Patients with degenerative diseases and their quality of life
Health is fundamental to our well-being. Most people think that their quality of life is positive, as long as they stay in good physical and mental condition. However, and precisely because of that thought, when we suffer some disease the world falls on us and we think that nothing else is worth it. This may be the case of patients with degenerative diseases.
The truth is that the quality of life is not measured only by the state of health. There are many other factors that count for its maintenance. It is to these other factors that we must resort if we wish to increase the well-being of patients with degenerative diseases.
However, before delving into what these aspects are, we must better understand what exactly this type of disease consists of.
What characterizes a degenerative disease?
Degenerative diseases are conditions, usually chronic, due to which certain cells of our body deteriorate. This makes the fabrics have their quality compromised or even stop working. This type of disease, unlike infectious diseases, does not occur through external agents; otherwise, it is our body that causes the symptoms.
Some known examples of degenerative diseases are those that affect the central nervous system. This is manifested in the proper functioning of the patient's brain. This can affect both cognitive abilities and motor control. Two of the best known of this type are Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Man with degenerative disease
However, patients with degenerative diseases not only have the nervous system affected. Many of these syndromes affect all types of tissues. Thus, any organ, apparatus or system of the organism can be affected.
Degenerative diseases are complicated to assimilate by the patient and their relatives. The nonexistent cure and the fact that independence and freedom of movement will be reduced are difficult to accept. However, it should be emphasized that this does not imply that the patient will not have a better quality of life.
How to improve the quality of life of these patients
The quality of life is a very abstract concept, difficult to define in detail. The official indicators responsible for studying it are defined in the level of welfare of each country. However, those ways of measuring it do not help us when we try to increase our individual happiness.
However, there are certain factors that increase our quality of life. For example, personal relationships and self-esteem are probably the definition of happiness for most of us. These are aspects that should be addressed with patients with degenerative diseases.
Friendly family atmosphere. The closest relatives should support the patient by showing their affection and respect. It is important that the person who suffers from this type of illness does not see himself as a burden on his family members. Feeling important and useful is one of the best ways to integrate a human being into a social group.
Active social environment. As we have seen, belonging to a group is crucial to maintaining the quality of life. There are many people who share a disease, who meet to express their concerns and learn from the experiences of others. Seek their support can be very useful to improve the welfare of patients.
Physical health. Many times, in order to feel good about ourselves, we also need to take care of the outside. This is the reason why patients with degenerative diseases should not neglect their physical appearance or renounce to like themselves from the outside. Nor should you give everything for lost in terms of your physical well-being. Therefore, as much as possible, taking care of your body can be very helpful in improving your mood.
Other ways to help patients with degenerative diseases
In addition to these fundamental points, there are several therapies that are developed in order to improve the quality of life of this type of patients. For example, hippotherapy or horse-assisted therapy in people with multiple sclerosis; or therapies with dogs for Alzheimer's patients.
Regardless of what to choose, the important thing is that there are many ways to improve the quality of life of chronic patients. If you are in this situation or know someone who is experiencing something, remember: there is always something we can do.
Thank you for these excellent thoughts. What a good run-down of some of the options!
I would simply like to add that patients with degenerative disease are not statistics. They are not the average of someone else's wants, needs, or preferences. Rather, they are individuals to be consulted about what "quality of life" means to them. They must not be treated by applying some "norm".