GERIA ENDTERM PART 3 - CHRONIC ILLNESSES

Multiple Sclerosis

A potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord marked by a decrease in dopamine and an increase in acetylcholine.

Chronic Disease

A condition involving physical dysfunction of the body.

Chronic Illness

The person’s experience of symptoms, suffering, and how the disease is lived and managed.

Powerlessness

Inability to control illness leading to dependence and loss of hope.

Stigma

Feeling of shame due to illness or disability causing social isolation.

Hopelessness

Feeling of futility and giving up.

Sensory Deprivation

Reduced sensory input leading to confusion and disorientation.

Sleeplessness

Difficulty sleeping due to chronic condition.

Social Isolation

Being homebound and disconnected from others.

Burden Perception

Feeling like a burden to family.

Caregiver Stress

Strain experienced by caregivers.

Financial Burden

High cost of long-term illness.

Malnutrition

Poor nutrition (under/overweight) affecting health.

Lack of Exercise

Reduced physical activity leading to decreased function.

Unhealthy Lifestyle

Smoking, alcohol, fatty/salty diet.

Psychosocial Stress

Emotional stress affecting health.

Slow Onset

Illness develops gradually and may be ignored.

Delayed Recovery

Healing takes longer in older adults.

Age-related Changes

Must distinguish normal aging from disease.

Quality of Life

Maintain well-being and independence.

Delay Deterioration

Slow disease progression.

Promote Self-care

Encourage independence.

Comfort in Dying

Provide dignity and comfort.

Quality of Life (QOL)

Personal perception of well-being and satisfaction.

Physical Comfort

Absence of pain or symptoms.

Emotional Well-being

Happiness and reduced anxiety.

Functional Status

Ability to perform daily activities.

Relationships

Quality of interactions with others.

Social Participation

Engagement in activities.

Treatment Satisfaction

Contentment with care and finances.

Intimacy

Sexual health and body image.

Heart Disease

Disorders affecting heart function.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Narrowing of arteries due to plaque.

Atherosclerosis

Build-up of fatty deposits in arteries.

Non-modifiable Risk Factors

Age, gender, family history.

Modifiable Risk Factors

Smoking, hypertension, obesity, stress.

Hypertension (HPN)

Elevated blood pressure.

Silent Disease

No symptoms until damage occurs.

Major Risk Factor

Leading cause of stroke and heart disease.

Stroke/CVA

Brain damage due to blocked or ruptured blood vessel.

Stroke Signs

Weakness, confusion, vision loss, dizziness, headache.

Diabetes Mellitus

High blood sugar due to lack or ineffective insulin.

Hyperglycemia

Elevated blood glucose.

FBS

Blood sugar after fasting.

A1C Test

Average blood sugar over 3 months.

OGTT

Measures glucose response.

RBS

Random blood sugar.

Postprandial Test

Blood sugar after meals.

Polyuria

Frequent urination.

Polydipsia

Excessive thirst.

Polyphagia

Increased hunger.

Blurred Vision

Visual disturbances.

Weight Loss

Unintentional weight loss.

Fatigue

Extreme tiredness.

Frequent Infections

Increased susceptibility.

COPD

Progressive lung disease causing breathing difficulty.

Chronic Bronchitis

Inflammation of airways.

Emphysema

Damage to air sacs.

Cancer

Uncontrolled cell growth with metastasis.

Metastasis

Spread of cancer cells.

Dementia

Decline in cognitive function.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Progressive memory loss disorder.

Early Stage

Mild memory loss.

Middle Stage

Confusion and behavior changes.

Late Stage

Severe decline and dependence.

Vascular Dementia

Reduced blood flow to brain.

Parkinson’s Disease

Movement disorder with tremors.

Multiple Sclerosis

CNS disease affecting brain and spinal cord.

Dopamine Decrease

Leads to imbalance.

Acetylcholine Increase

Causes tremors and rigidity.

Impaired Physical Mobility

Limited movement.

Activity Intolerance

Inability to sustain activity.

Self-care Deficit

Inability to perform daily activities.

Social Isolation

Lack of interaction.

Risk for Loneliness

Feeling alone.

Ineffective Role Performance

Difficulty fulfilling roles.

Impaired Home Management

Difficulty managing home.

Acute Confusion

Sudden cognitive impairment.