Living with a chronic disease is like steering an endless maze. Confusing, tiring, and downright frustrating.
A question lingers in your mind: “Is there an easier way to do this?”
If so, you’re not alone. Millions of people juggle the challenges of chronic conditions like diabetes, arthritis, or asthma every single day. The good news? You don’t have to do it all on your own.
A proper chronic disease management plan can help you maintain your health and improve your quality of life. How? Find out in this blog post by Iluka Medical Centre.
At Iluka Medical Centre. We help the patients making complex medical journeys less scary and more manageable. Our team of compassionate doctors is here to support you every step of the way. With personalised care, expert advice, and a friendly ear in time of need.
Let’s see everything there is to know about chronic diseases & their management.
What is a Chronic Disease?
A chronic disease is a non-communicable long-term medical condition. That lasts for more than six months and requires ongoing medical attention.
Unlike acute illnesses, chronic diseases develop gradually and worsen over time. It can impact multiple aspects of a person’s health and deteriorate the quality of life. Mostly older adults are affected by them but trends are changing with time.
A lot of common diseases are included in this term. Details of which are given below.
Common Chronic Diseases
Chronic diseases affect millions of people worldwide. Some of the most common conditions which are considered chronic include:
- Diabetes: Diabetes mellites & insipidus
- Heart Disease: Coronary artery disease and heart failure.
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Asthma, TB, or chronic bronchitis.
- Neurological Conditions: Alzheimer’s, migraine, or multiple sclerosis.
- Cancer: Malignant tumour in any part of the body.
- Arthritis: Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
- Mental Health Conditions: Depression and anxiety
- Obesity and eating disorders
These conditions get worsen over time increasing the difficulty of treatment. So, early diagnosis and intervention are critical to reduce their long-term impact.
Preventive Measures for Chronic Diseases
Some chronic diseases are unavoidable due to genetic factors. But most of them can be prevented or delayed with healthy lifestyle choices.
Strategies for prevention include:
| Topic | Description |
| Healthy Diet | A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains can boost your immunity. |
| Regular Exercise | Exercise will keep every component of your body working. And help in managing cardiovascular health, weight, and stress. |
| Tobacco & Alcohol Avoidance | Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption lead the body toward deterioration. So, avoiding them can keep you safe. |
| Regular Health Screenings | Early detection of risk factors like high cholesterol or high blood pressure can prevent disease progression. |
| Vaccinations | Individuals who stay up-to-date on vaccinations are protected from additional health risks. |
| Awareness & Education | Understanding the condition and lifestyle choices empowers you to actively participate in your health journey. |
Preventive care is an integral part of the chronic disease management services.
How Chronic Conditions are Diagnosed?
Accurate and timely diagnosis is essential for effective management of chronic diseases. Here comes the role of the GP, who assesses the patient’s condition in the following way:
- Reviewing the patient’s symptoms, lifestyle, and family medical history.
- Conducting thorough assessments and physical examinations to identify the issue.
- Utilising advanced diagnostic tools to confirm a diagnosis. E.g. blood tests and spirometry.
Once a diagnosis is made, GP discusses the condition with the patient. And create a chronic disease health care plan according to the needs.
Chronic Disease Management Plan (CDM)
Chronic disease management plan is a structured approach to manage long-term conditions. It includes strategies to monitor, treat, and improve the health components. The following strategies are involved in it.
| Topic | Description |
| Regular GP Visits | Routine check-ups can track progress of disease and address any concerns. |
| Medication Management | Medications for different concerns are checked by experts. Their interaction with each other is checked for safety. |
| Lifestyle Changes | Lifestyle should be adjusted to restrain the progress of disease. E.g. through diet, exercise, and stress management. |
| Coordination of Care | Primary physicians and specialists cooperate with allied health professionals to provide comprehensive care. |
Let’s find out how your GP will contribute to chronic disease management services.
How Your GP Will Help?
General practitioners (GPs) are often the first point of contact for patients managing chronic diseases. They can help to prepare, contribute and review CDM plans in the following ways.
- Perform patient assessment
- Identify patient needs
- Develop a personalised plan chronic disease health care plan
- Coordinate with specialists to provide multidisciplinary care
- Monitor progress of the treatment and make necessary adjustments
Our dedicated GPs are here to guide you through every stage of your journey.
Along with CDM. If your condition requires treatment from two or more healthcare providers. Then, GP will also make the Team Care Arrangement (TCA) plan. It will include a whole team of healthcare providers for comprehensive care.
Healthcare Team Involved in Chronic Disease Management
Healthcare professionals play a crucial role in the management of chronic diseases. They include:
- Primary GP
- Chiropractor
- Audiologist
- Physiotherapist
- Nutritionist
- Occupational therapist
- Exercise physiologist
- Psychiatrist
- Osteopath
- Speech pathologist
- Community health worker
Their responsibilities include:
- Educating patients about their condition and treatment options.
- Providing emotional support to help patients cope with their diagnosis.
- Monitoring symptoms and adjusting treatment plans as needed.
- Encouraging patients to stay involved in their care journey.
While covering the whole physiological aspects of a chronic disease. Don’t forget about the management of its psychological and emotional impact.
Effect of Chronic Diseases on Mental Health
Chronic diseases don’t just affect the body. They can also take a toll on mental health. And their management is incomplete without proper psychological treatment.
Many patients experience feelings of frustration, sadness, or anxiety. As they adapt to the challenges of living with a long-term condition. Depression is also most likely to develop with progression of chronic disease. Because the patients often get isolated from society due to their functional disabilities.
It’s essential to address mental health as part of a comprehensive chronic disease management plan. And arrange regular psychological counselling sessions and pharmaceutical aids if required.
At Iluka Medical Centre, we offer supportive services to help patients build resilience and maintain a positive outlook.
Conclusion
Management of chronic disease is a complex process. But with the right support, patients can lead healthier and more fulfilling lives. A well-structured chronic disease management plan involves the right medical care and lifestyle adjustments.
It involves a range of healthcare professionals from different specialties. They work together and provide holistic care to manage every aspect of the disease. GP is responsible for managing and coordinating them all. And adjusting the management plan according to needs of the patient.
Searching for Chronic Disease Management Services in Perth?
Choose Iluka Medical Centre for Chronic Disease Management Plan
At Iluka Medical Centre, we bring over two decades of expertise in chronic disease care to our state-of-the-art facility. Providing you convenience, affordability, and exceptional care seven days a week.
We offer you bulk billing options, onsite pathology, and expert health professionals. So, take the first step today. And let us help you create a personalised chronic disease management plan for you.
