Chronic vs. Acute Conditions Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the approximate prevalence of depression in the general population?

1 to 3%

10 to 15%

5 to 8%

2 to 5% (correct)

Which type of stress increases the risk of atherosclerosis and hypertension?

Acute stress

Chronic stress (correct)

Sudden stress

Intermittent stress

Which of the following is NOT listed as a risk factor for depression in older adults?

Having a chronic illness

Being a caretaker for another

Being a homeowner (correct)

Being widowed or unmarried

Incontinence is characterized by:

Lack of voluntary control over urination Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference in the prevalence of symptoms and diagnosis of depression among older adults?

Diagnosis is less prevalent than symptoms Signup and view all the answers

Which gender is more at risk for developing cancer according to the text?

Males Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a symptom associated with depression according to the text?

Increased appetite Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes chronic conditions from acute conditions?

They develop slowly and worsen over an extended period Signup and view all the answers

What could be a potential reason for depression to be under diagnosed and under treated in older adults?

Lack of social support Signup and view all the answers

Which type of immune response is older adults less capable of?

Fighting off new strains of bacteria and viruses Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between health and illness?

Health refers to complete well-being while illness refers to the absence of disease. Signup and view all the answers

How do older adults typically cope with stress according to the text?

They avoid stressful situations and report less stress when faced with stressors. Signup and view all the answers

Which group is more likely to experience stress related to marriage, divorce, and job stress?

Younger age groups Signup and view all the answers

How does distress from illness or treatment side effects impact a person's will to live?

It can reduce the person's will to live. Signup and view all the answers

How do men generally compare to women in terms of taking risks, smoking, alcohol use, and stress?

Men are risk-takers, smoke and drink more than women, and allow stress to enter their lives more. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Mental Health in Older Adults

Depression is a common and treatable mental disorder, affecting 2-5% of the population, but it's underdiagnosed and undertreated in older adults (about 1% in community samples).
Risk factors for depression in older adults include: being female, widowed/unmarried, lacking social support, having a chronic illness, living in a nursing home, and being a caretaker for another.
Symptoms of depression may be more prevalent in older adults, but the diagnosis is less prevalent due to cohort effects.

Clinical Presentation of Depression

Sad mood or loss of pleasure/interest that lasts most of the day, nearly every day, for at least 2 weeks.
Additional symptoms include: appetite or weight change, sleep change, psychomotor retardation or agitation, loss of energy, worthlessness or excessive guilt, problems with concentration/indecisiveness, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.
Depression causes distress or impairment in functioning in some way.

Chronic Conditions

Chronic conditions develop slowly and worsen over an extended period (minimum of 3 months) and may be accompanied by residual functional impairment that necessitates long-term management.
Examples of chronic conditions include: diabetes, cancer, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, and incontinence.
Older adults' immune systems may not work as well, making them more prone to new infections and taking longer to fight off diseases.

Defining Health and Illness

Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not just the absence of disease or impairment.
Illness is the presence of a physical or mental disease or impairment.
Self-ratings of health are typically very predictive of future health outcomes.

Quality of Life

Relating to specific diseases or conditions, it measures the extent to which distress from illness or side effects associated with treatment reduces the person's will to live.
Two domains: health-related and non-health-related.
Valuation of life is the degree to which one is attached to the present life, and is qualitative.

Stress and Age

Age-related stress differs across the lifespan, with older adults experiencing chronic illness, disability, and loss, and younger adults experiencing marriage/divorce, conceiving children, and job stress.
Age-related coping involves avoiding stressful situations, reporting less stress, using prior experiences as a guide, and using emotion-focused coping strategies to feel in control.

Effects of Stress on Health

Short-term stress vs. chronic stress: chronic stress can lead to immune system suppression, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis and hypertension, and raising the level of LDL cholesterol.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the differences between chronic and acute conditions, including their impact on health and management. Explore how chronic stress can lead to immune system suppression and various chronic conditions like diabetes and cancer.