Types of Chronic Diseases for Education Techniques- myassignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about theTypes of Chronic Diseases for Education Technique. Answer: Overview This essay demonstrates an understanding of health promotion strategies and education techniques that address the need for patients with chronic diseases. It focuses on the case study of Mr. George Polaris, a 62-year old Italian man who was presented to the hospital with breathlessness, fever and productive cough. After being treated for the chest infection on his first admission to the hospital, Mr. Polaris underwent a series of respiratory tests and was eventually diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). He had a history of stomach disease, Gastro esophageal reflux (GERD) after which he was prescribed Esomeprazole Magnesium to neutralize or control the acid produced in the stomach. After being discharged from the hospital, Mr. Polaris condition was followed up by a registered nurse where his current vital signs read normal except the blood pressure which read at 135/88mmHg. Following his shortness of breath and severe cough, George confessed to the nurse of bein g a heavy smoker since his teenage hood. The Actual Health Concerns for the Patient Two health concerns manifest in the case of Mr. George; COPD and GERD. The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a common name for a group of lung diseases (asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema) is one of the health concerns that manifest in the patient. The disease is caused by inhalation or long term exposure to noxious substances like tobacco smoke and is characterized by persistent cough, shortness of breath, fever, and a build-up of phlegm in the lungs (Barr et al., 2009). Although the symptoms of the disease dont show up in early stages of life, smoking or working in dusty areas can be some of the key contributing factors to the disease. Shortness of breath is caused by narrowing of the bronchial tubes (air passages). Luckily, medications such as Spiriva and Ventolin can help open up the tubes of a patient hence making breathing easier (Rascon-Aguilar et al., 2011). On the other hand, GERD is a chronic disease that occurs when the stomach acid or food content flows back into the food pipe. According to Jennings et al., (2015) the reflux irritates lining of the food pipe hence cause the Gastro esophageal reflux disease. Although there are different treatments for the condition, antacid medications like Esomeprazole magnesium can be used to limit or neutralize the stomach acid (Jennings et al., 2015). Statistically, extra esophageal manifestation linked with the reflux disease occurs in almost 76% of patients with severe hoarseness, 48% of patients with non-cardiac chest pain, as well as 81% of asthmatic patients. Unfortunately, over 47% of patient with the disease do not have endoscopic evidence of the illness. Knowing the Right Medication for Treatment and Management of COPD To control or manage lung diseases, your physicist might prescribe different medications. Since chronic obstructive airways disease cannot be reversed or cured, complying with a prescribed medication helps protect against exacerbations and reduce symptoms such as breathlessness, fever and chest pain (Kempainen et al., 2007). Although patients are prescribed different medications according to their health, it is important for them to understand what the drugs are and how they work, how to take them, possible side effects of the medication and length of time the effects will last as Kempainen et al., (2007) postulates. If unsure about the information provided in the medications, it is important to seek help from a respiratory nurse or pharmacists for a better understanding. This is because patients need to be confident as well as informed about the medication they use. Since medications cause side effects to different people, its vital to note that a small percentage of patients using those medicines may contract the side effects (Raupach et al., 2008). As it is evident that COPD medications target the respiratory system, majority of the medications are inhaled using inhalers such that it is delivered straight to the system. According to Raupach et al., (2008) proper technique is crucial in delivery of the medication effectively. However, to ensure that one is receiving complete benefits of the medication, the inhaler needs to be often checked by a physicist or the respiratory nurse. When the severity of the disease or symptoms persists, a doctor can prescribe additional drugs (Divo et al., 2012). The severity of the symptoms in the case for COPD can include shortness of breath, fever and cough. Ideally, the rate of exacerbations and infections increases with severity of the disease. The type of medications that can be prescribed include reliever medications (to relieve increased symptoms of shortness of breath), maintenance medication (to control the symptoms and help protect against flare ups for a long term period), preventive medication (Usually used when the COPD becomes severe and experience flare ups) and lastly is the exacerbation medications for short-term usage for the COPD symptoms (Barr et al., 2009). When diagnosed with COAD, a doctor can prescribe reliever medications first and when the severity increases, the doctor can prescribe other medications for maintenance. For example, a patient may find himself on three distinct medications each with an inhaler. Since this is normal, its good to understand the role of each medication and take them as prescribed. This topic can be of great significance to Mr. Polaris in understanding the type of medication prescribed by his doctor. As seen above, Mr. Polaris was prescribed three medications which are supposed to be taken concurrently. They include Ventolin, Spiriva and Esomeprazole magnesium or Nexium. The patient should understand that Ventolin is an oral inhalation medication used to relieve acute asthma symptoms that start with one inhalation as a starting dose. For the case of George, he is prescribed up to four inhalations of Ventolin a day, but he should note that overdose of the same can cause adverse effects such as tremor, hypokalemia, and hyperactivity. Another medication prescribed to the patient is Spiriva. Mr. Polari should understand that the medication is used to prevent asthma attacks and narrowing of air passage in the lungs. As per doctors prescription, the patient is supposed to have two oral inhalations a day. Since Mr George has had a history of GERD, the doctor prescribe d him Nexium, an antacid medication to neutralize the excessive amount of acid in the stomach. One key thing Mr. George should understand is that Nexium does not go hand in hand with cigarette smoking. Therefore, he should shun completely from the habit to ensure the medication is effective. Pharmacotherapy for Gastro- Esophageal Reflux There are various treatments for GERD that depend on the severity of the disease. They include: Antacids; Antacids neutralize acid content of the stomach and contain elements such as calcium, magnesium and aluminum (Wahlqvist et al., 2008). The drugs containing these elements are very effective in treating GORD; however, frequent dosing is significant for severe diseases. Therefore, the recommended dosage remains a crucial factor for antacids in esophageal disease. Irrespective of common belief, the actual dosage has no or little influence on effectiveness. As Smith and Wrobel (2014) states, antacids like Gaviscon form a raft that suspends on the gastric content to provide a barrier to the esophageal mucosa. However, studies show that these agents are more effective compared to other antacids when it comes to treatment of gastro esophageal disease. Some of its side effects include diarrhea and constipation. However, in renal failure patients, toxicity levels of aluminum and magnesium could accumulate thus regular use of these agents needs to be minimized by such people (Rodrigu ez et al., 2008). It should be noted that any medication increasing gastric content in the stomach may also lower the absorption of such agents. Histamine receptor antagonists (HRA); HRA are less costly compared to proton pump inhibitors (Ringbaek et al., 2010). Examples of HRA include Nizatidine, Cimetidine, Famotidine and Ranitidine. Among these drugs, Cimetidine is known to have unique adverse effects and the most clinically significant medication interactions. The drug has reportedly decreased the clearance of other medications and blocks the tubular production of medicines like Metformin. Proton pump inhibitors (PPI); PPIs are more effective than HRA when it comes to treating gastro esophageal reflux disease. This is because they block the final pathways of acid production compared to HRA which block only one passage (Kempainen et al., 2007). Evidence also shows that compliance to the anti-secretory effects of histamine receptor antagonists may occur, but the tachyphylaxis doesnt happen with the PPIs. However, most clinicians consider PPIs as the drug of choice when it comes to the treatment of gastro esophageal reflux disease. According to Kempainen et al., (2007), some of the common PPIs which are in the market include Lansoprazole, Omeprazole, Esomeprazole, and Rabeprazole. Although drug interactions are rare with these medications, Esomeprazole has been known to increase the anti- coagulant effect of Warfarin. A majority of gastro esophageal symptoms are well controlled with a standard dose of such symptoms. However, high dosages of a drug like Lansoprazole are re quired in a small percentage. Moreover, a small percentage of patients may suffer nocturnal heartburn symptoms irrespective of the proton pump inhibitor treatment. In such instances, a possible strategy can be used as PPI in the morning plus a standard dose of histamine receptor antagonist before going to bed. Length of therapy; since a high number of people with erosive esophagitis could be healed with eight weeks of proton pump inhibitor medication, a subgroup will require chronic lifelong medication. However, maintenance practices are very controversial despite the fact that many people remain symptom-free with step-down approaches (Divo et al., 2012). Moreover, a subset of people will require lifelong treatment with surgery or proton pump inhibitors. This implies that an individualized technique to the treatment of gastro esophageal is a superior strategy. This topic can be useful in the case of Mr. Polaris when it comes to Gastro esophageal reflux disease. Although he has been diagnosed with GERD, Mr. Polaris should understand the different medications prescribed to him and their various purposes. He has been prescribed Esomeprazole, an antibiotic to reduce or neutralize excessive stomach acid. Also, the patient should understand the correct dosage of the drug and whether it should be taken with other medications. As presented in the case study, the patient also has the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, so with continued smoking, the medications could not be effective when it comes to treatment of the diseases. Most importantly, it would be safe for the patient to know the different types of treatments for the disease as well as their effects on the body. Client Education Strategies for Patients with COPD and GERD Pulmonary interventions for COPD patients Pulmonary rehabilitation is a system of care that involves education, exercise regimen and physiological support delivered by therapists to COPD patients (Barr et al., 2009). It helps reduce disability, symptoms and improve both physical as well as emotional support. Pulmonary rehabilitation can also help patients achieve an optimal level of interdependence in the community. As Barr et al., (2009) holds, the exercise training assists in building patients confidence, boost breathing strategies and optimize cardiovascular fitness. Nurses can use education to explain the disease progression, how the treatment works, how to use the drugs and when to call for help. However, the main component of education advice is to help patients quit smoking like in the case of Mr. Polaris. Patient education on GERD medication Nurses should educate patients on all the factors including medications that could worsen their gastro esophageal symptoms since lifestyle medication alone cannot provide enough relief for the patients (Rascon-Aguilar et al., 2011). Essentially, adults diagnosed with the disease should be offered lifestyle changes as a first line therapy. Advice also needs to focus on the circumstances of individual GERD patients. Conclusion The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is very common among adults. However, managing gastro esophageal reflux symptoms can help relieve COPD, but when left untreated, the symptoms can worsen over time. Some indications that GERD could be contributing to your COPD include; breathlessness, coughing and heartburn. However, with adherence to the right medication and abstinence from triggers like smoking, one can achieve a better control of both conditions. References Barr, R. G., Celli, B. R., Mannino, D. 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