Acute And Chronic Illnesses
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Odam Medical Group
Family Practice & Medical Clinic located in Minneapolis, MN & St Cloud, MN
As you age, you become more susceptible to both acute and chronic illnesses. You can get a diagnosis for either type of illness at any age from the experts at Odam Medical Group in Minneapolis and St. Cloud, Minnesota. Robert Larbi-Odam, MD, MPH, and Nimo Ahmed, MSN, CNP, offer the best treatments available for acute illnesses and can conduct long-term management for chronic illnesses. To learn more, schedule an appointment by phone or book online at either clinic today.
Acute and Chronic Illnesses Q & A
How are acute illnesses different from chronic illnesses?
Acute and chronic illnesses are two separate categories of disease. Their key difference is the amount of time that they last. Acute illnesses usually set in quickly and are highly treatable. On the other hand, chronic illnesses require long-term, often lifelong management.
Acute illness
You’ve probably experienced an acute illness at least a few times in your life. They include bacterial and viral illnesses like the common cold, strep throat, the flu, or a urinary tract infection.
Chronic illness
Chronic illnesses last for months, years, or even decades. You become more susceptible to them as you age, especially if you engage in unhealthy behaviors like smoking, living a sedentary lifestyle, or eating lots of unhealthy foods.
These long-term illnesses require ongoing management, so you’ll need to visit a provider more than just one time like you could with an acute illness.
Odam Medical Group specializes in managing chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension as well as musculoskeletal diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, and rheumatological conditions, to name a few.
How are acute illnesses treated?
After your brief diagnostic physical exam and a review of your symptoms, your Odam Medical Group provider decides on a fitting treatment for your acute illness. With treatment, you can typically make a full recovery from an acute illness or injury.
Depending on the type of acute illness you have, your treatment might entail:
- Over-the-counter medications
- Prescription medications such as antibiotics
- Avoiding smoking
- Drinking lots of water
- Rest and home care
You should follow your provider’s instructions closely for the best possible outcome and fastest recovery. Your provider might recommend that you come back for a follow-up appointment in the days or weeks after your initial diagnostic visit.
How can I manage my chronic illness?
Chronic illnesses require regular visits so your provider at Odam Medical Group can monitor your condition and overall health. During these visits, they might change your treatment plan or make recommendations for other home care steps you can take to feel and function better.
Tracking and managing your chronic illness might involve:
- Daily medications
- As-needed medications
- Dietary changes
- Exercise
- Smoking cessation
- Physical or occupational therapy
- Imaging studies such as X-rays or MRI scans
- Counseling
In some cases, lifestyle changes alone are effective in treating or managing chronic diseases. However, if your treatment plan requires medications or other therapies, you’ll get the best outcome by keeping up with your follow-up appointments and following your treatment instructions closely.
If you notice new or worsening symptoms or health complications, call Odam Medical Group for expert treatment for acute and chronic illnesses or book an appointment online today.
