ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the authors focus on how people may adjust to chronic illness and self-manage their condition. They start by considering what the author mean by chronic illness and the consequences of living with a chronic illness. The authors move on to consider some specific self-management interventions using examples from coronary heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and irritable bowel syndrome. They have looked at the impact of chronic illness. Many of the chronic illnesses discussed can be prevented or delayed with changes to lifestyle and health behaviours such as maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking, drinking in moderation and eating a Mediterranean-based diet and the author have discussed the implication of changes in diet on Type 2 remission. Often, self-management interventions are tailored to the individual, but chronic illnesses can also affect the wider family network and so maybe there is a need for family-oriented interventions in some instances.
