Chronic Disease

Chronic disease refers to any disorder or condition, both physical and mental, that affects a person over a long period. These chronic diseases are usually difficult to treat or may even be incurable. Treatment may include managing the symptoms of the disease through medications, lifestyle changes, diet, and exercise. Some chronic diseases include diabetes, arthritis, HIV/AIDS, lupus, and multiple sclerosis. Neither of these chronic conditions can be cured but can be controlled using medicines and lifestyle changes. People with chronic illnesses often suffer from depression. At the same time, depression occurs due to the changes in diet and lifestyle that come with chronic illness.

Treatment for  chronic diseases

Treatment for chronic disease depends on the underlying disorder. A doctor will diagnose the condition and start the treatment accordingly. The course of treatment for the chronic disease will vary from one to another. For example, the treatment of asthma will be different from the treatment of heart disease. The doctor will likely prescribe medication for any heart-related condition, which facilitates blood flow from the heart to other parts of the body.

Similarly, in the case of asthma, the doctor may ask the patient to use the inhaler. In the case of diabetic patients, insulin shots are used regularly. Insulin helps to control the level of sugar in the blood. On the other hand, colorectal and lung cancers are treated with the help of radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Depression often occurs as a side effect of chronic illness. This, too, should be treated with proper medication and psychiatric counselling.

Eligibility for  treatment of chronic conditions

People suffering from diseases that are difficult to treat or not completely curable can go for treatment related to chronic disease. Even though there is no cure, leaving the condition untreated can lead to further complications or death. In such a situation, treatment can help the patient control and keep the symptoms under control.

Only those suffering from chronic disease are eligible for the treatment. People who do not have any chronic disease are not eligible for the treatment of the disease. In addition, people suffering from depression due to chronic illness must seek treatment for both the illness and the depression.

Side effects

The side effects of the treatment depend on the condition for which a person is being treated. For example, heart medicines can cause rash, diarrhoea, itching, headache, chest pain, gangrene, and dizziness. Cancer treatment modalities like chemotherapy and radiation therapy can lead to hair loss, loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, and more.

However, the side effects of a medicine for a particular chronic disease may not have as many side effects as the medicine used to treat any other disease.

Guideline after treatment

Since the most chronic disease is difficult to treat, the treatment is usually continued throughout the patient’s life. However, patients suffering from such diseases are often asked to eat healthily and exercise daily. This lifestyle change ultimately helps the doctor in treating the individual.

Time for recovery

Treatment takes a long time. In most cases, people should continue treatment for the rest of their lives. However, the symptoms of the disease can be kept under the control of medicines. Patients will experience better health a few days after starting the medicine.

Cost of the treatment

The cost of treatment depends on the chronic disease. In case of a heart attack or heart condition, the cost would be around Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000. However, the cost of lung cancer treatment can be high. Cancer treatment in India usually ranges from around 5 lakh to 15 lakh rupees.

Results of the treatment

The results of treatment are rarely permanent. Most chronic diseases are very difficult to treat. Medication is used to manage the condition rather than to cure it completely. However, if the patient stops taking these drugs, their symptoms will recur in the future.

The only treatment options for chronic disease include the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle. That means the patient will need to diet, maintain an ideal weight, exercise daily, quit smoking, and stop drinking alcohol. Following these steps will not cure the disorder; it will certainly help reduce the actual symptoms of the chronic disease.

Examples

While many diseases can be considered chronic, 12 major examples of chronic diseases are a notable hindrance in terms of morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs in Australia, including 

• Different heart disease
• Stroke
• Cancer of lungs
• Colorectal cancer
• Stress and Depression
• Type 2 diabetes
• Arthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Asthma
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Chronic kidney disease
• Oral disease

Conclusion

Chronic disease is a disease of human health that is long-lasting in nature. It usually lasts for three months. Chronic disease is an important and growing health care issue globally.  Chronic disease contributes to the increasing prevalence of disability, especially in the 45 years and over age group and women. Therefore it is important to address disability from the model of promoting prevention and early screening of chronic disease. The substantial obligation posed by chronic diseases of likely contagious nature mandates global attention and action. Chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are the prominent factors of death and disability worldwide.