Chronic diseases are conditions that require ongoing care, maintenance, and monitoring. Unlike acute or short-term conditions, like the cold or flu, chronic diseases last a long time. They can last several years and create limitations on quality of life. Chronic diseases are the leading cause of death and disability in developed countries such as the United States. If you’re living with a chronic disease, you could benefit from chronic disease management. Studies show that the effective management of chronic diseases can prevent disability and fatal outcomes in patients.
Here are a few of the most common chronic diseases.
Hypertension
Also known as high blood pressure, hypertension is caused by an increased force of blood against your narrowing artery walls, which resist the blood flow. High blood pressure that is not managed can lead to heart attack and stroke. To reduce blood pressure, effective management involves losing weight, limiting salt intake, cutting down on alcohol, keeping stress levels low, and exercising daily. Constant monitoring of your blood pressure is part of disease management.
High Cholesterol
Having high levels of bad cholesterol in your body contributes to artery-clogging, which leads to heart disease. Making lifestyle changes is usually involved in high cholesterol disease management. Just as in addressing hypertension, weight loss, cutting down on foods high in cholesterol, and being physically active help manage the condition tremendously. For some patients, medication is also necessary to manage cholesterol levels.
Arthritis
This condition causes inflammation in the joints, which causes pain, stiffness, swelling, and restricted mobility in them. Arthritis that is not managed well can eventually lead to deterioration of joints. In such a situation, joint replacement surgery becomes necessary. In terms of disease management, the goal is to slow the condition’s progression and relieve symptoms as much as possible. Exercise, physical therapy, weight loss, and avoiding smoking and drinking help relieve symptoms of arthritis. There are also a variety of other treatments that can help reduce symptoms, like ice therapy, steroid injections, and more.
Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ that sits in the base of your neck. It is responsible for producing hormones that your body uses to control metabolism. Hypothyroidism means the thyroid gland is not producing enough hormones that the body needs. Hyperthyroidism means the thyroid gland is producing too much hormones. In both cases, the level of hormones produced affects the body’s functionality negatively. These conditions are chronic and must be managed using medication.
Chronic Disease Management in Dearborn, Michigan
If you are suffering from a chronic disease, Dr. Sham Juratli can help you with chronic disease management, so that you can live life free of symptoms. From arthritis, heart disease, and hypertension to diabetes, anxiety, and asthma, we can get help you with a number of chronic diseases.
Give us a call at (313) 451-8253 to learn how we can help you manage your health better. You can also request an appointment online. We welcome you to our relaxing primary care clinic in Dearborn!
