Something has to be done when it comes to preventable diseases. There must be an added impetus in the fight to reinstate primary prevention in schools, hospitals, and communities. Although doctors and other medical specialists are major role players in the fight against diseases, the nursing profession is in the front lines of the battle. The nurses are the people that patients see on a regular basis. The nurses are the ones who are given the opportunity to conduct preliminary diagnosis even if it is as simple as asking questions about the patients problems, asking patients how they are feeling and what has happened to them recently. More importantly nurses are trained to handle equipment and other methods in relation to providing preventive care. If nurses are diligent and passionate about this specific aspect of their job then they can save lives and prevent health problems from getting worse. This means that patients will not only be saved from imminent death but prevention help them to improve their health without having to spend a considerable amount of money – as wise men say, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.
Background
Health experts Larry Cohen and Sana Chehimi (2009) tells the story of a prominent individual who suffered a major attack and was promptly rushed to a nearby hospital. Although prognosis was bleak the patient was able to recover and because of the celebrity status of the patient the said hospital was in the centre of a media storm. The supervisors and key health officials of the said facility congratulated themselves and their staff for a job well-done but then somebody asked them about prevention – to which they replied by pointing to a stack of brochures entitled, “Staying Heart Healthy”, the said health literature was their answer to the need for primary prevention (Cohen & Chehimi, 2009). In the 21st century more and more people are realising the absurdity of the health official’s reply but sadly there are only a few people in the medical field who are taking primary prevention seriously. This neglect will result in the premature deaths of many people as well as mounting medical bills.
Prevention is the key that will help the healthcare industry cope with the problem of rising healthcare costs as well as the rising number of premature deaths related to preventable diseases. It is one thing to die from an accident, snuffing the life of a young man or woman. But it is another thing to see young people wheeled into operating rooms because of Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart diseases and many types of cancer borne out of eating unhealthy food and the lack of physical activity. This means that if these patients were educated and forced to change their behaviour then they need not suffer pain and emotional turmoil as a result of malfunctioning vital organs and other complications.
The key to success was made plain by health experts who wrote, “…health and social problems of the twenty-first century requires a fundamental paradigm shift … moving from medical treatment after the fact to prevention in the first place and from targeting individuals to a comprehensive community focus” (Cohen & Chehimi, 2009). In this attempt to create a fundamental paradigm shift it is important for the nursing profession to be aware of the critical role they play in changing the perspective of people and patients that they meet on a regular basis. Nurses should not only be experts in applying primary prevention care but they must also learn how to educate people on the importance of eating healthy, increasing rate of physical activity and changing lifestyles especially when it comes to addictive behaviours such as smoking and drinking alcohol.
Type 2 Diabetes
It is estimated that there are now at least 124 million people in the whole world that is suffering from diabetes and of that number 97% have type 2 diabetes (English & Williams, 2001). This figure will soon increase and reach the high mark of 221 million by the year 2010 (English & Williams, 2001). This is a tremendous increase in the number of diabetics because in the year 2000 there were 17 million Americans who are suffering from diabetes (Carmona, 2002). Type 1 diabetes is characterised by the inability of the body to produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes on the other hand is not the absence of insulin but the cells of the patient do not respond to it normally (Metzger & Kotulak, 2006). It was discovered that here is a link between type 2 diabetes and obesity. At the same time there is also a link between type 2 diabetes and physical inactivity. This is a health problem that is related to the changing lifestyles in the 21st century, wherein citizens of highly industrialized countries prefer to eat calorie-dense foods but at the same time unable to burn the excess calories due to a more sedentary lifestyle.
It is of great importance for the general public to understand that this disease is preventable. This painful truth must be broadcasted – that type 2 diabetes is caused by modern lifestyles, a marked decrease in physical activity and the consumption of energy-rich foods. Thus, the first line of defence should be information dissemination. In this regard nurses have a major role to play because they get in contact with patients and their families on a regular basis.
Prevention is more about early detection. One way to determine that a person is likely to suffer from type 2 diabetes is to perform standard procedures. The most cost-efficient way is the use of glucose monitors. This monitoring technique is very much applicable especially when it comes to a person who is obese. It is very likely that they will contract type 2 diabetes because of their diet and lifestyle, the use of the glucose monitor will immediately inform them they are at a high risk of developing this deadly medical condition. Therefore the necessary steps can be performed.
There are numerous complications for diabetes and before these complications get out of hand it is important to initiate prevention measures Nurses can help in educating at-risk individuals to have their eyes checked especially if they notice blurred vision, suddenly lose vision in one eye or if they see blackspots, cobwebs or flashing light (The College of Family Physicians of Canada, 2009). Nurses will also help in foot exams, this is because those who are suffering from diabetes may experience serious infections in their foot and if this is not treated immediately can lead to more serious problems. Finally, preventing foot and eye problems requires controlling blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol.
Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer or CRC is the second leading cause of cancer mortality in America and globally CRC is the third leading cause of cancer mortality (Pontieri-Lewis, 2000). While it is true that 34,700 cases of rectal cancer were diagnosed in 1999 and that it is estimated that there will be 47, 900 deaths linked to colon cancer and 8,700 deaths linked to rectal cancer there are only about 35% of CRC that will be discovered at an early stage (Pontieri-Lewis, 2000). This means that if the cancer was detected at an earlier stage then healthcare can be provided to improve the chances of recovery.
Nurses play an important role in preparing patients before a colonoscopy procedure. Colonoscopy is one of the preventive measures allowing for early detection. If doctors discover the presence of adenomatous polyps which is a precursor of CRC then the necessary treatment procedures can commence (Pontieri-Lewis, 2000). Aside from colonoscopy nurses can help in educating members of the community when it comes to this preventable disease and inform them that diet is the key. There is a need for increased consumption of high fibre diets and the reduction of animal fat and red meats in the diet (Pontieri-Lewis, 2000). By reducing the consumption of animal fat the person reduces the time when the colon is given ample time to rest as well as reduce the incidence of coming in contact with carcinogens (Pontieri-Lewis, 2000). This is one way for nurses to help in providing primary prevention care.
Conclusion
In the beginning of this study, an illustration was given wherein health officials, in reply to questions about prevention, pointed to a stack of brochures. It has been made clear that what the world needs more than a stack of scientific literature is telling people to go easy on their diet, to remove animal fat and reduce or eliminate excessive drinking and smoking. The nursing profession is in the front lines in the fight against preventable diseases that is wreaking havoc in Western society and even in many parts of the world. The availability of junk food as well as having a sedentary lifestyle is a deadly combination that will make a man or woman to become obese. Aside from type 2 diabetes CRC is also a major health concern worldwide. Premature deaths due to cancer and diabetes can be prevented. There must be a relentless information campaign and there is no one who is more qualified and more effective in that regard than the nurses who come in contact with patients on a regular basis.
References
Carmona, R. (2002). Progress Review. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Web.
Cohen, L. & S. Chehimi. (2009). The Imperative for Primary Prevention. Web.
English, P. & G. Williams. (2001). Type 2 Diabetes. KY: Taylor & Francis.
Metzger, B. & D. Kotulak. (2006). American Medical Association Guide to Living with Diabetes. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Pontieri-Lewis, V. (2000). Colorectal Cancer: Prevention and Screening. Web.
The College of Family Physicians of Canada. (2009). Diabetes and your Body – How to take care of your eyes and feet. Web.