A Case study of A Patient Suffering With A Long Term Health Problem

The care and management of patients suffering with a long term condition is an integral part of the nurse’s role. With approximately 15 million people in the UK suffering from at least one chronic illness (DoH, 2012), it becomes apparent why the Department of Health (DoH) and the National Health Service (NHS) have had to put in to place advice and guidelines in order that the appropriate measures are taken to ensure that these patients are cared for in the most productive way. This essay is going to discuss the issues that are associated with long term conditions and chronic illness. The focus of this discussion is going to be a case study on a patient who is currently …show more content…
When the cells contained in the substantia nigra die, the dopamine levels subside therefore leaving any messages that are usually relayed to other motor centres using dopamine unable to get through. This action is the primary cause of the motor symptoms related to Parkinson’s (Dawson et al, 2005). There are two pathological hallmarks that are found in Parkinson’s disease. These are the loss of dopaminergic neurons within the substantia nigra and the presence of Lewy bodies (Swinn, 2005). The Lewy bodies are specific to Parkinson’s disease when they are distributed however they can also be found in other neurological diseases such as motor neuron disease and supranuclear palsy (Gibb and Lees, 1988). Although the exact purpose of the Lewy body is yet unknown it has been suggested that perhaps it may assist with the elimination of the damaged proteins from cells (Swinn, 2005).
For Mrs P, the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease have greatly affected her ability to mobilise safely resulting in a number of falls occurring in her own home. Postural instability is deemed a cardinal feature of Parkinson’s disease and causes unsteadiness when walking and standing (Roberts and Overstall, 2008). The ability to mobilise is something that for most people is a natural daily occurrence. Horak and King (2009) describe mobility as ‘the ability of a person to move safely in a variety of