Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
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Introduction
One of the targeted medical diagnoses for the recent changes concerning making hospitals to pay when a patient comes back within thirty days of treatment of same illness is the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This is a kind of disease associated with shortness of breathing and wheezing sound. It requires careful medication so as to ensure that the patient gets relief and also to ensure that there is smooth transition of the patient from acute care setting to home. These efforts require collaboration f different entities. This paper analyses the efforts made by the interdisciplinary entities in ensuring fast relieve of patient as well as smooth transition from acute care setting to home.
Medication adherence
In the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; there are two commonly used classes of medication. These are bronchodilators and corticosteroids. These two classes of medication are widely used despite the availability of other classes of medication. The reason for the common usage of these two classes of medication is because of their effectiveness in managing the effects of the disease. For instance, these two classes of medication are known to be very effective in opening the airway. COPD is associated with blocked airway which causes difficulties in breathing. Opening of the airway and providing smooth breathing relaxes the patient. Zarogoulidis, Porpodis, Kioumis et al (2014) clarify that; this effect associated with bronchodilators and corticosteroids make them to be commonly used. Bronchodilators in particular are mainly associated with mitigating problems in breathing. They are most commonly used in patients whose symptoms of COPD come and go. They are most helpful in enhancing breathing. Corticosteroids are commonly used to prevent flare-ups. This is because the corticosteroids class of medicine is very effective in managing the flare-ups. This class of medicine is very effective even to patients who also have asthma.
Zarogoulidis, Porpodis, Kioumis et al (2014) note that; despite their effectiveness, these classes of medication have some side effects. These classes of medicine have been associated with preventing the symptoms and not relieving them. This is more so especially with the corticosteroids. Side effects of these classes of medicine include; thrush. This is yeast infection in the mouth. This kind of side effect may come with hoarseness. This side effect can be managed by rinsing mouth after taking the medication. Cazzola, Beeh, Price & Roche (2015) disclose that; Bronchodilators are associated with fatigue and tremors. These side effects are common with high dosages of the medication. With lower dosage there are little or no side effects. Some of the side effects may be reported while others may not. For instance, tremor may be reported. This follows the fear of patients that the tremor may increase or associating the tremors with other complications. Thrush may not be reported. This may emanate from the failure of patient to acknowledge that the hoarse feeling and yeast infection is as a result of side effects of the drugs. They may therefore not report it until it is at late.
Romem, Tom, Beauchene et al (2015) suggest that; in order to have successful management of COPD, it is crucial that medication is accompanied by guiding instructions. This view emanates from realization that; many complications could arise from failure to give/follow the necessary instructions. It is crucial that the patients are advised to eat well during the period of medication. Eating well entails taking balanced diet coupled with a lot of water. Taking much water in between meals help to eradicate the chemical concentrates of the medicine. Other instructions include avoiding smoking. Smoking is associated with making COPD disease worse. This is because; the smoking affects the bronchioles which facilitate breathing. The patients are therefore advised not to engage in smoking so as o enhance quick recovery. The tablets given should also be swallowed in whole and not o be chewed. In the event of shortness of breathing, the medication should be used quickly to relieve the breathlessness.
There are efforts from different entities in ensuring that the COPD patients adhere to the medical instructions. Apart from the RN, the pharmacist can also help the patient to make the adherence. The pharmacists help in ensuring that patients receive the right kind of medicine. When it comes to patient adherence to medicine, the pharmacists can also be of great help. Since the patient is not much used to the pharmacist like they are to the RN and the family members, they are more likely to heed to their advice. When giving the prescribed medicine, the pharmacist is supposed to give clear instructions on the usage of the medicine. They should also make efforts to ensure that the patient understand the consequences of not adhering to the instructions. Hinkle & Cheever (2013) assert that; when the pharmacist instructions are echoed by the nurse as well as the patient family, they are bound to stick and the patient is more likely to adhere to them. The pharmacist should make it clear to the RN and the patient family, the instructions to be adhered to so that they speak the same thing to the patient.
Dietary modifications
Romem, Tom, Beauchene et al (2015) maintain that; in managing COPD, it is crucial that dietary matters are observed. The patients ought to be made aware of the crucial role of diet in managing the disease. Although diet may not heal the ailment, observing it goes a long way in ensuring relief and comfort as well as smooth management of the disease. In order to have successful management of COPD is crucial to observe some changes in the diet of a patient. The diet needs to be made balanced at all times. It should include low fat proteins such as lean meat and poultry as well as oily fish. This kind of nutrition helps to prevent overweight which is a risk factor in COPD. When one has been diagnosed with COPD, it is crucial that they observe their weight. Low fat proteins help in keeping the weight down while still providing the requir...