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Common Illnesses

An illness is a change in the mind or body.

It means that some system in your body is sick or is not working in its best way.
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What illnesses do you want to know about?

  • You may want to learn about an illness that you have.
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  • You may want to learn about one that you are at risk to get.
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  • You may want to learn about illnesses that run in your family.
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Some illnesses last a short time. Some last a long time. If it lasts a long time, it is called a chronic illness. Some of them can get worse overtime.

female doctor listening to back of female patient

We have ways to treat most illnesses.

If you learn to take good care of your health, you may be able to manage or slow down changes from a chronic illness.

If you want to take care of yourself, you need to know:

  • How do you take your medicine?
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  • What special health habits do you need for your illness?
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  • How do you change your plan if today you feel a change in your body from your illness?
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  • How do you notice when you are having a serious problem?

We have collected a list of the more common illnesses so you can learn more about them.

  • We have collected easy read info for each illness.
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  • There are links to other websites for more info.
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  • There are worksheets called action plans to help you manage your illness.

An action plan is an easy-to-read form with info that helps you treat an illness over time.

It gives you steps to feel your best.

It also helps you know what to do if you feel sicker.

red yellow and green lights on a stoplight

Stoplight Action Plans

  • Green lights mean GO.
    • Use the Green Zone when you are feeling well.
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  • Yellow lights mean SLOW DOWN or be careful.
    • Use the Yellow Zone when you feel a little worse than usual.
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  • Red lights mean STOP now
    • Use the Red Zone when you feel very bad and need to do something right now.
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cartoon hand clicking an action button

Actions

Learn the answer to each of these questions:

  • What are your actions for every day?
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  • What are your actions if you are feeling worse?
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  • Who should you call if you are having serious changes?
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  • What should you do while you wait for an answer?
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  • When is a change serious enough to go to the emergency room?

Blank Action Plan

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Here is a blank action plan.

How can you fill it in?

Talk to your doctor about your plan.

Practice the steps.

Review your plan with the people you trust to help you at home.

Ask for more help from your nurse or doctor if you need it.

Keep working at it. Remember that it takes time to build habits.

Blank Action Plan

Some Common Illnesses: