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.
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One-sentence summary -- 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.


Before you stop birth control, schedule a preconception visit with your doctor. If you are up to date on your annual exams (e.g. pap smear, breast exam), this visit generally won't involve a physical or gynecological exam. Your doctor will inquire about your lifestyle habits, medical history, and gynecological history, and may provide advice on how to conceive. Once you decide to conceive, start adjusting your lifestyle habits to prepare for pregnancy. If you're a smoker, work on quitting the habit before trying to conceive. Start getting regular, low impact exercise (e.g., jogging) and move away from fitness activities that pose a high risk of falling or injury (e.g., mountain biking). Cut caffeine down to 2 servings a day, and begin eating a more well-balanced diet. As soon as you decide to conceive, start taking folic acid supplements. Folic acid decreases the risk of miscarriage and birth defects, but you must start taking it 1 to 2 months prior to conception for it to be successful. Buy either 400 or 800 microgram tablets at your local pharmacy, to be taken once a day. For best results, start taking folic acid a month before you stop using birth control. Plan for pregnancy as an imminent possibility before stopping your birth control, whether it be discontinuing your contraceptive pills or having an IUD removed. While it could take months to conceive after halting contraceptive measures, it is also possible that you will get pregnant right away. If you want more of an adjustment period before conception (e.g., to plan for things financially), wait to stop birth control until you are absolutely ready.
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One-sentence summary -- Schedule a preconception doctor appointment. Start building healthy habits. Start taking folic acid supplements. Avoid planning too far ahead.


A scan tool reads information from your On-board Diagnostics, version II (OBD-II) system. This system collects information from the sensors in your engine. If the sensor detects something wrong, it reports it as an error code to the OBD-II. A scan tool allows you to read this code. The scan tool plugs into OBD-II data link connector, which is usually located under the dash. The most common location for the OBD-II connector is under the dash by the steering wheel. The owner's manual should have the exact location if you have trouble finding it. Place your key in the ignition and turn it to on, but do not start the engine. You only want the electrical systems running. The scan tool will prompt you to fill in some information about your vehicle. It usually requires information about the make, model, engine, and year of the vehicle. Most scan tools draw power from the vehicle’s battery and do not require a separate power source. The scan tool will display any error codes the OBD-II reports. If the result is in the P0400 to PR409 range, then the EGR valve may be faulty.
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One-sentence summary -- Use a car scan to test the EGR valve. Locate the OBD-II data connector. Turn the ignition to the on position. Connect the scan tool to the OBD-II data link connector. Read the results.


8-to-5 is the most common marching style. Every step is 22.5 inches. In other words, you will take 8 steps between every 5 yard line. You will start with your left foot and end on your right. Another common style is the 6-to-5 style, which means 6 (30 inch) steps per 5 yards. Lift your leg high in the air with your thigh parallel to the ground and your calf vertical to the ground with your toes pointed. Break the step into 4 motions.  On the count of 1, lift your left heel off the ground, keeping your toes pointed. On the count of 2, lift your left leg into a chair position, keeping your toes pointed. On the count of 3, drop your left leg so the toe is pointed and the heel is off the ground. On the count of 4, drop your left heel to the ground. Repeat this for your right leg. Keep your legs straight while you march. Start by lifting and moving your left foot forward. Plant your heel into the ground first, keeping your foot straight so that your toes point up at an angle and so the bottom of your foot can be seen. Repeat for your right foot. A roll step, also known as a glide step, is a way to march while keeping your instrument level so that it is easier to play. To march backwards, use the motions of the chair step. Bring each leg up into a chair position, then thrust the foot backwards. Always stay on the balls of your feet and keep your heels off the ground.
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One-sentence summary --
March in an 8-to-5 style. March a chair step. March a rolling step. March backwards.