How our minds and bodies react to bereavement

"Whatever the loss, our mind and body will react to this change. Something or someone that was there before is no longer there. Something or someone we depended on as part of our lives has gone. There has been a change. This can shake our world, and how it does so, will depend on what has happened and what support we have in place to cope. 

When we are bereaved, we can feel anxious, sad, angry, shocked, grief-stricken, withdrawn, in disbelief, guilty, sad and in denial – and experience these in no particular order. We can struggle with sleep, concentration, our appetite and making decisions. We can also experience physical pain, such as headaches and muscle pain, as well as less specific bodily reactions that are similar to feelings of anxiety."

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/articles/change-loss-bereavement

Mental Health Foundation A to Z of mental health problems: 

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics

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Disclaimer: the main purpose of this blog is to assemble my notes for my Continuing Professional Development (CPD). The topic discussed here should not be referred to as the only source of information use it in combination. It should be used with other established reference sources. If you are using it significantly after the date of initial publication, then you should refer to current published evidence. 

.If the content of this article concerns you, please contact your doctor or pharmacist

 مطالب مندرج در این وبلاگ صرفا برای اطلاع رسانی و افزایش آگاهی در رابطه با سلامت و بهداشت می باشد و الزاما مرجع کاملی در رابطه با موضوع مورد بحث نمی باشد. برای اطلاعات بیشتر جهت درمان، قطع یا تغییر نوع درمان با پزشک معالج یا داروساز خود مشورت نمایید

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Check symptoms

 https://patient.info/symptom-checker

Talking Meds Podcasts

 https://open.spotify.com/episode/00vCwf7jHnuknBYWTENJSP

 Talking Meds and the PrescQIPP podcast, engaging conversations about medicines-related dilemmas.

Use other methods such as physiotherapy first for patients who are at risk, then if NSAID if needed at the lowest dose for shortest time needed, use Ibuprofen or Naproxen first, use medication to protect the stomach.

In Asthma therapy Bronchodilators alone is not enough, steroid therapy is also needed. If 3 or more Bronchodilator inhaler per year without steroid question that. Ask if they have an Asthma plan.

Multidisciplinary teamworking is important, consultation skills is important (what is important for patients), you should be able to manage risks. We are working with uncertainties.  

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Disclaimer: the main purpose of this blog is to assemble my notes for my Continuing Professional Development (CPD). The topic discussed here should not be referred to as the only source of information use it in combination. It should be used with other established reference sources. If you are using it significantly after the date of initial publication, then you should refer to current published evidence. 

.If the content of this article concerns you, please contact your doctor or pharmacist

 مطالب مندرج در این وبلاگ صرفا برای اطلاع رسانی و افزایش آگاهی در رابطه با سلامت و بهداشت می باشد و الزاما مرجع کاملی در رابطه با موضوع مورد بحث نمی باشد. برای اطلاعات بیشتر جهت درمان، قطع یا تغییر نوع درمان با پزشک معالج یا داروساز خود مشورت نمایید

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Menopause symptoms and how to talk to your GP | Liz Earle Wellbeing

Sleep habits

Remember bed is only for sleep (and sex)

If you are not asleep within 15 minutes, get up and go to another room such as the living room, until you feel sleepy again. Repeat as much as needed.

Plan ahead which room you will go to and what you will do there if you don’t drop off within 15 minutes e.g. ‘I will go to the living room and read my book or knit until I am drowsy again’

Prepare the room you will go into if you don’t drop off e.g. leave a lamp on and have things ready to do, should you need to get out of bed

No daytime napping!

Stick to your bedtime routine each evening

Remember your habits for good sleep as part of your bedtime routine, such as the lighting

Keep your feet warm!

Get the temperature right, 18ºC is perfect.

Avoid exposure to blue and white lighting, and aim for red spectrum light.

Make any changes you need to make to your sleeping environment such as bedding, mattress, ear plugs, etc.

silvercloudhealth.com

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Disclaimer: the main purpose of this blog is to assemble my notes for my Continuing Professional Development (CPD). The topic discussed here should not be referred to as the only source of information use it in combination. It should be used with other established reference sources. If you are using it significantly after the date of initial publication, then you should refer to current published evidence. 

.If the content of this article concerns you, please contact your doctor or pharmacist

 مطالب مندرج در این وبلاگ صرفا برای اطلاع رسانی و افزایش آگاهی در رابطه با سلامت و بهداشت می باشد و الزاما مرجع کاملی در رابطه با موضوع مورد بحث نمی باشد. برای اطلاعات بیشتر جهت درمان، قطع یا تغییر نوع درمان با پزشک معالج یا داروساز خود مشورت نمایید

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How to Reset Your Vagus Nerve...This Will Change Your Life! Dr. Mandell

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Disclaimer: the main purpose of this blog is to assemble my notes for my Continuing Professional Development (CPD). The topic discussed here should not be referred to as the only source of information use it in combination. It should be used with other established reference sources. If you are using it significantly after the date of initial publication, then you should refer to current published evidence. 

.If the content of this article concerns you, please contact your doctor or pharmacist

 مطالب مندرج در این وبلاگ صرفا برای اطلاع رسانی و افزایش آگاهی در رابطه با سلامت و بهداشت می باشد و الزاما مرجع کاملی در رابطه با موضوع مورد بحث نمی باشد. برای اطلاعات بیشتر جهت درمان، قطع یا تغییر نوع درمان با پزشک معالج یا داروساز خود مشورت نمایید

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To improve my consultation skills

Preparing for the consultation : Establishing initial rapport, Establishing the reason for the consultation

Gathering information: Questioning & Listening

Explanation and planning: Providing evidence based advice and information, Discussing options and potential outcomes of 

Closing the session: Offering a safety net, Verifying and agreeing a plan 

Building the relationship: Demonstrating empathy, Building rapport throughout, Increasing a person's involvement in consultation, Using open body language.

Additional Skills for Person-centred approach: Understanding the person's perspective of their medicines and/or health. Analysing own behaviours during the consultation and identifying areas for change (body language and attitudes towards people). Engaging the person in shared decision making. Working in partnership with the person. Taking a holistic view of the person

Consultations Models:

Calgary-Cambridge: Preparing for the encounter, establishing rapport with the patient, and identifying the reason for the consultation.  

Pendleton: a set of guidelines designed to structure the feedback process in a way that encourages learning and improvement. 

Neighbour: Five checkpoints of connecting, summarising, handing over, safety netting and housekeeping alongside an awareness of 'minimal cues' (verbal and non-verbal) to help discover the unspoken agenda.

BARD: Using an open question to start the consultation Listening carefully to the patient Using verbal cues like "mmm" and "ok" Using non-verbal cues like a smile or nod the totality of the relationship between the doctor and patient.

Health Coaching Models:

GROW: Goal (what do you want to achieve), Reality (tell me about the current situation), Option ( What could you do differently, what might get you on the way), Way forward (how committed are you? SMART action plan).

4Es: Explore, Empower, Educate, Enable 

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Disclaimer: the main purpose of this blog is to assemble my notes for my Continuing Professional Development (CPD). The topic discussed here should not be referred to as the only source of information use it in combination. It should be used with other established reference sources. If you are using it significantly after the date of initial publication, then you should refer to current published evidence. 

.If the content of this article concerns you, please contact your doctor or pharmacist

 مطالب مندرج در این وبلاگ صرفا برای اطلاع رسانی و افزایش آگاهی در رابطه با سلامت و بهداشت می باشد و الزاما مرجع کاملی در رابطه با موضوع مورد بحث نمی باشد. برای اطلاعات بیشتر جهت درمان، قطع یا تغییر نوع درمان با پزشک معالج یا داروساز خود مشورت نمایید

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Reference

Medicines suitable for blister packaging. 

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/

Shingles

Paracetamol is the first-line pain management option for shingles, as it is well-tolerated and effective for mild to moderate pain. NSAIDs, like ibuprofen, can be used if paracetamol is insufficient. Opioids and Gabapentinoids are reserved for more severe, refractory pain.

Aciclovir is the first-line antiviral treatment for shingles in immunocompetent individuals aged over 50 years when started within 72 hours of rash onset.

The presence of shingles in the ophthalmic dermatome, even without any symptoms affecting vision, warrants referral for urgent assessment to prevent potential eye complications.

Immunocompromised patients with widespread, disseminated shingles and systemic symptoms require immediate referral to emergency services for intravenous antiviral therapy and close monitoring. 

Valaciclovir is the preferred antiviral for immunocompromised patients and can be managed under the NHS Pharmacy First Clinical Pathway, providing the patient is not severely immunosuppressed. The NHS Pharmacy First service PGD for the supply of Valaciclovir in shingles indicates that a person is classed as being ‘severely immunosuppressed’ when taking a dose of Methotrexate of 20mg or above, or where lower doses are taken in combination with other immunosuppressive therapies. 

Valaciclovir is the preferred antiviral for patients with adherence concerns, because it has a simpler dosing regimen (three times daily) than aciclovir (five times daily).

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Disclaimer: the main purpose of this blog is to assemble my notes for my Continuing Professional Development (CPD). The topic discussed here should not be referred to as the only source of information use it in combination. It should be used with other established reference sources. If you are using it significantly after the date of initial publication, then you should refer to current published evidence. 

.If the content of this article concerns you, please contact your doctor or pharmacist

 مطالب مندرج در این وبلاگ صرفا برای اطلاع رسانی و افزایش آگاهی در رابطه با سلامت و بهداشت می باشد و الزاما مرجع کاملی در رابطه با موضوع مورد بحث نمی باشد. برای اطلاعات بیشتر جهت درمان، قطع یا تغییر نوع درمان با پزشک معالج یا داروساز خود مشورت نمایید

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GLP-1 agonists

 GLP-1 agonists are medicines used to treat type 2 diabetes and weight loss.  Usually patient stays on a dose for 4 weeks.

Patient Consultation:

Have they taken it before

What dose they are expecting

If they are increasing their dose with the new prescription

It shouldn't be more that 2 weeks lapsed since their last dose, Speak to the prescribing team to ensure patient is managed correctly.