Self-Care: Handling Common Medical Problems at Home

The aim of medicine is to prevent disease and prolong life; the ideal of medicine is to eliminate the need of a physician.
- William Mayo Not every medical problem that affects you should make you rush to your doctor. After all, most medical problems are minor and self-limited, and experts estimate that more than 80 per cent of them can be safely managed at home. You should constantly remember that your body possesses remarkable healing powers, and given enough time and tender loving care, it can 'repair' most ailments on its own! Home remedies, many of which have stood the test of time, have proved to be effective and helpful. Simple measures such as massage and compresses are helpful as well - use to learn them judiciously! Here are some practical and useful steps you can use in order to take care of common problems which affect most of us at some point of time or the other. These are based on guidelines suggested by the American Institute for preventive medicine. Note: When your symptoms fall under the "Call your Doctor" heading, you should do just that: call your doctor for with. State the problem precisely and you can get relevant instructions. When your symptoms fall under the "Get Immediate Care For" heading, you should get help fast - the situation may be a medical emergency!

Living with someone who's chronically ill

Nowadays, with longer life expectancy, chances are greater than ever that you will need to help in caring for someone who's chronically ill. Remember that chronic illness affects whole families as well as the patient, especially if the illness is terminal. Family members may find themselves in unfamiliar or undesired roles, and providing 24-hour nursing care can prove to be a major burden. They can become isolated from social networks as they struggle to care for a sick loved one. Stress can break down close relationships, and a patient's inability to take care of himself often causes guilt, shame or irritation.
Indian society expects the spouse and children of the chronically ill to always be patient, kind, supportive and understanding - a tall order indeed! Interestingly, researchers have found that a spouse's attitude affects the suffering of someone with a chronic illness. When the spouse is supportive, it is easier for the sufferer to be positive and optimistic. By contrast, those with critical spouses are more likely to feel hopelessly victimized by their illness. A families' efforts to downplay the severity of an illness is likely to make the sick member worse, whereas openness, acceptance, and compassion have a positive effect. Here are some aspects on which you can focus as a caregiver to help make your role more manageable:

• Accept the reality that the chronic illness may not go away.
• Focus on the signs of well-being - such as activities and the person's feelings rather than on just physical health.
• Be readily available and listen, emphasizing positive changes. IGet involved together in productive, fun-filled activities to distract the patient from the illness.
• Encourage independence while maintaining as "normal" a family life as possible.
• Take care of yourself, and seek help when needed. Look for organizations that offer support for caregivers.

If you are a victim of a chronic illness, there's no denying the fact that it affects your life adversely. But how much you allow it to determine the quality of your life depends, to some extent, on the way you choose to live one day to the next. It's true that a chronic illness does not 'go away', but you can learn to cope with it and lead satisfying and a happy life!

Chronic Illness: Emotional Ups and Downs

• Maintain normal daily activities as best as you can.
• Stay in touch with friends and family.
• Continue to pursue the hobbies you enjoy without overexerting yourself.

If your illness impairs your ability to perform activities that you enjoy, check with your doctor about possible ways to get around the obstacles. Keep in mind that your physical health can directly impact your mental health. Men may feel guilty about not being able to work, perform sexually, or provide for the family, while women may feel guilty about not being able to care for children or the husband. Negative emotions such as denial, anger and frustration are not uncommon when you learn life has dealt you something painful and unexpected. In addition, many chronic illness are associated with an increased risk of depression. Such a state of affairs does not mean a 'failure to cope' but may indicate a disruption in the body's neurochemistry. Such as disruption can be rectified by appropriate medical treatment.
At times, you may need more "tools" to deal with these negative emotions. Professionals, such as psychotherapists or psychologists, can help you put things in perspective. They can also teach you coping skills, including relaxation techniques, that may be helpful. Sometimes, a support group is the best answer. Again. your doctor is the ideal person to suggest the best course in your specific case.

How to take control over a chronic illness

Adjustments need to be made to your daily routine to take control over chronic illness. These include:

Taking medications regularly : Follow your doctor's instructions carefully on how and when to take your medications. Stay in close contact with your doctor, especially when you start taking a new medicine, so that you can let him know how your symptoms are affected and what side effects you experience.

Eating properly : Depending on your illness, you may need to avoid some types of food and incorporate others in your diet. In addition, consult your doctor about determining a healthful weight and ways to achieve that objective.

Exercising regularly : Appropriate exercise, as prescribed by your doctor, is a vital tool in managing chronic illness. Regular exercise can improve your strength and energy levels, as well as self-confidence. Such activity can also play a role in lessening the anxiety and depression, which is often associated with a chronic illness.

Attitude by itself cannot cure a chronic illness

Attitude by itself cannot cure a chronic illness, but cultivating a positive outlook and learning self-management techniques can make it much easier to live with. No matter what the ailment, confidence and determination will help you to maximize your health.

Information tool both for you and you doctor - Medical Diary

Another useful information tool both for you and your doctor is a medical diary. In this diary, keep track of your visits to the doctor, noting down meticulously when and why. In addition, maintain a list of treatments undertaken, along with the following details: side effects; copies of your test results; and a record of symptoms, their severity and possible triggers. This diary will not only serve as a useful record of your illness, but will also provide your doctor with valuable diagnostic clues, which may help him to tailoring your treatment appropriately. Many people also find that the very act of recording their feelings and emotions in a different section of the diary can be therapeutic as well, as it allows them to ventilate your feelings!

Chronic Restoring a sense of control

Many factors can affect the course of a chronic illness, including heredity, lifestyle (e.g., stress, diet, exercise) and even environment. As a result, it's difficult to predict how you may feel from one day to another. The process of living well despite suffering from a chronic illness begins with understanding your illness. What you know about your condition can make a vast difference to how you approach each day. You can start by collecting information about our illness - and remember that there is a wealth of information out there !