Life with Chronic Conditions During Covid: Keep Those Medical appointments!

Over the last four months, reports of heart attack and stroke are down by 38% and 30%, respectively

. Cancer diagnoses are also down by 45% (Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic).This is not due to promising new treatments or major advancements in medical care, nor is it a cause for celebration. These statistics indicate the dangerous wave of chronic illnesses being left untreated and deaths that will be caused, in large part, by COVID-19. When it comes to chronic disease, we can’t let fear become fatal 

 

Yes it’s important to social distance, wear a mask, avoid large crowds, stay home when sick, wash your hands frequently etc., but it’s also important to keep your medical appointments.

 

We don’t know how long the pandemic will last, so continuing to see your medical provider, be it by telemedicine or in person, is important for your health. Many providers are seeing patients strictly by appointment only, so if your fear is a waiting room full of sick people, those days are over.

 

Thanks to telemedicine, the number of times people need to see their provider in person is being significantly reduced. However, there are those times that appointments are necessary. Keep in mind your risk of contracting Covid from a medical appointment is extremely low.

 

So as not to repeat myself, here are previous posts to help you stay on track with your medical appointments:

• Decision Tools for the time of Covid 

 

• Virtual appointments and medical visits during the Covid Pandemic: Lots of good tips to have a good visit via a telemedicine appointment.