Premium Essay

Hcs 245 Culture and Disease

In:

Submitted By standishtm
Words 1149
Pages 5
Culture and Disease

HCS 245

December 15, 2011

Dementia is not a disease on its own. It is a term used in describing a vast array of symptoms related to the decline of mental function, starting with memory loss and eventually impeding on the ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. According to the Alzheimer’s Association website, 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases are Alzheimer’s patients. Alzheimer's worsens over time. It is a progressive disease, where the symptoms gradually worsen over a period of several years. In its early stages, memory loss is minor. A person might start to forget little things, like if they turned the oven off or momentarily forget how to tie their shoes. When a person suffers from late-stage Alzheimer's, he or she loses the capability to carry on a conversation or respond to his or her environment. Alzheimer's is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.
Those who suffer from the disease live an average of eight years after their symptoms have progressed enough that the people around them start to notice. Although somewhere around eight years is the norm, it is not uncommon to hear of people living anywhere from four to 20 years after others notice. A big part of how fast a person declines depends on age and other health conditions. One major thing to remember is that Alzheimer's is not a normal part of aging. The greatest known risk factor for this disease is increasing age, which obviously cannot be stopped. The majority of people who suffer from Alzheimer's are 65 and older.
Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia are caused by damage to brain cells. This damage interferes with the ability for cells within the brain to communicate with each other. When they cannot communicate normally, thinking, behavior and feelings can be affected. The brain has several

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Case Study Memo

...Mr. Speed Alzheimer’s Case Study Erica Boozer HCS/245 January 7, 2015 Lisa Spencer Mr. Speed Alzheimer’s Case Study My name is Dr. Boozer. This is the case study of Mr. Speed and the condition of his Alzheimer disease. This memo will cover Alzheimer disease as a whole and resources of where more information about the disease can be found. This memo will also discuss any cultural issues that Mr. Speed may face having the disease and the impact Alzheimer’s has on society and its resources. Alzheimer’s is a disease that effects the central nervous system. According the livestrong.com, the loss of functioning brain tissue that occurs with Alzheimer disease initially causes problems with memory and learning. Personality, intellectual function and mood are greatly affected as the disease progresses. As Mr. Speed get in the later stages of the disease, it should be expected that he will lose his sense of self and present things that are going on around him (livestrong.com, 2015). In the early stages of this disease, Mr. Speed may not need any assistance with day to day activities. However as it progresses to where he experiences memory loss or trouble doing simple task such as paying bills, he may require some type of supervision (alz.org, 2015). More information such as symptoms, other systems of the body that Alzheimer’s may effect or what to expect in the different stages of this disease can be found on livestrong.com and alz.org. Alzheimer effects all races and ethnicities...

Words: 567 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Alzheimer

... Tabitha E. Wallace HCS 245 Sharon Matthews Alzheimer’s in the Hispanic Culture According to Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (2012), “Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disorder that attacks the brain's nerve cells, or neurons, resulting in loss of memory, thinking and language skills, and behavioral changes.” (Paragraph 1) An inadequacy of knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease and mental deterioration is one of the main factors. A situation requiring great effort finding socially accomplished English and Spanish bilingual healthcare professionals. A decrease of ethnicity proficient Alzheimer’s disease interpretation instruments are hard to find. A shortage of bicultural staff to help assist with a structural guidance for caregivers to support the elderly in their daily activities. An ignorance with state and local community facilitation programs, as well as fitness and community assistance relating both to Alzheimer’s and prevalent growing feeble needs. Engineering a companionship within the Hispanic neighborhood and collaborating with appreciated and accredited associations. Using socially experienced and bilingual staff that has distinguish of Hispanic culture and its execution in care in facilities. By allowing bilingual staff to produce activities at adult...

Words: 705 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Hcs 245

...Culture and Disease HCS/245 August 6, 2012 Rebecca Johnson RN, MSN, FNP, BC Culture and Disease I chose diabetes mellitus for my culture and disease paper because it is a disease that runs in my family, and there are so many people in this society living with diabetes and does not know they have it or just do not want to take this disease very seriously. Diabetes mellitus is a disease, which affects the glucose level in the blood, whether it is too high or too low, can cause harm to the body. There are three types of diabetes: type I, which is also know as juvenile diabetes that affects most children and young adults have to take an insulin injection everyday to regulate the glucose level. Type II or adult onset diabetes, which is more serious and develops when the body cannot function to make the required amount of insulin, which is diagnosed mostly in would find affecting more adults. In this case the patient has to take both insulin injections and medication by mouth to help regulate the amount of glucose or sugar the body produces, there is gestational diabetes, which affects only pregnant women, no matter the culture of the mother and if the diabetes is not monitored closely in a pregnant woman or taken under control it can be transferred onto the mother’s unborn child. If a mother develops gestational diabetes during pregnancy, it is said that the mother can develop type II diabetes later in life. Diabetes is a very serious disease, if not taken care...

Words: 1118 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Respiratory Health

...Respiratory Disease Paper - Pneumonia Ranacia Alford HCS/245 October 16, 2014 Heather Walzel Respiratory Disease Paper – Pneumonia Introduction Pneumonia, by terminological definition, is an infection of the lungs. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, and other microbial organisms that invade the body. Pneumonia has the potential to be an advantageous disease in that it can attack when the body is infected by another microbial, such as a upper respiratory infection (Kid’s Health, 2011). Pneumonia can also be contracted by inhaling a liquid or chemical into the lungs (National Institutes of Health [NIH], 2014). Pneumonia may affect anyone from children to adults. This disease can be prevented and treated. Disease Prevention Type Pneumonia falls under more than one prevention type category. Primary prevention of pneumonia in the form of vaccines is an effective method among children and the elderly. The infant vaccine series of the pneumococcal vaccine, Prevnar, has been incorporated into the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommended immunizations for infants between ages two months and eighteen months (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2014). Other vaccines also contribute to prevention including Hib, Flu, and Pertussis (CDC, 2014). Because they're at higher risk for serious complications, infants born prematurely may be given treatments that temporarily protect against RSV, which can lead to pneumonia in younger kids (Kid’s Health,...

Words: 845 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Culture and Disease

...Culture and Disease Name HCS/245 Date Instructor Culture and Disease The disease that I chose to write about is Alzheimer’s disease. This disease is described as an economic and a social burden because the financial cost of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s can be overwhelming. Alzheimer’s disease is the fifth leading cause of death in people 65 and older. It is estimated that 35 million people worldwide have Alzheimer’s disease and 5.3 million people in the U.S. have Alzheimer’s disease. (Fisher center for Alzheimer’s research foundation, 2002) Alzheimer’s disease is a neurological brain disorder discovered by a physician in 1906. (Fisher center for Alzheimer’s research foundation, 2002) Alzheimer’s is a most common form of dementia which is described as a group of disorders that impairs mental functioning. Alzheimer’s is unfortunately irreversible and progressive at the moment. Over time, abnormal changes worsen in the brain interfering with any aspects of the brain functioning. Memory loss is the earliest sign of Alzheimer’s, along with changes in personality or behavior and gradual decline of intellectual and thinking abilities called cognitive functions. (Fisher center for Alzheimer’s research foundation, 2002) Alzheimer’s is greatly known for advancing in stages, progressing from mild forgetfulness and cognitive impairment to widespread loss of mental abilities. When Alzheimer’s reaches the more advanced stages people become more dependent on others for every...

Words: 1176 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Culture and Disease

...Culture and Disease – West Nile Virus Julia Williams HCS/245 October 7, 2013 Wendy Smith Culture and Disease – West Nile Virus West Nile virus is a mosquito borne virus that was considered a minor risk to humans until the early 1990’s and according to Wikipedia (2013), by 2012 was considered an endemic pathogen in Africa, Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and the United States, which has experiences one of its worst epidemics with West Nile virus. West Nile virus has an incubation period of 2 to 15 days and symptoms may include fever, headache, fatigue, muscle pain, nausea, and vomiting. West Nile virus can cause West Nile encephalitis and West Nile meningitis in the elderly population. Ages 50 and over are more susceptible to the neurological disorders associated with West Nile virus. Even though anyone can be affected by West Nile virus, the elderly have a higher rate of contracting the virus because they tend to have more pre-existing health concerns and tend to take less precautionary steps to protect themselves against the virus. There is no vaccination available for West Nile virus and the best methods of prevention are insect repellant and eliminating possible mosquito breeding grounds around the home and community. Environmental Factors and Transmission Methods Environmental factors play a large role in the spread of West Nile virus. Areas specifically that experience mild winters and hot summers are perfect breeding grounds...

Words: 1151 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Alzheimer’s Disease

...Alzheimer’s Disease Michael A. Smith HCS/245 May 26, 2014 Dr. Michelle Clemons Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer is a stage of dementia which ability of the brain appears to stop functioning, such as creating memory loss, judgment instability, lack emotions with reasoning and changes in behavior. This is found more common in the elderly population of people. Studies shows apparently some people over sixty-five develops forms of dementia with the increase in later years after eighty-five. The Alzheimer's disease can be found in millions of Americans and more prevalent amongst African-Americans than other races. Describing the disease This type if disease very complex and changing rapidly without much discovery concerning treatments. When the processing of some proteins experiences interference or goes wrong terribly, the development of Alzheimer disease starts to blossom. This activity caused the brain cells with space between them cluttered with toxic protein; resulting loss nerve cells in regions of the brain upon investigation by microscopes for clear venture would reveal it. Such clusters are of two forms: the ones found between cells and those inside nerve cells. The dying nerve cells communicate with neurotransmitter acetylcholine a compound that would break down an enzyme known as acetyl cholinesterase and other studies now suggests having high cholesterol and also blood pressure being too high can be contributing toward Alzheimer disease significantly...

Words: 1097 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Culture and Disease

...Culture and Disease HCS/245 March 22, 2012 Michael Coker Culture and Disease Winter has ended and spring is here, and it has everyone running to enjoy the warm air and to embrace the outdoors of the hot summer sun rays. However, there is something lurking within the bushes and in the back yard which, they cannot wait for their next victims to attack. There is a small insect that crawls and is ready to take over Mother Nature because of the warm environment. This type of ticks can create a disease called Lyme disease. Within this paper, information will be pertaining to the culture and disease within a particular populated area of the knowledge of describing the disease, factors that make this particular population vulnerable, environmental factors, modes for disease transmission, methods are used to control the spread of alternative methods, role of social influences and benefits and values of treatment, and identify community health promotion and wellness strategies to help prevent the disease. According to Webster’s New World Medical Dictionary (2003) Lyme disease is an inflammatory disease caused by the bacterium Bornelia Burgdorferi that is transmitted to human by the deer tick. An infected tick can transmit the spirochete to humans and animal it bites. The first sign of Lyme disease is a red, circular, expanding rash usually radiating from the tick bite. After the Burgdorferi has entered the bloodstream, it can infect and inflame many types of tissues...

Words: 1730 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Multiple Sclerosis

...Multiple Sclerosis Sarah HCS 245 March 25, 2013 Dr. Tira Hancock MS, RD, CD, NBCT Multiple Sclerosis Imagine going to the doctor because you have tingling or numbness in you extremities or face, you are constantly tired, and having trouble seeing. You go to your physician and explain all of your ailments to your doctor. They diagnose you with fibromyalgia and vitamin B12 deficiency. After being prescribed medications for those diseases, two weeks later you experience bladder problems and walking difficulties. You return to the doctor with the added ailments. Since you came back with more ailments, they are more inclined to get a full family medical history, neurological exam, MRI, and spinal fluid analysis. The results come back from all of these tests that were ran at you second doctors visit, you are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Multiple sclerosis is often misdiagnosed; this is because there is not a single test that tells doctors that a person has MS, and to be diagnosed with MS there needs to be signs in two separate areas of the central nervous system. This paper will describe what multiple sclerosis is, who is affected, environmental factors that contribute to MS, methods of controlling MS, and if social/cultural influences play a part in this disease. What Is Multiple Sclerosis? Multiple sclerosis is a painful disease that has scientists stumped. Many are calling multiple sclerosis an autoimmune disease, which means your immune system is fighting...

Words: 1634 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Culture and Disease

...Culture and Disease Bipolar Disorder in the United States Briana M. Bowers HCS/245 October 19, 2011 Rebecca Johnson BIPOLAR DISORDER IN THE UNITED STATES It is well known that diseases come in many forms. Whether the illness is physical or mental, the treatment for one should be as equally important as the other. Mental illnesses can affect the way one lives their lives. Depending on the severity of an individual’s mental illness can sometimes develop a physical disability if untreated. Bipolar Disorder is a mental illness defined as “a manic-depressive illness. It is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks” (National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH], 2008). Bipolar Disorder is easily described as a “roller coaster of emotions”; this meaning a person can switch between high and low emotions/behaviors at any given time. It has also been noted for an individual to experience hallucinations or delusions, depending on the severity of the current state that person is in. An article on Bipolar Disorder found on Health.com and reported on CNN.com notes, “2.4% of people have been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. Out of an 11-nation study, the United States has the highest lifetime rate of Bipolar Disorder at 4.4%, and India with the lowest at 0.1%” (Gardner, 2011). Bipolar Disorder comes in different forms. Bipolar Disorder I is “mainly manic or mixed episodes that last at least seven days...

Words: 1289 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Hcs 325

...HCS 245 Week 4 Individual Assignment Paper Title: cultural and disease paper Instructor : Dr Leah Miller Nabil Ladipo 04/05/13 Tuberculosis: Tuberculosis is disease caused bacterial infection. The infection is lower in the United States even though, recent survey shows that, in foreign countries, the infection has been steadily increasing. American citizens born in foreign countries are infected with Tuberculosis more than 9 times of the American citizens born in the United States. The Latino/Hispanic born Americans are more exposed to the disease and the cases oh the Hispanics reported was more than 10 percent of the US population. This was reported in the year 1996. About Tuberculosis: Tuberculosis disease is transmitted from individual to individual through the help of Air pollution. An individual suffering from lung tuberculosis sneezes, coughs releases in the air, a droplet nuclei containing Mycobacterium . The small particles of the bacterium remains in the air for hours depending on the environment and when another person is exposed to the air containing the infection, the probably of getting infected is...

Words: 2067 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Cerebrospinal Fluid Infection

...Esperanza Morato1, Alberto Rábano2, Izaskun Rodal2, Luis Carrasco1 Corresponding address 1. Centro de Biología Molecular “Severo Ochoa”. c/Nicolás Cabrera, 1. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Cantoblanco. 28049 Madrid. Spain. 2. Department of Neuropathology and Tissue Bank, Unidad de Investigación Proyecto Alzheimer, Fundación CIEN, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid. Spain. How to cite this article: Alonso R, Pisa D, Marina AI, Morato E, Rábano A, Rodal I, Carrasco L. Evidence for Fungal Infection in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Brain Tissue from Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Biol Sci 2015; 11(5):546-558. doi:10.7150/ijbs.11084. Available from http://www.ijbs.com/v11p0546.htm Abstract Among neurogenerative diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal illness characterized by a progressive motor neuron dysfunction in the motor cortex, brainstem and spinal cord. ALS is the most...

Words: 9445 - Pages: 38

Free Essay

Fraternity

...000 – Computer science, information, and general works • 000 Generalities • 001 Knowledge • 002 The book • 003 Systems • 004 Data processing and Computer science • 005 Computer programming, programs, data • 006 Special computer methods • 007 Not assigned or no longer used • 008 Not assigned or no longer used • 009 Not assigned or no longer used • 010 Bibliography • 011 Bibliographies • 012 Bibliographies of individuals • 013 Bibliographies of works by specific classes of authors • 014 Bibliographies of anonymous and pseudonymous works • 015 Bibliographies of works from specific places • 016 Bibliographies of works from specific subjects • 017 General subject catalogs • 018 Catalogs arranged by author & date • 019 Dictionary catalogs • 020 Library & information sciences • 021 Library relationships • 022 Administration of the physical plant • 023 Personnel administration • 024 Not assigned or no longer used • 025 Library operations • 026 Libraries for specific subjects • 027 General libraries • 028 Reading, use of other information media • 029 Not assigned or no longer used • 030 General encyclopedic works • 031 General encyclopedic works -- American • 032 General encyclopedic works in English • 033 General encyclopedic works in other Germanic languages • 034 General encyclopedic works in French, Provencal...

Words: 6903 - Pages: 28

Premium Essay

Microbiology Made Ridiculously Simple

...geriatric medicine. As a physician you will be faced daily with the concepts of microbial disease and antimicrobial therapy. Microbiology is one of the few courses where much of the "minutia" is regularly used by the practicing physician. This book attempts to facilitate the learning of microbiology by presenting the information in a clear and entertaining manner brimming with memory aids. Our approach has been to: 4) Create a conceptual, organized approach to the organisms studied so the student relies less on memory and more on logical pathophysiology. The text has been updated to include current information on rapidly developing topics, such as HIV and AIDS (vaccine efforts and all the new anti-HIV medications), Ebola virus, Hantavirus, E. coli outbreaks, Mad Cow Disease, and brand-new antimicrobial antibiotics. The mnemonics and cartoons in this book do not intend disrespect for any particular patient population or racial or ethnic group but are solely presented as memory devices to assist in the learning of a complex and important medical subject. We welcome suggestions for future editions. 1) Write in a conversational style for rapid assimilation. 2) Include numerous figures serving as "visual memory tools" and summary charts at the end of each chapter. These can be used for "cram sessions" after the concepts have been studied in the text. 3) Concentrate more on clinical and infectious disease issues that are both interesting and vital to the actual practice of medicine. MARK...

Words: 117402 - Pages: 470

Premium Essay

Chinese Economy

...RESEARCH PAPER 06/36 19 JUNE 2006 A Political and Economic Introduction to China “If the 20th century ended in 1989, the 21st began in 1978” Martin Jacques, The Guardian, 25 May 2006 China’s political and economic rise and what it means for the world is now a central preoccupation of analysts and policy-makers. Public awareness of China is likely to increase as the 2008 Olympics in Beijing draw near. This Research Paper is intended to act as a resource that Members of Parliament and their staff can draw upon when engaging with China’s remarkable transformation. Part I provides key facts and figures about China. Parts II and III review recent developments and future prospects by addressing four key questions. Is political authoritarianism sustainable? Can China’s development be peaceful? What are the main domestic economic challenges facing China? What is China’s impact on the world economy? Part IV summarises key aspects of UK and EU relations with China. The Paper ends with a select bibliography of key sources. The Research Paper is intended to act as a platform for a series of Library Standard Notes that will address in more depth specific issues about China that there is space here only to discuss briefly. Jon Lunn, Maria Lalic, Ben Smith and Claire Taylor INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AND DEFENCE SECTION Ed Beale, Ed Potton, Ian Townsend and Dominic Webb ECONOMIC POLICY AND STATISTICS SECTION HOUSE OF COMMONS LIBRARY Recent Library Research Papers include: List of 15...

Words: 40320 - Pages: 162