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It is possible to improve your health outcomes with a combination of diet and medication. Having an illness is a difficult time, but you can do something to help alleviate the pain and make it easier for you to cope. These tips can help you manage chronic health conditions such as diabetes.
Exercise
When managing chronic health conditions, diet and exercise play a crucial role. Diet and exercise can boost your immune system, lower your blood pressure, improve your heart, and increase your energy level. But these are only part of the equation. Your doctor may recommend a program for you based on your medical history and lifestyle.
While the jury is still out on the exact effects of diet and exercise on chronic disease prevention and management, there are several ways to get started.
If you have a chronic health condition, start an exercise routine by establishing realistic goals and finding activities you enjoy. Exercise can help reverse the symptoms of your condition and prevent future progression.
An exercise regimen is also a great way to manage pain, reduce joint stiffness, and increase muscle strength. Talk to your doctor about safe and effective exercises.
Medication for pain relief
If you suffer from chronic pain, there are a number of different medications to help you manage it. You may also need to make some lifestyle changes to prevent further pain. It’s a good idea to tell your family about your condition and talk with your doctor about what you can do to reduce the effects of pain.
Some over-the-counter (OTC) medicines that you can buy in a pharmacy or at your grocery store include acetaminophen and paracetamol. These medicines can relieve pain caused by bruises, muscle aches, and broken bones. They are safe for most people. But they’re not recommended for children and pregnant women.
There are also stronger medications that are sometimes prescribed for pain. Narcotics are used for severe short-term pain and are effective at reducing it. However, opioids can be habit-forming.
Preventing disease progression
Diet is a contributing factor to the rise of chronic disease in Western societies. The health care industry is a big spender when it comes to treating conditions such as diabetes and obesity. A healthful diet, combined with exercise and other lifestyle changes, can improve the quality of life for those suffering from chronic diseases.
There is an array of federal government agencies involved in promoting healthy eating. In particular, the National Institutes of Health plays a large role in this area. Other agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), are also involved. Despite the number of federal agencies involved, however, there was a lack of coordination among these entities.
Medication for blood sugar control
If you are a patient with chronic health conditions like diabetes, you should monitor your blood sugar levels regularly. You may need to take medicine to keep your blood sugar in the target range. While medication can be helpful, you must also follow a diet and exercise regimen to help control your condition.
Besides insulin, there are a number of other medications that can help you control your blood sugar. These include GLP-1 receptor agonists, SGLT2 inhibitors, and insulin release medications. Each type of medication is useful for a different person with diabetes, but you need to discuss them with your doctor.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are newer diabetes medications that help lower your blood sugar. They work by slowing your body’s digestion and increasing the amount of insulin your body produces in response to a meal. This means you will feel less hungry, and you may also lose weight.
Nutritional intervention as a key strategy to improve outcomes
As a global society, we need to recognize that nutrition is a key strategy in improving health outcomes. This includes preventing and managing non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Fortunately, there are many evidence-based strategies to do this. Some examples include dietary fat, calorie restriction, physical activity, and tobacco control. However, a multi-component approach is required for optimum outcomes.
The World Health Organization reports that NCDs are the leading cause of death worldwide. In the United States, these diseases caused over half of all deaths in 2018. They are also responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, if we want to stifle the epidemic, we need to take a comprehensive approach to its management.
For example, the American Heart Association recommends that we eat healthy and be physically active. It is also a wise idea to reduce or eliminate smoking from our lives.
