Managing non-communicable diseases amid coronavirus outbreak

There is a global pandemic which seems to cause serious illness in people with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as lung disease, heart disease and diabetes. Jamaica Moves has reminded persons living with NCDs to continue to manage them and to stay healthy by doing these four key things:

Eat healthy

Continue to eat the healthy diets that have been recommended to you. Drink water, avoid sugary drinks, salty and fatty foods, and eat lots of vegetables and fruits – according to your doctor’s recommendation. A number of people with various NCDs such as high blood pressure (hypertension) or diabetes are urged to stick to specific diets.

Exercise from home

Exercising is important to managing a number of NCDs and there are many ways to get in that much-needed exercise from home. Walking around your home is a great way to start. You may also do various aerobic exercises inside, such as dancing. You can tend to your garden and move around. Just stay active.

Keep in touch with your doctor

At the moment, everyone is being urged to stay at home if they feel sick. If you have an NCD, try to stay in touch with your doctor or a healthcare provider. Contact them and discuss what to do if you begin to feel otherwise ill.

Stay on top of your medication

It is important to continue to take your medication as prescribed. If you have been asked to stay at home at this time, try to have adequate supplies to last you a few weeks.

– Jamaica Moves