Organizations concerned with employee health risk understand the incredible toll poor chronic disease management takes on individuals, their family, and the organization as a whole. Novus Health helps organizations by empowering members to thrive even as they face the most challenging health situations. In this article on managing a chronic health condition, we focus on the individual’s need to get organized, informed, and activated in order to achieve optimal health outcomes.
According to the Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance of Canada, three out of every five Canadian adults are living with a chronic health condition. Other research suggests that at least one in eight adults has more than one chronic condition. If you are coping with a chronic disease, one of the best things you can do to take charge of your health is to get organized.
The exact steps for managing your condition will depend on the nature of your illness. If you have diabetes, you may be required to monitor your sugar levels. People with heart conditions may need to keep their blood pressure and cholesterol levels in check. Those who have asthma will need to avoid or minimize their exposure to symptom triggers, and take their controller medications as prescribed. There are, however, general tips everyone can follow to stay organized and to better manage a chronic disease.
Take notes and ask questions
Working with a health care team to keep a serious condition in check is crucial. Try to make the most out of every visit you have with your doctor. It’s a good idea to bring a notebook to every appointment so that you can take note of what your doctor tells you. A notebook can also be used to write down any questions you have for your doctor before your next appointment. A question can come up when you least expect it, and if your notebook is always handy, you can refer to your questions easily. Asking questions at your appointments will help increase your understanding of the different aspects of your care, such as treatment options that may require more explanation.
Maintain your own health records
When you have a chronic condition, you may need to see different specialists, therapists, technicians, or allied health professionals in addition to meeting with your regular doctor. Your records are supposed to follow you around, but sometimes they are delayed or misfiled. Create your own personal health record (PHR) to carry with you to all appointments. Your PHR can include information such as the dates and details of all your health care visits, the tests you’ve had, the medication you’re taking, and any changes in the way you feel. This way, every health care professional you see will have all the information they need about your condition and treatment. This will help to reduce the risk of error. Plus, when you’re keeping a record for yourself, you’ll always stay informed.
Keep track of your medications
Having a chronic condition often means that you will need to take one or more medications over a long period of time. The type of drug, its dosage, when and how you should take it, and other details may change as your doctor responds to changes in your condition, or as they try to find the optimum combination for you. Keep a log or use a weekly pill pack to make sure you stay organized. Ask your pharmacist how he or she can help you manage your medication, for example with a mobile app that lists all your prescriptions. Check the prescription drug database on this website to learn more about your prescription medications, including potential interactions with other drugs. If you have any questions about your medications, don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor and your pharmacist.
Follow your doctor’s orders
Managing a chronic condition takes discipline. It may be tempting to cheat on a treatment regime or forego a step once or twice. You may not notice any difference in how you feel right away, but making a half-hearted attempt at staying healthy can be dangerous and may cause your condition to spiral out of control. When you ignore your doctor’s advice, you increase your risk for health complications and hospitalization. However, if you follow the treatment regime your doctor prescribed, you’ll boost your health, feel significantly better, and enhance your overall quality of life. Make a point of paying attention to the instructions your doctor gives you, and follow them carefully. If you are finding it especially challenging to stay motivated, call on those around you (such as your health advocate or caregiver) for help, and voice your concerns to your doctor.
Manage your stress
It’s not uncommon to feel overwhelmed by all of the tasks you’re juggling, to worry about developing health complications, or to fear being unable to work. Feelings of stress, however, can often worsen the symptoms of many chronic diseases. It can also make it much more difficult to manage them. When you’re taking practical steps to keep your chronic condition under control, make sure you’re also taking specific actions to reduce your stress. It may literally add years to your life.
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