Other Chronic Diseases

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic condition that causes wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and coughing at night or early in the morning. If people with asthma are exposed to a “trigger” the symptoms can become more severe.

Asthma Triggers include:

Asthma cannot be cured. However, by eliminating asthma triggers and taking asthma medication, you may be able to reduce the frequency of your asthma attacks. Treatment varies from person to person, so it is important to work with your doctor to manage your asthma and create an asthma action plan. Learn how to recognize, reduce or eliminate common asthma triggers in your home.

Resources:

Arthritis

Arthritis is inflammation of one or more of your joints. The main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which typically worsen with age. People of all ages, sexes and races can get arthritis, but it is most common among women and occurs more frequently as people get older.

While there is no sure way to prevent arthritis, you can reduce your risk and delay the potential onset of certain types of arthritis.

Visit the Arthritis Foundation website for more information. You can also help manage your risk by participating in our free lifestyle programs:

Cancer

There are many types of cancer. While cancers are alike in some ways, they are different in the ways they grow and spread. There are several factors that can put you at an increased risk of developing cancer. These include using tobacco products, sun exposure, being overweight or obese, and drinking too much alcohol.

Knowing the cancer history of your family is also important to understanding your potential risk for cancer so you can take charge of your health.

The signs and symptoms of cancer depend on where the cancer is, how big it is, and how much it affects the organs or tissues. If a cancer has spread (metastasized), signs or symptoms may appear in different parts of the body. Just as the signs and symptoms can vary, the treatment options for everyone will vary as well.
The good news is that you can decrease your risk of preventable cancer by making healthy lifestyle choices like:

You can manage your risk by participating in our free lifestyle programs:

Resources:

 

Diabetes

Although there are several types of diabetes, Type 2 diabetes may account for 90-95% of all diagnosed cases. Formerly called “adult-onset diabetes,” Type 2 can affect people at any age, even children. People who are overweight and inactive are also more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes.

Some common signs and symptoms of diabetes are excessive thirst, frequent urination, blurry eyesight, and slow healing wounds. Diabetes, if not managed, can cause serious health complications including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower-extremity amputations.

There are a number of steps you can take to help control your diabetes:

There are many resources available to help you with diabetes.

If you have been diagnosed with prediabetes, sign up for our Diabetes Prevention Program, which is a free 6-week online program. To find out if you are at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes, take the Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test. 

If you currently have diabetes, download the Diabetes Resource Directory. or join one of our Diabetes self-management education classes . To register, call 702-759-1270 or email: gethealthy@snhd.org or fill out the diabetes self-management class form to be put on our waiting list for future diabetes classes.