edema
Diseases Process
Patient instructed in congestive heart failure occurs when your heart is not able to pump enough blood to meet the needs of the rest of your body. If you have CHF, blood and extra fluid may back up into your lungs, making it difficult for you to breathe, swelling in your ankles and legs (called edema) may occur, you may experience excess fatigue with exercise.
Instructed that medication Spironolactone is used to treat high blood pressure. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. It is also used to treat swelling (edema) caused by certain conditions (e.g., congestive heart failure) by removing excess fluid and improving symptoms such as breathing problems. Instructed that common side effects include, Drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, stomach upset, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or headache.
SN instructed patient and caregiver about Lymphedema disease, also known as lymphatic obstruction. Is a condition of localized fluid retention and tissue swelling caused by a compromised lymphatic system, which normally returns interstitial fluid to the thoracic duct and then the bloodstream. The condition can be inherited or can be caused by a birth defect, though it is frequently caused by cancer treatments, and by parasitic infections. Though incurable and progressive, a number of treatments can ameliorate symptoms. Tissues with lymphedema are at high risk of infection. Symptoms may include a feeling of heaviness or fullness, edema and ( occasionally ) aching pain in the affected area. In advanced lymphedema, there may be the presence of skin changes such as discoloration, verrucous ( wart-like ) hyperplasia, hyperkeratosis, and papillomatosis; and eventually deformity ( elephantiasis ). Patient verbalized understanding the teaching.
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 explain that Heart failure is a condition in which the heart can not pump the amount of blood the body needs. Heart failure does not mean that the heart has stopped or is about to stop working. It indicates that the heart can not pump blood the way it should. It can affect one or both sides of the heart the weakening of the pumping capacity of the heart causes: Accumulation of blood and fluid in the lungs Accumulation of fluid in the feet, ankles and legs called edema Tiredness and shortness of breath The most common causes of heart failure are coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. It is most common in people over 65, African - Americans, overweight people, and people who have already had a heart attack. Men are at greater risk than women.
SN explained that the symptoms / signs of congestive heart failure ( CHF ) may include: Shortness of breath ( also called dyspnea ) most commonly during activity, at rest, or while sleeping, which may come on suddenly and wake you up. You often have difficulty breathing while lying flat and may need to prop up the upper body and head on two pillows. You often complain of waking up tired or feeling anxious and restless. Blood backs up in the pulmonary veins ( the vessels that return blood from the lungs to the heart ) because the heart can't keep up with the supply. This causes fluid to leak into the lungs. Persistent coughing or wheezing, coughing that produces white or pink blood - tinged mucus. Fluid builds up in the lungs. Buildup of excess fluid in body tissues ( edema ) swelling in the feet, ankles, legs or abdomen or weight gain. You may find that your shoes feel tight.