cognitive impairment :: essays research papers

A cognitive impairment means there is a change in how a person thinks, reacts to emotions, or behaves. What is going on in the body?A person fag end be born with a cognitive impairment. In this case, it is ordinarily termed mental retardation. It may result from a birth injury, such as a lack of oxygen. It may also result from a defect as the baby was formed. A cognitive impairment also may occur later in life, following an injury or as part of a disease. What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?A cognitive impairment interferes with the bodys normal function. The change may be minor and have little or no impact on a persons daily functioning. In other cases, the impairment may be obvious. A cognitive impairment can range from mild memory problems to exaggerated emotional reactions. It can also entail the complete inability to think independently. What are the causes and risks of the condition?A cognitive impairment may be present when a child is born, which is known as mental retardation. It may also be the result of abuse of prescription medicines, chemicals, street drugs, or alcoholic drink a disease, such as Alzheimer disease a side effect of some medicines a trauma such as head injury Frail, older people who are removed from a familiar setting often develop cognitive problems. This may occur when they go to a hospital because of indisposition or when they are moved to a nursing home. Depending on the cause, cognitive impairments may be temporary or permanent. What can be done to clog the condition?Cognitive impairment can occur at any age and cannot always be prevented. However, the following measures may be helpful avoiding black drugs drinking alcohol in moderation or not at all following sports safety guidelines for children, adolescents, and adults obtaining prenatal care during pregnancy using medicines moreover as directed How is the condition diagnosed?In some cases, mental retardation can be diagnosed at birth. An infant with Down syndrome, for example, is often identified by characteristic features. The diagnosis is confirmed with a chromosome analysis. Other tests used to diagnose cognitive impairments include cognitive testing, which provides information about the individuals memory and thinking skills cranial CT scan cranial MRI spinal tap What are the long-term effects of the condition?A person with cognitive impairment can often live a nearly normal life.