The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 117 million Americans suffer from a chronic illness. At NY Family Docs, with offices in Queens and Brooklyn, including Woodhaven, Ridgewood, and Williamsburg, New York, patients receive integrated care that focuses on symptom management and education to prevent further complications of ongoing diseases. If you’re suffering from chronic issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, or others, call the office nearest you or schedule an appointment to begin a complete care regimen today.
Chronic diseases are health issues that last over a long period of time and require ongoing medical treatment. These illnesses interfere with daily activities and affect a patient’s health and independence.
If you have one or more of the following conditions, you’re a candidate for chronic disease care:
If you haven’t been diagnosed but you’re experiencing symptoms that aren’t going away, contact your provider immediately.
Chronic diseases are known as silent killers because they have no clear symptoms and patients that suffer from them often don’t realize that they have a disease.
Early diagnosis is an important part of managing chronic diseases so even if you aren’t experiencing major symptoms, it’s important to get regular checkups.
Patients with chronic illnesses benefit from a wide range of services provided through the chronic care system at NY Family Docs. These include:
If you have a chronic disease, it’s essential to receive the proper care and treatment.
Chronic diseases often develop because of poor lifestyle choices. By making some small adjustments, you significantly reduce your chances of developing these issues. Some risky behaviors to avoid are:
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable early deaths in the United States, and quitting greatly reduces your risk of diseases caused by smoking.
Excessive alcohol use is responsible for 1 in 10 deaths in American adults, putting you at risk of liver damage, cancer, reproductive issues, and much more.
Not only does regular exercise help prevent chronic diseases, but it also has many immediate benefits like improving your mood, boosting energy, and promoting a healthy appetite and better sleep.
Continuous sleep loss increases your chances of heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke.
Avoid foods with saturated fats and increase the amount of fiber and unsaturated fats that you eat.
If you have a family history of any chronic diseases, you should also get regular screenings to catch symptoms early. To get a physical that will assess you for any chronic conditions, call the office nearest you or schedule an appointment online.
