Tag: chronic pain

4 Ways to Overcome Barriers to Chronic Disease Management

Posted on by VettersEnt

As a doctor and healthcare professional, one of the most frustrating situations you regularly encounter is probably non-compliant patients struggling to adhere to their chronic disease management plans. While it’s easy to assume patients simply don’t care, that’s almost never the case. Understanding the barriers to chronic disease management can help you to circumvent them.

The Barriers of Chronic Disease Management

Chronic disease is both prevalent and expensive in the United States. Approximately half of US adults have at least one chronic disease according to 2012 CDC data. That high volume of chronic illness made up over 85% of healthcare spending in 2010. That cost is driven partially by the 80+% of patients who drop out of chronic disease management programs, thereby putting themselves at increased risk of complications or worsening symptoms.

Barriers and How to Overcome Them

  1. Medication Cost: Medication adherence is typically at the heart of most chronic disease management plans, and patients who cannot take their medications regularly are unable to work towards a better state of health. With rising prescription costs, almost 25% of patients worry that they will be unable to afford medications in the future, and over 14% of patients have avoided filling a prescription solely due to cost. Work with your patients to determine if they are taking medication and if the cost could be prohibitive. Exploring budget-friendly options and coupons is a great way to increase engagement.
  2. Lack of Awareness of Resources: Many patients fail to realize the depth and breadth of resources available through your practice and the government. By educating yourself and your patients about all of the resources available and improving their health literacy, you can empower them to better adhere to their chronic disease management plan.
  3. Communication and Support: When patients don’t feel supported at home or by their healthcare provider, it’s a major barrier to chronic disease management. Emphasize preventative care and follow up regularly with patients coping with chronic illnesses. Include family members and friends in the education process as much as possible, and offer your patients resources to share with them.
  4. Mental Health Issues: Depression and anxiety can be additional burdens on top of existing chronic conditions. Acknowledge that many patient populations need mental health support and prioritize screening for depression and mental illness.  

Learn More About Serving Chronic Disease Patients with Vetters Enterprises

Vetters Enterprises specializes in practice management, private practice business support and revenue cycle optimization. We can perform in-depth assessments of your practice or facility and identify potential issues. Let us keep your business as healthy as you keep your patients! Give us a call at (443) 352-0088.

Losing Sleep? Fibromyalgia Might Be the Culprit

Posted on by VettersEnt

Many people suffering from fibromyalgia often suffer from sleep disorders as a result of their pain and discomfort. However, recent studies have shown that treating the sleep disorder can help to alleviate daytime fibromyalgia symptoms. How are sleep and fibromyalgia related? What can you do to help relieve your symptoms?

Sleep Disorders

A whopping 75% of those with fibromyalgia also suffer from sleep problems. The most common issue reported is tiredness immediately after waking. Insomnia, or not being able to sleep, is also very common in those with fibromyalgia. Overall, patients with fibromyalgia often have the following sleep issues:

  • Lighter sleep
  • Less time in deep stages of sleep, like REM sleep
  • More time awake in between periods of sleep
  • Insomnia
  • Restless leg syndrome
  • Sleep apnea
  • Upper airway resistance syndrome (a special type of sleep apnea)

Improving Your Sleep

If you have fibromyalgia and struggle with sleep, there are many ways that you can try to improve the quality and quantity of your sleep. Some of the best ways to improve your slumber include:

  • Determine how much you should be sleeping and only sleep that length of time
  • Keep a journal next to your bed to record how long you slept, what time you went to bed and woke up, and the quality of your sleep
  • Wake up at the same time every day
  • Try different relaxation techniques like massage, deep breathing or listening to white noise
  • Exercise earlier in the day to tire yourself out
  • Don’t nap during the day
  • Keep your bedroom temperature cool and comfortable
  • Don’t drink caffeine or alcohol before heading to bed

Keep Your Patients and Your Practice Healthy

Vetters Enterprises specializes in practice management, revenue cycle optimization, and private practice business support. We can perform detailed assessments of your practice or facility and identify potential issues. Let us keep your business as healthy as you keep your patients! Give us a call at (443) 352-0088.

Preventing Sciatica with Chiropractic Care

Posted on by VettersEnt

While there are several different reasons that a patient could experience short-term or chronic lower back pain, a pinched sciatic nerve is a common culprit. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body, and when it is compressed or irritated it can result in severe pain. Keep reading to learn more about chiropractic treatments and methods for preventing sciatica.

 

 

 

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica refers to a leg pain caused by a pinched nerve that originates in the lower back but can radiate into the back or side of the legs. Pain can vary in intensity from dull, achy pains similar to a toothache, to pins and needles that are comparable to electric shocks. As you can imagine, this can be incredibly hindering and downright intolerable for patients. In most cases, the pain of sciatica dissipates within 6-weeks when a specialized treatment plan is in place.

Chiropractic Treatment and Other Methods for Preventing Sciatica

While many disorders can cause sciatica, a herniated disk is commonly to blame. Patients experiencing sciatica tend to respond well to a combination of treatments that are specific to their symptoms and cause of pain.  Effective sciatica treatment plans for long-term relief often include:

  • Chiropractic Manipulation – Spinal adjustments are a non-invasive and drug-free option for relief. They can help relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve by freeing restricted movement of the spine and minimizing the nerve irritability that causes inflammation, pain and muscle spasms.
  • Exercises – Extra weight and lack of movement can put pressure on the spine and weaken the muscles, increasing the risk of further strain. Physical therapy, deep stretches and exercises that promote core strength in the back and abdomen, such as yoga, are helpful for relief.
  • Posture Practice – Eliminate poor posture by aligning the ears over the shoulders, shoulders with the hips, tucking in the buttocks and engaging an active core. When sleeping, it is helpful to put a pillow under the knees and avoid sleeping on the stomach.
  • TENS Unit – Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) units minimize muscle spasms and treat acute pain through variable intensities of electrical current control.
  • Anti-Inflammatory Medications – NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can relieve pain by reducing inflammation.