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Ibd Sufferers: You Can End the Struggle

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Ibd Sufferers: You Can End the Struggle

I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis eight years ago, and I was told that I would likely struggle with flare-ups for the rest of my life. I heard stories of other sufferers who had to eventually have their colons removed, and I became determined to not become part of this statistic. I was prescribed a daily medication that helps manage my condition, and although I don't like taking pills, I realize I need it to keep my colon healthy. I still experienced flares, so I began an elimination diet recommended by my doctor and found my "trigger" foods. I have now been flare-free for two years! I created this blog to help remind others with IBD that there is hope. You can end the constant struggle if you work with your doctor to try different methods of controlling your disease.

3 Little-Known Ways Home Healthcare Providers Can Help You Through Your Temporary Health Challenge

10 December 2015
 Categories: Health & Medical , Articles

Home healthcare workers, like those at a place like Always Dependable, are an asset to the community, but not everyone realizes what they can do other than assist aging seniors who need extensive care in the home. People of all ages can face sudden medical challenges, and if you are enduring one right now, you may not realize that home care assistance is available to help you through it. Here are a few ways that home health assistance can benefit you or someone you love of any age. 

1. Hands-on Teaching of Medication Injection Technique

If you were recently prescribed a medication that you must inject yourself with, such as insulin, then you may be having a tough time performing a task you never thought you would have to. While your regular medical providers likely provided a short lesson on how to inject it and where and even helped you through your first time doing it on your own, you may still feel fearful of that syringe and just have a mental block that keeps you from being able to give yourself the medication you need. 

Many people fear the process of having a medical professional give them a medication injection, let alone having to inject one on their own, so realize you are not alone in your fear. However, you can conquer this fear, and a few more hands-on learning sessions from a home health aide can help you do it. You can call a local agency and arrange for a few visits during your designated injection times, and they can lead you through the process and give you the peace-of-mind you need by ensuring you that you are choosing the right injection site, preparing the site properly, and administering the right dosage. When you no longer need their help, you can cancel the visits. 

2. Help when Battling a Bad Seasonal Illness

Not everyone has a large support system of family and friends that live near-by to help them through a bad bout of influenza or another seasonal virus that isn't bad enough to warrant a hospital stay but is bad enough to leave them in bed feeling miserable. You don't have to suffer alone and without someone to bring you a hot bowl of soup or a glass of ginger-ale when you call for a home health aide to help you through this tough time. Whether you are 18 or 88, you deserve to have someone nearby to provide you with a little assistance and comfort when battling illness. 

Even after seeing your doctor who declares you are battling a virus and simply need to rest and wait for it to pass, complications can occur, and a home health aide with medical training who visits daily can help detect a potential complication that you may not realize is developing. 

3. Check-ins During a Home Drug Detox

If you have decided to stop taking a drug you have been dependent on, then you may want to opt to detox at home after obtaining guidelines and medications to help you through it from your doctor. It is very important to have proper supervision during a detox in case you suddenly have a change of health status that signals you need to get to the nearest emergency medical facility. You may have family who can assist in your supervision at times, but they may have to leave to go to work or perform other needed tasks. 

Don't let lack of needed supervision derail you from your plan to quit your habit. Instead, contact a home health agency or have a family member contact one while planning your detox. Many will be able to send aides during the gaps in your supervision plan when no one else is available. While present, they can check your vital signs and even help you prepare a snack, change your sweaty bed-sheets, or just give you someone to talk to and keep your mind off your discomfort. 

Most importantly, they can call for emergency medical care if, during their visit, they or you notice signs of a medical emergency that warrants a visit to an emergency care facility. 

Home health aides are an asset to not only the elderly, but to anyone of any age facing a health challenge. If you are facing one of the above challenges or know a loved one who is, then speak to the staff at a home health agency and inquire about the service you or they need.