Chronic Disease Management

More than half of adults in the United States have at least one chronic disease. Without proper treatment, severe complications sometimes develop. At I40First in Amarillo, Texas, primary care physician Julito Uy, MD, George Peterson, DNP, FNP-C, and their superior team offer outstanding chronic disease management to reduce the chance of bothersome or life-threatening problems. Call the office to schedule an evaluation or use the online booking tool today.

What is chronic disease management?

Chronic disease management at I40First includes medical care for one or more chronic (ongoing) diseases, such as:

• Arthritis
• Cancer
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Diabetes
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• High cholesterol
• Thyroid disorders
• Lipid disorders
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• Heart disease
• Asthma
• Hepatitis
• Kidney disease
• HIV

It’s not uncommon to have more than one chronic disease. Early detection and treatment are the best ways to reduce your chance of a heart attack, stroke, or other severe complications associated with chronic diseases.

What are the symptoms of chronic diseases?

It’s important to note that not all chronic diseases cause symptoms, at least not right away. If you do have symptoms, you may notice fatigue, frequent urination, chest pain, or difficulty breathing. You might experience weight loss or weight gain, appetite changes, or the need to urinate more frequently. See your I40First provider if you develop new or unusual symptoms.

What are the risk factors for chronic diseases?

Some of the main risk factors for developing chronic diseases include:

• Older age
• Carrying excess body weight
• Diet rich in sodium, added sugar, or saturated fat
• Lack of fruits, vegetables, and other fiber-rich foods
• Physical inactivity
• Smoking
• Family history of chronic diseases
• Excessive alcohol intake
• Ongoing or extreme stress

Not properly managing disease risk factors, such as high blood sugar, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure, increases your chance of diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions.

Is chronic disease management right for me?

To find out if you’re a candidate for chronic disease management, the I40First team reviews your symptoms, lifestyle habits, and medical history. 

They complete a physical exam; check your blood pressure and other vital signs; and may order blood tests, urine tests, heart- or lung-function testing, biopsies, X-rays, or other imaging procedures.

What does chronic disease management include?

The most common chronic disease management solutions include:

Lifestyle changes

Ways to minimize your chance of having a chronic disease or to better manage one include eating nutritious foods, getting plenty of sleep, exercising regularly, keeping stress levels low, and not smoking.

Medical weight management

If you carry excess body weight, medical weight management allows you to reach an ideal body weight to better manage a chronic disease and reduce the risk of complications. 

Medications

Medicines can help you properly manage chronic diseases and their risk factors. Your 140First provider customizes a medication regimen that suits your needs if lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough to manage a disease.

Medical procedures

If you have a complication associated with a chronic disease, the practice offers minor surgery and other procedures.

Specialist referrals

In the case of a severe or complex medical problem, your provider may refer you to a specialist for care.

To take advantage of chronic disease management at 140First, schedule an appointment by phone or online today.