Tips for Managing a Chronic Health Condition
Dealing with a chronic condition? These tips will help you stay grounded, empowered, and knowledgeable
Dealing with chronic or age-related health issues such as dry mouth can be a difficult road to walk on your own, especially when there’s so much information out there and so many different opinions to listen to.
Even though it may seem overwhelming, there are ways to empower yourself with knowledge to help make your health a priority in the face of chronic conditions. After all, the more empowered you are, the better you’ll feel, and research shows correlations between positivity and longevity.
Never Stop Learning (About Your Condition)
When we first realize we have a health issue, there tend to be terms and words that get thrown in our direction that we can’t always follow or understand. Make your health a priority by spending as much time as you can learning about your condition.
Do your homework by researching and reading reputable sources, and give yourself time to sit with the more complicated information. Just because you start out as a novice doesn’t mean you can’t become an expert.
Stay Committed
Whether your health condition has treatment options that can be found over the counter, or require a prescription, being serious about treatment is a vital step in keeping the issue from flaring up. Does your doctor suggest a specific diet? Should you be taking certain medications and vitamins every day at the same time? Whatever your plan of attack is, stick to it, and avoid taking shortcuts simply because they’re “easier.”
One example of this is using Biotene products daily. While it’s easy to try to manage the issue by chewing gum, sucking on candy, or sipping liquids, Biotene rinse, gel and spray are clinically proven to soothe and moisturize a dry mouth for immediate, long-lasting symptom relief. Biotene also features a fluoride toothpaste formulated to not irritate and a lozenge to help freshen breath on-the-go. Biotene is an over-the-counter brand that focuses solely on managing your dry mouth.
Live For Your 80-Year-Old Self
Even though most of us would love to live well into our 80s or 90s (or even 100s!), it’s important that those later years are actually comfortable. Living for your 80-year-old self means making choices today that will make your elderly years easier. This could mean everything from eating more fruits and vegetables in place of sweets and prepackaged foods — to taking up a strength routine to increase motor function at the gym.
Yes, life can come at you fast, and dealing with chronic issues on top of everything else can make a person feel overwhelmed, but you don’t have to go at it alone! Lean on family, friends, or a local support group to find additional ways to thrive with whatever condition you’re dealing with, and use their encouragement to help you make your health a priority. No matter when you start, focusing on your health will never be something you’ll regret — especially when you’re out enjoying the world in your 80s!