End of life debate Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

End of life debate - Essay Example Various studies (Lee et al, 2010; Petri and Lazaro, 2009; Edworthy, 2005; and Ticaniet. Al, 2006) suggest that signs and symptoms commonly identified were butterfly rash over cheeks, photosensitivity, erythematous rash to areas exposed to sun, fatigue, malaise, early bruising, sudden weight gain or loss, hair loss, Raynaud’s phenomenon, joint pain and swelling, ulcers of the mouth and nose, plueritis, pericarditis, low grade fever, diarrhea and nausea and vomiting, hence identified as having multisystem effects. By this, SLE is considered to be one of the most serious rheumatic diseases however; the cause of death may not be directly attributed to the condition but to one or another of its many complications especially for severe cases (â€Å"Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Prognosis†, undated). ... On this paper I will try to discuss and justify my position to support the continuity of life of patients with SLE, looking into the various aspects of medical care as well as the ethical, social, and financial considerations that should be taken relative to the patient’s medical care. A hypothetical scenario on the case of a 38 year- old woman was also presented earlier. The woman complains of fatigue, weight loss, oral ulcers, and malar rash around her cheeks, some hair loss for the past month and a bilateral color changes in her extremities which is induced by stress or variants in temperature. She was also seen in the emergency room two (2) weeks ago complaining of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rash on her legs which was attributed to her travel to Brazil three (3) week ago, after the diagnosis the symptoms have resolved. Currently, she is not on any prescriptions or over the counter medications. Her past history is consistent of appendectomy at the age of 16 years and three (3) caesarian deliveries. Her family history is positive for hyperthyroidism in her mother and HTN in her father. Based on this scenario, the expected prognostic outcome of this patient is that she has a Widespread SLE. This chronic, lifelong disease was evident in her diagnosis and in the signs and symptoms she is experiencing. The disease may have started at her digestive system given by the various digestive related signs that she indicated during her medical consultation. She is already experiencing symptom relapses or flares from time to time but she can still do her normal activities 90% of the time as she was able to work and travel. Tests