How can patients take control of chronic conditions?

I believe patients can help take control of chronic conditions by advocating for themselves. It's important to try and understand their condition to the best of their abilities and keep detailed notes of their symptoms, visits to the specialists, etc. Furthermore, it's always okay to get another opinion elsewhere. I believe the majority of us in healthcare want to help the best we can and understand that we may not have all the answers depending on the condition. Lastly, breathe. Anxiety and stress can make symptoms worse and trying exercises to reduce stress is very important.

Patients can take control of chronic conditions by understanding the condition, the prognosis and the available treatments. They must advocate for themselves by working, ideally, with one physician (Primary Care) to coordinate their treatment plan, follow up their results and manage referrals to allied health professionals (physio, pharmacy, social work). One key physician is essential to coordinate care across multiple disciplines. By doing this, complications of care can be avoided such as polypharmacy, unindicated diagnostic tests and unindicated procedures. In the end, proper coordination of care between the patient and their primary care physician and allied health professionals will ensure success in management of chronic conditions

Know the disease, Understand the complications, Set goals recommended by provider, to avoid complications. Try the best to reach goal and don’t stress.

As a man with T1D, I think with a 3 hr. Clock in my head. What will I be doing for the next 3 hrs while insulin is active in my body? If I will be active during the next 2-3 hrs, I lower the dose from baseline. If I will be sedentary, I will increase the dose from baseline. That helps me stay within target range about 80% of the time on INJECTIONS!

But understand that not all resources are created equal. It's wonderful to want to take an active role in your disease or health, but you may want to ask your provider for sources, websites, or journals they trust that you can read and become educated so you are not getting messages that may not be clinically sound.

Following a prescribed treatment plan diligently can significantly impact managing chronic conditions. When I was diagnosed with hypertension, adhering to the medication regimen, incorporating dietary changes, and committing to regular exercise were pivotal. I found it helpful to set daily reminders for medications and schedule physical activities, making them a part of my routine. Consistency has played a key role in controlling my blood pressure effectively.

A medical treatment plan is a collaborative effort between you and your medical advisors, but its execution depends entirely on you. You're responsible for taking action, which sometimes means refraining from certain habits like smoking, overeating, or drinking alcohol. It's also crucial to consider the support you need from others, such as physiotherapists or occupational therapists. Building a rapport with these professionals is essential for trust and effective treatment. Don't hesitate to seek out the right people for your team, those who listen and respond to your questions. It's important not to blindly follow your treatment plan; instead, be an active participant in both its development and implementation.

The treatment plan should be tailor made for each patient and same disease may be felt with differently depending on the patient’s ability to follow the advice. I should make every effort to explain to the patients the reason for the advise and benefits if they follow it properly. Partial follow up of the advise will have partial benefit

Compliance with the prescribed treatment is the Achilles heel of any treatment. If we exclude the objective reasons such as unavailable medicine, financial problems, the biggest reason for compliance failure is the fact the patients haven’t been told why they take that medicine and why adherence to treatment is so important for them. That is the only motive that can improve adherence

Again, as in #1. Be honest about what you're willing to do. If I take time to build and educate on the "ideal" plan but the PT knows from the start that it's not something they are willing to do, stop me. Provide feedback. We can tailor the next best thing for you! This way, there's a plan that will get results!

Taking control of chronic conditions through the approach of 'communicate with your physician' encompasses several key practices as follows: 1.Sharing accurate, complete information is crucial. 2.Before your visit, write down your symptoms, questions, and any changes in your condition or lifestyle. Preparing a list of all medications (including non-prescription drugs and supplements) helps. 3.Discuss about any challenges you face in following your treatment plan. 4.Share your experiences with medications and treatments, including both positive outcomes and adverse effects. 5.Stay engaged between appointments using available communication channels to keep your physician updated. 6.Seek clarification on medical information.

Open communication with physicians offers several benefits. It helps doctors make precise diagnoses. Open discussions allow for personalized treatment plans based on individual needs and preferences. Physicians can provide guidance on preventive measures and monitor health conditions more effectively when patients communicate openly. Open dialogue fosters trust and enables physicians to address emotional aspects of illness, enhancing overall well-being.

Establishing open communication with my healthcare provider has been invaluable in managing my chronic condition. Whether it's discussing concerns about medication side effects or seeking clarification on lifestyle adjustments, maintaining a proactive dialogue with my doctor has helped me better understand my condition. Sharing detailed information about my symptoms and lifestyle habits allowed my physician to tailor a more personalized treatment plan, enhancing its effectiveness.

Physicians are professional advisors, not friends, focusing on your physical and mental well-being. This relationship relies on effective two-way communication. To make the most of your appointments, prepare a medical resume for new physicians, outlining your history concisely. Bring prepared questions, and consider having someone accompany you to take notes. Be specific when describing symptoms; for example, say "tingling sensations in my feet" instead of "my feet don't feel right." If you're dissatisfied with your care or communication, don't hesitate to seek a second opinion.

Doctors are bad communicators. Fact. But it doesn’t mean it can not change. Communication with patient take time, patience, and a bit of skills. It should be plain and simple with no expert phrases, yet it should consist of all the necessary informations, explanations and instructions made simple. Doctors shouldn’t lecture patients but inspire their thinking process to find the rationale for their best cooperation and communication. This should yield mutual trust, understanding and eventually successful treatment

Seeking support from family, friends, or support groups can make a substantial difference in coping with a chronic condition. When I was diagnosed with diabetes, joining local support groups not only provided emotional support but also practical tips on managing diet, exercise, and stress. Connecting with individuals experiencing similar challenges offered a sense of camaraderie and encouragement, making the journey towards managing my condition less daunting.

The concept of independence for those with chronic diseases and conditions is often misunderstood. Independence doesn't mean doing everything alone. For example, using a walker for mobility is not a sign of weakness or age, but a proactive step to protect future mobility. This applies to younger individuals who may need assistive devices too. These aids are designed to support areas of weakness, which is different from being weak. Additionally, mental health support is crucial in coping with chronic conditions. Whether it's calling a friend or joining a group, staying connected and engaged with your community is vital. Remember, you are not alone in your journey.

Make sure that your patient do not have a feeling of guilt due to their medical conditions. Make them feel that they are respected and will be able to recover from their disability

In my experience as a board-certified general and cardiovascular surgeon, specializing in chronic venous insufficiency and lymphatic disorders, I deal with patients with chronic medical conditions every day. It’s essential for patients to go follow the advice of their physician and be dedicated to a daily regime. For example, patients with varicose veins may require procedures, like laser ablation, sclerotherapy, and microphlebectomy. These procedures can be extremely helpful, but the patient must exercise, wear compression stockings, avoid excessive salt, elevate their legs, keep their weight under control, and use supplements like micronized purified flavonoid fraction. Patient participation is essential.

Taking care of yourself is a must. Patients should consider their bodies as precious gifts which should be cared for and maintained with utmost attention. They must realize that doctors have a limited role in time and space and that they can recommend, advice but they will not feed the patients with the pills, they will not exercise for the patients, they can not force the patient to implement healthy habits etc. Your body is your responsibility.

Lo que pocos médicos analizan son las creencias, experiencias previas, preocupaciones, necesidades desde un punto de vista amplio en la salud de la persona. Es fácil para el médico dejar una serie de indicaciones, si bien basadas en la evidencia, no siempre pasar a la acción por parte del usuario es tan fácil. El médico debe tener habilidades de entrevista motivacional, y competencias para facilitar el cambio de conducta del usuario, y eso requiere en primera instancia conocer sus creencias. Si no dejamos espacio para expresarse, difícilmente podremos identificar dónde está el obstaculizador al cambio de hábito.

Creating a daily schedule that prioritizes your physical and mental well-being is crucial. Focus on activities that benefit you, including healthy eating, adequate rest, and relaxation. Consider all aspects of your life and pay attention to what matters most to you. Setting boundaries is essential; avoid negative activities and people, and learn to say no when it's in your best interest. Regularly review and adjust your expectations to stay aligned with your current situation, ensuring you remain grounded and realistic.

Your body is your temple. Keep it healthy and clean by *Eating the least amount of or no processed foods. *Drinking enough water to keep it hydrated *No smoking/vaping *No drinking alcohol, sugared or artificially sugared substances *Exposing your body to natural sunlight for at least 20 minutes a day *Exercising for at least 30 minutes a day. Walking is a great way to exercise and it does not cost anything. *Reducing the amount of time spent in front of the screen *Spending time with friends and family. Socializing improves health. *Listening to music can help you relax &/or improve your mood *Performing deep breathing techniques to improve lymphatic flow, reduce pain, & relax *Reading more to cultivate your body, mind, and soul.

- Get regular checkups to catch issues early. - Take medications as prescribed to control symptoms. - Monitor your condition at home if recommended. - Communicate openly with your care team. - Make healthy lifestyle changes like diet, exercise, sleep. - Stay organized with calendars, medication boxes, notes. - Advocate for your needs at appointments or work/school. - Stay positive. Focus on what you can control.

Emotional empowerment Patients must be trained to tolerate doubt, treatment failure, and disappointment from the health care system. To teach them to demand better care from the state and therapy from the treating doctors. To strengthen their motivation and self-confidence. To emphasize to them that they determine the meaning of life. Transcendent coping with the disease and constant search for people who can communicate with them is a guarantee for a better result.

The first step is for clinicians to recognise that many chronic conditions require a biopsychosocial approach, a biomedical approach may often fall short of addressing a number of drivers of a person's clinical presentation and ability to self-manage. This may require leveraging a referral network of health practitioners that may be able to spend more time, build strong rapport and engage in a collaborative "coaching" approach to help guide a patient towards effective self-management. When patients are faced with the diagnosis of a chronic condition and successful managment will require significant lifestyle & behavioural changes, these changes can take time and require guidance and support - not simply dictating a list of instructions.

A holistic self-retraining and gradual mindset restart is required using any available tool from the above list that fits one's personality. The goal is to reach a point where the "deficits" due to the chronic condition are viewed as inner motors and actually used as strong points towards helping and empowering others in similar situations balanced with a continuous self-improvement journey.

Digital therapeutics showcase an effective approach to enhance adherence and manage chronic diseases. Leveraging a digital toolkit incorporating Generative AI models for reminders, education, counseling, and monitoring, alongside a repackaged medication dosing system organized in the correct dosage sequence.

I’ve been working with chronic pain conditions in physical therapy for over 20 years. I am now running my own business targeting the mental side of chronic pain. Three years ago my eyes were completely opened to a “new” technique called brainspotting. It’s been around for over 20 years in the mental health field but paving a new path tackling physical pain. Chronic conditions are far deeper than mechanical injury. Psychosocial pain and the research behind it is growing rapidly for a reason. These tools aren’t being used to only treat the “unknown pain” in my office but persistent pain as well. Completely humbling to watch, this has been a game changer for those living with persistent pain in my area and the missing link.