Tachycardia is the rapid pumping of the heart at a rate of more than 100 beats per minute. It is a typical response to exercise or stress. However, if the cause is unknown or left untreated, it may result in severe health conditions such as stroke, heart failure, or cardiac arrest. Types, Causes and Symptoms … Read more
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder manifested by repeated unwanted thoughts (obsessions) that lead to repetitive behaviors (compulsions). These thoughts and behaviors interfere with the patient’s daily activities and role performance. The cause of OCD is largely unknown. However, these risk factors may increase the development of OCD: OCD usually begins during the … Read more
Kidney stones or renal calculi are hard deposits formed from minerals and salts in the kidneys that cause pain and complications as they move through the urinary tract. The different types of kidney stones include calcium stones from calcium oxalate, struvite stones that form due to urinary tract infection, uric acid stones that form when … Read more
End-stage renal disease (ESRD) or kidney failure happens when the kidneys fail to filter toxic waste and fluid that builds up in the body. Kidney damage develops over months or years due to various causes. These conditions include: As ESRD progresses, the patient may present with the following signs and symptoms: Chronic kidney disease is … Read more
End-of-life care is provided when vital organs and body systems shut down irreversibly and death becomes imminent. It starts when a patient is diagnosed with a terminal condition that requires symptom management and emotional support. Depending on the prognosis, end-of-life care may only last a few days or months to several years. Near-death signs and … Read more
Peripheral neuropathy refers to disorders involving the peripheral nerve cells. These cells work like communication networks between the central nervous system and the rest of the body by sending signals that help control movement and sensation. Diabetes mellitus, chronic alcoholism, autoimmune diseases, nutritional deficiencies, infections, chemotherapy drugs, malignancy, hypothyroidism, and trauma, are possible causes of … Read more
A diabetic foot ulcer is one of the most common complications diagnosed in patients with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. Anyone with diabetes mellitus can develop a foot ulcer resulting from poor glycemic control, peripheral vascular disease, underlying neuropathy, and poor foot care. The development of a diabetic foot ulcer begins with a callus from neuropathy. The … Read more
Hearing loss is a common medical condition affecting people of all ages with numerous causes. There are three types of hearing loss: Clinical manifestations of hearing loss include the following: Hearing loss is diagnosed through a physical examination, general hearing screening test, tuning fork tests, and audiometer tests. Nursing Process Nursing care for patients with … Read more
Paraplegia is a pattern of paralysis that affects the legs due to an injury or damage to the brain and spinal cord. The level and severity of the injury can be further classified into the following types of paraplegia: Complete paraplegia: This type of injury causes total loss of function of the legs with symptoms … Read more
Bradycardia is an abnormally slow heart rhythm. A normal heart rate is between 60 to 100 beats per minute. With bradycardia, the rate is less than 60 beats per minute. Bradycardia results from an abnormality in the sinus node, the heart’s natural pacemaker. A disruption in the sinus node can cause slow or missed beats. … Read more