Five Effortless Tips to Live Well with Chronic Illness

Life with a chronic disease is like driving down a mountain highway. Fearful of losing control and veering over the edge, you drive carefully. Raise your hand if your life is marked by ‘careful’ habits to accommodate the monster that has invaded your life? Maybe you have a special bag without which you can never leave home!

6 in 10 adults in the US have a chronic disease and 4 in 10 adults in the US have two or more which makes it one of the leading causes of death and disability.

Here are the five tips which will help you to live with the Chronic Illness:

1. Develop a good connection with your doctor

By developing and maintaining an open and honest relationship with your Direct Primary Care Physicians New Jersey will allow you to play an active part in your healthcare and help your physician provide the best care possible. In this way, your doctor can regularly monitor and keep a close check on the existing health issues, which will in turn lower the risk of worsening symptoms or severe complications. Further, you can learn new ways to live a healthy, longer life and improve your health.

2. Keep stress in check

Stress gets harder to manage as we age because of natural changes in our minds and bodies. Stress can influence the immune system and lead to loss of memory, fatigue, and depression. This is what makes it harder to live with a chronic disease. Try to remember that millions of people around the nation are living with your condition. And the majority of those who take good care of themselves live and prosper well. Although anxiety and fear are natural, learning to let go of negativity will strengthen your emotional and physical health. 

Besides exercise, some great ways to manage stress are listening to uplifting music and trying guided meditations. Positive statements, or inspiring phrases that you can repeat loudly and post around your home, may also assist.

3. Frequent medical checkups 

For the sake of our health, we all need to be vigilant. Delaying routine preventive care or ignoring a chronic condition can end up harming your health later. Besides, emergencies can pop-up when you postpone care. Protecting your health by returning to your doctor for routine check-ups and health screenings is also important. If you have a chronic illness, such as diabetes or COPD, for example, you should see your physician more often, no matter how old you are. Based on your risk factors, screening test results, and current health status, your doctor may suggest more or less time between your checkups. Our Chronic Disease Management New Jersey is designed to keep your symptoms under control and provide education and nutrition advice to help you manage your condition. Dr. Adil Manzoor and Dr. Diana Larrea are experts who would provide you with much-needed care and will treat you like family. No need to go out or spend time in the waiting room just to meet your physician. Get treated at the comfort and safety of your home with the HIPAA compliant Telemedicine Services powered by PatientMD. You can also avail the house call services through which you get the medical care you would normally get at your doctor's office, without having to go to the doctor's office.

4. Take baby steps to better habits 

Lifestyle changes can help to keep your condition in check, reduce symptoms, and raise your spirits. Just take it easy. Sometimes you need to push yourself outside your comfort zone to make progress. For example, it can be healthy to move even if it is difficult. But you should keep this in mind that if you push too hard, you could end up with an injury or flareup. Your physician can tell you when it may be helpful to push yourself and when you need to take it easy.

5. Prioritize Sleep

Your body needs sleep in order to heal. Lack of sleep, including depression, memory problems, and a greater risk of falling, can have many of the same effects as stress. Talk to your doctor if you have a difficult time getting enough sleep despite keeping a regular bedtime routine and avoiding caffeine late in the day.

Parting Thoughts:

When coping with a chronic illness, worry less about what you cannot change and focus on what you can. Eventually, you may discover you are living a healthier life than ever before. Living with a chronic disease is challenging and frustrating. So many things are out of our control. But by implementing these tips, you can gain more control over your daily lives.