Year: 2021

Stress and constipation

 

Most of our bodily functions are controlled by the autonomic nervous system, a network of nerves that connect the brain to major organs. The autonomic nervous system contains the sympathetic nervous system, which prepares your body for fight-or-flight response and high-anxiety situations.

The parasympathetic nervous system helps calm your body down after experiencing fight-or-flight. The parasympathetic nervous system also prepares your body for digestion by communicating with the enteric nervous system located in the gastrointestinal tract.

Stress factor

When you eat, the neurons that line your digestive tract signal your intestines to contract and digest your food. When you’re under stress, this digestive process can slow down to a crawl. If the stress you have is severe or long-term, symptoms such as stomach pain and constipation can become chronic.

Stress can also cause inflammation to occur in your gastrointestinal tract, increasing constipation and worsening existing inflammatory conditions you may have.

The message here is to stress less!

A progressive disease

The discovery that you or a loved one has Alzheimer’s disease can be an emotional experience. Whether you’re a family member or someone with the condition, this progressive disease will slowly impact your daily life. The first step to managing it is to learn more about Alzheimer’s, from how it progresses to treatment options. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, a general term for a decline in mental abilities. With Alzheimer’s disease, someone will experience a decline their abilities to:

• remember
• think
• judge
• speak, or find words
• problem solve
• express themselves
• move

In the early stages, Alzheimer’s disease can interfere with day-to-day tasks. In the later stages, someone with Alzheimer’s will depend on others to complete basic tasks. There are a total of seven stages associated with this condition.

There’s no cure for Alzheimer’s, but treatment and interventions can help slow the progression. By knowing what to expect from each stage, you can be better prepared for what is to come.

The typical progression of Alzheimer’s disease is:

• Stage 1. There are no symptoms at this stage but there might be an early diagnosis based on family history.
• Stage 2. The earliest symptoms appear, such as forgetfulness.
• Stage 3. Mild physical and mental impairments appear, such as reduced memory and concentration. These may only be noticeable by someone very close to the person.
• Stage 4. Alzheimer’s is often diagnosed at this stage, but it’s still considered mild. Memory loss and the inability to perform everyday tasks is evident.
• Stage 5. Moderate to severe symptoms require help from loved ones or caregivers.
• Stage 6. At this stage, a person with Alzheimer’s may need help with basic tasks, such as eating and putting on clothes.
• Stage 7. This is the most severe and final stage of Alzheimer’s. There may be a loss of speech and facial expressions

Not Sleep enough?

You are not alone as nearly 35% of Australian adults don’t get enough sleep. This is an important public health concern because getting a good night’s rest is essential for physical and mental wellbeing.

There are many factors that can interfere with our ability to fall and stay asleep, but stress is a big contributor.  When stress is moderate and short term, it can be beneficial, as it motivates us to work harder, focus mores, and improves your performance.  However, when stress is ongoing it can have the opposite effect and lead to lasting health problems.

Typically, when we experience a stressor, cortisol and other stress hormones are released into the body, this creates a burst of energy that prepares the body to fight or flight from a dangerous situation. Once the stressor has passed, theses hormones subside, and the body begins to relax again.

The body’s response to a stressor is a basic survival mechanism, and it is completely normal to have trouble falling asleep during periods of stress. However, many of the stressors we face today, such as COVID 19 and the ‘fear of the unknown’ can trigger this same fight-or-flight response, and overtime this can keep you on high alert and interfere with your sleep quality.

The literature tells us that after a night of poor sleep, people report higher ratings of tension, stress and anxiety, but there are several behaviours backed by sleep science that can help you break free from the stress-sleep cycle.

1. Exercise regularly: Engage in some morning or early afternoon exercise. Physical activity increases the brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters  and reduces the body’s stress hormones, which can help you feel less stressed and fall asleep more easily.
2. Eliminate nicotine: Eliminate nicotine four hours before bedtime. Nicotine stimulates the body and can make it harder to fall and stay asleep.
3. Reduce alcohol intake: Be mindful of your alcohol intake. Alcohol may help you fall asleep, but it can also impair your body’s ability to breathe while sleeping.
4. Limit screen use: Stay away from screens and other sources of bright light two hours before bedtime. Bright light decreases the brain’s sleep-wake hormone, which can make it harder for you to fall and stay asleep.
5. Cool off: Take a cool bath or shower before bedtime. Make sure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool.
6. Practice mindfulness: Practice mindfulness meditation for 10 to 30 minutes before bedtime. Mindfulness meditation can help you become more aware of sleep-interfering thoughts, feelings, and sensations.
7. Don’t force sleep: Try to let go of the need to fall asleep. The more you try to force it, the more it won’t happen. If you lie awake in bed for more than 30 minutes, get out of bed and do something relaxing.

POLYPHARMACY

Polypharmacy is the concurrent use of multiple medications to treat one condition or multiple concurrent conditions. It includes the use of all prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, and complementary medicines.

Polypharmacy use is significantly higher in people with disability. This is partly because people with a disability are more likely to have multiple health conditions, such as epilepsy, diabetes, stroke, heart problems, high blood pressure, and arthritis compared to the general population.

When is polypharmacy more likely?

High rates of polypharmacy are associated with participants who:

• live in a residential setting
• receive prescriptions from multiple prescribers
• have moderate to severe intellectual or developmental disability
• have a poorer overall health status
• have co-occurring psychiatric, neurological or developmental disorders
• have multiple neurological or psychiatric diagnoses

 

What are the risks associated with polypharmacy?

Large-scale studies have shown that polypharmacy increases the risk of drug-related adverse effects. It is a leading reason for medication-related hospitalisations, can decrease the benefit of individual medications, and is associated with poor health outcomes.

The use of multiple antipsychotics can increase the risk of:

• movement disorders
• hormone disorders
• sexual dysfunction
• obesity
• diabetes
• stroke and heart attack
• memory issues
• falls

Importance of polypharmacy review

Despite the risks associated with polypharmacy, it may be the most appropriate treatment, particularly for people with multiple conditions.

To ensure participants are receiving the correct medications, a review of all medications by a medical practitioner and pharmacist allows each drug to be assessed in terms of need, current and recommended dosages, benefit versus risk of potential adverse effects or other side effects, and possible interactions between medications.

Regular medication reviews can prevent or minimise polypharmacy-related adverse effects and related hospitalisations, by helping participants, support workers, carers and caregivers to better understand how to use the medications correctly, and how to manage potential adverse effects.

People with disability are among those most at risk of polypharmacy due to comorbid health conditions and the common use of several medicines of the same class (e.g. antipsychotics). A medical practitioner should conduct a medication review every 3–6 months, or when requested by the participant, their carer or other health or disability professionals.

 

 

STAYING GROUNDED IN TODAYS TIMES….

While we all wish we could help stop the spread of the disease and comfort everyone we see, there is only so much within our control. Here are some steps we can take right now to help take care of yourself and those around you.

1. Practice gratitude.
   It’s easy to succumb to statements such as, “What is the world coming to?” or “It’s someone’s fault- this could have been avoided,” or “I’ve lost faith in humanity,” and more. Instead, make a point to observe and even write down one good thing that happened today. Did someone go out of their way to be kind to you? Did your supervisor thank you for stepping up to the plate in this time of crisis? Take note of it all.
2. Appreciate life’s simple pleasures.
   The best things in life are free. With the warmer weather on the way, and some sunny days ahead of us, getting outside is a healthy choice. Take time to appreciate the solitude around you. Notice the tulips that are beginning to emerge. Soak in the warmth of the sun beating down your back.
3. Take a break.
   Turn off the noise—turn off the news—and don’t feel guilty about it. While we want to stay informed, there is also lots of misinformation out there. Social media can cause unnecessary—and avoidable—anxiety. If your life starts to feel like a record on replay, give yourself permission to switch gears and focus on something completely different.
4. Connect with others.
   This is the true test of using the Internet and social media mindfully. It’s more than possible to practice social distancing and still maintain relationships with friends and family. I keep in touch daily with my family in Italy thanks to WhatsApp, for example.
5. Be the change you want to see in the world.
   Gandhi had a point. While we can and should exercise an overabundance of caution, take the time to remind yourself that you have the privilege of setting a positive example. What do we want to teach our children? Appreciation and generosity, or paranoia and greed? Of course, there is a line, but please be mindful.

   Now is the time to harness the power of stories—pull out the children’s books—especially the ones that convey an important message. Some of my personal favorites are The Giving Treeby Shel Silverstein and I Will Love You Forever by Caroline Church. (Note: tissues are a must.)

6. Prioritize your mental and emotional health.
   You may feel all kinds of emotions—you may be struggling significantly. That’s okay. Many mental health professionals around the world are working with their clients to arrange for virtual appointments. If you’re currently seeing a counselor, take advantage of that opportunity. If you’re looking for support, there is help out there.*

   Staying grounded and staying in the present moment with deep breathing and exercise routines can also help ground you. If you’re interested in meditation, there are many free or low-cost resources available for download..

7. Stay active.
   When fitness centers everywhere are closed, don’t give up on your exercise routine… create a new one! YouTube is a great source for free workout videos. All you need is some comfortable clothing and maybe a yoga mat. A brisk walk or jog outside is always a good idea, but remember to follow social distancing guidelines.
8. Make the best of it and have fun.
   If you’re staying at home, get creative. Board games, puzzles and scrapbooking never go out of style. Let out your feelings in a poem if writing is your outlet. Unleash your inner chef and see what recipes you can come up with using canned beans and dried goods. Music is a mood booster, so pump some tunes and dance. The possibilities are endless.
9. Lend an ear and be kind.
   We’re all going through this together. Try to take comfort in the fact that you’re not alone and use that comfort to be there for someone else. Ask how their day was or if there’s anything they need or wish to talk about. If you have friends on the “frontlines,” such as healthcare workers, reporters or public officials, thank them. A little bit of gratitude can go a long way.

The Primary Health Care Approach

The World Health Organization (WHO) adopted the primary health care approach as the basis for effective delivery of health services. The primary health care approach is both a philosophy of health care and an approach to providing health services, and embraces five types of care: promotive; preventive; curative; rehabilitative; and supportive.  The principles of primary health care are accessibility, public participation, health promotion, appropriate technology and intersectoral cooperation.

Accessibility means that the five types of health care are universally available to all clients regardless of geographical location.

Public participation means clients are encouraged to participate in making decisions about their own health, in identifying the health needs of their community, and in considering the merits of alternative approaches to addressing those needs.

Health promotion involves health education, nutrition, sanitation, maternal and child health care, immunization, prevention and control of disease. The goal of health promotion is to reduce the demands for curative and rehabilitative care.

Appropriate technology means that modes of care are appropriately adapted to the community’s social, economic and cultural development.  Adoption of the principle of appropriate technology highlights the importance of improved knowledge and of on-going capacity building to the design and delivery of health care services.

Intersectoral cooperation recognizes that health and well-being is linked to both economic and social policy Intersectoral cooperation is needed to establish national and local health goals, healthy public policy, and the planning and evaluation of health services.

The goal of nursing practice is to improve the health of clients, and in working to that goal, nurses must apply the five principles of the primary health care approach.   In delivering each type of care, under the primary health care approach, the focus is on prevention and promotion of health.