Long Illness: A Practical Guide to Surviving, Healing, and Thriving [9780306828744]

Overview

From COVID-19 and autoimmune disease to chronic pain and inflammation, this new integrative approach and practical guide from two UCSF doctors is an essential guide to living with long illnesses.

Having a long illness—from autoimmune disease to dysautonomia, long COVID to myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) to chronic pain or depression—can mean a long struggle to get adequate care. From explaining symptoms over and over again to doctors and family members to making sure you are receiving the correct diagnosis and treatment, having a long illness can be a fulltime job. And it’s a hard one.  

Drs. Meghan Jobson and Juliet Morgan specialize in treating long illness; from their work on the frontlines with long COVID, they know that all long illnesses share many of the same hallmarks. Using evidence-based integrative medicine, they have put together a program that legitimizes long illness and validates concerns where other physicians often dismiss them. In Long Illness, you’ll find an unparalleled, holistic approach to healing, with valuable information on:  

• The foundations of long illness and what it means for your life 
• How to work with your medical team to get the care you need
• Common symptoms, such as pain, fatigue, headaches, difficulty breathing, digestive disruption, insomnia, and more 
• A wide range of accessible healing techniques, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), traditional Eastern medicine, mindfulness practices, and emerging therapies 
• Your mental health with long illness and how to manage it 
• Long term solutions  

Recovery is a process, not always a destination. This book will help you build your recovery tool kit, reclaim your identity, manage your symptoms, and become empowered to get the care team you deserve.