including damage eyes retinopathy which can lead blindness damage nerves neuropathy
Diseases Process
Patient was instructed on hypertension. Untreated hypertension candamage blood vessels, and after a blood vessel is damaged, fat and calcium can easily build up along the artery wall, forming a plaque and the blood flow through the blood vessel will be reduced.
SN instructed patient / caregiver that the stroke occurs when a clot or a torn blood vessel in the brain stops blood from reaching a part of the brain. Damage to that part of the brain from lack of blood and oxygen can cause various signs and symptoms of stroke, such as facial drooping, numbness and paralysis. Although anyone can have a stroke, your risk increases if you're male, over age 65, or have one of these conditions: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, or diabetes. Being overweight, smoking, abusing drugs or alcohol, and taking birth control pills increase risk, too. African - Americans, people who are Hispanic or Asian, and those with a close relative who's had a stroke are also at higher risk.
Instructed patient about how when suffering from osteoarthritis the weight-bearing larger joints, including those of the hips, knees, neck and lower spine are the most commonly affected. The small finger joints can be involved too.
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 about how when suffering from osteoarthritis the weight-bearing larger joints, including those of the hips, knees, neck and lower spine are the most commonly affected. The small finger joints and hands can be involved too.
Patient was instructed on hypertension. Lifestyle changes can help to prevent high blood pressure. These changes are especially important in people who have risk factors for high blood pressure that cannot be changes, including family history, race, or age.
SN instructed that check the access for signs of infection or problems with blood flow before each hemodialysis treatment, even if the patient is inserting the needles. Keeping the access clean at all times. Using the access site only for dialysis. Being careful not to bump or cut the access. Checking the thrill in the access every day. The thrill is the rhythmic vibration a person can feel over the vascular access. Watching for and reporting signs of infection, including redness, tenderness, or pus. Not letting anyone put a blood pressure cuff on the access arm. Not wearing jewelry or tight clothes over the access site. Not sleeping with the access arm under the head or body. Not lifting heavy objects or putting pressure on the access arm.
Patient was instructed on hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia may result from a variety of causes that include: illnesses and other health conditions. Hypoglycemia may occur when other diseases and disorders affect the body's sugar metabolism. These can include disorders of the pancreas and endocrine system; diseases of the liver, adrenal glands (such as Addison's disease), or kidneys; heart failure, whichcan impair liver function; and sepsis. In very rare cases, nonpancreatic tumors cause hypoglycemia.
SN instructed patient about how the thyroid hormone helps regulate metabolism. When this hormone is abnormally low the energy production decreases, disrupting many vital functions. This can include skin issues such as: Coldness in the fingers and feet with pale and dry coarse skin, eczema, a yellowish hue to the skin, sparse and brittle hair, which comes out in handfuls, loss of hair in the outer third of eyebrows, slow growing, ridged and brittle nails, edema in face, eyelids, hands and feet, and delayed wound healing. Some of these things can be avoided if you are taking your replacement medication daily as ordered and are getting regular blood work to assure the medication is at the correct dose.
SN educated patient/caregiver about CKD. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) means your kidneys are damaged and can’t filter blood the way they should. The main risk factors for developing kidney disease are diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and a family history of kidney failure. You can take steps to protect your kidneys. The most important step you can take to treat kidney disease is to control your blood pressure. Healthy habits can also help you manage your kidney disease.