Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/915948
The things you love— family, friends and your favorite pastimes—do not change with a diagnosis of chronic disease, and neither should your enjoyment of them. CHRONICALLY CHRONIC CONDITIONS CAN take many forms. Some, like osteoarthritis of the knees, affect a small area of the body but may have a large impact on your quality of life. Others conditions, such as diabetes or cancer, can have head-to-toe effects on the body and significantly influence daily living. But, chronic diseases and their related symptoms do not have to be defining. "When people are diagnosed with a long-term illness, they often ask how their lives will change," says Emil Baccash, M.D., attending physician in internal and geriatric medicine at NewYork- Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. "The key to living well with a chronic illness is adapting to it." Whether you have lived with a chronic disease for years or received the diagnosis just last week, the following tips will allow you to adjust your habits and your self-care routine for a higher quality of life. LEAN ON YOUR PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR Of those working with you to manage your health, your primary care doctor plays the most important role in helping you maintain the richest possible quality of life. He or she is your go-to resource for safe exercise recommendations, dietary suggestions and answers to any questions that you have about living with a chronic illness. You might need to know whether it is safe to travel with cardiovascular disease—it typically is—or how to modify your home if you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (hint: keep frequently used items within easy reach). Your primary care doctor can address these concerns and keep a close eye on your overall health, coordinating with other medical specialists, if necessary, to help you manage any changes. TAKE AN ACTIVE APPROACH Exercise is powerful medicine for many chronic diseases—it can reduce the risk of osteoporosis-related fractures, mitigate osteoarthritis pain and boost the spirits of people who are experiencing depression, among many other benefits. The key is to find a variety of safe, enjoyable activities that you are likely to stick with. "Walking your dog or riding a stationary bike are low- impact options that are easy on your joints and get your heart pumping," says Nga Yu Cheung, M.D., attending physician in geriatric medicine at NYP Brooklyn Methodist. "To reap the full rewards of exercise, incorporate range-of-motion activities 22 WINTER 2018 W W W.N Y P.O RG / BRO OKLY N A G I N G G R A C E F U L LY