Health Conditions

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A health condition, also called an illness or a medical condition, is a condition that impacts your physical, mental, or emotional well-being.

Tips & Links

Health conditions can be acute (short-term) to chronic (long-lasting/ life-long) illnesses caused by genetic factors, infections, lifestyle choices, environmental factors, and many unknown causes.

Learn More

• Know that some health conditions are not easy to diagnose, and some people live with symptoms and problems that are never diagnosed or labelled. Many autoimmune diseases do not have a label or cause.
• Ask for clear explanations of how your health condition can impact your life, including its effects on your physical, emotional, social, and mental well-being; what is the prognosis or expected outcome of this condition; and what treatment options are available, such as medications, surgery, or therapies.
• Explore various strategies for maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle when living with a chronic health condition from Healthlink BC.

 

Things You Can Do

• Learn what treatment options are available to you, such as medications, therapies, lifestyle changes, and/or surgery.
• Use research-based websites, such as government health portals or medical organizations, to learn more about your diagnosis.
• Ask for a second opinion, if needed, to confirm your prognosis and explore additional options or treatments.
• Review treatment options being recommended to you by your physician or specialist by asking questions like those suggested by Healthlink BC.
• Track your symptoms using a health calendar or diary, so you can discuss changes and treatment options with your physician or specialist.
• Learn how to participate in your health care visits and record your health information.
• Know about your patient rights including informed consent, privacy and confidentiality, and the right to refuse or accept care.

Find Support

• Reach out to 811 to ask for general health information, direction on how to monitor your symptoms, or help finding health care in your community, if needed. Navigation services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from Healthlink BC.
• Consider naming a health advocate who can help navigate the health care system and provide guidance.
• Connect with others facing similar conditions to learn from their experiences and coping strategies.
• Explore condition-specific support groups listed by Family-Caregivers of BC.
• Seek out non-profit or condition-specific groups for information and support such as Alzheimer Society of BC,BC Cancer, BC Diabetes,  Multiple Sclerosis Canada,  and many more.
• Consider seeking counselling from private (fee for service) or subsidized programs to help you explore your feelings and emotions. For a list of professionals visit Counselling BC.

Mywell Health helps you learn about and organize your health information in one place. Add your health diagnosis and health conditions information in your Health Profile fillable PDF tool and save all print and digital files in My Health Information.

Tools & Videos

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