Do you have a chronic disease and condition? Making a few lifestyle changes and scheduling regular visits with your Austin, TX, family physicians, Drs. Paul Keinarth and Kelly Alberda of Margolin, Keinarth & Alberda, MD will help you protect your health.
What are chronic diseases and conditions?
A disease or condition is considered chronic if it lasts more than one year, requires ongoing medical care and affects your daily life, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chronic diseases and conditions include:
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Cancer
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Eating disorders
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Kidney disease
- Obesity
How are chronic diseases and conditions treated?
If you have a chronic disease or condition, you can benefit from:
- Periodic Visits to Your Family Physician: Seeing your Austin family doctor on a regular basis is particularly important if you've been diagnosed with a chronic disease or condition. Your doctor can prescribe medications or therapies that help you manage your illness and reduce symptoms. Sometimes, chronic diseases can worsen without any obvious signs or symptoms. When you see the doctor as recommended, he can spot changes before they threaten your health and recommend appropriate treatments.
- Lifestyle Changes: Changing your diet, getting more exercise, or quitting smoking and drinking can help you improve your health and avoid complications common with your disease or condition. Your family physician can make healthy eating and lifestyle suggestions and recommend forms of exercise that are safe for you.
- Referrals to Other Health Care Practitioners: Depending on your diagnosis, your family physician may refer you to other doctors who specialize in your particular disease or conditioner. He may also make referrals to physical therapists, nutritionists, psychiatrists or psychologists, or drug or alcohol counselors. Your family physician and these providers will work as a team to help you improve your health and manage your disease or condition.
Do you need a little help controlling the symptoms of your chronic disease or condition? Call your family physicians in Austin, TX, Drs. Paul Keinarth and Kelly Alberda of Margolin, Keinarth & Alberda, MD, at (512) 459-9889 to schedule your appointment.