Chronic Disease Management in Fairmont, and Mannington WV

Chronic diseases are long-term medical conditions that can be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from genetic factors to environmental factors. The most common chronic diseases are cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and arthritis, although there are hundreds of defined diseases. A chronic disease is managed by monitoring the person’s symptoms, such as blood sugar levels for diabetes or blood pressure for hypertension. Treatment may involve medications and lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise. If left untreated, chronic diseases can cause serious health problems, which is why it is so important to receive ongoing medical care for these long-term illnesses.

The exact way that a chronic disease is managed depends on the type of disease, its severity, comorbid conditions, and the overall health of the patient. Some management techniques for one chronic disease may be quite similar to others. For example, proper diet and regular exercise are part of almost every disease management treatment plan, but the intensity and specifics may vary.

There are hundreds of chronic diseases that have been identified and described, but some are much more common than others, including:

• Heart Disease — Heart disease can affect any part of the heart and can arise from a wide number of causes, including diet and genetics.
• Cancer — One of the most prevalent diseases is cancer, which can come in many forms and can affect any part of the body.
• Chronic Lung Disease — Also known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic lung disease covers a wide range of conditions that affect the lungs, like chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchi in the lungs) or asthma.
• Stroke — A stroke occurs when blood is blocked from reaching the brain, or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts.
• Alzheimer’s — Unlike many other chronic diseases that affect the body, Alzheimer’s disease is a disorder of the brain. The disease is progressive, worsening over time, imparting cognitive functions such as memory.
• Diabetes — Another common condition, diabetes occurs when there is consistently too much glucose in the blood, which can lead to even more health issues.
• Chronic Kidney Disease — When the kidneys are damaged, they cannot filter the blood very well, leading to kidney disease and a range of other complications.

Yes, a chronic illness is serious, but some are more serious than others. For example, asthma, a common chronic disease of the lungs, can cause severe complications if not managed properly. However, with the appropriate care, asthmatic patients can live productive, symptom-free lives. On the other hand, a chronic illness like back pain can interfere with the ability to perform everyday tasks and make basic movements unbearably painful. Therefore, it is imperative to receive treatment for your chronic illness as soon as possible. Chronic diseases do not get better over time—they will gradually worsen without proper care.

If you or someone you love is living with a chronic illness, come to MedBridge WV to receive professional care. To consult our professionals, please contact us or book an appointment online. We have two convenient locations in Fairmont WV and Mannington WV. We serve patients from Fairmont WV, White Hall WV, Pleasant Valley, WV, Westchester WV, Colfax WV, Monongah WV, and surrounding areas.