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Chronic Illness

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Chronic Illness

Do you have a chronic illness? If so, you are certainly not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly half of all Americans have at least one chronic disease, and about one-quarter of those people have at least one limitation in their typical daily activities.

There are many different types of chronic illness, and they can be broadly divided into four categories:

  • Survivors of acute, formerly fatal illnesses, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and traumatic injury. Advances in medical care have transformed many of these diseases into chronic, long-term conditions, whereas in prior generations they likely would have been fatal.

  • Traditional chronic illnesses, which include multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, asthma, and allergy.

  • Persistent acute illnesses, such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, which have features of acute illness, but are manageable with medical treatment.

  • Natural consequences of aging, such as arthritis, high blood pressure, and diabetes. As our population continues to age, these illnesses will become a more significant problem for individuals, families, and society.
  • For more information about the symptoms of chronic illness, click on the terms at left.

    While there are many individual chronic illnesses, the experience of having a chronic illness is similar across diseases, even those that have a variety of causes and affect different organ systems. All of these illnesses cause varying levels of pain and disability, as well as lifestyle, career, family, medical, and social changes.

    Research supports the concept that four phases of adaptation occur in chronic illnesses and trauma. These phases describe a predictable passage that patients navigate on their way to defining a new self and a new life after the onset of chronic illness. The Fennell Four Phase Model and the Albany Health Management Associates approach to health management address these commonalities in how we experience chronic illness. We seek to help people identify the most effective treatments and, ultimately, learn to better manage their lives and their chronic illnesses.

    Regardless of your diagnosis, the experience of having a chronic illness is similar across diseases, even those that have a variety of causes and affect different organ systems. All of these illnesses cause varying levels of pain and disability, as well as lifestyle, career, family, medical and social changes.

    Albany Health Management Associates has helped people with many different illnesses and conditions, including:

    • Age-related illnesses
    • Allergy
    • Anxiety
    • Arthritis
    • Asthma
    • Cancer
    • Cardiovascular disease
    • Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
    • Celiac disease
    • Diabetes
    • Fibromyalgia (FM)
    • Hepatitis
    • High blood pressure
    • HIV/AIDS
    • Lupus
    • Multiple sclerosis (MS)
    • Physical trauma
    • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
    • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
    • Stroke
    • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

    For more information about AHMA's services, please click any of the links above or at left.


     
         
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