Do you know any chronic illnesses and how to manage them? Living with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease can be challenging in a patient’s life. This disease is dangerous because it affects the nervous system of the body. As a result, the development of weak muscles in the legs and arms limits your normal pursuit. This article breaks down 5 important tips to help victims living with CMT.
1. Partake in Physical Activity
Participating in mobility exercises every day is a prime strategy to help you manage CMT. It is because physical activities ensure an even distribution of blood to all body parts. But before you decide to be active, talk to your physician to assist you to build the correct exercise plan. Enacting nutrition in your daily life can also come in handy to grow strong muscles. A balanced diet is ideal for living with CMT because you will gain effective nutrients. Besides, try aerobics activities like riding a bike, walking or swimming. If you need quality results, hire a personal trainer to guide you in light weight lifting at home.
2. Incorporate Assistive Aids
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease makes it hard for you to handle home chores/day-to-day duties. So, assistive aids in the house are good tips to make work easier. You can innovate some assistive tools from home materials and buy other complex ones. For example, having adaptive dishes like a two-handed cup makes you use less strength. Lever doors are also support you in moving around the house with freedom. If you love cooking, it is a good idea to own electric can openers.
3. Take Care of Your Mental Health
Living with CMT proves to affect mental health. Being a victim of a hereditary chronic disease can be depressing and discouraging. Patients in most cases feel angry due to the failure to do normal activities. Creating a support team is a working method to improve your mental health. The team can involve family members, friends, counselors, and even religious leaders. Avoid being idle and take part in projects such as art classes, community work, and traveling. If you keep your mind occupied, you will worry less about your CMT condition.
4. Use Orthotics/Moving Tools
In your daily lifestyle, you will need to move from one place to another right? Acquiring any mobility aid tool will help you manage to live with CMT. For instance, wheelchairs are the popular aids to consider in your CMT journey. But wheelchairs are only ideal depending on the severity of the disease. Mobility scooters are also another option for patients who find it hard to walk. When you want to go hiking, walking poles are the best choice for you in the healing process.
5. Hire a Personal Health Nurse
CMT patients need special attention from a professional nurse. Even though this tip may be expensive, it is necessary if you are living with CMT. The role of the nurse will be administering medication, dressing, and dieting. Pushing yourself to do everything at home can lead to more muscle damage.
