Writing Homework Help

Below I have 2 different posts please provide a response for both posts with reference. I have also attached a sample example of a response. Please separate the responses with its own post. 150 words each responses with reference

Part 1 Post

Age-related Neurological Changes

Aging results to various changes in both central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. As an individual age, the brain and other organs of the nervous system undergo various natural changes. Both the brain and the spinal cord become atrophied; thus, losing nerve cells and weight (MedPlus, 2020). Additionally, the nerves cells (neurons) begin to pass messages slowly. As an individual is aging, he or she losses approximately 10,000 nerve cells every day (MedPlus, 2020). While there is a physiological loss of all cell types in the body as an aging process, nerve cells do not reproduce; therefore, the lost cells are never replaced. This loss of nerve cells affects the entire nervous system due to decreased functioning of the nervous system (MedPlus, 2020). For example, the function of neurotransmitters is affected as a result of decreasing number of nerve cells in different parts of the brain and other organs of the nervous system. Age-related physiological changes in the central nervous system include sensory motor changes, altered neuroendocrine, and reticular activating system (RAS) (Module 6 Lecture Materials and Resources).

These age-related neurologic changes involve hippocampus changes, such as synapse loss in the neurons, structural changes, diminished glucose metabolism, alteration of neuroglia cells, and decreased microvascular integrity. Additionally, there is reduced cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) turnover (Module 6 Lecture Materials and Resources). Other age-related physiologic changes in the nervous system are neurochemical and neurodegenerative changes in the cerebellum. These age-related changes may be contributed by accumulation of waste products and other chemicals such as beta amyloid that result from the breakdown of neurons. This may lead to formation of abnormal changes called tangles and plaques in the brain (Module 6 Lecture Materials and Resources).The changes in the peripheral nervous system include reduction or loss of sensation and reflexes. These changes in the peripheral nervous system may lead to movement problems. Lower memory and thinking are part of normal aging. The rate of nerve cell degeneration determines how memory and thinking of an individual diminishes.

Delirium and Dementia

Delirium is a mental health condition that presents as a disturbance of attention (diminished awareness of a familiar environment) and reduced ability to shift, focus, or sustain attention. The common cognitive changes associated with delirium include disorientation, poor memory, speech disturbance (Fong, Davis, Growdon, Albuquerque, & Inouye, 2015). In most cases, the consent of disturbance is often rapid (hours to days), but usually fluctuates over the course of the day. The most common causes of delirium are associated to risk factors such as advanced age, diseases affecting the central nervous system, infection, hypoalbuminemia, polypharmacy, history of trauma, electrolyte imbalances, genitourinary and gastrointestinal disorders, sensory changes, and cardiopulmonary disorders.

Dementia is a term for collective neurologic or cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), vascular dementia (VaD), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). It is a syndrome of gradual, progressive cognitive decline. Presents through compromised multiple cognitive domains due to alteration of intellectual function and memory. The main difference between these two conditions is that delirium occurs abruptly its symptoms may fluctuate during the day while dementia develops overtime with gradual progression of cognitive decline (Fong et al., 2015). Despite these differences, delirium and dementia have similar symptoms, such as agitation, confusion, and delusion.

Reference

Fong, T. G., Davis, D., Growdon, M. E., Albuquerque, A., & Inouye, S. K. (2015). The interface between delirium and dementia in elderly adults. The Lancet Neurology, 14(8), 823-832.

MedPlus. (2020). Aging changes in the nervous system. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Accessed on June 15, 2021 from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/004023.htm

Module 6 Lecture Materials and Resources. Chapter 24: Neurological System.

Part 2 Post

The Nervous System and Aging

The nervous system can be found connected to almost all organ systems in our body. It helps to control how we move, how we sense things, and how we think and remember certain details (Medline Plus, 2021). The brain is the most important organ in the nervous system and consists of billions of neurons (Knight & Nigam, 2017). As we age, important functions begin to fade; our nerve cells begin to deteriorate and the connection from our nervous system to our brain begins to decrease. This may place the patient at risk of injury due to the decrease in connections. For example, a patient that normally uses a heating pad to relieve their pain will become more at risk of injury over time due to them possibly not being able to regulate the temperature that they are applying. Also, a patient that is legally blind and uses their senses to feel around their environment would be more at risk as they age due to possible neural disconnect. Elderly patients are also at risk for falls and will need to be evaluated by a doctor regarding their neural deficit and a physical therapist regarding how to mitigate possible injury. Aging can also place the patient at risk for waste buildup in the brain, such as beta-amyloid which can place the patient at risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease and other disorders (Jagust & Landau, 2021). Having Alzheimer’s disease places the client at risk for falls. The neuronal decrease is apparent in certain parts of the brain, most importantly the cerebral cortex which controls our speech, our personality, executive decision making, and our emotional state. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, there are several ways in which the doctor quantifies the degree of neuronal deficit in a patient. Three ways include 1). Performing a neurological exam that measures skills such as motor, mental, mood, and sensory skills, 2) By doing genetic testing to determine if there is a family history of this disorder, and 3) Brain scans can examine the ventricle in the brain; when neurons degenerate, the ventricle increase in size. Once identified, the care team in a hospital or home health setting can devise care plans that are evidence-based, and patient-centered and will ensure the patient’s safety and wellbeing. Dementia is defined by the World Health Organization as the deterioration of memory, our thought process, behavior, and how we perform our ADLs. In the early stage, the patient loses track of time and becomes forgetful; In the middle stage, the patient can get lost and needs help with ADLs; In the Late-stage, the patient becomes more confused, and begins to present physical changes such as walking difficulty, and behavioral changes. Delirium is defined as a sudden change in mental clarity (Badii, 2017). Three types include-1). Delirium tremens- experienced through alcohol withdrawal; 2). Hyperactive delirium- the patient is highly alert but not cooperating; 3). Hypoactive delirium- causes the patient to sleep a lot and be disorganized. The similarities in the two are that both cause emotional and mental changes in the patient, and both are acquired in an elderly patient. The differences are in the way that they are acquired. In dementia, the nervous system plays a role, in delirium the patients’ actions or inaction such as becoming dehydrated, not sleeping enough, not eating enough, having a UTI, and taking certain medications, causes the development (Badii, 2017). Delirium is temporary and can be resolved, while dementia is incurable and can only be managed.

References

Badii, C. (2019). What’s delirium and how does It happen? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/delirium#recover…

Jagust, W.J., & Landau, S.M. (2021). Temporal dynamics of β-amyloid accumulation in aging and alzheimer disease. Neurology, 96(9). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000011524

Medline Plus. (2021). Aging changes in the nervous system. U.S National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/004023.htm

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2020). Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures fact sheet. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregi…

Jawabri, K.H., & Sharma, S. (2021). Physiology, cerebral cortex functions. Statpearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538496/