Chronic disease management programme
What does it mean to live with a lifelong disease?
Chronic diseases are a collective of conditions that can last over 3 months or longer a year and, as a result, require lifelong care by taking prescription medications and making healthy lifestyle choices. Hypertension, Diabetes, cancer and heart disease are the leading causes of death in most adults. However, a premature diagnosis and treatment can prevent a chronic condition from spiraling out of control, leading to poor quality of life. The outlook on managing a chronic disease does not need to be negative. You can choose to live an enjoyable life when receiving an early diagnosis so that treatment can occur soon after.
What types of chronic diseases are there?
Hypertension
Hypertension is a condition in which the force of blood as it flows against the artery is too high. Commonly Hypertension is defined as blood pressure of 140/90 and consider severe or life-threatening if is above 180/110. The following risk factors are associated with the risk of developing hypertension:
Genetic, obesity , alcohol abuse, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, excssive emotional abuse, poor diet( high sodium), obstructive sleep apnea (chronic snoring).
Other medical condition can cause high blood pressure , like kidney disease. Treatment of hypertension includes lifestyle changes, medication, and mental wellness
Diabetes
There are different types of diabetes mellites, type 1 which start at early age and mostly genetic. Type 2 start later in life due to bad lifestyle but can also run in the family. Abor normal blood sugar is when fasting blood glucose is higher than 7.8mmol/L and random blood glucose is greater than 11.1mmol/L.
Diabetes is an enduring disease that affects the body's ability to convert food into energy. Normally, the food we consume is broken down into glucose which travels through the bloodstream. As a result, the pancreas produces insulin to facilitate the movement of sugar into cells for energy. However, diabetes disrupts this integral process due to insufficient insulin or the inability to utilise insulin. As a result, the sugar that builds up in the bloodstream can have devastating consequences, which could lead to kidney disease and heart disease.
Heart disease
Heart disease consists of several heart conditions (arrhythmia, coronary artery disease and heart valve disease) leading to heart failure. Coronary artery disease develops when plaque sticks to the walls of the arteries affecting blood flow to the heart. As a result, poor blood flow can lead to heart failure. Heart disease is often called the silent killer because symptoms only occur when the condition reaches an advanced stage.
Cancer
Most common cancer are breast , cervical, endometrial ,colon, prostate, lung ,skin, blood (leukemia)cancer. Cancer develops from a mutation in one of the body's cells due to the rapid growth of an anomaly present. Cancer can travel to other regions of the body and, as a result, turns malignant. Imaging tests (MRI, CT scan, mammogram and prostate exam) are ways of checking for different types of cancer.
How do we manage chronic diseases?
The chronic disease management programme is aimed at people with chronic conditions who require life-long care, guidance and assistance. By educating people about their conditions, such as the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and management, we can help them better understand their health, allowing them to keep their symptoms at bay.
The programme aims for the following:
- Teaches you techniques to help you deal with frustration or anger associated with the condition
- Promotes exercise to improve balance, strength, flexibility and range of motion
- Guides you as to what medications you must take, including the dosage
- Breathing techniques
- Ways to deal with depression
- Following a healthy diet
