How does the chronic disease management program work? 

The chronic disease management program is a new product that aims at improving the management of life-long medical conditions. This will be achieved through our innovations in healthcare delivery such as: 

• Home doctor visits 

• Home nursing care 

• Home and facility physiotherapy 

• Convenient lab tests from home 

• Timely delivery of pharmaceutical products

• Urgent referral when the situation demands it.

High blood pressure or hypertension occurs when the heart struggles to push blood through your blood vessels due to the collection of plaques around the walls of the blood vessels.

This causes them to become narrower and forces the heart to pump harder to push out blood to the various organs of the body.

Usually, poorly managed high blood pressure leads to heart failure and damage to organs such as the kidneys, the brain, and the eyes. 

The management of high blood pressure involves more than medication. It has various components: 

Changes in lifestyle such as:-

• Healthy diet that is rich in vegetables/fruits and low in fat       Regular physical exercise (at least 30 minutes every day)
• Reducing tobacco and alcohol use
• Monitoring and recording of blood pressure daily or on alternate days
• Regular follow-up with qualified medical professionals 
• Routine screening for complications of hypertension 
• Compliance with prescribed medications 

The initial consultation will be done by a general medical doctor. After the history and physical examination, (s)he will recommend certain tests or treatment options. The general doctor may recommend follow-up by a specialist for these conditions.

High blood pressure is called the silent killer because it develops without being noticed. An elevated reading using a BP monitor might be the only finding.  

Normal blood pressure ranges between 90/60 mmHg and 140/90mmHg. 

If you get two readings above 140/90mmHg, it is recommended to get professional medical advice.

There may be no symptoms as the disease develops. The symptoms usually manifest as a result of complications to body organs. They include: 

• Headaches 

• Visual blurring/ progressive loss of vision 

• Weakness or numbness in any of the limbs 

• Chest pain usually on the left side 

Factors that predispose to this disease are: 

• Sedentary lifestyle 

• Poor diet – rich in fats; deficient in vegetables and fruits 

• High BMI 

• Family history of hypertension 

• Alcohol and tobacco use 

The management of high blood pressure involves more than medication. It has various components: 

• Change in lifestyle
• Healthy diet
• Regular physical exercise (at least 30 minutes every day)
• Reducing tobacco and alcohol use 
• Monitoring and recording of blood pressure daily or on alternate days  
• Regular follow-up with qualified medical professionals 
• Routine screening for complications of hypertension
• Compliance with prescribed medications 

Diabetes is a medical condition where the body is unable to regulate the blood glucose levels primarily due to insulin deficiency (the hormone that normally regulates the sugar levels). 

Symptoms of diabetes are: 

• Frequent urination 
• Increased thirst 
• Increased appetite 
• Unintentional weight loss 

Diabetes is usually diagnosed by measuring blood glucose levels. 

A fasting blood sugar level of 7.0 mmol/l or higher on two separate occasions is diagnostic for diabetes.  

Risk factors for Diabetes are: 

• Family history of diabetes 

• Obesity 

• High blood pressure 

• Lack of physical activity 

• Smoking 

• Being 40 years and above 

• High cholesterol levels 

If you notice any of these symptoms and have any one of the risk factors, you are advised to speak to a doctor.

For those who suspect they may be suffering from diabetes, a consultation with a general medical doctor is the first step.

History will be obtained and a physical examination performed.  

Lab tests to investigate the patient will be recommended

For patients with confirmed diabetes will get a consultation with a diabetologist (diabetes specialist) or a general medical doctor.  

The consultations are aimed at advising on:

• Proper nutrition,
• How and when to take medication, 
• Screening for any complications of this disease
• Monitoring of blood sugar levels at home
• Taking medication correctly

Arthritis in simple terms is the painful inflammation of any of the joints of the body. It commonly occurs due to infection, an over-reactive immune system or wearing out of the joints due to advanced age. 

The management of these conditions involves the use of medications that reduce inflammation at the involved joints. It also involves the use of supplements to regenerate damaged tissues in these joints. 

At Ponea, the arthritis management team will be composed of:  

• General medical doctor for initial diagnosis and follow-up 

• Adult Medicine Specialist

• Orthopedic Surgeon when the joint damage is severe enough to require surgery 

• Use of quality joint care supplements

• Physiotherapists to help recover lost joint function 

Low back pain has become an increasingly common medical complaint. It is usually associated with occupation-related injury to the lower back region.

Usually, it is managed through pain-relieving medication and physiotherapy exercises.

If neither of these relieves the pain it is advisable to get a professional medical opinion on whether imaging is necessary.