Molly Perkins, Autor bei Sidekick

the torso of a nurse wearing scrubs and a stethoscope with her arms folded

Ask an Oncologist: A Breast Cancer Nurse Shares Her Experience

By Molly PerkinsBreast Cancer, Emotional support, Featured, HCP, Health Conditions

We sat down with Nurse Ines, a specialist oncology nurse who has a great deal of experience working with people with breast cancer. We wanted to get her insight into how healthcare professionals provide support to people with cancer, especially when it comes to the emotional side effects of the condition. Along with physical side effects, breast cancer can also trigger body image issues and identity struggles, particularly due to things like hair loss as a result of chemotherapy. Nurse Ines talked us through the psychological impact of a breast cancer diagnosis and outlined some ways to cope. Keep on reading to get a nurse’s perspective on how to live better when living with breast cancer. Hi Nurse Ines, could you tell us a little bit about yourself and the work you do with people living with breast cancer? Gladly. I have been a specialist nurse in oncology since 2001. As a gynecological nurse, I have always worked with breast cancer patients. For the past few years I have mainly been taking care of people who need therapy due to their breast cancer in the oncology day clinic of a hospital. In what ways do you provide support to people living with breast cancer? Mainly, I see myself as a contact person between the treating medical team and the person with breast cancer. I take care of the pre-therapy interview in which the whole process is discussed. I take time to answer people’s questions and I establish contacts to different supporting professional groups. Throughout the therapy, we aim to support the person with cancer, as well as their family. We stay right by their side by providing support both in person and on the phone. What are some of the emotional side effects of a breast cancer diagnosis that people may not be aware of? The worst is hair loss. You cry for your hair because it has such a strong link to your identity. For people struggling with this, we’re happy to put them in touch with a wigmaker in advance of their therapy. When the chemotherapy is over, a lot of people have curly and very soft hair, but it doesn’t stay that way. The important thing is that the hair usually grows back, often in better condition than it was before. The psychological burden of breast cancer is another strong side effect. Our psycho-oncologist offers help in the form of talks during the therapy. At first, a lot of people rejected this offer completely. However, they often come back to take up the offer, which is completely fine and totally up to them. Everyone has to find their own way to deal with the disease. For some people, talking helps. For others, not so much. It’s also important that people with cancer communicate with their loved ones. Be open with them and prepare them for some of the side effects that will occur. Talk to your loved ones and tell them that side effects are normal and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. What advice would you give to someone who has recently been confronted with a breast cancer diagnosis? Stay away from internet forums. In my 40 years of professional experience, I have never experienced the horror stories that are shared online. People living with breast cancer are often under a lot of stress, which can affect their sleep, mental health, and quality of life. What are some ways to cope? A psycho-oncologist can provide support through talking as well as through relaxation techniques such as yoga exercises. Unfortunately, the waiting lists for outpatient psycho(onco)lologists are often very long. That’s why the offer of psycho-oncological care is gladly taken up by many people. To help with sleep, there are a number of natural sleeping aids available. If it’s not possible for you to sleep at all, speak to your medical team who can also prescribe medication to help. For mental health support, there are self-help groups, but these are usually more accessible for people living in cities rather than in the countryside.
For me personally, a beautiful kind of support I witness at work are the friendships developed between people with cancer during chemotherapy. They are usually at different treatment stages and can therefore support each other and provide advice. This helps a lot of people living with breast cancer deal with their disease better because they have someone who understands them and who is going through exactly the same thing. What advice could help relatives of breast cancer patients who want to support their loved ones as best they can during treatment? When relatives or cancer carers come to the hospital for a talk (which in itself can be a great form of support) I always tell them that their loved one will not be the same as they were before. When someone is living with an illness like breast cancer, other traits and side effects can come out. This is quite normal and they should try not to take it personally. It’s just all part of the emotional side effects of the condition. What important things should people keep in mind during their breast cancer treatment? Try to live your life the way you did before. You won’t always be capable of giving 100%, and that’s totally okay. One thing that’s very important: you should definitely stay physically active. Go for a walk, ride a bike, do gymnastics, or join a sports group. Find the workout that’s right for you. This will also help you maintain a strong social network. Light, moderate, and regular physical activity will do you good. People who have breast cancer often struggle with their body image and physical appearance. What support is available for breast cancer patients who struggle with their self-esteem? This varies greatly depending on how people deal with their diagnosis and subsequent therapy. In the vast majority of breast cancer cases, breast-conserving surgery is performed, not like in the past, where the affected breast was usually amputated. If the breast does not have the same fullness as the other breast after the tumor removal, specially made bra inserts can conceal this very well. Most people find this solution comfortable and practical in their everyday lives.
In the case of mastectomies, breast reconstruction is offered depending on the wishes of the person concerned. This is done either by means of an implant or a displacement plastic with the patient’s own muscle tissue. Nowadays, a very aesthetic breast reconstruction can be performed and there is no visual difference between the two breasts afterwards, so people are usually very satisfied. Sidekick Health’s Breast Cancer program focuses heavily on lifestyle factors such as physical activity, mindfulness and sleep.
Why are lifestyle factors like these such an important part of breast cancer care? These factors are closely related and can have a big impact on the overall quality of life. When you’re living with a condition like cancer, it’s even more important to pay attention to your body and its needs. After all, breast cancer requires a lot of strength from the person affected, both mentally and physically. Therefore, take time for yourself and for your body. The stronger you are when you go to therapy, the more likely it is that the therapy will be successful with fewer complications and the additional side effects will be kept to a minimum. Many people are careful about what is too much for them and what they simply cannot do. Applying for subsidized home help can often provide great relief. For people with small children, how can they communicate the reality of their illness in an appropriate way?
Explaining the disease to children in a way that is age appropriate for them is better than lying. Psycho-oncologists can provide support during the discussions. Furthermore, there are books suitable for children of different ages that can explain the disease. Illness and death can also be discussed with young children in a setting appropriate to their age.
If you’re living with breast cancer, see what Sidekick’s Breast Cancer program can do for you. It was created by people with cancer for people with cancer. Explore our programs right here and find your Sidekick today.

29. September 2022

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a phone screen showing the sidekick atopic dermatitis apps

Ready to Meet Your New Eczema Sidekick?

By Molly PerkinsAtopic Dermatitis, Digital tools, HCP, Health Conditions, Living Well, Mindfulness / Selfcare, Sleep, Stress

You know as well as we do that eczema can be uncomfortable, painful, and even embarrassing. Even in mild cases, eczema has a widespread impact on many aspects of life, from comfort to sleep to mental well-being. The itch-scratch cycle is vicious and can be tricky to break without the right support. When living with a condition like eczema, the right Sidekick could be just what you need. Apps like Sidekick Health are exploring new ways to improve the lives of people living with eczema. How? By offering you support whenever and wherever you need it and encouraging you to build lasting positive habits so you can ditch the itch. Keep on reading to discover how a digital therapeutics app can help you achieve harmony with your skin so you can work with it, not against it. Why is eczema tricky to treat? You and your eczema are unique. Although eczema is treatable, people living with the condition still face many challenges in their daily lives. Medications sometimes come with unwanted side effects, may be very costly, and don’t address the underlying causes of eczema. As well as the side effects that drugs may carry, they are often expensive and not affordable for everyone. Everyone’s eczema is unique, which makes treatment a little complicated. Individuals often need specialized prescription medications to manage their eczema properly. Even the most experienced doctors and nurses can struggle with treating eczema because there’s no single cure-all treatment or medication that works for everyone. When people living with eczema and healthcare professionals struggle to find effective solutions for their skin issues, this can lead to feelings of desperation and frustration. A lack of support. For doctors, managing their time with patients, especially in busy and expensive healthcare systems, is becoming more and more difficult. What’s more, there are eczema side effects that doctors are not always able to help you with, such as social stigma, stress, and sleep. People dealing with uncontrolled symptoms for long periods of time may feel helpless, frustrated, and anxious. Sometimes, it can be hard to get eczema back under control after a flare-up. When living with a condition like eczema, the right support can make all the difference. For successful treatment, it’s essential that people receive regular medical care and time to address all their needs. Put simply; doctors don’t have the time or resources to dedicate to each individual’s eczema journey. It’s hard to break a habit. Itch, scratch, stress, repeat. It’s an all too familiar pattern for people with eczema. Stress affects your skin, your sleep, and your overall well-being. Of course, none of us would choose to be stressed given the choice. Stress can creep up on you out of nowhere, and before you know it, you’ve fallen back into the itch-scratch cycle. Once you’ve adopted this habit, it can be hard to let go. How can an app help? We understand the above sounds daunting. But all is not lost. What if we told you that an app has the power to change the way you live with eczema? Sidekick has developed a program that aims to empower people to manage and ultimately improve their eczema through healthy habit creation, education, and mindfulness practices that positively affect the quality of life. Here’s how an app like Sidekick can help you take control of your eczema:
Education. Knowledge is power, and the right education is vital for a successful treatment plan. Apps like Sidekick provide you with the right tools and information for you to make empowered choices when it comes to your journey. Eczema is about so much more than just treating your symptoms. It’s about understanding your condition and making positive lifestyle changes a habit. Reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. Apps like Sidekick are designed to address the factors that can make life difficult for people living with eczema, such as anxiety and depression. The program created by Sidekick uses a mixture of cognitive-behavioral therapy, gamification, and behavioral training to help you achieve peace of mind. Improving sleep. Paying close attention to the quality of your sleep can help you get better rest, even when the symptoms of eczema are keeping you up at night. Sleep deprivation is one of the most regular and common difficulties for people living with eczema. Sleep disorders can lead to a long list of side effects, including attention difficulties, moodiness, fatigue, and more. Digital healthcare can help you navigate your way to better sleep and better rest. Breathing exercises, mindfulness, and meditation can help you to relax your mind and body, and the eczema program developed by Sidekick will teach you to master all of the above. Your eczema Sidekick will help you get a better night’s sleep through meditation tasks and videos and provide you with education on what to expect when nighttime itching occurs. You’ll also be taught about the importance of sleep hygiene which includes using the right medication, wearing pajamas made of eczema-friendly fabrics, and building a healthy sleep routine. Stress less. Learning how to reduce stress is one of the key ways to improve your overall quality of life. For people living with eczema, stressing less can help alleviate symptoms and triggers so you can ditch the itch. The eczema program from Sidekick is designed to help you stop stress in its tracks through daily mindfulness and stress-management techniques. Mindfulness is all about being aware of the present moment. By taking a few minutes to breathe deeply and connect with yourself, you’ll become more connected with both mind and body. Know your triggers. Eczema symptoms and triggers vary from person to person, but the most common include heat, sweat, allergens, weather conditions, emotional stress, and pollution. A lack of sleep, skin irritants, pollen, and dry air can also get people itching. Everyone is different. Having the right knowledge about your eczema will enable you to work with your skin and set realistic treatment goals. The Sidekick app features a trigger journal designed to help you spot triggers and get ahead of them. By bringing awareness to any feelings of discomfort, you’ll learn what triggers your stress and how to address it in a healthy way. Your very own Sidekick. The right support is invaluable when you’re living with a chronic condition. By including digital health app in your treatment program, you’ll have your very own eczema Sidekick. The Sidekick eczema program was designed to provide you with support whenever and wherever you need it. You’ll have two-way communication with a lifestyle coach and a community of other people living with eczema. Here, you can exchange tips and experiences and find support when you need it. Your community is there to provide you with strength and motivation throughout your journey. No one has to do eczema alone.
At Sidekick, helping eczema patients improve their quality of life is what drives us. When dealing with eczema, working with, not against, your skin will make life a little easier. Apps like Sidekick help you build daily habits to take better control of the itch-scratch cycle and treat your skin with the kindness it deserves. Explore the AD program from Sidekick today.

21. September 2022

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colorful graphic of persons head with stress inside

Why Mindfulness and Stress-Management Are So Important for Good Health

By Molly PerkinsBehavioural Health, Featured, Mindfulness / Selfcare, Stress

There’s been an increase in the practice of mindfulness over the past few years. People have been on the lookout for ways to control their stress levels and feel healthier. But what is mindfulness, and can it really impact your health? Keep on reading to find out. How does stress affect your health? When it comes to health and overall quality of life, it’s safe to say that stress is the enemy. Stress is unpleasant for everyone, and if you’re living with a chronic condition, stress can act as a trigger that makes it harder for you to stick to your treatment plan and enjoy your life. Think about the last time you were really stressed out. How did it make your body feel? Stress can cause physical reactions, like high blood pressure, sweating, and headaches. It can also trigger more severe emotional problems like anxiety and depression. All of the above can have a big impact on your health. Stress affects your appetite, quality of sleep, sex drive, and much more. None of us would choose to be stressed given the choice. When you’re living with a chronic condition or supporting someone with one, stopping stress in its tracks is vital.
By reducing your stress levels, you improve your quality of life and your health. Easier said than done, though, right? Many of us have go-to methods to try and reduce stress. Maybe you enjoy a hot bath or going for a walk. These are great ways to get back in touch with yourself and calm down when stress arises. Practicing daily mindfulness, however, can have a long-lasting impact on your stress levels and overall well-being. At Sidekick, we recognize the powerful relationship between the mind and the body, and we’re excited to tell you all about what mindfulness can do for you. What is mindfulness? Mindfulness is all about being aware of the present moment. Connecting with your mind and being aware of your current thoughts, feelings, and surrounding environment is at the core of mindfulness practices. You can practice mindfulness daily or whenever you’re feeling overwhelmed. Mindfulness practices include meditation, breathing exercises, body scans, and stopping to take a moment for yourself. It sounds pretty simple, but the impact of the mind on the body is huge. It’s estimated that the human mind thinks between 60,000 – 80,000 thoughts a day. That’s an average of 2,500 – 3,300 thoughts per hour. With our minds wandering and constantly jumping from one thing to the next, it’s no wonder we often feel stressed and overwhelmed. Learning to control your thoughts and regulate your emotions puts you back in the driver’s seat of your health and well-being, and practicing mindfulness is designed to help you do just that. How does mindfulness reduce stress? By practicing mindfulness meditation, you’re less likely to get caught up in negative thoughts. How this works is that your mind develops the ability to make better decisions and more positive choices. Mindfulness is all about slowing down and thinking about what you really need in the present moment. Mindfulness-based stress reduction helps you to step out of autopilot and pay more active attention. Training your mind to think in this way gives you the power to break the worry cycle, which is vital when it comes to improving your quality of life.
“To break the anxiety cycle, you need to become aware of the cycle. So instead of letting your anxious thoughts and feelings drive your behavior, you’ll learn to slow down your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.”
Ocean Anxiety Center
When it comes to your health, mindfulness and stress reduction can have a big impact. If you’re living with a chronic condition, making a conscious effort to become more engaged with your health by practicing mindfulness can help you stick to your treatment plan, respond better to medication, and experience positive health outcomes.
Sidekick’s mindfulness and stress-management features. If reading all of the above has got you excited about what mindfulness can do for you, we’re happy to guide you on your journey to mindfulness. At Sidekick, we know how powerful mindfulness and stress management can be when they’re included in a treatment plan. Everyone can benefit from mindfulness! For those living with a chronic condition and the loved ones that support them, mindfulness can have a huge impact on the overall quality of life. Here, we want to tell you all about how we at Sidekick use mindfulness in our digital health programs to empower our users to make positive behavioral changes, manage their stress, and take control of their health. Gamification. One way to build positive habits and stick to your treatment plan is by staying motivated. Sidekick uses gamification to encourage you to become more involved with your health. In the Sidekick app, you earn rewards for staying on top of your nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress, which will help you to adopt long term, positive behaviors.
“Completing the daily tasks in the app was very encouraging and motivating for me – that was really great.”
Evelyn Gross, Sidekick user
Educational materials. When you understand your condition, you’re much more likely to make an effort to build and stick to a positive treatment plan. Mindfulness practices help you to understand and identify your stress triggers. That’s why the right knowledge and education are so important to support you in your mindfulness journey. The programs created by Sidekick include valuable educational content in both video and text format. These materials are there to help you gain a deeper understanding of your condition so you can take back control of your health. Mindfulness meditation. You’ve probably gathered by now that we’re big fans of mindfulness here at Sidekick. Sidekick’s programs are designed to support our users in developing a mindfulness practice that focuses on stress management, improving sleep and mindset, understanding anxiety, identifying stress triggers, and practicing positive responses. How does this work? The Sidekick app includes functions like; mindful walking, meditation, and daily support and encouragement. These tools help you become more aware of your body’s needs. This includes taking your prescribed medication, drinking enough water, eating well, and getting enough sleep.
“I like that the program is so holistic. The inputs in the “Mindfulness” category helped me a lot. Mindful walking, for example, also helps me to reduce stress when I’m out and about.”
Gerda Neumayer, Sidekick user
Empathy and understanding. Our users and their needs are what drive us. That’s why, when you follow a Sidekick program, we want you to feel understood and supported every step of the way. Sidekick’s programs teach problem-solving methods like thought restructuring, modifying triggers, how to seek social support, relaxation methods, and goal setting. The empathetic tone of voice used by Sidekick creates a sense of compassion. Feeling understood will encourage you to acknowledge your feelings and thoughts and identify matters within your control. The educational materials in the app also teach you psychological skills to help you manage difficult thoughts and feelings.
Nutrition tracker. Mindfulness can also have a big impact when it comes to nutrition. Functions in the Sidekick app help users to establish a more mindful relationship with their bodies’ nutritional needs. Being able to track water intake, log meals, and receive nutritional feedback in the app all help promote mindful eating. This practice can enhance your treatment plan, particularly in terms of healthy eating and weight loss.
“What I like best is the feedback I get from the coach in the meal diary. Without the program, I would not have dared to change my diet. The app gives me security here. As a result, I was able to gradually change my diet and have lost several kilos so far.”
Gerda Neumayer, Sidekick user
We hope this article got you excited and ready to explore mindfulness. Including mindfulness in your daily routine is a small change that can make a big difference. Mindfulness meditation has the power to improve so many things, especially the quality of your sleep, your stress levels, nutrition, and more. Your Sidekick is excited to help you get started. Your mindfulness journey will be a beautiful one, and we’ll be right by your side every step of the way. Programs like Sidekick will help you to practice the art of mindfulness daily and encourage long-term, positive behaviors.

14. September 2022

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an older man looking at an app on a smartphone

What Can Digital Health Do for You?

By Molly PerkinsDigital tools, Featured

We know that when you’re living with a chronic condition, you’ve got a lot going on. You have to dedicate time, energy, and effort to monitor each detail of your treatment. Life can be hectic at the best of times, so it’s important to practice and embrace things that can help make your life that little bit easier. With this in mind, this article will explain how digital and digital therapeutics have the potential to improve the way you manage your chronic condition. What are digital therapeutics? Digital therapeutics (DTx) are digital health programs that are built on science. They are designed to provide users with consistent, digital support. DTx also focus on encouraging positive behavioral changes so that users can improve their overall quality of life. The potential of digital programs like these is exciting. In a post-pandemic world, healthcare systems and workers are overloaded, and DTx are able to reduce this burden. Medical professionals all over the world are looking for better ways to treat pain, disease, and addiction. DTx technology is creating new ways to improve the lives of people living with a wide variety of conditions. DTx are not only able to decrease the burden on the healthcare system but also the burden on people living with chronic conditions. DTx embrace technology that rewards users based on their performance in an online environment. It’s a health intervention designed to put a stop to behavior patterns that negatively affect people’s overall quality of life and, at the same time, make them responsible for their own behavioral changes.
“I wish I could have had access to this kind of tech some eight years ago.”
Bianca Rose Phillips, living with a chronic condition
DTx also offer virtual coaching and guidance, connecting people with others who have similar health conditions to build communities. Combined with cutting-edge behavioral science, gamification, AI (Artificial Intelligence), and data insights, healthcare apps are able to support people in making positive decisions throughout their journey. How can digital therapeutics change healthcare? When living with a chronic condition, having the right support is vital. DTx programs provide users with feedback on their progress and provide support whenever and wherever it’s needed. This is now more important than ever due to the reasons outlined below: The rising cost of healthcare. Chronic illness rates keep continuing to rise. Therefore, so does the amount of money spent on treatment. This burden places a toll on patients, their families and friends, and the healthcare system. More attention needs to be directed toward preventing diseases and reducing the demand for treatment. Aging population. As the large baby boomer population ages, there’s a greater need for doctors and other medical practitioners. With this aging population comes a higher cost for medical care for the elderly and a smaller supply of medical professionals.
Prevention is better than cure. Living well is possible. DTx offer a new way of addressing healthcare and the role of lifestyle choices in health management by making it easier to deal with chronic conditions and negative lifestyle factors before they escalate. Lifestyle factors play a huge role when it comes to treating chronic conditions. Many common health problems are therefore either preventable or reversible. By educating and engaging people about certain lifestyle factors, DTx can make a difference to users’ quality of life and potentially reduce the risk of serious chronic conditions. Today, more and more companies are investing in DTx solutions. Digital health has proven benefits, and healthcare is heading in a new direction that allows people to focus on wellness, gain insights into their own bodies, and rely less on the traditional healthcare system. What’s in it for you? If you’re living with a chronic illness, staying on top of things can sometimes feel like a juggling act. To manage your symptoms effectively and establish a good treatment plan, you need an innovative approach. A DTx program has the ability to coordinate everything from your sleep pattern to medications to social support networks, empowering you to improve your quality of life. At Sidekick, we know that people do better when they’re engaged in the care they need. That’s why our personalized approach to digital health empowers users to make informed decisions about their treatments and healthcare options.
“Digital health has empowered me to take control back as best I can, and I am no longer embarrassed either.”
Bianca Rose Phillips
DTx can help you understand and cope with your condition. With certain programs, you’re able to talk directly to a trained health coach who will provide you with consistent support and keep you on track to achieve your health goals. Today, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when it comes to technology. It often seems like new apps and programs are popping up all over the place. When it comes down to it, however, digital therapeutics are really quite simple. They’re designed to help you feel better and improve your overall quality of life.
“Mental health is so important, particularly if you have a chronic condition… Apps have been essential to remain focused on mental health – both mine and those who help me – during the hardest parts of this journey.”
Bianca Rose Phillips
Whether you’re living with a chronic condition yourself or you’re responsible for providing care to someone with one, DTx and digital health present the opportunity to alleviate some of the pressure that illness puts on people and their caregivers. We understand how important it is to have someone available whenever you need them. That’s what drives us to create Sidekick’s programs. Your Sidekick will always be right by your side at every stage of your healthcare journey. Our healthcare solutions are designed to help you not just survive but thrive. Conclusion. Hopefully, this insight into digital health has gotten you all excited. Improving the quality of life of our users fuels us here at Sidekick. If this article piqued your curiosity, explore our blog further to learn more about what digital health can do for you.

13. September 2022

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