Three Things to Know about Chronic Disease Management

Disease. It’s not something we like to think about, but we also can’t pretend to be completely invincible against it. If you find yourself battling any type of disease, it is absolutely critical that you find an internal medicine doctor who can help you fight, treat, and perhaps even cure your chronic disease. Living with your illness does not have to be a death sentence, and the right disease management can help you reclaim your quality of life and wellbeing.

Defining Chronic Disease Management

A chronic disease is any health condition that persists for a long time period, usually more than three months. By nature, chronic diseases cannot be simply fixed with vaccines and medication, and they also cannot just disappear. They require lifestyle changes, intense treatments, or both in order to improve. According to recent statistics, at least 80 percent of older Americans have at least one chronic health condition. The most common include arthritis, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, and oral health problems.

Chronic Disease Management Through Prevention

The first and most important element of chronic disease management is the prevention of disease to begin with. This requires education and effort. Heart disease, stroke, cancer, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and arthritis are the most common and most costly of all health problems, and they are also the most preventable! Simply quitting smoking, eating healthy, and exercising can eliminate a number of chronic disease threats, but many people need the support of an internal medicine doctor to make those changes stick.

Chronic Disease Management Through Treatment

Once a chronic disease takes over the body, lifestyle changes and treatments need to combine in order to reduce or completely eliminate the disease. This is the case with issues like diabetes and obesity, which can be reversed with strategic healthy choices and supportive medication. Some chronic diseases like Alzheimer’s require more complex healthcare and medication. Regardless of what is involved, purposeful chronic disease management with a professional is the best way to encourage positive results.