Introduction: Thyroid Gland Disorder and Its Manifestation in an Adult-Gerontology Patient
What makes a thyroid gland disorder (TGD) so big a threat is that it does not manifest itself in a way that makes it easily detectable. Consequently, the symptoms that adult patients display are not that different from the ones that young patients have. As a result, the management of the disorder becomes times more difficult than the process of treating other endocrine conditions. Therefore, due care and attention must be paid to the prevention of the syndrome.
Among the primary symptoms in which the problem manifests itself, one must mention tiredness, dry skin, constipation, and intolerance to cold. However, seeing that the identified issues may also be characteristic of other disorders, one must consider the presence of other issues as well. For instance, bradycardia and carpal tunnel syndrome must also be viewed as the indicators of TGD. When testing young patients, i.e., children and teenagers, for the disorder, one may also consider the symptoms such as short attention span. However, an enlarged thyroid gland is the most common and by far the most certain indicator of the issue (Wang, 2013).
Pathology of the Altered Presentation of the Condition in Adult and old Patients and How It May Manifest Itself in a Non-Adult Patient
The pathology of how TGD is presented in adult and elderly patients are slightly different from the one in which it shows in young people. For instance, adult and senior patients are likely to experience significant elevations in plasma levels. Heart diseases and even possible heart failures should also be viewed as a possible outcome of the disorder in adults. TGD is also likely to trigger the development of macrocytic anemia. Consequently, if left unattended, the issue may evolve to the stage of pernicious anemia. It could also be argued that arthritis-related concerns that adult TGD patients are known to have been linked directly to the subject matter.
Young patients, however, do not develop the identified issues as explicitly as the adult and elderly ones. Furthermore, the mental issues that are said to be comorbid in elderly patients do not typically occur in young people. The latter, however, are very prone to the development of severe depression when fighting TGD. Furthermore, young people may experience significant rhythm disturbances when undergoing the treatment typically suggested for the successful management of TGD.
Comorbidities Affecting the Condition, Treatment Options, and the Necessary Alterations to the Treatment Plan
A recent study on the issues associated with TGD shows that mental disorders are often comorbid with TGD (Upadhyaya, Lamichhane, & Subedi, 2013). Indeed, the research indicates that TGD may manifest itself in an array of ways, and the development of mental disorders is one of the possible comorbidities that may occur in TGD patients.
Furthermore, the research shows quite evidently that there is an obvious connection between the levels of stress in the patients, the presence of TGD, and the progress of mental problems. In other words, the psychological strain under which the target population finds itself leads to a gradual psychological breakdown that results in the rapid progress of a mental disorder or a similar psychiatric issue in TGD patients. Consequently, it would be reasonable to assume that mental issues and TGD are not only comorbid but also linked directly to each other.
Moreover, other thyroid dysfunctions are typically comorbid with TGD. For instance, there is a supposition that hyperthyroidism may occur along with Diabetes Miletus (DM). Even though no direct evidence of the identified comorbidity has not been found, the number of incidences of TGD and DM points to the fact that there may be a link between the two (Wang, 2013).
Considerations for an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner to Take into Account When Addressing the Needs of Adult-Gerontology Patients with a Thyroid Gland Disorder
When managing the TGD-associated issues in adult patients, a nurse must focus on encouraging the target population to take rest often and reduce the stress levels. Seeing that mental issues and the threat of depression become increasingly more possible with the progress of the disorder, it is crucial to introduce the necessary preventive measures. The prevention of cardiac dysfunction should also be viewed as one of the most crucial steps toward meeting the needs of TGD patients efficiently (Belleza, 2016).
Conclusion: Addressing Thyroid Gland Disorder in Adult and Senior Patients
Managing the needs of adult TGD patients is quite challenging due to the Comorbidities associated with the disorder. Nevertheless, general guidelines include the prevention of patients being exposed to cold. Furthermore, the patients should be encouraged actively to consume fluid since TGD may lead to dehydration. A focus on the breathing pattern should also be deemed noteworthy for a nurse addressing the TGD-related problems since heart failure is typical in adult and elderly TGD population. Finally, promoting physical activities is likely to lead to a rapid improvement of the patients’ condition (Jonklaas et al., 2014).
References
Belleza, M. (2016). Hypothyroidism. Web.
Jonklaas, J., Bianco, A., Bauer, A. J., Burman,, K. D., Cappola, A. R., Celi, F. S…. & Sawka, A. M. (2014). Guidelines for the treatment of hypothyroidism: Prepared by the American Thyroid Association task force on thyroid hormone replacement. Thyroid, 24(12), 1670-1751.
Upadhyaya, T. D. K., Lamichhane, T. L. N., & Subedi, S. (2013). The study of psychiatric disorders in patients with thyroid disorder at the tertiary care centre in western region of Nepal. Journal of Psychiatrists’ Association of Nepal, 2(2), 29-34.
Wang, C. (2013). The relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus and related thyroid diseases. Journal of Diabetes Research, 2013(390534), 1-9. Web.