Hypertension & It’s Harmful Affects!

by Shanta Spurlin, RN

Hypertension, known as high blood pressure is prevalent in the elderly population today. Many people in the world today have Hypertension and are unaware. Hypertension is a silent killer, and many diseases are caused secondary to it. HTN is characterized by an elevated blood pressures measuring 140/90 or greater.HTN increase the risk for the elderly to have heart disease, stroke, kidney or renal problems which can cause patient’s to go on dialysis if it goes untreated. This disease can be deadly. Risk factors for hypertension include family history, ethnicity, poor, diet, being overweight, excessive alcohol intake, a sedentary lifestyle, and certain medications (Mauk, 2010, p.384).
As healthcare providers we should teach our patients and raise awareness to this disease and its harmful affects. It is important to diagnose and treat hypertension to reduce the incidence of cardiac disease (Mauk, 2010, p.368). Blood Pressure screenings should be done regularly to assess for ones risk for this disease and to properly diagnosis it. Diagnosis of hypertension should be based on several readings at different times or visits to the primary healthcare provider (Mauk, 2010, p.384).

The Pros of HTN is that it can be treated, controlled and even prevented, by lifestyle changes and modifications. Exercising, weight loss and management, reading food labels to reduce sodium intake, and diet change can help prevent and control HTN.
There are also medications that can be prescribed by a physician to help lower ones blood pressure and manage HTN. Some examples are Diuretics, Beta-blockers, and Ace inhibitors. The Goal of medical treatment in older adults is to lower blood pressure to 120/80 or below (Mauk, 2010, p.385).

References
Mauk, K. L. (2010). Gerontological Nursing (2nd Ed.). Valpraraiso, Indiana: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

NOTE: This blog post reflects the work of a Registered Nurse with minor editing by Shirley Comer RN and was completed as a class assignment. The content of this blog is for informational purposes only. Before beginning or changing a treatment or lifestyle regime you should consult your primary health care provider.

Preventing Obesity via CAM''s

by Lakeisa Perry, RN

It’s no secret that eating right and exercising are the best methods for shedding the pounds. They may also be the two most inexpensive ways to a healthier weight and state of mind. Obesity is defined as a medical condition where a surplus of body fat has gathered in a position where it can have an unfavorable effect on an individual’s health (Wikipedia, 2011).

When we speak of obesity there has to be a greater rationale for the crisis. The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has become widely used in our current population (Mauk, 2010). As healthcare professionals, when we are performing assessment we should also asses for the use of CAM (Mauk, 2010). Obesity is a disease that affects over 60 million people in the country (Ezine, 2011) and has a particular affect on women. Looking deeper into the issue of obesity there has to be a multifaceted underlying problem. Healthcare professionals should look to the subterranean explanations for this growing epidemic. In addressing the issue we should first remember that being overweight is different than being obese. To combat the dilemma we should address the psychosocial aspect of the problem i.e. depression, low self-esteem, lack of control or a possible fundamental health issue like thyroid anomalies or osteoarthritis. I would like to believe as Americans we do not wake from bed uttering “today is the day that I will do all I can to remain obese and unhealthy”. We’ll examine some interventions to oppose the problem of obesity.

When attempting to defeat your own personal demons I believe that the battle starts in your mind. Prepare yourself mentally to defeat the problem whether you have to say a chant or read a text to start your day. You also need to rate the importance of the CAM therapy in your life and believe that it will be effective to help fight your obesity. When exploring alternative modalities to weight lose some CAM’s that can be helpful are herbs, relaxation techniques (such as mediation and deep breathing exercise) and acupuncture. Acupuncture can be used to fight obesity by suppressing food cravings, appetite and boosting an individual’s mood (Kent, 2010). Acupuncture can help by increasing the stomachs smooth muscles tone and once the muscle tone has improved the hypothalamus then triggers the hypothalamus’ satiety center and stimulates the vagal nerve to increase the serotonin level (Kent, 2010) and as healthcare professionals we all know that an amplified serotonin level will cause a diminished desire to eat. It also can have a dual benefit because it alters our mood by fighting depression. Another alternative for fighting obesity can be the ingestion of herbs. Herbs can work in your body by improving your metabolism or suppressing your appetite. To name a few, Bee Pollen can stimulate metabolism and satisfy your cravings, Chromium can help the body use fat for energy and Brewer’s Yeast has been known to reduce various cravings for food and drink (Ezine.com, 2011). Herbs are not designed to replace your diet and there are some drawbacks to these alternative methods. For instance Bee Pollen should only be used for a short period of time (WebMD, 2011) and can cause an allergic reaction if taken without the knowledge of an allergy to the product. It has also been reported that Chromium can cause DNA damage (About.com, 2011) and should be used short term.

The benefit can sometimes out way the risk when attempting to combat obesity and by addressing the predicament known as obesity one can improve cardiovascular function, diabetes mellitus, kidney disorders, depression and hypertension.
Obesity can be precluded and is one of the major principles to death prevention for most individuals (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011).

Always consult with your physician before attempting an alternative treatment.

References

Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Four specific health behaviors contributing to a longer life. Retrieved 10/30/2011 from http://cdc.gov/Features/LiveLonger/.
Kent, L.T. (2010). Acupuncture for obesity. Retrieved 10/30/2011 from http://www.livestrong.com/article/107364-acupuncture-obesity/
Mauk, K.L. (2010). Gerontological nursing competencies for care (2nd ed.).Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett. Nick, D. (2007). Herbs to fight obesity. Retrieved 10/30/2011 from http://health.ezine9.com/herbs-to-fight-obesity-1381ca599f.html
WebMD. (2011). Bee pollen benefits and side effects. Retrieved 10/30/2011 from http://www.webmd.com/balance/bee-pollen-benefits-and-side-effects
Wikipedia. (2011). Retrieved 10/30/2011 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-obesity_medication
Wong, C. (2007). Chromium pilcolinate side effects. Retrieved 10/30/2011 from http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/chromiumsideeff.htm

NOTE: This blog post reflects the work of a Registered Nurse with minor editing by Shirley Comer RN and was completed as a class assignment. The content of this blog is for informational purposes only. Before beginning or changing a treatment or lifestyle regime you should consult your primary health care provider.

Polypharmacy and the Elderly

by Patricia Elder, RN

Although the elderly population constitute on 12.7% of the U.S. population, they consume 34% of all prescription medication and 40% of all non prescription medication. The average person 65 to 68 years of age has an average of 14 prescriptions per year. (Mauk, 2010). Medications are meant to improve the health and well being of the elder person, by relieving pain, discomfort and treating underlined disease processes. When the elderly have many medications to take it results in non compliance due to medication regiment or expense. (Smeltzer, 2008). Polypharmacy occurs when multiple medication are taken, which increases medication interaction, multiple medication effects and incorrect dosages are used. With each medication a person takes it increases the drug interaction which is responsible for many emergency room and doctors visits. Some of the side effects of drug interaction are nausea, constipation, gastrointestinal bleedings, urinary incontinence, muscle aches, sexual dysfunction, and confusion. Dizziness and increase risk for falls (Mauk, 2010).

When patients come in it is imperative to see all medications, dosage and supplements to identify potential problems and identify medications that contraindicated. In addition to teaching intervention to enhance the elderly compliance with medication by:

1. Explain medication, purpose, adverse effects and proper dosage
2. Write medication schedule
3. Teach and show how to use medication dispenser
4. Destroy or remove old unused medication
5. Instruct patient to report over the counter medications, including herbal products
6. Instruct patient to keep list of all medication, over the counter and herbal supplements
7. Recommend the use of only one pharmacy to prevent duplications and contraindications in medication regiment
8. Remind the patient of the importance of taking medication as prescribed

It is imperative that we provide patient teaching on medication as a preventive measurement and to continue to add onto there knowledge base. The cost of non compliance often leads to morbidity and mortality among the elderly(Smeltzer, 2008).

References

Mauk, K. (2010) Gerontological Nursing 2nd Edition, Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Massachusetts
Smeltzer, S. (2008) Textbook of Medication- Surgical Nursing 11th Edition, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Pennsylvania

NOTE: This blog post reflects the work of a Registered Nurse with minor editing by Shirley Comer RN and was completed as a class assignment. The content of this blog is for informational purposes only. Before beginning or changing a treatment or lifestyle regime you should consult your primary health care provider.

Gingko Biloba and Dementia

by Carrington Carrington, RN

Dementia is a syndrome who signs and symptoms may be the result of several acquired, progressive, life-limiting disorders that erase memory and the person’s usual way of being in the world. (Tabloski, 2010, p. 740) The person with dementia has both a chronic illness and a terminal illness. Person’s with dementia losses the ability to perform activities of daily living and progressively become completely dependent in all aspects of care. There is no predictability of how or when the disease will progress. The greatest risk for developing dementia is older age even though a younger person may develop dementia as well. Although it is more common in older adults than in younger persons, dementia is not considered a normal part of aging.(Mauk, 2010, p. 531)

There is no cure available at the present time for dementia. Treatments for dementia are directed towards improving functioning and slowing down the progression of the disease. There are a number of pharmacological agents that are used to treat cognitive impairment but I will be focusing on a complementary and alternative therapy (CAM) form to treat dementia.
Complementary and alternative therapy according to Mauk is a group of diverse medical and healthcare systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered part of the conventional medicine in the United States. However there are many people who use herbal therapies they hear about along with their regular routine prescribed medications. Gingko Biloba will be our herbal therapy of choice for dementia.

Gingko biloba is one of the oldest living tree species and its leaves are among the most extensively studied herbs in use today. In Europe and the United States, ginkgo supplements are among the best-selling herbal medications. It consistently ranks as a top medicine prescribed in France and Germany. (University of Maryland Medical Center). Ginkgo has been used in traditional medicine to treat blood disorders and enhance memory. Scientific studies throughout the years have found evidence that supports these claims. Although not all studies agree, ginkgo may help prevent or treat dementia (including Alzheimer's disease). It also shows promise for enhancing memory in older adults. Because ginkgo inhibits platelets activation factor it is presumed to improve blood flow to the brain as well. (Tabloski, 2010, p. 747) Further studies suggest it may directly protect nerve cells that are damaged in dementia. (University of Maryland Medical Center)
Ginkgo biloba comes in tablets, capsules, and in liquid extracts. Dosages range from 120 to 240 mg daily.

Positive benefits of Ginkgo in a person with dementia are:
· Improvement in thinking, learning, and memory (cognitive function)
· Improvement in activities of daily living
· Improvement in social behavior
· Fewer feelings of depression
Negative benefits are:
· Inhibits platelet activation factor and can cause bleeding
· Increased blood pressure with thiazide diuretic
· Increased sedation with trazadone
· Can increase blood sugar
· Can cause headaches, dizziness, GI disturbances
Contraindicated in people who are:
· Diabetic
· Pregnant or breast feeding
· Have epilepsy
· Bleeding disorders

If you take gingkgo, you should stop taking it at least 36 hours before surgery or dental procedures due to the risk of bleeding. Tell your doctor or dentist that you take ginkgo.

Nursing considerations for Dementia
Dementia is a chronic illness and may require 20 years or more of home care, assisted living, or long term institutional care. The demented person will need acute care services to maintain independence, prevent excess disability, ensure safety, and manage medical complications. The family should be informed that even with the finest efforts of caregivers, the dieses will progress and create dependency in activities in daily living and ultimately result in death.

References
Mauk, K.L. (2010). Gerontological Nursing Competencies for Care, (2nd edition). Sudbury, MA:Jones and Barlett Publishers.
Tabloski, P. A. (2010). Gerontological Nursing, (2nd edition). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education INC.
University of Maryland Medical Center. (2011). Ginkgo biloba. Retrieved from
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/ginkgo-biloba-000247.htm

NOTE: This blog post reflects the work of a Registered Nurse with minor editing by Shirley Comer RN and was completed as a class assignment. The content of this blog is for informational purposes only. Before beginning or changing a treatment or lifestyle regime you should consult your primary health care provider.

Epidemiological surveillance and the Community Health Nurse

BY Frank Ejechi RN
Epidemiological surveillance is one of the methods in which the public health nurse use in collecting, recording, analyzing and dissemination of data or information on the current health status of a community. In the beginning, the public health nurse uses the epidemiological surveillance in monitoring and intervening in areas of infectious diseases. But now, the success of the methods has made it possible for the community health nurse to apply the same methods in observing and monitoring chronic diseases, premature death, injuries, environmental factors and other social factors that influence a community health needs.

Epidemiological surveillance can occur in three ways. The first is the passive surveillance which can occur when information is obtained without actively searching for the information. For example, if a school nurse is teaching a student proper hand washing, and he comes across bruises that indicates abuses. He is mandatorily required to report the case. Secondly, active surveillance occurs when a public health nurse is actively looking for information why a particular community has lots of in his students with a particular infectious disease, example, tuberculosis or a particular community is filled with childhood criminal activities. Thirdly, surveillance can occur through reporting of a particular disease by selected individual or institutions.

The benefits of epidemiological surveillance are creating a data base of a particular infectious disease, and the group of individuals that at mostly at risks. This will include identifying the causes, the extent of the spread, and plan for intervention. It also serves as a blue print if such problem should occur in another community, and it is way of reducing duplication of efforts by different agencies. Through it, the public nurse can itemize intervention based on priorities, it also helps in evaluation outcomes, and spreading information on how to prevent or intervene when there is an outbreak of diseases.

References

Encyclopedia of Public Health. (2011). Epidemiologic Surveillance. Retrieved on August 5, 2011, from http://www.enotes.com/public-health-encyclopedia/epidemiologic-surveillance

NOTE: This blog post reflects the work of a Registered Nurse with minor editing by Shirley Comer RN and was completed as a class assignment. The content of this blog is for informational purposes only. Before beginning or changing a treatment or lifestyle regime you should consult your primary health care provider.

Ensuring a Safe Food Supply

BY Rene Foster-McFarlan RN

The safety of the nations food supply may be in jeopardy if proposed budget cuts are enacted. Last week Cargill was forced to recall 36 million pounds of ground turkey from a plant in Arkansas due to a Salmonella outbreak. The recall is the third largest recall in our nations history and is already linked to one death and 55,000 reported cases of Salmonella. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is responsible for ensuring that the U.S. meat, poultry and egg supply is safe for consumers. The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is the public health agency in the USDA that takes on the task of food inspections and in spite of the recent recall will face certain budget cuts that could hamper their ability to quickly respond to outbreaks of food-borne diseases. The recent debt debate while highly politicized does not focus enough attention on the threat that our food supply could face if the proposed cuts take place. The latest recall by Cargill is a clear indication that more attention needs to be given to the role this agency plays in preventing the spread of food-borne infections. Since 1862, when President Abraham Lincoln founded the Bureau of Chemistry, the early precursor of the FSIS, the threat of contamination and the spread of disease have been reduced due to the efforts of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety Committee. The Daily Times reported the "recent Salmonella outbreak was discovered after five months of investigations by federal food inspectors". Investigating and tracking the source of food-borne illnesses is complicated and requires sometimes hundreds of inspectors, scientist, and public health officials to prevent widespread infections. Reducing the number of food inspectors could have a devastating effect on the amount of time needed to track the source of infection and will only lengthen the rate of response times. More attention is needed to this vital public health department and we must all work to ensure that when program cuts are made that they do not place the health of the nation at risk.

References:

The United States Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, About FSIS., 2011. retrieved from http://www.fsis.usda.gov/About_FSIS/Agency_History/index.asp

NOTE: This blog post reflects the work of a Registered Nurse with minor editing by Shirley Comer RN and was completed as a class assignment. The content of this blog is for informational purposes only. Before beginning or changing a treatment or lifestyle regime you should consult your primary health care provider.

The Role of the Public Health Nurse- Primary Prevention

BY Blair Gifford RN

An important aspect of public health nursing is education and prevention. There are three levels of prevention primary, secondary, and tertiary. This post focuses on primary prevention. Primary prevention aims to prevent certain diseases from occurring (Stanhope and Lancaster, 2008). This type of prevention includes educating populations who are at risk for certain illnesses on lifestyle changes they can do to prevent these diseases (Stanhope and Lancaster, 2008). Primary preventions can only occur before the person has the disease and not after they have already been diagnosed. Primary prevention can include things such as educating an African-American male about lifestyle changes he can make to reduce his risk of developing hypertension, such as eating a healthy diet low in salt and cholesterol, daily exercise, limiting stress, eliminating smoking and alcohol use. There are non-modifiable risk factors that this patient would not be able to control, however if he is aware of the modifiable risk factors and can eliminate them he may reduce his risk of hypertension. Another example of primary prevention includes immunizations, which can prevent certain diseases (Stanhope and Lancaster, 2008). The community needs to be aware of what diseases there are immunizations for and when they should receive them. Education is a very large part of primary prevention. Providing people with the tools to protect themselves make them able to reduce the risk of getting certain diseases. Taking daily supplements such as vitamin C or a multivitamin to prevent illness is another example of primary prevention. The most important emphasis a nurse can place when it comes to primary prevention is on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and taking the necessary precautions to protect yourself from illness. Public health nurses have the tools to educate the community about what they can do to decrease their risk of illness and primary prevention is the most efficient way to decrease illness and disease in the community.

Reference
Stanhope, M. & Lancaster, J. (2008). Public Health Nursing: Population-Centered Health Care in the Community. St. Louis, Missouri: Mosby Inc.

NOTE: This blog post reflects the work of a Registered Nurse with minor editing by Shirley Comer RN and was completed as a class assignment. The content of this blog is for informational purposes only. Before beginning or changing a treatment or lifestyle regime you should consult your primary health care provider.