Chronic Disease Management

What is chronic disease management?

Chronic health problems go on for at least three months. Many chronic conditions persist for years, and some are incurable. All require expert management to prevent the symptoms from getting worse.

Chronic diseases that are common across the United States include:

• Cancer
• Heart disease
• Asthma and allergies
• Arthritis
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Thyroid disorders
• Kidney disease
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Liver disease
• Chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia
• Depression and anxiety 

Chronic diseases have ongoing effects on your health and well-being. They often cause pain, lack of energy, and complications. Some are life-threatening, particularly when patients don’t benefit from chronic disease management.

What is chronic disease management?

Chronic disease management supports your mental and physical health so that you can live a better life when you have a long-term condition. Proper management reduces the effects of disease on your home and work life. It also stops incurable diseases from getting worse and prevents the complications they can cause.

United Physician Group’s chronic disease management expertise significantly improves your quality of life and helps you live longer. Your doctor designs a personalized treatment plan suited to your precise needs.

When preparing your treatment program, your doctor considers your age, lifestyle, medical history, environment, and anything else that might influence your health. This ensures a complete package of care rather than just treating the symptoms of your disease.

What does chronic disease management involve?

Chronic disease management consists of regular appointments at United Physician Group. These consultations enable your doctor to assess your health and make necessary changes to your care plan.

Depending on your condition, you might need routine tests. For instance, patients with diabetes need regular blood tests to track their blood glucose (sugar) levels. Or, if you have cardiovascular disease, you might need an EKG (electrocardiogram). All patients have frequent blood pressure readings and a weight assessment.

Your doctor also helps you make changes to your life that improve your overall health, including:

• Stress reduction
• Weight loss
• Quitting smoking
• Increased physical activity
• Healthier diet

These changes reduce the effects of your chronic disease and slow its progress. Your doctor also manages your medication to ensure that you take the most effective drugs and experience the fewest possible side effects.

Call United Physician Group today or schedule a consultation online to discover more about the benefits of chronic disease management.