02 Concepts of Health, Illness, Stress, and Health Promotion

Health means different things to people, give 2 examples:

• Absence of disease

• Optimum functioning on every level

Dorland dictionary defines health as:

"A state of optimal physical, mental, and social well-being; the popular idea that it is merely an absence of disease and infirmity is not complete."

Health-Illness continuum.

see Figure 2.1

is a visual model that depicts a person's health as a dynamic state that can change over time.

• Dynamic state: Health is not fixed, but can change due to cultural, social, physical, psychological, and spiritual factors.

• Neutral zone: The center of the continuum represents a neutral point, where a person is no longer sick but not necessarily well.

• Treatment: Treatment can help alleviate symptoms and move a person towards the neutral point.

• Wellness: Wellness aims to maximize a person's health and energy, and is the ultimate goal of the continuum. 

Traditional Views of Health and Illness

1. Acute illness

2. Chronic illness

3. Primary illness

4. Secondary illness

5. Terminal illness

Develops slowly over a long period and lasts throughout life

Chronic illness

Develops suddenly and resolves in a short time

Acute illness

No cure available; ends in death

Terminal illness

Develops without being caused by another health problem

Primary illness

Results from or is caused by a primary illness

Secondary illness

Stages of Illness

1. Transition stage

2. Acceptance stage

3. Convalescence stage

May deny feeling ill, but recognize symptoms of illness are present

Transition stage

Acknowledge illness and take measures to become well

Acceptance stage

Recovering after the illness and regaining health

Convalescence stage

Current Views of Health and Illness, Health evaluated on a graduated scale or continuous spectrum

Ranges from obvious disease through absence of disease to a state of optimum functioning in every aspect of life

Implications of Current Views

• Although nurse is involved in curing the ill or injured, goal is primarily under the control of physician

• Nurses seek to help patients use coping skills

• Value of nursing as caring profession reinforced

The Consumer Concept of Health and Illness consist of:

• Health behavior

• Illness behavior

Any action taken to promote health, prevent disease, or detect disease in early, asymptomatic (without symptoms) stage

Health behavior

Any activity a person takes to determine her actual state of health and seek a suitable remedy for a health problem

Illness behavior

Cultural Influences on Concepts of Health and Illness consist of:

1. Low health literacy can adversely affect patient outcomes

2. Racial and ethnic differences apparent in attitudes and practices

Cultural Influences on Concepts of Health and Illness

• Racial and ethnic differences apparent in attitudes and practices related to:

• Birth, death, and general health care

• Susceptibility to specific diseases

• Responses to pain and suffering

• Personal hygiene and sense of privacy

• Adjustment to life changes

The Holistic Approach

1. Acupuncture, acupressure, biofeedback, meditation, and various relaxation techniques

2. Considers biologic, psychological, sociologic, and spiritual needs

3. Nurses take holistic approach to caring for the sick and promoting wellness

Maslow's Theory of Basic Needs

• Basic physical needs-food, air, water, rest — must be satisfied before

• emotional needs

• Physiologic needs

Hierarchy of human needs as an explanation for the things that motivate human behavior

Interrelated, because one cannot truly love others until one first loves or accepts oneself

Self-esteem and love and belonging

Occurs when individuals are comfortable with themselves and are certain of their beliefs and

Self-actualization

What is Homeostasis?

• Biologic systems maintain stability of internal environment by continually adjusting to changes necessary for survival

• Stress disturbs homeostasis and causes the body to attempt to adapt

• Wellness maintained or regained when one is able to keep a sense of balance while adapting to factors that can upset that balance

What is Adaptation?

• A response to change

• Body's systems have self-regulatory mechanisms to maintain homeostasis

• Requires pathway of communication between the brain and various body systems

What is The General Adaptation Syndrome?

• Occurs in response to long-term exposure to stress

Stages of general adaptation syndrome

• Alarm stage

• Stage of resistance

• Stage of exhaustion

What is the Effects of Stress?

A stressor can be helpful or harmful depending on the person's:

• Perception of the stressor

• Degree of health and fitness

• Previous life experiences and personality

• Available social support system

• Personal coping mechanisms.

What is Coping with Stress means?

adjusting to or solving challenges

Three types of coping responses:

• Actions or thoughts that change the situation so it is no longer stressful

• Alteration of thoughts to control the meaning of the situation before it triggers a stress

• Control of thoughts and actions to stop a stress reaction

Stress Defense Mechanisms

• Strategies that protect us from increasing anxiety

• Reduce anxiety and the secretion of stress hormones

• Used to maintain and improve our self-esteem

• Can be overused in a maladaptive way

Stress Reduction Techniques

• Biofeedback

• Imagery

• Massage

• Meditation

• Progressive relaxation

• Regular physical exercise

• Yoga

A comprehensive set of objectives for disease prevention and health promotion for the nation, created by scientists

Healthy People 2030

What are the Illness Preventions?

1. Primary prevention

2. Secondary prevention

3. Tertiary prevention

What is Primary prevention?

Avoid or delay occurrence of a disease or disorder

What is Secondary prevention?

Follow screening guidelines for easily treated diseases if found early or detecting disease return

What is Tertiary prevention?

Rehabilitation measures after disease/disorder has stabilized