Chapter 1 - Health & Disease

Question 1

What is the definition of health?

Answer 1

Complete physical, social, and mental well-being.

Question 2

What is a correlation?

Answer 2

An apparent link between two known facts.

Question 3

What is causation?

Answer 3

When the link between two known facts is determined to be causative. That is to say that one of those facts exists to some degree because of the other.

Question 4

What is a communicable disease?

Answer 4

An infectious disease that can be passed from one host to another.

Question 5

What is a non-communicable disease?

Answer 5

A non-infectious disease that cannot be passed from one host to another.

Question 6

What is a disease?

Answer 6

A disease is when the body is not functioning normally, except when caused by injury.

Question 7

What are the 4 major types of pathogen?

Answer 7

1. Virus
2. Bacteria
3. Protist
4. Fungi

Question 8

What is a genetic disease?

Answer 8

It is a disease that is caused by alterations to the DNA, known as genetic mutations.

Question 9

How are genetic diseases caused?

Answer 9

They can be spontaneously occurring (‘de novo’), or inherited from a parent. They can also take place throughout life due to exposure to certain substances. These mutations can cause cancer.

Question 10

Give examples of 3 genetic diseases.

Answer 10

1. Down’s syndrome
2. Sickle cell disease
3. Cystic fibrosis.

Question 11

What is a lifestyle disease?

Answer 11

A disease that is caused by lifestyle factors such as diet, malnutrition, and alcohol abuse.

Question 12

Give 4 examples of lifestyle diseases.

Answer 12

1. Kwashiorkor: caused by a lack of protein, and characterised by an enlarged belly, small muscles, and failure to grow properly.
2. Rickets/Osteomalacia: caused by a deficiency in vitamin D and/or Calcium, and characterised by soft bones, and curved leg bones.
3. Anaemia: caused by iron deficiency, and characterised by red blood cells that are smaller than normal and reduced in number, as well as tiredness.
4. Scurvy: caused by vitamin C deficiency, and characterised by swelling and bleeding gums, muscle and joint pain, and tiredness.

Question 13

Name some good sources of protein.

Answer 13

Meat, fish, dairy, eggs, and pulses.

Question 14

Name some good sources of vitamin D.

Answer 14

Sunlight, and oily fish.

Question 15

Name a good source of calcium.

Answer 15

Dairy products.

Question 16

Name some good sources of iron.

Answer 16

Leafy greens, red meat, egg yolk.

Question 17

Name some good sources of vitamin C.

Answer 17

Citrus fruits, and some vegetables such as broccoli.

Question 18

What is cirrhosis, and what causes it?

Answer 18

Cirrhosis is severe liver damage, and it is caused by alcoholism.

Question 19

What is obesity?

Answer 19

The accumulation of excess fat under the skin and around the organs.

Question 20

Why is obesity a concern?

Answer 20

The excess fat can affect the functioning of the heart and circulatory system, causing cardiovascular disease.

Question 21

What is the most dangerous type of fat, and why?

Answer 21

Cholesterol, as it build up on the inside of arteries.

Question 22

What are the main dietary sources of cholesterol?

Answer 22

Processed foods that are high in saturated fat.

Question 23

What are the other risks associated with obesity?

Answer 23

Stroke, hypertension, angina, and heart attack.

Question 24

What are the two methods of assessing obesity?

Answer 24

BMI and waist to hip ratio measurements.

Question 25

How is BMI calculated?

Answer 25

BMI = weight (in kg) ÷ height²(in m)

Question 26

How is BMI scored?

Answer 26

> 30 = obese
25 = overweight
< 19 = underweight

Question 27

Suggest why BMI might not be a good measure of body fat for some people.

Answer 27

In the case of body builders, it may not be the best measure of body fat, as muscle is not fat.

Question 28

Why is the risk of cardiovascular disease better predicted by measures other than BMI?

Answer 28

Because it seems that high levels of abdominal fat is the greatest risk. Consequently, the waist to hip ratio is a better means of assessing risk of cardiovascular disease.

Question 29

How can smoking cause heart disease?

Answer 29

1. Chemicals such as acrolein in cigarette smoke damage the artery lining.
2. Fat builds up in the artery wall, narrowing the artery.
3. Consequently, blood clots can form and block the artery, causing heart attack or stroke.

Question 30

What is the name of the world’s most prescribed group of drugs, and what is their purpose?

Answer 30

Statins. They are used to reduce blood cholesterol.

Question 31

What are drugs such as aspirin and warfarin used for?

Answer 31

As blood thinners, to prevent clotting.

Question 32

What are two methods of correcting collapsed or blocked vessels?

Answer 32

Stents and bypasses.

Question 33

Name the 3 causes of non-communicable diseases.

Answer 33

1. Lifestyle
2. Congenital
3. Genetic

Question 34

State the symptoms of cystic fibrosis.

Answer 34

• recurrent chest infections
• wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and damage to lungs
• Jaundice
• Diarrhoea or constipation
• Difficulty putting on weight or growing

Question 35

State the symptoms of sickle cell disease.

Answer 35

• Anaemia
• Episodes of pain known as sickle cell crises
• Infections

Question 36

State the symptoms of Down’s syndrome.

Answer 36

• Physical abnormalities
• intellectual impairment
• bowel and heart conditions
• increased risk of infection
• delayed development

Question 37

How is waist to hip ratio calculated?

Answer 37

Waist measurement ÷ hip measurement