Essay Assignment
Essay Assignment
Abstract
In this paper, the aspect of disease development is focused in five sections. A critical review of various health conditions attempts to demystify some contingencies that are attributable to the disease process. This approach becomes integral in establishing causal explanations for various health derangements. It covers the aspects of bio scientific research used to create strategies that help in mitigating disease occurrence. The outcomes of this paper are relevant in the subject of managing diseases in human populations across the world.
Q1.
Dementia is a mental disorder that begets memory impairment and personality changes (Flicker, 1999). Alzheimer’s disease is associated with a diagnosis of exclusion because specific clinical diagnosis tests lack (Sperling, 2011). There are no particular procedures that can be used to rule out the condition. This is because of the fact that dementia is caused by many mental conditions. To diagnose for Alzheimer’s disease, the possible causes of dementia must be eliminated before arriving at a conclusive diagnosis.
Alzheimer’s disease affects brain tissue. Among the microscopic features include reduced nerve cell population, pathological agglomeration of protein fragments between nerve cells and the presence of dead nerve cells. Macroscopically, brain atrophy is evident in Alzheimer’s patients. Additionally, normal aging is identified which concerns significant losses in brain weight and volume.
Damage to the temporal and parietal lobes led to the emergence of visual hallucination. The pathophysiological presentation of this disease includes sulcal widening that leads to pronounced damage to the frontal lobes. This is a normal observation during the course of the disease that mostly affects elderly patients. Apart from this, various other forms of cognitive misidentification are typical of Alzheimer’s.
Q2.
Night terrors and nightmares are both forms of sleep disturbances in growing children (Vela-Bueno, 1985). Night terrors are partial interruptions from sleep in which an individual expresses intense panic. Nightmares, on the other hand, are presented when children have vivid dreams filled with fear. With nightmares, children may recall their experiences while night terrors are marked by no recollections at all.
During REM, the brain has reduced control over the respiratory system. This leads to irregular breathing patterns that are different from those of a waking individual. Additionally, eye movements are less rapid to those of waking individuals and occur in considerably short durations. The body temperature of a sleeping individual is not well regulated during this phase of sleep. Critically, REM has been associated with the development of memory processes in the human brain.
Sleeping hygiene denotes the practices that are important in fostering peaceful sleep in people. Among the general practices include the creation of conducive environments for sleep. This includes the limitation of light in sleeping areas, avoiding the consumption of stimulants before bedtime. Additionally, using the bed for sleeping purposes only is important in promoting good sleeping behavior.
Q3.
Excessive drinking causes damage to the human liver. This presents itself through increased fat deposition in the liver by a condition known as hepatic steatosis.
Additionally, the liver may be inflamed and this would progress to liver cirrhosis that is fatal.
Psychological issues are imminent during alcohol abuse.
This includes depression that may lead to suicidal cases.
Conflict in family relationships may break social units.
Additionally, alterations in the nervous system affect a victim’s life.
They may become prone to reduced judgment, which makes them vulnerable to accidents.
Alcoholics have a high tendency to engage in criminal activities due to their cognitive shortcomings.
Drug abuse leads to the emergence of several complications. First, health problems are imminent in drug abuse.
The consumption of cocaine and other hard drugs lead to addiction. This may cause the emergence of seizures that may become fatal during drug overdose (Lundberg, 1971).
Drugs such as ecstasy lead to electrolyte imbalance that has serious health implications.
Psychological issues are also presented in drug abuse cases.
Drug abuse has a negative effect on an individual’s emotional imbalance. They become delusional and prone to absenteeism at work.
Financial complications are caused by reduced performance at work. Unemployment is the result of prolonged periods of underperformance in work places.
Q4.
In severe protein-calorie malnutrition, the risk of contracting the Refeeding Syndrome is high (Solomon, 1990). It presents itself as a cascade of metabolic imbalances that are attributable to the reinstitution of feeding regimes in individuals that have been significantly malnourished. The outcomes of the syndrome affect fluid imbalance in the body. This creates an unsuitable digestive environment in the gastrointestinal tract that leads to complications such as diarrhea.
Frank has a negative nitrogen balance. This is attributable to his physical condition that is marked by significant mass wasting. Additionally, the fact that he had been starved for long periods contributes to this reality. The amount of nitrogen expelled from his body is greater than that obtained through feeding (Ward, 1982). An account of his nitrogen balance can be used to substantiate the severity of his malnutrition.
Q5.
Many symptoms are tied to asbestosis. They present themselves after a considerable amount time in exposure to asbestos. This period may span decades.
Respiratory distress occurs during periods of physical activity. Patients feel “shortness of breath”.
Swelling in the neck leading to difficulty in swallowing.
Loss of appetite and general weight loss.
Three investigations can be used to test for asbestosis. These recommended diagnostic tools have been instrumental in identifying the condition in patients. They include;
X-ray examination
Lung function tests
Physical examinations.
Nevertheless, biopsy can provide clear answers surrounding asbestosis. This method is more accurate than X-ray examination. It detects the presence of microscopic asbestos fragments in a patient’s lung tissue.
Circulatory and respiratory complications are associated with asbestosis. Breathing difficulties are caused by high blood pressure that occurs due to the destruction of pulmonary blood vessels. This is usually referred to as pulmonary hypertension. Lung complications are caused by membrane thickening due to the deposition of asbestos material in pulmonary tissue (Mossman, 1998). In severe cases, fluid may accumulate in the lungs leading to respiratory failure.
References
Cook, R. T. (1998). Alcohol abuse, alcoholism, and damage to the immune system—a review. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 22(9), 1927-1942.
Flicker, L. (1999). Dementia reconsidered: The person comes first. BMJ,318(7187), 880.
Lundberg, G. D. (1971). Complications of Drug Abuse. California medicine,114(5), 77.
Mossman, B. T., & Churg, A. (1998). Mechanisms in the pathogenesis of asbestosis and silicosis. American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine, 157(5), 1666-1680.
Solomon, S. M., & Kirby, D. F. (1990). The refeeding syndrome: a review.Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, 14(1), 90-97.
Sperling, R. A., Aisen, P. S., Beckett, L. A., Bennett, D. A., Craft, S., Fagan, A. M., & Park, D. C. (2011). Toward defining the preclinical stages of Alzheimer’s disease: Recommendations from the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association workgroups on diagnostic guidelines for Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's & Dementia, 7(3), 280-292.
Vela-Bueno, A. (1985). Prevalence of night terrors and nightmares in elementary school children: a pilot study. Research Communications in Psychology, Psychiatry & Behavior.
Ward, M. W. N., Danzi, M., Lewin, M. R., Rennie, M. J., & Clark, C. G. (1982). The effects of subclinical malnutrition and refeeding on the healing of experimental colonic anastomoses. British Journal of Surgery, 69(6), 308-310.
