Long Term Condition: Lucy's Case

The Department Of Health (2009) describes long-term conditions as chronic illnesses that can limit lifestyles. In

“A long term condition is defined as a condition that cannot, at present be; but can be controlled by medication and other therapies” (Department of Health)

The aim of this essay is to define a long term condition (LTC) and explain why this is important for nurses. Common symptoms may accompany many LTC’s and how these are treated, along with the impact on patient and carer will be considered. The patient chosen for this case study shall be referred to as John to

4. Shega, J. W., Dale, W., Andrew, M., Paice, J., Rockwood, K., & Weiner, D. K. (2012). Persistent Pain and Frailty: A Case for Homeostenosis. Journal Of The American Geriatrics Society, 60(1), 113-117. doi:10.1111/j.1532-5415.2011.03769.x

Pain is not inevitable and can be treated. To live a life hampered by pain when treatment is available, is to cheat one out of the full quality of life that is possible.

The paragraphs below describe the predominant clinical practice gaps in current management of chronic pain. As NPs increase their knowledge and competence in these areas, it is anticipated that changes in clinical practice will

Long-term conditions (LTC) are defined as “any ongoing, long-term or recurring condition that can have a significant impact on people’s lives” (National Health Committee NHC, 2007, p. 116). Two out of three adults within NZ have or have had a LTC, resulting in the most prominent cause for hospital admissions, premature deaths and an increase in health expenditure (Auckland District Health Board, 2013). This assignment will cover Olivia’s (pseudo name) experience of living with a LTC and how this has impacted her life. A reflection on learning about LTC will be included as well as a discussion on the implications I may encounter in my future practice when caring for a LTC patient will conclude the assignment.

It is a challenge to manage pain in older adults. The course of action, effect and

Chronic pain describes pain that persists over long periods of time. It handicaps the normal lifestyle and quality of one’s life (http://www.asri.edu/neuro/brochure/pain1.htm).

Also pain may start with a disease or injury that persists due to stress emotional problems, improper treatment, or persistent abdominal pain signals in the body. It is possible for chronic pain to occur any previous injury illness or known cause. Therefore, patients suffering with chronic pain significantly benefit from a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to treatment. Often you achieve optimal care several different health professionals may be involved in patient care alternative care to the traditional medical phonological could include but is not limited to traditional chiropractic care nutritional diet yoga exercise acupuncture meditation support groups soft tissue therapies and network chiropractic. Often, they cannot be cured, that it can be managed well enough through these alternative disciplines of care to improve the quality of life.

According to American Geriatric Society (2002), chronic pain often associates with older adult. In United States, most of the older adults are suffering from pain in the absence of disease which is clearly not a normal part of aging (Bell et al. 2004). The common chronic pain in older adult is fibromyalgia, gout, neuropathy such as diabetic neuropathy, osteoarthritis and many more (Hiemenz and White 2002). It is estimated that 30% to 50% of older adult has multiple disease and its interaction with body physiologic changes may results in decreased in ability to respond stressors. Chronic pain among older adult has been associated with negative perception that it will lead to impaired in psychological functioning (American Geriatric Society 2002).

breakthrough pain (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services[CMS]: Long-Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument 3.0 User’s Manual, 2016, p.

The International Association for the Study of Pain defines pain as “an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage” (1979). Pain is actually the culprit behind warranting a visit to a physician office for many people (Besson, 1999). Notoriously unpleasant, pain could also pose a threat as both a psychological and economic burden (Phillips, 2006). Sometimes pain does happen without any damage of tissue or any likely diseased state. The reasons for such pain are poorly understood and the term used to describe such type of pain is “psychogenic pain”. Also, the loss of productivity and daily activity due to pain is also significant. Pain engulfs a trillion dollars of GDP for lost work time and disability payments (Melnikova, 2010). Untreated pain not only impacts a person suffering from pain but also impacts their whole family. A person’s quality of life is negatively impacted by pain and it diminishes their ability to concentrate, work, exercise, socialize, perform daily routines, and sleep. All of these negative impacts ultimately lead to much more severe behavioral effects such as depression, aggression, mood alterations, isolation, and loss of self-esteem, which pose a great threat to human society.

Chronic pain is defined as a pain that doesn’t go away for a long time. The pain can last for weeks, more than 3 months, years, and might make someone feel hopeless. Chronic pain does not relief with regular pain medication. It is important to address chronic pain because is physically and psychologically stressful. Its persistent discomfort can lead to irritation and frustration with the person’s self and with other people. Pain affects not only mental health but interfere also with someone’s sleep pattern.

Pain is a basic mechanism in life that helps the body identify that something is wrong or dangerous. Without pain, the body would be severely damaged without realizing it. Pain can become an inconvenience when it spirals out of control; chronic pain, for example, leaves many miserable and unable to enjoy life to its fullest extent even with traditional medical intervention. Around 80% of people report chronic pain in their lifetime (Holtzman & Beggs, 2013). People afflicted by chronic back pain turn to modern medicine for relief, but even these alternatives are not always 100% effective.