Chronic Medical Conditions in Health Sciences and Medicine - Assignment Example

Health sciences and medicine Question Briefly discuss at least three key reasons why chronic medical conditions have a significant effect on health care service provision in the pre-hospital setting. Pre- hospital setting refers to the place where some medical attention or first aid may be administered to the patient before being taken to hospital. Such settings also require some facilities and trained human capital that will help in saving life before the patient is taken for further medical attention in the main hospital. It is therefore important to discuss this in respect to the chronic medical conditions. Such medical conditions have significance in the mode of service provision in the pre hospital settings (Dolan & Holt, 2008, 20). It is important to underline that the patients undergoing such medical conditions requires emergency medical services which serves to keep them until they are taken to a fully-fledged medical facility. One of the key factors is emergency medical service response time. Research shows that there has been high morbidity and mortality arising from delayed pre-hospital EMS support like airlifting the patient to the hospital. This need to be taken into consideration since most of the chronic diseases victims always needs immediate assistance. Another key factor is medical provided in the scene in which the patient may in some cases be in need of resuscitation to survive until arrival to the hospital (Blobel, Pharow & Sousa, 2012, 57). This where care need to be taken to offer relevant first aid. There is also the need by the provider to reduce anxiety on the side of the patient to enhance her chances of survival during emergency circumstances. Question 2 Identify two comorbidities (e.g. diabetes & cardiovascular disease) and discuss: 1) How they interact and 2) How they affect the care provision for that person. The contemporary society has a number of comorbidities which are currently under investigative research using the data provided by the government authorities. It is important to note that such medical conditions interact in a given way and significantly affect the provision of care to the given patient. An example of this class of medical conditions which will be taken into consideration is diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. When one talks of cardiovascular disease, the concept in this case is about any heart related medical condition in which any of the hearts functions are affected ranging from its muscles to transport vessels (Johnstone & Veves,2005,240). It is important to note that most of the cardiovascular infections are caused by accumulation of some compounds like excess fats, cholesterol and other materials in the inner walls of the arteries thereby significantly incapacitating their transport functions. Diabetes on the other hand is a blood sugar regulation condition which needs to be given equal attention since it is chronic and is one of the causes of death in many countries across the world. There is a relationship that exists between these two medical conditions. The sugar in the blood is regulated from the liver through the hormone insulin. It is therefore the role of the heart to ensure effective transport of this blood to the various metabolic organs like the liver for regulation of sugar. In the event of cardiovascular condition, it means there is likely to be an insufficient circulation of this blood to such important organs and this means a built up of sugar in the blood resulting into diabetes (Marso, 2003, 193). It is therefore clear that there is a causal relationship between cardiovascular disease and diabetes which constitutes the world’s dreaded comorbidities. People who are under such chronic health conditions require special attention ranging from the home nursing care to the hospital medical treatment. One of the concepts that are important to highlight in respect of these infections is diet. It has been established that those suffering from cardiovascular diseases need to reconsider their level of cholesterol consumption. This need to be achieved through reduced uptake of fats and oils in the diet. In the case of diabetes which may result from cardiovascular problem, the diet should be trimmed down to non-sugar by the patients. Such medical conditions require intensive social support to the victims so that they can have hope as bout a better future. It is important to note that social support to the patients significantly boosts their level of recovery and adherence to regular taking of the prescribed drugs. Question 3 Discuss the systemic factors and the pulmonary factors that contribute to impaired functional capacity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (CORP) is ranked among the first four most prevalent health conditions in the world currently these is due to the increasing rate of smoking and exposure to such harmful respiratory conditions in the ever changing demography. Australia in this case is one of the countries that experience this high prevalence of (CORP). This infection results from obstruction of the airflow in the lung leading to strained breathing with several respiratory consequences that are fatal if not taken seriously. In other words it affects the lung’s functional and structural domain. The systematic factors that are responsible for this condition includes; Emphysema which is an alveolar wall destruction accompanied by irreversible enlargement of the air spaces which are distal to the terminal bronchioles without any fibrosis evidence (Bourbeau, Nault & Borycki,2002,247). This significantly affects the elasticity of the lung which is important for the contraction and relaxation of the heart during gaseous exchange. This enlargement in most cases only grows worse and has extensive health risks to the victim by significantly straining gaseous exchange. Another systematic factor is the chronic bronchitis which entails inflammation and scaring of the lining of the bronchiole tubes. This leads to less flow of air into and out of the lung accompanied by heavy mucus cough. One of the pulmonary factors responsible for the dysfunctional effect of COPD is cardiovascular disturbances. This is associated with smoking which contributes to the inflammation of the lung with a direct effect to atherogenesis.This is also related to pulmonary hypertension which is an equally lethal complication of Chronic obstructive pulmonary through its independent worsening of its prognosis. Under this concept, it important to highlight the chronic hypoxia factor which is always responsible for vasoconstriction of the pulmonary. There is the endothelial dysfunction as a pulmonary problem, destruction of pulmonary capillary bed and pulmonary arteries remodeling. These significantly distort the structure and functions of pulmonary with respiratory health related consequences. The dysfunctional and failure of the right ventricle has also been realized to occur easily and facilitate mortality and morbidity (Siafakas, 2006, 227). In the event that the cardiac function is impaired, this will be translated into ineffective action of the pulmonary system and this is reflected in reduced mixed venous oxygenation. Question 4 Briefly define iatrogenic disease. consider three risk factors associated with iatrogenic disease, the consequences of those rick factors, And their prevention in the older person. Iatrogenic disease is a medical condition that results from a patients attempt to seek medical attention from a medical professional. This may be a doctor, physician or even a nurse. A medical professional- caused condition may arise from various circumstances that may include a wrong prescription of medicine or performance of surgery improperly (Pathy, 2006, 718). Such diseases are associated with a number of risks to the patient with the doctor’s liability limited to legal compensation. In this context a lot of consideration is given to the far reaching health risks it poses to the patient. Iatrogenic diseases have significant psychomotor effects and social consequences to the victim and the society. One of the risks associated with such diseases is multiple chronic diseases. Taking an example of a case where an operation has been executed improperly, the patient is likely to develop other chronic infections that will be opportunistic to the medical loopholes. The same applies to any other case like wrong prescription and this poses more danger to the patient. Another risk is possibility of seeking the medical attention of multiple physicians with varied remedial measures and great economic cost. This is discouraging and socially retrogressive to the recovery progress of the patient. Another possible risk is frequent hospitalization to remedy the experienced problem. Such risk factors enhance chances of worse health conditions and heavy economic burden on the patient and the family members. There is also the extreme possibility of death if several opportunistic chronic infections sets in and are not identified immediately. The elderly persons who happen to be the most vulnerable to such iatrogenic diseases need well planned interventionary measures. One of the approaches for this case is use of geriatric interdisciplinary team in the elderly health clinics units (Armour & Cairns, 2001, 127). This entails intensive diagnosis of the elderly on various health related conditions they are exposed to and then treated appropriately. This is done by setting asides special the elderly wings in the hospitals with special facilities. Regular pharmacist consultation in case of any abnormal observation on their health is equally important. This is likely to avert additional burden from any other opportunistic disease. Last but not least is acute home-based care to be provided by government and non-government managed elderly units. References Armour, D., & Cairns, C. (2001). Medicines in the elderly. London, Pharmaceutical Press. Blobel, B., Pharow, P., & Sousa, F. (2012). pHealth 2012: proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Wearable Micro and Nano Technologies for Personalized Health, June 26-28, 2012, Porto, Portugal. Amsterdam, IOS Press. Bourbeau, J., Nault, D., & Borycki, E. (2002). Comprehensive management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Hamilton, Ont, BC Decker. Dolan, B., & Holt, L. (2008). Accident & emergency: theory into practice. Edinburgh, Baillière Tindall Elsevier. Johnstone, M. T., & Veves, A. (2005). Diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Totowa, NJ, Humana Press. Marso. (2003). Diebetes & cardiovascular disease : integrating science. Lippincott. Pathy, M. S. J. (2006). Principles and Practice of Geriatric Medicine. Chichester, John Wiley & Sons. http://public.eblib.com/EBLPublic/PublicView.do?ptiID=244883userid=^u.718 Siafakas, N. (2006). Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Sheffield, European Respiratory Society Journals. http://public.eblib.com/EBLPublic/PublicView.do?ptiID=463208.227 Read More