#FitnessFirst February 21, 2025 Co-Authored and Verified by – Dr Ahamed Nabeel Specialist Medical Affairs How Regular Health Screenings Can Help You Manage Chronic Diseases Chronic diseases account for nearly 75% of all deaths globally. But what if we could help these 41 million people manage chronic diseases? Proactive health management through preventive health screening – aided by hyper-tech AI health screening – now makes this possible. Regular preventive health screenings can help manage conditions like chronic kidney disease, heart attack, chronic fatigue syndrome, and other parts of chronic condition management, giving you more power over your own health. What exactly do we mean by preventive health screening when it comes to helping millions of people manage chronic diseases? Let’s find out. The Importance of Preventive Care in Chronic Disease Management Unlike acute illnesses, chronic diseases such as diabetes and chronic kidney disease develop silently, with symptoms appearing only in advanced stages. At that point, it is too late to reverse or slow down their progression. Preventive care bridges this gap by focusing on early identification and intervention, greatly improving patient outcomes. Not only do people have the option to detect chronic diseases early on, but according to the World Health Organisation, early detection and screening are the most important aspects of preventing chronic diseases. Population-level studies further support the assertion that screenings can significantly delay disease progression, improving quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Targeted screenings for women, such as mammography and cervical cancer tests, contribute to reducing morbidity and mortality rates associated with these conditions. Some may argue that preventive screenings cause unnecessary panic or predict problems that may never arise. But when it comes to chronic management, is all about control. With regular health screenings, you can find risks early that may make big impact on life later and take treatments to prevent it from growing. Role of Health Screenings in Chronic Disease Management Early Disease Detection with AI Health Screenings Artificial intelligence (AI) has added a marked boost to health screenings, making them faster AI-driven tools can analyse data from health checks and flag subtle signs of potential issues that might otherwise go unnoticed. A simple example of this is AI-based analysis in full-body health checkups that can detect early signs of heart attack or diabetes-related complications. Advanced options like low-dose CT scans expose patients to minimal radiation, allowing timely intervention and better outcomes. Regular Screenings for Managing Chronic Diseases Consistency is key when it comes to the treatment of long-term health conditions. Regular preventive , like medical checkups and whole-body health tests, will make sure that you remain informed about any changes in your health. For example, periodic tests for cholesterol, blood sugar, or kidney function help monitor the of chronic diseases like diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Without routine checkups, even well-managed conditions could take a sudden turn for the worse. Understand Chronic Diseases and Their Progression Chronic diseases do not develop overnight. They progress through stages of varying degrees, and the progression is so gradual, that you hardly notice any changes in your day-to-day life – and then it’s too late. For example, diabetes can move from prediabetes to advanced stages with complications affecting the eyes, nerves, or kidneys. Regular preventative screenings make it easier to catch these stages early on. The same goes for people with risk factors for Screenings can help track the heart’s condition before serious symptoms develop. Avoid Long-Term Complications of Chronic Diseases Unchecked chronic conditions might potentially lead to severe complications. For example, high blood pressure, if ignored, might result in a stroke or coronary heart disease. Regular health screenings help detect early warning signs and allow for timely treatments that minimise these risks. How Regular Screenings Reduce the Risk of Chronic Disease Complications Screenings don’t just help in identifying chronic diseases, but they also suggest adjustments to your daily life. For example, identifying elevated cholesterol levels early allows patients to adopt dietary and exercise routines to prevent atherosclerosis. How to Tailor Health Screenings for Chronic Disease Management Every person’s health profile is different, and screenings should reflect that. Factors such as age, gender, family history, and pre-existing conditions play a big role in choosing the right tests. For example, women benefit from specialised screenings like mammograms or cervical cancer tests. On the other hand, men with a history of cardiovascular issues might choose to prioritise tests for heart health and even look at signs of chronic fatigue syndrome. Chronic Disease Management: Role of Lifestyle and Health Screenings Screenings are just one part of the equation. Lifestyle changes, like adopting healthy eating habits, exercising regularly, and managing stress, complement regular checkups to manage chronic diseases. Such changes can prevent or slow the progression of conditions like hypertension. How to Choose the Right Screening Plan for Chronic Disease Management Picking the right screening plan depends on several factors, including personal health goals and medical history. Comprehensive health checkups cover major lifestyle diseases and cancers and are perfect for those people who want a complete overview of their health in one go. The Impact of Late Detection Delaying health screenings can have serious consequences. Many chronic conditions, such as chronic kidney disease and coronary heart disease, progress without showing any noticeable symptoms. By the time symptoms appear, the disease is often at an advanced stage. At this point, treatment options are more limited and less effective. Late detection also increases the chances of complications that could have been avoided with early treatment. Conclusion Preventive health screenings are not just diagnostic methods but tools of medical empowerment. By detecting conditions early, they offer a chance to manage disease progression. Combined with AI-driven advancements and lifestyle changes, these screenings empower individuals to take control of their health and reduce the risk of severe complications. However important preventative screenings may be, they’re rendered useless if their credibility cannot be trusted. Nura, India’s first AI-powered preventive health screening centre, powered by leading Japanese technology, brings safe health screenings with 97% less radiation in CT scans. Take the first step toward a healthier future by prioritising regular health screenings – because early detection makes all the difference. FAQs 1) How do you manage chronic diseases? Chronic condition management strategies include regular health screenings, lifestyle modification based on scientific research and guidelines, and adherence to medical recommendations. 2) What is the essential purpose of screening tests for a chronic disease? At what stage you start chronic management is far more important than the management itself. The biggest problem with chronic diseases is that you do not actively see the symptoms. Even when you do, it’s easy to confuse them with other factors and write them off as minor issues. What screenings do is, they help you decipher between those minor issues and the real problems. In medical terms, screenings provide a proactive approach to health management by identifying potential risks early and enabling evidence-based interventions. 3) How does screening improve health? Screenings provide a proactive approach to health management by identifying potential risks early. 4) Why is it important to manage chronic illness? Efficient chronic management prevents disease progression and minimises complications. 5) What is the role of AI health screening in Chronic Disease Management? AI health screenings improve early detection and give you the chance to consult a professional based on the results of the preventive health checkup.
