Page 88 - strategy of health education

An example of case finding by general practitioners and practice nursing

professionals is the screening of people with high cholesterol levels in the blood

and present familial hypercholesterolemia.

Case-finding is concerned with healthy people with a particular risk

profile. In the screening for high cholesterol levels, cholesterol-lowering drugs

are often prescribed. Because the risk profile in cases of hypercholesterol can

also result from lifestyle factors, lifestyle advice can be offered in addition to

medication prescription.

Another example of case-finding by general practitioners and practice

nursing professionals is the screening for diabetes mellitus. By considering

fasting blood glucose levels and present familial diabetes, diabetes can be

detected in an early stage, or the case-finding of diabetes in people with

abdominal obesity and high blood pressure. After case-finding, diabetes

treatment is started and directed at the early detection of symptoms. The

screening for diabetes mellitus will possibly be extended in the future.

3. Care-Related, Tertiary Prevention

Tertiary prevention seeks to limit disability or complication arising from

an irreversible condition. Even at this stage actions and behaviors of the patient

are essential. The use of disability aids and rehabilitation services help people

from further deterioration and loss of function. For example, a diabetic patient

should take strictly daily insulin injection to prevent complications.

 Care-related, tertiary prevention, optimizing health, even though people

have a disease or health problem. Patients meet the criteria to be

diagnosed with a health problem.

 The goal is to optimize the health situation with given physical and/or

mental disorders, limitations or handicaps.

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