Chronic Disease Management

Chronic disease management in Maple Ridge, BC

Living with a chronic disease is not easy. Chronic disease flareups can completely debilitate a person, disrupting their routine and lowering their quality of life. At Fraser Medical Clinic, our expert providers work closely with their patients to build a customized chronic disease management plan. The main purpose of a personalized plan is to improve overall quality of life.

What is a chronic disease?

Broadly defined, a chronic disease is a persistent ailment that lasts for a long period of time. Sometimes it’s six months or more, other times it’s a year. The one thing a chronic disease is known for is consistently disrupting or limiting daily activity and needing constant treatment and monitoring by a medical professional.

What are examples of chronic diseases?

There are many different chronic diseases. Some common ones include:

• diabetes
• heart disease
• lupus
• arthritis
• obesity
• depression
• asthma

For many chronic illnesses, there is no cure. However, they can be managed. That’s where a chronic disease management plan comes in. At Fraser Medical Clinic, two of the most common chronic diseases we manage are respiratory and obesity.

What is diabetes education?

At Fraser Medical Clinic, we provide consultations with a Diabetic Educator. A Diabetic Educator specializes in providing and building plans to help manage diabetes. Pulmonary disease is a group of lung diseases that obstruct airflow, making it difficult for a patient to breathe. Respiratory therapists educate, diagnose, and treat patients suffering from certain pulmonary diseases. The most commonly known one is asthma. A Diabetic Educator will educate you in monitoring you blood glucose levels and give feedback as to how to lower or maintain them, tracking any improvements or progress and adjusting treatment plans as needed.

What is respiratory therapy?

At Fraser Medical Clinic, we provide consultations with a respiratory therapist. A respiratory therapist specializes in providing and building plans to manage pulmonary disease. Pulmonary disease is a group of lung diseases that obstruct airflow, making it difficult for a patient to breathe. Respiratory therapists educate, diagnose, and treat patients suffering from certain pulmonary diseases. The most commonly known one is asthma. A respiratory therapist will monitor and manage your symptoms, tracking any improvements or progress and adjusting treatment plans as needed.

What is obesity care?

We have a Registered Dietician and Certified Obesity Care Professionals in our office every Tuesday working alongside our Internal Medicine Specialist certified by the American Board of Obesity Management (ABOM). We specialize in working with patients living with obesity to create health plans. We promote health education and encourage incorporating appropriate diet and exercise plans into the patient’s daily routine. Obesity should be properly managed. Without management, many health issues and complications can occur, including:

• high blood pressure
• stroke
• diabetes
• heart disease
• sleep apnea

Schedule an appointment at Fraser Medical Clinic

If you are living with a chronic disease and would like to learn more about managing your symptoms, please call our Maple Ridge office at (604) 463-1300.