A cognitive impairment means that there is a change in the way a person thinks, responds to emotions, or behaves. What happens in the body? A person can be born with cognitive impairment. In this case, we generally speak of mental retardation. This can result from birth trauma, such as lack of oxygen. It can also result from a fault in the training of the baby. Cognitive impairment can also occur later in life, following an injury or as part of an illness. What are the signs and symptoms of this disease? Cognitive impairment interferes with the normal functioning of the body. The change may be minor and have little or no impact on a person's daily functioning. In other cases, the deficiency may be obvious. Cognitive impairment can range from mild memory problems to exaggerated emotional reactions. It can also lead to a complete inability to think independently.What are the causes and risks of this condition?Cognitive impairment may be present when a child is born, known as mental retardation. It can also be the result of: · abuse of prescription medications, chemicals, illicit drugs, or alcohol · illness, such as Alzheimer's disease · a side effect of certain medications · trauma such as Head trauma in a familiar environment often develops cognitive problems. This may happen when they go to the hospital due to illness or when they are transferred to a nursing home. Depending on the cause, cognitive impairments can be temporary or permanent. What can be done to prevent this disease? Cognitive impairments can occur at any age and cannot always be avoided. However, the following measures may be helpful: · avoiding illegal drugs · drinking alcohol in moderation or not at all · following sports safety guidelines for children, adolescents and adults · obtaining prenatal care during pregnancy · use medications only as directed.How the condition is 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 by chromosomal analysis. Other tests used to diagnose cognitive impairments include: · cognitive testing, which provides information about the individual's memory and thinking skills · cranial CT scan · cranial MRI · lumbar puncture What are the effects long term of the disease? A person with cognitive impairment can often live a nearly normal life.