Module 08 Case Study: CNS Movement Disorders
Part I—"Harry" Questions
1. What condition or conditions (disease/diseases) could Harry have as described in this case? Which one would be your primary diagnosis? In a very general explanation, describe this condition/disease. (1 point)
Harry suffers from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. This disease affects a person’s motor neurons affecting voluntary motor control by damaging both the upper motor neuron and lower motor neuron.
2. Which patient findings/observations lead you to your primary diagnosis? How do they relate to the primary diagnosis? (1 point)
It was Harry’s general weakness his clumsiness, and his suffering from extreme fatigue and weight loss
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4. What treatment options are available for this condition? (1 point)
Research has yet to find a means of curing or even slowing the deadly progression of HD although some medications can relieve some of the symptoms in certain individuals.
5. What is the prevalence and prognosis of this condition? Is it an inheritable (genetic) condition/disease? (1 point)
At this time, there is no way to stop or reverse the course of HD. There is no current treatment to halt the progression, which leads to death after ten to twenty-five years. However, research has identified and located the gene for HD, so it is inheritable, but hopefully this identified gene can help researchers learn more about this horrific disease.
6. What types of care and health care support will Keith have to possibly depend upon in the future? What preparations should Keith make? (1 point)
Keith will have to depend greatly on others, which is why he was placed in the nursing home.
Part III—"Jim” Questions
1. What condition or conditions (disease/diseases) could Jim have as described in this case? Which one would be your primary diagnosis? In a very general explanation, describe this condition/disease. (1 point)
I believe Jim has Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive movement disorder, meaning that symptoms continue and worsen over time.
2. Which patient findings/observations lead you to your primary
The cause of this condition not known. In some cases it may be caused by genes passed down through families.
The exact cause of this condition is not known. The condition may be passed down through families through an abnormal gene.
Since this condition may have devastating complications and can affect quality of life, it is important to become educated about its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
State in your own words what you would say to this patient to explain why she is unable to eat or drink (relate to diagnosis).
This disease can 't be stopped and there is no treatment available or natural way to any kind of reversing of the process. In fact it progresses in time.
There is currently no cure for this condition yet and treatment is generally based on the symptoms the individual has.
I have been closely following the news in the past months and I have noted a continuum in the coverage of the medical condition of one person who for many symbolizes the virtues of man, has been associated with the liberation of the minds of people under the communist era, has firmly supported the foundations of the Catholic faith and has been inspiration for many - the current Pope John Paul II. The newspaper photos of his almost expressionless face and the constant trembling hand which have started hindering his public activities and my deep respect to the his achievements made me look into the roots of the Parkinson's disease and its effects on behavior.
The best way to prevent HD is to reproduce in vitro fertilization; the parent who has the affected genes will have to take a backseat and let other gametes from others create your baby. If someone has known family history of Huntington's, there is no sure way to prevent your baby from receiving the disease from an unconfirmed parent.
Describe the prognosis for individuals with this disorder. Are there any medical treatments available? What is the average life expectancy? Are there genetic tests available?
There is no cure for this condition, but treatment can help slow down how fast it gets worse. Treatment may include:
People go to doctors offices with a lot of different conditions everyday. A lot of those conditions happen to share the same symptoms which could make it hard to determine what is truly wrong with a patient without a diagnosis. A diagnosis is “a methodical evaluation of symptoms and complaints through interview, observation, testing instruments and/or procedures taken to determine if an illness is present” (1). It is important that a person be diagnosed thoroughly and properly so that they can receive the right treatment (if available) to make the patient better. A patient with symptoms like Susan’s would need a full diagnosis to determine exactly what he/she has, which is what her doctor did. Her doctor’s diagnosis made it easy for us to determine whether her illness is myasthenia gravis or myotonic muscular dystrophy. Here’s how.
No, at this time it is considered incurable. Drug and non-drug treatments are now being used to help with cognitive and behavioral issues associated with the
There is treatment for this disease but it can not be cured but over time
What is the preferred treatment or cure, if any? Give a brief explanation and include any new research
Finally, to discuss possible treatment options. Sadly, this disease has no treatment option that will completely rid it from the patient’s body. There has been medical advances, however, to help manage this diagnosis. The managing of this disease depends on where the patient stands symptomatically. These medical advances help allow the patient to live a fuller and longer life, by slowing the disease's progression on the patient's