careful with how much commitment I ...

Behind-the-scenes update: I've come to the sad realization that I've overstretched myself by trying to post twice a week on Substack as well as daily on here and Tumblr. As a chronically ill and disabled person myself, my energy is limited and I need to be careful with how much commitment I ...

Chronic Illness and Grief: The Dual Process Model This article is not a super easy read so pick a time when your brain fog has dissipated and you're in a good head space... www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/chro... #ChronicIllnessCommunity

Chronic Illness and Grief

The dual process model of coping with grief can help us conceptualize and understand chronic illness grief.

psychologytoday.com

An overview of the different types of degenerative disk disease, what it feels like, how it might be caused, and how it is diagnosed:

What Is Degenerative Disk Disease?

Degenerative disk disease isn’t a disease. It’s the name for what happens when your spinal disks begin to wear down. Learn more about treatment options.

my.clevelandclinic.org

An exploration of the history and flag of the Disability Pride movement open.substack.com/pub/thewildf... #DisabilityPrideMonth

Our Pride, Our Flag, Our History

An exploration of the history and flag of the Disability Pride movement

open.substack.com

What meds can your doctor prescribe for #POTS? It might be slightly different depending on your location, but here's a quick overview of the 5 most common from The Australian POTS Foundation – ivabradine, propranolol, fludrocortisone, midodrine, & phenylephrine

Treating POTS - Australian POTS Foundation

Lifestyle modifications should be the first line therapy for POTS and require attention to education to fully effect the benefits

potsfoundation.org.au

Did you know physiotherapists can help with POTS? Physiopedia says physios can help with understanding of your body with POTS, the mind—body link ("how external factors such as anxiety, stress and lifestyle influences breathing patterns"), & breathing re-training