South Health and Policy (Journal)
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The Rehabilitation Nurse\u27s Intervention in People with Spasticity: Case Report
No full textIntroduction: Stroke is one of the main causes of disability and mortality in Portugal. Early rehabilitation is essential to reduce complications such as spasticity, improve functionality and acilitate home reintegration.
Case report: Case report based on rehabilitation nursing interventions, following the CAse REport guidelines. A home rehabilitation program was implemented for a 50-year-old client with spastic left hemiparesis. Muscle strength, spasticity and pain were assessed using validated scales such as the Modified MRC Scale and the Ashworth Scale.The intervention plan included passive and active-assisted mobilizations, transfer exercises and teaching the caregiver. There was a slight improvement in muscle strength and spasticity, but no impact on functional independence, according to the Barthel Index.Conclusions: Early intervention and continuous monitoring by a Rehabilitation Nurse Specialist were fundamental to improving muscle strength and reducing spasticity. Caregiver training played a crucial role in implementing the care plan
Between legacy and science: exploring traditional medicine in Panama used for management of acute and chronic pain.
No full textPanamanian herbalism is based on the ancestral knowledge of communities, who made use of native species, thus achieving remedies for different illness of each system in the body. This investigation article provides an overview of the most commonly used medicinal plants in Panama, as well as their uses related to pain and other uses. Some of the plants mentioned have properties attributed by the country\u27s population. Also, we will present the mixture of various plants used in poultices, plasters, and infusions turned into remedies, specifically the most used ones in the national territory. To a lesser extent, we will briefly mention the drugs of utility in Panama, main molecules, and generalities. Of course, the relationships between pharmacological and traditional therapy will be established, analyzing the active principles and studies carried out
Impact of cocaine use in pregnant women: a comprehensive look from the perspective of health and rights
No full textThe study addressed cocaine use during pregnancy as a complex problem, involving biomedical, social, legal and ethical factors. It analysed how this substance affected maternal and foetal health, causing obstetric complications such as hypertension, premature birth and intrauterine growth retardation. In addition, the barriers faced by pregnant women in accessing health services due to stigmatisation and fear of legal reprisals were described. The Argentine regulatory framework was also examined, which, although it recognised consumption as a health issue, failed to prevent punitive practices in reality. Finally, the need to implement inclusive public policies, centred on comprehensive support and respectful of human and reproductive rights, was highlighted
Traditional natural medicine, an alternative to the treatment of psychiatric disorders
No full textThe origins of natural and traditional medicine are closely linked to the history of humankind and its struggle for survival. This speciality includes a set of methods and techniques that aim to restore balance within the individual and between the individual and the universe. The integration of therapeutic resources for the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of diseases has been developed in a sustained and systematic manner in our country. Some of the pathologies that succumb to such resources are psychiatric illnesses, including anxiety, depression and insomnia. Natural and Traditional Medicine offers a set of modalities for their treatment, including: Acupressure, Auriculotherapy, Phytotherapy and Apitherapy. The objective of this work was to describe the therapeutic use of some modalities of Natural and Traditional Medicine in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. To achieve this, 21 bibliographies were consulted
Nutritional Habits, Relationship to Other Variables in Older Adults at Family Doctor\u27s Office No. 15
No full textIntroduction: Achieving an adequate nutritional status in older adults is a primary goal in the socio-health care of this population. Objective: To determine the relationship between nutritional habits and lifestyle variables, and morbidity, in older adults from Doctor\u27s Office number 15 from June 2020 to June 2023. Method: An analytical correlational study was conducted. The universe consisted of all elderly individuals (198), and a sample of 130 elderly individuals who met the inclusion criteria was selected using a simple random sampling method. The information used was collected through the application of a questionnaire. The data obtained were arranged to search for association between variables according to the objectives set. For data processing, the absolute and relative frequency were determined, and for the association between qualitative variables, the Chi-square test was determined. Results: There is a strong association between inadequate nutritional habits, obesity, and associated morbidity, with hypertension (HTA) being the most common. When the level of physical activity was inadequate, dietary practices were also inadequate. There was a relationship between toxic and nutritional habits, with a high prevalence of smokers. Conclusions: Inadequate nutrition is among the main causes of multimorbidity in the elderly
Impact of the Microbiota on the Gut-Brain Axis and its Influence on Anxiety: A Systematic Review
No full textBackground: he gut-brain axis is a bidirectional connection that communicates the gastrointestinal system and the central nervous system (CNS), through nervous, immunological, endocrine and metabolic pathways. In this context, the gut microbiota refers to the set of microorganisms that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract and play a key role in the regulation of mental and emotional health, including anxiety. Research has shown that an imbalance in the gut microbiota, known as dysbiosis, can alter the gut-brain axis and contribute to the development of anxiety disorders, through inflammatory and neurochemical mechanisms. Objectives: In this work we will conduct a literature review on the relationship between the gut-brain axis, the gut microbiota and anxiety, including the potential use of probiotics in mental health.Material and methods: The proposed research design is a systematic review, the main objective of which is to determine the differences in young adult patients with anxiety treated with probiotics. Results: Given the role of the gut microbiota in the gut-brain axis due to its ability to produce neurotransmitters (e.g., GABA by Bifidobacterium) and their precursors, as well as cytokines, BDNF, and SCFAs, several efforts have been made to establish a microbiological signature in individuals with anxiety disorders.Conclusion: The use of probiotics influences the inflammatory profile of patients and the regulation of the serotonin pathway. These findings support the therapeutic potential of probiotics in the treatment of anxiety, as these disorders are associated with alterations in the HPA axis and elevated levels of inflammatory biomarkers in patients with anxiety
SIBO and intestinal health: clinical implications of an altered microbiota
No full textSmall intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) was described as a condition characterised by an abnormal increase of bacteria in the small intestine, frequently associated with non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms. Over the years, its study has been deepened thanks to advances in diagnostic techniques and in the knowledge of its pathophysiology. Predisposing factors such as hypochlorhydria and anatomical or motility alterations were identified. In diagnosis, although jejunal aspirate culture remained the reference method, breath tests were widely used because of their accessibility, despite their limitations. The interpretation of these results was complex and the need to standardise criteria to avoid diagnostic errors and unnecessary treatments was emphasised. Continuous medical training and a comprehensive clinical approach were fundamental for the adequate management of SIBO
Impact of Aspirin versus Clopidogrel Treatment on the Prevention of Recurrent Events in Patients with Ischemic Stroke
No full textBackground: Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. Secondary prevention is essential to reduce the recurrence of events. This study compares the efficacy and safety of aspirin versus clopidogrel in preventing recurrent events in patients with ischemic stroke. Materials and Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials published between 2004 and 2024 was conducted. Studies comparing aspirin and clopidogrel in adult patients with ischemic stroke were included. Results: Eleven studies involving 77,216 patients were analyzed. Clopidogrel significantly reduced the recurrence of stroke compared to aspirin (RR 0.86; 95% CI, 0.75–0.98). No significant differences were found in the rate of serious adverse events between the two treatments. Conclusion: Clopidogrel, as monotherapy, proves to be more effective than aspirin in preventing recurrent events in patients with ischemic stroke, without a significant increase in severe adverse events. However, dual therapy may offer additional benefits for some patients, albeit at the cost of an increased risk of bleeding. These findings suggest that clopidogrel is a preferred option for secondary prevention, with careful assessment of the risk-benefit profile in specific cases
Non-Pharmacological Interventions to Improve Sleep Quality: Research Protocol
No full textBackground: Sleep quality is a key factor for overall health and well-being. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as sleep hygiene and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), have shown promise in improving sleep quality without the side effects associated with pharmacological treatments. However, there is a need for a detailed systematic review of the evidence regarding the effectiveness of these interventions and the methods used to assess sleep quality. Material and methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Studies were retrieved from PubMed and Cochrane databases, focusing on randomized controlled trials published in the last 20 years. The included studies evaluated sleep hygiene protocols and used standardized methods to assess sleep quality, such as the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Results: The findings indicate that non-pharmacological interventions, particularly CBT and sleep hygiene, lead to significant improvements in sleep quality compared to control groups. The reviewed studies reported better PSQI scores and a reduction in daytime sleepiness levels. Conclusion: This systematic review concludes that non-pharmacological interventions are effective in improving sleep quality, with CBT being one of the most recommended due to its sustained effects over time and the absence of serious side effects
Impact of Dysbiosis on Intestinal Health in Young Adults with Chronic Inflammatory Diseases
No full textIntroduction: Gut microbiota played an essential role in human health, especially in functions such as digestion, vitamin synthesis and immune regulation. When this microbial balance was altered, dysbiosis emerged, a condition associated with chronic inflammatory diseases (CID) such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn\u27s disease. In Argentina, these pathologies significantly affected young adults, influenced by factors such as industrialized diets and the excessive use of antibiotics. This study analyzed the relationship between intestinal microbiota and CID in this vulnerable population.Development: The investigation revealed that patients with CID presented a lower bacterial diversity and an increase in proinflammatory species, such as adherent-invasive *Escherichia coli*. Environmental factors such as a diet low in fiber and rich in saturated fats, as well as the early use of antibiotics, contributed to these microbial alterations. In addition, dysbiosis was found to be associated with increased inflammatory biomarkers and greater clinical severity. Genetic influences on the predisposition to develop dysbiosis were also identified. The study considered emerging treatments, such as the use of probiotics, prebiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation, which offered promising but still preliminary results.Conclusions: It was concluded that intestinal dysbiosis played a determinant role in the development and progression of CID in young adults. The need to implement public health policies that promote healthy eating habits and control the use of antibiotics was highlighted, as well as the need to promote new research on therapeutic interventions based on the microbiota