low sodium
Patient was instructed on some potential complications of hypertension, such as: retinal damage , cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or stroke and kidney failure. Also the patient was instructed on some measures aimed to managing/controlling hypertension, such as: exercise regularly and have regular check-ups, achieve and/or maintain ideal weight, and decrease sodium intake to decrease retention of fluid and the workload of the heart as directed by MD. Patient understood instructions given.
Fludrocortisone is a corticosteroid. It works by causing the kidneys to retain sodium and acting as a replacement for cortisone when the body does not produce enough.Carry an ID card at all times that says you take fludrocortisone. Tell your doctor or dentist that you take fludrocortisone before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.Fludrocortisone may cause an increase in blood pressure, salt and water retention, and calcium and potassium loss. Talk with your doctor to see if you need to decrease the amount of salt in your diet or take a calcium or vitamin D supplement. Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:Difficulty sleeping; dizziness or lightheadedness; headache; increased appetite; increased sweating; indigestion; nervousness
Patient was instructed to drink adequate amounts of fluids to prevent dehydration. Sports drinks and fruit juices are helpful too, but they don't provide the ideal balance of water, sugar, and salt. However, drinking more fluid than your body can process can reduce the amount of sodium (salt) in your blood.
Instructed patient what lifestyle choices can help me feel my best: Stay active. If you are not active, your symptoms are
likely to worsen quickly. Walking, and other types of physical activity help maintain your strength and improve your
mood. Physical activity also helps you manage your weight. Eat heart-healthy foods and limit sodium (salt An easy way to
do this is to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and fewer canned and processed foods.
SN instructed patient about some things that he can do to help control your blood pressure , including: Eat a heart-healthy diet, including potassium ( bananas ) and fiber ( cereals,beans ) , drink plenty of water, exercise regularly : walking for a few minutes every day , limit the amount of sodium ( salt ) you eat ( avoid canned foods ), reduce stress by trying to avoid things that cause you stress.
SN instructed that Torsemide is a loop diuretic. It works by making the kidney eliminate larger amounts of electrolytes ( especially sodium and potassium salts ) and water than normal ( diuretic effect ). It is used to treat edema ( swelling ) associated with heart, kidney, or liver failure, or with conditions in which there is excess body water. It is also used alone or with other medicines to treat high blood pressure. Torsemide may increase the amount of urine or cause you to urinate more often when you first start taking it. To keep this from disturbing your sleep, try to take your dose before 6 pm. If you also take cholestyramine, do not take it within 4 hours before or after taking torsemide. may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects. Torsemide may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Weight should be monitored while taking this medication.
SN instructed patient / caregiver on the home treatment to treating edema, or swelling due to excess fluid in the legs and ankles. Treatment may include elevating the feet above heart level, wearing compression stockings and exercising the legs. Reducing sodium in the diet, losing weight and avoiding tight clothing can also reduce swelling.
Patient was instructed to drink adequate amounts of fluids to prevent dehydration. Sports drinks and fruit juices are helpful too, but they don't provide the ideal balance of water, sugar, and salt. However, drinking more fluid than your body can process can reduce the amount of sodium (salt) in your blood. In the elderly, your body's fluid reserve becomes smaller, your ability to conserve water is reduced and your thirst sense becomes less acute. Symptoms are: extreme thirst, less frequent urination, dark-colored urine, fatigue, dizziness, confusion, patient verbalized understanding.
SN instructed patient about the heart is a muscle that pumps oxygen-rich blood to all parts of the body. When you have heart failure, the heart is not able to pump as well as it should. Blood and fluid may back up into the lungs (congestive heart failure), and some parts of the body don’t get enough oxygen-rich blood to work normally. These problems lead to the symptoms of heart failure. Follow a heart healthy diet. And make sure to limit the salt (sodium) in your diet. Salt causes your body to hold water. This makes your heart work harder as there is more fluid for the heart to pump.
Instructed patient caregiver avoid dehydration, you should try to drink 8 to 10 eight-ounce glasses of fluid a day. If you have diarrhea, you may need more. Drinks such as Gatorade®, PowerAde, or Pedialyte contain potassium and sodium. But any liquid containing water (soda, milk, juice, tea, etc.) helps to meet your daily need for fluid.