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Teaching Sheets One
Abdominal Swelling
Anger Management
Constipation
Recipe Fruit Paste for Constipation
Coughing
Depression
Diarrhea
Dietary Supplements
Definition: Accumulation of fluid in the abdomen making it look swollen. The medical term is called Ascites.
Problems – Ascites may cause:
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty walking (off balance)
- Trouble sleeping
- Tumors causing blockage of drainage
- Blood vessels may be damaged by disease and may not be able to handle the amount of blood flowing through them
- The heart may not be pumping properly
- The fluid then may seep into the abdomen from the blood or lymphatic vessels
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Restrict your salt intake
- Reduce sodium and MSG in your foods (read the labels)
- Medications ordered by your physician may be helpful
- Wear loose fitting clothes
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Anger Management
Anger is a powerful human emotion that is normal and quite common. It results from more basic feelings, such as hurt, frustration, disappointment, and even grief. When our own hopes and expectations aren't being met, we can experience anger.When you or your loved one is ill, anger is a normal response and can occur in many different situations. Learning to manage your anger helps to lessen the stress you feel and helps you to transfer your energy into more positive directions.
Suggestions for managing anger:
- Admit or acknowledge that you feel angry
- Decide what is making you angry write down your thoughts
- Find healthy, constructive ways to express your anger; such as physical activities, talking to someone, rest or relaxation exercises
Do
- Explore the cause, looking at the situation or behavior, rather than the person involved
- Calm yourself (try taking deep breaths)
- Be assertive and direct
- Keep a balanced view of yourself
- Remember not to take your anger too seriously; it will pass
- Seek help whenever necessary from your social worker, your spiritual care counselor, or a good friend
Do Not
- Avoid getting personal and verbally attacking others
- Feel guilty or blame yourself
- Avoid your own feelings
- Fight, harass or physically threaten others
- Make accusations that you will regret later
- Remain silent, to begin feeling better, it helps to discuss how you are feeling with someone.
Constipation
Definition: Constipation is defined as small, infrequent or difficult bowel movements. Because normal can vary in frequency from twice a day to once every other day, constipation must be determined in relation to the patient's normal elimination pattern.Problems – Constipation may cause:
- Headaches
- Anorexia (lack of appetite)
- Abdominal discomfort and pain
- Irritability
- Fecal Impactions (hard stool which is difficult to pass and may have to be removed manually)
- Low fiber diet
- Poor appetite
- Inadequate fluid intake
- Infrequent physical exercise
- Decreased urge to defecate
- Narcotics and other drugs
- Increase fiber in diet
- Increase fluid intake
- Bed-bound patients should be repositioned frequently and should be helped to perform active or passive exercises
- The nurse will establish a bowel program depending on the individual's needs
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A Recipe to Help Relieve Constipation
Ingredients
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1 pound prunes 1 pound pitted raisins 1 pound figs 4 ounces senna tea 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup lemon juice |
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- Measure 2 cups of tea and place in large pot
- Add fruit to tea in pot
- Boil broth fruit and tea for 6 minutes
- Remove from heat
- Add sugar and lemon juice
- Allow to cool
- Blend fruit mixture to a past using a food processor or mixer
- Freeze in a plastic container. Mixture will keep indefinitely in the freezer.
The amount may be increased or decreased until satisfactory bowel function is achieved.
Coughing
Definition: Coughing is a normal response to protect you from harm by removing something foreign from your respiratory tract.Problems – Coughing may cause:
- Poor appetite
- Sore throat
- Lack of sleep
- Muscle pain, rib fracture
- Vomiting
- Allergies
- URI Infections
- Thrush
- Diseases
- Medications as prescribed by your physician
- Increase in fluids (unless you are told not to by your nurse)
- Steam inhaler or room humidifier
- Change in position
- Ice chips with honey
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Depression
Definition: Depression is a feeling of sadness, despair, or discouragement that can last for weeks or months and interferes with a person's ability to manage their lives.Problems – Depression can cause:
- Fatigue
- Lack of sleep
- Isolation from family and friends
- Increase in pain
- Inability to concentrate
- Loss of hope
- Disease process
- Feelings of abandonment
- Lose of control over one's life
- Medications
- Chemical changes in the body
- Relaxation
- Distraction – get involved in a pleasant activity with family or friends
- Music and a calm atmosphere
- Guided imagery/visualization
- Medications prescribed by your physician
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Diarrhea
Definition: Diarrhea is the passage of loose or watery stools three or more times a day.Problems – Diarrhea can cause:
- Abdominal Cramps
- Dehydration
- Irritation to the anal area due to acidic, digestive enzymes found in stool
- Weakness
- Interference in normal activities of daily living
- Tumor growth
- Anxiety
- Infection
- Diet and food supplements
- Medications (side effects)
- Eat small meals and eliminate spicey foods, citrus juices, and foods that produce gas such as: beans, cabbage, broccoli, raw vegetables, raw fruits and carbonated drinks
- Avoid caffeine and milk products (if they make the problem worse)
- Drink clear liquids between meals such as Gatorade, tea, apple juice, grape juice cranberry juice, broths, and ginger ale
- Medications prescribed by your physician
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Here are a few Dietary Supplements that you can make at home:
- Strawberry Flip – use ¼ cup strawberry drink mix, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, ? cup of cold water. Stir briskly and add 2 scoops of lemon sherbet.
- Pudding Shake – use 1 box of instant pudding (flavor of choice). Mix with milk as package directs. Add 1 – ½ cups of ice cream. Blend and thin to desired consistency with more milk.
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Soda – use 1/3 cup quick chocolate – flavored drink mix, 1 tablespoon peanut butter, ¼ cup fortified milk, 2 scoops vanilla ice cream and blend together.
- Spicy Chocolate Frosty – use ¼ cup quick chocolate – flavored drink mix, 1 cup fortified milk, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon and add 1 scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Orange/Pineapple Shake – use 1 pint orange sherbet, 3 cups orange/pineapple juice and blend with crushed ice.
- Quick Breakfast Drink – use 1 ripe banana, frozen (peel, place in plastic bag and freeze overnight), 1 tablespoon wheat germ, ¾ cup fortified milk, 2 teaspoons honey, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon and blend together.
- Banana Malt – use frozen banana, ¾ cup of fortified milk, 3 tablespoons chocolate malted milk powder and blend until smooth.
- Banana Shake – use 2 ripe bananas sliced, 14 ounces condensed milk, 1 cup cold water, ? cup lemon juice concentrated. Mix together or use a blender (if a blender is used add 2 cups of ice).
If taking the full amount is too much, take only 2 – 3 ounces every few hours. Remember to keep it refrigerated.
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