Chronic Disease: Controlling the Incurable

Chronic disease affects more people as they age. It will affect everyone at some time in their life. Over 80% of the health costs worldwide are incurred by 20% of persons with one chronic disease or more. Chronic disease is defined as any illness that lasts more than three months, and/ or is recurrent. This includes such diseases as morbid obesity, arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, depression and many more. Most primary care doctors and family physicians see more patients with chronic diseases than any other health conditions.  The initial visit of the majority of patients seen on first visit have at least two or more chronic conditions.


Chronic disease management begins first and foremost with knowing as much as you can about the diseases that affect you.  Research yields information that strengthens your knowledge base of cause, effects, and what can be done to make it better or even preventable.  There are many evidence-based treatments that work, but some may help you more than others if at all.  For example, low back pain may be helped with hot or cold therapy, massage. acupuncture, spinal alignment. epidurals. medication and more.  Your spouse benefits from cold therapy and massage which hardly helps you. Hot therapy and acupuncture improves your pain and function, but not that of your spouse.  You must find what works best for you.  Ask your doctors for different treatments other than those they order as well.


Chronic disease responds favorably to a nutritious diet.  With medication noncompliance over 50% for whatever reason, you eat daily which allows for good, healthy food. Many foods have medicinal qualities that help control disease processes while keeping the healthy parts healthier.  Cooked dry beans are the perfect example.  They can provide as much as 9 to16 grams of fiber and 15 to 25 grams of protein in one-fourth cup  (60 to 150 calories).  A 14 ounce bag can yield about eight to ten cups at a cost of less than $2. Eaten alone or in other dishes, beans have powerful potent antioxidants that overpower cellular oxidative stress of chronic disease states.  High fiber is good for so many chronic problems such as heart disease, high lipids, diabetes, hypertension and more.  As you decrease processed foods in your diet, and add more fresh food your body responds with lower blood pressure, less pain, less overall stress, and good feelings of good health!


As chronic diseases progress especially with aging, many people move less.  Less movement opens the door for more chronic disease, and worsening of any you may already have.  Daily motion is the magic potion lotion.  Movement in activities of daily living count, and exercise helps.  At least ten minutes per day helps.  At home exercise programs work and are less stressful than going out.  Fancy home gyms with exercise equipment are nice but unaffordable for many.  Sitting, standing or laying you can do arm circles, leg raises, torso twists, and more.  Walking in place also works.  This type of activity improves physical and mental status to better.


You can control chronic diseases by choosing that which helps what you have.  Controlling the incurable involves routines designed for you.  This in itself improves overall quality of life and gives positive personal satisfaction that helps mental issues that may become chronic in themselves.  Best health!