Patients and families have to take a central role in their own care. We need to have a team, but we need to take as much control of our team as possible. We can’t stay passive; we have to be active.
In chronic conditions, doctors can only do so much. If they could cure you, the illness wouldn’t be chronic. It’s up to patients and families to maximize their health.
You can click on the links in the left hand column to find information about becoming more active in your care and your health, or you can continue reading to preview the information in this section.
- Understanding Your Condition. You don't need a medical degree. There is plenty of information out there and lots of ways to get it. Read more.
- Physical Movement. Finding comfortable, enjoyable ways to get moving. Read more.
- Healthy Eating. Finding, fixing, and enjoying the foods that are right for you. Read more.
- Making Medications Work For You. Having a chronic condition often requires that you take a medicine. Learn how to take them properly. Read more.
- Self-monitoring. Keep track of your symptoms, treatments, self-management efforts and lab results. Bring your logs and medicines with you to appointments. Read more.
- Stress reduction. Coping with the tensions and pressures of life. Read more.
- Dealing with pain and fatigue. Learn ways to maximize your energy and your comfort. Read more.
- Using Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). Finding, researching, and safely using herbs, bodywork, acupuncture, and other therapies. Read more.
Other valuable ideas can be found in the box to the right.
Click here for helpful resources about Being Active in Your Health Care.