Proper lifestyle habits leading to remission phase of diabetes and hypertension patients, Pak Thong Chai district, Nakhon Ratchasima province

Abstract

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are caused by improper and unhealthy lifestyle. This qualitative case-study focused on proper lifestyle habits which led to a remission phase of diabetes and hypertension patients. Data were collected by in-depth interview, focus group discussion and both direct and indirect observation of twenty-seven purposively selected cases, and analyzed using content analysis. The results revealed that proper lifestyle habits contributing to disease remission were achieved through: 1) The operational model has had five main features including 1.1) using of the Four-Es Principle (Emotion, Eating, Exercise, and Elimination) and epidemiological principle to manage NCDs, 1.2) actions based on community participation, 1.3) developing health training program aimed at skill development, 1.4) accessibility to health services, and 1.5) implementation of participatory approach; 2) The combination of two lifestyle patterns leading to disease remission including 2.1) “daily practices” on, relaxation, adequate dietary intake, whole-body movement exercise for at least 30 min or until sweating and detoxification with sufficient water intake; and 2.2) “weekly practices” on health checkups (blood sugar level and blood pressure measurements), traditional Chinese medicine hand massage, foot massage using coconut shell, breathing using SKT method, and detoxification using “Gua Sha” therapy. In summary, the operational model development to encourage proper lifestyle habits leading to disease remission among diabetes and hypertension patients required both art and science involving an integration of knowledge and skills, activities design, effective practice guidelines based on the community context and requires cooperation among multidisciplinary teams.