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Managing a chronic illness often requires a wide range of strategies, which can be overwhelming. Ask your doctor questions about your illness when you go for appointments, but also ask them where to get more information on managing your condition. For example, your doctor may be able to provide you with informational pamphlets, suggest medical websites, or point you towards organizations that provide resources for people with your chronic illness. It's important to follow your doctor's recommendations for managing your condition. Ask your doctor what you can do to manage your chronic illness. This may include a wide range of things, such as:  Taking your medications as directed Changing your diet Exercising Quitting smoking Going to physical therapy Reporting any changes in your condition to your healthcare team Once you have identified the best way to manage your chronic illness, set some goals to help keep you focused and motivated. Choose something that you can control and set a SMART goal (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, time-based goal) for yourself.  For example, if your doctor has identified getting 30 minutes of daily exercise as something that will help to lower your blood pressure, then set a goal for yourself to “take two 15 minute walks around your neighborhood every day.” If your doctor has recommended cutting out all sources of gluten to manage your celiac disease, then your goal might be to “start reading labels on products to check for gluten before you buy them.” If you have prescription medications for your chronic illness, take them exactly as your doctor has instructed. Read the instructions that came with your medication and ask your doctor or pharmacist if anything is unclear. For example, if you have been prescribed an anti-inflammatory medication to help ease the symptoms of arthritis, then make sure that you take your medication every day. In some situations, you may need to consult with healthcare professionals other than your primary care physician to manage your chronic health condition. These may include dietitians, physical therapists, therapists, or specialist physicians, such as a pulmonologist (lung doctor) or cardiologist (heart doctor). Let your doctor and any specialists know what you are doing to manage your condition, medications you take, and any other information they might need to know to help you. They are unlikely to talk with each other, so you will have to keep track of what each professional recommends for you.
Learn as much as you can about your condition. Consult with a doctor on the best approach to managing your condition. Identify realistic health goals that you can work towards. Take your medications as instructed by your healthcare provider. Seek advice from specialist healthcare providers as needed.