According to the Mayo Clinic "A cataract is a clouding of the normally
clear lens of the eye. For people who have cataracts, seeing through
cloudy lenses is a bit like looking through a frosty or fogged-up
window." Cataracts deviate from the normal definition of health in
that the lens of the eye degenerates over time, clouding, blurring, and
darkening vision. Clouded vision can disrupt many daily activities.
Cataracts can be classified by where they form, such as an Anterior
cortical cataract, a Posterior cortical cataract, an Anterior polar
cataract, a Posterior polar cataract, an Anterior subcapsular cataract,
and Posterior subcapsular cataract. They can also be determined by
their cause. Age-related cataracts caused by aging, secondary
cataracts in which they are caused by other eye conditions, drug-
induced cataracts associated with long-term corticosteroid
medications, traumatic cataracts caused by trauma to the eye,
congenital cataracts in where congenital diseases cause the cataract,
and radiation cataracts in where overexposure to radiation can lead to
cataracts.
Signs and symptoms include clouded, blurred, or dim vision, increased
difficulty with vision at night, sensitivity to light and glare, need for
brighter light for reading and other activities, fading or yellowing of
colours, and double vision in a single eye. Diagnosis and testing can
be done in a variety of ways. From visual acuity tests, slit-lamp exams,
and retinal exams these tests can help physicians diagnose cataracts
and find the best course of action next.
• Concept and Etiology: Cirrhosis of the liver happens when the
liver has had chronic, irreversible damage that results in
decreased liver function (Story, 2018). There are a few ways
that cirrhosis of the liver occurs which include hepatitis,
autoimmune condition, or chronic alcohol abuse (Story, 2018).
Cirrhosis deviates from the definition of health because it
interrupts the function of the liver which causes liver failure
(Story, 2018). The failure of the liver happens when the pressure
rises as the hepatic artery and portal vein become constricted
by scar tissue (Story, 2018). When fluid buildup occurs the
portal hypertension pushes fluid back into the abdominal cavity
and the damaged liver can no longer produce enough albumin
(Story, 2018).
• Classification: There are three classifications of cirrhosis based
on the Child-Pugh score. The Child-Pugh score contain bilirubin,
albumin, INR, the presence and severity of ascites, and
encephalopathy (Wikipedia, 2021). The three classifications are
A, B, and C with A being a mild case and C having a high risk of
death (Wikipedia, 2021).
• Clinical Manifestations (Symptoms and Signs):
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Weight loss
• Jaundice
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Abdominal swelling
• Confusion
• Darken urine
• Stools can become clay colored
• Ulcers
• Diagnostic Tests: Testing for cirrhosis includes a history,
physical examination, liver biopsy, abdominal X-ray, abdominal
ultrasound, abdominal CT, abdominal magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI), CBC, liver enzyme panel, EGD, clotting studies,
stool examination (for occult blood), and endoscopy (Story,
2018)
References
Story, L. (2018). Pathophysiology: A Practical Approach 3rd edition.
Burlington: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Wikipedia. (2021, December 6). Cirrhosis. Retrieved from Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cirrhosis#:~:text=liver%20with%20ne
utrophils.-,Grading,at%20high%20risk%20of%20death.
Cataracts. (2021, September 02).
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-
conditions/cataracts/symptoms-causes/syc-20353790
Mandal, D. (2019, February 26). Cataract classification.
https://www.news-medical.net/health/Cataract-Classification.aspx
