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Our Services / Chronic Disease Management

Chronic Disease Management

Over 45% of Americans live with a chronic illness. It is possible to minimize their uncomfortable symptoms and allow you to live an active lifestyle with early intervention and treatment. At PrudentMD, internal medicine physician Maitri Patel, MD, uses chronic disease management to prevent, reverse, and manage diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, and thyroid disease and their complications. Call the office today or go online to make an appointment in Iselin, New Jersey.

Chronic Disease Management Q & A

What is chronic disease management?

Chronic disease management provides complete care for ongoing illnesses. If you have a chronic disease, like asthma or diabetes, it can be challenging to exercise, work, and do other routine activities. Chronic disease management helps reduce uncomfortable symptoms, prevents your condition from getting worse, and improves your quality of life.

What conditions can benefit from chronic disease management?

PrudentMD uses chronic disease management to treat several conditions, including:

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

You might also benefit from chronic disease management if you have heart disease or a circulatory condition like peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

What does chronic disease management involve?

At PrudentMD, chronic disease management involves several different aspects, including:

Patient education

If you have a chronic illness, you’re more likely to experience potentially serious complications. Patient education teaches you how to keep your symptoms under control. It emphasizes the importance of routine checkups, preventive screenings, and living a healthy lifestyle.

Healthy lifestyle changes

One of the easiest ways to prevent chronic disease from getting worse is living a healthy lifestyle. PrudentMD recommends exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, abstaining from tobacco and alcohol, and scheduling a physical exam at least once a year.

Prescription medication

Healthy lifestyle changes and patient education aren’t always enough to prevent a chronic illness from getting worse. If you have Type 1 diabetes or thyroid disease, your provider might prescribe medication, like insulin or levothyroxine.

Mental health

People with chronic diseases are also more likely to experience mental health problems like anxiety and depression. Your PrudentMD provider can help you manage these feelings through activities like meditation and deep breathing. If necessary, they can even refer you to a specialist for counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Will chronic disease management reduce my risk of complications?

By enrolling in chronic disease management at PrudentMD, you can reduce the risk of complications, like hospitalization and premature death. To ensure that you keep your chronic illness under control, the providers recommend:

  • Taking your medication as prescribed
  • Exercising regularly
  • Getting enough sleep
  • Eating healthy meals and snacks
  • Drinking plenty of water

It’s also necessary to visit your doctor at least once a year for a physical exam, preventive screenings, and lab work.

To learn more about the benefits of chronic disease management, make an appointment at PrudentMD by calling the office or booking online today.