Receiving a healthcare diagnosis can be both relieving and daunting. As such, it can be hard to know exactly how to proceed in the weeks moving forward without feeling overwhelmed.
Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash
With that in mind, here are five steps to follow after receiving a diagnosis.
Stay Calm & Ask Questions.
Getting an official diagnosis for any health condition can feel daunting, especially if you aren’t sure what the next steps will be. However, staying calm during this time means you’ll be able to better process the information your healthcare provider is sharing with you. If you feel as though you aren’t able to pay close attention to what they are saying, ask them to write down some of the information. You may also want to take some time in between appointments to write down a list of questions so that you don’t feel pressured to come up with them on the spot (or forget to ask something important).
Ask Your Doctor For Resources.
Thanks to the internet, we have a wealth of information at our fingertips when it comes to just about any topic – including our health. However, it’s important to remember that Google is not a doctor, and information you pull from random websites may not always be accurate. As such, you should ask your doctor to signpost you to websites that will provide you with accurate and up-to-date information relating to your diagnosis and potential treatment options.
Stay on top of your medication.
If you have been prescribed any medication by your doctor or healthcare professional, such as IVIG for MS, you should ensure that you stay on top of your medication schedule. For example, you may be advised to take the medication at a specific time each day in order to get the best results. You should also research potential side effects ahead of time so that you know what to expect and can reach out for medical help and attention if needed.
Make lifestyle changes.
Making certain lifestyle changes can also come in handy when dealing with a healthcare diagnosis. For example, certain symptoms can be alleviated through exercise or improving your diet. As such, you should consult with a medical professional to see if there are any additional changes you can make to your routine, such as:
- Abandoning bad habits such as smoking.
- Getting enough sleep
- Changing your diet
- Working out more consistently
Don’t skip your Doctor’s visits.
Dealing with a health condition often means that you need to monitor your health more carefully, which means that you may need to meet more often with your doctor or healthcare provider. As such, you should ensure that you never skip over an appointment, even if you feel as though you are in good health. This will help you to maintain control over your condition. Furthermore, your doctor may be able to pick up on subtle changes to your health that you were unaware of, meaning that issues can be addressed sooner rather than later.