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Living with a chronic illness can take a toll on your life in many ways.

While there are 12 primary chronic conditions that significantly burden your health in terms of morbidity and mortality, there are numerous chronic conditions that people live with day to day.

A chronic illness is one which is defined as having no cure and is medically managed with drugs or other treatment options to improve a person’s quality of life. It is thought around 15 million people are living with at least one chronic condition in the UK. This post examines some chronic health conditions that can impact your life.

Diabetes

Diabetes can be either type 1 or type 2, and many people are unaware of the differences between them. Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong condition where the body’s immune system destroys the cells that produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes is when the body doesn’t have enough insulin or doesn’t react to the insulin correctly. Type 1 diabetes is an immune response where you do not produce insulin, and type 2 is thought to be caused by lifestyle choices. It pays to look into the type of diabetes you have and knowing how does an insulin pump work, for example, to help you get the proper treatment for you that easily fits your lifestyle.

Heart Disease

Coronary heart disease is a significant cause of death in the UK and worldwide. The NHS describes coronary heart disease as blood supply being blocked from fatty deposits. Heart disease is primarily caused by lifestyle factors, including eating a high-fat diet and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, smoking, and being inactive. This increases your risk of complications such as strokes and heart attacks. Typically heart disease is managed by a combination of methods including but not limited to lifestyle changes (eating better and working out more), medication, surgery and, in some cases, medical devices.

Because coronary heart disease covers a range of ailments and is a leading contributor to different illnesses, how to approach living with this condition will depend on your body, and the condition of your heart and arteries is something your doctor will discuss with you.

Arthritis

Arthritis can affect anyone at any time in their life, although it is more common in people over 40. Arthritis is characterised by pain and inflammation in the joints and is thought to affect over 10 million Brits. Arthritis can either be rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, with the latter being the most common type affecting people. In contrast, rheumatoid arthritis affects three times more women than men and occurs when the immune system attacks the joints.

Those living with arthritis can expect pain and swelling in the joints, limited range of movement, muscle weakness, wasting, and hot skin around painful areas. Both types of arthritis and associated locations can be treated by making lifestyle changes and medication to help cope with the pain. In some cases, surgery may be required.

Conclusion

Chronic health conditions can cause immeasurable pain and suffering, and people living with these conditions and more can expect a lifetime of doctors’ appointments and adjustments to their lifestyle to help them manage their condition and improve their quality of life. By knowing more about your condition and the best treatment options available, you can help yourself move forward and live your life in the best way possible.

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