Chronic conditions can be described as those that an individual may suffer from for more than a year, affect the quality of life, and need medical treatment or attention. Common diseases are conditions that, upon diagnosis of afflictions that negatively affect the body and are abnormal to the human condition from day to day, are often seen by medical providers.
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common behavior disorder in both children and many adults. Patients may have trouble behaving or paying attention due to hyperactivity or impulsiveness. While ADHD can be inherited, the medical community does not currently know what causes some people to have ADHD.
Most children with ADHD will show these symptoms by age 7.
An evaluation will be done to determine if there are any underlying health concerns, find out what the patient’s life is like, behavioral history, and will observe the patient to see how they behave and interact.
ADD and ADHD cannot be cured, but the symptoms can be treated and controlled. Treatment options may include:
An allergic reaction occurs when a person’s immune system becomes hypersensitive to certain substances, such as food. An allergen can be a multitude of things, and many of them are common in everyday life. Allergies develop when a person’s immune system overreacts to one of these allergens.
Someone might not have an adverse reaction when first in contact or have exposure to an allergen that person is sensitive to. It can take time for the immune system to build up a sensitivity to the substance. The body makes antibodies to attack an allergen when exposed.
Symptoms vary depending on the allergen, but they generally cause inflammation and irritation.
Commons symptoms are:
Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction. It is a medical emergency and can be life-threatening. Symptoms can appear seconds to minutes or even hours after.
Some symptoms include:
During an allergic reaction, the allergen and an antibody, called immunoglobin E, connect and release chemicals into the body. That reaction triggers the body to respond. A chemical called histamine is released during an allergic reaction, which will cause the airways and blood vessels of the body to tight and cause the sinuses to create more mucus and fluid.
Blood tests – Measures the level of antibodies to specific allergens that are present.
Skin prick tests- The skin is pricked with a small amount of a potential allergen. If the skin reacts and becomes itchy, red, or swollen, an allergic reaction may be occurring.
Medications
An auto-injector of a drug called epinephrine can be administered into the body, which will need to be used immediately. This treatment is commonly in the form of an EpiPen.
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic lung condition that involves the airways. Something triggers the airways to swell and inflamed and become narrow. The muscles tighten, and the airways become too narrow so that air can't move in and out of your lungs.
There are no exact causes, but there may be inherited factors or environmental triggers. Some might include dust, pollen, or smoke, or such conditions such as a respiratory infection or gastroesophageal reflux disease. .
Call 911 or receive emergency assistance if the following symptoms occur during an asthma flare-up:
Diagnosis is accomplished by an examination by a physician of:
Tests might include:
There are ways to manage asthma, including avoiding triggers and exercising moderately, but there are also medications that can be prescribed:
Fast-acting medications
Long-term medications
Behavioral health issues are common and can affect anyone at any age. The behavioral health professionals and providers at Care New England are experts and are equipped to support and treat individuals who suffer from one of these conditions.
Some conditions include:
A primary care physician can talk to you and your family about your concerns and refer you to a specialist for further assessment.
Butler Hospital is the premier hospital for behavioral health in Rhode Island with a vast array of services including outpatient, inpatient, and partial programs in:
What are Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Emphysema?
It is a broad range of diseases, that includes emphysema, where air sacs, called alveoli, become:
The damage cannot be reversed. Holes are created in the tissues of the lower lung.
Other symptoms might include:
An examination is required, but some tests ordered may include:
Other tests might include a CT scan, x-ray, blood tests, electrocardiogram, or a sputum culture.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition that can affect anyone, from all walks of life, across all age levels. The condition causes higher than normal blood glucose levels, or blood sugar. Blood sugar is the main source of energy your body uses and is derived from the food you eat. It’s also your brain’s main source of fuel. While the underlying causes of diabetes vary by type, the issue lies with how your body makes – or doesn’t make – insulin to properly process your body’s glucose levels.
Over time, having too much glucose can lead to significant health problems, including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower-extremity amputations. While there is no cure, there are steps to manage diabetes and lead a healthy, active lifestyle.
Type 1 diabetes
In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce the insulin needed to get glucose (energy) into the bloodstream. Usually diagnosed in children and young adults, type 1 diabetes can appear at any age. With proper care and use of insulin therapy in conjunction with other treatments, those affected can learn to manage the condition and lead long, healthy lives.
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. With type 2, the body does not make or use insulin properly. While medication may be necessary for some to control their blood sugar levels, others are able to manage through healthy eating and exercise. With nutrition and fitness being a key component to proper management, Care New England’s Wellness Center is here to support you in your journey to improved health and management of type 2 diabetes.
Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes develops in some women during pregnancy, and it is similar to type 2 diabetes. During pregnancy, your body makes hormones that make your body resistant to insulin. Most pregnant women make more insulin to keep their blood sugar levels normal. But seven to 14 percent of pregnant women still cannot make enough insulin to keep their blood sugar levels normal during pregnancy, resulting in gestational diabetes.
What is fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a musculoskeletal disorder where widespread pain is felt. It can be brought on after physical trauma. Many times, there tend to be common pain points in the body for this condition, including the hips, lower and upper back, arms, upper chest, front and back of the neck, and shoulders.
The pain points are very sore, particularly when touched, and often these symptoms occur:
There are no tests for the condition, but a physical examination by a provider is required and other tests may be needed to eliminate other health concerns from being the cause of the pain. The symptoms usually are ongoing for at least three months.
Medication
Other pain medication may be prescribed, and over-the-counter pain medication can be used., including acetaminophen, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen.
Lifestyle changes
Other therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy can also be helpful, as well as other alternative treatments, including chiropractic intervention and massage.
What is Adult Congenital Heart Disease?
Congenital heart defects occur during fetal development. For the heart to develop properly, a series of genetically and environmentally determined steps have to take place. If one of these steps doesn’t happen, a defect develops. The results can intensify over someone’s lifetime.
Congenital heart disease is the most common birth defect. According to the American Heart Association, about 1% of people born in the United States has a congenital heart defect.
Types of Congenital Heart Disease
Someone should consider care for congenital heart disease if they:
There are many types of congenital heart disease, varying in severity and consequence. For many congenital heart defects, there are few or no symptoms. Severe defects, however, often cause symptoms at any age. These symptoms may include:
Severe defects may be diagnosed before or soon after birth, but some may not be diagnosed until much later in life or never detected.
Along with a careful physical examination and evaluation, a cardiologist may order one or more of the following tests or procedures:
Medications
Minimally Invasive Catheter Procedures
Surgery may be recommended for the following reasons:
Cardiac surgeons offer a variety of surgical techniques, which include:
What is hypertension?
Blood pressure is the force of blood traveling through an artery. With each heartbeat, blood is pumped from the heart and into the blood vessels. Every time the heart beats, pressure is created inside arteries as the heart contracts and relaxes.
High blood pressure occurs when the force inside the arteries is too high during the contraction or relaxation.
Complications of high blood pressure include:
Risk Factors:
Very high blood pressure may exhibit:
There are four ratings of blood pressure:
Lifestyle changes
Medicine
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a fat-like, substance that is found throughout the body. It helps make cell membranes, hormones, and nutrients like vitamin D and perform important functions.
In the blood, cholesterol comes from food and from the liver. There are two types of cholesterol – low-density lipoproteins and high-density lipoproteins.
Low-density lipoproteins cause plaque buildup in arteries, while high-density lipoproteins help to reduce plaque buildup.
High cholesterol is diagnosed through laboratory testing, using a blood draw.
Cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) Total cholesterol levels less than 200 mg/dL are considered ideal for adults. Numbers between 200 and 239 mg/dL are considered borderline high and 240 mg/dL and above is considered high.
LDL cholesterol levels should be less than 100 mg/dL. Levels of 100 to 129 mg/dL is ok, but those with risk factors, such as family history, may need to be watchful and try to lower their LDL. LDL cholesterol of 130 to 159 mg/dL is borderline high, and 160 to 189 mg/dL is high. A reading of 190 mg/dL or higher is considered very high.
Lifestyle change
Medication
What is Influenza or the flu?
Influenza is a highly contagious viral disease of the throat and nose, and sometimes the lungs. It is easily transmissible, and its effects can be mild to severe. It can lead to death as it has been linked to several recorded pandemics throughout history.
The disease can only be determined by tests and a physical examination by a physician
The best way to prevent influenza is by receiving a flu vaccine. It is recommended to receive a flu shot every six months to a year.
Care New England offers flu shots at designated times during the year at our various locations, including primary care offices and clinics.
What is insomnia?
Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that makes it difficult for someone to fall asleep or they have a restless sleep. This condition can affect everyday function and cause someone to continue to be tired throughout the day.
Insomnia can last for a long period of time or become chronic. It may be associated with other health conditions as well.
Someone should see a medical provider once the condition begins to affect everyday function.
Other causes can include drug use such as alcohol, smoking and caffeine, medication, mental health disorders, other medical conditions like chronic pain, cancer, asthma, overactive thyroid, heart disease, diabetes, and more.
For more information on diagnosis and treatment for insomnia and other sleep disorders, connect with the Sleep Lab at Kent Hospital.
What does the kidney do?
Kidneys are abdominal organs that have some main maintenance functions of the human body:
When kidneys are not functioning properly toxins begin to build inside the body because of the kidney’s filtering properties.
Some symptoms that the kidneys are not functioning well are:
There are a few tests that a physician can use to determine the state of kidney function within an individual:
A starting point for treating kidney issues is trying to treat the cause of the problem. That may require lifestyle changes or medications to treat for:
For end-stage kidney disease, more advanced and immediate treatment may be needed, which includes:
There are many neurological and nervous system disorders and diseases. Some of these include diseases where the causes are unknown. The types of conditions include:
A primary care physician can talk to you and your family about your concerns and refer you to a specialist for further assessment.
Butler Hospital is the premier hospital to diagnose and treat neurological disorders, conditions, and diseases with a vast array of services including outpatient, inpatient, and partial programs in:
Emergency assessments for behavioral health and can be obtained through Patient Assessment Services or at (844) 401-0111
Sexually transmitted diseases can most often occur through direct and unprotected sexual contact. Commonly, symptoms usually include a combination of the following:
These diseases can also be contracted by sharing needles.
Types of STI’s
The most common types are:
Chlamydia – Bacterial infection that causes pain during sex or urination and in the lower abdomen, and colored discharge from the genitals. It can lead to various infections as well as pelvic inflammatory diseases and infertility. Babies born to untreated mothers may develop blindness, eye infections, or pneumonia.
Gonorrhea – Bacterial infection that often does not present symptoms, but those that do include a lighter colored discharge from the genitals, pain during sex or urination, frequent urination, itching around the genitals, and sore throat. It can lead to other infections, infertility, and pelvic inflammatory disease, and it is treated with antibiotics. It can pass from mother to child during childbirth.
Herpes – Officially called the herpes simplex virus, there are two strains of the virus, which commonly are transmitted sexually. It causes cold sore, with are blisters on the genitals or mouth. They heal on their own within a few weeks. It can be passed to a fetus in the womb or to a baby during childbirth, and congenital herpes can be dangerous. There is no cure
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) – Immune system becomes damaged or compromised and can lead to contracting other diseases, developing cancer, and possibly to AIDS, a more severe form of the virus if not treated. Symptoms resemble the flu and include aches, chills, fever, headaches, nausea, rashes, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes. There is no cure yet, but management, starting in the early stages, is effective.
Human papillomavirus, (HPV) – Virus that is passed by skin-to-skin contact, and symptoms usually involve warts on the genitals, mouth or throat, and certain strains can lead to cancers affecting the cervix, rectum, mouth, and vulva. There is no treatment, but infections often clear on their own. There are vaccines for the more dangerous strains.
Lice – Small infects similar to head or body lice and live in the public hair. Symptoms include itching, bumps, low-grade fever, fatigue, and irritability. They are easy to transmit to others through contact and by sharing clothes, bedding, towels, and touching other objects.
Syphilis – Bacterial infection characterized by a sore with later symptoms including rashes, fatigue, fever, headaches, joint pain, hair loss, or weight loss, and it can lead to a loss of sensory functions, mental illness, heart disease, other infections, and possibly death.
Trichomoniasis – Tiny organism that is hard to detect. A smaller percentage of people develop symptoms, which include a genital discharge, itching or burning, painful sex or urination, and frequent urination. It can lead to infections, infertility, and pelvic inflammatory disease, but it is treated with antibiotics.
What is a thyroid disorder?
The thyroid is a gland located in the upper chest or lower part of your neck and is an endocrine gland that produces hormones, which include thyroxine, triiodothyronine, and calcitonin. It helps maintain and control activity within the body, including how the body burns fat and calories. Disorders occur when the gland is not functioning properly.
Disorders include:
Diagnosis
A medical provider will need to perform an exam, and blood tests may be needed, or ultrasound or scan.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the condition, but some may involve: