Chronic Disease Management
The team at Kirrawee Doctors in Sydney include doctors who are experienced in treating and managing multiple chronic diseases. Our team understands that having a chronic disease can be life-altering in more ways than one, which is why they provide open discussions with you regarding your symptoms, conditions, and potential chronic condition treatment options.
What is Chronic Disease Management?
Chronic disease management, or chronic disease care, involves a comprehensive and coordinated approach to care for individuals with long-term health conditions. Chronic diseases are often ongoing, require continuous medical attention, and may impact a person’s quality of life. Effective chronic disease management aims to control symptoms, prevent complications, and enhance the overall well-being of individuals with chronic conditions.
Types of Chronic Diseases
Chronic diseases are long-lasting conditions that can be managed but generally not cured. Some common types include:
- Cardiovascular Diseases: Such as coronary artery disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), heart failure, and stroke.
- Diabetes: Gestational diabetes, Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are chronic conditions that affect how your body regulates sugar.
- Chronic Respiratory Diseases: Such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
- Cancer: Many forms of cancer are chronic diseases that require ongoing treatment and management. Including breast, lung, prostate, colorectal, skin and leukemia cancer.
- Chronic Kidney Disease: Progressive damage to the kidneys over time, often leading to kidney failure. These diseases include chronic renal failure and end-stage renal disease.
- Chronic Liver Diseases: including cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis and fatty liver disease.
- Autoimmune Diseases: Such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis and Crohn's disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues.
- Neurological Diseases: Including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy.
- Mental Health Disorders: Such as depression, bipolar disorder, Anxiety disorders and schizophrenia, which require ongoing management.
- Osteoporosis: A condition where bones become weak and brittle.
- Gastrointestinal Diseases:
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). - Metabolic Disorders:
Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), Obesity and Thyroid disorders. - Musculoskeletal Disorders:
Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoporosis and Chronic back pain.
What to Expect
Our specialists will conduct a medical assessment for chronic conditions to establish an accurate diagnosis, understand the severity of the condition, and identify any existing complications. This includes a detailed medical history, physical exam, and diagnostic tests. They will then develop a personalised chronic disease management plan, taking into account factors such as age, overall health, lifestyle, and personal preferences. Chronic disease medications, lifestyle modifications, and other therapeutic interventions are often included in the chronic condition treatment plan.
Regular check-ups are scheduled to monitor the progression of the chronic condition, identify changes in symptoms, and adjust the treatment plan accordingly. Routine tests for chronic diseases may be conducted to evaluate specific aspects of the disease, such as blood glucose levels, blood pressure, or cholesterol levels. Our healthcare providers may also manage medications to ensure the patient understands potential side effects and is taking the medications as prescribed, as well as potentially provide education and support to help make sustainable lifestyle changes.
When to Book an Appointment
The supportive team of chronic disease GPs at Kirrawee Doctors are here to help. If you have any concerns about chronic diseases and chronic disease management, book an appointment today.