Choose a common disease or disorder that interests you and create a list of items that you could use to educate a patient about the disease or disorder. Patient education can be treatment options, lifestyle changes, facts, etc.

I choose gastritis because relative of mine dealt with severe consequences for lack of treatment and self-care.

Gastritis is an inflammatory disease of the stomach caused mainly by the H. pylori bacteria and stomach injuries produced by abrasive substances like alcohol; if not treated, can lead to peptic and duodenal ulcers, and even to stomach cancer.

Facts:

Contrary to popular belief, gastritis is not caused by stress or spicy foods; almost all of the reported cases are caused by a bacteria called helicobacter pylori that is capable of colonize the stomach an destruct the protective mucosa of the stomach walls that protect the stomach for the acids involved in the digestion process. Without this protection, the stomach acid damages the stomach walls, which leads to inflammation.

Treatment options:

- Triple therapy: consist of two antibiotics complemented with a proton plumb inhibitor. If the bacteria persist, there are numerous alternatives like switching antibiotics or introduce bismuth salt.

Lifestyle changes:

- Avoid spicy and citrus foods. Even though they are not the cause of the disease, once you have it the affect the acidity of the stomach, which increase the inflammation.

- Wash your hands for 15 seconds before eat.

- Avoid alcohol and cigarettes.