Citizens Memorial Hospital | Vitality | Winter 2018

LIVING WELL PAMPER THOSE ACHY JOINTS Grab your rubber ducky and head to the bathtub for a good long soak whenever arthritis makes your joints hurt. Warm water helps reduce the force of gravity that’s compressing your joints, and it can ease swelling and inflammation. Source: Arthritis Foundation A personal plan can help you live well with a chronic illness Your life, your illness You can’t fix it or make it go away— that’s usually what it means to live with a chronic illness. But you can choose how you’ll manage a health condition such as diabetes, arthritis or heart disease, and those choices can make a big difference in your physical health and mental well-being. Give these tips a try: Have a plan. Work with your doctor or other health care providers to develop a self- management plan that can help improve your health. Self-management means you take an active role, with the help of your doctor, in controlling your illness. Your plan should include your goals, the specific steps you’ll take to reach them, and what kinds of support and resources you’ll need. If, for instance, exercise would improve your condition, talk to your doctor about what kinds of exercise are right for you. Choose an activity you can enjoy and a goal that you are confident you can reach in a set amount of time. Educate yourself. Seek reliable sources of information, such as government or medical association websites that specialize in your condition. Consult with experts. For example, if a dietary change will make a difference in managing your illness, consider meeting with a dietitian. Ask your doctor if there are therapists or other medical specialists who may be of help to you. Be realistic. If you set a goal that’s too hard to reach, rethink your plan. Proceed at a pace you can handle. Don’t ignore potential obstacles. Think of things that could go wrong, and plan ways to deal with them. For example, where will you walk in bad weather? How can you avoid overeating during special occasions? Ask for help. Talk to family and friends about your goals, and suggest ways they can help. Joining a support group that includes people with the same chronic illness is helpful to some people. Keep your doctor posted on your progress. If you’re struggling to follow your self-management plan, your doctor can help you figure out why. And as your plan goes forward, you may need more advice to set new goals. Sources: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; American Academy of Family Physicians; U.S. Department of Health & Human Services “It’s really hard to keep my blood sugar under control.” Sound familiar? Join our diabetes support group. Call 417-328-7957 . citizensmemorial.com 13