Medical/Surgical

Effective COPD management plan includes four components: (1) assess and monitor disease; (2) reduce risk factors; (3) manage stable COPD; (4) manage exacerbations. The objectives of effective COPD management are to: Prevent disease progression Relieve symptoms Increase exercise tolerance Improving the health status Prevent and treat complications Preventing and treating exacerbations Reduce mortality These objectives should be achieved with minimal side effects from treatment, a…

The nursing role in COPD — and essentially in all chronic diseases — is becoming increasingly important and is characterised by continuity of care. Nurses are involved in the management of COPD at all stages, from prevention to provision of end-of-life care within a variety of settings, both in the community (including patients' own homes and family practice) and hospitals. Nurses often play a key role in new care models based on different types of telemedicine support.5,6 Nurse-led consultations and disease management…

Madelung's Disease (multiple symmetrical lipomatosis) is a rare lipid metabolic disorder characterised by often large, diffuse, unencapsulated adipose tissue (lipomas) typically in the maxillofacial region, neck, shoulders, limbs and trunk. The disease is most common in middle-aged men and although a difinitive cause has not been established, alcohol abuse appears to be a significant factor​1​ occuring in more than 90% of cases​2​. The disease is also known as Launois-Bensaude syndrome, multiple symmetrical lipomatosis, or…

A peptic ulcer is a legion in the mucosa lining of the stomach or small intestine, allowing gastric juices to come into contact with, and damage underlying tissues. Untreated or severe peptic ulcers may lead to perforation of the stomach and spilling of gastric juices into the abdominal cavity. Peptic Ulcers are prevalent in approximately 4% of the population1, with an estimated 10% of the population experiencing a peptic ulcer at some point in their life. In 2015 alone, over 87 million new cases were reported, resulting in…

Malaria is a relatively common condition caused by parasitic infection by the Plasmodium protozoans, generally acquired from the bite of a mosquito. The disease is widespread throughout the tropical and subtropical regions, including much of Latin America and Asia, however, the vast majority of reported cases - approximately 90% - occur in Sub-Saharan Africa. The disease remains very prevalent in these regions with 216 million cases of malaria reported globally in 20161, resulting in an estimated 731,000…