Medication Management Specialist

What is medication management?

Medication management refers to the way your physician monitors your medications to ensure they’re working effectively to improve your health. This regular monitoring allows your doctor to identify signs that your medication isn’t achieving the desired outcome, so they can adjust your care plan.

Why is medication management important?

Medication management plays an integral role in your chronic disease care plan. The right medication, or combination of medications, can help relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and minimize the unwanted symptoms of chronic disease. 

However, finding the right medication requires thorough testing. Your doctor must make sure that the medication you take doesn’t interfere with any of your other symptoms of underlying conditions. They also need to prescribe the correct dosage to improve your uncomfortable symptoms.

Choosing a provider who specializes in chronic disease management can help you find relief from your symptoms as quickly as possible.

What conditions can medication management treat?

The practitioners at The Foundation for Sickle Cell Research treat a number of chronic conditions, including:

Sickle cell anemia (SCA)

Sickle cell anemia occurs when the red blood cells, which are responsible for oxygen transportation throughout the body, evolve into a crescent shape. This shape can’t flow smoothly through your blood vessels without sticking to the walls. 

With these blockages, in turn, blood and oxygen can’t flow through the body. This can lead to uncomfortable symptoms, like extreme pain.

Hydroxyurea, the most common treatment for sickle cell anemia, helps prevent severe pain episodes to promote healthy blood flow.

Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack your own body. The condition targets your tissues and organs, which can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, chest pain, and kidney problems.

There are many medications that can manage the symptoms of lupus, but the most common is hydroxychloroquine, an antimalarial drug that can reduce pain and inflammation.

Multiple sclerosis (MS)

Multiple sclerosis is a progressive deterioration of the myelin — the protective sheath covering the nerves in the brain and spinal cord. Over time, MS can even lead to nerve damage, causing symptoms like fatigue, vision loss, poor coordination, and impacted mobility.

Many medications treat the symptoms of MS and reduce the frequency of relapses. The Foundation for Sickle Cell Research offers oral, injectable, and infusion medications for MS.

Crohn’s disease

Crohn’s disease causes chronic inflammation of the digestive tract’s lining. This can lead to very uncomfortable symptoms, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea. Steroids and immunosuppressants can help manage symptoms in many patients.

How do I know if I need medication management?

If you have a chronic disease, your doctor at The Foundation for Sickle Cell Research can run a number of tests to identify the right medication for you. In addition to a physical exam, your doctor tests your blood to detect any risk factors that could potentially interfere with your medication. In addition, they may order imaging tests, such as digital X-rays.

To learn more about medication management, call The Foundation for Sickle Cell Research or book an appointment online now.