Tips for Chronic Conditions

To help prevent serious health problems associated with chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes, people with these diseases need regular medical care that includes certain types of tests and medications. The quality scores below show how each doctor's office rated at providing this recommended care.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease that keeps your body from making or using insulin, which helps turn food into energy. When you have diabetes, the process of changing food into energy doesn’t work well and sugar builds up in your blood. If blood sugar stays too high, it can slowly cause problems to your heart, kidneys, eyes and feet.

 

There are two types of diabetes:

1. Type 1 Diabetes: Occurs when your body does not make insulin.

2. Type 2 Diabetes: Occurs when your body does not make enough insulin or it does not work well.

 

More than 90 percent of people with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes. Risk factors include:

 



  • Older age

  • Having diabetes during a pregnancy (gestational diabetes)

  • Being overweight or obese

  • Higher than normal levels of blood sugar

  • Family history of diabetes

  • Not exercising enough

 

Risk factors for Type 1 diabetes are less clear than they are for Type 2 diabetes. Family history, genetics and problems with the body’s system for fighting infection give a higher risk.

 

What is recommended care for diabetes?

 

Getting quality diabetes care can help prevent serious health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, blindness and amputation. Recommended care for diabetes means receiving certain blood tests and exams regularly and getting help managing blood pressure and cholesterol.

 

 



STAGE OF CARE:

YOUR DOCTOR SHOULD:

Diagnosis & Every Visit

  • Check your weight and blood pressure. The blood pressure goal for most people is less than 130/80.

  • Look at your feet.

  • Develop an action plan to manage your diabetes.

Every 3-6 Months

  • Give you an A1C test to check your blood sugar levels for the last three months. It lets you and your doctor know if your blood sugar levels have been close to normal, too high or too low. The goal for most people is less than 7 percent.

  • Review your self-management goals and action plan.

At Least Once a Year

  • Check your cholesterol levels. The LDL (bad) cholesterol goal for most people is less than 100. The HDL (good) cholesterol goal for most people is above 40.

  • Give you a test to check your triglycerides, which are a type of blood fat.

  • Give you a urine and blood test to check for problems with your kidneys.

  • Arrange for a dilated eye exam to check for eye problems, and a dental exam to check your teeth and gums.

  • Give you flu/pneumonia shots as needed.

 

 

What is asthma?

Asthma is a disease that can make it hard to breathe. It affects your airways – your body’s inner tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. When you have an asthma attack, your airways react to something allergic or irritating, and they get narrower. In some cases, the airways can close so much that your organs don’t get enough oxygen. In fact, some people can die from serious asthma attacks.

 

What is recommended care for asthma?

To prevent asthma attacks, people with chronic asthma should be taking daily control medicine. Your doctor should talk with you about the best medicines to treat your asthma and stay healthy.

 



STAGE OF CARE:

YOUR DOCTOR SHOULD:

Diagnosis & Every Visit

  • Give you a physical exam.

  • Check for wheezing and/or coughing.

  • Check how often breathing problems happen.

  • Prescribe medication(s).

  • Make an action plan to manage your asthma.

  • Give you flu/pneumonia shots as needed.

  • Check for other problems (acid reflux, heart failure).

Ongoing Care

  • Make sure your blood pressure is less than 140/90.

  • Check your asthma action plan progress.

  • Discuss what you can do to avoid triggers.

  • Teach you how to use peak flow meters, inhalers and medicines.

Flare-Ups, Worsening Symptoms and/or Acute Episodes

  • Prescribe fast-acting, inhaled medicine.

  • Prescribe oral steroid when problems are not solved with inhaled medicines.

 

Who is at risk for asthma?

You are more likely to get asthma if:

  • your parents have asthma

  • you have allergies

  • you have a skin allergy called eczema

 

You can get asthma at any age, but it often starts in childhood. Once you have asthma, it doesn’t go away, although you could get much better.