 The illustrations for this article were created on computer by
Erin Brady Worsham of Nashville, Tenn., who has had ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease)
since 1994. Married with one child, she maintains her health by drinking lots
of water, taking few medications, staying busy and "having an incredible
caregiver in my husband, Curry." |
If life were "fair" (ha!), then nobody would ever have to deal with more than
one medical problem at a time. But as is abundantly clear, the word "fair"
isn't in life's vocabulary. So, lots of people coping with neuromuscular
diseases also fall prey to other ailments that further compromise their quality
of life.
In fact, people with neuromuscular diseases are at greater risk for developing
some secondary illnesses, due to the side effects of a sedentary lifestyle, and
the mental and physical stresses caused by their disorders.
And ironically, as life expectancy increases, so do the odds of developing
secondary medical problems (see "Aging
with Neuromuscular Disease"). Neuromuscular disease provides no
immunity from arthritis, hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis or cancer, which
can rob people of their remaining health even as they're living longer.
In addition, several neuromuscular disorders are associated with specific
physical problems, such as heart disorders in some of the muscular dystrophies,
tumors in dermatomyositis or bad reactions to anesthesia in other disorders. Be
sure you're aware of the particular risk factors for your disease so you can
spot symptoms early on.
What's the Rx for these possible health threats? Whatever you do, don't worry
about it! The last thing you need is more stress in your life. Instead, take
steps now to safeguard, stabilize or improve your general health.
Some steps are obvious (if not always easy). Eat a balanced diet. Get a flu
shot. Have regular checkups. Wash your hands. Get enough rest. Don't drink too
much alcohol. Stay away from sick people. Quit smoking. Lose excess weight.
But many doctors, researchers and people with neuromuscular diseases also
suggest you go beyond the obvious. Life is more than just having a breathing
body. Life is also a mental and spiritual state. When people think holistically — caring for themselves as whole people, not just as a collection of physical
symptoms — a cumulative good effect seems to result.
In the next several pages, Quest looks at a variety of ways that people with
neuromuscular diseases have found to stay healthy and happy. "The Mind-Body
Connection" explores some mental and spiritual approaches to well-being. "From
the Outside In" is a compendium of things people put into and onto their bodies
to relieve pain, maintain strength and flexibility, and strengthen their immune
systems.
"The Ins and Outs of Exercise" reports the latest thinking on physical activity.
"From the Inside Out" recognizes the impact of creative self-expression on
quality of life. And "Health
Resources" lists some books, Web sites and articles for more
information.
Like prescription drugs advertised on TV and in magazines, these articles come
with warnings. First, MDA isn't endorsing or recommending any specific therapy
or treatment. Check with your doctor before starting any new practice,
no matter how innocent it seems. Your doctor may not be able to tell you if it
will help, but she or he can probably indicate if it will hurt.
Further, beware of any treatment that promises to solve all your problems. For
the most effective results, a well-thought-out, customized combination of
several practices — taken in moderation — is still the best medicine.
Next: Mind-Body
>> |
