Health and Illness

Definition of Health Is a state of complete physical, mental and social well being. Not merely the absence of disease. Intellectual Environmental Physical Emotional Spiritual Human Sociocultural Fig. The human dimensions. All of these interdependent parts compose the whole person. Definition of Illness is the response to a disease it is an abnormal process in which the persons level of function is changed when compared with a previous level. Disease is a medical term meaning that there is a pathological change in the structure or function of the body.

Causes of Disease 1.Inherited genetic defects. 2.Developmental defects resulting from exposure to such factors as virus or chemicals during pregnancy. 3.Biologic agents or toxins. 4.Physical agents such as temperature, chemicals, and radiation. 5.Generalized tissue responses to injury or irritation. 6.Physiologic and emotional reactions to stress. 7.Excessive or insufficient production of body secretions (hormones, enzymes, and so forth). Types of Illness  Acute illness: generally has a rapid onset of symptoms and lasts only a relatively short time example (Appendicitis).  Chronic illness: is a broad term that encompasses many different physical and mental alterations in health, with one or more of the following characteristics : 1.It is a permanent change. 2.It causes, or caused by, irreversible alterations in normal anatomy and physiology. 3.It requires special patient education for rehabilitation. 4.It requires a long period of care or support. Example of common chronic illness is heart problem, diabetes mellitus, lung disease, and arthritis.

Stages of Illness Stage 1: Experiencing Symptoms How a people define themselves as "sick"? The first indication of an illness usually is recognizing one or more symptoms. Example of common symptoms (rash, fever, bleeding, cough). If the symptoms last for a short time or are relieved by self-care. If the symptoms continue, however, the person enters the next stage. Stage 2: Assuming the Sick Role The person now defines himself or herself as being sick. At this stage, most people focus on their symptoms and bodily functions. The person may choose to do nothing, may buy over-the-counter medications to relieve symptoms, or may seek out a healthcare provide for diagnosis and treatment. When help from the healthcare provider is sought.The person becomes a patient and enters the next stage. Stage 3: Assuming a Depending Role This stage is characterized by the patient's decision to accept the diagnosis and follow the prescribed treatment. The person conforms to the opinion of others, often requires assistance in carrying out activities of daily living, and needs emotional support through acceptance, approval, physical closeness, and protection.

Stage 4: Achieving Recovery and Rehabilitation In this stage person gives up the dependent role and resumes normal activities and responsibilities. If the plan of care included health education, the individual may return to health at a higher level of functioning and health than before the illness. Models of Health and Illness Agent-host-environment model. Health-illness continuum. High-level wellness model. Health believe model. Health promotion model Agent Host Environment Model The agent-host-environment model of health and illness for community health is useful for examining the causes of disease in an individual. The agent, host, and environment interact in ways that create risk factors and understanding these important for the promotion and maintenance of health. Environment Agent Host Fig. The agent-host- environment triangle.

Health-Illness Continuum The health-illness continuum is one way to measure a person's level health. This model views health as a constantly changing state. With high-level wellness and death. Fig. The health-illness continuum The High-Level Wellness Model This process help a person know who and what he or she is. These processes which are a part of each individual's perception of his or her own wellness state, and encourage the nurse to care for the total person, with regard for all factors affecting the person's state of being while striving to reach maximum potential.

The Health Belief Model The health belief model is concerned with what people believe to be true about themselves in relation to their health. This model is based on three components of individual perceptions of threat of disease: 1.Believe susceptibility to a disease. 2.Believe seriousness of a disease. 3.Believe benefits of action. This model is useful when teaching individual about health and illness. Teaching and health promotion activities however are ineffective unless the patient believe they are important and necessary. The Health Promotion Model The model incorporates individual characteristics and experience and behavior-specific knowledge and beliefs, to motivate heath promotion behavior. The components of the model can be used to use to design and provide nursing intervention to promote health for individuals, families and communities.

Factor Affecting Health and Illness Much factor influence a person's health status health beliefs and health practice. These factors important for plan and provide holistic care. The nurse must understand how these factors influence behavior in both healthy and patient. Major Areas of Risk Factors Risk FactorExample AgeSchool-aged children are at high risk for communicable disease. After menopause, women are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease. Genetic factorsA family history of cancer or diabetes predisposes person to developing the disease. Physiologic factorsObesity increases the possibility of heart disease. Pregnancy places increased risk on both the mother and the developing fetus. Health habitsSmoking increases the probability of lung cancer. Poor nutrition can lead to a variety of health problems. LifestyleMultiple sexual relationships increase the risk for sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., Gonorrhea or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) Psychological factor Events that increase stress (e.g., divorce retirement, work–related pressure) may precipitate accidents or illness. EnvironmentWorking and living environment (such as hazardous materials and poor sanitation) may contribute to disease.

The Human Dimension The factor influencing a person's health-illness status, health beliefs, and health practice related to persons human dimensions. 1.Physical Dimensions. 2.Emotional Dimensions. 3.Intellectual Dimensions. 4.Environmental Dimensions. 5.Sociocultural Dimensions. 6.Spiritual Dimensions.