Managing a chronic disease can be difficult. Chronic diseases can be debilitating, affecting your body and your mind. Fortunately, your osteopathic doctor can help with chronic disease management, so you can live an active, healthy life.
Chronic diseases can affect all parts of your body, including your:
- Bones and joints
- Organs and tissues
- Musculoskeletal system
- Immune system
- Circulatory system
- Nervous system
Chronic diseases develop over time, turning into a medical condition that typically doesn’t resolve. Examples of chronic diseases include:
- Cancer
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Epilepsy
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
- Obesity
- Lupus
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
There are several methods of diagnosis, treatment, and management for chronic diseases, including:
Diagnostic tests, which are useful to diagnose a chronic disease, and for chronic disease management over time. Examples of testing include lab work, such as cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and imaging studies, such as x-rays, MRI, and CT scans.
Therapeutic massage, which is useful to boost circulation, relax muscles, reduce pain, increase range-of-motion, and provide a feeling of overall wellness.
Relaxation techniques, which are useful to calm and relax your body and mind; meditation and other techniques can also help with pain control and provide a feeling of overall well-being.
Medications, which are useful to treat all chronic diseases; medications are prescribed to reduce inflammation and pain, enhance organ function, and provide other benefits.
Exercises and physical therapy, which are useful to help maintain strength, improve flexibility, maintain mobility, and decrease stiffness.
Surgery, which is useful to remove, repair, or replace damaged or infected tissue; surgery is often indicated in cases of cancer, to remove precancerous and cancerous tissue, to prevent cancer spread.
You don’t have to let a chronic disease control your life. Whether you suffer from diabetes, obesity, cancer, or other chronic diseases, your osteopathic doctor can help manage your chronic disease to enhance your life. To find out more about chronic disease management, call your osteopathic doctor today.