Chronic Disease Management in Fairlawn, OH

Have you been suffering from a chronic illness for years? Perhaps, you have tried conventional medicine but have found that it isn't providing the relief you need. Board-certified family physician Dr. Leslee McElrath offers chronic disease management through holistic methods for people in Fairlawn, OH who have a long-term or recurring health condition, like diabetes, thyroid disease, arthritis, or a gastrointestinal disorder. While chronic diseases typically cannot be cured, their symptoms can be reduced by targeting their underlying cause. To improve the way you feel and function in everyday life, schedule an appointment at Monarch Ideal Care today.

Candidates for this treatment often include those diagnosed with chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, gastrointestinal disorders, or autoimmune disorders. Patients looking for a way to improve their quality of life while managing a chronic illness may benefit from a comprehensive chronic disease management plan. Additionally, those with certain risk factors such as a family history of chronic diseases or lifestyle-related concerns may also be candidates. The commitment to making lifestyle changes, adherence to prescribed medications, and active participation in their healthcare are essential for patients considering chronic disease management. During a comprehensive consultation, Dr. McElrath will conduct a thorough evaluation of your medical history, current health status, symptoms, and more in order to develop a personalized management strategy tailored to your individual needs and goals.

Following the initiation of your chronic disease management plan, you can expect to have regular follow-up appointments with Dr. McElrath to monitor your progress and make any adjustments to dosing or other aspects of your treatment as necessary. While outcomes can vary based on the condition being managed, the patient's adherence to their treatment plan, and other factors, many patients can expect to achieve a consistent improvement in their symptoms, including the potential for pain relief, improved mobility, boosted energy levels, and a better quality of life overall.

The symptoms of a chronic disease can often disrupt a patient's everyday life, causing discomfort, fatigue, pain, difficulty sleeping, and many other challenges. Not only that, but managing the symptoms of a chronic disease can be complex and even overwhelming on your own. Partnering with our knowledgeable and caring team for the management of your chronic disease offers a number of benefits, including:

• Customized treatment and care plan
• Medically supervised disease and symptom management
• Increases safety and reduces risks
• Ongoing guidance, support, and progress monitoring
• Establishes a long-term relationship with a provider who becomes familiar with your history and can better manage your symptoms over time
• Helps you achieve reliable symptom relief for an improved overall quality of life

Chronic diseases are diagnosed through a combination of methods, typically involving a detailed medical history, physical examinations, and various screenings and tests, which provide crucial context for diagnosis. The process depends on the type of chronic disease being diagnosed. Here's a general overview:

1. Medical History: Usually the first step involves the doctor asking about symptoms, family medical history, lifestyle habits (like diet, exercise, smoking, and alcohol use), and previous health issues.

2. Physical Examination: A thorough physical exam might include checking for physical signs of illness (like swelling or redness), measuring vital signs (such as blood pressure and temperature), and evaluating organ function.

3. Laboratory Tests: Blood, urine, and other body fluids can be tested to look for abnormalities that might indicate a chronic disease.

4. Imaging Tests: X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, ultrasound, and other imaging technologies can provide detailed pictures of the inside of the body to help identify abnormalities like tumors, bone density loss in osteoporosis, or blockages in blood vessels.

5. Biopsy: In some cases, a biopsy (taking a small sample of tissue for examination under a microscope) is necessary to diagnose conditions like cancer.

6. Specialized Tests: Screenings are available for common health conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes and there are specialized tests, such as a mammography for breast cancer, colonoscopy or stool testing for colorectal cancer, Pap smear for cervical cancer, a computed tomography (CT) scan for lung cancer, an ECG (electrocardiogram) for heart disease, spirometry for lung diseases like COPD, or endoscopy for gastrointestinal diseases.