Get regular care and stick to your treatment plan

Once you’ve decided on a treatment plan with your doctor, make sure you understand their instructions about when and how to take medications, what equipment you’ll need, and other important details. Stick to your treatment plan and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

• Take your medication as prescribed. Taking the right dose at the right time and in the right way is essential to managing your chronic conditions.
• Monitor your health at home. Some treatment plans include checking your blood sugar, blood pressureor other health numbers on a regular basis. Be sure to stick to the schedule and contact your doctor if anything seems off. Tell your health care professional about new or worsening symptoms or other changes that worry you. For example, if you receive chemotherapy for cancer, you are more likely to get infections because of a weakened immune system. If you think you have an infection, contact your doctor immediately – even if this happens in the middle of the night. Learn more about how you prevent infections.
• Schedule regular checkups with your doctor. Chronic illnesses can affect your body in many different ways, so it’s important to schedule regular appointments to make sure your treatment plan is working. Talk to your doctor to decide how often you should go for check-ups.

Learn more about your condition and how to manage it

If you have a chronic illness, learning to solve problems and make informed decisions about your health can allow you to live a healthier life. Self-management education (SME) programs can help you learn skills to manage symptoms of your condition, improve your eating and sleeping habits, reduce stress, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Education and support for diabetes self-management is an example of SME designed to improve blood sugar levels, reduce complications and improve overall health.

Get regular physical activity and eat well

Stay active

Physical activity is one of the best things you can do to improve your health. If you have a chronic illness, regular activity can help you manage your condition and prevent complications. Staying active can:

• Instantly help you feel, function and sleep better.
• Help you stay independent and fit so you can carry out daily tasks.
• Help you control your weight.
• Improve your mental health.
• Reduce pain and improve function if you have arthritis.

Adults with chronic health conditions or disabilities who are able to do so should try to meet federal recommendations for physical activity: at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity each week, plus 2 days per week of muscle-strengthening activities.

If you are unable to adhere to these guidelines, remember that some activity is better than no activity. Work with your doctor to set physical activity goals that match your abilities.

Eat healthy food

Only 1 in 10 adults eat the recommended amounts of fruit and vegetables. Healthy eating is a big part of managing chronic diseases and preventing complications.

According to Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025 a healthy diet plan:

• Emphasizes fruit, vegetables, whole grains and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products.
• Includes a variety of protein foods, such as fish and shellfish, lean meat and poultry, eggs, legumes (beans and peas), soy products, nuts and seeds.
• Is low in added sugar, sodiumsaturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol.
• Stays within your daily calorie needs.

USDAs MyPlate Plan can help you identify what and how much to eat from the different food groups to stay within your recommended calorie intake. You can also download My food diary to help track your meals.