Chronic Diseases Specialist

What are chronic diseases?

A chronic disease is a long-lasting, or sometimes lifelong, disease that can cause serious problems when left untreated. Examples of common chronic diseases include:

• Diabetes and prediabetes
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Cancer
• Arthritis
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Osteoporosis
• Thyroid disorders
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• HIV/AIDS
• Allergies and asthma
• Anxiety and depression

If you’re at risk of developing a chronic disease, you’ve been diagnosed with a disease, or you experience new or unusual symptoms, see the Maniya Health team for an evaluation.

Do chronic diseases produce any symptoms?

A chronic disease doesn’t always produce symptoms, especially in its early stages. Indicators you may have a chronic disease include joint pain, fatigue, chest pain, breathing problems, or weight loss or weight gain, as well as increased thirst or urination, vision problems, or memory issues.

What are the risk factors for chronic diseases?

While anybody can develop a chronic disease, some factors increase your risk. Examples include:

• Family history of disease
• Genetics
• Older age
• Obesity
• Poor dietary habits
• Lack of exercise
• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol intake

Adopting healthy lifestyle habits is the best way to lower your risk of becoming ill or developing a chronic disease. 

What should I expect during my appointment?

When you arrive at Maniya Health for your appointment, friendly staff greet you. Your provider checks your weight, blood pressure, and other vital signs. They review your medical history, ask questions about symptoms you may have, and complete a physical examination. 

Your provider may suggest you undergo urine tests, blood tests, allergy or asthma testing, electrocardiogram (EKG), biopsies, X-rays, or other imaging procedures to diagnose your condition. 

They may also suggest COVID-19 testing for an active infection, or an antibody test to see if you have had the virus. In some cases, COVID-19 has lasting effects, causing chronic health issues.

What are common chronic disease treatments?

If you have a chronic disease, your Maniya Health provider might recommend one of the following treatments to properly manage your condition and reduce the risk of complications:

• Dietary changes
• More exercise
• Medical weight loss
• Dietary supplements
• Medications
• Allergy shots
• Inhalers
• Injections
• Counseling
• Smoking cessation 
• Dialysis for kidney disease
• Further diagnostic testing
• Surgical procedures

Your provider personalizes each treatment to give you the best outcome. They follow up with you periodically to ensure your treatment works effectively.

If you’re at risk of a chronic disease or need help managing one, call the Maniya Health office today or schedule an appointment online.