Self -Management of Chronic Illnesses



Abstract

The paper describes about the chronic disease and explains how the patients can manage their illnesses, by increasing their awareness and education. It explains the role of self-management programs. It also explain the type I diabetes and their management in children and adults.

Self -Management of Chronic Illnesses

Introduction

Self-management is involvement of people, in practices and activities that promote health by involving the people in making decisions and building partnerships with their health care service providers by increasing their knowledge and confidence to manage the chronic illnesses. This can be done by monitoring signs and symptoms of chronic illness. Self-managing chronic illnesses impacts peoples' lives. It differs from medical treatment; as in self-management, people take more active decisions about their healthy lifestyle. It does not mean that traditional treatment is not required; it means that people control their own health concerns. Supporting people to manage their own health can cause improvement in their health status, improved symptom control, decreased GP and hospital visits. Self-management is a shared responsibility of both service providers and the individual. The service providers evaluate the people's role in managing the chronic illnesses. It is also essential to develop collaborative relationship with these patients and health professionals. To adopt a system that supports self-management implementation, changes should be made in cultures, infrastructure, attitudes, and practices.

Discussion

Chronic Disease

In Australian, the health cost burden has increased due to chronic illnesses such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Chronic illnesses or lifestyle- related diseases make up 70% of Australia's health burden. Chronic illnesses are very common in the Australian population. The increased incidence of chronic illnesses can be attributed to a various factors such as:

Lifestyle changes

High blood cholesterol

Tobacco smoking

Insufficient physical activity

High risk alcohol use

Poor nutrition

High blood pressure

Excess weight

Demographic changes (Australian Government, 2007).

Type 2 diabetes is associated with lack of exercise, obesity, and unhealthy lifestyle. In 2000, there were 940,000 people with diabetes in Australia. The factors that are causing in the rise in chronic illnesses include:

85% of people do not consume sufficient vegetables;

Most of the people do not get sufficient time to do physical activity;

21% of people smoke tobacco.

In past years, chronic illnesses have been associated with old age, now the younger people are also involved in chronic illnesses.

Children in Australia, have become overweight or obese due to reduced physical activity and poor nutrition, causing diseases in childhood and adolescence . 10% of children in Australia have two or three long-term conditions. The increase in the disease burden due to chronic diseases has placed strain on health organisations such as hospitals and general practice. 70% of general practitioner's visits are due to chronic diseases. They are causing 70% of the health cost expenditure. The increasing prevalence of these chronic illnesses will have serious health effects for public health in the future. The health care system is currently based on an 'acute' management of diseases. This is dependent on professional care of chronic conditions. The successful management of chronic conditions is dependent on self-management by the ...