Chronic diseases are long-term health conditions that affect millions of people worldwide. Patients and their families may face physical, mental, and financial difficulties due to them. However, there is hope for people living with chronic diseases, thanks to Internal Medicine.

Internal medicine helps people deal with chronic conditions by providing them with thorough and individualised care.

In this article, we will talk about taking an in-depth look at chronic diseases and their impact on people’s lives. We will also understand how internal medicine physicians can assist people to live with such diseases and take control of their health.

Common Chronic Diseases

Chronic diseases can be of various types. Here are some of the most common ones:

• Heart disease: Conditions that impact the heart and blood vessels can be chronic in nature. According to WHO, 17.9 million people die from heart disease yearly, accounting for 32% of all fatalities worldwide.
• Cancer: Cancer is a class of diseases distinguished by abnormal cell growth. All tissues and organs may be impacted.
• Stroke: An abrupt decrease in brain blood flow that can cause permanent damage.
• COPD: Chronic obstructive lung disease or COPD covers different kinds of lung conditions. People with COPD have trouble breathing because their airways are damaged or blocked.
• Diabetes: Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases in Malaysia. According to a national survey report, 3.6 million adults in Malaysia were suffering from diabetes in 2019.
• Arthritis: Joint pain and inflammation are the symptoms of arthritis, a term for various diseases that affect the joints.
• Mental illness: Mental illness is a group of conditions that affect a person’s mood, thoughts, and behaviour. Mental illness can be a severe and disabling condition.

What is it Like to Live with a Chronic Disease?

It might be difficult to deal with a chronic illness. It may have an impact on a person’s social, emotional, and physical health. Some of the challenges faced by patients with chronic conditions include:

• Managing their symptoms: Symptoms of chronic diseases are unpredictable and can vary from one day to the next. The patient may experience different types of pain, fatigue, stiffness, swelling, or other discomforts at any time. The patient has to be ready for anything and adapt to the changing situation.
• Taking medications: Many chronic diseases require patients to take medications regularly. And this can go on for a long time. Overall, it might be expensive, adding to the monthly household budget. Also, it can be a challenge to remember to take the medicine daily.
• Following the treatment plan: Patients with chronic diseases often need a specific therapeutic strategy that may call for dietary and activity modifications and medications. Understanding it can be challenging, especially if the plan is complex or the patient is not feeling well.
• Dealing with side effects: Many medications used to treat chronic diseases have side effects. These negative consequences, which might be moderate to severe, can affect a patient’s quality of life.
• Coping with the emotional burden: Last but not least, a chronic illness can be challenging mentally. Patients may experience feelings of sadness, anxiety, anger, and frustration. They may also worry about their future and the future of their loved ones.

Internal Medicine and Chronic Disease Management

Internal medicine specialists are medical professionals who focus on the care of adults. Chronic illness is treated by internal medicine specialists.

Internal Medicine specialists help in the management of chronic illness by:

• Diagnosing and treating chronic diseases
• Educating and counselling on how to manage chronic diseases
• Coordinating with other healthcare providers to help the patient obtain a comprehensive medical care
• Tracking the development of the illness and how it responds to treatment
• Preventing complications

Internal medicine physicians work with patients to develop individualised plans for managing their chronic diseases. These plans may include lifestyle changes, medications, and regular monitoring.

You can read our article, From Diagnosis to Treatment: The Expertise of Internal Medicine Physicians Unveiled, to learn more about this speciality.

How can Internal Medicine Physicians Help Patients Improve Their Quality of Life?

One of the main objectives of internal medicine is to manage chronic illness to bring an improvement to the quality of life of the patient. Some of the methods by which this is done are:

• Educating and supporting patients in managing their condition: Internal medicine physicians help patients understand and learn how to manage it. They can also provide support and encouragement to assist patients in overcoming the difficulties of having a chronic disease.
• Collaborating with patients to create a unique plan to manage their condition: Internal medicine physicians work with patients to develop a plan that fits their needs and goals. This plan may include lifestyle changes, medications, and regular monitoring. This plan is modified from time to time based on the patient’s condition to ensure the best possible care.
• Providing emotional support and encouragement: Internal medicine physicians provide emotional support and encouragement to assist patients in overcoming the difficulties of having a chronic disease.
• Referrals to other healthcare providers: An internal medicine physician may also refer the patient to different healthcare specialists who can provide support with different symptoms.

Chronic Disease Management

Most chronic diseases cannot be cured but can be managed effectively. Chronic disease management aims to prevent complications, improve quality of life, and prolong life. Internal medicine physicians work closely with the patient and the medical team to provide a better life for the patient.

They develop a plan for the patient which may include:

Healthy Lifestyle

Eating well, staying active, and avoiding tobacco can enable you to become more physically and mentally healthy and manage your chronic disease. These habits can prevent or treat many problems such as diabetes, cancer, rheumatoid and cardiovascular disease. Internal medicine physicians can support you in adopting a healthy lifestyle by providing education, counselling, and referrals.

Medications

You can manage your symptoms by taking your medications as suggested by your internal medicine physicians. This in turn can enhance your standard of living.

Regular Monitoring

Monitoring your health status regularly can help you detect and treat problems early and evaluate your treatment plan. Monitoring can measure how your condition affects your body and how you respond to treatment.

Internal medicine physicians can help you with tracking by performing, interpreting, explaining, reviewing, and recommending tests for your condition. They can also support you emotionally as you cope with your chronic disease.

How can Technology Help People with Chronic Diseases?

This is the era of technology with something for everyone. Technology can be used to improve chronic disease management in various ways.

Let us take a look at some of the most common technologies that can be used:

Electronic health records (EHRs)

Electronic health records (EHRs) are computerised systems that store and track patient medical information, including health history, medications, and test results. By sharing this information with other healthcare providers, EHRs can improve care coordination.

Remote monitoring

Patients’ health data and vitals can be remotely tracked using home blood pressure monitors and wearable sensors. This is remote monitoring. It helps healthcare practitioners assist patients with their condition at home and detect issues sooner when they can be treated more easily.

Benefits & Challenges of Using Technology for Chronic Disease Management

The use of technology in the management of the chronic disease has several benefits, including:

• Improved access to care: Patients can get care more efficiently with technology, no matter where they are or how they travel.
• Increased convenience: Technology can make it more convenient for patients to manage their condition by allowing them to keep track of their health records and talk to their doctors remotely.
• Improved coordination of care: Technology can facilitate care coordination by enabling healthcare providers to share information and collaborate on patient care.
• Early identification of problems: Technology can help identify problems early when they are easier to treat. It can lessen the likelihood of the issues and enhance patient outcomes.
• Increased patient engagement: Technology can help improve patient engagement in their care by providing more information and tools to manage their condition.

The Future of Chronic Disease Management

Let’s take a look at some of the options available for chronic disease management:

• Personalised medicine: Personalised medicine refers to tailoring medical treatment to the individual patient. This is possible through genetic and genomic advances which allow us to understand the genetic factors in a better way.
• Precision medicine: Precision medicine is a more advanced form of personalised medicine which considers a patient’s genetic makeup, lifestyle, and environmental factors. It allows for even more targeted and effective treatment.
• Digital health: The term “digital health” describes the advancement of health and healthcare. It includes using EHRs, remote monitoring, telemedicine, and mobile health apps.
• Behavioural interventions: Behavioural interventions help in the modification of patient’s behaviours, such as nutrition, physical activity, and quitting smoking as per the chronic disease management plan formulated by the medical team. They can be offered in different forms, such as one-on-one sessions, group sessions, and web-based programs.
• Community-based programs: Community-based programs are designed to help patients manage their chronic diseases in the context of their community. These programs can provide support, education, and resources to help patients make healthy lifestyle changes.

The Role of Internal Medicine in Chronic Disease Management

Chronic diseases can be a difficult aspect to live with unless they are handled well. A personalised plan for managing chronic diseases can significantly improve your health and well-being, primarily if you work with your internal medicine doctor. If you suffer from a chronic illness, you must talk to your internal medicine physician about how to manage it. Your physician can assist you in creating a unique strategy.

Community-based programs can help you manage your chronic disease by providing personalised support and education for your needs and lifestyle. It is also important to remember that you are not alone. Around the world, millions of individuals suffer from chronic illnesses. Many resources are available to help you, including your doctor, support groups, and online forums.

Together, you and your doctor can create a strategy for controlling your chronic illness and raising your quality of life.

Sources:

• https://research-repository.griffith.edu.au/handle/
• https://www.ridgewood.ie/chronic-disease-management
• https://newyorkspaces.com/the-importance-of-health-care-and-preventive-measures/
• https://www.irishweatheronline.com/the-connection-between-nutrition-and-chronic-diseases/
• https://therapymantra.co/psychiatrist/clinical-psychiatrist/
• https://hfrehabnj.com/post-operative-therapy/
• https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease
• https://www.carrushealth.com/what-is-chronic-disease-management-and-does-it-work/
• https://www.cavalierhomehealth.com/services/chronic-disease-management/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/

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