Chronic Disease Management Specialist

Chronic Disease Management services offered in Texas, Houston, TX

No one ever plans to have a lifelong health condition, yet 60% of adults have one and 40% have two or more chronic diseases. As a primary care provider, Anand Balasubramanian, MD, PA, offers comprehensive adult care, including preventive health care and intensive chronic disease management that helps you maintain a healthy life. If you would like to learn about your risk for chronic diseases or you already have one and need ongoing management, call one of the two offices in Houston, Texas, or request an appointment online today.

What is a chronic disease?

In medical terms, a chronic condition lasts three months or longer. However, it has a slightly different meaning when referring to chronic diseases.

Most chronic diseases are conditions that you can prevent while the disease is in an early stage. But once you're diagnosed with a full-blown disease, it can't be cured. At that point, chronic disease means you have a lifelong condition.

There are a few exceptions. For example, asthma and dementia are chronic conditions, but you can't prevent asthma and so far, there's no sure way to prevent dementia.

What are the different types of chronic diseases?

A few of the chronic diseases frequently managed by Dr. Balasubramanian include:

Arthritis
Asthma
Diabetes
Heart disease
Dementia
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Chronic kidney disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Cancer and long-lasting pain conditions like fibromyalgia are also chronic diseases.

Why do I need chronic disease management?

By their nature, chronic diseases get progressively worse. The only way to stay healthy is with ongoing management that slows down or stops the disease from causing escalating health problems.

The type of chronic disease management you need depends on your diagnosis. If you have diabetes, for example, disease management means keeping your blood sugar within the normal range.

Heart disease management means doing what's needed to reduce the stress on your heart, while also treating underlying conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

What treatments might I receive during chronic disease management?

Dr. Balasubramanian always customizes your chronic disease management plan based on your diagnosis, disease progression, and the severity of your symptoms.

As part of your care, he offers in-house bloodwork and urine analysis, as well as advanced diagnostic testing, including electroencephalograms (EEGs) and ankle brachial index (ABI) testing.

Chronic disease management generally includes:

Lifestyle changes

In many cases, you can manage or even prevent chronic diseases by following a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, losing weight, and eliminating habits like smoking and drinking too much alcohol. Many chronic diseases need specific dietary changes.

Medications

When lifestyle changes can't keep your disease controlled, Dr. Balasubramanian prescribes the appropriate medication. He chooses from many possible medications, depending on your diagnosis and overall health.

Specialist care

When needed, Dr. Balasubramanian refers you to a specialist or admits you to the hospital, either HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest or CHI St. Luke's Hospital – The Vintage Hospital.

As your primary care provider, he continues to coordinate with your specialist and manage your health care while you're in the hospital.

To learn more about chronic care management, call Anand Balasubramanian, MD, PA, or request an appointment online today.