ee

Professor’s Comment:

The referencing and citing of scholarly work is mandatory to support the idea that is being presented in the participation discussion. ALL peer responses require an in text citation, a reference, and 6 or more sentences. References should be between 2018 to 2022.

Post 1:

There are many conditions that affect perceptual, neurological, and cognitive function. Dementia is a general term that describes the decline in memory, reasoning, and thinking skills while Alzheimer’s disease is a specific disease that comprises up to 80% of dementia cases (“Dementia vs. Alzheimer’s Disease: What is the Difference,” 2022). Dementia is more common as people get older however it is still not a normal part of the aging process. On the other hand, Alzheimer’s Disease is irreversible and advances slowly. Due to the slow progression of the disease, thinking, memory, and the ability to perform certain actions deplete (“Basics of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia,” 2022). Contributing factors to Alzheimer’s Disease are the development of amyloid plaques, tau tangles, and neural death synaptic deterioration. There are a variety of neurological, cognitive, and perceptual changes occur with Alzheimer’s Disease. Some early symptoms that assist with the diagnosis of this disease include changes in mood or behavior, difficulty concentrating, language problems/trouble finding words/reduced vocabulary, poor judgement, memory impairment, and visual/spatial difficulties. Risk factors include head injury, hypertension, genetic implications, obesity, smoking, type two diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, and older age (Falkner & Green, 2018). Methods to prevent the development of Alzheimer’s Disease and to promote a healthy lifestyle is to provide education on the importance of exercise, diet, and safety. Obesity, hypertension, diabetes, a sedentary lifestyle, and smoking are all facets that can be managed if certain changes are made. Unhealthy diet and a lack of daily physical exercise leads to many disease states besides Alzheimer's Disease like CAD, hypertension, DM, osteoarthritis, and cancer. Therefore, providing education and collaborating with case management, social work, and rehab specialists can allow for seamless, efficient, and effective patient care. Since Alzheimer's disease can also present from head injury, it is essential that proper safety attire is worn when engaging in certain activities (ex. rock climbing, biking). Head injuries can also occur from team sports therefore education should be provided in a variety of settings to reach different patient populations. Educational materials can be provided in the form of videos, pamphlets, and live group sessions. 

References

Basics of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. (2022). National Institute on Aging.  https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers/basics

Dementia vs. Alzheimer’s Disease: What is the Difference? (2022). Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. https://alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/difference-between-dementia-and-alzheimer-s

Falkner, A., & Green, S. (2018). Neurological, Perceptual, and Cognitive Complexities. In Grand Canyon University (Ed). Pathophysiology Clinical Applications for Client Health. Retrieved from  https://lc.gcumedia.com/nrs410v/pathophysiology-clinical-applications-for-client-health/v1.1/#/chapter/2

Post 2:

 Parkinson's disease is a neurologic disorder that targets the nervous system. It is a degerative condition that starts gragually and one may go unnoticed and mild for some time and usually symptoms start with tremors in one hand (Mayo Clinic, 2022). This type of a neurologic disorder does not have a cure but medications are available to alleviate the symptoms. The nerve cells in the brain start to break down due to unknown causes though genetics are identified as a risk factor. Exposure to toxins may also increase the risk of developing parkinson's syndrome. Symptoms may be different per individual, and they start with one side of the body which may remain severe than the other. Lewy bodies which are clustered in the brain cells are also identifiers of parkinsonism (Mayo Clinic, 2022).

Other symptoms of parkinson's disease bradykinesia, which is reduced movement, short steps as one start walking then as time goes on it becomes difficult to move from a chair and patient then starts shuffling feet. Muscle stiffness can be noted with reduced range of motion. Patient may have a stooped posture and susceptible to falls. Speech alterations may also be noted it may start as soft to slurred speech (Mayo Clinic, 2022). Medical and surgical interventions can be an option to relieve symptoms. Some of the medication such as trihexyphenidyl used as antispasmodic in treatment of symptoms. Levodopa may also be used to reduce the abnormal brain activity and supply with more dopamine. Appropriate diet is also required to improve welness and exercise help strengthen muscles while increasing balance. Support groups are also available to assist families of involved individuals with advice, and resources to support the community (National Institute on Aging, 2022).

References

Mayo Clinic. (2022, July 8). Parkinson's disease - Symptoms and causes.  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/parkinsons-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20376055

National Institute on Aging. (2022, April 14). Parkinson’s disease: Causes, symptoms, and treatments.  https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/parkinsons-disease

Post 3:

Cognition is the ability of an individual to develop skills, learn new things, solve complex problems, have memory, reason logically and have judgmental thinking. An example of a cognitive issue is amnesia which is the loss of memory, including past experiences and information. People suffering from this cognitive issue find it difficult to remember past events and to learn new information (Staniloiu, Markowitsch & Kordon, 2018). Contributing factors of amnesia are brain inflammation caused by viruses or reactions, long term abuse of alcohol, brain tumours, inadequate oxygen supply to the brain, seizures, degenerative brain diseases like dementia, and certain medications especially sedatives.

Cognitive issue such as amnesia can be prevented by protecting the brain. Damage caused to the brain is the root cause of amnesia development. Health promotion for amnesia prevention entails minimizing risks of brain injury by taking four significant precautions. First, individuals should refrain from excessive abuse of alcohol since it causes damage to the brain, which can result in amnesia (Katayama & Nakamura, 2019). Secondly, motorists should always wear seat belts while driving and cyclists wear helmets to minimize the risk of brain injury in case of an accident. Thirdly, all infections should be treated as soon as possible to avoid spreading to the brain. Lastly, signs and symptoms of any condition such as stroke should prompt a person to seek medical treatment.

References

Katayama, S., & Nakamura, S. (2019). Emerging roles of bioactive peptides on brain health promotion.  International Journal of Food Science & Technology,  54(6), 1949-1955.

Staniloiu, A., Markowitsch, H. J., & Kordon, A. (2018). Psychological causes of autobiographical amnesia: A study of 28 cases.  Neuropsychologia,  110, 134-147.

Post 4:

A stroke, also known as a cerebrovascular accident, occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted. This can occur from a hemorrhagic stroke or ischemic stroke. During a hemorrhagic stroke, weakened blood vessels rupture. In an ischemic stroke, blood flow is disrupted by a thrombus. When there is a lack of blood flow to any area of the brain, oxygen is deprived and brain cells begin to die. A person who suffers from a stroke may have long-lasting neurological deficits such as weakness in the arms or legs, confusion, trouble speaking, and loss of balance and coordination (Falkner & Green, 2018).

According to the CDC (2017), stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. Recognizing the signs and symptoms using the acronym FAST includes: Face, check for a facial droop, arms, check for a difference in strength, slurred speech, and time, call 9-1-1 right away (CDC, 2018).

Steps for prevention include living a healthy life in which patients are encouraged to limit alcohol, quit smoking, and see a PCP for other medical conditions such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. Heart disease such as atrial fibrillation has an increased risk of stroke. Neurological diseases require management and prevention. Nurses are a vital piece in positive patient outcomes.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017). Healthy Brain Initiative. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/aging/healthybrain/index.htm

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Stroke signs and symptoms. Retrieved from  https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/signs_symptoms.htm

Falkner, S. & Green, S. (2018). Neurological, Perceptual, and Cognitive Complexities. Pathophysiology Clinical Applications For Client Health. https://lc.gcumedia.com/nrs410v/pathophysiology-clinical-applications-for-client-health/v1.1/#/chapter/2