Chronic Disease Management

Six in 10 adults have some form of chronic disease. If you’re one of them, you deserve a high quality of care to manage your condition and prevent complications. At Brunswick Medical in Brunswick, Georgia, Jeuslyn Chandler, MD, and Brenda Poythress, NP, provide evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term chronic disease management for issues like diabetes and hypertension. Call the office to schedule a chronic disease management appointment or request one online today. 

What is chronic disease management?

Chronic diseases are conditions that linger for a year or longer and require ongoing medical interventions. Chronic diseases may also interfere with your daily activities.

Chronic diseases are a leading cause of death and disability, a major cause of lost work, and contribute to high healthcare costs.

Management of chronic disease can minimize the negative effects on your quality of life. Management may include:

• Monitoring of health markers through blood tests or other evaluations
• Behavior change
• Dietary and exercise support
• Medication review and management
• Relevant screenings

Proper chronic disease management can help prevent future complications and the development of additional diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that four in every 10 people have more than one chronic disease. 

What conditions fall under chronic disease management?

Many conditions fall under the category of chronic disease and require long-term, expert management, including:

• Asthma
• Arthritis
• Chronic lung disease
• Cancer
• Cardiovascular disease
• Chronic kidney disease
• Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Kidney Disease
• Obesity
• Pain conditions
• Stroke/TIA
• Thyroid disease

People who have undergone organ transplants also need chronic care management.

What is the goal of chronic disease management?

By definition, a chronic disease can’t be cured, but the symptoms can be managed to minimize the effects on your daily life and long-term health. The team at Brunswick Medical customizes your chronic disease management plan to your specific condition.

If you should experience an acute care issue associated with your chronic disease, your provider intervenes immediately to prevent complications. They also tweak your treatment plan when needed to ensure you’re getting the best support possible.

How can I prevent chronic disease?

Not all chronic diseases can be prevented. Some occur due to circumstances beyond your control and run in your family.

But, certain behaviors are known to contribute to the development of or worsening of chronic disease, including:

• Smoking and tobacco use
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Excessive alcohol use
• Poor dietary habits

The team at Brunswick Medical can help you with strategies to help curb these behaviors as part of your chronic disease management.

If you’re in need of chronic disease management, contact Brunswick Medical. Call the office or request an appointment online today.