Managing a chronic illness can be incredibly stressful. If you’re also struggling to cover the cost of your medications and supplements, that pressure can quickly become overwhelming.
Because being forewarned can be beneficial, it’s a good idea to go through your family history and consider the costs of common diseases. Even if you currently show no sign of the condition, knowing the costs can help you prepare and help you justify the cost of prevention.
Diabetes
The epidemic of Type 2 diabetes in the United States comes with high price tag. Medications such as insulin can run as high as $3,000 per year for those who need at least a daily dose. For those with Type 1 diabetes, the costs can be much higher.
Part of the cost of diabetes includes the tools to regularly monitor your blood sugar. Staying on top of high blood sugar will certainly pay off in the end; you will protect your circulation, your kidneys and your eyes by maintaining a healthy and stable blood sugar.
For those recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, there are cost benefits as well as health benefits to adopting a healthier diet. A simple diet of whole foods, rich in veggies, fruits, legumes and whole grains, can make it easier to keep your blood sugar stable. Be prepared to allow your taste buds to shift slowly so you can savor these simpler flavors over time.
Regular visits to your physician to maintain your health are critical for diabetics, whether you’re Type 1 or 2. It’s important to note that insulin is not a cure for diabetes, but a steady blood sugar can be maintained with regular monitoring.
Heart Disease
Heart disease, if caught early, can be treated with medications and lifestyle management. While the medications and management can be simple to budget for on a monthly basis, you could still spend between $1,000 to $2,500 annually. Tests can be quite costly; if your insurance doesn’t allow it, you could be out up to $400 for a simple coronary calcium scan.
If you need heart surgery, the costs can be astronomical. You may be spending as little as $30,000 and as much as $100,000 for coronary surgery, depending on the surgery and the length of time you need to be hospitalized, depending on the complexity and hospital stay.
There are actions you can take to lessen your increased risk of heart disease expense, though there are certainly genetic risks that are out of your control. A daily habit of simple exercise, such as a walk or a bike ride, can lower your risk of heart disease. Simple stress management activities can also lower your risk of developing heart disease. Quitting smoking will protect your budget now and your heart over time. Eating whole foods instead of heavily processed foods can also help protect your heart.
Cancer
Treating cancer can be incredibly costly, both to your bank account and to your body. Early diagnosis and treatment, before the disease has a wide impact on your body, can be quite beneficial. Chemo costs of between $10,000 to $200,000 per course may be covered by insurance, but your insurance fees may quickly become unsustainable.
Radiation therapy can cost between $10,000 and $50,000 per course, and surgery can run between $15,000 and $100,000. It’s important to note that there is no single food or activity that causes cancer and no single food or activity that will stop it.
However, a diet that is rich in fiber and low in sugars is a good start. Foods that are naturally low in salt can protect you, as can a diet that doesn’t include a great deal of red meat. These dietary choices can also help your body heal from the rigors of cancer treatment.
Chronic Respiratory Diseases
Conditions from childhood asthma to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease will take careful monitoring and regular medications. Asthma meds and doctor visits can cost between $1,500 and $4,000 on an annual basis. Those with COPD may spend up to $6,000 per year to simply manage their condition. These costs do not reflect any hospitalization costs.
There are simple steps you can take to lower your risk of a bad respiratory flare-up. Cleaning with gels instead of sprays is a simple first step. You may not be able to have some pets in your home. Be sure to mask up when you clean.
Arthritis
Proper care for those with arthritis will take detailed review of your condition. Pain management can be costly, as can physical therapy to help you get as much range of motion as possible. Simply managing your pain and motion can run as much as $5,000 a year. For those with rheumatoid arthritis, surgery costs can equal $50,000 per joint treated.
Undergoing infusion therapy for RA can lower pain and inflammation, but it can impact your overall immune health. Careful monitoring by your doctor will be a necessary addition to the cost.
HGH Therapy
If you notice that you’re struggling to remain active or maintain muscle, you may need to get your HGH levels checked. While a slight loss in hormones over time is natural for men and women, a rapid drop in HGH levels can be an indication of a serious condition.
Once your bloodwork has been completed and you are fully aware of the source of the drop in HGH production, you can plan for supplementation to regain your vigor. Medically necessary HGH may be covered by insurance, but the HGH price in the USA can cost as much as $3,000 per month.
Medically necessary treatments can be quite costly but are nearly always worth it. Choices you can make at home can be incredibly helpful in supporting your body through the medication process. Work with your physician to find the best choices to support your health as you undergo treatment or recover from surgery.
Photo credit: HWM.
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