Chronic Conditions Specialist

What are chronic conditions?

Chronic conditions are illnesses or disorders that last for three months or longer. Though they can’t be cured, with early diagnosis and treatment, it’s possible to manage chronic conditions and prevent them from getting worse. 

If you’re living with a chronic condition, like high blood pressure or diabetes, it’s important to visit the team at South Texas Family Medicine and Urgent Care Center regularly. Routine check-ups can monitor your well-being and allow your provider to make adjustments to your treatment plan as necessary.

What are some common chronic conditions?

At South Family Medicine and Urgent Care Center, the team treats various chronic conditions, including:

High blood pressure

If you have high blood pressure, it means the force of the blood pumping through your veins is consistently too high. Without taking steps to lower your blood pressure, the risk of a heart attack or a stroke increases significantly.

High cholesterol

High cholesterol causes deposits of plaque to build up in your arteries. Over time, that build-up can prevent your blood from flowing, increasing the risk of a life-threatening cardiovascular event.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a metabolic disease that affects your body’s ability to regulate blood sugar. If your blood sugar remains high, it increases the risk of organ damage, nerve damage, and vision loss. Fortunately, there are various treatments that can help keep your blood sugar in check.

Gastrointestinal disorders

Certain gastrointestinal disorders, like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, are incurable. Chronic care management can make dietary recommendations that relieve your symptoms and help you feel better.  

Thyroid disorders

Thyroid disorders occur when your thyroid gland produces too many (or too few) hormones resulting in an imbalance. Anyone can experience a thyroid disorder, but they’re especially common in women.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a group of chronic conditions that affect your joints. As arthritis gets worse, it causes swelling, stiffness, and joint pain.

How are chronic conditions treated?

Treatment of chronic conditions varies depending on your age, medical history, and the severity of your symptoms. 

Whenever possible, the team at South Texas Family Medicine and Urgent Care Center recommends conservative measures like eating a healthy diet, losing weight, exercising regularly, and drinking plenty of water.

If you have a chronic condition like type 1 diabetes or arthritis, you might also benefit from prescription medication like insulin therapy or corticosteroid injections.

To learn more about the treatment of chronic conditions, make an appointment at South Texas Family Medicine and Urgent Care Center by calling the office or clicking the online scheduling tool today.