Current Issue's
Feature Articles
Dec - Jan 2023
Managing Chronic Conditions with Self-Care
Self-care, also referred to as self-management, has become a buzzword for managing chronic health conditions. While the term "self-care" is defined by the Oxford dictionary as "the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one's own health," in the context of chronic illness, a helpful definition for self-care is "the ability to manage symptoms, treatments, lifestyle changes and psychosocial, cultural and spiritual consequences of health conditions." In essence, self-care means patients must take control of monitoring their illnesses and employ strategies for maintaining a satisfactory quality of life… full article (pdf)
Managing More Than One Chronic Condition
One in four Americans has been diagnosed with multiple chronic conditions, and this number increases to three out of four Americans over age 65 years. Having multiple chronic conditions, defined as illnesses that last three months or longer, means living with two or more of them at the same time. And while chronic condition symptoms can range from asymptomatic to deathly severe, patients need a plan of action to deal with them… full article (pdf)
How Patients Can Decatastrophize Their Fears of Medical Treatment
My mother and I are very close. When I was growing up, she was my advocate, voice and caregiver. She even graciously managed my doctor appointments and prescription refills while I went to college so my energy and focus could solely be on my studies … and laundry, lol. When I achieved my dream of graduating from college, I was naturally ready for a shift in who managed my healthcare. I was grateful for everything my mom did for me. Without her, I wouldn't have received the same level of care from my doctors that I did, nor would I have been able to go away to college. I know how important self-care and self-advocacy is because of what she taught me. But when I became an adult, I knew I had a voice, and I was ready to use it to begin managing my own medical care… full article (pdf)
Dental Care for Primary Immune Deficiency Disorder Patients
Routine dental care is important for everyone, but particularly for people with primary immune deficiency disorders (PIs) who are predisposed to dental problems. Immune system disorders can be congenital (starting from birth) or acquired. Patients with PI are missing some of the body's immune defenses, or the immune defenses are not working properly, which leaves them more susceptible to germs that can cause infections. There are also certain medications, including steroids, hydroxychloroquine, methotrexate and some newer biologic medications that inhibit B cells, which can suppress the immune system and make a person more susceptible to infection. Regardless of the cause of the immune dysfunction, it is important for dentists to be aware of a patient's immune disorder, as well as specific dental issues that can be caused by the patient's inability to fight infection… full article (pdf)
Bedtime Yoga
Ah, bedtime. Crawling into a soft bed with cozy covers feels like a treat after a long, stressful day, unless sleep evades you and you spend many long, frustrating hours tossing and turning. Chronic pain, illness, indigestion, anxiety, life stresses, too much light, too much noise, too many screens — so many things make getting a good night's sleep difficult. Some sleep complaints are subjective (e.g., feeling like you simply didn't sleep very well or wishing you could stay in bed just a little bit longer), while some are more objective (e.g., trouble falling and staying asleep, waking up "too early" or feeling generally unrefreshed upon waking)… full article (pdf)
