Preserve your health: 8 Steps

As an MPD patient, it’s important to focus on more than just your MPD, and here’s why: MPDs make your blood “sticky,” affecting blood flow. This can put you at a higher risk of thrombotic events such as deep vein thrombosis, heart attack and stroke.

It’s imperative to do everything in your power to reduce your chances of developing preventable illnesses, for example diabetes or coronary artery disease. We didn’t ask for or deserve an MPD, but it’s within our power to fight back. Here’s how:

1. Improve nutrition Make sure you get five or more portions a day of fruit and vegetables. Include green leafy vegetables every day and some yellow/orange vegetables every week. See the suggestions below about the best ingredients to add to your diet.

2. Lose weight if necessary to stay within normal levels. Weight loss information is available from www.cancer-research.org.uk and www.mayoclinic.com/healthyliving

3. Exercise regularly We all know that exercise lowers the risk of heart disease, strokes, deep vein thrombosis and diabetes in healthy patients. What’s more, a study by Harvard University found that daily exercise can help patients with essential thrombocytosis reduce their feelings of fatigue.

4. Review your family history If some family members have a history of heart disease, diabetes, or breast or colon cancer, you may need more information on preventing these diseases. Additional illnesses such as diabetes can make complications more likely if you also have a myeloproliferative disorder. It’s important to prevent additional diseases if possible and control them if they occur.

5. Get enough sleep Sleep can be difficult when we are anxious or worried, or busy for that matter, yet it’s vital for health. Sleep allows our immune system to function correctly, and helps us cope with daily stresses.

6. Consider undergoing regular health-screening tests, from age 40 Basic tests include checking your weight, cholesterol and fasting blood sugar. Other essential tests are mammograms, cervical cancer tests (Pap tests) and prostate cancer screening.

7. Control your stress level Identify what in your life may be putting you under excessive pressure. Make choices about your activities and workload based on your priorities. Try to focus on what you can control, for instance getting more information and help if you need it. Problem-solving techniques can also reduce stress.

8. Manage your own health Read your blood test results in detail. If you feel something is wrong, make sure your doctor understands your concern that something significant has changed.

The final word: You can’t control it all, but do control what you can.

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