Chapter 1 - Health & Disease Flashcards
What is the definition of health?
Complete physical, social, and mental well-being.
What is a correlation?
An apparent link between two known facts.
What is causation?
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.
What is a communicable disease?
An infectious disease that can be passed from one host to another.
What is a non-communicable disease?
A non-infectious disease that cannot be passed from one host to another.
What is a disease?
A disease is when the body is not functioning normally, except when caused by injury.
What are the 4 major types of pathogen?
- Virus
- Bacteria
- Protist
- Fungi
What is a genetic disease?
It is a disease that is caused by alterations to the DNA, known as genetic mutations.
How are genetic diseases caused?
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.
Give examples of 3 genetic diseases.
- Down’s syndrome
- Sickle cell disease
- Cystic fibrosis.
What is a lifestyle disease?
A disease that is caused by lifestyle factors such as diet, malnutrition, and alcohol abuse.
Give 4 examples of lifestyle diseases.
- Kwashiorkor: caused by a lack of protein, and characterised by an enlarged belly, small muscles, and failure to grow properly.
- Rickets/Osteomalacia: caused by a deficiency in vitamin D and/or Calcium, and characterised by soft bones, and curved leg bones.
- Anaemia: caused by iron deficiency, and characterised by red blood cells that are smaller than normal and reduced in number, as well as tiredness.
- Scurvy: caused by vitamin C deficiency, and characterised by swelling and bleeding gums, muscle and joint pain, and tiredness.
Name some good sources of protein.
Meat, fish, dairy, eggs, and pulses.
Name some good sources of vitamin D.
Sunlight, and oily fish.
Name a good source of calcium.
Dairy products.
Name some good sources of iron.
Leafy greens, red meat, egg yolk.
Name some good sources of vitamin C.
Citrus fruits, and some vegetables such as broccoli.
What is cirrhosis, and what causes it?
Cirrhosis is severe liver damage, and it is caused by alcoholism.
What is obesity?
The accumulation of excess fat under the skin and around the organs.
Why is obesity a concern?
The excess fat can affect the functioning of the heart and circulatory system, causing cardiovascular disease.
What is the most dangerous type of fat, and why?
Cholesterol, as it build up on the inside of arteries.
What are the main dietary sources of cholesterol?
Processed foods that are high in saturated fat.
What are the other risks associated with obesity?
Stroke, hypertension, angina, and heart attack.
What are the two methods of assessing obesity?
BMI and waist to hip ratio measurements.
