Topic 2 - Organisation - Non-communicable diseases Flashcards
(18 cards)
What are non-communicable diseases?
Diseases that can not be passed from person to person
What are communicable diseases?
Diseases that can be spread from person to person or from animal to person
What is a tumour?
A tumour is a mass of abnormal cells that form when cells divide uncontrollably
What are the two types of tumour?
Malignant and benign
What is a benign tumour?
- Benign tumours are growths of abnormal cells contained in one place, usually within a membrane
- They do not invade other parts of the body
- It is non-cancerous
- It can still be harmful if it grows large enough to put pressure on organs
- E.g benign tumours on the brain can be very dangerous because there is no extra space for them to grow into
What is a malignant tumour?
- A malignant tumour is a cancerous tumour that grows very quickly and spreads in the body
- They invade neighbouring healthy tissues
- The initial tumour may break up, releasing small clumps of cells into the bloodstream or lymphatic system
- They are carried around the body and may causes a secondary tumour on another organ
What are carcinogens?
Substances capable of causing cancer in living tissue
What are the causes of cancer?
- Some people inherit faulty genes that increase cancer risk for some cancers e.g. breast cancer
- Most cancers are the result of mutations. Chemicals such as asbestos and the tar found in tobacco smoke can cause mutations that trigger the formation of tumours
- These cancer-causing agents are called carcinogens
- Ionising radiation such as UV lights and X-rays. Exposure to UV light from the sun can result in melanomas
How does chemicals in tobacco smoke affect the trachea and bronchi?
- The cillia in the trachea and bronchi that move mucus, bacteria and dirt away from the lungs are anaesthetised by some of the chemicals in tobacco smoke
- This means they stop working for a time, allowing dirt and pathogens down the lungs increasing the risk of infection
How does tar in tobacco smoke affect the lungs?
- Turns the lungs from pink to grey
- Makes smokers much more likely to develop bronchitis
- Can lead to a breakdown in the structure of alveoli, causing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Tar is a carcinogen, it increases the risk of lung cancer
How does smoking affect the heart?
- Smoking narrows the blood vessels in your skin, ageing it
- Nicotine makes the heart-rate increase while other chemicals damage the lining of arteries, making CHD more likely
- Mixture of chemicals in cigarette smoke leads to increased blood pressure
What is type 1 diabeties?
- The pancreas does not produce insulin
- Genetic
What is type 2 diabeties?
- Your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or your cells stop responding to insulin
- linked to obesity, lack of exercise, and poor diet
What is the main cause of type 2 diabeties?
Obesity
How to prevent type 2 diabeties?
- Eating a balanced diet with controlled amounts of carbohydrates
- Regular exercise
How does alcohol cause brain and liver damage?
- May develop cirrhosis of the liver - disease that desatroyes liver tissue - liver cells replaces with scar tissue that cannot carry out vital functions
- Is a carcinogen - Increased risk of liver cancer
- Long term heavy alcohol damages the brain - can no longer function properly
How does alcohol affect pregnancies?
- Passes across placenta into developing baby
- Miscarriage, stillbirth, premature births etc
- Developing liver of baby cannot cope with alchol - development of brain and body badly affected
How does ionising radiation cause mutations?
Radiation penetrates cells and damages chromosomes - mutations in DNA
