Behavioral, Neurologic, and Digestive Disorders

Behavioral, Neurologic, and Digestive Disorders

NR507

 

NR 507 DeVry Week 7 Discussions Latest

Week 7: Behavioral, Neurologic, and Digestive Disorders

Discussion Part One

This week’s graded topics relate to the following Course Outcomes (COs).

1 Analyze pathophysiologic mechanisms associated with selected disease states. (PO 1)

2 Differentiate the epidemiology, etiology, developmental considerations, pathogenesis, and clinical and laboratory manifestations of specific disease processes. (PO 1)

3 Examine the way in which homeostatic, adaptive, and compensatory physiological mechanisms can be supported and/or altered through specific therapeutic interventions. (PO 1, 7)

4 Distinguish risk factors associated with selected disease states. (PO 1)

5 Describe outcomes of disruptive or alterations in specific physiologic processes. (PO 1)

6 Distinguish risk factors associated with selected disease states. (PO 1)

7 Explore age-specific and developmental alterations in physiologic and disease states. (PO 1, 4)

You are at the local mall and you see a patient who appears to be homeless by his physical appearance and you witness the person “walk 50 feet to a table sit down, and after 5 seconds he gets up and walks to a tree and urinates on it” He repeats this action 5 times apparently oblivious to his surroundings. When the police come he ignores them as if they aren’t there. Later, you go to work and sitting in exam room 3 is the same person! Now, he is your patient, when you talk to him he has no recollection of his behavior by the mall.

• What is your differential diagnosis?

• What tests do you order?

• An MRI comes back and there seems to be a lesion in the temporal lobe does this change your differential? The EEG also comes back with unusual excitatory activity. What is your definitive diagnosis? In retrospect did anything bias your first differential?

Discussion Part Two

Your patient is a 77-year-old woman who has been more socially withdrawn lately and told her daughter she had not been feeling well. Her daughter has noticed a stepwise decline. While shopping for groceries with her daughter she became separated from daughter in the aisles. She became confused and angry when store employees and others tried to assist her. Her current medications are Hydrochlorothiazide, Lisinopril and Atorvastatin.

• What is your differential diagnosis based on the information you now have?

• What other questions would you like to ask her now? (Questions can be asked of patient first, and then of reliable historian separately.)

• How would you treat this patient and discuss why you give each medication or therapy you give.

Discussion Part Three

1 Analyze pathophysiologic mechanisms associated with selected disease states. (PO 1)

2 Differentiate the epidemiology, etiology, developmental considerations, pathogenesis, and clinical and laboratory manifestations of specific disease processes. (PO 1)

3 Examine the way in which homeostatic, adaptive, and compensatory physiological mechanisms can be supported and/or altered through specific therapeutic interventions. (PO 1, 7)

4 Distinguish risk factors associated with selected disease states. (PO 1)

5 Describe outcomes of disruptive or alterations in specific physiologic processes. (PO 1)

6 Distinguish risk factors associated with selected disease states. (PO 1)

7 Explore age-specific and developmental alterations in physiologic and disease states. (PO 1, 4)

A 19-year-old freshman in college has been brought to your office by campus security. The patient had been standing on top of the school chapel proclaiming that he was the prophet of God and that God was speaking to him. In fact he claimed to actually hear God’s voice. When he is in your office you notice that he is speaking very fast, can’t seem to sit still and his sentences at times don’t seem to make sense. He states, “I saw the professor sit on the ham sandwich and eat the raw calculus in his mind”

• What is your differential diagnosis, how does it fit how might it not fit?

• Based on the top of your differential what is the epidemiology of that disorder?

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION;

Behavioral, Neurologic, and Digestive Disorders

Introduction

Parents of infants and children often wonder if there are any problems that can be detected in a child before the age of two. For example, do your baby’s diapers or fussy eating habits mean something is wrong?

This article will discuss behavioral, neurologic and digestive disorders in children. These three types of disorders share similar symptoms and misdiagnoses can be made if not properly addressed early on.

Behavioral, Neurologic, and Digestive Disorders

Behavioral, Neurologic, and Digestive Disorders

Behavioral disorders are those that affect a person’s ability to control his or her behavior. They can include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and Tourette syndrome. In children with behavioral problems there may be symptoms such as:

• Aggression

• Hyperactivity/Inattention

• Impulsivity & Irritability * Inappropriate speech patterns for age group

What Are Behavioral Disorders?

Behavioral disorders are a broad category of mental health problems that include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders and others. These conditions can be caused by genetic factors, environmental factors or a combination of both.

Behavioral disorders in children can have long-term effects on their lives because they interfere with normal development, such as learning how to walk or talk; play with others; socialize with peers; make friends—and more!

Symptoms of Behavioral Disorders

One of the most common behavioral disorders is behavioral, or emotional, dysregulation. Behavioral dysregulation is characterized by extreme irritability and aggression. If a child has this disorder, he or she may have frequent temper tantrums that last for hours at a time or lash out at others physically. In addition to anger issues, children with this disorder may also be hyperactive and inattentive to their surroundings (the environment). These children are often seen as misbehaving because they cannot focus on tasks that require concentration like homework assignments; however, this behavior can also be normal for them if it helps them cope with stressors in their lives such as an argument with a parent over curfew violation or getting caught shoplifting from Wal-Mart with friends who have been drinking all night long!

This kind of troubled behavior can lead other people not just see it as being disrespectful but being rude as well! People who know someone who suffers from AD/HD will understand why some might feel hurt when faced with these behaviors firsthand – especially if there’s no way around it either: no matter how much effort was put into trying something new out there somewhere else…it wasn’t meant for anyone else but yourself!”

Diagnosing Behavioral Disorders

Diagnosing behavioral disorders is based on observation and history. The diagnostic process includes an assessment of the child’s behavior, family history, medical history and physical examination.

Behavioral disorders are not always easy to identify because they are often subtle or hidden from view by other developmental problems or symptoms that may interfere with their presentation. For example:

• Early childhood autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by social skill deficits; communication delays; repetitive behaviors such as rocking back-and-forth or spinning in circles; restrictive interests that include intense love for certain objects; unusual mannerisms such as hand flapping when stressed or scared; response to sensory input (hearing, touch); self-injurious behaviors including biting oneself and head banging against the floor

Treating Behavioral Disorders

Behavioral disorders can be treated with medication, behavioral therapy and parenting skills.

Medication: If your child’s behavioral problem is severe enough to warrant medication, talk to your pediatrician about whether or not it’s necessary for you to do so. The most common types of antipsychotics are risperidone (Risperdal) and aripiprazole (Abilify). Antidepressants such as Prozac may also be helpful for some children with ADHD. Both Risperdal and Prozac have been approved by the FDA specifically for treating bipolar disorder in children who have not been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder; however, these drugs shouldn’t be used interchangeably because they work differently on brain chemistry and even then they shouldn’t replace other medications that may provide better results without causing side effects like weight gain or sexual dysfunction.*

Behavioral Therapy: Behavioral therapy includes all kinds of activities aimed at teaching new behaviors while reducing unwanted ones.* Parenting skills training can help parents understand how their child thinks so they can respond appropriately when he needs something from them.* Therapists will work with both parents and children individually as well as in groups until everyone feels comfortable enough around each other so that everyone feels included without feeling judged by others’ behavior patterns.*

Learning About Neurologic Problems in Infants and Children

Neurologic problems in infants and children can be caused by a number of things. Some are genetic, some are environmental, and others may be caused by infections.

• Genetic disorders: These occur when your child has inherited certain genes from his or her parents that cause them to have certain neurological problems later in life. You’ll need to talk with a genetic counselor about what this means for your family if you want more information on genetic conditions like Down syndrome or cystic fibrosis (CF).

• Environmental factors: These include pollution from chemicals in air or water; viruses such as the flu; exposure to pesticides; exposure to radiation at high levels during nuclear testing periods – all these things may lead over time towards developing an addiction which then becomes harder than ever before.”

What Is a Neurologic Problem in a Child?

Neurologic problems in children are those that are caused by a brain injury, infection, birth defect or other factor.

A common example is shaken baby syndrome. This occurs when a child’s head is shaken forcefully enough to cause internal bleeding or death of brain tissue. It’s often diagnosed after an accidental fall onto the floor and several days or weeks of vomiting or irritability before symptoms appear.

Other examples include:

• Meningitis – an inflammation of the meninges (the membranes surrounding your brain) caused by bacteria like Streptococcus pneumoniae that enter through an open wound in your nose or throat;

• Hydrocephalus – excessive pressure on the brain resulting from abnormal development around its ventricles (the cavities where cerebrospinal fluid flows);

Symptoms of a Neurologic Problem in a Child

The most common neurologic problems in children are seizures, headaches, stiff neck or back pain and difficulty walking or moving. Other symptoms include:

• Difficulty talking

• Difficulty swallowing

• Difficulty seeing (vision)

Other symptoms may also be present including:

• Loss of consciousness

Diagnosing Neurologic Problems in Children: Step by Step

• Find a good doctor.

• Take your child’s medical history.

• Observe your child and make sure that they’re not faking symptoms. If they are, this can lead to more problems in the future when it comes time for treatment because there will be no way for doctors to tell if their symptoms were real or fake.* Test for neurological disorders by observing the following: * Ask the patient if there is anything strange about how they feel or act (for example, does their head hurt?) * Ask them if anything seems different from normal (for example, does their voice sound different?)

Treating Neurologic Problems in Children

If you’re looking for a way to treat your child’s neurological or digestive problems, it is important to seek out multiple opinions. You may want to get six different opinions before making any decisions, including:

• A second opinion from another doctor in the same practice

• A third opinion from a specialist (such as an internist or pediatrician) who specializes in children’s health care

• A fourth opinion from someone who only practices adult medicine, such as an obstetrician/gynecologist or family practitioner (GP)

If your child has behavioral issues or neurologic problems, seek help.

If your child has behavioral issues or neurologic problems, seek help.

If you’re concerned about your child’s behavior and want to get a second opinion, talk with his primary doctor or pediatrician. He may be able to refer you to another doctor in the group who specializes in behavioral medicine (or children’s neurology).

If he doesn’t seem as concerned about making sure your child gets treatment as much as possible, ask him why not! Are there other reasons this particular specialist would be better than others? Maybe he doesn’t have time for parents’ questions right now because he’s too busy with other patients that could be an indication that he doesn’t love what he does enough to put forth effort into helping families like yours who need it most.”

Conclusion

Hopefully, this article has given you a good understanding of behavioral, neurologic and digestive disorders. If your child suffers from these kinds of issues, it can be difficult to know what to do. However, if you are concerned about their health or behavior and these symptoms continue for a long period of time without improvement then it may be time to seek professional help.