Preventing non-COVID-19 health crises

Times have quickly gotten difficult. We are living with free-floating anxiety that easily distracts us, causing us not to think as clearly, act as capably, or plan as logically. It’s as if we've all lost IQ points.

How we act now will make a difference in our collective future. Besides adhering to CDC COVID-19 guidelines to avoid viral spread, we also need to protect ourselves by avoiding preventable health crises not related to COVID-19. Every preventable health care incident further stresses our already over-taxed health care system. Now is a time for each of us to take personal responsibility for our health.

Here is a list of personal health crisis prevention strategies to consider:

• Avoid the risk of physical injury related to climbing ladders, not wearing eye protection or gloves while working with machinery, biking or skateboarding without a helmet, cutting grass in bare feet, eating food that might make you sick, drinking and driving. Any one of these injuries may earn you a critically needed bed in an ED or hospital.
• Avoid "treating" your anxiety or boosting poor sleep by drinking alcohol or using drugs. If you have a mental/behavior health problem, be sure to reach out to a mental health provider for support. This is a difficult time for everyone and you are not alone. 
• Monitor and control your known health problems. For problems such as high blood pressure, heart failure, heart rhythm problems, diabetes, asthma and COPD, self-monitoring signs and symptoms can be life-saving. Make sure to follow your doctor's advice in monitoring weights, blood pressures, heart rates, blood glucoses, peak flows, etc. Make a list of your monitored results, including the dates and time, know your monitor goals, and share the results with your doctor. If monitored results show your health problem(s) is(are) out of control, quickly call your doctor to get the advice you need to get back in control.
• Find out if your doctors offer telemedicine/virtual visits. Virtual visits allow you to see your doctor without being exposed to coronavirus. Don't wait to get help if your health issues are not controlled.
• Take your medicines regularly to control your health issues. If you can't afford your medicines, check for resources in your community who can help. Start with your local pharmacist, check with your doctor for samples, find out from your community if there is help for medication support during and after the crisis.
• If you are alone, recognize that social (or physical) isolation doesn't mean you have to be lonely. Actively set up a network of people/friends/family/neighbors to call, face-time, or text. Go online and check out apps that focus on bringing people together who are all feeling the strain. Know that social isolation and loneliness can be the "canary in the coal mine" for worsening overall health. Work against it!

In these tough times, first forgive yourself for not being at your best, while at the same time, working hard on your personal health care plan to assist our frontline healthcare heros by not needing them during the crisis.