Chronic Disease Management

Consider enrolling in chronic disease management if you’re one of the 133 million Americans with a chronic illness. At NextHealth Care in Debary, Florida, experienced family medicine doctors Irelis Rodriguez Castro, MD; Alireza Ebneshahidi, MD; and their team offer chronic disease management to people of all ages. They can prevent conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and arthritis from worsening and improve your quality of life. Call NextHealth Care today to schedule a chronic disease management consultation or make your appointment online.

Who can benefit from chronic disease management?

Chronic disease management at NextHealth Care can help you manage symptoms and live a healthier life if you have:

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Kidney disease
• Thyroid disease
• Osteoporosis
• Multiple sclerosis
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Crohn’s disease
• Depression
• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Regular checkups at NextHealth Care present an opportunity to monitor your treatment progress, ask your doctor questions, and make adjustments as needed. 

What does chronic disease management involve?

The NextHealth Care team tailors chronic disease management to each patient’s needs. They might suggest:

Nutrition counseling

Many chronic health problems are exacerbated by lifestyle factors, like diet. Eating nutritious snacks and meals is often enough to reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life. NextHealth Care typically recommends consuming a balanced diet that features fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. 

Prescription medication

Many chronic illnesses require one or more prescription drugs to manage symptoms or slow their progression. At each checkup, your NextHealth Care provider reviews your medications and provides refills. If one or more drugs aren’t working, they can recommend alternatives. 

Exercise guidance

Many long-term health problems, like high blood pressure and high cholesterol, benefit from regular exercise. The NextHealth Care team encourages all patients to exercise at least 30 minutes daily, five days a week. They can recommend exercises that align with your interests and fitness level, so you’re more likely to engage in the process. 

Lab testing

Lab tests like the international normalized ratio (INR) blood test, the lipid panel, and the glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test provide important insights into your health. Routine lab tests help determine if your current treatment plan is working and can even alert you to potentially serious risks. 

Referrals to specialists

Many chronic conditions require more personalized care from qualified medical specialists. For example, if you have depression, the NextHealth Care team might coordinate your care with a mental health specialist.

How long does it take for chronic disease management to work?

Chronic disease management is a lifetime commitment. Since there’s no cure for chronic illness, you need to make lasting changes and attend each of your scheduled checkups. Even so, most people see an improvement in their symptoms within a few weeks to a month of starting treatment.

Call NextHealth Care today to enroll in chronic disease management, or book your appointment online.