This week (Sept. 14-20, 2009) is National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week. This week recognizes the challenges that millions of Americans who suffer from chronic conditions, disorders, and illnesses that are not apparent to the eye and in a way provides a sense of inclusion for many who can feel excluded from a skeptical society – including friends, colleagues and relatives – of just how sick those individuals are. This week also raises awareness for the countless chronic conditions, disorders, and illnesses.

Chronic invisible illnesses may not show any symptoms or be obvious to others. These can include chronic pain suffered from an auto injury, lupus, diabetes, arthritis, migraines and even disorders like angioedema.  Angioedema causes swelling and large welts around all parts of the body. It is abrupt and short-lived, however, if you have never seen a person with this disorder have an episode, then you would never know that they even suffered from this disorder.  As you can see from that small list above, invisible illnesses are very common.

You can read more about with invisible illness and national invisible chronic illness awareness week at the following website, invisibleillness.com.  Also if you would like to educate yourself about this topic, please check out the following examiners: Janet Ollman, Rebecca Markus, and Katherine Leonard.