James A. Watson Wellness Center
Chronic Care Management
James A. Watson Wellness Center specializes in chronic care management. Conditions such diabetes, heart failure, arthritis, hypertension, chronic back pain, and depression can all be managed with guidelines, oversight, and support from James A. Watson Wellness Center.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease that affects how the body responds to and produces the hormone insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas that helps regulate blood sugar levels. There are two types of diabetes:
Type I diabetes is considered to be an autoimmune disorder, which is when the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues and organs. For unknown reasons, the immune system damages the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Damage to these cells leads to the signs and symptoms of type I diabetes.
Type II diabetes results from a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors. It is characterized by abnormally high blood sugar levels. In this form of diabetes, the body stops using and making insulin properly.
When blood sugar levels get high (such as a after a meal), the pancreas releases insulin to move the excess glucose into cells, which reduces the amount of glucose in the blood. Insulin resistance is a key factor in those who have Type II diabetes.
Watson Wellness Center can help you minimize the effects of diabetes. We will assist you in monitoring and maintaining your blood sugar and insulin levels. We will also establish dietary and exercise guidelines for you.
Heart Failure
Heart failure is when the heart becomes inefficient in pumping enough blood to meet the body’s needs, and/or cannot fill with enough blood. Currently there is no cure for heart failure, and it can only be treated by medications and healthy lifestyle habits.
Watson Wellness Center can help you minimize the effects of heart failure. We will establish the correct type and dosage of medication, and will assist in setting up healthy exercise and dietary habits.
Hypertension
Hypertension is characterized by blood pressure higher than 140/90 on a regular basis. Hypertension can eventually lead to heart attack, heart failure, or stroke. This a treatable condition which is most commonly controlled with exercise and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension). Watson Wellness Center will explain all that this entails. We will then establish healthy dietary and exercise guidelines, and help you incorporate them into your lifestyle.
Arthritis
Arthritis is inflammation of one or more of the joints, causing pain and stiffness. The risk of developing most types of arthritis increases with age. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis causes cartilage in the joint to break down. It is generally caused by normal wear and tear on the joints, with obesity being a major factor.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that targets the lining of joints.
Treatment of arthritis includes medication, lifestyle changes including weight loss, and surgical joint repair or replacement. Watson Wellness Center will determine what kind of arthritis you have and then recommend a treatment and maintenance plan to help control the symptoms.
Chronic Back Pain
Back pain is considered chronic when it lasts longer than three months. The pain is recurring and can switch from temporary relief to severe pain. It is sometimes related to a previous injury or surgery but can also indicate such conditions arthritis or cancer. The causes of chronic back pain can be sometimes be difficult to pinpoint.
Treatments include medication, physical therapy and stretching, diet, injections, and as a last resort, surgery. Watson Wellness Center will help determine the cause of your chronic back pain and administer treatments and therapies as needed.
Depression
Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems.
Depression may require long-term treatment. Watson Wellness Center can help most people with depression feel better with medication, psychotherapy, lifestyle changes, or a combination of all these.
