By this point in time, we have all been exposed to various information about COVID-19. Perhaps one of the most important tips we’ve heard is related to the groups who are most at-risk for developing illness from the virus. According the CDC, those at highest risk are older adults (people 65 years and older) and people of any age who have underlying health conditions that are not well-controlled. This is because these conditions can cause a weakened immune system. Although keeping up with chronic health conditions can be a handful, it is important during any period of time, especially now to ensure that you are as healthy as you can possibly be. In order to help, the following are some tips and tricks to improving and maintaining different health conditions:
Diabetes:
- Be sure to have 2 weeks of your medication on hand at any given time
- Continue taking your medications, especially diabetes pills and insulin as prescribed
- Test your blood sugars routinely and log your results
- Inform your doctor of consistently high blood sugar readings
- Follow a diet with moderation of carbohydrate intake
- Instead of having white rice, pasta, white bread try alternatives like brown rice, wheat pasta, whole wheat bread and other whole grains
- Avoid foods high in sugar like sodas, juices, sweet tea, and sweet treats
Lung diseases (Asthma, COPD, emphysema):
- Be sure you are current on your inhalers, nebulizers and other steroids or breathing medications, including a non-expired rescue inhaler
- Know how to use your inhaler and nebulizer
- Avoid triggers like outdoor and indoor allergies, aerosol sprays, and smoke
- Talk to your doctor about having an Asthma Action Plan to follow if you have a flare-up
Heart disease (heart failure, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc.)
- Be sure to have 2 weeks of your medication on hand at any given time
- Continue taking your medications as prescribed, especially the ones for your heart
- Follow a heart healthy diet
- Limit your sodium (salt) intake
- Avoid foods high in fats like fast food, fried, and greasy foods
- If you have heart failure:
- Follow your fluid restriction as set by your doctor
- Monitor your weight every day, reporting consistent weight gain to your doctor
- Talk to your doctor about having a Heart Failure Action Plan to follow if you have a flare-up
Chronic kidney disease, especially those undergoing dialysis:
- Follow up regularly with your primary care doctor and any specialists, like your kidney doctor
- Follow your dialysis schedule and do not miss any treatment days
- Be sure to have 2 weeks of your medication on hand at any given time
- Adhere to a diet for those with kidney disease
- Low sodium
- Low potassium
- Low phosphorus