Chronic disease can become more prevalent with age. Conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and heart conditions can require attentive care and ongoing management to keep them under control. If you have a chronic health problem, you may need a range of ongoing treatments, along with a generally healthy lifestyle. A chronic disease specialist can help you manage the condition, providing ongoing care, monitoring, treatment plans, and education to help you minimise symptoms and improve your quality of life.
At Star Clinic, our qualified doctors use the best practices to treat and manage chronic conditions in Chatswood, Hornsby, and Wentworth Point. We take a holistic and interdisciplinary approach, working to understand the needs of the patient and customise management plans accordingly. Book an appointment to learn more about managing chronic conditions.
What is a chronic disease?
A chronic disease is a medical condition that does not go away over time. A condition is considered chronic after it has been present for six months or longer and requires ongoing and multidisciplinary treatment from multiple health practitioners. This means if you have a chronic disease, you may need to see multiple doctors who specialise in different fields of medicine to manage your condition. These may include:
- Dieticians
- Phisiotherapists
- Podiatrists
- Psychologists
- Chiropractors
- Osteopaths
Doctors who specialise in a specific area of medicine are well-informed on how to treat chronic conditions related to their field. This is important, since many chronic diseases may get worse over time, and getting a quality management plan from a qualified professional gives patients the support and guidance they need. Depending on your specific condition, you may need ongoing medication, testing, monitoring, or other kinds of management.
Chronic diseases include:
- Cancer
- Asthma
- Arthritis
- Diabetes
- Coronary heart disease
- Osteoperosis
- Dementia
- Kidney disease
Asthma management
Asthma is a common medical condition that affects a person’s breathing. People with asthma have sensitive airways that flare up when exposed to certain triggers, leading to symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. If you have asthma, it is important to know your triggers and how to manage the condition to minimise flare-ups.
People who have asthma may require medication as part of chronic condition care. There are three primary types of medications for asthma: relievers, preventers, and controllers. A discussion with a doctor will help determine which medications are right for you, based on the severity of your condition and overall health.
Diabetes management
Diabetes is a condition that causes high levels of glucose (blood sugar) in the blood. The most common diabetic conditions include pre-diabetes, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes. Factors such as age, genetics, weight, and diet can affect whether someone develops the condition.
People with diabetes need to keep their blood glucose at a healthy level, and this requires attentive monitoring. A chronic condition care plan may involve a combination of medication, healthy eating, and exercise. Therefore, it is important to see a doctor who will assess your condition and determine what kind of diabetes management you require. Dieticians and other healthcare professionals can develop a plan that helps you minimise symptoms and reduce your risk of further health complications.
Heart health management
Keeping your heart healthy is an important part of a person’s overall well-being. Poor heart health can lead to ongoing issues such as chronic heart disease, a condition that makes it difficult fo the heart to pump blood around your body. Symptoms include fatigue, problems exercising, and shortness of breath.
If you suffer from a chronic heart problem, it is important to seek help from a professional. A chronic disease specialist will be able to examine your health and medical history to determine whether you require medication, changes in lifestyle, or both. For example, a treatment or management plan for improving your heart health may include:
- Changes to diet and exercise
- Limiting smoking and alcohol consumption
- Getting enough sleep
- Taking prescribed medications
Book your appointment at Star Clinic
If you have a chronic condition, you should endeavour to be well-informed about how to manage it and limit your risk of further complications. Seeing a medical professional is a vital step towards attaining the care and ongoing management you need. At Star Clinic, our team of qualified doctors are committed to providing the best quality guidance and care to patients with chronic conditions in Chatswood, Hornsby, and Wentworth Point. We take a range of factors into account when treating patients, including their age, sex, family and medical history, health, and goals. When we have the required information, we can begin to recommend the best approach to treating your chronic condition.
Book an appointment with our friendly doctors to learn more about chronic disease management. Accepting chronic disease Medicare plans and specialising in a range of disciplines, we will work with you to design a management plan that suits your health, condition, and lifestyle, so you can become your best self.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a management plan?
People with chronic health conditions often require ongoing monitoring and treatment to manage their condition. A management plan allows doctors to care for patients with chronic conditions by planning and coordinating their health care.
Is chronic disease management covered by Medicare?
People with chronic health conditions may be eligible for Medicare rebates to help coordinate their management plan. A condition is considered chronic when it has been present for over six months and involves multidisciplinary care from at least two medical specialists. Speak to our staff at Star Clinic for more information on Medicare assistance.
How often should my care plan be reviewed?
Your care plan should be reviewed regularly to ensure it is meeting your needs well. Any changes required will depend on your condition, health, and personal circumstances. However, you can generally expect your management plan to be reviewed every six to 12 months.
