Being diagnosed with a chronic illness means that your life has been changed, perhaps forever. It can be frightening and daunting to face the challenges ahead. By learning more about your condition and doing what you can to manage it, you can feel stronger and better able to take it all in stride.
Health problems are categorized as “acute” and over fairly quickly, such as the cold or flu, or “chronic,” a long-lasting health condition.
Chronic illnesses usually progress slowly. They can be difficult to diagnose and have multiple causes, including heredity; lifestyle factors, such as smoking, lack of exercise, diet, etc.; and environmental exposure. Some common chronic illnesses include arthritis, asthma, emphysema, cancer, diabetes, digestive disorders, heart conditions, pain and sleep disorders.
Without appropriate management, chronic disease can result in lack of physical conditioning and fatigue, along with emotional difficulties such as depression and anger.
“Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions,” by Kate Lorig, R.N., Dr.P.H., Halsted Holman, M.D., Diana Laurent, M.P.H., et al. (Bull Publishing, 2000), provides sufferers with the tools they need to live healthy lives in spite of chronic illness. The book’s goal is: “To help people live the best possible life with a long-term condition.”
The book grew out of research at Stanford, the “Chronic Disease Self-Management Study.” Citing the experience of study participants, physicians and other health professionals, the book offers many helpful tips to make it easier to live with chronic disease and its symptoms, such as fatigue, pain, disability and depression.
The authors encourage readers to become “positive self-managers” of their conditions by understanding all they can about their individual diagnoses and treatment option. The book helps readers to set goals, make action plans and monitor their progress. The book is full of charts and forms that make planning and tracking easy.
Issues that are common to the experience of chronic illness, such as communication, sex and intimacy, nutrition, managing medicines and planning for the future, are addressed. Each is examined in a chapter dedicated to a separate issue. Coping mechanisms, including physical, mental and emotional exercise, are also described.
For several diseases – chronic lung disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis and diabetes – even more specific information is given.
The book closes with a chapter, “200+ Helpful Hints,” that is full of practical advice. Tips are offered on all aspects of everyday life, from waking up in the morning, bathing and hygiene, dressing, cooking, entertaining and traveling. It is encouraging to think about all the little things that can be done to make life easier.
“Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions” is just one of a number of resources available at the Stanford Health Library that can help you live better with chronic illness.
Dr. Kate Lorig has written another book emphasizing self-management for arthritis sufferers, “The Arthritis Helpbook.” Lorig is also featured on a video, “Living Better with Arthritis,” available for borrowing or purchase. Catherine Feste’s book “The Physician Within” is an inspiring read that encourages people to take control of their lives.
The Health Library also offers more than 1,000 online E-books, including “The American Holistic Nurses’ Association Guide to Common Chronic Conditions: Self Care Options to Complement Your Doctor’s Advice.”
Health Library E-books can be accessed from any computer and are available free to users who register for a free account with the library. To create your free NetLibrary E-book account, send an e-mail to the Health Library at [email protected].
For help with any of these resources or to explore further, visit, call or e-mail the Stanford Health Library. Send an e-mail to [email protected].
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Nancy Dickenson is the manager of library services at Stanford Health Library. She can be reached at 736-1713.
