Recently Diagnosed

Dear reader,

Have you been told you have Hepatitis or Liver Disease? Don’t Panic. You are not alone.

Have you been diagnosed of a kidney Disease, Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) or kidney failure, don’t freak out. We dey for you

Have you been diagnosed with Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) or Prostate Cancer? Don’t worry

We know it can be hard to hear and accept this breaking news. You probably feel overwhelmed and confused. You are asking yourself ”why me?” “Why now?” “Where did I get it from?” “What did I do wrong?” “Am I going to die?” “Can I get a cure?” Etc.

Sometimes it is heart breaking to realize that upon all our efforts to live a healthy lifestyle, we still get sick and battle with chronic diseases. Situations like this can make people cry or become overly anxious to the extent of losing appetite, having sleepless night or even having suicidal thoughts.

The bad news is that, these habits can also worsen your newly diagnosed condition.

But the good news is that, you are not alone in this, you have a community to fall back on. You don’t have to face this problem all by yourself. You have the support of countless others who have felt the same shock. Your diagnosis is simply the first step. There are ways you can manage or treat your condition—through diet, exercise, medical support and emotional help. Stand up, wipe your tears and Face your challenge! Take action! And know that we have everything you need to help you live a long, healthy life surrounded by people who know exactly what you’re going through.

There are three basic steps to take towards a successful treatment plan.

  1. Understand your condition and gain control
  2. Work with your Doctor
  3. Take charge of your health

UNDERSTAND YOUR CONDITION AND GAIN CONTROL

There is a saying that, “knowledge is power”

Being diagnosed with a Liver, kidney or Prostate Disease can be a trying and difficult experience for patients and for their families and loved ones. But information can go a long way towards helping gain control of the situation. A patient who knows what’s coming up, what to watch out for, and what treatment options are available can make educated decisions about his or her own healthcare.

For many patients, learning the inside and outs of their newly diagnosed health condition can be very empowering. By becoming fluent in their condition, patients often find their better grasp, their options, and many are able to move past feelings of helplessness.

Learning about any possible related conditions you may also be diagnosed with can seriously impact your treatment plan. Be proactive, learn everything you can about your disease, and try and help your family and friends around you to educate themselves as well. Keep in mind: while a lot of information about diseases are available on the Internet, it is not always accurate. Be sure to turn to websites that are trustworthy.

WORK WITH YOUR DOCTOR

Some people find talking to a doctor intimidating, and are afraid to ask questions, get information clarified, or ask for additional options. But being comfortable talking with your medical team is crucial to your healthcare. It is always okay to ask questions if the explanations or instructions are unclear.

 Mention any problems you are having, even if your healthcare provider doesn’t ask. Let your healthcare team know if you have concerns about a treatment or change in your daily life. Taking an active role in your healthcare will help you feel more in control.

The following questions and actions may be helpful for you to consider in advance of your next doctor visit. Before you arrive at your appointment, have a basic plan that you’ve thought about beforehand. Here are some tips to help:

  1. Write down your questions. Put your questions in order so you are sure to ask about the most important ones first.
  2. Take along a list of all the medications you are taking. Include any over-the-counter medicines, Vitamins, herbal medicines or supplements. You should also take your insurance cards, names, and phone numbers of other healthcare providers you see. Bring your medical records if your healthcare provider doesn’t already have them.
  3. Ask a family member or friend to come with you. They can remind you what you planned to discuss in case you forget, and can help you remember what the healthcare provider said.

TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR HEALTH

Taking control of your health is essential to a life lived well. That’s even more true when you’re living with chronic health condition. Those who do just that tend to have better health outcomes

So no matter what excuses have gotten in the way in the past, small steps today can still add up to big changes in your health. Here are few health tips to help you take charge, starting now.

  1. Get Enough Sleep

Sleep should be a top priority. The average adult needs seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Sleep deficiency increases your risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer and depression without the sleep you need, all efforts to take charge of your health lose some of their effectiveness. That’s because sleep is what helps you recover from exercise, think clearly and manage stress. Sleep deprivation can undo all of your hard work with diet and exercise because a tired body can overproduce insulin and ghrelin (the “hunger” hormone). So set aside enough time or work on relaxing so you can catch solid sleep every night.

  1. Schedule a Physical Exam

Regular health examinations or checkups are important for preventing disease and detecting problems early. This is one of the simplest ways to stay on top of your health. Your Doctor will review your personal and family history, check your vital signs, and gather other information to get an overall view of your health. They may also order blood tests to confirm how your organs are functioning. Depending on your age, medical history and family history, your Doctor may recommend additional screening tests.

  1. Get simple Health Indicators or medical devices at home

Understanding your vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate, temperature and weight and what they mean for your health can help you proactively impact your well-being. Many people have found it very beneficial to buy simple medical devices for testing these vital signs at home. Examples of these health gadgets are: Glucometers, Hb monitors, cholesterol monitors, thermometers, blood pressure monitors, pulse oximeters, weighing scale etc. Having these gadgets at home and using them regularly helps to Keep Track of Your health Records and make knowledgeable decisions. Please beware of using substandard medical devices because they give false results and this can be dangerous. Buy Approved medical devices only.

  1. Improve Your Lifestyle

Take control of your health by choosing a healthy lifestyle. Eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise can help you keep your weight, blood sugar level, blood pressure and cholesterol level in a healthy range. It is important to talk to your doctor about what diet and level of activity are best for you. Here are two tips to make these changes simple and doable.

Focus on eating a variety of fruits, vegetables and lean or low-fat protein sources while limiting added sugars, sodium and trans-fats.

The recommended activity guideline is 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days per week plus muscle strengthening activities twice per week. The 30 minutes doesn’t have to be all at once — you can break it down into smaller increments of time. Working physical activity into your daily life will help ensure success. You can always chat our Doctors via WhatsApp below and we will respond quickly.

I wish you good health.

Yours sincerely,

Alt Dr. Isaac Boateng

CEO likip Foundation.

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