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Preventing deterioration from rheumatism. |
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In the unusual state following a disaster, environmental conditions as well as your physical and mental conditions can easily change, which may result in the deterioration of your diseases. Take care of yourself to prevent your disease from getting worse.
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Adjust your living conditions
1) Take greater care to keep yourself warm
Cold is an enemy to people suffering from rheumatism. Also, when it is cold, people can easily catch a cold, or get pneumonia and other infections. Try not to let your body get cold as much as possible. After a disaster, however, you may not be able to take a bath, nor be able to use the heating system in your house. Therefore, you should avoid the cold by, for example, wearing a lot of clothes and preparing pocket warmers.
2) Protect yourself from catching a cold
A cold can easily spread among people when living in a group. After a disaster, due to overwork and deterioration of your nutritional state, your immune strength may be weakened, therefore making you more susceptible to colds.
* Wear a mask, gargle, and wash your hands.
* If you feel feverish, take your temperature.
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During the winter season, we recommend that you get a vaccination against influenza, if possible. |
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To keep a regular rhythm in your life, try to stay quiet and sleep as much as possible. |
After a disaster occurs, we often tend to be too busy to get enough sleep. On the other hand, people living in temporary housing may not get enough exercise, because, for instance, they cannot take a walk. Even after a disaster, you should continue rheumatic rehabilitation, including joint exercises, which you had been carrying out until then.
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Make use of the consultation services provided by the local government. |
After a disaster occurs, you will experience some inconveniences because of changes in your daily living.
You should not only ask help from your family members and neighbors, but also make use of the consultation services available in your local community, as much as possible.
A difference in level may lead to a dangerous accident; you might easily stumble over a step. To prepare for a disaster, check the differences in level in your house and the condition of the toilet.
If you need a cane, you can borrow one: ask one of your community workers.
After a disaster, you will inevitably tend to overuse your joints, which you normally avoid using, to carry water or for other work. Overusing your joints can cause your rheumatism to become worse. The same holds true for cases where a shopping place is located far away.
Pay attention to your nutritional balance
If you cannot get proper nourishment, your rheumatism may worsen and make you more susceptible to pneumonia and other infections.
However, it is not good for your health to get excessive nutrition because of stress-related overeating.
As well, drinking too much alcohol is harmful to your health.
To avoid dehydration, be sure to drink adequate fluids as needed.
Don't let stress build up
Stress is the worst enemy for people suffering from rheumatism. Stress is caused by changes in your living environment due to damage to your housing, injury, illness, or change of address. To prevent stress, we often say "keep a tranquil mind," "relaxation is important," "take it easy," and so on. People with rheumatism may suffer far greater stress than those without, because of anxiety about daily life and concern over whether or not they will receive proper treatment. Moreover, after experiencing a great disaster, you may suffer from PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, as mentioned earlier. To reduce stress, it is important to take the following countermeasures.
* Talk about your stress with your family, neighbors or other people you can trust.
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Consult your physician, nurse, public health nurse, or other healthcare professionals. |
* Participate in community center activities and regional events.
* Enjoy reading books and other hobbies for relaxation during leisure times.
However, you should not become engrossed in gambling nor indulge in drinking to reduce your stress. As well, we don't recommend thrill-seeking activities or avoiding contact with other people as ways to relieve stress. These behaviors could adversely affect your physical condition, leading to aggravation of your disease.
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