itsehoito

Itsehoito, meaning self-care or self-treatment in Finnish, refers to actions individuals take to maintain health, prevent illness, or manage symptoms without direct professional intervention, or in close coordination with health professionals. It covers physical, mental, and social dimensions of health and can range from everyday health routines to the management of minor symptoms.

Common practices include healthy lifestyle habits (adequate sleep, balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, hydration), personal hygiene, stress management, and sleep hygiene. For minor illnesses, it encompasses safe use of over-the-counter medicines, home remedies, rest, and monitoring symptoms. For chronic conditions, self-care often involves following an action plan, self-monitoring, and making daily decisions that support treatment goals.

Role in healthcare: Self-care is a central component of patient-centered care and is supported by health systems through education, information resources, and, where appropriate, structured self-management programs. Digital tools such as symptom checkers and health apps can support self-care but should be used critically.

Benefits and risks: When practiced appropriately, self-care can improve quality of life, enhance autonomy, and reduce unnecessary healthcare utilization. Risks include delayed recognition of serious conditions, incorrect self-diagnosis or dosing, interactions between remedies and medicines, and misinformation or inequitable access to reliable information.

Context: In Finland and many other countries, self-care is promoted as part of preventive health strategies and chronic disease management. It is influenced by health literacy, cultural norms, and access to safe medications and trustworthy information.