Chronic diseases are conditions that last three months or longer and can worsen over time. Most of these diseases develop in older adults. Chronic diseases are not curable, but your doctor can help you control and manage the symptoms. The most common chronic diseases are cancer, diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, and stroke. Medications and a healthy lifestyle can manage most chronic diseases. If you control your chronic condition properly, you can live longer. Your Prime Healthcare of Cypress doctor develops a management plan for your situation based on your diagnosis, symptoms, and health risks. To manage your chronic disease, your doctor may involve several strategies, including:
Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is a treatment plan crucial in all chronic diseases. Ensure you eat a healthy diet, avoid smoking and alcohol, and exercise. If you are overweight, your doctor can help you create a weight loss program, which may involve physical activities and diet changes. A healthy lifestyle contributes significantly to improving symptoms and living longer.
Manage your medications
Ensure you take all your medications at the right time as prescribed by your doctor. Always ask your doctor to explain the purpose of each drug you take and any side effects you may encounter. Learning about your drugs helps you understand your condition better. In case you get any abnormal side effects, consult your doctor immediately.
Regular medical visits
Most chronic conditions require regular visits to your healthcare provider. Ensure you do not miss the appointments. During these visits, your doctor may perform several tests to help determine the progress of your condition. For example, you must have screening if you have diabetes or high blood pressure. If you have any questions about your illness, this is the best chance to consult your doctor. Your doctor will always tell you the progress of your condition and any changes you need to make.
Self-care
Take care of yourself. Do not leave everything to your doctor. You can take care of yourself by listening and understanding your body to track its changes. If you have heart rhythm disorders, you can monitor your pulse. If you have diabetes, you can have blood sugar tests regularly in your neighboring clinic and carry the reading every time you have an appointment with your specialist. Home monitoring strategies help you spot potentially harmful changes before they cause severe complications.
Manage your stress
About one-third of all patients with chronic diseases have dreary moods. Prolonged stress can lead to depression, worsening your condition. Depression can keep you from taking medication, miss medical appointments, and have poor lifestyle habits. Talk to your doctor if you have symptoms of depression. You can join social groups or talk to your family members for emotional support. You can also go through counseling sessions to help you cope with your condition. Always talk to your doctor about the negative thoughts you may have about your problem for effective solutions.
Chronic diseases require proper management to improve symptoms and prolong life. A healthy lifestyle, regular medical visits, managing stress, self-care, and managing your medications are essential to help control your condition. Schedule an appointment at Prime Healthcare for chronic disease management to improve your quality of life.
