Physical disabilities

Assess the patient s need for assistance in removing the tablet or capsule from the container, holding the container, holding a medicine cup, or holding a glass of water. Some patients with physical disabilities cannot handle or hold these objects and may require assistance... 

Special needs - people who are members of minority groups (the physically disabled, for example) are mentored by people from similar situations who imderstand their difficulties. 

Physical disability from RA can be measured through the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ).39,40 This patient self-assessment tool was developed to evaluate patient outcomes in five dimensions of chronic conditions ... 

Rebif (tradename) is an rIFN-P-la first approved for medical use in the EU in 1998 and subsequently in the USA in 2002. It is indicated for the treatment of patients with relapsing-remitting MS, to decrease the frequency of clinical exacerbations and delay the accumulation of physical disability. 

The physical disability is tiring but manageable. I know how to get strapped into the wheelchair. I know where the curb cuts are and how to maneuver the chair. I can cope with the industrial respirator. If I have to wear my army helmet I can do that, too, although I hate to in public places because who wants to look like a geek But sometimes that s what I have to do. I know how to use oxygen effectively. 

Awakened for breakfast. Slow in getting up. Appetite good. Said Everything okay Was I combative Can I see the TV films I was televised, wasn t I I can remember standing inspection without my boots on. I had the General all snowed that I had a physical disability to allow me to go without shoes. Then someone came up and squealed on me - he and I had a fight. ... 

From a clinical point of view, muscle diseases are not as common as stroke or heart attack, but they occur in all age groups and can cause serious physical disability. Their impact is especially severe when children and young adults are affected. Some muscle diseases respond well to medical treatment, while many of the physical disabilities can be improved or prevented. There are... 

Multiple sclerosis (MS) - For the treatment of relapsing forms of MS to slow the accumulation of physical disability and decrease the frequency of clinical exacerbations. 

The recent addition of interferon-P-la and interferon-pib to the therapeutic arsenal for the treatment of MS aims to shut down inflammation at the blood-brain barrier and thereby reduce the rate of relapse and decrease frequency and severity of MS disease symptoms.Both P-interferons have demonstrated benefits in the treatment of patients with established MS, including slowing the progression of physical disability, reducing the rate of clinical relapses, and reducing the development of brain lesions, as assessed by MRI. Several trials have found that interferon-pib (Betaseron) reduced the frequency of relapse by approximately 30% [3-5]. These studies also suggested a trend toward a delay in the progression of disability. Interferon-pia (Avonex) was subsequently found to reduce the frequency of relapse [6-8]. 

Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is a recessive disorder in which there is a partial or complete deficiency in branched-chain o-ketoacid dehydrogenase, an enzyme that decarboxylates leucine, isoleucine, and valine (see Figure 20.10). These amino acids and their corre sponding a-keto acids accumulate in the blood, causing a toxic effect that interferes with brain functions. The disease is characterized by feeding problems, vomiting, dehydration, severe metabolic acidosis, and a characteristic maple syrup odor to the urine. If untreated, the disease leads to mental retardation, physical disabilities, and death. 

Similar to opioids, the cannabinoid system appears to be intricately involved in normal physiology, specifically in the control of movement, formation of memories, and appetite control. Basic research has discovered that members of this family of compounds have the capacity to protect threatened neurons, thereby slowing neurodegenerative processes that ultimately lead to physical disability. As the function of the physiological role of endocannabinoids becomes clearer, it appears the system may be involved in the pathology of several neurological diseases, specifically multiple sclerosis, spasticity, and pain. In 1999 the German journal, Forschende Komplementar-medizin und Klassische Naturheilkunde (Research in Complementary and Classical Natural Medicine) commented ... 

The intelligent use of drugs with elderly patients can increase their life span. Drug noncompliance by the elderly may result from forgetfulness, confusion, or even deliberate intent if prescribed with large number of drugs to be taken at different time intervals. Some errors in drug intake are caused by physical disabilities such as arthritis, tremors, blurred vision, or deafness. 

The comparison was criticized by Avery et ah (2003) because children with rheumatological diseases have other symptoms to include severe pain and chronic physical disabilities, which exceeds experiences of children with peanut allergy. Primeau et ah (2000), at the time of their study, recognized and acknowledged this comparison as a potential... 

Noojin, A. B. and Wallander, J. L. (1997). Perceived problem-solving ability, stress, and coping in mothers of children with physical disabilities Potential cognitive influences on adjustment. Int. J. Behav. Med. 4,415-432. 

The experience of constant pain from dystonia or inner torture from akathisia can drive a person to suicidal despair. The physical disabilities associated with disorders can also become very depressing to patients. 

Not only do the stimulants damage and disable the brain, but scientific research has also demonstrated how these physical disabilities are manifested in behavior changes. The stimulants impair behavior by crushing spontaneity and inducing compulsive behaviors. The less spontaneous, more compulsive children are seen as improved when in fact they are biologically and mentally impaired. The effect of the stimulants provides a clear-cut illustration of the brain-disabling principles described in chapter 1. 

These drugs are also extremely spellbinding so that individuals frequently become mentally and even physically disabled without fully recognizing their deterioration and without attributing it to the medication. Instead, they feel compelled to take more and more psychiatric drugs in a fruitless, self-defeating effort to end their suffering. 

Harassing agents causing coughing, sneezing, nausea, and temporary physical disability. 

Two cases of acute neuroleptic drug-induced akathisia in patients with traumatic paraplegia have been published (219). The authors emphasized the possibility of drug-induced akathisia when patients with traumatic paraplegia or other physical disabilities develop increasing restlessness and an inability to sit or lie still. 

Less than three months before his death on December 24th 1953, Emil Heuser was still conducting seminars on cellulose in Seattle and in Portland. Although he realized that he had certain serious physical disabilities, his verve and enthusiasm never flagged and his interest in Nature s most abundant polysaccharide was ever maintained. A friendly humorist termed him Dr. Cellulose, and in many ways this cognomen described him aptly, although it failed to account for his many other interests and facets. 

As with nondisabled individuals, the most important strategy for those with disabilities is personal disaster planning. In addition to disaster supplies—including necessary medications that should be maintained by everyone—people with physical disabilities should have an individual disability emergency plan. Nurses should encourage clients to think about a typical day at home. What supplies, equipment, and personal assistance might the disabled need to survive each day What could they do without ... 

Physical disability does not imply a mental disability or childishness. 

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