Chronic Disease
According to the Center of Disease Control, chronic diseases cause 7 out of 10 deaths each year and are responsible for 86 percent of America’s healthcare costs. Some of the most common chronic diseases include:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Arthritis
Other types of chronic conditions include:
- Asthma
- Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
- Cystic fibrosis
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Eating disorders
- Gum disease
As of 2012, about half of all American adults had at least one chronic health problem. About one in four adults had two or more chronic diseases.
Unfortunately, these conditions can also cause other long-term complications, including kidney failure, disability and limb amputation. Your internist, however, can often help prevent these diseases altogether or find the best ways to treat your condition and manage your symptoms. Through routine medical visits, we can pinpoint issues while they are manageable – sometimes even when still reversible.
Causes of Chronic Disease
So, what causes chronic diseases in the first place? While there are many factors, one of the main issues is unhealthy behaviors such as:
- Inactivity
- Poor nutrition
- Heavy alcohol use
- Using tobacco
By changing these habits, you can greatly decrease your chances of developing some of these chronic illnesses.
It can be a challenge to know exactly what constitutes a healthy diet or what exercise plan is right for you. Your doctor can discuss foods you should eat, as well as foods you should avoid. Plus, we can recommend exercise regimes that are right for your needs and abilities. This will help you maintain a healthy weight and lower the risk of chronic diseases. We can even help you find programs that will aid you in quitting bad habits, like smoking and heavy drinking.
Turn to your internist to have your chronic disease diagnosed and treated, and you can see your quality of life drastically improve. Don’t hesitate – if you think you may be suffering the symptoms of a chronic disease, schedule an appointment with Jaime Rivas Physician, PC.
The information on this website is provided for educational and information purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with a licensed medical provider and follow their recommendations regardless of what you read on this website. If you think you are having a medical emergency, dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Links to other third-party websites are provided for your convenience only. If you decide to access any of the third-party websites, you do so entirely at your own risk and subject to the terms of use for those websites. Neither Jaime Rivas Physician, PC, nor any contributor to this website, makes any representation, express or implied, regarding the information provided on this website or any information you may access on a third-party website using a link. Use of this website does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you would like to request an appointment with a health care provider, please call our office at (203) 274-6843.