Chapter 3 Flashcards
High blood pressure
‘hypertension’
When blood is being pumped through the arteries at a harder and faster rate that is considered normal/healthy.
Atherosclerosis
Refers to the build-up of plaque on blood vessel walls, narrowing and hardening arteries, making it harder for blood to get through.
Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
Encompasses ALL diseases of the heart and blood vessels (including heart, stroke and vascular diseases). Caused mainly by reduced blood supply to the heart, brain and legs (usually caused by atherosclerosis).
Cancer
A range of diseases categorised by uncontrolled and abnormal cell growth. Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body causing further damage.
Diabetes mellitus
-type 1, type 2, gestational
A metabolic disease which leads to high blood glucose levels from defective insulin secretion(Type 1), insulin action(Type 2) or both.
Impaired glucose regulation (insulin resistance)
Occurs when the cells become resistant to the action of insulin, preventing glucose from being absorbed by the cells. Is a precursor to type 2 diabetes mellitus.
BMI – Body Mass Index
A statistical measure of body mass using height and weight.
Formula: BMI=weight(kg)/height(m)2
Overweight
Having a BMI of 25 - 29.9
Obese
Having a BMI of 30 and over
High BMI
When a person has a BMI of 25 or higher
(this is categorised as overweight or obese).
Underweight
Having a BMI of 18.5 and under
Iron deficiency (anaemia)
A condition characterised by a reduced ability of the body to deliver enough oxygen to the cells due to a lack of healthy blood cells. In this case due to insufficient iron.
Low birth weight
A baby born under 2.5kg.
Asthma
A chronic condition that affects the small air passages of the lungs. When exposed to certain triggers the airways narrow, making it difficult to breathe.
Musculoskeletal conditions
Ill health related to the muscles, joints and bones.
Osteoporosis
Refers to porous bones, where the bone density thins and weakens, resulting in an increased risk of fracture (breakage).
Arthritis
A term used to describe a disorder of one or more joints.
osteoarthritis
A group of diseases involving the degradation of joints and cartilage, causing stiffness and tenderness in the joints, as well as inflammation, pain and locking. Mainly due to wear of the cartilage over years.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
(lungs)
A progressive and disabling long-term lung diseases where damage to the lungs obstructs oxygen intake and causes increasing shortness of breath. eg emphysema.
Mental health disorders
Disturbances of mood that can affect behaviour and distress the person, so that the person has trouble functioning normally. They include anxiety disorders and depression.
Dementia
Dementia describes a collection of symptoms that are caused by disorders affecting the brain. It is not one specific disease.
Dementia affects thinking, behaviour and the ability to perform everyday tasks. Brain function is affected enough to interfere with the person’s normal social or working life.
Leading cause is Alzheimer’s Disease.
Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)
An umbrella term that describes a range of conditions that can occur in children exposed to alcohol before birth.