Comorbidities Explained: A Guide to Understanding and Managing Them
More than 27% of Americans have comorbidities, but many individuals don’t know what these are or how to manage them properly.
Understanding comorbidities and why they need to be managed effectively is an essential part of taking care of your health. But you may not know where to start.
In this article, we’ll look at everything you need to know about comorbidities — from development to management — to help you take control of your health.
What is a Comorbidity?
A comorbidity develops when a person has more than one disease or condition at the same time.
For example, if someone has diabetes and also develops heart disease, these conditions would be classified as comorbidities.
These health issues are also usually long-term or chronic diseases that require ongoing treatment.
How do comorbidities impact health insurance?
Comorbidities can have a significant impact on health insurance, especially when it comes to the cost of your monthly premiums.
Individuals with comorbidities are often seen as higher risk and therefore pay a higher insurance premium.
This is because insurance companies anticipate that these people may need more medical care and treatment.
Depending on the type of comorbidities you have, you may also struggle to get proper health insurance coverage — especially for prescription medication.
Many insurance providers have specific rules about what they will cover, and may refuse some applications depending on your health status.
Key Point: Can You Still Qualify for Health Insurance with Comorbidities?
In the United States, most health insurance providers can’t deny you coverage based on preexisting conditions — including comorbidities — thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
This means that having multiple conditions won’t prevent you from qualifying for health insurance coverage.
However, it’s still important to choose a health insurance plan that meets your medical needs — especially if you require frequent medical care or prescription medication
What Causes Comorbidities?
Many factors can contribute to you developing more than one health condition at the same time. Let’s take a look at some of these.
Genetic factors
Certain health conditions are more likely to occur together because they are influenced by similar genetic factors.
For example, genes that contribute to inflammation may increase the risk of developing both heart disease and diabetes.
Family history can also play a role in your risk of comorbidities.
If close family members have certain health conditions — such as high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, or cancer — you may be at a higher risk of developing them, too.
Environmental factors
Your living conditions and geographical location can significantly impact your health.
Let’s say you are constantly exposed to pollution or poor air quality.
Over time, these living conditions can worsen respiratory conditions like asthma, which can then lead to other issues — such as cardiovascular disease.
Your access to quality healthcare can also impact the spread or prevention of many diseases.
If you have continuous access to medical services, you are less likely to develop additional complications.
On the other hand, individuals who don’t have access to treatment for a chronic disease may have an increased risk of developing more health issues.
Behavioral factors
Daily habits and lifestyle choices play a crucial role in your well-being.
Factors like following a poor diet, weight gain, or not exercising regularly can lead to conditions like obesity, which is a major risk factor for other conditions.
Other lifestyle habits, like smoking, can increase your risk of developing or worsening diseases such as lung cancer and heart disease.
Alcohol consumption can also cause conditions like liver disease, which can aggravate other underlying issues.
What are Some of the Risk Factors for Comorbidities?
Some health conditions share an underlying cause or risk factor, which makes it more likely to develop more of these diseases.
To illustrate this, consider a stroke and a heart attack.
A stroke occurs when the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain is cut off. A heart attack happens when an artery is blocked and can’t deliver blood and oxygen to the heart.
Although these events are different, they both involve issues with moving blood through the body. Many of these difficulties are caused by the same factors, such as:
High blood pressure (hypertension)
High cholesterol
Diabetes
Smoking
Unhealthy diet
Lack of physical activity
Shared risk factors will depend on the specific health condition, but common ones may include:
Age
Migraine
Certain types of obesity, including metabolically healthy obesity and abdominal obesity
High body mass index (BMI)
Diabetes and insulin resistance
Cardiovascular disease
Obstructive sleep apnea
Gallbladder disease
Certain types of cancer
Using antidepressants and antianxiety drugs
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Chemotherapy
Chronic inflammation
Deficiency anemia
While it’s important to be aware of shared risk factors, they are not always the cause of comorbid conditions.
Developing two or more health conditions at the same time can also just be mere coincidence.
Why is it Important to Diagnose and Manage Comorbidities?
Improved quality of life
Effectively managing comorbidities can significantly enhance your quality of life and improve your ability to perform daily activities.
It also helps to minimize symptoms that have an impact on your daily life, such as fatigue and pain.
Over time, managing your comorbidities can improve your physical functioning and emotional health.
Enhanced treatment efficiency
When you are aware of your comorbidities, you can inform your healthcare providers about them when seeking medical advice.
This can help your doctor recommend more effective treatment strategies to address multiple health issues at once.
When your treatments are more comprehensive, it can also enhance overall satisfaction with the medical service.
Reduced healthcare costs
Early and effective management of comorbidities can help you save on healthcare costs by preventing the disease from becoming worse.
This helps to reduce the need for intensive treatments and hospitalization, which can become expensive.
Prevention of disease progression
Managing comorbidities can help slow the progression of each condition and lower the risk of developing more severe issues.
For example, keeping blood sugar levels under control if you are diabetic can help reduce your risk of developing related complications such as kidney disease.
5 Tips for Managing Comorbidities
Inform your doctors about your health status
When visiting your healthcare providers, it’s essential to inform them about all of the conditions you may be managing — especially if it’s the first time you’re seeing them.
It’s also recommended to share updates about any new diagnoses or changes in your health with them.
This helps your doctor to have a more comprehensive overview of your health, which is important for recommending appropriate treatment and management strategies.
Follow your treatment plans carefully
Following the treatment plans as set out by your doctor is essential for effectively managing any comorbidities. This includes:
Taking medications exactly as directed
Following dietary recommendations
Implementing any suggested lifestyle changes
Consistently following these instructions can significantly reduce the impact of comorbidities on your daily life, helping you to take care of your overall well-being.
Schedule regular checkups
Regular medical checkups allow your doctor to monitor the progression of your conditions and adjust any treatments as needed.
These check-up appointments are also essential for identifying any complications early on and treating them before they become bigger problems.
During your appointments, you can discuss any concerns about your health or treatment plan to help you manage your comorbidities more effectively.
Adopt a healthier lifestyle
Incorporating healthy lifestyle habits can play a key part in effectively managing any comorbidities.
In most cases, it’s recommended that you:
Follow a healthy diet low in saturated fats
Get more regular physical activity to improve cardiovascular risk factors
Manage stress with techniques like yoga or meditation
Ensure that you get enough sleep
Losing excess weight
Not only can these habits reduce uncomfortable symptoms and improve your quality of life, but they may also enhance the effectiveness of your treatment.
Educate yourself about your condition
Understanding your conditions and how they may impact your life can help you make informed decisions about the healthcare you need.
Utilize the resources provided by your doctor or find reputable sites where you can learn more about your conditions.
Can Comorbidities Be Prevented?
Preventing comorbidities can be challenging, but in some cases, it may be possible. This will usually depend on the underlying cause of the comorbidity.
Implementing the following strategies may help you reduce your risk of developing comorbidities:
Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
Following a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains
Getting regular health screenings, including blood pressure and cholesterol checks and blood sugar tests
Ensuring you get adequate sleep
Practicing stress management techniques
Getting more regular physical exercise
While not all comorbidities can be prevented, their onset may be delayed by using the strategies mentioned above.
Focusing on an overall healthy lifestyle generally lowers your risk of developing multiple chronic conditions, which also improves your quality of life.
Where Can I Get Quality Medical Advice and Telehealth Treatments for Comorbidities?
Through LifeMD, you can consult with a qualified healthcare provider from the comfort of your own home.
A team of board-certified physicians and nurse practitioners can treat a range of medical conditions, order blood work, and prescribe medication to help you take care of your well-being.
Book your online appointment today.
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