29/04/2024
Doctor - Patient Communication Exercise
Hydrochlorothiazide for hypertension :
Give instructions to 55 year old male patient with hypertension who is prescribed Tablet Hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg daily.
Doctor - Patient Communication :
1. You have been diagnosed with hypertension, a condition in which your blood pressure remains high. If left untreated, may lead to end organ damage ( Coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, eye and kidney problems, brain hemorrhage )
2. I am prescribing you a tablet called hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg , which will excrete excess water and sodium from your body and will keep your blood pressure under control.
3. Take one tablet of hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg every day, once in morning after breakfast.
4. You might notice that you urinate more frequently. It is normal. Take your dose at maximum before 4 pm so that you will not be disturbed in your sleep.
5. If you notice any muscle cramps or excessive fatigue or dypnoea, please report immediately.
6. You will be have to take this medicine life long as hypertension requires long term treatment and stopping the treatment will result in complications.
7. Reduce the amount of salt intake upto 2 grams per day in your food. Avoid pickles, papads or noodles. Have a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, whole grains, fish, polyunsaturated fatty acids. Minimize consumption of processed meat, refined carbohydrates, and sweetened beverages.
8. Do regular exercise of mild to moderate intensity ( 150 minutes / week approx. )
9. Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
10. Have adequate sleep.
11. Maintain a diary recording of your blood pressure either at home or in the nearest health care facility for the next month.
12. Review after one month.