Long Term Conditions

A long term condition is one that can be treated and managed, but not cured, so you are likely to have it for many years, even the rest of your life. According to the Department of Health there are 15.4 million, or almost one in three people in England who have a long term condition. There are many long term conditions including:

• Asthma
• Diabetes
• Arthritis
• Coronary Heart Disease
• Epilepsy

Living with a long term condition can be a daily challenge. Taking care of your own health (self care) can help you overcome the day to day challenges and enable you to make the most of life with your condition rather than avoid or miss out on things because of it. Self care puts you in control, research shows that people with long term conditions who take more control of their health have a much better quality of life.

It really helps to lead a healthy lifestyle by watching what you eat and drink whilst getting more exercise will boost your general wellbeing, improve your mobility and help ease your symptoms.

Further information, advice, video clips, interactive tools and links to other websites can be found on the NHS Choices homepage at www.nhs.uk and for long term condition advice click here

• My Respiratory Action Plan
• Patient Prospectus
• Personal Care Planning
• Information Prescriptions