Chronic conditions, such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes, are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. These non-communicable diseases are often referred to as invisible epidemics because they don't typically stem from one defining moment. Instead, they are a result of several factors, including genetics, environment and routines. In this post, Dr. Kristin Gerhardstein outlines how taking stock of our daily practices can better influence chronic disease management.
What is lifestyle medicine?
Lifestyle medicine is one of the fastest-growing fields in medicine. It focuses on making intensive adjustments to daily habits to help individuals prevent, arrest, and in some cases, reverse chronic diseases.
The American College of Lifestyle Medicine outlines these six pillars:
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Whole-food plant-based nutrition
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Regular exercise and frequent movement
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Stress management
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Social connection and support
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Good-quality, restorative sleep
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Avoidance of risky substances
How does lifestyle medicine differ from traditional medicine?
Traditional medicine typically focuses on identifying the condition and utilizing pharmaceutical or surgical methods to manage the symptoms of the disease. On the other hand, lifestyle medicine often takes a more proactive and personalized approach to treatment. It examines how the condition developed and creates a care plan that addresses the habits and behavioral patterns that enabled the disease to progress.
Oftentimes, both approaches are used depending on the patient's needs. For someone diagnosed with high blood pressure, that could look like prescribing an antihypertensive medication along with incorporating dietary changes to reduce sodium and quitting smoking. However, someone else with the same condition might have a treatment plan that emphasizes improving cardiovascular activity and sticking to a consistent bedtime routine.
How does someone get started with implementing lifestyle medicine into their care plan?
At our PPG - Family Medicine Lima office, we have hosted a Lifestyle Medicine-focused class for the past four years. I have the fortune of co-leading the class with Kathy Wehrle, RDN, and wellness coaches, Tyler Rimmel and James McCaig. Kathy and I are both board-certified in Lifestyle Medicine by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, and we guide patients as they work to make these pivotal lifestyle changes to take charge of their health and reverse disease.
The program is structured similarly to a group medical visit bringing together 10-12 patients to learn about the six pillars of lifestyle medicine. Sessions are held once a week for four weeks, followed by two additional visits every other week. The class is billed through the patient’s medical insurance and has the same co-pay as a follow-up visit with their primary care doctor.
You may benefit from this class if you are an adult Parkview patient who:
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is managing a chronic disease such as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity or chronic headaches/migraines.
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is tired of taking prescription medications.
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wants to learn about root causes of disease and how to reverse them with lifestyle changes.
If you're interested, please talk to your primary care provider about attending an upcoming free informational session to learn more about our group medical visits.
The session takes place Wednesday, May 20, 2026, from 4 p.m. PM to 5 p.m. at 11055 Twin Creeks Cove, Fort Wayne, IN 46845.
Your Parkview doctor can connect with me to get you enrolled in this class. We hope to see you there!
