Instructed patient on how the severe and persistent pain caused by osteoarthritis may be treated with prescription painkillers. Corticosteriod medications can be injected into a painful joint to relieve discomfort, but this procedure carries the risk of damaging the joint cartilage if performed too frequently.
Instructed patient on how resting often, sleeping on a firm mattress, staying warm and applying heat to the affected joint can help ease symptoms. Adequate nutrition, including vitamin supplements is often advised.
Instructed patient on how an internal or permanent pacemaker is implanted in the chest wall to control the heartbeat for years.
Instructed patient about dehydration. Common symptoms are: dry mouth, poor skin tugor, dry, flushed skin, decreased urine output, sunken eyes and weak, rapid pulse.
Instructed patient about how a stroke can result from the damage that ongoing high blood pressure causes in the body vessels. If the affected vessel stops supplying blood to the brain, as a result a stroke occurs.
Instructed patient on how when blood presses against a vessel wall with too much force, muscles in the wall lose their stretch. This causes the wall to thicken, which narrows the vessel passage and reduces blood flow.
Instructed patient about the damage that high blood pressure can cause to the vessels walls. Fat and cholesterol collect in the damage spots forming a plaque. Blood cells stick to the plaque, forming a mass called a clot. A clot can block blood flow in the vessel.
Instructed patient on how sometimes blood flows with enough force to weaken a vessel wall. If the vessel is small or damaged, the wall can break. When this happens blood leaks into nearby tissue and kills cells. Other cells may die because blood cannot reach them.
Instructed patient on how during a stroke blood supply to the brain is cut off. Prompt medical help ensures a likely recovery with better chances of survival. Think of a stroke as a brain attack. Don't wait. Get help right away.
Instructed patient about symptoms of stroke: weakness or numbness on one side of the face or body, including a leg or an arm. Sudden trouble seeing with one or both eyes. Double vision. Trouble talking, such as slurred speech. Problems understanding or using words. Severe headache. Dizziness or loss of balance. Any of these symptoms can come and go without warning.
