Expert Physician Offers Coping Strategies and Much More in New Book Edition
Hobart, NY – According to Science Daily, three percent of the world’s population has been diagnosed with hepatitis C. Very few people with the disease are able to improve their health without medical attention, and such treatment can be both emotionally and physically draining. Add the lack of social understanding of the disease, along with the major financial commitment for treatment, and you have a recipe for legitimate distress.
Leading hepatologist Gregory T. Everson, M.D., explains in the fifth edition of his bestselling book Living with Hepatitis C, “Life-challenging illnesses, like hepatitis C, present opportunities for rethinking priorities. We may not always be able to cure the disease, but we can improve the quality of our lives.” Here, Dr. Everson lists seven ways to better cope with hepatitis C (note that specific recommendations regarding diet, nutrition, and exercise may vary and should be evaluated and discussed with your physician):
*Make changes gradually. Adapt an open and curious attitude when exploring areas of coping, and don’t try them all at once.
*Put together your medical team with care. Many doctors don’t have much experience with hepatitis C, so find a gastroenterologist or hepatologist who does. If you need a mental health professional, make sure they have experience in dealing with issues of chronic illness. Get names from friends you trust and interview a few practitioners.
*Keep abreast of developments in hepatitis research. The more you know, the better your decisions will be. Living with Hepatitis C, Fifth Edition offers a “Resources” section in the back of the book.
*Find a support system. Most of us benefit from a network of informal supportive relationships. Formal support groups are useful as well, because they provide a common experience for hepatitis C patients, information-sharing, a sense of not being alone, and a safe place to share feelings.
*Take care of yourself with exercise and good nutrition. Physical movement not only strengthens your body, it helps your emotional state. A normal, healthy diet contains the amounts of essential nutrients and calories you need to prevent either a nutritional deficiency or excess.
*Explore your creative and spiritual sides. Using the mind’s capacity for healing includes visualization, relaxation, guided imagery, meditation, journal writing, and creative arts. Help your mind create a quieter atmosphere to improve your quality of life.
*Look at your own beliefs and attitudes about illness. Otherwise, you can’t decide what works for you and what doesn’t. We don’t choose to be sick, but we can choose how we try to handle the situation.
Living with Hepatitis C, Fifth Edition also includes an overview of the disease; liver facts and liver disease symptoms; tips on taking care of yourself financially; a discussion of co-infection with HIV/AIDS or hepatitis B; and information on research trends and advances in treatment. It is available in paperback and as an e-book wherever books are sold.
About the author: Gregory T. Everson, M.D., F.A.C.P., one of the country’s leading hepatologists, is a Professor of Medicine and Director of Hepatology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Dr. Everson is a distinguished Fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American Gastroenterologic Association.
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Living with Hepatitis C, Fifth Edition
A Survivor’s Guide
978-1-57826-305-9, $15.00, paperback
978-1-57826-350-9, $9.99, ebook
A Hatherleigh Book, Distributed by Random House
