The six elements of chronic condition care, primary care, preventative measures and screenings, medication adherence, healthy diet, healthy lifestyle, and self-monitoring are applicable for every chronic condition. Six Elements of Chronic Condition Care
Primary Care
Healthy Diet
Emphasis on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat dairy products. Includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts. Limits saturated and trans fats, sodium, and added sugars. Control of portion sizes.
A primary care provider assesses current status and risk factors, develops a treatment plan, will order screenings, vaccines, medications, community and social services, coordinate care and provide ongoing clinical monitoring.
Preventative Measures
Healthy Lifestyle
Eat a healthy diet, be active with regular physical exercise, maintain a healthy weight, manage/avoid stress, no smoking, be social with family and friends, participate in activities that use brain power, limit alcohol, establish nightly sleep pattern of 7 to 8 hours.
Infectious and viral conditions, such as the flu, colds, pneumonia, Hepatitis B and shingles often impact people with chronic conditions severely. The results may be prolonged recovery, complications, and decline in their overall health. It is recommended that cancer screening tests be done regularly to detect cancer early when most treatable.
Self-monitoring
Medication Adherence
Taking medications as prescribed improves symptom management, and provides relative stabilization of the health condition. Medication non-adherence results in uncontrolled conditions leading to complications, worsening state of health and even death.
Self-monitoring of key health and wellbeing indicators such as weight, symptoms of illness, follow-up appointments, is required so that issues are identified, and corrective steps may be taken to manage a condition and keep on the path of a healthy lifestyle.
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