HL has a multiplicity of complications all which are attributed to his lifestyle. HL has a history of drug abuse and his list of medication all but indicates that his drug abuse lifestyle has had a significant impact on his general health, his body systems and his body organs. HL could probably be having Cirrhosis and Portal Hypertension (Cárdenas, 2014). The Cirrhosis could be as a result of alcohol consumption which has then the damage of his liver and probably gastric varices which is a precedent of Hepatitis C condition he already harbors.
The gastric varices has led to the inflammation and dilation of the gastric and esophageal systems which now explains the list of medication specifically Prednisone which is meant to help manage the inflammation (Vo et al., 2014). On the other hand, the hypertension issues have been escalated by the dysfunctional liver which now requires the pharmacological intervention with the Nifedipine 30 mg daily dosage as well as the Synthroid 100 mcg daily which is essentially an intervention to help manage hypothyroidism, a condition caused by the poorly functioning liver (Cárdenas, 2014). Portal hypertension on the other hand, which is a precedent of Hepatitis C is also attributed to the poorly functioning liver and the continued use of drugs and particularly alcohol.
The use of these drugs leads to an increased blood volume and subsequently blood pressure. With the liver being dysfunctional coupled with the poor secretion of thyroid hormones which would aid in the balance of fluids in the blood, then HL is always at risk of blood pressure elevation (Denmead, 2013). Thus for HL, the therapy will primarily begin with a quit-program for the confirmed drug abuse issue as a non-pharmacological approach. The list of medication will however be maintained as it is for the current period until he indicates any potential changes or improvements that may need such a review of the dosages or medication. The primary problem for HL is the gastric problems and the need to maintain the Synthroid 100 mcg daily is the key since the symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are all attributed to the hormonal imbalances caused by the dysfunctional thyroid gland (Boyer, 2015).
References
Boyer, J. L. (2015). The origins of hepatobiliary and gastrointestinal physiology. Hepatology, 61(5), 1452-1454.
Cárdenas, A. (2014). Interventional Procedures in Hepatobiliary Diseases, An Issue of Clinics in Liver Disease (Vol. 18, No. 4). Elsevier Health Sciences.
Denmead, E. (2013). Jarvis's Physical Examination and Health Assessment Student Lab Manual: ANZ adaptation. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Vo, H. D., Xu, J., Rabinowitz, S. S., Fisher, S. E., & Schwarz, S. M. (2014). The liver in pediatric gastrointestinal disease. Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition, 59(3), 288-299.
