Chronic Diseases

If you suffer from a chronic disease, turn to board-certified family health and functional medicine nurse practitioner Kiera Preston at WellPathNP in Cumberland Foreside, Maine. She has expertise in diagnosing and treating chronic diseases and can help you manage them. With a personalized, whole-body approach, Kiera Preston focuses on uncovering the root causes of your health challenges to support lasting wellness and improve your quality of life. Book an appointment today by calling or using the online scheduling feature.

What are chronic diseases?

Chronic diseases are health conditions that persist for an extended period and typically develop gradually. Unlike acute illnesses that come on suddenly and resolve quickly, chronic diseases can persist for months or even years, sometimes for a lifetime. 

While many chronic diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune conditions often come on slowly without us even knowing, you can also have an acute infection (such as tick-borne diseases or Epstein-Barr) or environmental exposure to biotoxins such as mold that trigger a variety of symptoms that go undiagnosed and persist for months and are also considered chronic diseases.

They can significantly impact your quality of life, leading to fatigue, pain, and limitations in daily activities.

What causes chronic diseases?

Chronic diseases are usually the result of a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, chronic stress, exposure to toxins, and inflammation play a role. 

In many cases, underlying imbalances in the body, such as hormone disruption, gut dysfunction, or nutrient deficiencies, go unaddressed and continue to fuel the disease process.

What are the most common chronic diseases?

Chronic diseases can affect nearly every system in the body and are becoming more widespread across all age groups. Some of the most common include:

• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Autoimmune conditions (such as Hashimoto’s, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis)
• Asthma and other chronic respiratory issues
• Arthritis and joint disorders
• Gastrointestinal conditions like IBS and Crohn’s disease
• Metabolic syndrome
• Chronic fatigue and related conditions

These conditions often overlap and can lead to more serious complications if not addressed early and effectively.

How are chronic diseases treated?

At WellPathNP, Kiera takes a different approach to chronic disease. She doesn’t rush just to manage your symptoms. She focuses on uncovering the root cause of what’s driving your condition. Kiera develops an individualized, personalized care plan tailored to your unique health history, lifestyle, and goals.

The practice doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all model. Instead, you can expect Kiera and the team to work closely with you to create a strategy that supports your body’s healing and helps extend your health years, not just your lifespan. 

Treatment may include personalized coaching, targeted nutrition plans, advanced lab testing, and functional medicine strategies designed to rebalance your system. You can rely on having support every step of the way.

If you have a chronic disease, WellPathNP is ready to offer compassionate care that meets you where you are. Call or book an appointment online today to unlock your full health potential.