Currently, chronic diseases are the most prevailing cause of death among adults worldwide, and this toll is expected to increase further. Health-deteriorating factors like stress, a sedentary lifestyle, and poor eating habits are major contributors to the leading chronic diseases.
The chronic disease McKinney management team strives towards early diagnosis through advanced technological aids, which pave the way for effective management to improve your quality of life.
Understanding chronic diseases
Chronic diseases are defined as long-lasting medical conditions (lasting for at least 6 months) that usually can be managed or controlled but cannot be cured. You must learn to manage daily symptoms that affect your quality of life and experience acute health issues and complications that can shorten your life expectancy.
A list of prevailing chronic diseases
Common chronic conditions include:
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Thyroid problems
- High cholesterol
- Osteoporosis
- Hormonal imbalances
- Heart diseases
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Dementia
- Allergies
Clinical manifestations of chronic diseases
Chronic diseases can present with an array of symptoms, such as:
- Frequent urination or hunger
- Frequent thirst
- Appetite
- Fatigue
- Excess weight loss or gain
- Muscles aches and cramps
- Loss of muscle mass
- Breathing difficulties
- Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling
- Slow metabolism
- Headaches
- Memory issues
- Increased susceptibility to fractures
- Hair loss
- Nail changes
- Sexual dysfunction
Most often, chronic diseases fail to exhibit symptoms, thus routine health screenings are mandatory for early detection of possible health problems before they become severe.
Chronic disease management
It is essential to consult your healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation and prompt diagnosis. Your doctor will assess your symptoms, and record the following:
- Medical history
- Weight
- Height
- Blood pressure
- Heart rate
- Oxygen levels
- Respiratory rate
This is followed by a physical examination of your ears, mouth, eyes, reflexes, joint mobility, and the presence of any lumps. Furthermore, you will be ordered diagnostic tests like:
- Blood analysis
- Urine analysis
- Tissue swabs
- Skin biopsies
- X-rays
- Other imaging tests like MRIs, CT scans (if required)
This helps your doctor determine the management approaches that would be most beneficial to you based on your health needs. These include:
- Periodic monitoring
- Medications
- IV (intravenous) therapy
- Medically supervised weight loss
- Diet counseling
- Regular exercise regime
- Counseling to quit unhealthy habits like smoking
Conclusion
Having regular health check-ups is crucial to ensure your body continues to be healthy. It also aids to detect any potential chronic disease early so that you and your doctor can take necessary steps to prevent them from becoming more serious.
Ensure to visit your doctor at least once in 6 months or once a year depending on your condition and health needs.