THE IMPORTANCE OF NURSING CARE IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF PATIENTS WITH PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Parkinsonova bolest je kronična progresivna neurodegenerativna bolest koja je karakterizirana propadanjem dopaminergičnih neurona u supstanciji nigri. Bolest se očituje pojavom motoričkih i nemotoričkih simptoma te narušava sposobnost kretanja. Razvoj bolesti je polagan, tako da do primjećivanja prvih tegoba može doći tek nakon nekoliko mjeseci ili godina nakon pojave simptoma. Dijagnoza Parkinsonove bolesti uglavnom se postavlja klinički, budući da nema nijedan pouzdan test ili pretraga koja može potvrditi bolest. Osnova liječenja Parkinsonove bolesti je simptomatsko liječenje, stoga su kontrola motoričkih simptoma i poboljšanje kvalitete života osnovni ciljevi liječenja. Kod pacijenata oboljelih od Parkinsonove bolesti pravilna i uravnotežena prehrana je ključan čimbeniku djelotvornosti terapije budući da mnogi antiparkinsonici bolju djelotvornost postižu uz adekvatnu prehranu. Parkinsonova bolest uvelike smanjuje kvalitetu života pacijenta budući da svojim simptomima i komplikacijama sprječavaju čovjeka u njegovom ostvarenju svakodnevnih aktivnosti, stoga je cilj sestrinske skrbi pacijenta smanjiti ili ukloniti simptome bolesti i omogućiti pacijentu da postigne što je moguće najvišu razinu kvalitete života. Pri planiranju zdravstvene njege bitno je pridržavati se načela zdravstvene njege, a to je da je skrb usmjerena isključivo prema pacijentu kao prema pojedincu, da mu se pristupa holistički gdje je pacijent u centru zbivanja te uključuje njegovo tijelo, um i duh.Parkinson's disease is a chronic progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by the breakdown of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. The disease is manifested by the appearance of motor and non-motor symptoms and impairs the ability to move. The development of the disease is slow, so that the first symptoms can be noticed only after a few months or years after the onset of symptoms. The diagnosis of Parkinson's disease is generally made clinically, as there is no reliable test or examination that can confirm the disease. The basis of Parkinson's disease treatment is symptomatic treatment, so controlling motor symptoms and improving quality of life are the main goals of treatment. In patients with Parkinson's disease, a proper and balanced diet is a key factor in the effectiveness of therapy, as many antiparkinsonian drugs achieve better efficacy with adequate nutrition. Parkinson's disease greatly reduces the quality of life of the patient because its symptoms and complications prevent a person in his daily activities, so the goal of nursing care is to reduce or eliminate the symptoms of the disease and enable the patient to achieve the highest possible quality of life. When planning health care, it is important to adhere to the principles of health care, which is that care is directed exclusively to the patient as an individual, to be approached holistically where the patient is at the center of events and includes his body, mind and spirit