Chronic Illnesses

What are chronic illnesses?

Chronic illnesses are conditions that you need to manage throughout your life. Some of the most common chronic illnesses among Americans are Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and asthma. 

Currently, 6 in 10 American adults have a chronic illness, and 4 in 10 have two or more chronic conditions. 

How are chronic conditions different from acute conditions?

Acute conditions are short-term illnesses, for example the flu, common colds, and COVID-19. Generally, an acute illness runs its course within a few weeks. Usually, acute illnesses resolve completely and don’t have lingering effects. 

Chronic conditions are generally incurable, but they’re manageable. So if you have a chronic condition, you need to work with the Akachi Primary and Urgent Care team to prevent the progression of the disease while managing your symptoms in the most effective manner. 

What causes chronic illnesses?

Many chronic conditions stem from certain choices, including:

• Tobacco use and secondhand smoke
• Unhealthy diet — too much salt and fat, too few fruits and vegetables
• Poor physical fitness (sedentary lifestyle)
• Excessive alcohol intake

All of these behaviors are controllable — and that means you can prevent chronic conditions like Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. While not all chronic conditions are preventable, healthy choices can reduce your symptoms and help to discourage the progression of nearly any chronic disease. 

How does treatment of chronic illnesses work?

Akachi Primary and Urgent Care offers personalized chronic illness management. The team tracks and monitors your health during your annual physicals. Whenever possible, they help you prevent chronic illnesses rather than react to them. 

With both prevention and treatment, lifestyle changes and medical interventions can be extremely helpful.

Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle changes are truly the cornerstone of chronic illness treatment. The team can help you to lose weight, change your nutrition, start an exercise routine, and more. 

Home health monitoring

Keeping track of your health at home is also important, so you may need to check your blood pressure, blood sugar levels, or other aspects of your health on a regular basis and then report any significant deviations to the team. 

Medical care

Medical care for chronic illnesses can include oral medications, minimally invasive procedures, and sometimes surgery based on the particular condition and how it affects you.

Chronic illness treatment at Akachi Primary and Urgent Care is just as individual as you are. To learn more, call the office or book your appointment through the scheduling link now.