Identify a common perceptual neurological or cognitive issue and discuss contributing factors

Identify a common perceptual neurological or cognitive issue and discuss contributing factors

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. It is characterized by a significant loss of intellectual abilities such as memory, which interferes with functioning. AD is a progressive, degenerative, and irreversible neurologic disease that begins insidiously, followed by gradual disturbances in affect and behavior and loss of cognitive function (Hinkle & Cheever, 2018). There are many factors implicated in the pathophysiological progress of AD. Despite progressing age being the most significant risk factor, others such as dietary, inflammatory, genetic, neurotransmitters, head trauma, vascular abnormalities, and environmental factors determine whether one gets the condition.

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Contributing Factors

From an anatomopathological view, AD is characterized by two types of lesions. These are neurofibrillary tangles made of phosphorylated tau protein (P-tau) and senile plaques made of insoluble beta-amyloid protein (Kang et al., 2017). Deposits of the lesions lead to death and atrophy of neurons resulting from inflammation, failure in calcium homeostasis, excitotoxicity processes, and depletion of neuronal factors and energy (Silva et al., 2019). Genetics, aging, and sex play significant roles in the pathogenicity of AD. Moreover, other modifiable risk factors (in terms of lifestyle choices and treatable risk factors) contribute to the pathogenicity of Alzheimer’s disease. These include heart conditions, such as atrial fibrillation, heart attack, and arrhythmias, atherosclerosis, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, type 2 diabetes mellitus, traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, depression, sleep disturbances, smoking, alcohol, and dietary factors (Edwards III et al., 2019). These factors lead to neurodegenerative changes and cognitive dysfunction, and consequently AD.

Prevention and Health Promotion

Prevention and health promotion strategies for AD include smoking cessation, reducing alcohol intake, physical activities and aerobic exercises, regular health checkups for early identification of diseases, and observing a healthy and balanced diet. Individuals should also maintain a healthy weight and be socially and mentally active. Hinkle and Cheever (2018) state that nurses should support the cognitive functions of their patients, promote physical safety, provide socialization, promote adequate nutrition, reduce anxiety and agitation, and promote a balance between activity and rest. These strategies apply to all patients with dementia, regardless of the primary cause.

References

Edwards III, G. A., Gamez, N., Escobedo Jr., G., Calderon, O., & Moreno-Gonzalez, I. (2019). Modifiable Risk Factors for Alzheimer’s Disease. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2019.00146

Hinkle, J. L., & Cheever, K. H. (2018). Brunner & Suddarth’s textbook of medical-surgical nursing (14th ed., Vol. 2). Wolters Kluwer.

Kang, S., Lee, Y., & Lee, J. E. (2017). Metabolism-Centric Overview of the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease. Yonsei Medical Journal, 58(3), 479. https://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2017.58.3.479

Silva, M. V. F., Loures, C. de M. G., Alves, L. C. V., de Souza, L. C., Borges, K. B. G., & Carvalho, M. das G. (2019). Alzheimer’s disease: risk factors and potentially protective measures. Journal of Biomedical Science, 26(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12929-019-0524-y

Topic 2 DQ 1

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