CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE

Congestive Heart Failure

Chronic Congestive Heart Failure

Introduction

A chronic illness is an illness that lasts for a long time, or that last longer than acute illnesses, which are brief and do not linger. Chronic illnesses can be treated but usually not cured entirely. One author writes, "The term 'chronic illness' refers to those disease categories for which there is no known 'cure,' to conditions that are ineradicable and usually progressive" (Royer, 1998, p. 1). It is estimated that at least 50 percent of the population suffers from some kind of chronic illness at any given time (Royer, 1998, p. 4). In fact, many health care professionals believe chronic illnesses may be the biggest challenge in health care today (Vickers, 2001, p. 12). Healthy can be described as in good health - the patient does not suffer from any known diseases or illnesses, and they "feel" healthy and fit. Usually, this implies the absence of disease, but that is not always the case. Congestive heart malfunction is a common syndrome in older adults and occurs in roughly 7% to 10% of people 80 years and older (Resnick, 2004). "Congestive heart malfunction is a pathophysiological status in which the heart is incapable to develop an ample cardiac output such that there is insufficient perfusion of tissues, and/or bigger diastolic filling pressure of the left ventricle, such that pulmonary capillary stresses are bigger" (Brashers, 2002, p.53).

Discussion

Chronic illness is not a debilitating for many people as it might seem. Many individuals who appear entirely healthy, even perfectly healthy, suffer from surprise heart attacks or strokes that debilitate or kill them. They feel well, engage in their normal activities, and feel little or no discomfort from their chronic illness until it reaches a point where the symptoms begin to be more noticeable and bothersome. While this may seem incongruous, it makes sense from several standpoints. Their diabetes can be treated, and for many, they can live totally normal, active lives, while they monitor their diabetes and keep it in check. It is entirely possible for a person to suffer from many different chronic illnesses and still be healthy, both mentally and physically. In other words, more than average people, they seem to engage in impression management" (Royer, 1998, p. However, other chronic illnesses are treatable and patients can live normal, happy lives without feeling the effects of the illness in every aspect of their lives. These people are healthy in other aspects of their lives, but their chronic illness disables them so much they cannot manage it. This is apparent when health professionals interview patients with chronic illnesses, who maintain they are healthier after their diagnosis because they have altered their diets, exercise more, and generally feel better about their overall health.

The Trajectory Model

The trajectory model is a nursing model that particularly considers the situation of people with chronical diseases. It has been developed by Juliet Corbin, a nurse and nursing scientist. And by the sociologist Anselm Strauss ...