September 30, 2016 | written by IVX Health

How to Collect and Use Data to Manage Your Chronic Illness

Data is Your Friend When It Comes to Chronic Illness When it comes to managing your chronic illness, one of the best ways to develop effective strategies is to collect data. Start keeping a journal, populating a spreadsheet, or using an app to keep track of the following things: what you're eating how much you're moving or exercising what medications you're taking how you're feeling emotionally or mentally external stimuli (e.g., the weather, an out-of-the-ordinary event, etc.) what symptoms you're experiencing what actions you've taken to alleviate any symptoms (and whether or not they worked) Add data points to track based on your specific condition or situation in life. You want data that's meaningful to you. Analyzing the Data to Manage Your Chronic Illness When you start keeping track of the information above, you'll start to notice patterns. Maybe certain foods trigger symptoms, or maybe walking or yoga makes your joints feel better. Once you've got a few weeks of tracking under your belt, you can start to see what to avoid and what to add. And any time you add a new factor (new medication, new diet, new exercise program, etc.), you'll be able to see the efficacy (or effectiveness) in your data. All of this information is also an incredibly valuable tool to share with your medical team.

Data is Your Friend When It Comes to Chronic Illness

When it comes to managing your chronic illness, one of the best ways to develop effective strategies is to collect data. Start keeping a journal, populating a spreadsheet, or using an app to keep track of the following things:

- what you’re eating
- how much you’re moving or exercising
- what medications you’re taking
- how you’re feeling emotionally or mentally
- external stimuli (e.g., the weather, an out-of-the-ordinary event, etc.)
- what symptoms you’re experiencing
- what actions you’ve taken to alleviate any symptoms (and whether or not they worked)

Add data points to track based on your specific condition or situation in life. You want data that’s meaningful to you.

Analyzing the Data to Manage Your Chronic Illness

When you start keeping track of the information above, you’ll start to notice patterns. Maybe certain foods trigger symptoms, or maybe walking or yoga makes your joints feel better.

Once you’ve got a few weeks of tracking under your belt, you can start to see what to avoid and what to add. And any time you add a new factor (new medication, new diet, new exercise program, etc.), you’ll be able to see the efficacy (or effectiveness) in your data. All of this information is also an incredibly valuable tool to share with your medical team.

Treatment at IVX Health

If biologics like Remicade , Actemra or Orencia are a part of your chronic illness treatment plan, then consider choosing IVX Health for your ongoing care needs. IVX Health makes it possible to receive your therapy in a comfortable, convenient, and private environment.

With a private suite for every patient, you can watch your favorite Netflix show or movie on the big screen TV in each room, use a laptop or other mobile device to surf the web, or simply hang out with family and friends. We always have chairs for guests, and each center has a family room that is spacious and private if you need to bring your kids to your treatment. We also offer flexible appointment scheduling – including evenings and Saturdays – at any of our convenient locations.

At IVX Health, we truly are invested in helping you live your best life. If you’re ready to experience a new kind of infusion clinic, click here to learn how to move your infusion or injection therapy to IVX Health.