Not all health conditions can be cured with a procedure or medication. Chronic diseases are long-term diseases that might progress slowly and need special care. According to statistics, chronic diseases affect about one in two U.S. adults. If you are among them, learning how to address issues and make informed decisions about your health can enable you to live healthier lives. Fortunately, Dr. Andrew Chow offers expert family and primary care for patients with chronic diseases to help manage your condition. Here is a look at chronic disease management and whether it works.
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What Are Chronic Conditions?
Chronic health conditions are diseases that last for more months or years. Most chronic diseases are not curable. These health conditions are particularly hard to manage because, mostly, patients have to learn to live with them other than finding a permanent solution to cure them. Some common chronic diseases among Americans include; chronic pain, arthritis, cancer, hypertension, diabetes, asthma, ulcerative colitis, lupus, osteoporosis, Crohn’s disease, and cardiovascular diseases.
What Is Chronic Disease Management?
This refers to a program of care that optimizes your well-being and health when you have long-term health issues. Your expert customizes an individualized care plan, including medication management, counseling, and physical therapies. Your doctor will consider certain factors when designing your chronic disease management plan. Such factors include your age, your lifestyle, diet, whether you use tobacco or alcohol, family and medical history, or any other diseases that you live with. This personalized approach to your chronic condition ensures you get the information, advice, and support you require when you have life-altering and disabling disorders to enhance your quality of life.
What Does Chronic Disease Management Plan Contain?
Chronic disease management intends to help you control your condition by having your doctor examine and consider your medical status and comprehensive medical history. Your specialist will then decide on the appropriate treatment recommendation for your particular condition. The chronic disease management plan contains your treatment plan and a schedule of exams, tests, and checkups. Based on your particular health condition, your plan might include physical therapy, medication reviews, counseling, specialist appointments, and a support group.
Does Chronic Disease Management Work?
Yes, chronic disease management is effective when done right. Managing a chronic condition goes beyond treating the symptoms or conducting blood tests. It attempts to alleviate the symptoms while also controlling their progression. At the beginning of your treatment, your doctor reviews the lifestyle problems that could worsen your risks of compulsion, such as excessive drinking, smoking, high-stress levels, and lack of exercise. Managing your chronic condition involves understanding not just your disease but also your lifestyle and environment and their influence on your condition. By carefully managing all these factors, you can avert the progression of chronic conditions.
Ultimately, chronic disease management can enhance your life quality while decreasing your healthcare costs by minimizing or preventing the effects of the disease. The chronic disease management plan focuses on guiding you to change an unhealthy lifestyle and often forms a substantial part of treating chronic conditions. If you are suffering from a chronic disease, chronic disease management will help you explore options for managing your condition better.
