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LIVING WELL WITH HIV
is enhanced by good nutrition, oral/dental health, and emotional well
being. Every patient will receive a referral to a mental health professional,
to a dentist, and to a certified nutritionist.
Nutrition
Your status will be
evaluated by clinical signs and symptoms . We will perform a BIA (bioelectric
impedence analysis) to evaluate your lean body mass, repeated annually
for early detection of any deterioration. At least annually you will be
referred for a nutritionist consult. Specific laboratory tests will be
performed as needed.
Am
I depressed?
How do I know if I
need counseling? Use this depression scale to assess yourself and share
this info with your doctor. Referrals for counseling services are available
to all clients from your nurse, case manager or physician. LIVING WELL
WITH HIV is related to your emotional state.
Respond to each item
on a scale of 1-4
(1=none or seldom; 2=some of the time; 3=good part of the time; 4=most
or all of the time)
- I feel downhearted,
blue, and sad.
- Morning is when
I feel the best.
- I have crying spells
or feel like it
- I have trouble
sleeping through the night
- I eat as much as
I used to.
- I enjoy looking
at, talking to, and being with attractive women/men.
- I notice that I
am losing weight
- I have trouble
with constipation.
- My heart beats
faster than usual
- I get tired for
no reason
- My mind is as clear
as it used to be
- I find it easy
to do the things I used to do.
- I am restless and
can't keep still.
- I feel hopeful
about the future.
- I am more irritable
than usual.
- I find it easy
to make decisions.
- I feel I am useful
and needed.
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Substance
Abuse and HIV
Patients who have
control over their use of alcohol and recreational drugs will have greater
control over the effects of HIV/AIDS. The human body is highly sensitive
to anything put into it. Abuse of substances will interfere with the benefits
of anti-retroviral therapy.
Harm
Reduction Rating Scale for Use/Abuse of Substances
- Drug free - no
drug or alcohol use.
- Social use - occasional
alcohol or marijuana at social occasions or glass of wine with dinner.
It doesn't interfere with medications or activities of daily living.
- Patterning drug
use - Increased frequency of alcohol or marijuana, and/or infrequent
use of cocaine or other substances.
- Frequency increasing
- Drug use including cocaine, regular prescription medicines (for anxiety
or pain), or any other substance used several times weekly which interferes
with medication adherence and/or activities of daily living.
- Addiction - continuing
use of any substance when it is producing negative consequences, particularly
the deterioration of your health.
If you feel you want
to stop using alcohol or drugs, call Alcoholics & Narcotics Anonymous
at (305) 296-8654.
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