Read Me First - University of Phoenix



Read Me First HCA/240

Weeks Three and Four

INTRODUCTION

Weeks Three and Four encompass diseases of the cardiovascular system, the respiratory system, blood, and the musculoskeletal system. Read the assigned chapters as well as the supplemental multimedia information.

Cardiovascular disease refers to a disease manifestation impacting the heart muscle and blood vessels. It is estimated that approximately 700,000 people in the United States die of heart disease (Zelman, Tompary, Raymond, Holdaway, & Mulvihill, 2010). Heredity, lifestyle, and environment all play a part in determining cardiac disease risk. It is important to diagnose cardiac disease early, thus education and preventative measures related to risk factors are an important focus for any population.

Some recommended actions to help prevent the risk for cardiovascular disease include the following:

• Decrease your intake of fats (especially saturated fats).

• Decrease your intake of salt.

• Participate in a regular program of moderate exercise at least three times per week

• Keep weight within normal limits for age and body structure.

• Have your blood pressure checked routinely.

• Do not smoke.

• Avoid alcohol.

• Maintain a healthy diet.

• Decrease stress by using stress reduction exercises.

Heart attacks and strokes are acute events caused by a blockage that prevents blood from flowing to the heart or brain. The most common reason for heart attacks is a build-up of fatty deposits on the inner walls of the blood vessels that supply the heart or brain. Strokes can also be caused by bleeding from a blood vessel in the brain or from blood clots. Additionally, you discuss culture and health beliefs that influence a person’s risk factors, the early detection of disease, and the selection of treatment options for cardiac disease. An understanding of both alternative and traditional treatment options is explored.

During Week Three, you are introduced to the causes and treatments of respiratory system diseases. Most respiratory diseases are caused by bacterial or viral infections. These diseases can impact the following parts of the lung: pleural cavity, bronchial tubes, trachea, upper respiratory tract, nerves, and muscles of breathing.

Respiratory diseases range from the common cold to life-threatening diseases such as bacterial pneumonia or pulmonary embolism. They are a common and important cause of illness and death. The common cold has nearly 200 different viruses (Zelman, Tompary, Raymond, Holdaway, & Mulvihill, 2010). This is the most common of all respiratory communicable diseases.

The study of respiratory disease is known as pulmonology, and a physician who specializes in the study of respiratory disease is known as a pulmonologist. Many consumers treat mild respiratory illnesses with alternative or holistic therapy, such as ginger root tea for the common cold. Others combine traditional remedies with complimentary treatments, such as herbal therapy and over-the-counter or prescription medicines (Neighbors & Tannehill-Jones, 2007).

During Weeks Three and Four, you learn to distinguish between formed elements and formed elements of the blood. You delineate the function of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets as well as identify the etiology, signs and symptoms, diagnostic tests, and treatment for selected diseases of the blood.

Topics in the musculoskeletal system include a review of the normal structure and function of bones, joints, and muscles. You explore the etiology, signs and symptoms, diagnostic tests, and treatment of infectious diseases of bone as well as how vitamin and mineral deficiencies lead to bone disease. Conditions such as arthritis, gout, and bursitis; traumas such as fractures, dislocations, sprains, strains, and carpal tunnel syndrome; and other diseases such as muscular dystrophy and myasthenia gravis are discussed. Finally, you explore age-related changes and diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

IN RELATIONSHIP TO THE COURSE AND THE PROGRAM

In Weeks One and Two, you learned about the prevalence of disease and you began to explore immunity, infectious diseases, and cancer. Week Three introduces the diseases related to the cardiovascular and respiratory body systems. You focus on the contrast in the manifestation and treatment of cardiovascular diseases affecting populations. It is important for you to understand the relationship of culture in health beliefs to cardiovascular disease management and health promotion.

You also identify common respiratory related diseases. It is important to clarify the differences between acute and chronic disease and to contrast the causes and treatments of diseases affecting individuals of different age groups. Your understanding of the relationship of culture in health beliefs to respiratory disease management and health promotion is examined. You also begin to identify emerging respiratory diseases on a global scale, such as the swine flu (H1N1), and how this impacts global health.

Subsequently, you explore the diseases of the blood and musculoskeletal systems. Blood is the medium for transporting oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other substances vital for existence. It also transports waste products to excretory organs. The bones, joints, and muscles work together to give the body shape. However, blood, bone, and muscles can be affected by disease in numerous ways.

Your learning activities in Week Three and Four prepare you to study another set of diseases in the following weeks. Recognizing the impact of these diseases on different populations adds to your understanding of the concepts of health and disease. This course continues to build on your knowledge of the causes and treatments of disease by exploring new major body systems each week and their related diseases. Thus, recognizing the impact of cardiac, respiratory, blood, and musculoskeletal diseases on different populations prepares you to move forward to the learning objectives in Weeks Five and Six. In those weeks, you build on your knowledge of diseases related to the gastrointestinal, urinary, and reproductive systems.

HINTS FOR A READING STRATEGY OF THE ASSIGNED MATERIALS

Human Diseases: A Systemic Approach provides you with information related to the manifestations and treatment of common diseases. Once again the resources at the end of the chapters in your textbook are a good source for further information on the topics. You are encouraged to review the websites relating to alternative treatments and traditional medicine’s advanced technology in treatment modalities. Readings should also explore community efforts to educate and control disease awareness.

SOME QUESTIONS TO ASK AS YOU HONE YOUR CRITICAL THINKING

As you read the material, create the why, what, and how questions to critically analyze the manifestations and treatment of common cardiac, respiratory, blood, and musculoskeletal diseases and how they affect different populations. Critically analyze the cultural influence on the occurrence and treatment of disease and the spread of related diseases. Questions that may help guide your critical analysis of the disease may include the following:

• What behaviors place people at risk for respiratory diseases?

• Why is it important to recognize the difference between acute and chronic respiratory disease?

• What are the early signs of heart disease?

• What are the cellular components of blood?

• How are joints important for the function of the skeleton?

• Can a chronic disease become acute and then once again become chronic?

• What are the similarities and differences of disease causes in children and older adults?

• What are the similarities and differences in both alternative and traditional treatments?

• How will you use this information in your current or future role in health care?

SUMMARY

Life is completely dependent on the healthy functioning of the heart. There are many kinds of heart disease, and they can affect the heart in several ways, but the ultimate problem with all varieties of heart disease is that they can disrupt the vital pumping action of the heart.

Additionally, respiratory diseases can impact the vital function of air exchange with the respiratory system. Decreased respiratory function has an impact on other systems in the body thus quickly recognizing the signs and symptoms of respiratory disease and implementing treatment is a major role of health care providers.

The blood system is vital for the transport and removal of various substances. Abnormalities interfere with the normal healthy processes. Finally, the musculoskeletal system works together to allow our body freedom of movement. You study a wide variety of diseases and disorders that disrupt a healthy equilibrium. Subsequently, the differences between acute and chronic disease as well as the differences of how diseases affect various populations result in the need for different health care settings and providers.

REFERENCES

Zelman, M., Tompary, E., Raymond, J., Holdaway, P., & Mulvihill, M. (2010). Human diseases: A systemic approach (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

Neighbors, M., & Tannenhill-Jones, R. (2006). Human Diseases (2nd ed.). Clifton Park, NY: Thomson Delmar Learning.

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download