B7 - Non-Communicable Diseases Flashcards
What are some general risk factors for non-communicable diseases
- genetics
- lack of exercise
- smoking
- obesity
- exposure to carcinogens
- drinking alcohol
What is correlation
similarities which suggest a kink or relationship
What is a causal mechanism
something that explains how one factor influences another through a biological process
What are the drawbacks of disease for economies
- money is spent helping those with disease
- money is lost through working population not being able to work
How does a tumour form
control of the cell cycle is lost and cells grow in an abnormal, uncontrolled way
What are the two types of tumour
benign and malignant
What are benign tumours
growths of abnormal cells contained in one place
What are malignant tumours
- what are they often known as
growths of abnormal cells that spread around the body, into the blood and cause secondary tumours elsewhere
- cancer
What are the most common causes of cancer in humans
- genetic predispositions
- mutations
- ionising radiation
viruses
What are the two main types of treatment currently for cancer
- give a description of both
radiotherapy
- cancer cells are destroyed by targeted radiation
chemotherapy
- chemicals are used to stop the cancer cells dividing or make them self-destruct
What is nicotine
- what are its issues in cigarettes
an addictive found in tobacco
- cause people to feel deprived without it and keep taking tobacco
What is carbon dioxide
- what are its issues in cigarettes
a toxic, odourless gas
- it takes up haemoglobin in the blood and prevents oxygen being taken to muscles
Why should women not smoke when pregnant
reduces oxygen intake for baby causing stillbirhs, premature births
how are infections caused by smoking
cilia in trachea are anaesthetised by chemicals in tobacco, that allows infections to pass through
What is tar
- what does it cause in cigarettes
a sticky black chemical that accumulates in the lungs
- lots of tar causes bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
how does smoking affect the heart
- narrows blood vessels
- nicotine increases heart rate
- other chemicals damage lining of arteries increasing the risk of coronary heart disease
- they also lead to an increase of blood pressure
how is excess food stored
as fat
why is having body fat needed
to cushion internal organs
why are people who do regular exercise more healthy than people who don’t
they use more energy for respiration
- less fat is stored /
more is used up
better blood supply
less chance of developing arthritis / diabetes, high blood pressure
maintains blood cholesterol levels
what are the two reasons for type 2 diabetes
- your body doesn’t make enough insulin to control blood sugar levels
- cells stop responding to insulin
how can people with type 2 diabetes restore their normal blood glucose levels
- eating a balanced diet
- doing regular exercise
- controlling carbs eaten
What happens after alcohol is drunk
ethanol is absorbed into blood from the gut and is passed into tissues such as the brain
- this makes processes, reflexes and reactions slower than usual
What is liver cirrhosis
disease that destroys liver tissue
- the tissue is replaced with scar tissue that can’t carry out normal functions
What are some effects of alcohol on the brain and liver
heavy drinkers are at risk of liver cancer
- may develop liver cirrhosis
- brain becomes soft and pulpy so normal structures are lost
What are some effects of drinking alcohol when pregnant
- developing liver can’t cope with alcohol so it can be badly affected
- fetal alcohol syndrome : baby may have deformities, problems with organs, or developmental issues
What is the effect of ionising radiation on the body
penetrates cells and damages chromosomes, causing mutations in DNA
What are some common sources of ionising radiation to the body
- UV rays from the Sun
- Radioactive materials in soil, water and air
- medical and dental X-rays
- accidents in nuclear power generation
