If you are suffering from a health condition and require intervention from your GP, it can be quite difficult to get a quick appointment even when you go to the nearest walk-in center. That’s why you may want to consider going to see a pharmacist instead to get an answer to your problem. Of course, you cannot go to your pharmacist in every situation, but here are the best times when you can and will still get the best medical service from them.
When Should You Turn to a Pharmacist Instead of a GP:
1. When your symptoms are not really severe:
If you are suffering from the flu or have some sort of infection, and already know what you’re suffering from, this may be a time to actually go to a pharmacist to see if they can recommend the best products. Although a pharmacist cannot diagnose your condition, they can help if you need advice on medications, and which ones would help the best ease your symptoms. They can also recommend products if you have allergies or are looking to avoid a certain medical ingredient.
2. When you need a specific health test:
Another thing that you can get from your pharmacist, as well as your GP, are specific tests. It’s important to remember that pharmacists do undertake a 6-8-year program to get qualified, so you are in safe hands if you need a specific medical service. So, if you have diabetes and need a blood or blood sugar level test, blood pressure monitoring or even advice on home monitoring tests, speaking to a pharmacist is a great place to start.
3. Your GP’s waiting time is too long:
Sometimes we just can’t wait to get an appointment. You can go to as many walk-in centres as you like, but the waiting times are too long and sometimes you can just get turned away. However, if you understand your symptoms or just want to know what you can get to cure them, you don’t just need to wait for months on end to hear back from a doctor. Instead, you can speak to a pharmacist who can give you advice on medications to ease any painful symptoms. Try speaking to a pharmacist as soon as you can, but also make an appointment with your GP. That way you can get the best of both worlds and get treatment as you wait to see your doctor.
4. You need a prescription update:
Seeing a doctor time and time again to get another prescription request for creams, pills or injections can be time-consuming. Sometimes your every-day commitments give you precious little time to spend at the doctors, especially if you cannot get an appointment in the evening. That’s why you can either speak to a pharmacist about a repeat prescription, or you can use an online pharmacy, by Lawsat Pharm, to quickly request your treatment. This way you can make sure you do not miss taking your prescription.
5. You do not have a GP in the area:
If you have not signed up for a GP in your area, as you may not be local, this may be the perfect time to see a pharmacist. You may have just moved there or are on holiday in the area. Either way, visit a local pharmacist to make sure you can get some treatment before you return home.
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If you have ever wondered if celebrities and all the successful people you know ever had to deal with stress and all the negativity “normal people” struggle with daily? The truth is they also do. They suffer pain, loss, and depression, just like everyone else.
It’s possible you have heard of celebrities with depression or who even suffered from mental breakdowns; they had to be checked into rehab.
But this article isn’t about famous people who have visited rehab before but those who have one time dealt with depression. So without wasting time, below are some of the celebrities you know who have suffered depression in their lives.
Dwayne Johnson
Now, if you think ‘’The Rock” is one stone-cold machismo character, well, he is when he is on screen. But when the 6ft 4inches tall celebrity is off-screen, he certainly has a lot to contend with like everyone else.
In a recent talk with British newspaper Express, he opened up to being depressed, and the dude didn’t have any serious reasons for being so, aside from being human. And he encouraged guys specially to do better than bottle everything in. “Depression Never Discriminate.” He shared later on his tweeter page.
Katy Perry
American female pop sensation Katy Perry has also revealed on time on a live stream tour on YouTube about how she too fights depression and is never ashamed to say so. She urged her fans to keep it real with themselves and everyone watching the need to take mental health seriously.
Lady Gaga
With many hit songs and billboard toppers to her name, one wouldn’t be surprised that her royal highness Lady Gaga would have had to weather through stormy days. And if there is anything to learn from the celebrity is that we can rise above our challenges.
She opened up about how she uses medication to battle depression and anxiety and advised her fans to be open about their health. You can find out here what you should do when you are faced with a nervous breakdown.
Michael Phelps
If you have won a series of gold medals for competitive swimming, you would surely know how to recover from any drowning situation. But it will interest you to discover that the world record swimmer Michael Phelps almost ended his life sometime after the 2012 Olympics.
And if there is anything we’ve found out from successful people is that success comes at a price. So Phelps had to sober up and get the help he needed. So if you want to conquer depression, you want to pay the price and get the right help.
J.K Rowling
It is no surprise that celebrity author of the Harry Potter Books, J.K Rowling, would appear on the list of celebrities who have battled depression. For someone who has put smiles on the faces of millions could only have done so by sacrificing a bit of theirs. And for J.K, it wasn’t that she was sad, as she described it on Oprah, “it’s that cold absence of feeling.”
Jim Carrey
The only man crazy enough to pull off the stunts in ‘’The Mask.” And also stared in some of the funniest character movies of all time, Ace Ventura comes to mind is also on the list of celebrities who have suffered from depression.
And what’s interesting about Carrey’s situation is that he doesn’t use medication such as anti-depressants or alcohol to help deal with life's issues. He faces them squarely and urges you to do so too. There are useful tips on this page https://www.verywellmind.com/overcoming-addiction-4157285 about fighting addiction.
Johnny Depp
Actor Johnny Depp could be one of Hollywood’s most anxious celebrities, and it is no secret that he works with therapists even while on movie sets to help manage his anxiety. Although he does a fine job with his character while on stage, he easily shows his anxiety during interview sessions.
Eminem
Another famous celebrity on the list is Eminem, and it is no secret that the rapper has had to battle with a lot of challenging situations. One of them is the unending conflict with his ex-wife, which the artist often rapped about in some of his verses.
Depression can affect your health negatively and should not be taken likely. You want to look out for signs that you may be in a depressive state and seek expert help if you are too deep.
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Nurses are often the unsung heroes of the medical community. They are the caregivers who profoundly touch patients' lives, providing comfort and healing during difficult times.
Nurses extend care to patients of all ages, from newborns to the elderly. While each group presents unique challenges, there are some general ways nurses can be better caregivers for adults throughout their lifespan.
We can't defy aging, but we can slow down its effects with a healthy lifestyle. Eating nutritious food, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep are critical for maintaining good health as we age.
Nurses can encourage their patients to make healthy choices and provide resources for making those choices easier.
Gerontology - An Overview:
The scientific study of aging that includes research on the physical, mental, and social changes that occur as we age is called gerontology.
As the population of older adults grows, nurses will play an increasingly important role in providing care for this population.
It is critical to train future nurses and nurse researchers in aging to best satisfy the needs of an aging population while also improving health among older individuals.
For this reason, healthcare facilities encourage R.N.s and BSN nurses to enroll in MSN program online programs and degrees to earn a master's degree in gerontology. This additional education will allow nurses to provide the best possible care for their patients.
Challenges in Elderly Care:
The challenges of caring for elderly patients are numerous, but so are the rewards. A few challenges include:
Many elderly patients have chronic health conditions that require ongoing management.
Elderly patients are often more susceptible to falls and other accidents.
Cognitive decline is a common part of aging and can present challenges for both patients and caregivers.
Elderly patients don't like to feel like a burden, so they may be reluctant to ask for help.
Despite these challenges, there are many ways nurses can be better caregivers for elderly patients. Let's unfold some compelling ways nurses can improve the way elderly patients are cared for:
1. Understanding Their Requirements:
Aging is a phase of life that strips individuals of their physical strength and energy levels. As we age:
Our skin becomes thin and delicate, making it more susceptible to cuts and bruises
Our bones become brittle, and our joints ache more easily.
We may not be able to see or hear as well as we used to.
Our bodies don't process medications the way they used to.
These changes can be challenging to adjust to, and the caregiver must be understanding and patient with the elderly.
That's when nurses can enter and take over. With years of experience and unmatchable empathy, nurses are the perfect people to care for elderly patients.
They know how to handle them with care, how much medication to give and when, what food to serve, and how to keep them active without tiring them out.
2. Creating A Routine:
A routine is vital for everyone but especially for the elderly. It helps them know what to expect and gives their day some structure.
A routine can also be helpful for better caregivers, as it can make it easier to keep track of medications, meals, and activities. Nurses can work with patients and their families to create a personalized care plan that includes a daily routine.
Routine care plans should consider the patient's abilities, interests, and preferences. They should also be flexible enough to accommodate changes in the patient's condition.
For example, a generally healthy patient may need more help with activities of daily living after a hospital stay. Or a patient who is used to being active may need to scale back their activity level if they become weaker.
Nurses should also be aware of the signs that a routine is no longer working for a patient. If a patient becomes resistant to following the routine or if it starts to cause more stress than it relieves, it may be time to make some changes.
3. Involving Family and Friends:
Our emotions and feelings can be everywhere. When we are old, we need support from better caregivers and loved ones.
However, several sad circumstances testify that not all families are supportive. In some cases, family members may be too busy or live too far away to be involved in their elderly relative's care.
Family dynamics may make it difficult for everyone to agree on a care plan.
When nurses are involved in the care of an elderly patient, they can help to facilitate communication between the patient and their family.
They can also provide support and resources to families struggling to cope with a loved one's declining health.
4. Making Them Comfortable:
Many elderly patients in nursing homes or long-term care facilities are there because they can no longer live independently.
They may be unable to walk, dress, or take care of their personal needs. It is imperative that these patients feel comfortable and safe in their surroundings.
Nurses can help create a comfortable environment for their patients by paying attention to the little things.
Ensuring the room is cozy, providing soft bedding and pillows, and offering gentle massages can all help make an elderly patient feel comfortable.
Nurses can also help reduce anxiety and boredom by providing their patients with stimulating activities and exciting conversations.
In some cases, sitting with a patient and listening to their stories can be a great comfort.
5. Advocating for Their Needs:
As people age, they become more vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. Unfortunately, elder abuse is a problem that is often hidden from the public eye.
Elder abuse affects many Americans, with one in ten aged 60 and above have experienced it.
Some studies have suggested that more than 4 million adults are abused each year in the United States. According to one research, only one in 24 instances of abuse are reported to authorities.
What's worse is that in 60% of the cases, it's a family member that is the abuser.
Nurses can help protect their elderly patients by being aware of the signs of abuse and neglect. They can also advocate for their patient's needs, working to ensure that they receive the best possible care.
6. The Scope:
We live longer today, but we are becoming increasingly prone to chronic diseases and disabilities as we age. According to current projections, approximately 80% of people aged 65 and older have at least one chronic illness.
Chronic illnesses often involve physical and emotional pain, functional limitations, and the requirement for long-term self-management of symptoms.
These conditions impact the quality of life of older adults and are also associated with considerable economic costs. It is because 75% of health care costs in the U.S. are due to chronic illness.
In a period of tightening budgets, we will be required to give excellent care to an ever-growing number of older people with several health issues and complicated healthcare demands.
Therefore, a career in geriatric nursing is not only personally rewarding but also essential to meeting the needs of our aging population.
And, if you're wondering, there is a lot of scope for professional advancement in this field.
Ending Note:
Nurses play a vital role in the care of elderly patients. They often see their patients the most and are uniquely positioned to advocate for their needs.
If you're considering a career in nursing, consider specializing in geriatric care. It is a rewarding field with a lot of scope for professional advancement.
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You might have heard the term “functioning alcoholic” and wondered what it even means. Then, you might be searching for the meaning of the term and what it means to be a functional alcoholic. Then, let’s throw some light on the meaning of functioning alcoholics for your better understanding.
We often relate alcoholism with people who are unable to function properly in their lives. This stereotype of alcoholic individuals seems to be not accurate. This is because several individuals who are alcoholics seem to function properly and deal with their daily tasks properly.
If this is the case, then why are these individuals living a regular life while being alcoholic? While other groups cannot function properly because they are constantly under influence.
Therefore, in this article, we not only discuss what is a functioning alcoholic but also how they differ from those with more visible signs of alcohol dependency.
Perception About Individuals Battling Addiction
Your concept or perception of an alcoholic will change when you learn how a functioning alcoholic person works. They are capable of living or maintaining a normal life while battling alcohol addiction.
At one glance, you might not even know this person might have an addiction. Because they can do all their daily duties smoothly. Therefore, why was this term created, which means someone who is functioning even when dealing with addiction?
This challenges the common stereotype of an alcoholic person who lives an undisciplined and disheveled life. The term “functioning alcoholic” could be used to describe a person’s condition, but it is not officially recognized.
In the field of psychiatry, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) doesn’t recognize this term officially. However, several professionals use this term to describe a specific alcoholic person’s condition.
So, understanding the phenomenon of the functioning alcoholic is important. Because it helps identify people who are going through this hardship. When you recognize a functional alcoholic, you can help them get the right treatment, which will get them better.
Functioning alcoholics often hide their struggles with addiction while maintaining a normal facade. So, it becomes harder for you to recognize them and get them correctly diagnosed. Therefore, you must read this article to know how to identify one. This is so you can help them get the right treatment for recovery.
What Is A Functioning Alcoholic?
A functioning alcoholic seems to live a normal life while dealing with alcohol addiction. These individuals, you will observe, can do all the regular tasks and maintain a lifestyle without alcohol overriding their lives.
Even if they are always under the influence, they can hold down a job and other obligations. Not only that, but they can also excel in some areas of their lives without alcohol overriding their entire life.
Therefore, it becomes hard for you to identify these individuals. Because they look perfectly normal from the outside while dealing with addiction.
These individuals know how to keep their professional and social lives separate from their addiction. You see, functional alcoholics are aware of their alcoholic addiction, which helps them hide it easily. They become skilled at hiding their shortcomings from the world.
However, this addiction of a functioning alcoholic does not affect anyone other than themselves. It does affect their own lives if kept unchecked in the long run. As they continue to hide their struggle with alcohol, it becomes much more troublesome as time goes on.
Functioning Alcoholics Live In The Grey Area Of Addiction
A functioning alcoholic lives in the grey area of addiction, where addiction coexists with competence. While they are functioning like a regular individual, they also hide their addiction from their friends, family, or colleagues.
So, they operate much more separately than an alcoholic consumed with addiction and a normal non-alcoholic.
So how will you recognize a functioning alcoholic when they are living just like any ordinary person? You see, functioning alcoholics often rationalize their drinking habits as rewards for their accomplishments.
So, if they can get their work done, they reward themselves. Again, if they do their duty towards their family, they will reward themselves with a drink.
Again, their coping mechanism for dealing with the stress of daily responsibilities is through alcohol. So, when they accomplish their responsibilities day-to-day, they reward themselves with alcohol.
But this facade of normalcy is fragile as they become more dependent on alcohol over time. As they start to deal with life problems with alcohol, this results in psychological issues.
Maintaining a long-term facade of alcohol addiction is not the only problem a functional alcoholic face but health problems, too.
High Functioning Alcoholism vs. Traditional Alcohol Use Disorder
Traditionally, you could identify an alcoholic person from their visible signs of dysfunction. These dysfunctional problems were frequent performance issues, relationship problems, and deteriorating health.
In contrast, high-functioning alcoholics may lead seemingly successful lives, masking their dependency behind a façade of competence. They may hold prestigious positions, maintain social connections, and even drink expensive wine without raising suspicion.
Despite their ability to keep up appearances, high-functioning alcoholics often deal with a significant internal struggle. They might spend considerable effort hiding the extent of their drinking from others and themselves.
This can involve elaborate routines to cover up the smell of alcohol and secret drinking sessions. Again, a functional alcoholic persistently worries about being discovered because of their addiction.
You will see that the stress of maintaining a double life can be extremely problematic in the long run. In the long-term, this coping mechanism with alcohol can only affect negatively both physically and mentally.
Along with the stress of hiding their addiction to alcohol and dealing with life’s problems, a functioning alcoholic is bound to break down at some point. This will lead to their worst fear of revealing their true nature.
It’s this dual existence that differentiates high-functioning alcoholism from other overt alcohol use disorders. Other alcohol disorders are more visible due to their impact on an individual’s life.
Recognizing The Signs of Alcohol Abuse
There are significant risks to being a functional alcoholic despite its outward appearance. Because their pattern of drinking can be more than seven drinks per week. This leads to health risks in the long term. Again, continuous dependence on alcohol to deal with life can have adverse effects on the person’s psychology.
From binge drinking episodes to the inability to stop drinking despite its negative consequences, these are some of the recognized risks of alcohol addiction. They may also experience withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit or cut back on alcohol consumption.
Recognizing signs of a high-functioning alcoholic can be challenging as they are good at hiding their addiction. Therefore, it’s essential to identify these individuals, get them diagnosed correctly, and treat them properly.
It’s important to note that these behaviors can be subtle and easily overlooked, especially when the individual is still managing to fulfill their personal and professional obligations. Over time, you will see that the consequences of high-functioning alcoholism become visible.
Be it strained relationships, personality changes, mental health issues, and physical health problems related to alcohol abuse. You will start to see its effects on a functional alcoholic.
Risk Factors and Consequences
Certain factors can increase the likelihood of high-functioning alcoholism, including genetic predisposition, environmental influences, and untreated mental health issues.
While they may avoid some of the immediate consequences associated with traditional alcoholism, such as job loss or legal troubles, high-functioning alcoholics are still at risk for severe health problems, including certain cancers and mental health issues.
These health problems can include liver disease, heart disease, and neurological impairments that may not become evident until later in life. The psychological consequences are equally concerning, potentially leading to depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric disorders that can deteriorate the quality of life.
Moreover, high-functioning alcoholics may face social consequences over time, such as eroded trust in relationships, marital strife, and a gradual withdrawal from social activities as they prioritize alcohol over personal connections.
Despite maintaining a veneer of normalcy, the cumulative effect of these risk factors and consequences can lead to a tipping point where the individual’s ability to function at a high level is compromised.
It is crucial to recognize these long-term risks and understand that the lack of immediate, visible consequences does not diminish the urgency for intervention and treatment.
Seeking Support And Treatment For The High Functioning Alcoholic
Addressing high-functioning alcoholism requires a comprehensive approach involving medical professionals, support groups, and rehab centers in Los Angeles specializing in addiction medicine.
Loved ones play a crucial role in encouraging their family members or close relatives to seek help, but it’s essential to approach the situation with empathy and understanding. Initiating this conversation can be delicate, as it often involves breaking through a wall of denial built up by the individual over time.
Friends and family need to be informed about the nature of high-functioning alcoholism, to offer non-judgmental support, and to avoid enabling behaviors that can perpetuate the addiction.
The process of seeking support often begins with an honest self-assessment or an intervention by concerned loved ones. This step is vital in helping the individual recognize the extent of their problem and its impact on their life and the lives of those around them.
Professional interventionists can be instrumental in this phase, providing the guidance needed to navigate what can be a highly charged situation. Once the individual acknowledges the need for help, the next step involves finding the right treatment program.
Treatment can range from outpatient therapy sessions to accommodate the individual’s work schedule. Or a more intensive inpatient program where you must take a temporary step back from daily responsibilities.
The treatment choice should be tailored to the individual’s specific circumstances, considering their level of addiction, personal responsibilities, and any co-occurring mental health conditions.
Throughout the recovery journey, ongoing support is essential for maintaining sobriety. Aftercare programs and sober living communities offer continued guidance and support, helping the individual to reintegrate into their daily life with new coping skills and a renewed focus on health and wellness.
Support And Treatment Facilities
Support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous provide a vital lifeline for individuals struggling with alcohol use disorders, offering a sense of community and understanding.
These groups facilitate peer-to-peer support and shared experiences, creating a space where individuals can speak openly about their struggles without fear of judgment.
Treatment facilities offer residential treatment or outpatient tailored programs designed to address the unique needs of high-functioning alcoholics, providing medical supervision during the withdrawal process and equipping them with coping strategies for maintaining sobriety.
These facilities often employ a multidisciplinary approach, combining medical treatment, psychological counseling, and behavioral therapy to address the complex nature of addiction. The programs may include individual therapy sessions, group therapy, educational workshops on addiction, and relapse prevention planning.
In addition to traditional treatment methods, some facilities offer holistic therapies such as meditation, yoga, and art therapy, recognizing the importance of treating the whole person.
The Importance Of Mental Health Resources
Recognizing that alcoholism is not solely a physical dependency but also a mental health problem is crucial. Access to more mental health resources, including therapy and counseling, can help individuals address underlying issues contributing to their alcohol use and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
These resources are vital in treating the emotional and psychological aspects of alcoholism, which often include stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders that may co-occur with substance abuse.
By providing a supportive environment for open discussion about mental health, individuals can gain insights into the emotional triggers that lead to drinking and learn new strategies for managing these triggers.
Therapy can also assist in repairing relationships damaged by alcohol abuse, rebuilding trust, and improving communication skills. In addition, counseling can offer guidance on how to establish a balanced life. You can set achievable goals and create a supportive network that fosters their long-term recovery.
Treatment programs need to integrate mental health services as a core component of addiction recovery, called dual diagnosis treatment. This integration ensures that individuals receive a holistic approach to their treatment, addressing all facets of their well-being.
As society continues to destigmatize mental health issues, the hope is that more people will feel empowered to seek the help they need without fear of judgment or stigma.
Ultimately, enhancing the availability and accessibility of mental health resources is a critical step in supporting the recovery journey of functioning alcoholics. Their lasting sobriety helps improve their mental health issues.
High Functioning Alcoholics: Is There Such A Thing?
High-functioning alcoholics can often seem to have it all together, balancing significant responsibilities while battling their addiction in silence.
Despite heavy drinking, they are typically individuals who seem to lead productive lives. They often excel in their careers, maintain social relationships, and uphold daily routines.
This can make it difficult is difficult for others and sometimes even for the individuals themselves to recognize the problem, as their success often masks the underlying issues.
We can help individuals struggling with high-functioning alcoholism by raising awareness and providing support. This will help them regain control of their lives and improve their overall life.
How to Help a Colleague (...Who is Also Recovering)
Helping someone in recovery from alcoholism is as simple as learning the signs and subtly helping.
But remember they are on a journey, not at the destination. Part of that journey includes being open about their lives but not praying too much. A casual “How are you doing today?” can go a long way.
Be Responsible Yourself First!
Help your co-workers make healthy choices by creating a clean, responsible environment.
Don’t go to work events where the primary focus is drinking, and don’t invite them to join if you do.
Be mindful of their limits; never encourage or force them to drink more than they feel comfortable with.
If they make the choice to leave an event because others are drinking too heavily, offer to accompany them.
Find Alternative Activities
Encourage them to engage in healthy activities, even if it is during office breaks. You can go for a walk with them at lunch or get involved together in a wellness group at work.
Not only do these kinds of activities help alleviate stress, but they also give your colleague something positive to focus their energy on.
Plus, showing that you’re willing to invest in their well-being as professionally appropriate helps build a stronger working relationship between the two of you and gives them an added source of support while they recover.
Do not Get Too Personal
But still, you need to draw the line and not become too personal with them. You should only keep any conversations limited to work-related topics unless they would like to share them with you.
Be mindful of their personal space as well because, in the end, it is their own recovery.
Supporting a colleague in recovering from alcoholism requires empathy, respect, and understanding.
By being a supportive colleague, you help to not only nurture their recovery but also help foster an inclusive and compassionate workplace. Remember, it’s the little things that mean a lot.
Conclusion
It’s crucial to understand that high-functioning alcoholism is a real and serious condition. When you acknowledge its existence, you take the first step towards addressing the unique challenges it presents.
With the right resources and support systems, you can improve functioning alcoholic individuals to live a life free from alcohol. You can find them the help they need to recover from alcohol dependency.
Therefore, you need to know about functional alcoholism and identify functional alcoholic individuals.
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