What are chronic illnesses?

Chronic diseases usually last one year or longer, limit activities of daily life, and require ongoing medical attention. They usually develop in response to influences from your lifestyle, genetics, stressors, viral infections and environment factors.

These health conditions are incurable and at times stay with you through your life. Thus, it may be beneficial to have chronic illness management.

Examples of chronic disease include:

• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Osteoporosis
• Arthritis
• Lupus
• Multiple sclerosis
• Asthma
• Irritable bowel disease
• Hypothyroidism/hyperthyroidism

In addition, these diseases often require medication management, dietary guidelines, and lifestyle changes to avoid serious effects on your health and quality of life.

What causes chronic illness?

Chronic illnesses often have a genetic component and can be correlated with chronic viral infections. But, lifestyle factors usually play a big role. You’re at greater risk of chronic illness if you:

• Are overweight or obese
• Live a sedentary lifestyle
• Eat a diet low in fruits and vegetables yet high in sodium and saturated fats
• Use alcohol excessively
• Smoke or chew tobacco

Integrative Health Group can help you manage these factors that contribute to chronic illness and reduce your symptoms or prevent development of disease altogether.

What is involved in chronic illness management?

Integrative Health Group helps you control your condition by regularly checking in with your health status. She’ll review any medications you’re taking, and make sure you’re up-to-date or have no complications that might compromise your health.

Regular screenings are also part of chronic illness management. Integrative Health Group uses these screenings to see if your current treatment plan is working and to detect health changes that can lead to serious complications if left untreated.

Integrative Health Group also goes beyond basic blood tests and reviews of your procedures. She’ll support you by making dietary recommendations, resolving hormonal imbalances, and offering self-care measures to help you reduce symptoms.

In addition, she’ll help you develop an activity plan that supports good health. If you need guidance and support for weight loss, she also offers weight loss management.

Your environment also matters when it comes to chronic illness management. For example, if you suffer from asthma, it’s important to live in an area relatively free of airborne irritants. Integrative Health Group discusses the role your family and friends play in supporting your lifestyle changes and helping you stay on top of your illness as well.

To schedule an appointment for chronic illness management with Integrative Health Group in Lehi, Utah, call or book online today.