Something that people may not know about me is that over the last several years, I have dealt with some chronic health issues. In addition to having seasonal allergies and having had sinus surgery for that, I also have something called Meniere's Disease. It's a chronic disease of the inner ear that causes dizziness, ringing in the ears, and symptoms of vertigo. For some people the symptoms can be quite debilitating. There is no known cause and no known cure. I try to control the symptoms of it through a low-salt diet and taking a water pill daily.
Yesterday I was told by the doctor that I probably have a condition known as Interstitial Cystitis. It's a condition that causes bladder pain and tenderness, and overly-frequent urination. Again, there is known cause, and no known cure. As with Meniere's, you try to control the symptoms through diet and medication. Not sure what impact this will have yet, although those who know me know I am already dealing with the challenges of needing frequent trips to the restroom.
At times, living with chronic illness can be pretty frustrating. Covering medical costs can be expensive. And sometimes, if you're having a particularly bad day, you just can't do what you would like to. There's nothing really wrong, but you just don't feel well.
I've learned that chronic illness is one of those things you need to manage. I need to do my best to follow the recommendations of my doctors, and not be my own worst enemy. If a high-salt diet contributes to my symptoms, but I'm eating out a lot, then it's my fault for not managing my diet better. So I have to pick and choose what I will participate in, and what I am willing to pay the price for. I also have to do my best to stay positive and not let the condition get the best of me, and to participate in life as fully as I can.
I'm grateful that so far I don't feel the effects of these conditions to the extremes that others do, and I know that things could definitely be worse. I have a really good life despite these things, and consider myself blessed.
Yesterday I was told by the doctor that I probably have a condition known as Interstitial Cystitis. It's a condition that causes bladder pain and tenderness, and overly-frequent urination. Again, there is known cause, and no known cure. As with Meniere's, you try to control the symptoms through diet and medication. Not sure what impact this will have yet, although those who know me know I am already dealing with the challenges of needing frequent trips to the restroom.
At times, living with chronic illness can be pretty frustrating. Covering medical costs can be expensive. And sometimes, if you're having a particularly bad day, you just can't do what you would like to. There's nothing really wrong, but you just don't feel well.
I've learned that chronic illness is one of those things you need to manage. I need to do my best to follow the recommendations of my doctors, and not be my own worst enemy. If a high-salt diet contributes to my symptoms, but I'm eating out a lot, then it's my fault for not managing my diet better. So I have to pick and choose what I will participate in, and what I am willing to pay the price for. I also have to do my best to stay positive and not let the condition get the best of me, and to participate in life as fully as I can.
I'm grateful that so far I don't feel the effects of these conditions to the extremes that others do, and I know that things could definitely be worse. I have a really good life despite these things, and consider myself blessed.
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