Improving Your Overall Health
Having a healthy body and mind will improve potential treatment outcomes. Here are a few ways you can take care of your health:
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Remain Active – Movement is crucial for joint health. Utilize the resources here to assist in getting and staying active, while managing your symptoms.
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Treat Other Health Concerns – Ensure other health issues are addressed and are managed well (i.e. sleep apnea, high HgbA1C, weight issues). This will not only prevent delays in surgery, but it may also improve surgical outcomes.
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Managing your Weight - Losing weight will not only assist with your recovery, but it may reduce symptoms while you wait for surgery as well. Alberta Healthy Living Weight Management program is a great resource to assist you with this.
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Do you have Diabetes? - Your surgeon will want to ensure that your HgbA1C is optimized prior to surgery. Work with your GP to improve or maintain good diabetic control.
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Are you having issues with your teeth? - Poor dental health is a potential source of infection for joint replacement. Ensure you have dental clearance prior to surgery.
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Sleep - Quality sleep is important for overall health and well-being, and plays a critical role in physical recovery, cognitive function and immune health. Addressing sleep concerns or disorders, such as sleep apnea, is crucial as it improves surgical outcomes, minimizes anesthesia risks, and aids in a smoother recovery process.
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Green Sleeve – Goals of Care or Green Sleeve is often required to be completed with your family Doctor. By completing this ahead of time, there will be one less item to worry about if you are being sent ahead for surgery. For more information on Advance Care Planning, please visit MyHealth Alberta’s website.