Question

Identify a common perceptual, neurological, or cognitive issue and discuss contributing factors. Outline steps for prevention or health promotion for the patient and family.

Answer 1

Cognition is defined as ability of an individual to learn new things, thinking skills, solving complex problem, judgemental thinking and logical reasoning, memory skills.

Any disturbances to the higher structure in cerebrum or degenerative diseases of cerebrum results in cognitive disorders. The common cognitive disorders includes : dementia, Alzheimer's disease. In cognitive disorder the individual develops inability to recall old memories, suffer to do activity of daily living, aphasia, apraxia.

Dementia is most form of cognitive issues disturbs client to perform daily activities.

Dementia is caused by damage to neuron cells and it results in disturbance in neurotransmitters.

Contributing factors to dementia:

1) Nutritional deficiencies - vitamin B12 and thiamine deficiency contributes to dementia.

2) Diseases attacking immune system mistakenly like multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematous are the most common disorders destructs nerve cells and contributes to dementia.

3) Aging - more the age more the chances of nerve degeneration.

4) Lifestyle : excessive intake of alcoholism, lead exposure, persistent exposure to pesticides and organic chemicals contributes to dementia like symptoms.

HEALTH PROMOTION FOR PATIENT AND FAMILY:

1) caring of patient with dementia place family members in undue stress . Patience and flexibility helps family members to overcome difficulties faced in caring the loved ones.

2) In dementia.patient forget even a basic skill which leads to frustration and anger. Care givers set environment more familiar. Complex tasks break into simpler ones. Create noise free and less threatening environment.

3) provide reasonable time of break during activities.

4) proper dietary intake of vitamin B12, calcium helps to prevent dementia like symptoms latter.

5) Strict abstinence from alcohol , exposure to lead and pesticides safeguard Patient from dementia.