When you have a chronic illness, it can feel like your world has been turned upside down. Once you’re ready to leave the hospital after an extended stay or lengthy bout with an illness, you may feel unsure about how to continue managing your condition at home.
Let’s face it, unless you have a nurse in your family tree, there are few people who are equipped to handle the complexities of living with chronic lung disease. But don’t panic!
There are many things you can do to manage your illness and live an independent life including Pulmonary Rehabilitation. The key is to learn as much as possible about your condition and how to care for yourself. Pulmonary rehabilitation programs can give you the skills and knowledge you need to manage your disease and improve quality of life.
Here are some helpful home management tips for living with chronic lung diseases.
Make a Plan
If you are able, sit down with your care team and discuss what they’ve been doing to treat your condition and the tools you’ve been using to manage it. Write down your treatment plan so that you have a reference for future check-ins with your care team. Since each person’s treatment plan will differ depending on the specifics of their illness, this is an important step for living with any chronic illness.
Exercise Daily
One of the best things you can do for your health is to get regular exercise. It can help you manage stress, improve your sleep, boost your mood, increase your energy levels, and even help to lower your risk of certain chronic diseases. Make sure to check in with your doctor or pulmonary rehab specialist before beginning any new exercise program to ensure it’s right for you. If you have one of the chronic lung diseases that may be impacted by exercise, your doctor may recommend that you avoid it altogether. And if you do exercise, be sure to monitor your breathing carefully. Keep track of how much you’re doing, how you’re feeling, and how your breathing is doing.
Get Expert Help
If you’re struggling with a chronic condition, get help from an expert. Whether it’s a counsellor, a psychologist, or a therapist, speaking with someone who doesn’t know the medical terms used by your healthcare team can be a huge relief. Don’t be embarrassed to ask for help. You’re not alone! You’re living with a chronic illness, which means you’re in a club of people who need support every day. If you find that your chronic illness is impacting your ability to perform certain tasks around the house, you may want to consider hiring outside help to assist you. For example, if you have trouble lifting heavy objects because of your illness, you may need to have items that require lifting, such as groceries, put away in a different manner.
Stay Organized
Making sure to stay as organized as possible is crucial when you have a chronic illness. Keep a written checklist of the things you need to do each day, along with any regular appointments you have. Make sure you have a separate place to keep your medications so they don’t get mixed up with your food or other items. And make sure that you have a space in your home where you can store things like your medical equipment, supplies, and extra items that may be necessary for your everyday life.
Stay Healthy Through Diet
Your diet may need some adjusting as you live with a chronic illness. It’s important to stay hydrated and eat the right amount of calories for your specific needs. While you may need some dietary changes, don’t feel like you have to immediately go on a strict diet. You may benefit from eating certain foods more often or incorporating some healthier habits into your diet, like eating more organic foods, but you don’t want to feel like you’re living under a strict diet. It’s important to remember that every person’s diet is unique, and you don’t have to conform to any specific eating style. Your diet should help you feel your best, not get in your way. If you have trouble eating enough because of your condition, you may want to try a supplement like Nuvox, which can help you get the nutrients you need.
Have an Emergency Kit Ready
Living with a chronic illness means that you need to be prepared for an emergency at any time. Having an emergency kit in your home can help relieve some of the stress that comes with this type of living. Make sure to include anything you might need in an emergency, such as medication, any equipment you use on a daily basis, food, water, first aid supplies, a flashlight, extra batteries, and any important documents. You can also use your kit as a place to store information about your chronic illness, in case you are unable to communicate with any first responders who may be called to your home. Having all of this information in one place can help you get the treatment you need more quickly.
Conclusion
Living with a chronic illness can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. By following these home management tips, you can make your daily life feel more manageable. Get expert help if you need it, stay organized, eat a healthy diet, and stay active. You can do this!
