Question

Write a 2 paragraph report on one of the following conditions, In the first paragraph should be an introduction of what the disease is, what causes it, etc. For the second paragraph, please share on the difficulties/hardships this may cause you as a future health professional and how you can do your best to manage it personally and emotionally.

Choose one of the following conditions:

Parkinson's

Alzheimer's

ALS

Multiple Sclerosis

Stroke Patients

Huntington's Chorea..

**Cite your sources in APA form

pathophysiology

Answer 1

Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimers disease is a progressive disorder that causes brain cells to waste away (degenerate) and die. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia — a continuous decline in thinking, behavioral and social skills that disrupts a person's ability to function independently.

Symptoms

Memory loss is the key symptom of Alzheimer's disease. An early sign of the disease is usually difficulty remembering recent events or conversations. As the disease progresses, memory impairments worsen and other symptoms develop.

Repeat statements and questions over and over

Forget conversations, appointments or events, and not remember them later

Routinely misplace possessions, often putting them in illogical locations

Get lost in familiar places

Eventually forget the names of family members and everyday objects

Have trouble finding the right words to identify objects, express thoughts or take part in conversations

Thinking and reasoning

Alzheimer's disease causes difficulty concentrating and thinking, especially about abstract concepts such as numbers.

Making judgments and decisions

The ability to make reasonable decisions and judgments in everyday situations will decline. For example, a person may make poor or uncharacteristic choices in social interactions or wear clothes that are inappropriate for the weather.

Changes in personality and behavior

Brain changes that occur in Alzheimer's disease can affect moods and behaviors like Depression,Apathy,Social withdrawal,Mood swings,Distrust in others,Irritability and aggressiveness,Changes in sleeping habits,Wandering,Loss of inhibitions,Delusions, such as believing something has been stolen etc.

Causes

Scientists believe that for most people, Alzheimer's disease is caused by a combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors that affect the brain over time.

Less than 1 percent of the time, Alzheimer's is caused by specific genetic changes that virtually guarantee a person will develop the disease. These rare occurrences usually result in disease onset in middle age.

Treatment

Drugs

Current Alzheimer's medications can help for a time with memory symptoms and other cognitive changes. Two types of drugs are currently used to treat cognitive symptoms:

Cholinesterase inhibitors. These drugs work by boosting levels of cell-to-cell communication by preserving a chemical messenger that is depleted in the brain by Alzheimer's disease.

Memantine (Namenda). This drug works in another brain cell communication network and slows the progression of symptoms with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease. It's sometimes used in combination with a cholinesterase inhibitor. Relatively rare side effects include dizziness and confusion

Creating a safe and supportive environment

Adapting the living situation to the needs of a person with Alzheimer's disease is an important part of any treatment plan.you can take these steps to support a person's sense of well-being and continued ability to function:

Always keep keys, wallets, mobile phones and other valuables in the same place at home, so they don't become lost.

Keep medications in a secure location. Use a daily checklist to keep track of dosages.

Arrange for finances to be on automatic payment and automatic deposit.

Carry a mobile phone with location capability so that a caregiver can track its location. Program important phone numbers into the phone.

Make sure regular appointments are on the same day at the same time as much as possible.

Use a calendar or whiteboard in the home to track daily schedules. Build the habit of checking off completed items.

Remove excess furniture, clutter and throw rugs.

Install sturdy handrails on stairways and in bathrooms.

Ensure that shoes and slippers are comfortable and provide good traction.

Reduce the number of mirrors. People with Alzheimer's may find images in mirrors confusing or frightening.

Make sure that the person with Alzheimer's carries identification or wears a medical alert bracelet.

Keep photographs and other meaningful objects around the house.

2) how to manage emotionally

The emotional aspects of the disease may be just as important, especially to the friends and family who serve as caregivers. On the negative side, Alzheimer's sufferers may have feelings of anger, anxiety, depression, fear, and loneliness. On the positive side, they may feel serene and joyful, and are especially capable of "living in the moment." Joanne Koenig Coste, an influential Alzheimer's disease activist- turned-consultant, believes that wandering, aggression, and other behavioral changes seen in people with Alzheimer's disease are the direct consequence of feelings that arise because of their cognitive difficulties. In her book Learning to Speak Alzheimer's, she calls it a "disease of the emotions.

Protect their self-esteem. Caregivers are often told to break down and simplify tasks for Alzheimer's sufferers. But if you do too much for the person, you may cause anger and frustration by making him feel more helpless and disabled than he really is. You have to consider safety, too; you can't let him drive just because he wants to. Striking the right balance

How to manage personally

Caregivers cannot stop Alzheimer’s-related changes in personality and behavior, but they can learn to cope with them. Here are some tips:

• Keep things simple. Ask or say one thing at a time.
• Have a daily routine, so the person knows when certain things will happen.
• Reassure the person that he or she is safe and you are there to help.
• Focus on his or her feelings rather than words. For example, say, “You seem worried.”
• Don’t argue or try to reason with the person.
• Try not to show your frustration or anger. If you get upset, take deep breaths and count to 10. If it’s safe, leave the room for a few minutes.
• Use humor when you can.
• Give people who pace a lot a safe place to walk. Provide comfortable, sturdy shoes. Give them light snacks to eat as they walk, so they don’t lose too much weight, and make sure they have enough to drink.
• Try using music, singing, or dancing to distract the person.
• Ask for help. For instance, say, “Let’s set the table” or “I need help folding the clothes.