Comments on: Patients managing their own care http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2007/04/patients-managing-their-own-care.html Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:09:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: Blood Pressure Monitorhttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2007/04/patients-managing-their-own-care.html#comment-74176 Blood Pressure Monitor Mon, 23 Apr 2007 08:43:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2007/04/patients-managing-their-own-care.html#comment-74176 Folk mus make sure they get an accurate blood pressure monitor and understand how to use it properly. Folk mus make sure they get an accurate blood pressure monitor and understand how to use it properly.

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2007/04/patients-managing-their-own-care.html#comment-74036 Anonymous Wed, 18 Apr 2007 18:48:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2007/04/patients-managing-their-own-care.html#comment-74036 Right. Diabetics monitor their sugar and make adjustments. Sugar generally changes rapidly, when it does not, it usually warrants a trip to the doctor.<br/><br/>BP meds take longer to work. A seriously elevated BP might not respond, but the blessing allowing one to adjust their meds might result in delays in treating urgent or emergent hypertension due to a false sense of security. <br/><br/>Of course, there are those that will say that the doctor should provide parameters that should be followed. I'm sure that those that use home nebulizers are also given parameters, but a recent study showed that home nebulizer use was associated with an increased risk of death, presumably due to a false sense of security. There are also studies showing that the majority of home nebulizer users do not use them as directed.<br/><br/>Unfortunately for hypertension, the first sign that the self-directed dosage change is not working is usually something less reversible than hypoglycemia, e.g. a stroke.<br/><br/>RichMD Right. Diabetics monitor their sugar and make adjustments. Sugar generally changes rapidly, when it does not, it usually warrants a trip to the doctor.

BP meds take longer to work. A seriously elevated BP might not respond, but the blessing allowing one to adjust their meds might result in delays in treating urgent or emergent hypertension due to a false sense of security.

Of course, there are those that will say that the doctor should provide parameters that should be followed. I’m sure that those that use home nebulizers are also given parameters, but a recent study showed that home nebulizer use was associated with an increased risk of death, presumably due to a false sense of security. There are also studies showing that the majority of home nebulizer users do not use them as directed.

Unfortunately for hypertension, the first sign that the self-directed dosage change is not working is usually something less reversible than hypoglycemia, e.g. a stroke.

RichMD

]]> By: geenahttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2007/04/patients-managing-their-own-care.html#comment-74031 geena Wed, 18 Apr 2007 16:52:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2007/04/patients-managing-their-own-care.html#comment-74031 That video was just creepy, right down to the music.<br/><br/>Bleah. That video was just creepy, right down to the music.

Bleah.

]]> By: RDochttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2007/04/patients-managing-their-own-care.html#comment-74020 RDoc Wed, 18 Apr 2007 08:17:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2007/04/patients-managing-their-own-care.html#comment-74020 Interesting, when a patinet measures his blood pressure at home, does he avoid "white coat syndrome"? Interesting, when a patinet measures his blood pressure at home, does he avoid “white coat syndrome”?

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2007/04/patients-managing-their-own-care.html#comment-74005 Anonymous Wed, 18 Apr 2007 00:07:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2007/04/patients-managing-their-own-care.html#comment-74005 But you're still ignoring the fact that diabetics do this and have done so for a long time. Many of them check their own blood sugar, several times daily, and adjust their insulin accordingly. Most of them do so with their physicians telling them to do it. <br/><br/>What really is the difference if they also do it for hypertension? I mean if a person is able to understand and follow directions what's the big deal. You take whatever does your Dr. tells you to take, based on what range your BP is. I think when we take 3-4 different BP meds daily that many times some of us may be over medicated. Those days where you are extremely tired after taking them, or when you feel really weak could easily be symptoms of too much medication. But you’re still ignoring the fact that diabetics do this and have done so for a long time. Many of them check their own blood sugar, several times daily, and adjust their insulin accordingly. Most of them do so with their physicians telling them to do it.

What really is the difference if they also do it for hypertension? I mean if a person is able to understand and follow directions what’s the big deal. You take whatever does your Dr. tells you to take, based on what range your BP is. I think when we take 3-4 different BP meds daily that many times some of us may be over medicated. Those days where you are extremely tired after taking them, or when you feel really weak could easily be symptoms of too much medication.

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