Chronic Disease Management includes methods to manage a client’s symptoms of the disease so that the client can reach their highest level of functional ability by reducing symptoms associated with their condition. Healthcare Professionals can suggest tasks that will help clients develop coping mechanisms to help manage their symptoms and recover from the ailments associated with the disease that they are suffering from.
Chronic Diseases include but are not limited to the following: diabetes, congestive heart failure (CHF), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), stroke, chronic pain, HIV/AIDS, Cancer, Parkinson’s, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Spina Bifida, among others.
Symptoms of Chronic Conditions that require management may include:
- Paralysis
- Muscle Weakness
- Neurogenic Bowel
- Neurogenic Bladder
- Fatigue
- Loss of memory or concentration
- Poor Endurance
- Difficulty breathing / Shortness of Breath
- Enlarged lymph nodes in your neck or armpits
- Unexplained muscle pain, unexplained joint pain, generalized pain- chronic pain
- Pain that moves from one joint to another without swelling or redness
- Diarrhea and Constipation
- Reoccurring infections such as: Urinary tract infections
- Secondary Infections
Clients should talk about their problems with medical professionals so that they will be able to help them plan, interact, and learn behaviors that may help them solve disease related problems, provide social support, and help clients make decisions regarding their care. Healthcare providers can work together with clients to establish positive outcomes and reduced symptoms.