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Living
with
Primary Immune Deficiency Take Good Care of Yourself – Tips for Staying Healthy
Say 'no' to alcohol. As you're probably aware, blood work is done to monitor your liver function while on IVIG therapy. Because liver function is changed while consuming alcohol, you might be putting yourself at greater risk overall. The best solution: abstain from alcohol.1 Thumbs down on smoking too. Patients with immune problems have a greater risk for lung damage over a period of time. When you have problems with infections in your nose, sinuses, lungs, or frequent pneumonias, your lungs may have chronic or long-term changes from the bacteria, or viruses causing the damage. Smoking puts you at greater risk for more problems as you get older. IVIG therapy does not really protect you from this, but just helps you fight a little harder. So help yourself out: don't light up.1 Keep a health diary. Write down and report to your doctor every illness, minor and major, you experience. The frequency of these illnesses can influence the therapy prescribed by your physician. The goal of any care is to reduce the frequency of infections, prevent complications and prevent an acute infection from becoming a chronic one.1 Counter measures.2 The common cough and cold can be frequent, unwelcome visitors to those with immune deficiency. Following are some over-the-counter medications that help treat the symptoms. Use only if necessary, and of course, check with your physicians before starting any course of treatment.
1.IDF National Conference 2003 |
Be
your own advocate. Care for PI varies by center—for
instance, some centers require chest x-rays every six months,
others just treat as needed for specific infections. That's why
you are your own best advocate: just ask about any changes in
care that results from a change in centers or doctors, and make
sure you receive what you need.
