According to the Centers for Disease Control, chronic diseases cause 7 out of 10 deaths each year and are responsible for 86 percent of America’s health care costs. Some of the most common chronic diseases include:
Other types of chronic conditions include:
As of 2012, about half of all American adults had at least one chronic health problem, and 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 can often help prevent these diseases altogether or find the best ways to treat your condition and manage your symptoms. Through routine medical visits, issues can be pinpointed while they are manageable – sometimes even when still reversible.
So, what causes chronic diseases in the first place? While there are many factors, one of the main issues is unhealthy behaviors such as:
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, exercise regimes can be recommended based on your needs and abilities, helping you maintain a healthy weight and lower the risk of chronic diseases.
You can even find programs to aid in quitting bad habits, like smoking and heavy drinking. Turn to your internist to have your chronic disease diagnosed and treated, and you can drastically improve your quality of life. Don’t hesitate – if you think you may be suffering from a chronic disease, schedule an appointment today.