WEL203A - Types of Chronic Diseases | Essay

Running head: TYPES OF CHRONIC DISEASES 1
Types of Chronic Diseases
Student’s Name
University Affiliation

TYPES OF CHRONIC DISEASES 2
Overview
This essay demonstrates an understanding of health promotion strategies and education
techniques that address the need for patients with chronic diseases. It focuses on the case study
of Mr. George Polaris, a 62-year old Italian man who was presented to the hospital with
breathlessness, fever and productive cough. After being treated for the chest infection on his first
admission to the hospital, Mr. Polaris underwent a series of respiratory tests and was eventually
diagnosed with ‘chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)’. He had a history of stomach
disease, ‘Gastro esophageal reflux’ (GERD) after which he was prescribed Esomeprazole
Magnesium to neutralize or control the acid produced in the stomach. After being discharged
from the hospital, Mr. Polaris condition was followed up by a registered nurse where his current
vital signs read normal except the blood pressure which read at 135/88mmHg. Following his
shortness of breath and severe cough, George confessed to the nurse of being a heavy smoker
since his teenage hood.
The Actual Health Concerns for the Patient
Two health concerns manifest in the case of Mr. George; COPD and GERD. The ‘chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease,’ a common name for a group of lung diseases (asthma, chronic
bronchitis and emphysema) is one of the health concerns that manifest in the patient. The disease
is caused by inhalation or long term exposure to noxious substances like tobacco smoke and is
characterized by persistent cough, shortness of breath, fever, and a build-up of phlegm in the
lungs (Barr et al., 2009). Although the symptoms of the disease don’t show up in early stages of

TYPES OF CHRONIC DISEASES 3
life, smoking or working in dusty areas can be some of the key contributing factors to the
disease. Shortness of breath is caused by narrowing of the bronchial tubes (air passages).
Luckily, medications such as Spiriva and Ventolin can help open up the tubes of a patient
hence making breathing easier (Rascon-Aguilar et al., 2011). On the other hand, “GERD is a
chronic disease that occurs when the stomach acid or food content flows back into the food
pipe.” According to Jennings et al., (2015) the reflux irritates lining of the food pipe hence cause
the Gastro esophageal reflux disease. Although there are different treatments for the condition,
antacid medications like Esomeprazole magnesium can be used to limit or neutralize the stomach
acid (Jennings et al., 2015). Statistically, extra esophageal manifestation linked with the reflux
disease occurs in almost 76% of patients with severe hoarseness, 48% of patients with non-
cardiac chest pain, as well as 81% of asthmatic patients. Unfortunately, over 47% of patient with
the disease do not have endoscopic evidence of the illness.
Knowing the Right Medication for Treatment and Management of COPD
To control or manage lung diseases, your physicist might prescribe different medications.
Since chronic obstructive airways disease cannot be reversed or cured, complying with a
prescribed medication helps protect against exacerbations and reduce symptoms such as
breathlessness, fever and chest pain (Kempainen et al., 2007). Although patients are prescribed
different medications according to their health, it is important for them to understand what the
drugs are and how they work, how to take them, possible side effects of the medication and
length of time the effects will last as Kempainen et al., (2007) postulates. If unsure about the
information provided in the medications, it is important to seek help from a respiratory nurse or
pharmacists for a better understanding. This is because patients need to be confident as well as

TYPES OF CHRONIC DISEASES 4
informed about the medication they use. Since medications cause side effects to different
people, it’s vital to note that a small percentage of patients using those medicines may contract
the side effects (Raupach et al., 2008). As it is evident that COPD medications target the
respiratory system, majority of the medications are inhaled using inhalers such that it is delivered
straight to the system. According to Raupach et al., (2008) proper technique is crucial in delivery
of the medication effectively.
However, to ensure that one is receiving complete benefits of the medication, the inhaler
needs to be often checked by a physicist or the respiratory nurse. When the severity of the
disease or symptoms persists, a doctor can prescribe additional drugs (Divo et al., 2012). The
severity of the symptoms in the case for COPD can include shortness of breath, fever and cough.
Ideally, the rate of exacerbations and infections increases with severity of the disease. The type
of medications that can be prescribed include reliever medications (to relieve increased
symptoms of shortness of breath), maintenance medication (to control the symptoms and help
protect against flare ups for a long term period), preventive medication (Usually used when the
COPD becomes severe and experience flare ups) and lastly is the exacerbation medications for
short-term usage for the COPD symptoms (Barr et al., 2009). When diagnosed with COAD, a
doctor can prescribe reliever medications first and when the severity increases, the doctor can
prescribe other medications for maintenance. For example, a patient may find himself on three
distinct medications each with an inhaler. Since this is normal, it’s good to understand the role of
each medication and take them as prescribed.
This topic can be of great significance to Mr. Polaris in understanding the type of
medication prescribed by his doctor. As seen above, Mr. Polaris was prescribed three
medications which are supposed to be taken concurrently. They include Ventolin, Spiriva and