Chronic Disease Management – What to know?

What is chronic disease management?

Chronic diseases, defined as conditions that last for a year or longer and require ongoing medical attention, are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States.  Common chronic illnesses include cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and more. They are also the leading drivers of the nation’s costs in health care.

Chronic disease management aims to help you treat and reduce the symptoms of your condition. Often it starts with your doctor reviewing your medical history, then deciding on a treatment recommendation. This is important so that your doctor has an overview of your health in order to avoid any problems, such as conflicting medications or allergies.

Your doctor may also examine your lifestyle, as outside factors and living conditions can contribute to or worsen a chronic illness. Also, one health condition may be causing or significantly impacting another health condition, so understanding this relationship can help you and your doctor manage the disease effectively.

Managing a chronic disease is more than mitigating the symptoms of your condition. The goal of your care is to halt progression and even treat it. It involves understanding not only your disease, but also your environment and lifestyle – and their impacts on your condition. Managing all of the various factors can help to slow down the progression of chronic diseases.

If I have a chronic illness, how can I make my life better?

The most important step you can take is to seek help as soon as you feel less able to cope. A doctor will work with you to ensure that you are receiving the care needed for treatment and relief.

Getting a health plan centered around chronic disease management will also help you get doctors and care focused on your needs. For example, Zing Health is a provider that specializes in the care of chronic disease. If you are interested in learning more about Zing Health plans and how they can help you, click the button below to fill out a form and compare plans, or call to speak to a licensed expert.

There are, of course, things that you can do on your own that will help. These include tips such as:

• Eating a healthy diet.
• Getting as much physical activity as you can.
• Avoiding negative coping mechanisms like alcohol and substance abuse.
• Exploring stress-relief activities like meditation.
• Letting go of obligations that you don’t really need to do or want to do.
• Asking for help when you need it.
• Staying in touch with family and friends.

Risk factors

Some factors from your lifestyle and your environment have a significant impact on causing or contributing to your chronic illness. According to the CDC, these factors include:

Cigarette smoking causes more than 480,000 deaths each year in the United States, and over 16 million Americans are living with a disease caused by smoking. Smoking has been proven to cause and contribute to cancer, heart diseases, stroke, lung diseases, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Poor nutrition and physical inactivity are significant risk factors for obesity and other chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, and depression.

excessive alcohol use can lead to serious problems, including alcohol use disorder and problems with learning, memory, and mental health. Chronic health conditions linked to excessive alcohol use include high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and some kinds of cancer.

Who is at risk

Certain groups face a higher risk of chronic diseases due to the conditions of their birth, living environments, workplaces, and age. These nonmedical factors, known as social determinants of health, can either be beneficial or harmful. When harmful, they restrict access to healthy choices and quality medical care.

For instance, some neighborhoods may lack safe recreational spaces like parks or grocery stores with fresh produce. Some areas might have high vehicular traffic, meaning the air quality is very poor. This can make it difficult to obtain preventive screenings or follow-up care with specialists.

In any case, if you feel you are struggling with a condition that may be chronic, speak to a doctor. You can compare plans with an expert by filling out a the form HERE.