Our disease management programs include anxiety/depression, circulatory (including Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), heart failure and hypertension), diabetes and respiratory (including asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) diseases. We offer a wealth of information and guidance that can help improve your quality of life. Our medically-trained staff is waiting to talk to you. Patients, and their physicians, can call us with questions or to enroll in the program by calling toll-free (800) 881-9227.
While some anxiety or worry may be normal in certain situations, such as a first date or public speaking, a true anxiety disorder includes all the feelings that come with normal anxiety, but they can’t be turned-off or rationalized. The anxious feelings can be overwhelming, and can interfere with daily functioning.
When people complain about feeling "blah" or feeling down, it can be caused by events or stressors that may feel difficult to manage in that moment. The big difference in the blues and major depression is bad feelings pass fairly quickly (in a few days or less) in comparison to true major depression where the symptoms will progressively intensify and be on-going without intervention.
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is caused by a buildup of plaque. This causes the arteries to narrow which limits blood flow to the heart. CAD can range from no symptoms, to chest pain, to a heart attack. Treatments may include lifestyle changes, medications, angioplasty and surgery.
Heart failure is a chronic condition in which the heart doesn't pump blood as well as it should. Symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, swollen legs and rapid heartbeat. Treatments can include eating less salt, limiting fluid intake and taking prescription medications. In some cases, a defibrillator or pacemaker may be implanted.
Hypertension is a condition where the force of blood against the artery walls is too high. Typically, hypertension is defined as blood pressure above 130/80 and is considered to be severe if the pressure is above 180/120. High blood pressure often has no symptoms, but if left untreated could cause health conditions such as heart disease and stroke. A healthy diet, exercise and medication can help lower blood pressure.
Diabetes occurs when your body fails to make enough insulin or, if it does, the body does not use it properly. Insulin is the hormone that helps balance the amount of sugar in your blood by changing it into the energy needed for daily life. Your blood always has some glucose (sugar) in it because your body needs glucose for energy to keep you going. Too much glucose in the blood causes pre-diabetes or diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is the more common form of the disease. Insulin is being produced, but the body doesn’t use it to convert the sugar to stored energy or the pancreas may not produce enough insulin. Type 2 diabetes can occur in all age groups, but it is diagnosed most often in adults age 45 or older. Diet and physical activity help to control type 2 diabetes. Most people also need to take diabetes pills or insulin.
Asthma is a disease that causes the airways to become inflamed. The inflammation then causes the airways to become sensitive to allergens or irritants. The inflamed tissue reacts to these substances, causing the airways to swell, narrowing air passages. The narrowing reduces airflow to your lung tissue, resulting in symptoms like wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and trouble breathing.
COPD describes a group of lung conditions that block airflow and make it difficult to breathe. This can lead to shortness of breath, wheezing or a chronic cough. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are the most common conditions that make up COPD.
