...Juana Davidson Hypothyroidism Professor Cocimano HTH 1105- 92016 To understand hypothyroidism, you must first understand the function of the thyroid. The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly shaped organ at the base of your neck, measuring only 2-4 inches in diameter. (Sagmiller, 2) The principle role of the thyroid gland is to manufacture, store, and secrete the thyroid hormones, 1-thyroxine (T4) and triidothyroxine (T3). The thyroid is also responsible for storing much of the body’s supply of iodine, which is used to form T4 and T3. The hypothalamus detects a need for more thyroid hormone and signals the pituitary gland to make thyrotropin (TSH). The thyroid then adjusts its production of hormones based on the amount of TSH it receives. When the thyroid does not make enough hormones, hypothyroidism occurs. (Blanchard and Abrams-Brill) Simply put, hypothyroidism is the result of an underactive thyroid. Because the thyroid controls metabolism, regulates body temperature, affects body weight, muscle strength, energy level, and fertility (Sagmill, 206), an underactive thyroid can have significant effects on individuals who are diagnosed with hypothyroidism. There are an estimated 27 million people living with hypothyroidism, the majority being female. Women are nine times more likely to develop this disease, most cases occurring during the childbearing years. (Blanchard and Abrams-Brill, 1491) While not as common; men and children are still susceptible to the disease. After...
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...The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland located in the base of the throat. The thyroid is the largest of the endocrine glands; it has two lobes joined by the isthmus. It hugs the trachea on either side of the second and third ring, opposite of 5th, 6th, and 7th cervical vertebrae. Though the thyroid is small, it has an enormously important job to do, especially for teens. It manufactures the hormones that help control metabolism and growth. To produce thyroid hormones, the thyroid needs a chemical element called iodine that the body absorbs from the foods such as seafood, bread, and salt and from the water you drink. “The entire body contains about 50 milligrams of iodine. About 1/5 to 1/3 of that supply (10 to 15 milligrams) is stored in your thyroid. The thyroid combines the iodine with tyrosine to make important hormones.” Thyroid hormones travel through the bloodstream of your body’s cells. They are important to the growth and structure of bones, puberty and sexual development, and many other body functions. They are responsible for helping your cells convert oxygen and calories into the energy, which is needed to help them work properly. These hormones are important in making sure your body will mature as it should and may affect how your organs function. The two most important thyroid hormones are thyroxine (T4) and triiodothronine (T3), which account for 99.9% and 0.1% of the thyroid hormones present in your blood supply. The hormone with...
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...underlying pathophysiology of depression has been associated with alterations in nervous system involving serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, and glutamate. There is also a correlation in late-onset depression associated with changes that occur during aging such as cognitive alterations and those related to specific disease processes. The symptoms of depression can rang from mild to severe and diagnosis requires occurrences for at least two weeks. The following symptoms...
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...surgeries: History of Catheter Ablation Atrial Supraventricular Tachycardia 2012. Significant injuries: denies Health Maintenance General health screening: a. Frequency of dental exams/treatment: biannual exam & cleaning; most recent: 5/2015 b. Last eye exam: 4/2015 c. Colonoscopy and rectal exam: not performed d. Lab work: denies any lab work for the past 10 years e. Immunizations: Reports TDaP in 8/2013; received all routine childhood Immunizations. Substance use a. ETOH: denies b. Tobacco: denies c. Street drugs: denies Family History Family History of: a. HTN: mother b. Heart disease: denies c. Hypercholesterolemia: maternal grandfather d. Hypothyroidism: mother e. Cancer: denies f. Diabetes mellitus: mother g. Alcoholism: mother and father...
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...characterized both in clinical and pathophysiological manifestations throughout the body system. The most prevalent causes of hypothyroid disease include various autoimmune diseases, medication for hyperthyroid disease, and having had surgery on the thyroid. Other not so common causes of hypothyroidism include certain congenital diseases, pituitary disorder, pregnancy, or a deficiency in iodine. Hypothyroid disease may be divided into primary and secondary hypothyroidism. When there is a deficiency in the synthesis of hormones or damage to thyroid tissue, primary hypothyroidism results. Secondary hypothyroid disease, rather, occurs when there is not enough thyroid-stimulating hormone available. This insufficiency of thyroid-stimulating hormone could be a result of a defect in the anterior pituitary gland. Secondary hypothyroidism may also be caused by an insufficient amount of thyrotropin-releasing hormone, which most likely occurs due to impairment of hypothalamus functioning. Most patients tend to have a diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism. Most frequently this disease is found in women over the age of 60. Autoimmune disorders put a patient at an even higher risk for developing hypothyroidism, as does a family history of autoimmune disorders. In order to test for levels of thyroid hormone or thyroid-stimulating hormone within the body a blood test may be done. If a low level of thyroxine and an increased level of thyroid-stimulating hormone were the results of the blood...
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...atrophic vaginitis (Bachmann & Nevadunsky, 2000). In addition, labs also confirm atrophic vaginitis. This patient is in menopause and levels of estrogen would indicate not only menopause but confirm the diagnosis of atrophic vaginitis. Serum hormone concentration would show levels of circulating estrogen at less than or equal to 4.5 (Bachmann & Nevadunsky, 2000). The labs alone confirm the diagnosis of atrophic vaginitis especially given the fact the patient is confirmed to be in menopause and atrophic vaginitis. A chlamydia and gonorrhea swab was obtained and was...
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...Senior services providers are often able to relate what they have seen and heard to help the doctors in their diagnosis. This first-hand, qualitative account of your loved one's issues are often essential in moving forward quickly with a plan of action. Because chronic fatigue is measured in degrees of variance, a running record of compiled data is often necessary to determine if any treatments are working. Senior services providers are able to chart and collect this data for your loved one. There is rarely a quick fix to issues of fatigue, and several treatment options are often tried before something is found that works. In addition to helping with the diagnosis and treatment of chronic fatigue, senior services are often necessary for seniors to maintain independence and quality of life when living alone if they are suffering from this ailment. Research shows that seniors suffering from chronic fatigue were more than twice as likely to be living alone. These seniors also were more likely to have other medical issues such as incontinence, hearing problems, joint problems, and other conditions which limit self-care and positive...
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...pages doi:10.4061/2011/809341 Review Article Hypothyroidism and Thyroid Substitution: Historical Aspects J. Lindholm and P. Laurberg Department of Endocrinology, Aarhus University Hospital, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark Correspondence should be addressed to J. Lindholm, j.lindholm@ofir.dk Received 15 January 2011; Accepted 17 March 2011 Academic Editor: Marian Ludgate Copyright © 2011 J. Lindholm and P. Laurberg. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. The last part of the 19th century was a period of great achievements in medicine and endocrinology. The thyroid gland evolved from being considered a rudimentary structure to an organ related to specific diseases. The singular importance of iodine became acknowledged. Graves-Basedow’s disease was described. Surgical treatment evolved with extraordinary speed. Theodor Kocher observed that the clinical picture in patients after total thyroidectomy was similar to the one seen in cretinism. In 1850, the first case of hypothyroidism or myxedema was described. Less than 50 years later, effective treatment was introduced. Another 50 years later, autoimmune thyroiditis was ascertained as the most frequent cause of hypothyroidism (in areas with no iodine deficiency). This paper gives a short survey of the history of hypothyroidism and its treatment. 1. Introduction During...
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...UNIT 14 P4 - PLAN A CARE PATWAY FOR EACH PHYSIOLOGICAL DISORDER INCLUDING THE ROLES OF RELIVANT PRACTITIONERS Thyroid gland: A gland that makes and stores hormones that help regulate the heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and the rate at which food is converted into energy. Thyroid hormones are essential for the function of every cell in the body. They help regulate growth and the rate of chemical reactions (metabolism) in the body. Thyroid hormones also help children grow and develop. The thyroid gland is located in the lower part of the neck, below the Adam's apple, wrapped around the trachea (windpipe). It has the shape of a butterfly: two wings (lobes) attached to one another by a middle part called the isthmus. The thyroid uses iodine, a mineral found in some foods and in iodized salt, to make its hormones. The two most important thyroid hormones are thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which is produced by the pituitary gland, acts to stimulate hormone production by the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland also makes the hormone calcitonin, which is involved in calcium metabolism and stimulating bone cells to add calcium to bone. http://www.medicinenet.com/ Professions involved Many differing groups of clinicians are involved in the care of patients with thyroid diseases. Each hospital will have its own configuration of team members within the thyroid team and this may include any combination of Medical Endocrinologists...
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...Nursing Theory Plan of Care Nursing Theory Plan of Care Transforming nursing research evidence into practice and policy is essential for the provision of quality care. Research utilization is defined as “the systematic process of transferring research knowledge into practice for the purpose of understanding, validating, enhancing, or changing practice” and has a potential to influence attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of healthcare providers and recipients, alike (Matthew-Maich, Ploeg, Jack, & Dobbins, 2010). Most practical nursing disciplines create mechanisms of research utilization that, according to MacGuire (2006), can “clearly explicate the essential nature, meanings and components of nursing so that nurse clinicians can use this knowledge in a deliberate and meaningful way.” There are some difficulties with the process of transforming research findings into practice. Nurses may not know about the research finding, or they may find the changes to be disruptive and resist implementing them. They may not have the appropriate training or funding, or simply may not have the autonomy to apply the knowledge into their practice independently (MacGuire, 2006). When successfully implemented, research findings encourage nurses to make thoughtful and informed choices, to avoid automatic reactions based on old assumptions and practices, and to afford them ability to understand and critique research evidence in relation to their practice. Sometimes, a new idea could be rightfully...
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...Your physician will conduct a physical examination, ask you questions about your lifestyle and review your medical history. He or she will also order diagnostic tests to determine if your pain is being caused by gout. A blood panel will reveal if uric acid level in your blood is too high. However, not everyone with high blood uric acid levels goes on to develop gout. If your uric acid level is elevated, your doctor may order an arthrocentesis, which is a test in which fluid is taken from your affected joint for laboratory analysis to confirm the diagnosis. A urinalysis will reveal uric acid levels in the urine and evaluate your kidney function, and radiographs of the affected joint will serve to rule out other possible causes of pain and inflammation. Once a diagnosis of gout is confirmed, you and your physician can discuss some treatment...
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...Final Exam: Endocrine system case studies UNIT XI: Endocrine Function, Metabolism, and Nutrition Case Studies Case 1 B.J. is a 54-year-old attorney who for several months has been experiencing generalized headaches that have responded poorly to nonnarcotic analgesics. He is also experiencing visual disturbances including blurred vision and double vision. On questioning, B.J. reports that he has gained 20 pounds over 2 years despite no change in activity or eating patterns. About his weight gain, B.J. jokes, “I guess it’s all in my feet. I had to buy new shoes, and my shoe size went from a size 10 to a size 12.” It was determined that B.J. should have a CT scan of his head to assess for a pituitary adenoma resulting in the hypersecretion of growth hormone. Discussion Questions 1. What information from the above scenario would support this possible etiology? The headaches is a possible symptom leading to the pituitary adenoma as this could be putting intracranial pressure on the brain. With also what it appears to be edema in the limbs is another indicator of the hypersecretion. With the use of nonnarcotic analgesics indicates that it has not improved the condition. 2. What other signs or symptoms might be apparent if B.J. does indeed have a pituitary adenoma? Another sign that could indicate the pituitary adenoma is the blurred and double vision. This means that it could possibly be compression on the optic nerve that is causing the altered vision. There could...
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...The physical therapy interventions established in existing literatures consist of balance training, gait training and coordination exercises like strengthening, orthostatic vibration, and the application of Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been suggested. The objective of physical therapy for cerebellar disorders is to improve the ability to stabilize body with the purpose of standing, walking and functioning autonomously for as long as possible. Physical therapist will conduct a comprehensive evaluation that will help identify the precise areas of imbalance and incoordination problems with the intention to devise a suitable treatment plan for the patient. Some exercises targets receptors in joints that convey brain where the body parts are, a sense recognized as proprioception. Certain techniques of stretching, resistance exercises and walking on various forms of surfaces are used for this...
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...Symptom Severity and Functional Impairment CPSY 6341 – Psychological Assessment Walden University Symptom Severity and Functional Impairment The treatment of individuals with suspected psychological issues can be a very complicated process. In trying to design the best and most effective treatment plan, a clinician or psychologist must first employ the use of certain tests, which are aimed at examining and assessing the mental status and mental functional ability of a client. The purpose of this paper is to provide a comparative analysis of two tests of symptom severity and two tests of functional impairment. The tests of symptom severity are the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Structured Interview of Reported Symptoms (SIRS-2). The functional impairment tests are the Ohio Functional Assessment Battery (OFAB) and the Burns Brief Inventory of Communication and Cognition. Comparing and analyzing these tests will allow for the choosing of which test is the most appropriate for a client who have exhibited several different symptoms that indicates a possible presence of dementia, or a related cognitive deficit. The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) Folstein, Folstein, McHugh & Fanjiang (2001) describes the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) as “a brief, individually administered measure mental state, which is an assessable measure of cognitive status in adults.” The purpose of the MMSE is use to screen patients and determine if there’s an existence...
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...Genetic testing is a scientific process in which an individual’s DNA can be screened for mutations or variations that may cause certain diseases or dysfunctions. It is my opinion that standard genetic testing for disease or the predisposition to disease is purely beneficial. Having clear answers as to whether or not a person may carry a higher risk for some diseases may in fact save their life, or the lives of their current or future children. However, over the years of development of the science, more and more controversial types of testing have developed. In this paper, the science of genetic testing will be introduced by going through a brief history, the different types of genetic testing available, as well as the controversies that surround them. History Genetic testing had a very positive and productive start. The first usage of Genetic Testing occurred over half a century ago, beginning with the testing of infants for PKU, or Phenylketonuria, “an inborn error of metabolism in which an amino acid buildup in the blood causes mental retardation.” (Lewis) To test infants, a drop of blood was taken from their heel while at the hospital after birth. If a child was found positive for PKU, dietary treatment was used to prevent loss of brain function. Testing was reliable and results were accurate. The disease being tested for was easily treatable, and every child that came through was tested without a problem. (Lewis) In the 1970’s, doctors began the process of testing...
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