Noncommunicable Diseases

Noncommunicable Diseases Chapter 13

Noncommunicable • NOT spread • Chronic – continuous over a long period • Most common: • Asthma, cancer, and heart disease • Types: (pg 364) • Present at birth • Behavior choices • Environmental • Unknown

Allergies • Sensitivity to a substance • Triggered by the immune system (allergic reaction) –pg 366 • Pollen, insects/bugs, pets, plants, household dust, food

Treatment for Allergies • Get tested • AVOID the allergen • Take medication (antihistamines) • Get injections

Asthma • Respiratory disease that causes air passages to become narrow or blocked • On the rise • Similar triggers as allergies (pg 367) • Asthma attacks – wheezing, shortness of breath, gagging or choking, tightness in chest

Managing Asthma • Monitor the condition • Manage your environment • Manage stress • Take medication when needed • Video: Allergy and Asthma

Cancer • Second leading cause of death in the US • Abnormal cells grow out of control • Tumor – group of abnormal cells that forms a mass • Benign – not cancerous, no spread • Malignant – cancerous, spread

Cancer, cont. • 4 most common types • Skin • Reproductive • Breast • Lung • Risk factors: • Family history • Tobacco • Diet • Radiation/chemicals • The sun - video

Causes of Cancer • Carcinogens – cancer causing (long period of time) • Tobacco • Sun • Radiation • Minerals and chemicals used in construction • Air and water pollution • High fat, low fiber diet

Combating Cancer • Prevention –pg 373-374 • Early detection – 7 warning signs pg 375 • What doctors can do: • Surgery • Radiation – x-rays or other radioactive forms • Chemotherapy – drugs that destroy cancer cells • Side effects • nausea, fatigue, hair loss

Heart Disease • #1 killer of American adults • Reduces the strength or function of the heart and blood vessels • Arteri0sclerosis - hardening of arteries • Atherosclerosis – fatty substance build up • Heart attack – blood supply to the heart slows or stops, causing muscle damage

Heart Attack Detection Men Women Shortness of breath Pressure or pain in the lower chest or upper abdomen Dizziness Back pressure or pain Lightheadedness or fainting • Chest pain • Discomfort in the arms, neck, jaw, or stomach • Shortness of breath, nausea, sweating • Feelings of indigestion

Other Related Issues • Hypertension – high blood pressure • Headaches, lightheaded, see spots, body temp increase • Stroke – artery of the brain breaks or is blocked (third leading cause of death in the US) • Slurred speech, disorientation, cannot stick their tongue out

What Doctors Can Do? • Angioplasty – surgical, place a tiny balloon into artery to clear blockage • Medication – blood thinners, aspirin • Pacemaker – electronic device that sends impulses to the heart • Bypass – blocked coronary artery, form new paths to flow around the blockage • Heart transplant – healthy heart put in place of damaged (not normally for arterial diseases)

What You Can Do? • 30-60 minutes of physical activity daily • Maintain a healthy weight • Manage your stress • Avoid tobacco and other drugs

Diabetes • Disease that prevents the body from converting food into energy (glucose) • Insulin is needed for transportation of glucose • Type 1 – adolescent or childhood – immune system has destroyed insulin production, injections • Type 2 – lifestyle – normally over 40 – cannot use the insulin correctly, oral medications and diet • Type 2 is most common!

Arthritis • Disease in the joints, painful swelling and stiffness • Most common in older people • Types: • Rheumatoid - unknown cause, swelling and permanent damage, children • Osteoarthritis – break down of cartilage, common in older adults

Managing Arthritis • Medication • Diet • Physical activity • Rest • Heat/cold treatments • Joint replacement surgery

Noncommunicable Diseases