Conditions impacting the Health Status of Australians

Question 1

low birth weight

Answer 1

A baby born under 2.5kg.

Question 2

Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

Answer 2

An umbrella term that describes a range of conditions that can occur in children exposed to alcohol before birth.

Question 3

neural tube defects

Answer 3

Conditions characterised by damage to the brain and spine, and to nerve tissue of the spinal cord during prenatal development e.g. spina bifida.

Question 4

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Answer 4

The unexplained death, usually during sleep, of a seemingly healthy baby less than a year old.
Sometimes known as ‘crib death’ because infants often pass away in their crib/cot.

Question 5

cardiovascular disease (CVD)

Answer 5

All diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
Caused mainly by reduced blood supply to the heart, brain and legs (often caused by atherosclerosis).

Question 6

atherosclerosis

Answer 6

The build up of plaque on blood vessel walls, hardening blood vessels, making it harder for blood to get through.

Question 7

coronary heart disease (ischemic heart disease)

Answer 7

When blood vessels feeding the heart oxygen are damaged or blocked.
Heart attack = one of the vessels becomes completely blocked (sometimes called ischemic heart disease).

Question 8

cerebrovascular disease (stroke)

Answer 8

When blood vessels feeding the brain with oxygen become damaged or blocked.
Commonly referred to as a stroke.

Question 9

hypertension/high blood pressure

Answer 9

When blood is being pumped through the arteries at a harder and faster rate that is considered normal/healthy.

Question 10

cancer

Answer 10

A range of diseases categorised by uncontrolled and abnormal cell growth.
Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body causing further damage.

Question 11

lung cancer

Answer 11

Uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells in the lungs.
These cells can eventually prevent healthy cells from transferring oxygen to the blood cells.

Question 12

colorectal cancer

Answer 12

Uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells in the colon (large intestine/bowel) and rectum.
Begin as non-cancerous polyps in the lining of the colon and develop into cancer if not removed.

Question 13

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Answer 13

Progressive, long term lung diseases where damage to the lungs obstructs oxygen intake making breathing difficult.
Two most common forms are emphysema and bronchitis.

Question 14

asthma

Answer 14

A chronic condition that affects the small air passages of the lungs when exposed to certain triggers the airways narrow, making it difficult to breathe.

Question 15

dementia

Answer 15

An umbrella term to describe collection of symptoms that are caused by disorders affecting the brain.
Leading cause is Alzheimer’s disease.

Question 16

Alzheimers disease

Answer 16

A progressive and irreversible loss of brain function that interferes with normal behavior patterns, thinking, memory, language, speech, attention, personality and ability to perform everyday tasks e.g. socialising, working.
As brain cells continue to die this eventually leads to complete dependency on other people and ultimately death.

Question 17

infectious/communicable diseases

Answer 17

Caused by infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses or parasites and can be passed from one person or animal to another.

Question 18

obstetric haemorrhage

Answer 18

Excessive, severe bleeding during pregnancy, labour or after childbirth.

Question 19

Pre-eclampsia

Answer 19

High blood pressure during pregnancy - increased demands on the heart and blood vesssels that occur during pregnancy can contribute to CVD that was not there prior to pregnancy.

Question 20

musculoskeletal conditions

Answer 20

Ill health related to the muscles, joints and bones.

Question 21

arthritis

Answer 21

A term used to describe a disorder/inflammation of one or more joint.

Question 22

osteoarthritis

Answer 22

The degradation of joints and cartilage, causing stiffness and tenderness, inflammation, pain and locking - mainly due to wear of the cartilage over years.

Question 23

osteoporosis

Answer 23

Porous bones; bone density thins and weakens, resulting in an increased risk of fracture (break).

Question 24

overweight

Answer 24

Excess adipose tissue.
When a person has a BMI of 25 or higher.

Question 25

obesity

Answer 25

Excess adipose tissue
When a person has a BMI of 30 or over.

Question 26

Body Mass Index (BMI)

Answer 26

A statistical measure of body mass using height and weight, formula = weight(kg)/height (m)2

Question 27

diabetes mellitus

Answer 27

A metabolic disease which leads to high blood glucose levels from defective insulin secretion, insulin action or both.

Question 28

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)

Answer 28

A virus that attacks the immune system, interfering with the body’s ability to fight infections.
Transmitted through contact with infected blood, semen or vaginal fluids.
Antiretroviral treatment but no cure for HIV and eventually progresses to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).

Question 29

Iron deficiency anaemia

Answer 29

Low red blood cell count/insufficient haemoglobin (oxygen carrying component of blood) causes a lack of oxygen to body’s organs. Symptoms include fatigue, pale skin, light headedness, dizziness, fast heartbeat, shortness of breath.