Non-communicable diseases Flashcards
What is a non-communicable disease?
A disease that is not passed from person to person or through animals. You do not have to come into contact with another thing that has the disease in order to get the disease yourself.
What are some examples of non-communicable diseases?
Cancer, Heart disease, Diabetes, etc.
What factors increase the chances of getting a non-communicable disease?
- Physical inactivity
- Poor diet
- Poverty (don’t have access to
necessary things) - Lack of education (not knowing what is
healthy) - Smoking
- Harmful alcohol consumption
- Genetics (if you are born more likely to
get a disease) - Old age
- Mental health
- Gender
- Drugs
What is a lifestyle factor?
Lifestyle factors are the adaptable ways of life that people choose, that have a big effect on overall health.
What is a tumour?
An abnormal mass of tissue that has formed from mutated cells that have grown or divided uncontrollably.
What is the difference between a benign and malignant tumour?
Benign tumours grow slowly, do not spread, and are not cancerous. However, they can turn into malignant tumours which grow rapidly, have spread to other areas of the body, destroy other tissue, and are cancerous.
How does cancer spread?
When some of the mutated cells get into the blood stream and spread to other areas of the body, forming new tumours.
How does smoking affect the risk of cardiovascular disease?
Smoking increase the formation of plaque in the arteries surrounding the heart, clogging them up and not allowing for as much oxygen to reach the heart, leading to cardiovascular disease.
It can also cause blood to thicken, making clots in the blood, another reason for cardiovascular disease.
How does smoking affect the risk of getting lung disease and lung cancer?
Smoking affects the risk of getting lung disease and cancer because it destroys the cilia in the alveoli, leading to less surface area for oxygen to be absorbed into the blood.
Carbon monoxide also gets absorbed into the blood instead of oxygen, which allows even less oxygen to get through. Smoking also fills the alveoli and increases the likeliness of blood clots.
Additionally, it destroys the DNA that fixes cells, leading to bigger chance of cancer.
What is the effect of smoking on unborn babies?
It causes tissue damage in the unborn baby, especially to the brain and lungs.
What is a risk factor?
A risk factor is something that increases your chances of getting a non-communicable disease.
What organs does alcohol affect?
It affects liver and brain function.
How does alcohol affect unborn babies?
It can cause Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. This restricts mental and physical growth of the baby for the duration of its life.
What is a carcinogen?
A substance that can cause cancer.
What are some examples of carcinogens?
Tobacco, alcohol, ultra-violet rays.
