Did you know that women are more prone to chronic illnesses than men? It’s sad, right? But it’s true. A survey showed that about 38.8% of women have poor health. That’s about 11.8% more than the percentage for men. For this reason, many women develop chronic illnesses with advancing age. Why is that? Well, the exact cause is not known. But it’s known to be multi-factorial, with social and biological factors being culprits.
Needless to say, with many women developing chronic illnesses, life has been so hard for them. Think about it. Truth be told, when a woman is sick, the whole family is affected. More often than not, a woman is the upholder of the home. She nurses everyone. She’s a mother and a wife. So when she is sick, it affects the children and even the father. That’s why it’s vital to be able to manage your condition effectively as a woman.
Good thing there are proven ways to steer you back to health should you be suffering from any chronic disease. Following these paths can be a surefire way to increase your chances of needed healing.
Healthy Lifestyle Changes
We all know that healthy lifestyle changes are a crucial factor in preventing chronic illnesses. As you may know by now, your doctor constantly emphasizes a healthy diet, exercise, and enough sleep. It’s no mistake you keep hearing that. As vital as these are, we consider them the 3 cornerstones in preventing many chronic illnesses.
Added to this, you will hear things like reduce alcohol consumption and stop smoking. Simple lifestyle changes sure go a long way.
An interesting fact is that healthy lifestyle changes are also necessary when you have a chronic illness. For instance, many people have been able to manage their chronic illnesses over the years because of an improved diet. This is why it’s important to have a dietitian.
When you have a chronic illness, there are certain foods you shouldn’t eat. Take note that some foods are anti-inflammatory, and some are inflammatory. To get you back on your feet, you need anti-inflammatory foods more than inflammatory ones.
Also, physical activity has its role in reducing the progression of the illness. With physical activity, you can reduce the risk of developing other chronic illnesses like cardiovascular disease. At the same time, it helps improve the overall quality of life.
Adherence to Treatment
One mistake you must never make is handling your treatment lightly. You must adhere to treatment plans and options provided by your physician. These plans will come in the form of dietary modification, medication regimens, exercise, and physical therapy.
For you to manage the illness well, you have to comply with all the advice given. If you adhere diligently, it’s but a matter of time that you will notice relief from some symptoms.
If the reason for not complying is that the medications are expensive, then look for better means to achieve your goal. For example, scrutinize your health insurance and check if it covers those medications. If that doesn’t work out, you can talk with your physician. Ask for cheaper options that are available. The most important thing is ensuring you are consistent with treatment.
Just in case you can’t keep up with conventional medicine, you can opt for alternative or complementary medicine. This would involve you taking non-conventional routes to treat the illness. They are effective as well in treating chronic illnesses.
Or better still, you can opt for the complete package. We’re talking about integrative medicine. In this tried-and-tested methodology, conventional approaches are used as well as non-mainstream approaches. Glorious examples are custom herbal and dietary plans that promote emotional and mental support. Indeed, this method is comprehensive. It focuses on appropriate treatment options while still ensuring the mind, body, and spirit are working together hand-in-hand.
Self-help Management Programs
The management of most chronic illnesses usually uses a multi-factored approach. It’s incumbent that in the management of patients, all resources are looked into. In short, all hands should be on deck. You have health care members on board, informal caregivers as well as the patient. Everyone works for one goal: ensuring the illness is well-managed.
There is an individual responsibility for people with chronic illnesses. This is where self-help management programs come into the
picture. In this program, you will learn skills that will help you care for yourself better. It includes learning decision-making, problem-solving, and taking actions at the right time.
The good thing is that these programs are individual-based. So the training will be based on your illness and every other thing going on with you. This makes it very effective in helping you handle the condition. The best part is that it helps boost your confidence when it comes to managing the illness. And prepare you well into the path of wellness.
