Chronic Disease Management

What is chronic disease management?

Chronic disease management is the medical care you receive if you’re at risk of or already have a chronic disease. Dr. Abrar monitors your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and body weight to determine your disease risk. He suggests ways to prevent or control chronic diseases, such as:

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Eat a nutritious diet rich in fruits and vegetables
• Exercise regularly
• Get 7-9 hours of sleep each night
• Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol use
• Attend regular health screenings
• Take medications as needed

Attending regular checkups with Dr. Abrar and his team is the best way to prevent serious complications related to chronic diseases.

What are common chronic diseases?

Chronic diseases you might be at risk of, depending on your family history and lifestyle, might include:

• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Arthritis
• Allergies
• Asthma
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD
• Depression
• Thyroid disorders

To find out if you have a chronic disease, Dr. Abrar reviews your medical and family history and asks you about possible symptoms. He completes a physical exam, disease screening tests, and blood or imaging tests to make a diagnosis.

What is the treatment for chronic diseases?

The type of chronic disease management that best matches your needs depends on the kind and severity of the health condition you have. Dr. Abrar might recommend the following chronic disease treatments:

High cholesterol

To help reduce high cholesterol Dr. Abrar may recommend changing your diet, such as reducing saturated fat, losing weight if you’re overweight, or taking certain medications.

High blood pressure

Losing weight, reducing sodium, eating lots of fruits and vegetables, getting regular exercise, or taking medication helps reduce high blood pressure and your risk of heart disease.

Diabetes

If you have diabetes or prediabetes, controlling blood sugar is crucial to prevent serious health complications. Dr. Abrar monitors your blood sugar regularly and recommends a diabetic diet or medications to keep blood sugar in check.

Obesity

Obesity is linked with numerous other chronic health conditions, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. If you weigh more than you’d like, Dr. Abrar offers medical weight loss to help you reach your goal weight.

Arthritis

Following a nutritious diet, taking medications to reduce inflammation, staying active, and managing pain can ease symptoms related to arthritis.

Asthma and allergies

Immunotherapy, or allergy shots, and taking medications help manage allergies or asthma if you have either.

When you’re ready for help preventing or managing a chronic health condition, call Fulshear Medical Associates today or book an appointment online.

We are focused on primary care and see patients for weight loss and allergies. 

We are a primary care practice and offer annual physicals. Call us to book your appointment today.