Chronic Diseases Management
If you have a long-term illness or chronic condition, keep your doctor informed about changes in your health and discuss how often you will need check-ups. Social support can help you maintain your quality of life when you are not well – plan to catch up with friends and family. Support groups can help too. If you feel your condition is overwhelming you emotionally, it is important that you speak to your doctor or another healthcare professional about your feelings.
Positive lifestyle factors like a healthy diet, regular exercise and good sleep can help relieve or manage your symptoms.
A long-term illness or chronic health condition is any condition lasting six months or longer, such as asthma, arthritis, cancer, obesity, diabetes, chronic pain or heart disease.
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The incidence of many long-term illnesses and chronic conditions is increasing in Saint Kitts and Nevis and the rest of the Caribbean. This is due to a range of factors, including an ageing population and poor lifestyle habits such as drinking and poor diet.
Modern-day treatments also mean that people are living longer with diseases that previously caused premature death.
Many long-term illnesses and chronic conditions:
are caused by a number of different health factors occurring at the same time
take some time to develop
last for a long time, often leading to other health problems.
We know from research that maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help you feel as well as you can while living with a chronic condition. This includes eating well, doing as much physical activity as your condition will allow and getting good rest.
Maintaining a healthy diet can be helped by:
having small amounts of food often, even if you do not feel like eating, rather than three heavy meals
choosing nutritious foods that you enjoy
avoiding sugar-, salt- or fat-laden snack foods
telling your family and friends about your dietary needs so they can support you.
Trying to do some physical activity each day, even if it is only a small amount, can help with managing pain and lift your mood. Speak with your doctor or physiotherapist about exercise that may help your condition.
Sleep is also very important if you have a health condition. To help you get enough good sleep:
Avoid napping during the day.
Avoid excessive bed rest whenever possible.
Avoid stimulants, such as caffeine, before bed.
If you are able, exercise during the day so your body is tired at night.