Conditions Flashcards
What is Type 1 Diabetes?
is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the immune system misidentifies beta cells in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas as foreign and destroys them. It causes the level of glucose in the blood to become too high and happens when the body can’t produce enough insulin, which controls blood glucose. Daily injections are needed to keep blood glucose levels under control.
What is Type 2 Diabetes?
is a common condition that causes the level of sugar in the blood to become too high. It is a lifelong condition that can affect your everyday life and one may need to check their diet, take medicines and have regular check-ups. It is caused by problems with a chemical in the body called insulin and is often linked to being overweight or inactive, or having a family history of type 2 diabetes.
You are mire at risk of developing type 2 diabetes if you are over 40, have a close relative with diabetes, are overweight or obese and are of south Asian, African Caribbean or black African origin (even if you were born in the UK).
what is Lymphoedema?
is a long-term chronic condition that causes swelling in the body’s tissues. It can affect any part of the body, but usually develops in the arms or legs. It develops when the lymphatic system does not work properly. The lymphatic system is a network of channels and glands throughout the body that helps to fight infection and remove excess fluid. There are two types of lymphoedema: primary lymphoedema and secondary lymphoedema.
Primary lymphoedema is caused by faulty genes that affect the primary development of the lymphatic system; it can develop at any age, but usually starts during infancy, adolescence or early adulthood.
Secondary lymphoedema is caused by damage to the lymphatic system or problems with movement and drainage of fluid in the lymphatic system; it can be the result of a cancer treatment, an infection, injury, inflammation of the limb, or lack of limb movement.
What is Osteoarthritis?
is a condition that affects joints to become painful and stuff and is the most common type of arthritis in the UK. The severity of osteoarthritis symptoms can vary greatly from person to person, and between different affected joints. For some people, the symptoms can be mild and may come and go. Other people can experience more continuous and severe problems which make it difficult to carry out everyday activities. Almost any joint can be affected by osteoarthritis, but the condition most often causes problems in the knees, hips and small joints of the hands.
What is Rheumatoid arthritis?
is a long-term condition that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints. The condition usually affects the hands, feet and wrists. There may be periods where symptoms become worse, known as flares or flare-ups, which can be difficult to predict, but with treatment its possible to decrease the number of flares and minimise or prevent long-term damage to the joints.
What is dementia?
is a syndrome in which there is a deterioration in memory, thinking, behaviour and the ability to perform everyday activities. Dementia is usually of a chronic or progressive nature and affects cognitive function beyond what might be expected from normal ageing. Impairment in cognitive function is commonly accompanied by deterioration in emotional control, social behaviour or motivation.
What is hyperkeratosis?
is the thickening of the outermost layer of the epidermis and is often associated with the presence of an abnormal quantity of keratin and is usually accompanied by an increase in the granular layer. Keratin is a tough, fibrous protein found in fingernails, hair, and skin. The body may produce extra keratin as a result of inflammation, as a protective response to pressure, or as a result of a genetic condition.
What is asthma?
Chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways in which many cells, and cellular elements play a role in particular, mast cells, eosinophils, neutrophils, T lymphocytes, macrophages and epithelial cells
What is hypertension?
Hypertension is a long-term health condition whereby the blood pressure in the arteries is constantly elevated. Blood pressure is the pressure of the blood within blood vessels and is measured in ‘millimetres of mercury’ (mmHg) using two numbers; for example, 120/80mmHg
What is CHD?
Coronary heart disease is one of the leading causes of death here in the UK. According to the NHS, coronary heart disease (CHD) is the term that describes what happens when your heart’s blood supply is blocked or interrupted by a build-up of fatty substances in the coronary arteries.
CHD can be caused by certain lifestyle choices and other medical conditions, such as:
Smoking.
High cholesterol.
High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Obesity.
What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a neurological condition that results in seizures. Oddly, epilepsy is commonly diagnosed in those at polar opposites of the age spectrum. It is most common in young children and people aged over 65. In fact, one in four people diagnosed are over 65. Every day, 87 people are diagnosed with the condition.
Epilepsy can be either symptomatic, meaning it has a clear cause, or idiopathic, meaning its roots are most likely genetic. Symptomatic epilepsy can be caused by head injuries, strokes, tumours or certain serious infections. The condition is commonly diagnosed after somebody has suffered from more than one seizure – as many people have a one-off epileptic seizure during their lifetime.
Epilepsy can be controlled with the help of medications, which help eight out of every 10 people with epilepsy to control their seizures
