that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. CHD is also called
Coronary Artery Disease.
FAMILY & FRIENDS CONNECTION, INC. |
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Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is a narrowing of the small blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. CHD is also called Coronary Artery Disease.
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Communicating With The Elderly
Interpreting the Unsaid... Having worked in geriatrics for more than a decade, i can tell you that it is one of the most fascinating fields of nursing. Due to all the normal changes that takes place physically in the human body, coupled with disease processes and psycho social changes, it is of utmost importantance that you get to know your elderly patient very well. You should spend time listening to their stories even if it makes no sense to you. This helps to develop a relationship. This means spending time to chat and reassure patient of your love and care for them and maintaining a positive, warm and confidential attitude at all times. TLC is the name of the game. It takes a longer time to understand the elderly patient as you have to work through all the mood swings, demanding phases and even episodes of withdrawal. Outburst at staff and aggressive behavior is usually not what it sounds like or appears to be rather it is a cry for your love and attention and most often just a call for someone to come and sit and listen, really listen from your heart to what they are feeling and reliving at that said moment Elderly persons especially in a nursing home setting can become very jealous and vie for your attention if for one second they think or believe that you are giving more attention or time to another patient. So the next time your elderly patient has an outburst of negative behavior, Unwrap your TLC package:
Listen with your heart and hear that cry for your love and attention and in a tender loving way give as much as you can and be consistent. It does not matter what mood your elderly patient is in as a health professional and the caregiver, you have to remain professional at all times, and wear that smile, say those loving words and show love no matter what. It works, and to foster this type of relationship with your elderly patient will help their golden years to be the happiest and most fulfilling they ever had and that is the goal of geriatric nursing. They and their family will appreciate that. Stroke affects 700,000 people every year and 160,000 Americans die of stroke each year. Brain cells need oxygen and nutrients to work properly. This nourishment is provided from blood flowing through vessels in the brain. When one of these vessels becomes clogged by a clot, or breaks open, the blood flow is suddenly stopped and the brain cells die. This is a stroke. Stroke is the sudden stoppage of blood flow to the brain.
STROKE: Remember The 1st Three Letters... S.T.R ... My friend sent this to me and encouraged me to post it and spread the word. I agree. If everyone can remember something this simple, we could save some folks. STROKE IDENTIFICATION: During aparty, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine and just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. (they offered to call ambulance) They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food - while she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening. Ingrid's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00pm , Ingrid passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the party. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today. Some don't die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead. It only takes a minute to read this... STROKE IDENTIFICATION: A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke....totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough. RECOGNIZING A STROKE Remember the '3' steps, STR. Read and Learn! Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions : S * Ask the individual to SMILE ..T * = TALK. Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE(Coherently) (eg 'It is sunny out today'). R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS . If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call the ambulance and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher. NOTE : Another 'sign' of a stroke is 1. Ask the person to 'stick' out their tongue. 2. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a stroke. STROKE IS AN EMERGENCY CALL 9-1-1 Types of Strokes • Ischemic stroke When the blood flow to brain is blocked. • Hemorrhagic stroke When there is bleeding into or around the brain. Stroke is an acute and serious condition that requires Immediate Treatment: • Emergency room treatment • Medications • Neuroendovascular intervention • Surgery Long-Term Treatment Treatment for depression: • Physical therapy • Speech therapy • Control of incontinence • Provide a safe environment •Alterative forms of communication • In-home care, adult day care or convalescent home • Family counseling • Legal advice such as power of attorney Prognosis • Stroke is the third leading cause of death in developed countries • About one-fourth of patients die as a result of stroke or its complications • About one-half have long-term disabilities • About one-fourth recover most or all functions What Are The Symptoms of Stroke?
Symptoms of Stroke Transient ischemic attacks (TIA’s) • Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of body • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination • Sudden severe headache with no known cause Stroke • Visual Disturbances, including blocked or loss of vision in one eye, blurry vision or “graying” “It seemed like someone was pulling a shade over one of my eyes.” • Weakness, numbness or clumsiness in one arm or hand “My arm wouldn’t do what I wanted it to do.” “I couldn’t hold on to my coffee cup.” “I couldn’t lift up my arm.” “My arm felt tingly.” • Language Problems, including slurred speech “I just couldn’t say anything.” “She sounded drunk.” “My family couldn’t make sense of what I was saying.” • Facial Droop/Weakness “The left side of my face was sagging.” • Dizziness, stumbling “I couldn’t walk straight.” • Severe, sudden headache “I have the worst headache of my life.” What are Risks and Signs of Stroke?
Risk Factors The best treatment for stroke is to prevent a major cerebrovascular event from occurring in the first place. The following risk factors can be modified to help reduce the risk of stroke. • Hypertension High blood pressure is the leading cause of both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. High blood pressure should be treated and kept to a level below 140/90 mm/Hg. Both the upper and lower numbers are important. The faithful following of a blood pressure treatment plan can help prevent a stroke. • Cigarettes Smoking doubles your chances of suffering a stroke. • Weight Obesity increases you chance of suffering hypertension and high blood cholesterol, a factor in developing carotid stenosis. Even modest weight gain (24 to 43 lbs over 16 years) can almost double your chances of suffering a stroke. • Carotid Stenosis The build up od fatty plaque on the insides of the carotid artery increases your chances of suffering an ischemic stroke. • Cholesterol/Serum Lipid Levels High cholesterol levels can promote carotid stenosis and lead to a stroke. A healthy diet and medications prescribed by your primary care physician can help reduce cholesterol levels to below 200. Warning Signs There are also “warning signs” of an impending stroke, and stroke often does not strike unannounced. • Prior Stroke Stroke can strike a person twice. Suffering one stroke, regardless of its severity, increases your chances of suffering a second stroke. • TIA (transient ischemic attack) A TIA is a temporary cerebrovascular disruption that leaves no permanent damage. These are recognizable events and can be a predictor of a future, more devastating stroke. • Headache A severe, sudden, unusual headache can be a sign of an hemorrahagic stroke and requires immediate medical attention. • Although neurosurgeons treat all types of acute stroke, there are four risk factors, warning signs and conditions that are best recognized and treated by a neurosurgeon before acute stroke occurs: TIAs, carotid stenosis, aneurysms and vascular formations. Qualifying For Free Medicine Through Prescription Assistance Programs MORE People are Eligible for Free Drugs This is not a joke...Apply to see if you qualify for the free medicines. Chances are, you do qualify! Generally, if you earn less in a year than the levels shown below, you may qualify for some or all of the prescription drugs you need: A single application may provide for up to one year of medicine free of charge to eligible individuals and an individual may reapply as many times as needed. Generally, if you earn less in a year than the levels shown below, you may qualify for some or all of the prescription drugs you need: Help with Prescription Medication Costs is Available
from Programs Called Patient Assistance Programs. Don't go without your medicine just because you can't afford it. Apply online right here (the fastest way to get started) or call 1-573-996-3333 to request a free brochure and application mailed to you today. |
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