INFLAMMATION, CHRONIC ILLNESS & THE BRAIN-DVD

Course overview

This is a home study, recorded version of the live seminar. Twenty years ago, scarcely anyone in health care had heard of hospitalist, nocturnist, critical care specialist, and intensivist. Thirty years ago, such terms did not exist. Nearly any form of cancer was a death sentence. Surviving a heart attack or stroke was often doubtful. Those hardy souls who did survive frequently faced a dismal existence. Many types of cardiovascular procedures, organ transplants, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy were in their infancy. Hundreds of medications we take for granted today did not exist. Over the past 30 years, tremendous, advances in acute care medicine have enabled millions of people to live long enough to have chronic illness. Advances in health care have not been limited to treatment; however, stunning progress in the basic sciences, laboratory and diagnostic research, and pathophysiology have revealed new insights into the development of chronic illness. Inflammation is one of the main culprits, not only in obvious illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis or ulcerative colitis, but in diseases as varied as atherosclerosis, asthma, MD, and diabetes. This seminar, “Chronic Illness, Inflammation, & the Brain” is designed to help health care professionals update and enhance their understanding of chronic illness, the suffering it engenders and the possibilities for better treatment. Physical Therapists are well-acquainted with the potentially overwhelming consequences of chronic illness. Many patients seen by Physical Therapists in clinics, hospitals and long term care facilities have a complex history of multiple illnesses. Treatment regimens often involve numerous, expensive medications, none of which are free from side effects. Additional treatments, such as PT/OT, speech therapy, dental care or counseling, along with routine follow-up care can be nearly impossible to manage. Chronically ill patients may still have child care responsibilities, part-time or even full-time work and some are trying to care for a spouse or elderly parent who is even more debilitated stress mounts and the temptation to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs may be tough to resist. This seminar on Chronic Illness, Inflammation and the Brain is designed to help Marriage and Family Therapist establish priorities for struggling patients and their families. Topics of particular importance for Physical Therapist include: • Understanding the scope of the problem and national demographics • Reviewing the fundamental principles of inflammation and why is causes so much illness • Recognizing the epidemic of obesity and diabetes as a serious risk for numerous other diseases • Learning to see cancer as a chronic illness • Forming strategies and care plans for the adult cancer survivor • Recognizing lifestyle choices as both a cause of inflammation and potential form of treatment • Using both current science and common sense in developing a good discharge plan • Teaching patients and their family members about preventive measures that really matters. The Physical Therapist will also appreciate (perhaps more than any other professionals) a sensible, real worlds approach to helping the caregivers. Caring for a loved one with a chronic illness is a sacred responsibility and privilege, but it can be profoundly exhausting. Physical Therapists are in a unique position to help ease that burden.