Living with a Chronic Condition
Recognizing and Treating Hearing Loss
Dealing with Vision Loss
Preventing a Fall
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Helpful Links

Living with a Chronic Condition

Life does not have to stop just because you have a chronic condition. Whether you have an annoying case of allergies or something as serious as arthritis or heart disease, there are measures you can take to keep your health in check and keep your life moving. It is normal to feel anxious or upset when you are first diagnosed. But as time goes on, you will adjust to managing your health. You may even find that facing your challenge has made you a stronger, better person.

Become an Expert

Learning as much as you can about your condition is the first step to taking charge of your health. There are many resources available today.

• There are many articles from trusted sources available on the Internet.
• Your local library is an invaluable resource. A librarian can help you find books on your condition and the information you need to form a solid foundation.
• Support groups give you the opportunity to discuss your condition and socialize with others dealing with the same issues.
• Talk to your doctor. Proactively raise questions and voice your concerns.

The more you learn, the easier it is to identify and manage your symptoms. Look to your doctors, nurses, aids and pharmacists for support.

Stay Healthy

Making an effort to lead a healthier life will help you feel better and avoid complications.

• Regular exercise and a balanced diet will give you more energy and strengthen your immune system.
• Getting plenty of sleep every night will give you the strength and energy your body and mind need.
• Staying active can help you cope with stress. Try taking up a new hobby like yoga, tai chi, dancing or hiking.
• Avoid smoking or consuming alcohol.
• Meditating, praying, talking to friends and family and joining a support group are all great ways to heal and nurture your mind and spirit.
• Volunteering lends purpose to your life while helping your community.

Remember that while chronic illness may affect your body, it does not have to affect who you are and how you treat yourself and others.

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Recognizing and Treating Hearing Loss

Do you love listening to music? Do you want to be able to hear your grandchildren's stories? There are steps you can take to prevent hearing loss. And while it can be difficult to recognize hearing loss on your own, it is usually easy to treat once you realize you have a problem.

Early Warning Signs

Even if you have perfect hearing, understanding early signs and symptoms might save your hearing in the future. Warning signs include:

• Difficulty hearing over the telephone
• Inability to follow conversations
• Having to turn the volume up on the TV so loudly that others complain
• Confusion whenever there is background noise
• Trouble understanding women or children

If you experience any of these challenges, see a hearing specialist. He or she will ask about your family history, conduct a thorough exam and possibly suggest further testing.

Seeking Treatment

If you need a hearing aid, a specialist can help you select the right one. A hearing aid will make your life easier. You will have a better experience if you:

• Find a hearing aid dealer who has the patience and skill to answer your questions and help you get comfortable with the device.
• Get several fittings to make sure your hearing aid is comfortable and working properly. Make sure you choose one that only has the features you need.
• Keep in mind that you'll have to change the batteries on your hearing aid regularly.

There are also modifications for your home that will make hearing easier for you, like telephone amplification devices and special TV and radio listening systems. If you are worried about not being able to hear your smoke detector or alarm clock, find a system that alerts you visually or with vibration. Many theaters, churches and public auditoriums also offer listening devices that can improve your experience.

If your hearing loss is severe, doctors may suggest implants that are placed under the skin behind your ear. They help people with certain types of hearing loss by sending signals to your ear and brain.

Taking action is the most important thing you can do. Do not be embarrassed to admit you are having trouble hearing. Finding a solution for your hearing loss ensures that you will not miss life's important moments.

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Dealing with Vision Loss

Being able to see is an amazing gift. Protect your eyesight by learning about measures you can take to prevent vision loss.

Protecting Your Eyesight

• Have your eyes checked every year by an eye doctor, or ophthalmologist. If you wear glasses, remember to bring them with you to your appointment.
• Are you at high risk of developing eye disease? You could be if you are over 65, an African-American over 40, or if you have a history of diabetes or eye disease in your family.
• Have a physical regularly to check for the diseases that could lead to serious eye conditions.
• See an eye doctor right away if you suddenly cannot see or experience any severe discomfort.
• When you go outside, remember to wear sunglasses that block ultraviolet (UV) radiation and a hat with a wide brim.

Signs of Vision Loss and Low Vision

Vision loss can sometimes be difficult to pick up on. It may be time to see a doctor if you find yourself:

• Squinting or tilting your head to get objects into focus
• Holding reading material very close to your face
• Writing less clearly
• Finding it difficult to identify people or objects
• Struggling to identify colors
• Brushing against walls when walking
• Bumping into objects consistently
• Going up and down stairs cautiously, even though you have no physical limitations
• Having trouble getting food onto your fork
• Spilling liquids when pouring them into a cup
• Knocking things over when reaching across the table

If you notice yourself struggling with these things, you should contact a specialist for an examination and low vision test. Low vision is a problem that cannot be fixed with glasses, contacts, medication or surgery, but does not have to mean a change in lifestyle. You can benefit from the use of special tools and aids like large-print reading materials, magnifying aids, closed-circuit TVs and electronic reading materials.

Dealing with Vision Loss

Simple changes can make life easier and enhance your daily routine:

• Try writing with bold, black markers and using paper with dark lines.
• Put colored tape on the edge of your steps to make getting up and down stairs easier.
• Install dark colored light switches and electrical outlets that contrast with light walls.
• Use motion lights that turn on when you enter the room to avoid accidents caused by poor lighting.
• Use telephones, clocks and watches with large numbers

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Preventing a Fall

Maintaining your balance and stability makes you stronger and helps to prevent major falls-and the breaks, fractures and sprains that come with them. Loss of balance can be caused by neurological conditions, diabetes, vertigo, postural hypertension, foot and eye problems, certain medications and other common conditions. Luckily, there are measures you can take to increase your balance and prevent falls.

Avoiding Falls

There are many things you can do to maximize your balance and reduce your risk of injury:

• Ask your doctor about bone mineral density tests and medications that improve bone strength.
• Talk with your doctor about starting an exercise program to stay strong and flexible and slow bone loss.
• Have your hearing and vision tested often, as slight changes can affect your balance.
• Limit the amount of alcohol you drink. Even small amounts can affect your stability.
• Always stand up slowly after eating, lying down or resting. Getting up too quickly can make you feel faint.
• Keep your house at a moderate temperature. More extreme temperatures can make you dizzy.
• Use a cane, walking stick or walker to steady yourself and be very careful on wet or icy surfaces.
• Hold handrails when you walk up and down stairs.
• Ask if any medications you're taking have side effects that could interfere with your balance.
• Find out about buying a personal emergency response device. If you fall, you can alert emergency services by pushing a button that you wear around your neck or wrist.
• Remove objects from your home that you could easily trip over like books, clothes, shoes and throw rugs.
• Keep items in low cabinets so you can reach them without leaning or over-reaching.
• Use non-slip mats in the bathroom and install grab bars next to your toilet and in the shower.
• Improve the lighting in your home so you can see better and avoid hazardous situations.
• Wear shoes inside and out of the house, as you can easily trip in slippers.

Living with Osteoporosis

If you have osteoporosis, you can easily break a bone in a minor accident. This condition affects both men and women, especially over the age of 65. The best way to take charge of your osteoporosis it is to keep your bones strong with calcium and vitamin D, primarily found in dairy products. Tell your doctor if you have a family history of the disease and he or she can help you with bone testing and treatment. The risk of osteoporosis grows as you get older, so it is crucial to be proactive and get tested frequently.

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Helpful Links

Arthritis Foundation Texas Chapter

LowVision.com

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

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