health and disease Flashcards
(22 cards)
Health:
health is the state of physical and mental well-being
Communicable disease (CD):
a disease that can be spread between individuals either directly or indirectly
What is good health?
complete physical and mental well-being - it is about feeling good and having a good state of mind
What are diseases?
-diseases are disorders that affect part of or all of an organism
-diseases caused by infections are communicable diseases e.g. measles, salmonella
-diseases not caused by infections are non-communicable diseases e.g. cancer, diabetes
Examples of diseases interacting through one causing or worsening another:
-if the immune system of an individual is poor, then they are more likely to become infected with a communicable disease as the body is less able to fight off any pathogens
-infections by viruses in certain parts of the body can trigger the growth of cancers e.g. liver cancer can result directly from infection by hepatitis virus
-the reduction in physical health preventing an individual from carrying out many tasks and/or reducing their life expectancy can lead to mental illness, such as depression
How does diet (lifestyle factor) affect health?
-eating too little or too much food, not enough nutrients or the wrong type of food prevents you from having a good, balanced diet
-this can have a big effect on mental and physical health causing issues such as type 2 diabetes or obesity
How does stress (lifestyle factor) affect health?
-physical and mental stress place strain on our bodies
-can lead to high levels of cholesterol leading to problems such as CVD, cancers and mental illnesses
How do life situations (lifestyle factor) affect health?
where you live, your financial status, your ethnic group,
your access to medical care and the levels of hygiene in your area are some examples of factors which may affect your physical and mental health - can lead to communicable diseases such as diarrhoea and malaria, or non-communicable diseases like heart disease
How is disease incidence information often displayed?
often displayed on frequency tables and diagrams, bar charts, histograms and scatter diagrams
What is a condition that a poor diet could induce or worsen?
diabetes may be induced due to a higher levels of glucose in the blood caused by a poor diet
What is a condition that high levels of stress could induce or worsen?
-cardiovascular disease (high BP)
-type 2 diabetes
What is a condition that life situations (e.g. poverty or recent bereavement) could induce or worsen?
-poor sanitation could cause cholera
-tuberculosis from poor ventilation
Explain why being overweight may increase the risk of stroke:
being overweight leads to higher levels of cholesterol which leads to the narrowing of the arteries which may cause a clot/blockage in the brain leading to a stroke
What is the link between infection by a pathogen and asthma?
virus/bacterial infection —> causes cold/bronchitis —> more mucus —> can induce an asthma attack
What is the link between cancer and mental health problems?
-Depression
-Anxiety
-Stress or fear about the future
-This happens because cancer can affect a person’s daily life, relationships, body image, and sense of control.
What may mean that a person is more likely to suffer from infectious diseases?
-Their body is less able to fight off pathogens
-Infections can become more severe or frequent
-Conditions like HIV or inherited immune disorders weaken defences
What may mean that a person is more likely to suffer from infectious diseases?
-Defects in the immune system (weakened ability to fight infections)
-Poor nutrition (weakens immune response)
-Chronic illnesses (e.g., diabetes)
-Age (very young or elderly)
-Living conditions (overcrowded or unhygienic environments)
What are diseases a major cause of?
Diseases are a major cause of ill health.
They can:
Affect the body directly (e.g. infections)
Weaken immune system, making other diseases more likely
Trigger mental health problems (e.g. depression from chronic illness)
what can immune reactions trigger:
Allergic reactions (e.g. asthma, eczema, hay fever)
Autoimmune diseases (where the immune system attacks the body’s own cells)
Chronic inflammation – which can damage tissues and organs
Factors that may affect health:
Diet – Poor nutrition can lead to obesity or malnutrition
Exercise – Lack of activity increases risk of disease
Genes – Inherited conditions can affect health
Environment – Pollution or access to healthcare matters
What can severe physical ill health lead to?
Severe physical ill health can lead to mental health issues such as depression.
This can happen because:
The person may struggle to do everyday activities
They may feel isolated or lose independence
Pain or long-term illness can affect mood and motivation
What may defects in the immune system mean?
Defects in the immune system mean the body is more vulnerable to infections and diseases because it cannot defend itself properly against harmful microbes (pathogens).
Examples include:
Inherited conditions (e.g. SCID – Severe Combined Immunodeficiency)
Acquired conditions (e.g. HIV, which weakens the immune system over time)
