Chronic Disease Management in Cumming & Dawsonville

Conditions We Commonly Manage

Our team routinely manages and monitors chronic conditions including:

• Diabetes (blood sugar management)
• High blood pressure (hypertension treatment)
• High cholesterol
• Asthma and COPD
• Thyroid disorders
• Arthritis
• Obesity-related health risks
• Chronic pain related to conditions like arthritis (evaluation and ongoing management)

We offer personalized guidance and coordinate closely with specialists whenever necessary.

What Chronic Care Visits Typically Include

During your chronic care visits, we focus on key areas essential for your health:

• Symptom and home-reading review: Assessing symptoms and home-monitoring results (blood pressure, glucose levels) to maintain care quality.
• Medication management: Reviewing medications, ensuring appropriate dosing, managing side effects, and assisting with prescription refills.
• Lab monitoring: Regular testing such as A1c for diabetes, cholesterol panels, and thyroid function to guide care decisions.
• Lifestyle coaching: Practical, personalized support for diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management.
• Goal setting and next-step planning: Clear goal-setting to achieve measurable health improvements.
• Referrals and specialist coordination: Seamless referrals and coordinated care when specialist intervention is needed.
• Follow-up cadence: Establishing regular follow-up schedules, including telemedicine options when appropriate.
• Documentation and questions: Encouraging patient participation, welcoming questions, and thoroughly documenting each care step.

Chronic Pain & Pain Management in Primary Care

Many patients experience chronic pain related to arthritis, joint pain, back or neck discomfort, and other ongoing pain issues. Our primary care approach emphasizes:

• Careful evaluation of your pain symptoms and overall health
• Non-opioid pain management options, focusing on improving function
• Referrals for physical therapy and supportive lifestyle recommendations
• Appropriate imaging or specialist referrals when necessary

For complex pain conditions or specialized pain procedures, we coordinate referral to a pain specialist when appropriate.

What to Expect from Chronic Disease Management

We simplify chronic disease management with structured, stress-free care:

• Comprehensive health assessment including medical history, medications, vital signs, lab results, and personal health goals.
• Clear monitoring schedules tailored to your individual needs.
• Regular check-ins to assess progress, with telehealth options when appropriate, allowing ongoing adjustments to your care.

When to Seek More Urgent Care

Seek immediate medical attention for symptoms including:

• Chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting, or confusion
• Signs of stroke: facial drooping, sudden weakness, speech difficulty
• Very high blood sugar accompanied by vomiting or confusion
• Severe asthma attack not responding to rescue inhaler
• Rapidly worsening symptoms or strong feeling something is seriously wrong

In emergencies, always call 911 immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often do I need follow-ups for my condition?
Frequency depends on your condition; we’ll personalize your follow-up schedule during your visit.

Can a primary care doctor manage diabetes or high blood pressure?
Yes, primary care physicians effectively manage chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension.

Will you order labs like A1c or cholesterol?
Yes, regular lab tests are essential for effective chronic disease management.

Do you coordinate with specialists?
Yes, we collaborate closely with specialists to ensure cohesive care.

Do you treat chronic pain?
Yes, we offer evaluation and ongoing management of chronic pain, coordinating specialist referrals when needed.

Do you prescribe opioid pain medication?
Opioid prescriptions require careful, individualized evaluation during an in-person visit. For complex cases, we refer to pain specialists.

Can some follow-ups be telemedicine?
Yes, telemedicine is effectively used for certain follow-up appointments based on your individual needs.