Chronic Disease Management

What is chronic disease management?

Chronic disease management is a family medicine subspecialty that diagnoses and treats incurable illnesses. It combines patient education, healthy lifestyle changes, routine checkups, and prescription medication to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. 

The Dickinson Family Medicine Clinic team believes chronic disease management is one of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent chronic disease complications. It optimizes your health, ensuring you live a long and active life.

What illnesses can benefit from chronic disease management?

The Dickinson Family Medicine Clinic team uses chronic disease management to treat various illnesses, including:

• Asthma
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Allergies
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• High cholesterol
• Arthritis
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Thyroid disease

Chronic disease management treats mental health conditions as well. For example, you might benefit if you have depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or bipolar disorder.

What does chronic disease management involve?

The Dickinson Family Medicine Clinic team tailors chronic disease management to each person’s unique needs. They could suggest:

Healthy lifestyle changes

Lifestyle factors, like lack of exercise, alcohol consumption, and poor diet, often exacerbate chronic illnesses. Making minor adjustments at home can significantly improve your quality of life. 

For example, if you have high blood pressure, eating a nutritious diet with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can lower your blood pressure, reducing the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Likewise, if you have arthritis, enrolling in a medical weight loss program can help you lose weight and relieve pressure on your joints.

Medication management

Many people with chronic illnesses take two or more prescription drugs. Unfortunately, taking multiple medications increases the risk of negative interactions and side effects. The Dickinson Family Medicine Clinic team monitors your medications, observes their effects, and adjusts them when needed.

Routine screenings

Chronic diseases tend to worsen over time. The Dickinson Family Medicine Clinic team uses routine screenings and checkups to reduce the risk of complications and preserve patient’s well-being. These visits are tailored to your needs and include lab tests, physical exams, and diagnostic imaging. The team uses them to slow illness progression and improve your quality of life.

Call Dickinson Family Medicine Clinic to schedule a chronic disease management consultation, or book your appointment online today.