Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (CPOD) is a disease of the lungs that makes it extremely difficult for the patient to breathe. One of the leading causes of this disease is tobacco smoke. This can be from first hand smoke where the patient himself is a smoker, or it can be caused by second hand tobacco smoke. Of the 98 patients in this subpopulation, 39 patients (40%) were also diagnosed with COPD. It is extremely important for the congestive heart failure patient to be a non-smoker and live in a smoke-free environment. Along with ways to manage the existing conditions that the patient has, the case manager must make it a priority to include information to help the patient quit smoking. If the patient is a victim of second hand smoke, simple actions such as air purifiers as well as removing himself from the presence of the smoker can go a long way towards preventing COPD. This is a disease that can be reversed and if the patient follows the guidelines of the case manager, it is possible to greatly reduce or even eliminate the risk of heart disease.
Regarding diabetes, of the 98 congestive heart failure patients 37 are diabetic. This is 38%, which is a fairly high percentage. Diabetes is a very serious disease where the body cannot produce or use insulin. This is serious because the effects of this disease can be deadly, but many people are unaware that they are diabetic. If there are symptoms, they may include numbness in the hands and feet, blurred vision, fatigue and others that can cause serious complications. This disease can be hereditary, but steps can be taken to reduce the chances of getting diabetes, or at the very least manage the disease. The case manager should encourage the patient to monitor his blood sugar levels several times a day and take the appropriate steps necessary to keep it under control.
The gastrointestinal (GI) is another area that can be affected by congestive heart failure. Twenty-four of the 98 patients (24%) have been diagnosed...
Gastrointestinal issues can affect the upper and lower digestive track and the main causes are lack of exercise and stress. Some of the common symptoms include constipation and diarrhea. While this may not seem as serious as some of the other illnesses mentioned it should be monitored closely by the case manager. Gastrointestinal problems are relatively easy to treat, but they can lead to serious problems if left untreated. It is important that the case manager come up with a diet which includes plenty of fiber found in fruits and vegetables to keep the digestive track of the patient working efficiently.
Hypertension is called the silent killer because oftentimes people do not know that they have it. They may mistake the slight dizzy spells they get from time to time as over exertion or stress. Judging from the number of congestive heart failure patients who also have hypertension, the two illnesses almost seem as if they go hand in hand. Out of the 98 patients diagnosed with congestive heart failure, 74 of them (74%) also have hypertension. Although all of the illnesses mentioned here are serious, hypertension is the one that the case manager should be most concerned with since such a high percentage of the congestive heart failure patients have blood pressure readings above the normal range. Exercise, diet and lifestyle changes go a long way in the care and prevention of patients with hypertension. Once the blood pressure is brought down to within the normal range, less stress is placed on the heart. Once the blood pressure becomes stabilized, all of the other health concerns can be addressed.
Bibliography
Blinderman, Craig D., Homel, Peter, Billings, J. Andrew, Portenoy, Russell K., and Sharon L. Tennestedt. (2008). Symptom distress and quality of life in patients with advanced congestive heart failure. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 35(6), 594-603.
Hamner, Jenny B. And Kathy Jo Ellison. (2005). Predictors…
