Archive for the ‘Infection’ Category

Posted on February 15, 2013 - by Nurse Virginia

FLU SEASON, GENETICS AND DISEASE

PART IV

Yes, it stands to reason that the healthier a person is the less susceptible to virus and bacteria they would be. Yet there is a wide difference of opinion as to what constitutes a healthy person and an even wider gulf when you discuss healthy eating. Is a person who has a family history of a specific disease really that healthy?

Take a look at Robbie; he has a family history of diabetes. On his father’s side of the family just about everyone has gotten diabetes. When a person has a genetic disposition to a disease like diabetes, the cells in the pancreas are not as strong as the normal person’s. If Robbie enjoyed extremely good health and never had an infection that challenged or depleted those cells in his pancreas, he may never be diabetic. However if he had multiple infections especially with high temperatures those fragile cells in his pancreas would be destroyed. That is what happened and soon Robbie didn’t have enough working cells in his pancreas to produce insulin, and he is now at the age of 16 an insulin dependent diabetic.

Genetics plays a part in many disease states. But the known that always seems to tip the scales is healthy eating. The benefit not only being avoiding the grief that comes with always being sick, and getting every virus that comes around.

A chronic state of inflammation exists where people continue to eat the foods that they are intolerant to. Inflamed cells are not healthy cells.

A woman I work with wanted to show me her psoriasis. As she pulled up the arm of her shirt to show me the rash, she started talking about the new drug her doctor was going to try. She could look no further than her plate for her cure, (we have spoken of the connection before) but she was very pleased and satisfied to have a new drug.

Virginia Garberding RN

Director of Education, The Wealshire, Lincolnshire, Illinois

Author: Please Get To Know Me – Aging with Dignity and Relevance

www.pleasegettoknowme.com

Posted on February 13, 2013 - by Nurse Virginia

FLU AND COLD SEASON – WHAT REALLY WORKS?

PART III

So what does work to prevent colds, coughs and influenza?  What are we doing that is so wrong? Ninety five percent of acute illnesses (colds, flu) are caused by viruses. As soon as someone feels very sick, they run to the doctor to get an antibiotic. Even though we are told over and over that antibiotics don’t work with viruses, that is what people want.  Yes, these viruses do make a person very sick, and because people feel so miserable they pressure their doctor to do something, and then walk away with an antibiotic.

Dr. Joel Fuhrman M.D. writes extensively in his chapter “Colds and Flu – What we need to know,” (From his book Super Immunity, No Shots, No Drugs, No Sick Days) about what does work, what doesn’t work and if you do get sick, how to have an illness of lesser intensity and shorter duration.

Doctor Fuhrman reviews cold and flu medication as well as home remedies. He talks about pain and fever medications, vitamins and the use of food to fight infections. Super Immunity explains how the healthy bacteria in your gastrointestinal system comprise 70% if your immune system. These micro organisms have a dramatic influence on your health and your very survival. He goes on to describe how to encourage these helping bacteria. And by supporting your natural immune system you can avoid illness.

Doctor Fuhrman states that “with superior nutrition and the resulting increased immunity, the infection would not have occurred.”

Virginia Garberding R.N.

Author: Please Get To Know Me – Aging with Dignity and Relevance

www.pleasegettoknowme.com

Posted on February 6, 2013 - by Nurse Virginia

FLU SEASON – FOLLOW THE MONEY

PART II

According to the New York Time we have been experiencing the merging of three flulike epidemics; an unusually aggressive virus, norovirus as well as a whooping cough outbreak. Many people have now had some version of the flu this season with or with out the flu vaccine. The question of who profits from all these vaccinations is a valid question to ask.

I recently read an article by a physician outlining exactly how income can be generated by selling vaccines to the public. He stated that in summer he had started including the current flu vaccine in his school kids wellness appointments as well as reaching out to his high risk patients to come in for their dose. His practice organized “influenza parties” in order to immunize large amounts of people at a time.

He then went on to break down his profits. A two thousand patient base can realistically generate about 1,000 flu shots. He stated he would realize from 10 to 25% profit on each of these shots. Added to that is his vaccination administration fee which can be between $14 to $30 a patient.

This physician states he won’t give a shot if the patient hasn’t had a well visit in the last year. So maybe 100 patients would also need their well visit creating a good ten thousand dollars. When all is said and done, he has made between $25,000 and $42,000 just through administering flu vaccine. Surprisingly, effective or not, the report is that flu vaccine has been flying off the shelves.

You add to that income, the entire current well baby and children’s vaccinations; you are probably looking at a significant part of the doctor’s annual income.

I can really admire a doctor who will go public and lay out exactly what this system of healthcare means to him financially. This really seems to be a part of the debate that the general public needs to know to be able to make good health decisions.

Virginia Garberding RN

Author: Please Get To Know Me – Aging with Dignity and Relevance

www.pleasegettoknowme.com

Posted on January 30, 2013 - by Nurse Virginia

FLU SEASON – TIME TO MAKE SENSE

(Part I)

Interesting thing about this flu season, even though the national news tell us this is the worst flu season in decades no one is using the word pandemic this time. Could that be because the CDC has over used that word over the last several years in an effort to sell more flu vaccine? With all of these investigative reporters floating around on all the networks why doesn’t someone follow the money trail from the pharmaceutical companies to the CDC. Find out who is making money and you will find out why it is so important to now inoculate every person of every age in the country.

NBC’s doctor Nancy sat at a hospital bedside last week talking to a woman recovering from the flu. When the woman said she hadn’t gotten a flu shot, Dr. Nancy said she bet the woman wouldn’t make that mistake again. How about finding someone in the hospital who had the shot and still ended up getting the flu, because for sure they were there.

So the current story is that it would be so much worse if you hadn’t had your shot. The old story was that the shot would keep you from getting the flu. They used to tout the vaccine as having the right combination of viruses represented to protect against the current flu season. Yet the statistics showed that the big pharm companies were only right 10% of the time. Now as Dr. Nancy reports they are 62% right, what does that mean? People got the shot and still got the flu, so where does the 62% come in? People who didn’t get the shot and have the flu are 100% sick and if you had the shot you are not as sick?

One thing is for sure, big pharm are rubbing their hands and licking their lips ready to roll out their old standby “pandemic” again. People won’t remember that everyone got sick during this flu season with or without the vaccine. What they will remember is how sick they were and won’t want to go through that again. So ca-ching big pharm looks like you are sitting pretty. Maybe not. Maybe those healthcare workers fired because they wouldn’t get the shot will go to court and someone will start taking a closer look.

Tomorrow – how much money if really riding on those flu shots?

Virginia Garberding RN

Author: Please Get To Know Me -Aging with Dignity and Relevance

www.pleasegettoknowme.com

Posted on December 7, 2011 - by Nurse Virginia

URINARY INFECTIONS MAY LEAD TO INCREASED CONFUSION IN THE ELDERLY

(Part II)

In the past when an elderly person experienced changes in behavior or increased confusion, the health care community collectively thought that this was normal; after all you’re getting old. How many times has a doctor said to a family member “What do you expect at his age, he’s getting old.”

Addressing the behavior or the increased confusion was the focus, not the underlying physical change in condition. Identifying that physical or pathological change will require the persistence to search for a cause and the ability to clearly communicate your findings.

Signs of a urinary tract infection:

• Going to the bathroom more frequently
• Complaining of a burning sensation on urination
• Increased temperature
• Bladder or kidney pain
• Blood or pus in the urine
• Concentrated, dark/cloudy urine
• Rambling talk, disorganized thinking
• Unstable emotions
• Increased problems with judgment or thinking

The elderly with dementia are more likely to be hospitalized for a fracture, lower respiratory infection, urinary infection or a head injury than an elder without dementia. Once admitted, the elder with dementia will usually remain in the hospital twice as long an elder without dementia. The elder with dementia will also be more likely to be re-admitted within 90 days after discharge than an elder without dementia.

Virginia Garberding R.N.

Director of Education, The Wealshire, Lincolnshire, Illinois

Author: Please Get To Know Me – Aging with Dignity and Relevance

www.pleasegettoknowme.com

Posted on December 5, 2011 - by Nurse Virginia

URINARY INFECTION MAY LEAD TO INCREASED CONFUSION IN THE ELDERLY

(PART I)

Marty was holding on to the handle of the car door threatening to “jump.” No matter what his wife Betty said, nothing seemed to be able to quiet Marty down. He had been pacing the small home they had lived in for the past 40 years, till Betty said, “Let’s go for a drive.” Thinking the car ride would be soothing for whatever was bothering Marty these last few days. He seemed to have a problem that he didn’t seem to be able to put into words. And now here he was threatening to jump from the car.

Marty had always been a very calm, dependable sort of man. Even when he started getting confused, he laughed it off never showing frustration or anger. This kind of outrageous behavior was so unlike the normal manner of this 78year old man. Not knowing what to do, Betty drove directly to their doctor’s office and luckily they took Marty right into an examination room.  Marty would not have been good at waiting, not today.

Marty was well known to the doctor and his staff and after what seemed only a short time to Betty the doctor started writing notes. Betty could just make out the doctor’s note reading it upside down. It read, Altered Mental Status, increased confusion probable cause urinary tract infection.

Urinary tract infections are the most common infections in the elderly and the most likely to lead to increased confusion. The second most likely infection to result in increased confusion is an upper respiratory infection or pneumonia. However just about any infection in an elderly individual may result in increased confusion. Many times the increase in confusion is the symptom that leads the caregiver or physician to the cause which may be infection.

Virginia Garberding R.N.

Director of Education, The Wealshire, Lincolnshire, Illinois

Author: Please Get To Know Me – Aging with Dignity and Relevance

www.pleasegettoknowme.com

Posted on March 8, 2011 - by Nurse Virginia

WHEN THE ELDER – OR ANYONE – ISN’T FEELING WELL, IS IT A COMMON COLD OR SOMETHING MORE SERIOUS?

Part II

EYE AND EAR INFECTION

Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is an inflammation of the membrane of the eye or eyelid. The symptoms cannot be due to trauma to the eye or due to allergy symptoms, in order to be Conjunctivitis. Once again the key to allergy is the fact that the secretions are clear with an allergy. Redness may result from rubbing the eye due to itching. In order to be considered Conjunctivitis you must have one of the following symptoms:

• Redness of the eye for at least 24 hours ( with or without pain or itching)
• Pus coming from the eye or both eyes for more than 24 hours.

Ear Infection

To be considered an ear infection the individual must have one of the following:

• Diagnosis by a physician of ear infection
• Pus like drainage from one or both ears with pain or redness.

GASTROENTERITIS – INFLAMMATION OF THE STOMACH AND INTESTINES

Intestinal problems may be caused by a non-infectious cause, such as medication changes or infectious causes such as contaminated foods, especially at buffets.(did you realize the dirtiest items at a buffet are the serving spoons – because everyone touches them) The symptoms are – you must have at least one of the following:

• Two or more watery or diarrhea like bowel movements within 24 hours.
• Two or more episodes of vomiting within 24 hours.

You must also be diagnosed with the following:

• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain or tenderness.
• Lab tests showing you positive for the diagnosis.

As always the best defense is good hand-washing.

 

Virginia Garberding, R.N.

Director of Education, The Wealshire. Lincolnshire, Illinois

Author: Please Get To Know Me – Aging with Dignity and Relevance

www.pleasegettoknowme.com

Posted on March 7, 2011 - by Nurse Virginia

WHEN THE ELDER – OR ANYONE – ISN’T FEELING WELL, IS IT A COMMON COLD OR SOMETHING MORE SERIOUS?

(PART I)

Many times a confused elder, much like a very small child, cannot tell the caregiver what is wrong when they are in fact ill. Knowing and identifying symptoms can go a long way toward shortening the duration of an infection.

What does the common cold look like?

You may or may not have a fever with a cold, symptoms are intense but short-lived. You must have at least two of the following symptoms:

• A runny nose or sneezing – your secretions from the nose will be yellow to green – clear/white secretions indicate an allergy.
• Nasal congestion or stuffy nose.
• Difficulty swallowing or sore throat.
• Dry non-productive cough
• Swollen or tender glands in your neck.

Flu like illness

The flu diagnosis is usually made during the “season,” the flu season from November through April is considered the “season.” Flu always has a temperature over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and three of the following:

• Dry Cough
• Chills
• Sore throat
• Headache or pain around the eyes
• unpleasant feelings or discomfort
• loss of appetite
• muscle aches

Bronchitis looks like this –

Bronchitis is an infection of the lower respiratory tract and diagnosis will be made without a chest x-ray. You need to have at least 3 of the following symptoms:

• cough
• shortness of breath and breathing faster
• fever over 100F
• painful breathing
• physician can hear rales in lungs
• increase in lung secretions

 

 

Virginia Garberding, R.N.

Director of Education, The Wealshire, Lincolnshire, Illinois

Author: Please Get To Know Me – Aging with Dignity and Relevance

www.pleasegettoknowme.com

Posted on November 2, 2010 - by Nurse Virginia

ELDERLY AT INCREASED RISK FOR INFECTION REALLY DEPEND ON THEIR CAREGIVER

The elderly, when they become weak and frail are so dependent on others to keep them safe and healthy. The best friend an elderly person can have is a very alert caregiver. An infection that takes over the elder’s system can be life threatening in the extreme.

6 – Reasons the elderly are more susceptible to infection:

• Their immune system has aged and is not as effective
• The skin is the first line of defense against infection and the aging skin is thinner
• The elderly are usually less hydrated – especially their skin
• Many elderly retain urine – increasing the likelihood of urinary track infection
• The elderly have decreased ability to cough up secretions
• The use of medications that can suppress the elder’s ability to fight infection

The elderly don’t always show signs of infection the way a young healthy person might, with an increase in temperature and increased white cell.

8 – Changes in condition in the elderly that may indicate an infection:

• Increase in confusion
• Becoming incontinent of urine
• No longer being able to do a task they normally do with no problem
• Having problems walking
• Falling
• Breathing faster
• A change in their appetite
• Worsening of a medical condition they already have

As is always the case – prevention is so much more important when working with the elderly. Washing hands and avoiding highly congested areas where the chance of acquiring an infection is higher are the caregiver’s greatest opportunity for defense.

Virginia Garberding R.N.

Director of Education, The Wealshire, Lincolnshire, Illinois

Author: Please Get To Know Me – Aging with Dignity and Relevance

www.pleasegettoknowme.com

Posted on August 24, 2010 - by Nurse Virginia

TAKE CARE OF SKIN PROBLEMS FOR THE ELDER THE WAY THE NURSING HOME DOES

Taking care of skin problems the way the nursing home does means being proactive, and documenting all abnormal skin areas. When the elder has a bruise or abrasion, write down where it is, what size it is and how it looks. Something like – dark purple bruise the size of a quarter above the right elbow.

This kind of tracking protects the family or caregiver from false accusations of poor care. This also protects the family if the elder has to go to the hospital or a nursing home. When there is a controversy over skin problems acquired during transport or in a nursing facility your record keeping will prove invaluable.

Nursing facilities do a skin assessment every time the elder has a shower or bath.  Every skin tear, wound, bruise or abrasion is documented at that time. If the elder has a bruise that is healing, writing – the bruise above the right elbow is now the size of a nickel and light brown shows, that it is in fact the same bruise healing.

Prevent Infections by being Pro-Active

When the elder has their toe nails cut – immediately applying a small amount of a Triple-Antibiotic Ointment to the area can prevent an infection. Always having some form of Antibiotic Ointment on hand, whether it is a Polysporin product or a natural product can prevent infection.

The natural product I like is Tea Tree Oil, which is an antiseptic product that can be used in the same way as the ointment but is applied with a cotton swab, since it is in an oil form. Any time there is a reddened area in the skin there is potential for a nasty infection. Something as simple as a reddened belly button area, (navel to some) because it is covered and could be moist and warm is the perfect scenario for an infection gone wild. Applying a small amount of an ointment or antiseptic oil at the first sign of redness could clear it up the same day.

Virginia Garberding, R.N.

Director of Education, The Wealshire, Lincolnshire, Illinois

Author: Please Get To Know Me – Aging with Dignity and Relevance

www.pleasegetoknowme.com