The Quality Of Life Of Patients With Degenerative Diseases

Health is critical to our well-being. Most people consider their quality of life to be positive, as long as they remain in good physical and mental condition. However, and precisely because of this thought, when we suffer from an illness the world falls on us and we think that nothing else is worth it. This may be the case for patients with degenerative diseases.

The truth is that quality of life is not only measured by health status. There are many other factors that count towards its maintenance. It is these other factors that we must turn to if we are 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 in 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 by external agents; rather, it is  our body that causes the symptoms.

Some known examples of degenerative diseases are those that affect the central nervous system. Therefore,  they manifest themselves in the correct functioning of the patient’s brain. This can affect both cognitive skills and motor control. Two of the best known of this type are Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

However, patients with degenerative diseases not only have their nervous system affected. Many of these syndromes affect all types of tissue. Thus, any organ, apparatus or system in the body can be affected.

Degenerative diseases are complicated to assimilate by the patient and their families. The non-existent cure and the fact that independence and freedom of movement will be reduced is difficult to accept. However, it must be emphasized that this does not imply that the patient will no longer have quality of life.

How to improve the quality of life of these patients

Quality of life is a very abstract concept, difficult to define in detail. The official indicators responsible for studying it are defined at the level of well-being of each country. However, these ways of measuring it do not serve us when we try to increase our individual happiness.

Even so, there are certain factors that increase our quality of life. For example,  personal relationships and self-esteem are probably  defining happiness for most of us. These are the aspects that must be focused on with patients with degenerative diseases.

• Favorable family environment. The closest family members must support the patient by showing their affection and respect. It is important that the person suffering from this type of illness does not see themselves as a burden on their family members. Feeling wanted 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 quality of life. There are many people who share an illness, who come together to express their concerns and learn from the experiences of others. Seeking their support can be very helpful in improving patients’ well-being.

• Physical health . Often, in order to feel good about ourselves, we need to take care of ourselves on the outside as well. This is why patients with degenerative diseases should not neglect their physical appearance or give up liking themselves on the outside. Nor should they take it for granted in terms of their 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 with the aim of improving the quality of life of this type of patient. For example, hippotherapy or horse-assisted therapy in people with multiple sclerosis; or dog therapies for Alzheimer’s patients.

Regardless of which one we choose, the important thing is that there are many ways to improve the quality of life for the chronically ill. If you are in this situation or know someone facing something like this, remember:  there is always something we can do.