As people age, they are likely to develop different health conditions such as Osteoarthritis and Alzheimer’s. Osteoarthritis is a medical condition that affects the joints and muscles, making it difficult for individuals to carry out their daily activities. On the other hand, Alzheimer’s is a medical condition involving degeneration of cells, causing memory loss and other mental challenges (Knopman et al., 2021). Medical conditions are often caused by factors such as age, lifestyle, and irregular body exercise.
Osteoarthritis and osteoarthrosis
Osteoarthritis is an inflammatory joint disease, while osteoarthrosis involves common changes occurring due to pathological processes within the joint but is not inflammatory. The risk factor that led to a diagnosis of Osteoarthritis in G.J.’s case is increased weight, which causes straining to joints and bones. Additionally, age is a factor that is considered for patients complaining of weak muscles and joints (Jeremić et al., 2023). Osteoarthritis is a common condition that highly affects women due to hormonal changes.
Differences between Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
Osteoarthritis is a condition that primarily affects the joint systems and is characterized by swellings in the affected areas. The clinical manifestations include joint pain, cracking sound from joints, and swelling. The diagnosis includes physical examination, X-rays, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Rheumatoid arthritis is a joint deformity that starts from small joints and symmetrically progresses to other joints and is identified by joint swelling (Delugash, 2020). The clinical manifestations include fatigue, joint swelling, and stiffness in joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed through blood tests, x-rays, and MRIs.
Treatment alternatives
Pharmacological treatment options that G.J. would consider include the use of prescribed drugs to help in pain management. She can also opt for injections, which temporarily relieve joint pains. Nonpharmacological treatment options include therapy and exercises to manage weight gains, which cause strains to joints (Jeremić et al., 2023). She can also use warm baths to soothe joint inflammation, numb pain, and stiffness.
Handling osteoporosis patients
Handling osteoporosis patients involves prescribing medications integrated with regular check-ups to help reduce the risk of fractures. I also recommend regular exercises to strengthen the joints for balancing and self-support (Ziebart et al., 2022). Through patient education, I would recommend a diet that includes calcium essential for bone development. Through counseling, I would advise the patient to maintain a healthy lifestyle and abstain from anything that may affect the joints, such as excess alcohol.
Risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease
The risk factors for Alzheimer’s include age, where research shows that women of older age are at a higher risk due to cognitive impairment. The condition is sometimes presumed to be inherited genetically (Knopman et al., 2021). Lifestyle practices such as smoking, pollution, and low physical activity can lead to Alzheimer’s. The condition may result from metabolic infections such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.
Compare Alzheimer’s disease, Vascular Dementia, Dementia with Lewy bodies, and Frontotemporal Dementia.
Alzheimer’s disease, Vascular Dementia, Dementia with Lewy bodies, and Frontotemporal Dementia have common symptoms, such as memory loss. However, Alzheimer’s disease involves a gradual loss of memory at early stages in patients. Vascular Dementia is associated with infections, such as stroke, which affects blood flow in the brain (Delugash, 2020). Patients with Dementia with Lewy bodies caused by deposits of abnormal proteins in the body exhibit visual hallucinations. Changes in personality, behavior, and social inappropriateness characterize Frontotemporal Dementia.
Explicit and implicit memory
Explicit memory involves recollecting memories based on events, facts, and general knowledge. Patients may have difficulties remembering events, names, and personal experiences. Implicit memory involves the loss of memory based on skills and habits (Knopman et al., 2021). Patients may be able to perform some tasks that are familiar to them. Explicit and implicit memory vary in patients depending on the severity of the condition.
Diagnosis criteria
Based on the National Institute of Aging and Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s diagnosis is done by skilled physicians to evaluate the mental condition. The patient’s family or close friend gives the patient information, such as details of daily life. The physician decides on the method of diagnosis depending on the patient’s symptoms (Knopman et al., 2021). The screening method is done on patients with mild conditions, while the biomarker process is done to establish the levels of certainty.
Best therapeutic approach
The best therapeutic approach for patients with C.J. is counseling and medication. Medication and regular check-ups help manage pain and foster recovery (Knopman et al., 2021). Counseling services enable patients to learn self-management skills. Patient education is also essential in actively engaging the patient physically, socially, and mentally.
Summarily, Osteoarthritis and Alzheimer’s are common health conditions among the elderly due to weak joints, muscles, and cognitive abilities. Seeking healthcare services is essential for such patients’ recovery process as they learn self-management skills and get diverse treatment options. Patients with Osteoarthritis and Alzheimer’s are likely to recover by integrating healthy lifestyles, attending counseling and therapy sessions, and adhering to medical prescriptions. Osteoarthritis and Alzheimer’s patients need to get medical attention and support from family and social environment to help in the recovery process.
References
Knopman, D. S., Amieva, H., Petersen, R. C., Chételat, G., Holtzman, D. M., Hyman, B. T., … & Jones, D. T. (2021). Alzheimer disease. Nature reviews Disease primers, 7(1), 33. 10.1038/s41572-021-00269-y
Delugash, L., Story, L. (2020). Applied Pathophysiology for the Advanced. StuDocu.
Jeremić, D., Gluščević, B., Rajković, S., Jovanović, Ž., & Krivokapić, B. (2021). Osteoarthritis, osteoarthrosis and osteoarthropathy: What is the difference?. Srpski medicinski časopis Lekarske komore, 2(1), 25-32.https://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/2737-971X/2021/2737-971X2101025J.pdf
Ziebart, C., MacDermid, J., Furtado, R., Pontes, T., Szekeres, M., Suh, N., & Khan, A. (2022). An interpretive descriptive approach of patients with osteoporosis and integrating osteoporosis management advice into their lifestyle. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 17(1), 2070976.https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2022.2070976
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