non communicable diseases Flashcards
(17 cards)
What types of country’s are mostly affected by NCD’s?
-more developed high-income countries are
-mostly affected by NCD’s
-this is due to their lifestyles
people live longer but do less, spending their lives in sedentary occupations that require little physical exertion
Risk Factor (WHO definition):
any attribute, characteristic or exposure of an individual that increases the likelihood of developing a disease or an injury
What are risk factors and what are some examples of them?
-risk factors are linked to an increased rate of a disease
-e.g. aspects of a persons lifestyle (e.g. their diet), substances in the persons body or environment (asbestos fibres, material used in buildings, found in airways) or environment (UV rays from the sun)
What are the 4 main types of NCD’s?
-Cardiovascular diseases
-Diabetes
-Chronic respiratory diseases
-Cancer
Correlation:
a link or association between two factors
e.g. if one factor increases as another increases they are correlated
Casual mechanism:
explains how one factor affects another using biological reason
What risk factors has a casual mechanism been proven for?
-the effects of diet, smoking and exercise are risk factors of CVD disease
-the effects of alcohol on the liver and brain function
-the effects of smoking on lung disease and lung cancer
-the effects of smoking and alcohol on unborn babies
How do scientists prove causation?
to provide causation (correlation), scientists need to find a casual mechanism - an explanation of how one influences another
What do diet, stress and life situations have to do with health?
-Adults who eat a healthy diet live longer and have a lower risk of obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers
-Healthy eating can help people with chronic diseases manage these conditions and avoid complications
-If you’re constantly under stress, you can have physical symptoms, such as headaches, an upset stomach, high blood pressure, chest pain etc.
Stress can also lead to emotional problems, depression, panic attacks, or other forms of anxiety and stress
-Lifestyles such as having a sedentary lifestyle with not much exercise can negatively impact your health
Casual mechanisms for risk factors for Type 2 diabetes
obesity affects the body’s metabolism - fat molecules are releases into the blood which can affect the cells uptake of sugar
Casual mechanisms for risk factors for lung disease and lung cancer:
-Smoking: Chemicals in tobacco smoke (like tar and carcinogens) damage the lining of the airways and lung tissue, leading to inflammation and mutations in lung cells.
-Air pollution: Tiny particles (like soot and fumes) can enter the lungs, causing irritation, inflammation, and long-term damage.
-Exposure to asbestos or other carcinogens at work: Tiny fibers can get stuck in the lungs, causing scarring (asbestosis) and mutations that lead to cancer.
What is type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease that causes high blood glucose levels.
It happens when the body’s cells become resistant to insulin or when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin.
Risk factors for type 2 diabetes:
-Being overweight or obese
-Lack of exercise
-Family history of diabetes
What is cardiovascular disease?
-Cardiovascular disease is a group of diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels.
-It includes conditions like coronary heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, and high blood pressure.
-It’s often linked to lifestyle factors (smoking, poor diet, lack of exercise).
Risk factors for cardiovascular disease:
-Smoking
-High blood pressure (hypertension)
-High cholesterol levels
-Being overweight or obese
Risk factors for liver disease:
Heavy alcohol consumption
Being overweight or obese
Hepatitis infections (like hepatitis B or C)
What can risk factors linked to an increased rate of disease be?
-Aspects of a person’s lifestyle (like smoking, drinking alcohol, poor diet, lack of exercise).
-Substances in the environment (like air pollution or asbestos).
-Substances in the body (like high cholesterol or high blood pressure).
