The Impact of Chronic Illness on Patients

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Analysis of Questionnaire Results
Individual and Family Coping
Coping, Treatment, and Support Aspects of the Illness
How the Information Will Direct Care Plan Development
Conclusion
References

Introduction

N. J., an African American male, is a friend of the family who is obese and works as a supervisor at a restaurant. He was picked as the person who should fill out the questionnaire because of his weight problem. He rated his health status as average, scoring it 6 out of 10. He also indicated the presence of chronic and hereditary disease obesity. It indicates the presence and acceptance of the problem and that it should be considered in the diagnosis and treatment process. If N. J. has indicated the presence of this disease in the questionnaire, he may experience discomfort, weakness, or feelings that can negatively affect normal functioning and accept his diagnosis in relation to standard definitions of health or illness.

Analysis of Questionnaire Results

By analyzing N.J.’s family’s responses to the questionnaire on their experiences with obesity, we can draw some judgments about how well they have adjusted to the circumstance. N. J., for one, seems to have acknowledged that his health is not optimal, as seen by his rating of 6 out of 10. According to Rovesti et al. (2018), the state of mental, bodily, and social well-being is referred to as health. This concept is in line with the World Health Organization’s definition of health, which states that a state of well-being ensures individuals obtain high health standards and enables them to deal with the day-to-day pressures of life. On the other hand, discomfort, weakness, or feelings that have the potential to impact a person’s regular functioning negatively are regarded to be symptoms of sickness. Another coping mechanism he claims to use is alcohol. Also, given his current weight, N.J. does not seem to value going to the doctor regularly. Since he has been sleeping less than seven hours per night, it is clear he has sleeping issues. The Mayo Clinic (2020) reports that a rise in hunger and a desire for high-calorie foods might result from hormonal changes brought on by sleep deprivation or excess. N.J. also seems to have acclimated to eating fruits and vegetables, which he now describes as his favorite foods.

Individual and Family Coping

The state of N.J has not adjusted to its newfound obesity status, based on these findings and the accepted medical and diagnostic criteria. The American Psychiatric Association (2019) reports that living with a chronic ailment can be a devastating blow that elicits many emotions. Although it may be difficult at first, it is possible to master the skills necessary to handle these emotions. Anxiety is prevalent, and it can trigger the kind of alterations in behavior that lead to problems with drinking, drugs, and overeating (Christiansen, 2020). N. J.’s drinking problem may be an attempt to deal with his feelings of helplessness and other emotional issues. N.J., in this scenario, must address the emotional component of overeating to ensure he can deal with and face the condition and take steps to enhance his health. The questionnaire response shows there is little evidence of support from family and peers either. N.J. needs to have a strong network of loved ones and professionals behind him as he works to rehabilitate, so he should prioritize building these relationships.

Coping, Treatment, and Support Aspects of the Illness

Coping Skills

Stigma is a major issue in the United States and around the world when it comes to coping. This is because people who are obese are at a disadvantage in many areas of their lives, including education, relationships, and job. In this scenario, stigma is connected with psychological stress and avoidance of obesity-management interventions. Coping with obesity and social stigma requires a positive self-image and self-concept. This might lead to positive self-talk, response, and self-acceptance. In this situation, N.J. must alter his self-perception and cope with negative feelings. This could be accomplished by expressing their anxious feelings, interacting with others, consulting with a professional to develop a coping plan, and focusing on the goals of overcoming obesity. The first step toward coping is accepting the diagnosis. This can assist N.J in managing many parts of his life over which he has control, such as selecting healthy habits.

Treatment

Multiple options for treating obesity care are available. All of the options, though, have the same overarching goal of helping people reach and keep a healthy weight. Drugs like Qsymia and Contrave, which help people lose weight by suppressing their appetite, are one example. In cases where diet pills and exercise do not seem to be cutting it, endoscopic and surgical procedures can help you eat less and absorb fewer calories. The alternative treatment is a change in lifestyle, which is similarly effective for weight control. That can be accomplished by eating well and exercising regularly. According to Fruh (2017), the goal of healthy eating plans is to limit daily caloric intake to the suggested maximum of 1800 for men and 1500 for women. Diet and exercise go hand in hand because of the benefits one provides. In this scenario, about 150 minutes per week of physical activity is suggested.

Support

Maintaining a healthy weight is far more likely when people have somebody they can turn to for help. As such, patients with obesity greatly benefit from professional help, peer/group support, and family support. In addition, cutting-edge tech can be crucial in cementing desired behavioral modifications. In this regard, Weight Watchers is an example of a program offering online weight control resources (Ou et al., 2017). N.J. and other patients struggling with obesity can benefit from joining support groups like these, which can be found in the neighborhood, at the hospital, or school.

How the Information Will Direct Care Plan Development

Since obesity is a chronic condition affecting the chosen group of illnesses, the data will be useful in shaping treatment strategies that help patients achieve and sustain a healthy weight and conquer obesity. For instance, education about obesity will be implemented to begin constructing the care plan. The group members will benefit from this since they will be able to learn and comprehend the factors that led to the onset of the condition and how they can be remedied. To achieve long-term success, it is also important to establish reasonable targets for weight loss. Regular exercise plays a significant role in facilitating transformation, as evidenced by the data presented. A physical activity program, including at least 150 minutes of exercise each week, will be incorporated into the care plan.

Furthermore, a healthy diet plan will emphasize low-calorie items like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and restrict fat and added sweets. Members of the group will also be taught to recognize and avoid situations that set them up for binge eating. For instance, patients will be asked to keep a food and activity journal that details the number of calories consumed, the types of foods eaten, the patient’s mood, and other relevant data that can be used to devise self-control over eating habits.

Due to N.J.’s alcoholism, the group’s care plan will focus on helping members reduce their drinking. This is because studies have shown that excessive alcohol use promotes weight gain, and these results have been found despite conflicting evidence (Ahn et al., 2020). Success in this situation requires a measured approach. Alternatively, we will work on a psychotherapeutic method for altering problematic behaviors. In this situation, the approach to control obesity will involve visits to a therapist.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the completion of the questionnaire that was given to N.J. was an essential step in the process of formulating an acceptable treatment strategy. In this scenario, regular exercise and a nutritious diet will be essential components of the care plan. In addition, the help of medical professionals, peer support groups, and family members will be necessary to ensure the success of the obesity illness support group.

References

Ahn, J. C., Choi, D. H., Allen, A. M., Simonetto, D. A., Kamath, P. S., & Shah, V. H. (2020). A cohort study examining the interaction of alcohol consumption and obesity in hepatic steatosis and mortality. In Mayo Clinic Proceedings (Vol. 95, No. 12, pp. 2612-2620). Elsevier.

APA. (2019). Coping with a diagnosis of chronic illness.American Psychological Association. Web.

Christiansen, S. (2020). Coping with Obesity.Very Well, Health. Web.

Fruh S. M. (2017). Obesity: Risk factors, complications, and strategies for sustainable long-term weight management.Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 29(S1), S3–S14. Web.

Ou, H., Cai, S., Liu, Y., Xia, M., & Peng, J. (2017). A noninvasive diagnostic model to assess nonalcoholic hepatic steatosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Therapeutic advances in gastroenterology, 10(2), 207-217.

Mayo Clinic. (2020). Obesity. Mayo Clinic. Web.

Rovesti, M., Fioranelli, M., Petrelli, P., Satolli, F., Roccia, M. G., Gianfaldoni, S., Tchernev, G., Wollina, U., Lotti, J., Feliciani, C., & Lotti, T. (2018). Health and Illness in History, Science, and Society. Open access Macedonian Journal of medical sciences, 6(1), 163–165. Web.

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