Introduction
The patient is suffering from peripheral edema, which is characterized by swelling of legs, ankles, and arms. It could be a sign of a problem with lymph nodes; the excerpt indicates that the patient had surgery involving the removal of suspected cancerous lymph glands in the inguinal area. Peripheral edema is also associated with a fluid which is low in protein and cellular contents(Townsend, 2020). A blood test has already revealed the existence of a low level of proteins in the plasma
Causes of Edema
- Temporary water retention(Townsend, 2020) is one of the general causes of edema, and it happens when a person has been sitting or standing for long. According to Case Study 1, Ms. Rand spends most of her day sitting on the porch.
- Obstruction of the lymphatic system occurs in the process of treatment, especially in a situation where a person has undergone surgery(Townsend, 2020), removal of a tumor, or even cancer treatment. In our case study, the patient has undergone an operation to remove cancerous lymph glands, and this may be the cause of edema.
- Edema can also be caused by a variety of diseases such as; heart failure, kidney diseases, liver diseases, low protein levels in the blood, etc. Low protein level has already been identified in our case study; low protein levels in the plasma mean fluids can easily leak out of blood vessels.
- Edema can also occur from the weakening of valves in the veins of the legs. This problem makes it hard for veins to transport blood back to the heart. This leads to the development of varicose veins and increased fluid in the legs. The examination has already revealed varicose veins in the patient’s body.
Effects of Edema on a patient
When a person develops edema, he is likely to swell because fluids gather in the tissues(Herrero, Sanchez, and Lorente, 2018). Leg edema is associated with varicose vein distention because it leads to the failure of one-way valves in the veins. Due to fluid overload in the body, a patient is likely to develop blisters that contain sterile fluids, and these blisters eventually develop to sores.
Case Study 2: Pernicious Anemia
Question 1
Pernicious anemia has a lot of symptoms, and one of them is fatigue, which is a result of decreased energy due to a low supply of oxygen in the body. The patient is also experiencing intestinal issues such as diarrhea, which is caused by the affection of the GI lining(Registered Nurse, 2020). Tingling of hands is also a symptom of pernicious anemia, and it happens due to low B12 in the body. Mr. Alvis has a swollen tongue due to decreased blood flow.
QUESTION 2
Experiencing gastric abnormalities means the body will not be able to produce Intrinsic Factor, which plays a role in the absorption of vitamin B12(Registered Nurse, 2020). Due to the abnormality, the intake of vitamin B12 will be low, thus leading to deficiency. The deficiency of Vitamin B12 slows down the production of red blood cells, thus leading to iron deficiency. Deficiency of Vitamin B12 reduces the production of healthy red blood cells, and this causes damage to the nervous system, thus leading to tingling. When the GI system is affected, the patient may experience a big red swollen tongue due to decreased oxygen going to the tongue. The patients may also experience a lot of fatigue. Low production of red blood cells means there is no adequate supply of oxygento the body(Registered Nurse, 2020). Low B12 is also the cause of numbness.
Question 3
Diagnosis of Pernicious Anemia
Blood smear which asses the shape of red blood cells.
Measuring vitamin B12 Level.
Intrinsic factor assay.
Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy(Registered Nurse, 2020).
Question 4
Treatment and Limitations
Pernicious anemia can be treated by the administration of Vitamin B12 injection, and this can only happen intramuscularly. Blood transfusion is also recommendable if the red blood cells are too low. Patients can also be advised to take foods high in Vitamin C and Folic acid because they play a critical role in red blood cell production. Replacement of vitamin B12 can be carried out, but this has a limitation because the patients do not have the intrinsic factor to take B12 and release it in the gastric secretion for helium to absorb it.
Case Study 3
Question 1
The development of arterial Atherosclerosis occurs when deposits of cholesterol accumulate in the inner lining of an artery. The process starts with irritants like lipids in the blood, cigarette smoking, and hypertension also act as predisposing factors. Cigarette smoke initiates the development of toxins, which contributes to the damage of the endothelium. Cholesterol gets oxidized in the blood vessels and forms a fatty streak, the immune system responds by releasing monocytes to attack oxidized cholesterol. Once the monocytes get to the endothelium, they form macrophages. The macrophages absorb too much cholesterol and die. Dead macrophages lead to the formation of foam cells leading to damage of more endothelium cells and smooth muscle cells migrate out of the smooth muscle layer and form plague grades. Due to the formation of high calcium deposits in the plague, the arteries harden. The plague can sometimes rapture and expose thrombogenic plague materials to the blood, which leads to the formation of blood clots in the artery(Khanacademymedicine, 2020). The blockage prevents blood flow.
One of the complications associated with peripheral Atherosclerosis is the heart attack due to low blood supply to the heart. Chronic kidney disease is also a major complication because Atherosclerosis prevents oxygenated blood from reaching the kidneys.Atherosclerosis can also expose a person to stroke when it narrows the arteries close to the heart.
Atherosclerosis can be slowed down by exercising, taking healthy diets, and avoiding smoking(Khanacademymedicine, 2020). Treatment of Atherosclerosis involves medication through the right drugs, which slow or halt the disease. Angiography and stenting is a technique used by doctors by putting a thin tube in one of the legs arteries to identify blockages in the diseased arteries. Bypass surgery is also another mode of treatment, and it entails removing a healthy blood vessel from the leg or chest and using it to reach the blocked segment.Fibrinolytic therapy is comprised of a drug that treats the blood clots in the artery.
Conclusion
All the above-mentioned diseases are dangerous to a person’s health; immediately, you identify any symptoms you should always seek medical guidance. Some of the disorders like Atherosclerosis can be prevented by avoiding smoking, taking the right diet, and living healthy.
References
Townsend, T., 2020. [image] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1NjEoeXU2M> [Accessed 6 August 2020].
Herrero, R., Sanchez, G., & Lorente, J. A. (2018). New insights into the mechanisms of pulmonary edema in acute lung injury. Annals of translational medicine, 6(2).
(2020). [Image]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PG2VJzVTrs
(Khanacademymedicine2020). [Image]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PG2VJzVTrs