How To Deal With Comorbidities And Be Prepared To Live With Covid-19

Submitted by PatientsEngage on 8 June 2020

A handy list of resources for living with the coronavirus and managing your chronic conditions. Just look for your condition below. If you don't find what you are looking for, please leave a comment and we will get back to you.

We must live with Covid-19 pandemic for a while. For people with chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, rheumatic conditions, pulmonary conditions, it is even more essential to manage these conditions better. For e.g. a person whose blood sugars are under control is better equipped to deal with the coronavirus infection.

As we prepare for the easing of restrictions, we must be aware of the risks of infection associated with it and mitigate these risks by practicing safety guidelines viz. mask hygiene, regular washing and sanitisation of hands, and maintaining safe distance at all times.

We must also recognise that we cannot delay seeking help and treatment of our chronic conditions, and seek out the doctor. The process of these has changed in some places. While some places have started OPDs, most still require that you first connect and consult with the doctor through telemedicine. If the doctor advises you to go for tests or go see the doctor in person, please go ahead and not delay diagnosis and treatment. Do not let your fear of Covid-19 risk overtake your need for timely care.

We have also compiled resources for various conditions. Click on the topics you are interested in to get a detailed understanding of your specific condition. If you have specific questions, you can ask in our discussion forums or contact us at https://www.patientsengage.com/contact

Cancer

1. How to manage cancer treatment during Covid-19 by Dr. Vinay Deshmane, Consultant in Surgical Oncology & Breast Diseases and Medical Director and Jnt. Hon secretary of the Indian Cancer Society. Link to the webinar recording.

2.Also, here is the link to the key notes from the recording of the above webinar

Diabetes

1. How to live well with Diabetes during Covid-19 by Dr. Debashis Basu, Diabetes Awareness and You

2. How to manage diabetes during Covid-19 lockdown by Dr. Piya Balani Thakkar. Summary of her webinar recording

2a. How to manage diabetes during Covid-19 lockdown by Dr. Piya Balani Thakkar. Link to the webinar recording

Dementia

1. Dementia Home Care, the COVID-19 infection risk, and Lockdown/ Unlock challenges

This is a good resource to track the impact of the changes due to lockdowns and re-opening of cities and areas and how it impacts dementia care and even elder care. Useful tips for family caregivers of persons with dementia.

Community

Auto Immune conditions

Caregiver Community

Coping With Covid-19 Pandemic

Diabetes

Kidney, Urinary, Gastro Intestinal, Liver

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Neurological Conditions

Cancer

Condition

Breast Cancer

Cancer

Chronic Kidney Disease

Stories

Overcoming The Emotional Rollercoaster Of Diabetes

NR* an ex-athlete, 60+ year old ex-consultant was diagnosed with diabetes 23 years ago. While his diabetes is under control with oral medication, his journey has been replete with ups and downs. In this article, he shares the highlights of his journey, his current state and set of actions, with special focus on his challenges with his emotions and how they impacted his ability to act constructively. Trigger Warning: Some parts of the narrative may be triggering for some persons…
My Taste Buds Have Got Used To No Sugars

Aubrey Millet, 75, achieved remission from type 2 diabetes over two years ago. Here we catch up with him again to find out how he continues to maintain a strict control on his diet and abstains from all forms of sweets. You have been able to successfully maintain normal blood sugar levels without medication for over two years now. You must be feeling gratified and thankful? It has been two-and-a-half years since I have successfully reversed my diabetes. I am extremely…
गर्भावस्था के दौरान स्ट्रोक होना मेरे लिए एक चेतावनी था

38 वर्षीया शैलजा बुवनेश्वरी एस को अपनी दूसरी गर्भावस्था के दौरान बिना किसी भी चेतावनी के अचानक स्ट्रोक हुआ। वे इस लेख में बताती हैं कि वे कैसे धीरे-धीरे ठीक हुईं और अपने बच्चों और परिवार की देखभाल करने के लिए उन्होंने कैसे अपनी ताकत फिर से प्राप्त की। कृपया हमें अपनी स्थिति के बारे में कुछ बताएं: मुझे अपनी दूसरी गर्भावस्था के 27वें सप्ताह के दौरान टीआईए (ट्रांसिएंट इस्कीमिक अटैक्स या अस्थायी स्थानिक अरक्तता) हुआ था। यह एक प्रकार का मिनी-स्ट्रोक (अल्प आघात) है। मेरा थ्रोम्बोलिसिस किया गया (रक्त…
Diabetes and Vision Loss: How to Prevent and Manage - Webinar Video

November is World Diabetes Awareness Month. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults. Find out how people with diabetes can protect their vision and prevent blindness. The theme for 2021-2023 has been on Access to Diabetes with the subtheme this year being Education to protect tomorrow. PatientsEngage and IHOPE came together at how people with diabetes can protect their vision and prevent blindness. It is not common knowledge that people…
Best Exercises for Diabetes Management

Consulting Physiotherapist Nikita Morwal Kataria at Chellaram Hospital Diabetes Care and Multispeciality, Pune highlights the benefits of exercise for diabetes and helps you identify exercises good for diabetes management. In today’s chaotic world, it has been seen that increased sedentary behaviour greatly affects the health outcomes such as risk of obesity rates rising, lowered cardiorespiratory fitness and lowered insulin sensitivity in young people especially aged between 11-18 years old.…
Diabetes Terms Explained

As you learn to navigate and manage diabetes, you will come across new terms. PatientsEngage has compiled an easy reckoner in alphabetical order to help you understand the terms associated with diabetes. If you don't find the term you are looking for, please you leave a comment below or send us a note through contact us and we will update this content. Beta cells Beta cells are found in the pancreas, as part of clusters called islets. They are…
Stay Positive, Supportive And Calm When Parenting Child With Diabetes

Anjana Tripathi was shocked to find her daughter diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at an early age of 14. Their world underwent a sea change trying to adjust to the needs of the condition. She shares here all the challenges that they as a family navigated. Anjana has even encapsulated her experiences in a rather well researched book. Please tell us about your daughter’s condition. When was she diagnosed? How old was she? My daughter deals on a daily basis with the chronic autoimmune disorder…
Stroke During My Pregnancy Was A Wakeup Call

Shailaja Buvaneswari S,38 suffered a stroke during her second pregnancy, a sudden attack without any warnings, whatsoever. She talks about how she slowly recovered and got back her strength to look after her children and family. Please tell us a bit about your condition: I had a TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack) during my 27th week of pregnancy (second). I was thrombolysed and the baby was monitored for the next one week while I was given mild physiotherapy in the hospital. I was discharged after…
A Journey Of Hope: New Directions in Cancer Care

PatientsEngage supports a Journey of Hope, a seminar highlighting new directions in Cancer Care. Find out how new therapy areas like nuclear medicine therapy and targeted radiotherapy are useful for treating prostate, neuroendocrine and potentially other cancers. Also learn about the role of patient groups in supporting patient and caregiver journeys. Join us on Sat 5 Nov at Academia Bldg, Singapore General Hospital Campus, or via YouTube Register here to get the links: https://…
पिताजी के स्ट्रोक के बाद पूरा परिवार मेरी माँ (प्राथमिक देखभालकर्ता) का समर्थन कर रहा है

पायल के पिताजी को स्ट्रोक हुआ, और उस के बाद के वर्षों में पायल ने उनमें होने वाली शारीरिक और मानसिक गिरावट को करीब से देखा है। पायल और उनकी माँ पिताजी की दैनिक देखभाल में सक्रिय भूमिका निभाते हैं और देखभाल समय के साथ कठिन हो रही है। हमें अपने पिताजी की स्थिति के बारे में बताएं मेरे पिताजी को 15 साल पहले ब्रेन स्ट्रोक हुआ था और वे दिन-ब-दिन धीरे-धीरे बिगड़ते जा रहे हैं। उन्होंने अपनी अधिकांश याददाश्त खो दी है और अपने बच्चों के नाम तक याद करने के लिए संघर्ष करते हैं। अकेले रहने पर वे अकसर इधर-उधर…