Medical Aspects of Individuals With Chronic Diseases and Disabilities

According to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF), an individual’s health is related to the interaction among medical aspects (e.g., body function), behavioral aspects (e.g., activities, social participation), and psychosocial aspects (e.g., personal characters, coping styles, culture, environment). This chapter uses the ICF model as a guiding framework to cover sections related to medical aspects of common disability types and chronic illnesses. It explains the basic human body systems and diseases, helps the reader understand medical terminology and diagnostic abbreviations, and elaborates on the side effects of common medications used for managing symptoms. The chapter describes the onset, prevalence, severity, and progression of common chronic illnesses and disabilities, and discusses the psychosocial impact of a disability or a chronic condition on an individual and family. It also explains the various assistive technology categories and universal design concepts.