Transcript Noninfectious Diseases

Noninfectious
Diseases
Diseases not caused by
pathogens and that are not spread
from person to person
Chronic Disease
• Disease that lasts a long time
• Some can be cured but many can not
• Some infectious diseases are chronic (for
example Lyme disease, which can affect
the body for years)
• Many noninfectious diseases are chronic:
– Diabetes, allergies, asthma, cancer and heart
disease
Allergies
• An overly strong reaction of the immune system to a
foreign substance
• People have allergic reactions to various things such as
cosmetics, shellfish, berries, nuts and insect stings and
bites
• An Allergen is a substance that causes an allergic
reaction.
– Some chemicals, certain foods, pollen, molds, some antibiotics,
pet dander and dust can be allergens
– Reactions include stuffy nose, watery eyes, breathing difficulties
• Asthma is associated with reactions to allergens
– Sufferers have shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing
• Antihistamines are medications that can help treat
allergic reactions and asthma
Diabetes
• A chronic disease associated with the levels of insulin
produced by the pancreas
• Insulin is a hormone that enables glucose to pass from
the bloodstream to cells
• Two types: Type 1 and Type 2
– Type 1: too little or no insulin production
• Must monitor sugar intake and usually require insulin injections
– Type 2: the body cannot process insulin
• Usually just monitor diet and weight
• Higher instance in overweight patients and it might be inherited
• Symptoms: fatigue, thirst, frequent urination, tingling in
hands and feet
• Long term high glucose levels can cause blurred vision,
kidney problems, heart attack, stroke, loss of feeling in
feet and loss of consciousness (diabetic coma)
Chemicals and Disease
• Chemicals that are harmful to living things are
called toxins.
• Toxins can cause birth defects, cell mutations,
cancers, tissue damage, chronic diseases and
death.
• The level of toxin taken in affects the severity of
the effect.
• Examples: asbestos, lead, ethyl alcohol
• Toxins enter the environment through many
processes such as farming and manufacturing
and can lead to chronic disease in humans who
are exposed long term.
Cancer
• Cancer has been with humans for thousands of
years.
• Cancer is the name given to a closely related
group of diseases that result from uncontrolled
cell growth.
• If control of cell division is disrupted, abnormal
growth can occur and a tumor can form.
• Cancerous cells can leave a tumor and spread
via blood and lymph vessels and spread to other
parts of the body.
Characteristics of Cancer Cells
• Uncontrolled growth.
• Cells do not function as part of the body.
• Cells take up space and interfere with
normal body functions.
• Cells can travel throughout the body.
• The cells produce tumors and abnormal
growths anywhere in the body.
Types of Cancer
• Leukemia:
– Cancerous WBC are immature an not
effective fighting disease.
– Cancer cells multiply in bone marrow and
crowd out RBC, WBC and platelets.
• Lung Cancer
– Starts in the bronchi and spreads
– Surface area is for oxygen exchange is
reduced affecting breathing
– Leading cause of Cancer deaths for males in
the US
Types of Cancer cont.
• Colorectal Cancer
– Forms in the large intestine and is a leading cause of
death among men and women.
• Breast Cancer
– Tumors grow in the breast
– High degree of successful treatment with early
detection
• Prostate Cancer
– Very common in men
– Forms in the prostate gland which is an organ that
surrounds the urethra
Causes of Cancer
• Some genes have been linked to Cancer
• Smoking!
• Exposure to some chemicals can cause
Cancer: they are called carcinogens
– Asbestos, heavy metals, alcohol etc…
• Radiation (X-rays, ultraviolet radiation,
nuclear radiation)
• Some foods and food additives
Cancer Treatment
• Surgery-physically removing cancerous
tissue
• Radiation-using X-rays to kill cancer cells
• Chemotherapy-using chemicals to destroy
cancer cells
• Immunology-new approach focused on the
immune processes of the body.
– Specialized antibodies are being developed to
deliver medical treatments directly to cancer
cells
Cancer Prevention
• Watch for early warning signs
• Positive lifestyle choices:
– Avoid tobacco products
– Healthy diet (avoid fats, salts and sugars)
– Using sunscreen and limiting sun exposure
– Careful handling of chemicals
– Avoid pollutants