Managing chronic health conditions effectively makes a tremendous difference in the quality of life of anyone with a long-term health problem, such as cancer, diabetes, dementia, or chronic pain. Ivan Carreras, MD, of Carreras Medical Center in Hialeah, Florida, provides outstanding support for patients who need chronic care management, enabling them to lead longer, more fulfilling lives. If you have a chronic health condition, call the practice today to find out more or make an appointment online.
Chronic Care Management Q & A
What is chronic care management?
Chronic care management involves creating a personalized care plan that allows Dr. Carreras and his team to help patients who have one or more serious long-term health problems, ensuring they stay as healthy as possible and enjoy a better quality of life.
If you have a chronic health condition, you require ongoing support, tests, and monitoring of your health, which means making regular visits to Carreras Medical Center. By having a chronic care management plan in place, you can benefit from coordinated treatments and streamlined service provision.
What is a chronic health condition?
Chronic health conditions are typically incurable or likely to last for months and years. They are usually debilitating, either because of pain, dysfunction, or both, and present serious health risks. Examples of chronic health conditions include:
- Dementia
- Arthritis
- Chronic pain conditions
- Cancer
- Heart disease
- Depression
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Asthma
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Autism spectrum disorders
Incurable infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS are also classed as chronic health conditions.
What would a chronic care management plan contain?
The specifics of any chronic care management plan vary depending on what condition you have, and whether there are any complicating factors like other health problems, genetic issues, your age and medical history, lifestyle, and environmental influences.
A typical plan would include a program of regular tests, such as blood or urine tests, or diagnostic imaging exams such as X-rays or ultrasound scans. For example, people with diabetes would need their blood sugar testing regularly, whereas someone with a heart condition might need a regular ECG (electrocardiogram).
Physical checkups are essential, both routine checks and specific examinations, for instance, if you had diabetes you’d need to have your feet examined regularly. You may need to answer questionnaires that help chart your progress, for example comparing how you rate your mood from month to month when you have a mental health condition.
It’s also vital to manage any social or emotional issues, as people with chronic health problems are susceptible to social isolation and mood disorders. Evaluating your overall wellness and how well you’re coping with your condition is fundamental to managing chronic health problems well.
Having an experienced, caring physician like Dr. Carreras to help you manage your chronic health problem makes a noticeable difference in your health and well-being. Call Carreras Medical Center today to discuss chronic care management, or make an appointment online.
