For patients who have been newly diagnosed with a chronic disease, it can be a scary and confusing time. But, with the right combination of lifestyle choices and medical treatment, many chronic disease symptoms can be managed.
Communicating with medical providers is an important first step to understanding your new diagnosis.
What to do when receiving a chronic disease diagnosis
Though treatment plans and outcomes vary among patients, there are some basic things you can do to adapt to life with a chronic disease diagnosis.
- Build a support system of fellow diagnosed warriors. Many newly diagnosed patients find that family and friends are generally supportive, but they don’t always understand. You may find it helpful to form a small group of friends or join a support group of others who share your diagnosis.
- Adjust your diet as needed. There may be certain foods you should consume and others you should avoid. Following a diet recommended for your condition may help alleviate some symptoms.
- Follow a regular exercise plan. Though this can seem difficult at times, it’s important to keep your body moving as much as possible. If you find exercise to be painful, talk to your doctor about mild movement options that may work well for your condition.
- Be patient with the medication process. As a newly diagnosed patient, there will likely be a process of finding the right combination of medications and doses to treat your symptoms. Work closely with your doctor and pharmacist during this time to monitor potential side effects, and know that adjustments can be made.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Your doctor is there to help you, and the more you understand your diagnosis, the better you can contribute to your treatment plan.
Understanding treatment options
Every day, patients around the world are diagnosed with a variety of chronic diseases. Treatments vary for each but may include a combination of surgery, physical therapy, psychological therapy, radiation therapy, and medications.
As your medical team confirms your diagnosis and talks to you about it, they will also review your treatment options and plan with you.
At FlexCare Infusion Centers, we work with our patients every step of the way to make sure you understand the treatment you will receive in our facility. Our team is standing by and ready to help you.
Learn more about infusion therapy
Doctors often recommend infusion therapy as an alternative to oral medications for patients with chronic diseases. FlexCare Infusion Centers offers a variety of infusion treatments in our standalone facility. Conditions we treat include rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, osteoporosis, allergic asthma, immunodeficiency disorders, neuropathy, and more.
We make the infusion process as stress-free as possible for our patients, with private and semi-private suites featuring personal flat-screen TVs, music and video streaming, heated massage chairs, a well-stocked snack bar, and patient-regulated thermostats.
We also work directly with your primary care physician to communicate your needs and treatment progress. If you need infusion therapy for your chronic disease diagnosis, your doctor can easily submit a referral to start the process.
If you have any questions, you can also contact us directly.
