Seniors Chronic Medical Conditions

Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease where a person has high blood sugar due to problems naturally processing or producing insulin.

Type 1 Diabetes is when your body no longer prodices the critically needed hormone insulin.

Type 2 Diabetes affects the way the patient processes sugar. Without treatment, the sugar can build in the blood, which can lead to serious consequences in the long-term.

Symptoms include fatigue, hunger, increased thirst, blurred vision, and frequent urination.

At Provida Family Medicine, our on-site dietician and credentialed diabetic educator works with our patients to create a individualized treatment plans for patients with the goal of preventing diabetes or managing and mitigating symptoms.

Hypertension

High blood pressure can be caused by a number of factors, and depending on the patient’s age, may be a symptom of another underlying condition. However in most cases, hypertension is the result of poor nutrition, genetic factors, or lack of exercise.

Symptoms of hypertension include headaches, vomiting, chest pains, pounding heartbeat, seizures, or shortness of breath.

If you or a loved on is experiencing prolonged shortness of breath, continous chest pains, or is experiencing a seizure, please call 9-1-1 immediately. As soon as you or a family member is able, call our office so that we may follow up with the hospital or emergency department.

Our medical staff are trained to screen for these symptoms and treat patients with the conditions to prevent any long-term consequences.

Asthma

Around ten percent of seniors suffer from asthma, resulting in coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Asthma is a common chronic medical condition, but can be no less serious if not properly cared for. Asthma is the frequent inflamation of the lungs caused by a variety of triggers, including pollen, exercise, cold air, or respiratory infections like a cold or COVID-19.

Asthma can lead to difficulty doing daily activities like exercising, walking, and in some cases, even sleeping. If asthma is not treated, serious asthma attacks can occur.

If you or a loved on has prolonged difficulty breathing, please call 9-1-1 immediately. As soon as you or a family member is able, call our office so that we may follow up with the hospital or emergency department.

If you have notices these symptoms, please schedule an appointment at Provida Family Medicine so that we can assess your condition to create a treatment plan which may involve an inhaler, lifestyle changes, or more frequent visits.

Kidney Disease

Although a patient can develop kidney disease at any age, it typically presents in patients who are aged sixty years or older. Acute kidney disease develops suddenly and can leave with long-lasting consequences.

Kidney disease can be caused by a number of factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or the inflammation of the kidney’s filtering units (glomeruli). Screening for the disease can be preformed on-site at Provida Family Medicine.

Treatments for kidney disease can vary based on the severity of the disease in each patient. At Provida Family Medicine, we walk our patients through every option availble to them, and we will be there with you at every step to make sure you have the medical support you need.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a chronic medical condition which causes a loss in bone density or insufficient bone formation, making a patient’s bones more susceptible to fractures. As we age, we lose more bone density than we build. The small holes within our bones get bigger while the solid outer layer becomes thinner, and this can cause a patient to break their bones more easily.

Treatments for osteoporosis include medications, following a healthy diet, and daily weight-bearing exercises to prevent bone loss and strengthen weak bones.

Using x-rays, blood tests, or bone density screenings, our doctors can determine if you have osteoperosis and will create an individualized treatment plan for you.

Allergies

There are many allegeries that we develop during the course of our lives and many continue to persist into the our golden years. Some allegeries may be seasonal and managed with over-the-counter medicine, but other allergies are more serious and will require treatment.

Allergies develop when a patient’s comes into contact with a substance or material that is percieved as a threat by the immune system. Again, this mostly happens when a patient is a child, but patients can still develop allergies as an adult.

Common allergies in adults includes pollen, dust, mold, insect bites, animal dander, certain foods, latex, and certain medications.

Symptoms include skin rashes or hives, itchy eyes, difficulty breathing, coughing, an upset stomach, and sneezing.

If you believe you or a loved one is having a severe allergic reaction or difficulty breathing, call 9-1-1 immediately. As soon as you or a family member is able, call our office so that we may follow up with the hospital or emergency department.

Early identification of allergies can improve your quality of life and help to prevent or treat potential life-threatening interactions. At Provida Family Medicine, we can conduct a skin or blood test to determine what allergines the patient has a reaction to and may prescribe epinephrine for emergency use.