Chronic Disease Management in Falls Church, VA
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A chronic disease is a long-lasting health complication that can last from 3 to 12 months or more—in some cases even persisting for life. To keep symptoms under control, these conditions require lifestyle changes, on-going care, treatment, and proper management. Living with a chronic disease can be an arduous task, but having the help of a healthcare professional that can guide and support you through that challenge is going to make it way easier. Find us in Falls Church, VA to help you manage your chronic condition.
Living With a Chronic Disease
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about three in four American adults have at least one chronic disease—with over half having two or more. A health situation that causes them to change several aspects of their lives, in order to cope with the negative impact that these diseases can have.
Some of the most common chronic conditions are:
- Asthma
- Cancer
- Arthritis
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Heart disease
The Causes of a Chronic Disease
Several chronic conditions are caused by risk factors and harmful behaviors, such as smoking, excessive use of alcohol, poor nutrition or lack of exercise. But at CareLife, we know that those are not the only risk factors that contribute to the development of these diseases. Other circumstances can put a patient at a higher risk of developing one of these conditions, including aspects such as where they were born, where they live, their work, or even their age.
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Regular Screenings for a Chronic Disease in Falls Church, VA
Regular health screenings, such as annual check-ups, cancer screening, blood tests, among others, are crucial when it comes to maintaining a patient’s health. These not only serve to confirm that everything is in order, but also to detect and treat diseases as soon as possible.
For instance, cancer patients require regular scans for diagnosis and treatment purposes—even those who survived the disease need screenings for follow-up reasons.
Some of the most common cancer tests are:
- Mammograms (breast cancer screening)
- Colonoscopies (colorectal cancer screening)
- Pap smear/HPV test (cervical cancer test).
- PSA test (prostate cancer test).
- LDCT scans (lung cancer scan)
Cancer Screening in Falls Church VA
Cancer is a very common chronic disease, with various forms of this condition (like breast, lung, prostate, and colorectal) accounting for around 50% of new cases in the United States. By 2025, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), some forms of cancers and their respective percentages corresponded to:
Breast Cancer Screening
Testing for breast cancer on a regular basis for women over 40 is crucial to find this disease early on, when it is easier to treat. Some forms of breast cancer screening include mammography, breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound.
Pap Smear/HPV and PSA Tests
Pap smears and/or HPV tests are advised for women over 21, to detect cervical cancer in early stages. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a blood test recommended for men over 55 to detect prostate cancer.
LDCT Scans
Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scans are non-invasive tests used to detect lung cancer in individuals at high-risk of developing this form of cancer.
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Adults over 45 should perform a colorectal cancer screening regularly to detect and find polyps or colorectal cancer early on—through exams like gFOBT, FIT or the FIT-DNA test.
Management of a Chronic Disease in Falls Church, VA
From cancer, to diabetes, heart disease and arthritis, to mention a few. All chronic conditions require the expertise of a healthcare professional for diagnostic, treatment, management, and guidance. At CareLife our patients can rest assured that they will be receiving the best care from our team of providers.
Living with diseases such as these requires on-going care, something that can be difficult to find for those living in remote areas or who have a disease that impedes their movement, among other issues. For cases such as these, we offer Telehealth services and appointments.
FAQs
Can a chronic disease be cured?
Most chronic conditions cannot be cured. Instead they can be managed and controlled through lifestyle and dietary changes, on-going care and the right treatment.
Does insurance cover my chronic disease?
Some health insurances and plans like Medicare Advantage Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans (C-SNPs) cover chronic diseases.
How frequent should my cancer screening be?
The frequency of your screening varies:
- A breast cancer screening should be every 1 to 2 years.
- Pap smear/HPV test should be every 3 years.
- PSA test is recommended to be every 1 to 3 years.
- LDCT scans should be annual for high-risk patients.
- Finally, colorectal cancer screening frequency depends on the age and risk of the patient. Yearly for FIT test, to every 3 years for DNA-FIT test, and every 10 years for a colonoscopy.
Find Management for Your Chronic Disease in Falls Church, VA
Receiving a chronic disease diagnosis can be a life changing event, one that’s accompanied with so much concern and questions. Because of it, finding the right team of healthcare professionals to guide you through said questions, treatment and management for your health issue is crucial.
At CareLife our compassionate team of experts is here to help you, so you can make sure that this disease won’t impede you to live a meaningful life. Contact us to schedule a consultation or find us in Falls Church, VA to receive personalized, comprehensive and compassionate care throughout every stage of your disease