D8 DECEMBER 2019 THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH Living with Chronic Liver Disease? Be Aware of Hepatic Encephalopathy LIVING 50 PLUS
(StatePoint) Approximately 30 million people in the U.S. have some form of liver disease, which occurs in people for many different reasons. Some common types and causes of liver disease include hepatitis, caused by viruses A, B, and C, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is caused by too much fat in the liver cells, and alcohol-related liver disease, caused by con- suming too much alcohol. Having liver disease over a long period of time can result in cirrhosis, an advanced chronic liver disease, which then puts a patient at risk for hepatic encephalopathy (HE) – a serious complica- tion of advanced liver disease. “Up to 80 percent of patients with cirrhosis can devel- op HE. This condition can have very debilitating effects on patients and takes a toll on caregivers, especially as the condition progresses,” says Dr. Howard Franklin, vice president of Medical Affairs and Strategy at Salix Pharmaceuticals. “However, many patients with liver disease, especially younger patients, are not even aware they are at risk for developing HE, so early recognition of signs and symptoms is critical.”
A Closer Look at HE In patients with advanced chronic liver disease, the liv- er is damaged so it cannot filter toxins out of the blood the way a healthy liver would. These toxins can then build up and travel through the body until they reach the brain. The buildup of these toxins in the brain can then lead to the symptoms of HE. Onset of HE can start slowly, and at first, people with the condition may not even be aware they have it. Fam- ily or friends may often be the first to notice someone with HE is acting differently. Symptoms of HE, which can encompass both mental and physical symptoms, may vary for each person and include: • Mental symptoms - Forgetfulness, confusion, poor judgement, not knowing where you are or where you are going or personality changes • Physical symptoms - Changes in sleep pattern, trem- ors or shaking of hands or arms, slowed or sluggish movement, slurred speech and changes in breath odor
In the most severe form of HE, people can become un- conscious and enter a coma. These symptoms can have a significant impact on daily life, such as not being able to drive a car, not being able to work and not being able to care for oneself and hav- ing to rely on a caregiver. Proper and early treatment and management of HE can help slow its progression before it gets worse. Treatment Options Talk to your doctor to learn more about HE and how to manage this condition. Lifestyle changes, such as changes in diet or eliminating certain medications, may also help. “Once diagnosed and put on treatment, proper adher- ence to medication is critical,” says Dr. Franklin. If you or someone you know has chronic liver disease and begins to experience any symptoms of HE, it’s im- portant to talk to your doctor right away. This is the first step toward helping find an appropriate treatment plan to manage the condition.
How to Navigate the Challenges of Caregiving
place for finding care and support.
greater comfort and control. These updates are partic- ularly critical, as sensitive and thinning skin is preva- lent among older adults and is a common side effect of many medications. To learn more, visit Gillette.com/ TREO. As more companies introduce tools designed for care- givers, such personal care tasks as shaving have the po- tential to become easier, safer and more comfortable.
(StatePoint) As the population of older U.S. adults grows, more Americans are taking on long-term care- giving duties for loved ones. An estimated 43.5 million adults in the U.S. have provided unpaid care in the past 12 months, according to AARP. “While caregiving presents many opportunities for growing strong bonds with loved ones, the work itself can be demanding, eventually taking a toll on those shouldering the burden,” says Lakelyn Hogan, a geron- tologist and caregiver advocate at Home Instead Senior Care. Hogan and the experts at Home Instead Senior Care are sharing tips to navigate the challenges.
Search for Innovative Tools
Innovative companies are taking note of the needs of caregivers and are designing everyday products to help them make daily tasks easier and more comfortable for all involved. In the realm of personal care, this trend is especially important: personal care activities were iden- tified in an AARP survey as among the most challeng- ing daily activities caregivers must manage. When it comes to shaving, a task that seems simple enough when performed on oneself, things can get tricky. Currently, 46 percent of caregivers are using a disposable razor to provide an assisted shave to their loved one at home, according to a Gillette survey. The problem? When caregivers use one of the 4,000 razors designed for shaving oneself, turning it around to use on someone else is trickier than you might expect -- not to mention time-consuming. Fortunately, there is now a razor specifically engineered for assisted shaving. A first of its kind, the Gillette TREO razor includes spe- cial features that protect against nicks and cuts, and its clog-free design doesn’t require the use of water. What’s more, the razor has an ergonomic handle providing
Make Space for Yourself
Prioritizing your own health and happiness is critical. After all, if your health suffers, it could make it impos- sible for you to continue caregiving. Rely on family and friends or a part-time professional to step in and give you a chance to recharge. Use the personal time to read, journal, exercise, take a nature walk, visit your doctor or simply meet with friends. You may also benefit from joining a caregivers’ support group. Luckily, social me- dia has made it simple for people to find one another and connect. While the roles and responsibilities of caregiving vary, leveraging the resources designed to universally assist caregivers can help you navigate the many challenges of daily life.
Use Online Resources
To fully advocate for your loved one, it’s necessary to understand his or her medical conditions and the spe- cific areas where extra help is needed. Doing so will help you secure support services, get information from doctors, ensure medications are being administered safely and even help you make appropriate meal and transportation arrangements. Most reputable sources of condition-specific information can also double as a
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