Another edition of the 'Conscious Patient' campaign has been launched to raise awareness among patients that they are a vital link in the entire therapeutic process - their knowledge, involvement and responsibility matter.
The highly educational message was ensured through the support of patients and prominent authorities from the respective therapeutic areas, who addressed the topic from the perspective of prevention, diagnosis, treatment and the situation of patients in the era of COVID-19. The articles are available on the portal www.pacjentilekarz.pl
The campaign is organised under the auspices of the Polish Cardiac Society - Prof Przemysław Mitkowski, Prof Ewa Straburzyńska Migaj and Agnieszka Wołczenko emphasise that even the most innovative therapy aimed at treating cardiovascular diseases will not be effective if the patient is not responsible and involved in the treatment process.
Krystyna Janda, actress, film and theatre director, became the face of the campaign.
THE CAMPAIGN SUPPORTS THE FOLLOWING THERAPEUTIC AREAS:
PERTUSSIS - WHY DO YOU NEED TO BE VACCINATED AGAINST IT?
Having contracted whooping cough does not confer lifelong immunity. That is why booster vaccinations should be used. This will protect the youngest children from this serious infectious disease.
Substantive support on this topic was provided by:
- Dr Ewa Duszczyk, paediatrician, employee of the Department of Infectious Diseases of the Child Age at the Medical University of Warsaw, member of the Polish Paediatric Society, the Polish Society of Epidemiologists and Doctors of Infectious Diseases and the Polish Society of Vaccinology
IRON - WHAT IS THE RISK OF IRON DEFICIENCY?
Iron belongs to the trace elements, but let us not be misled by this name. Its role in the body is enormous. For this reason, if we suffer from iron deficiency, it is essential that we supplement it with the right preparations - not supplements, but medicines.
Substantive support on this topic was provided by:
- Marcin Barylski, MD, PhD, FESC Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiac Rehabilitation, Medical University of Lodz, University Clinical Hospital of the Military Academy of Medicine - Central Hospital
HYPOKALAEMIA - COVID-19 INFECTION PROMOTES POTASSIUM LOSS
Hypokalaemia can go unnoticed, but its consequences can be very serious. Therefore, it is necessary to supplement potassium deficiencies. Necessarily with medication and not with dietary supplements.
Substantive support on this topic was provided by:
- Grażyna Krzyżanowska, internist, rheumatologist from NZOZ Przychodnia Łomżyńska
DIABETES - APPS MAKE DIABETES MANAGEMENT EASIER
Living with diabetes requires the patient to be systematic and self-monitoring. Nowadays, in the age of computers, smartphones and the Internet, taking care of diabetes is no longer as onerous as before.
Substantive support on this topic was provided by:
- Mariusz Dąbrowski, MD, PhD, Professor at the University of Rzeszów, Consultant in Diabetology in the Podkarpackie Province
HPV - THE ESSENCE OF PREVENTION
The most dangerous strains of human papillomavirus are the direct cause of cervical cancer. Others we can live with for years and will not give any symptoms. Is it possible to get rid of HPV viruses?
Substantive support on this topic was provided by:
- Tomasz Paszkowski, MD, Head of the 3rd Department of Gynaecology, Medical University of Lublin
- Dr Grzegorz Głąb, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Opole
HYPERURICAEMIA - WHY ASSESS URIC ACID LEVELS?
High uric acid concentrations, i.e. hyperuricaemia, are conducive to the occurrence of heart attack and stroke. Hence, in recent years, uric acid concentration has been included among cardiovascular risk factors. With a suitable lifestyle, we can reduce this risk, but very often medication is needed to do so.
Substantive support on this topic was provided by:
- Aleksander Prejbisz, MD, PhD, Department of Hypertension, National Institute of Cardiology, Warsaw, President of the Polish Hypertension Society
DIZZINESS - A HEALTH HAZARD
Dizziness most often has a harmless cause, but as a symptom, it can cause very dangerous falls among sufferers. In order to relieve the patient from dizziness, the cause must be found, as well as medication to abolish the symptoms.
Substantive support on this topic was provided by:
- Dr Andrzej Potemkowski, MD, PhD, Professor at the University of Szczecin, specialist in neurology, Head of the Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychoprophylaxis at the Institute of Psychology, University of Szczecin
DEPRESSION - A DISEASE OF THE WHOLE ORGANISM
Depression is a severe disease of the whole body, but treatable. For this to happen, the patient must take medication for a sufficiently long period of time, systematically, and not just on an ad hoc basis.
Substantive support on this topic was provided by:
- Jerzy Samochowiec, MD, Head of the Department of Psychiatry, Pomeranian Medical University, President of the Polish Psychiatric Association
We recommend reading all the articles that are part of the 'Conscious Patient' campaign, available on the portal www.pacjentilekarz.pl.
The Institute for Patients' Rights and Health Education took patronage of the campaign.