Chronic Disease

Many people in the United States have at least one chronic disease, which can turn problematic when not managed properly. At Grace Vitale Wellness in McKinney, Texas, primary care and family nurse practitioner Katherine Epps, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, offers chronic disease management for patients five and older. Schedule an evaluation at Grace Vitale Wellness by phone or online today.

What are chronic diseases?

Chronic diseases are medical conditions that last at least several months, often for a lifetime. Examples of chronic diseases include:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Thyroid disorders
• Hormone imbalances
• Arthritis
• Heart disease
• Osteoporosis
• Kidney disease
• Liver diseases
• Alzheimer's disease
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Asthma
• Allergies

Chronic diseases are long-lasting, so properly managing them is the key to minimizing your risk of complications, such as a heart attack, stroke, organ damage, or other worrisome conditions. 

Katherine is highly trained with many years of experience in chronic disease management.

What are the symptoms of chronic diseases?

The symptoms you may have due to a chronic disease include:

• Frequent urination or hunger
• Appetite or weight changes
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches
• Headaches
• Shortness of breath
• Memory issues
• Slowed metabolism
• Pain
• Joint swelling
• Stiffness
• Weakness
• Frequent fractures
• Skin or nail changes
• Sexual dysfunction 

However, you might not have any symptoms initially. That’s why routine health screenings are vital to detect possible health problems before they become severe. 

What should I expect during chronic disease management?

Grace Vitale Wellness uses a streamlined patient registration and queue management system, so you can stay at work while awaiting your appointment time. 

Katherine weighs you, assesses your body mass index (BMI), and checks your vital signs. She examines your eyes, ears, breathing, heartbeat, reflexes, and more.

You might also need a urinalysis, blood tests, tissue swabs, skin biopsies, X-rays, or other imaging procedures to diagnose your condition and treat it effectively. 

Katherine may suggest watchful waiting, medications, IV therapy, medically supervised weight loss, or lifestyle changes to help you manage a chronic disease. She follows up with you periodically to ensure you maintain an exceptional quality of life.

How often do I need chronic disease appointments?

Grace Vitale Wellness lets you know when to schedule your next visit for a chronic disease checkup. You might meet with Katherine monthly, every few months, or just once a year if you’re otherwise in good health.

To take advantage of superior chronic disease management at Grace Vitale Wellness, call the office or use the online booking tab today.