ABSTRACT
This article describes the conclusions of an expert panel that discussed four case studies; these were examples of patients typically encountered by nurses working in the community. The panel considered the nutritional and lifestyle advice that could be given by nurses relating to conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, vulnerability to common infections, elderly care, recurrent urinary tract infection, antibiotic use, and risk of type 2 diabetes. A general conclusion was the importance of motivational interviewing techniques in achieving full understanding of patients' concerns and to determine the best health strategy. As well as specific guidance appropriate for each disorder, a range of information sources for both health professionals and patients are listed in the paper. The panel noted that, although general nutritional advice can be given by nurses working at GP surgeries and in the community, patients should always be referred to registered dietitians or nutritionists if significant dietary changes are considered.
Subject(s)
Community Health Nursing/standards , Depressive Disorder/diet therapy , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/diet therapy , Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic/diet therapy , Irritable Bowel Syndrome/diet therapy , Patient Education as Topic , Urinary Tract Infections/diet therapy , Adult , Aged, 80 and over , Depressive Disorder/nursing , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/nursing , Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic/nursing , Female , Humans , Irritable Bowel Syndrome/nursing , Life Style , Male , Motivation , Nurse's Role , Nutritional Status , Practice Guidelines as Topic , State Medicine/standards , Treatment Outcome , United Kingdom , Urinary Tract Infections/nursingABSTRACT
Currently, benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics, and retinoids are the mainstay topical treatments for acne vulgaris. However, potential benefits may be offered by natural, marine-derived ingredients, such as those derived from brown seaweed (Laminaria digitata). This article will review the available literature on two ingredients; "seaweed oligosaccharides," which are those derived from the polysaccharide membrane of Laminaria digitata, and a novel seaweed oligosaccharide-zinc complex (SOZC) (Phycosaccharide AC, The Mentholatum Company, East Kilbride, UK). Findings from a recent double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial (RCT) will also be reported and likely mechanisms discussed. The findings taken together suggest that SOZC can significantly ameliorate symptoms of acne vulgaris, particularly in terms of reducing sebum production and populations of Propionibacterium acnes.
