What causes chronic disease?
Chronic diseases result from a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioral factors in one’s life. Different chronic diseases share many common risk factors. While individual risk factors such as age, sex, family history, and your genetics cannot be changed, many behavioral risk factors can be modified to help prevent getting a chronic disease or help manage an existing condition. Some biological risk factors such as high blood pressure, blood sugar, being overweight or obese, and cholesterol levels can be managed by making changes to one’s lifestyle/behaviors including.
How can you prevent chronic diseases or manage a current condition?
- Quit or never start using tobacco products
- Drink less alcohol
- Know your family history
- Get active
- Make healthy food options including eating more fresh fruits and veggies and less foods high in processed sugar and fats
- Get adequate sleep
- Visit your dentist regularly and take care of your teeth and gums daily
- Visit your doctor regularly
- Get regular preventative healthcare services
If you or a loved one is living with a chronic disease, there are many resources available to help you take control of the disease improve your quality of life. If you are living with a chronic condition invest in lifestyle management including physical activity and self-management programs. Chronic disease management programs are workshops and support systems that focus on disease management skills to increase an individual's confidence, well-being, knowledge of the disease, decision making, and planning for their disease, all to improve their quality of life and overall wellbeing.
Chronic Diseases
Local Resources and Services
- Chester County Aging Services
- Chester County Hospital Community Wellness and Education
- Chester County Hospital Support Groups
- Chester County Hospital Screening Programs
- Paoli Hospital Community Programs and Screenings
- YMCA of Greater Brandywine Health Management and Disease Prevention Services
