Chronic Disease Management
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Steel Family Medicine
Family Medicine located in Pleasant View, TN
Living with chronic disease is a challenge that many people have to face, and receiving support and guidance from a trusted medical professional can make a vast difference to how well you cope. Shannah Steel, DO, of Steel Family Medicine in Pleasant View, Tennessee, is a family medicine practitioner who has considerable expertise in helping people manage chronic disease and live better lives. Call Steel Family Medicine today to schedule a chronic disease management consultation with Dr. Steel, or book an appointment online.
Chronic Disease Management Q & A
What is chronic disease management?
Chronic disease management is an important way of ensuring people who have long-term health conditions stay as healthy as possible and live a rewarding life despite their health problems.
At Steel Family Medicine, Dr. Steel creates an individualized care plan that includes all the regular tests and checkups you need, plus reviews of your health and how you’re feeling. Chronic disease management ensures that you don’t miss out on all the exams and support services that help keep you well, and gives you the reassurance that every care is being taken to safeguard your well-being.
Dr. Steel also helps you learn how to manage your condition and reduce the negative effects; for example, teaching you techniques that help with chronic pain.
What is chronic disease?
Chronic diseases are those that last for more than a few months, and frequently years. In many cases, chronic diseases are incurable, although with careful management people can live for many years, even with serious health conditions. Some of the most common chronic diseases are:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Arthritis
- Chronic pain conditions
- Cancer
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Asthma
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Incurable infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, doesn’t usually cause symptoms but is treated as a chronic disease because, if left unchecked, it can lead to life-threatening complications such as stroke, heart attack, and organ failure.
What would be in my chronic disease management plan?
You and Dr. Steel work together to produce your chronic disease management plan, based on the condition you have and whether there are any other factors that could influence your health, for example:
- Comorbidities (any other diseases you have)
- Your age
- Medical history
- Genetic predispositions
- Whether you smoke
- How much alcohol you drink
- Your work and home life
There are also influences such as your social environment or living in an area of high pollution, that can be relevant and need to feature in your chronic disease management plan. It’s common for people with chronic health problems to suffer from mood disorders as well, which can become a serious problem if left untreated.
Approaching long-term health care holistically ensures the best outcomes for patients, and makes a notable difference to the quality of their lives. If you have chronic health issues, arrange a chronic disease management consultation by calling Steel Family Medicine today, or book an appointment online.
