If you're one of the millions of Americans who is living with diabetes, asthma, heart disease, depression, or another chronic illness, a new survey suggests that you might gain better control of your illness by working with your doctor.
Sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline, the survey (Chronic Care in America) identified five steps that might positively influence your success in managing chronic illness:
- Get information: Ask your doctor for more information about your condition, and educate yourself by seeking information you can trust. Read, check out the Internet, or talk to others with the same condition.
- Be aware of depression: You might be at risk for becoming depressed. Be on guard for symptoms, and see your doctor at the first sign of loss of energy, poor appetite, trouble sleeping, and other signals that you might need help. Depression can be treated and managed.
- Make your doctor a partner in your care: Work as a team. Don't leave the doctor's office confused or unclear about anything. Be honest with your doctor, ask questions, and make sure you both understand what you're talking about.
- Take action immediately after your diagnosis: Put together an immediate action plan with your doctor, including necessary lifestyle changes. Waiting seldom helps, and can increase health problems.
- Make a healthy investment in you: Most long-term conditions require changes in your diet, exercise, and other daily activities. Work with your doctor and set goals for change. Then, work toward those goals.
If it's difficult to remember what the physician says to you, you might want to take notes or bring a family member or friend with you to your appointment. Also, bring your questions – written down ahead of time – to all of your doctor's appointments. |
