You must have heard that someone in your family, among your relatives, or a friend has "High blood pressure", "Diabetes" or "High cholesterol". Maybe you also have one of these diseases. These are what we call "Chronic Illness". These are diseases that last for a while and require regular medical treatment. So today, let's talk about what these chronic diseases are, how they affect our lives, and how to live happily with them.
What are these chronic illnesses?
Simply put, a chronic illness is a health condition that lasts for a year or more . Similar words to this word are `(Chronic disease)` and `(Chronic condition)`. Many of these diseases are difficult to completely cure. That means they can be with us for life. Therefore, they require regular medical care, and sometimes daily medication.
Another major impact of these diseases is the disruption they cause to our daily activities. Imagine how difficult it is to do even simple things like getting dressed by yourself, going to the bathroom, or putting some food in your mouth.
What are the most common chronic diseases among us in Sri Lanka?
There are several chronic diseases that are common in Sri Lanka as well as the world. You may be familiar with some of these.
- Obesity: An increase in body weight that is harmful to health.
- High blood pressure: We all know "pressure".
- High cholesterol: Increased levels of fat in the blood.
- Coronary heart disease: Blockage of the arteries that supply blood to the heart.
- Asthma: A respiratory disease that causes difficulty breathing.
- COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease): This is a lung disease that causes difficulty breathing, mainly in smokers.
- Chronic kidney disease: Gradual deterioration of kidney function.
- Cancer: Various types of cancer.
- Depression: A condition that affects mental health.
When you see this list, you realize how common these are. Many people in our country live with one or more of these diseases.
What are the symptoms and effects of this type of disease?
Symptoms can vary greatly depending on the long-term condition you have. But there are some common effects that can be seen. Let's take a look at what they are.
| Effect/Symptom | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Pain | Persistent pain in various parts of the body. This can be very tiring to endure, even if it is a little. Sometimes this long-term pain can affect our nervous system. |
| Physical discomfort | Muscle strength may decrease, balance may be lost, and walking may become difficult. |
| Fatigue | Constantly feeling extremely tired. This tiredness does not decrease even after sleeping well. The body's energy is depleted due to the strain of the disease. |
| Body changes | Some diseases can cause changes in the appearance of the body. Things like weight gain, weight loss, and skin changes can cause feelings of embarrassment and discomfort. |
| Risk of other diseases | Many chronic diseases pave the way for other diseases. For example, blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes. A person with one of these three is more likely to develop the other two. |
| Psychological effects | Living with a long-term illness is a great deal of stress, and it increases the risk of developing mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety. |
How can a long-term illness affect your life?
Having a disease like this is not as simple as taking a few pills. It can affect many aspects of our lives, in ways that others may not notice.
- Time: It takes a lot of time to see a doctor, get tests, and get treatment when you suddenly get sick. And how many days are there when you can't do your usual activities because of illness?
- Money: Treating chronic illnesses can be expensive. The monthly costs of medications, doctor visits, and tests can be a huge burden. The financial burden is even greater if you are unable to work due to illness.
- Social connections: Sometimes, because of illness, you may feel afraid to go on a trip with friends or attend an event. You may avoid many things because you think, "What if I have a hard time going?" This can lead to you gradually withdrawing from society and feeling lonely.
- Hobbies: You may have to give up things you used to enjoy, perhaps a sport, gardening, or playing a musical instrument, because of your illness.
- Choices: Because the body's energy is limited, it may not be possible to do everything. You may have to make difficult decisions, such as "I have to go to the doctor today, so I have to skip the party tonight." Because if you try to do everything, your body will not be able to handle it.
Why do we get these diseases? What are the risk factors?
There are many factors that contribute to the development of chronic diseases. Some of these are things we can control, while others are things beyond our control.
Risk factors we can modify:
- Tobacco use: smoking cigarettes, chewing smokeless tobacco, vaping.
- Unhealthy diet: A diet high in oil, sugar, salt, and artificial foods, and low in vegetables and fruits.
- Lack of physical exercise: Sitting in one place all day.
- Excessive alcohol use: Drinking too much alcohol.
Risk factors beyond our control:
The most important of these is aging . As we live longer, our risk of developing certain diseases increases. In addition, if your family (genes) have these diseases, you are more likely to develop them. And the environment in which we live also affects this.
Can this disease be completely cured?
This is a problem for many people. In fact, many chronic diseases are difficult to completely cure . However, some chronic infections, such as tuberculosis or hepatitis C, can be cured. Similarly, some types of cancer can be completely cured if detected and treated early.
But for most chronic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, doctors try to do these things:
- Symptom management: Helping you stay comfortable by controlling things like pain and fatigue.
- Controlling disease progression: Slowing down the rate at which the disease gets worse.
- Improving quality of life: Minimizing the impact of the disease on your life and helping you live as normally as possible.
That means that even though we can't completely eliminate the disease, we can live well with it. That's what we should strive for.
How to manage a long-term illness?
If you have a long-term condition, your doctor will guide you in managing it. Here are some of the most important things you can do.
- Follow your doctor's instructions as directed: Go to the doctor on time and follow the prescribed treatment exactly.
- Use your medication correctly: Take your medication as prescribed, at the right time, and in the right dosage. Don't miss a single day.
- Avoid things that aggravate the disease: For example, just as someone with asthma should stay away from smoke and dust, know what things are harmful to your disease and avoid them.
- Take care of your mental health: Manage stress. Do something that makes you happy. If necessary, seek medical advice for that as well.
- Seek support: Join support groups with people who have similar conditions to you. Sharing your experiences is a great source of strength.
What should I do if I suspect I have a long-term illness?
If you notice any changes in your body or suspect that you have symptoms of a long-term illness, the first thing to do is see a doctor . He or she can examine you, refer you for tests if necessary, and find out what the situation is.
You know that you know your body best. So if you think something is wrong, don't be afraid to look into it. It's very important to speak up for yourself and ask questions.
Living with a chronic illness is different for everyone. Some illnesses are visible, while others cause discomfort that is not visible and only felt by you.
However, it is essential to have support on this journey. Talk openly with your doctor about how you are feeling. Stay close to your family and friends. Chronic illness can affect your life, but don't let it become your life. You can manage it and live a happy life.
Take-Home Message
- Chronic illnesses are health conditions that last for more than a year. Many of these cannot be completely cured, but they can be managed well.
- Diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, and heart disease are some of the most common long-term diseases in our country.
- Many long-term diseases can be prevented by eating a healthy diet, getting enough exercise, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
- If you have a long-term illness, it is very important to follow your doctor's instructions exactly and take your medication as prescribed.
- It's important to take care of your mental health when living with these conditions. If you're feeling lonely, reach out to family, friends, or support groups for help.
- If you feel something unusual in your body, don't be afraid to investigate it. See a doctor immediately.
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