OVERVIEW OF DISABILITIES AND HOW PHYSIO CENTERS OF AFRICA CAN HELP

Conditions Considered Disabilities

In this article, Physio Centers of Africa (PCA) discusses disabilities, conditions considered disabilities and leading causes of disabilities.

A disability is any condition of the body or mind (impairment) that makes it more difficult for a person to do certain activities (activity limitation) and interact with the environment (participation restrictions). There are many types of disabilities, such as those that affect a person’s:

• Vision
• Movement
• Thinking
• Remembering(Memory)
• Learning
• Communicating
• Hearing
• Mental health
• Social relationships

It is not possible to prevent all impairments, most of the diseases that cause disabilities are preventable with medical care. The perception of disabling conditions by most Nigerians is greatly influenced by myth and superstition, which in turn influences the negative attitude people have towards disabled people. The lack of medical facilities and awareness has contributed immensely to the spread of common diseases which otherwise would have been controlled or eradicated, as is the case in developed countries.

There are several events or activities that can possibly lead to disability in women, men and even babies. Listed here are a few of the possible events leading to disabilities;

1. Poverty and malnutrition
2. Mental illness
3. Medications and injections
4. Poor access to health care
5. War
6. Dangerous work conditions
7. Accidents
8. Inherited disabilities

Leading Causes of Disabilities

Loss of interest in activities, disturbed sleep and appetite or lack of concentration are common disabilities among people today. A new study by the World Health Organization (WHO) has identified the biggest reason behind it. WHO ranks depression as the single largest contributor to global disability worldwide.

Disability can be related to other conditions;

• That are present at birth and may affect functions later in life, including cognition (memory, learning, and understanding): Autism, Cerebral palsy, Down syndrome
• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Hearing
• Behavior

The conditions in relation to possible causes:

• Disorders in singlegenes: Duchenne muscular dystrophy
• Disorders of chromosomes: Down syndrome
• Exposure during pregnancy to infections or substances, such as alcohol or cigarettes: Rubella, Cerebral palsy
• Related to an injury : Traumatic brain injury or Spinal cord injury
• Multiple sclerosis
• Stroke
• Arthritis
• Mental health: Depression
• Heart Disease
• Cancer

At Physio Centers of Africa (PCA), we educate, prevent and help manage disability. Physio Centers of Africa (PCA) physiotherapists can also help manage children and adults with all sorts of neurological and physical disabilities.

Call +2348130280496 or mail appointmentsvi@physiocentersofafrica.com to book an appointment on the island.

Call +2349073016017 or mail appointmentsml@physiocentersofafrica.com to book an appointment on the mainland.

You can source all physio equipment and some orthotics by sending an email to equipmentsales@physiocentersofafrica.com