Need to learn more about living with a chronic condition?
If you have recently been diagnosed with or are living with a chronic health condition, you may have a lot of questions. It’s normal to feel overloaded with information and have trouble digesting the alphabet soup of acronyms, terms, definitions, and instructions.
You may have a hard time remembering all of the details after the initial information overload from your healthcare provider. Maybe you are looking for someone to talk to who is also living with the same chronic condition. Fortunately, you are not alone. Many people have been in this situation, and there is a wealth of information to help you understand your new diagnosis. Read on for a quick snapshot of some commonly diagnosed chronic conditions, links to up-to-date information about the condition, and organizations that support people living with a particular chronic condition.
Remember, you are not your diagnosis. But learning about your condition and how to manage it can make a huge difference in living a full life and maintaining your independence. If you have recently been diagnosed or are having difficulty balancing your symptoms and care with your daily life, consider attending a Living Well Workshop if you are looking for help to manage your chronic condition. Contact Empowerline to learn about open classes in your area.
What are some common chronic conditions?
You may be wondering what chronic condition even means—a chronic condition is a health condition or disease that is persistent and remains over time. There are many chronic conditions, but some of the most commonly diagnosed are the following.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (AKA COPD)
A group of diseases that block airflow and make it difficult to breathe. Visit the CDC’s website for more information about causes, complications, prevent, and treatment. Looking for a COPD support group? Visit the American Lung Association to find a Better Breathers Club in your area.
Dementia, including Alzheimer’s Disease
A group of symptoms affecting someone’s mental abilities that get worse over time and interfere with daily life. There are many forms of dementia, including Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, mixed dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and vascular dementia. Visit the Alzheimer’s Association to learn more about the different types of dementia.
Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common form of dementia. It affects a person’s memory, thoughts, and language abilities over time to the point at which daily functioning is inhibited. Visit the CDC’s website for more information about Alzheimer’s Disease.
Looking for more information or support related to dementia? Visit our Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resources page or find a dementia support group in Georgia. Looking for an Alzheimer’s support group? Visit the Alzheimer’s Association to find one in Georgia.
Diabetes
A condition that results in too much sugar in the blood (also known as high blood glucose levels). There are multiple types of diabetes, but the most common types of diabetes are:
- Type 2 Diabetes—affects the way the body processes blood sugar
- Type 1 Diabetes—the pancreas produces little or no insulin, which is needed to lower the body’s blood sugar
- Prediabetes—a condition in which blood sugar is high, but not high enough to be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes
- Gestational Diabetes—a form of high blood sugar affecting pregnant women
Visit the CDC’s webpage on diabetes and the American Diabetes Association for more information about disease. Looking for support to manage life with diabetes? Sign up for a Healthy Changes for Living with Diabetes workshop. Contact Empowerline or check out Georgia Health Matters to learn about open classes in your area. You can also contact the local chapter of the American Diabetes Association for more support.
Heart Disease
Many types of heart conditions that reduce the blood flow to the heart over time and is the leading cause of death in the United States. Visit the CDC’s page on heart disease for more information about heart disease or download this heart disease brochure for a brief overview of risk factors, signs, symptoms, prevention, and treatment of heart disease. Looking for support while living with heart disease? Visit Support Network to connect with others living with heart disease and caring for people with heart disease.
Hypertension
Another name for high blood pressure, which means the blood pressure in your arteries is higher than it should be. Visit the CDC’s webpage on blood pressure to learn more about hypertension, risk factors, prevention, how to control blood pressure, and more. Looking for support while living with hypertension? Visit Support Network to connect with others living with high blood pressure.
