Living with chronic illness can be a struggle. While other illnesses come and go, chronic illnesses such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes and cancer stick around - and they can wear you down if you're not careful. Fortunately, there are ways in which you can make such illnesses more manageable. Here are just five ways to live more easily when you have a chronic illness.
Find a doctor you trust
If you frequently have to see a doctor, it's important that you trust that person and get along with them. Some people seek out private doctors of whom they can seek out around-the-clock advice from. This can come at a cost, but for many people with chronic illness the convenience can be worthwhile. Ideally, you want to find a doctor who is passionate about helping your condition. For unique illnesses, it could be worth finding a specialist such as a gastroenterologist for a rare gut problem.
Maximize comfort
If your condition causes a lot of discomfort, make sure to look into all the different ways of reducing this discomfort. Certain conditions may benefit from buying specialist mattresses or even hospital beds for home use if you find yourself bedridden. You may even be able to buy specialist furniture and specialist clothing to improve comfort.
Explore different forms of pain relief
If your condition causes a lot of pain, make sure to explore various forms of pain relief. There may be times when you need a break from traditional painkillers (or you need a supplement), in which case it's worth looking into forms of herbal pain relief, acupuncture, massage therapy and hydrotherapy. You may also be able to make certain changes to your lifestyle including quitting smoking, changing your diet and reducing stress at work to relieve pain.
Reach out to friends and family
Having support around you will stop you from getting depressed. Don't let your condition prevent you from socializing - if you don't feel like leaving the house, you can always invite friends and family to yours or simply have a conversation on the phone. Don't be afraid to also ask others for help if you are having a bad day.
Organize your meds
Certain conditions may require taking various medication. Make sure to keep a clear record of which pills you need to take and when you need to take them. Setting alarms on your phone or using a pill dispenser could be options to ensure that you're taking the right meds at the right time.