Disease Flashcards
Huntington’s disease
Genetic brain disorder that causes nerve cells in the brain to break down over time
S/S : show up at 20-60 years old
- begins with twitching, fidgeting, clumsiness
- slurred speech, depression, memory loss
- difficulty with eating, swallowing, ADLs
No cure or treatment
Goal : help the person stays as independent as possible for as long as they can
CHF Congestive heart failure
CHF is when the heart can’t pump blood properly, causing fluid to build up in the body
S&S : shortness of breath
Swelling in legs, ankles, or feet
Fatigue or feeling weak
Coughing or wheezing
Causes : High blood pressure, heart attack, damaged heart valves or muscles
Tx : eat healthy, don’t smoke, lose weight
Stroke
Happens when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked or reduced, causing brain cells to die
S & S
- Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body
- Trouble speaking
- Vision problems
- Headache
- loss of balance
Warning signs
F : face drooping A : Arm weakness S : Speech difficulty T : time to call emergency
Tx : rehabilitation: physical, speech, and occupational therapy to regain abilities
Medication: to break up blood clots or stop bleedings
Seizure
A seizure is when there’s sudden, abnormal electrical activity in the brain, causing changes in movement, behaviour
S&S
- uncontrolled shaking
- Acting confused
- Sudden loss of muscle control
Causes
- alcohol, brain infection, brain injury or lack of oxygen
Treatment
Lifestyle changes - avoid triggers like lack of sleep or stress
Hemorrhoids
are swollen veins in the anus and lower rectum
Prevention : drink lots of water, eat high-fibre food, exercise regularly
Treatment : over-the-counter cream, warm baths, cold compressed, surgical removal
Causes : straining during BM, chronic constipation or diarrhoea, sitting for long period
Crohn’s disease
Chronic inflammation in digestive tract
(Small / large intestine)
S/s : diarrhoea, abdomen pain, weight loss, fever and loss of appetite
Treatment : Medication reduces inflammation and infection
Diet changes: eating smaller, more frequent meal, avoid foods that tigger symptoms
Apnea
Temporary stop breathing, especially during sleep
Embolism
A block in an artery caused by blood clots or other substances, such as fat globules, infected tissue, or cancer cells
Osteomyelitis
Infection of bone
Pyuria
Presence of pus in urine
Thrombus
A blood clot formed in vein within the vascular system of the body
Tachypnea
Abnormally rapid breathing
Bradypnea
Abnormally slow breathing
Vasovagal
Is when your body reacts to stress or fear by making your heart rate and blood pressure drop, which can cause you to faint
Pyelonephritis
Inflammation of the substance of the kidney as a result of bacterial infection
Aphasia
Effects how you communicate
Emphysema
A chronic lung disease that damages the air sacs in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe
S/s : difficulty breathing, chronic cough, wheezing
Treatment: pulmonary rehabilitation, oxygen therapy, meds, lifestyle change
Pneumonia
Is an infection in the lungs that causes inflammation and makes it hard to breathe
Alveoli fill with liquid
Gas can’t exchange properly, not enough O2 in blood
S/S :
Chest pain, Cough with rust ( green sputum), infection( fever, chills), hypoxia
Prevention :
Avoid immobility, aspiration, spread from others (mask)
COPD
is a lung disease that makes it hard to breathe because the airways are damaged or blocked
Causes :
- Smoking (main cause) and Second hand smoking
- breathing in pollution or dust long time
S/S
Shortness of breath
Coughing a lot with mucus
Wheezing and feeling tired easily
Treatment : Can’t be cured but can be controlled
Bronchitis
Inflammation of the bronchi due to infection
S/S : Cough with sputum (report if blood-tinged), fever, fatigue, SOB, chest pain
Tx : antibiotics
Parkinson
Is a neurological disorder - cells in parts of the brain are destroyed
S/S :
Tremors : pill rolling
Stiff muscle, slow movement, shuffled walk
Tx : Drugs to control the disease
- Exercise and physiotherapy to improve strength, balance and mobility
- assistance with ADL’s
PVD (Peripheral Vascular Disease)
is a condition where the blood vessels outside the heart and brain become narrow or blocked, often in the legs
Causes
Atherosclerosis, smoking, diabetes
S/S
Leg pain or cramping when walking
Cold or numb feet and toes
Slow-healing wounds on legs or feet
Change in skin colour
Treatment
Lifestyle changes : quit smoking, eat healthy, exercise
MI (heart attack)
Occurs when blood flow to the heart is blocked, damaging heart muscle
S/S
Chest pain or pressure
Shortness of breath, sweating
Nausea or Vomiting
Dizziness or fatigue
Causes
Blocked arteries (atherosclerosis)
Blood clot blocking blood flow to the heart
High blood pressure
Treatment
Lifestyle changes : Healthy diet, exercise and avoid smoking
Emergency: 911
Osteoporosis
is condition where bones become weak and brittle, making them more likely to break
S/S
Back pain, stooped posture, loss of height over time, easily broken bones
Cause
Aging, lack of calcium, hormonal changes, sedentary lifestyle
Treatment
Supplements : calcium and vitamin D
Healthy diet
Weight- bearing exercise
