Health care of laryngectomized patients

Karcinom larinksa spada među najčešće i najrazornije karcinome, a s obzirom na spol, češće obolijevaju muškarci nego žene. U rizične skupine spadaju osobe srednja i starije životne dobi, pušači, alkoholičari ali i osobe koje su zbog prirode posla izloženi štetnim utjecajima okoline. Stoga je vrlo bitna i prevencija same bolesti smanjenjem konzumiranja alkohola i cigareta te ostalih štetnih čimbenika. Svi oni su svjesni štetnosti cigareta i duhanskog dima, ali im najteže pada mijenjanje životnih navika. Osobe koje imaju karcinom larinksa moraju proći određenu adaptaciju na novonastalu situaciju koja podrazumijeva mijenjanje stila života i suočavanje s tom teškom bolešću. Gubitak glasa je ono čega se operirani najviše bolje, stoga je jako važno strpljivo pristupiti bolesniku te mu u početku omogućiti alternativne načine komunikacije. Od velike važnosti za bolesnika je učinkovita rehabilitacija govora jer omogućuje lakše vraćanje u normalan život. Stoga je naglasak posla medicinskog tehničara stavljen ponajviše na suosjećanje, empatiju te emocionalnu podršku pacijentu. Bitno ja da se od početka stvori odnos povjerenja i sigurnosti, jer će se na taj način olakšati i maksimalno ostvariti posao medicinskog tehničara, ali i poboljšati stanje pacijenta. Bitno je upozoriti na simptome koji se javljaju prilikom razvoja tumora na grkljanu jer su oni neophodni za postavljanje dijagnoze. Na tumor mogu upućivati bol u grlu, promuklost, smetnje pri gutanju te promjene u boji ili gubitak glasa. Ovisno o simptomima, te zahvaćenosti i lokalizaciji tumora pristupa se terapijskim postupcima. Liječenje može biti kirurško, iradijacijsko (zračenje), citostatičko (kemoterapija) i imunološko. Neke od najčešćih poteškoća bolesnika su vezane uz promjenu načina prehrane, disanja, govora, obavljanja higijene, te nerijetko i velike promjene u izgledu. Takvi zahvati zahtijevaju traheotomiju koja je najčešće doživotna, uvođenje nazogastrične sonde, te ovisno o vrsti zahvata i oboljenja korištenje raznih implantata i pomagala. Uloga medicinske sestre je ključna u zbrinjavanju i edukaciji bolesnika i njegovih najbližih o specifičnim postupcima i pomagalima koji će činiti svakidašnji život pacijenta. Stoga je neophodna profesionalnost i adekvatno znanje medicinske sestre za takav zadatak.Laryngeal cancer is one of the most common and destructive cancers, and due to gender, men are more likely to get it than women. Risk groups include middle-aged and elderly people, smokers, alcoholics, but also people who are exposed to the harmful effects of the environment due to the nature of their work. Therefore, the prevention of the disease itself by reducing the consumption of alcohol and cigarettes and other harmful factors is very important. . They are all aware of the harmful effects of cigarettes and tobacco smoke, but the hardest thing for them is changing their life habits. People who have laryngeal cancer have to go through some adaptation to a new situation that involves changing their lifestyle and coping with this serious disease. Voice loss is what is best operated on, so it is very important to approach the patient patiently and initially provide him with alternative ways of communication. Of great importance for the patient is the effective rehabilitation of speech because it allows easier return to normal life. Therefore, the emphasis of the medical technician's job is placed mostly on compassion and empathy, and emotional support to the patient. It is important for me to create a relationship of trust and security from the beginning, because in this way it will be easier and maximally accomplish the job of a medical technician, but also improve the patient's condition. It is important to warn of the symptoms that occur during the development of a tumor on the larynx, because they are necessary for making a diagnosis. The tumor may be indicated by a sore throat, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, and color changes or loss of voice. Depending on the symptoms, and the involvement and localization of the tumor, therapeutic procedures are approached. Treatment can be surgical, irradiation (radiation), cytostatic (chemotherapy) and immunological. Some of the most common difficulties of patients are related to changes in diet, breathing, speech, hygiene, and often major changes in appearance. Such procedures require a tracheotomy, which is usually lifelong, the introduction of a nasogastric tube, and depending on the type of procedure and disease, the use of various implants and aids. The role of the nurse is crucial in caring for and educating the patient and their loved ones about the specific procedures and aids that will make up a patient’s daily life. Therefore, professionalism and adequate knowledge of the nurse is necessary for such a task