Theme 10. Peculiarity of the physiotherapy procedures in aged and elderly patients.

Physiotherapy For Cancer Patients

Cancer is probably the most feared illness. Cancer is not the death sentence it was many years ago. More people are now surviving cancer than ever before as more effective treatments to combat this dreaded disease are discovered every day by the medical community. Many in the medical community agree that a patient's attitude has much to do with the patient making a full recovery. Physiotherapy for cancer patients is crucial to their recovery. Many hospitals that treat cancer patients develop a team of doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists to assist the cancer patient in all aspects of combating his illness and then making a full recovery. The team works together to insure that the illness is combated from all angles. No longer is one doctor the sole person to whom a cancer patient can turn for help. Physiotherapy for cancer patients encompasses a wide spectrum of treatment. Many people who have a tumor removed, for example, experience swelling in the area of removal,. Physiotherapy can work wonders to alleviate the swelling an assist the patient towards a complete recovery. Relieving swelling of certain areas, particularly in the lymph nodes, can not only alleviate pain, but may put the disease at bay. Weakness and loss of appetite are common symptoms of those undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Chronic fatigue is common, but can also lead to depression. The medical community is now beginning to realize how important a positive attitude on the part of the patient is in achieving full recovery from the illness. Physiotherapy to treat cancer patients may entail getting a person who is tired from chemotherapy treatments a bit mobile. No one expects them to do strenuous work, but implementing a mild exercise plan can do wonders for those receiving chemotherapy treatments. Exercise stimulates the endorphins in the brain that can elevate the mood as well as induce energy. Licensed physiotherapists often work with those who are undergoing chemotherapy treatment to implement an appropriate exercise regime that will enable the patient to not only recover from the treatment quicker, but can also stave off some of the side effects of chemotherapy. Lymphedema therapy is very important when treating cancer patients who have tissue swelling from tumor removal or swelling in their lymph nodes due to cancer. Physiotherapy to treat cancer patients also includes lymphedema therapy that is a specialized part of physiotherapy and can help restore normal function for patients.

In addition to providing individualized programs to help cancer patients recover from their illness, physiotherapy for cancer patients can benefit these patients psychologically as well. Physiotherapists often work very closely with their patients and develop a bond with them. This bond can be a tremendous comfort to someone who is facing an illness such as cancer and who may be surrounded by doctors who, very often, do not take the necessary time to explain procedures and options to the patients. While doctors are encouraged not to "get involved" with their patients, for many different reasons, physiotherapists are trained to develop a good rapport with their patients as this generally adds a feeling of trust between therapist and patient and is proven to produce good results.

Physiotherapy For Comatose Patients

One of the most tragic thing someone can experience is a loved one in a coma. While some comas may be medically induced following an accident or some other trauma, others are the result of many different things, including illness, ingesting of certain toxins or accidents. Physiotherapy for comatose patients is recommended and performed daily in hospitals for a variety of reasons. In many cases, family members also participate in this treatment in the hopes of bringing their loved one back to "life." In most hospitals, family involvement to "bring someone out of a coma" is encouraged by the staff. The sound of a familiar voice and human touch are instrumental in helping a comatose patient return to consciousness. When a person is in a comatose state, no one is exactly sure what is going on in their head. Those who have brain activity are deemed to be alive and there is little anyone can do but wait to see how long it will take for them to come out of the coma. Those with no brain activity are usually considered to be clinically dead, although many continue to stay on life support. One of the most difficult decisions a family member can make is whether to discontinue the life support for a loved one in a coma who is considered clinically dead. The time period one spends in a coma may vary. Because comatose patients are immobile, it is imperative for them to receive some form of physical treatment on a daily basis. Physiotherapy for comatose patients involves moving their limbs and massage. It is important that their muscles remain strong and that atrophy does not set in. It is also important to keep their blood circulation going. Some members of the medical community also feel that physiotherapy for comatose patients plays another important role, besides physical. Touch is very important to human beings, as is human communication. Often, while the therapist is working with the comatose patient, he or she will talk to them, as if they can hear. Often times, the patient can hear as the ocular nerves are usually the last to go during a coma. This talking, touch, movement, massage and exercise of the limbs can help someone come out of a coma sooner than someone who is just ignored. In addition, those who receive physiotherapy for comatose patients will regain their strength much sooner than those who receive no therapy. As the muscles were continuously exercised during the coma period, the person who emerges from a coma will have a much better time beginning to walk and moving around. Massaging of muscles also insures that they will not experience atrophy. Compassionate physiotherapists work for hours with comatose patients, massaging their muscles, exercising them, talking to them and trying to bring them out from their comatose state.

Physiotherapy for comatose patients takes many different forms including physical and emotional. Both are equally important. Those who receive physiotherapy for comatose patients have a much better prognosis for rapid recovery when the awaken from the coma than those who do not.