Chronic disease is highly prevalent in the U.S. and requires ongoing medical oversight and clinical management. A chronic disease is any condition or illness that persists long-term but for which there is no medical cure. Examples of chronic diseases include diabetes, heart disease, asthma, Alzheimer’s and arthritis. Chronic disease management consists of obtaining a definitive diagnosis and creating a treatment plan that will slow progression of the disease and help make symptoms more manageable.
Long-term disease is often a result of insufficient use of primary care and poor adherence to preventive care plans. In particular, heart disease is a condition that is preventable in most patients. We prevent heart disease by helping patients achieve a healthy body weight, lower cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and prevent elevated levels of blood sugar due to transitioning to diabetes. We also counsel patients on ways to avoid certain foods and substances. These strategies are critical to preventing conditions such as heart attacks, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and valvular heart disease.
Cancer is another common long-term disease that can often be prevented with appropriate use of primary care. Whereas some types of cancers are genetic, many result from dietary and lifestyle factors or a combination of both. Our wellness exams are designed to assess patients’ risk for specific types of cancer. We ask questions about topics such as cancers that run in the family, tobacco and alcohol intake, personal obesity history, and diet and exercise. Such questions help us assess the patient’s risk for cancer. We pay very close attention to patients with previous episodes of cancer and patients with diabetes because these patients are at an elevated risk. During wellness exams, we ask questions about certain symptoms to determine whether the patient is in the early stages of cancer and order screenings for cancers that are common to specific age groups.
Some common long-term conditions, such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema, are hereditary in some patients. For these patients, long-term disease management consists of preventing complications and controlling symptoms. Since diseases like asthma exist on a spectrum, it is important to have a primary care provider assess the severity. Each level of severity comes with its own set symptoms and risks, but if managed properly in a primary care setting, symptoms and serious events can usually be controlled with daily prescription-strength medication.
Did you know…
That nearly half of all American adults suffer from at least one chronic disease or illness? Many of those chronic diseases are manageable and even reversible with certain lifestyle changes. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control reports that the modification of certain risk-associated behaviors – such as eating, drinking, exercise, and tobacco use – can help manage, prevent or reverse many chronic diseases like obesity, heart disease, lung cancer and liver disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a healthcare provider to manage my chronic disease?
Yes. Some diseases, such as diabetes, require daily monitoring and health management. However, even if you have a chronic disease for which you haven’t experienced symptoms in many months or years, you still need a practitioner who is aware of your health history and the diseases you suffer with.
What should I expect if I am diagnosed with a chronic disease?
If you are diagnosed with a chronic disease, you can expect to build a very close relationship with your healthcare provider, who will be your advocate and greatest partner on your health journey. You may be frequently screened or tested to determine the extent of your disease, and you may be prescribed medications to help suppress symptoms and disease progression on an ongoing basis. You can also expect to check in with your healthcare provider regularly to ensure that the disease is being adequately managed.
Will I need to follow any special instructions between office visits?
Probably. Your healthcare provider may recommend that you not only take your medications as prescribed but also modify certain lifestyle habits to lower your risk of complications stemming from chronic disease.
