Lifestyle factors and respiratory disease

Question 1

What are the top 3 leading causes of adult death in the UK?

Answer 1

24% cardiovascular diseases

21% cancer (excluding lung cancer)

20% respiratory diseases

Question 2

How many people exposed to a cold virus develop a cold?

Answer 2

1 in 3

Question 3

• e.g. acute chilling of feet causes onset of symptoms of a cold in ~10% of people

Why is this?

Answer 3

• acute cooling of the body surface causes reflex vasoconstriction in nose and upper airways which inhibits respiratory defence
• onset of common cold symptoms caused by conversion of asymptomatic subclinical infection into a symptomatic infection

Question 4

What is the link between sleep and colds?

Answer 4

sleep quality may be an important predictor of immunity

graded link between

• sleep duration and development of a cold
• sleep efficiency and development of a cold

Question 5

Does echinacea reduce colds?

Answer 5

No

Question 6

Does vitamin C reduce colds?

Answer 6

Only a link between prophylaxis and cold duration.

prophylaxis and cold incidence - in marathon runners, skiers, and arctic soldiers

Question 7

What is the link between stress and colds?

Answer 7

chronic stress increases the risk of common cold

Question 8

What is the link between socioeconomic status and colds?

Why is this?

Answer 8

increased subjective SES associated with decreased risk of colds

poorer sleep and health behaviours among lower SES may mediate association between subjective SES and colds

Question 9

Complete the table on asthma risk factors

Answer 9

Question 10

What is the link between stress and asthma?

Answer 10

asthma symptoms are exacerbated by stress

core pathological process = inflammation of the airways
stress-induced changes in immune responses may contribute to exacerbation of symptoms and triggering of attacks

dysregulation of cortisol response to stress may be important in chronic asthma

Question 11

What is the link between anxiety and asthma?

Answer 11

anxiety disorders exacerbate asthma symptoms

exposure to inter-personal conflict exacerbates asthma symptoms in children and adolescents

Question 12

In what disease is the likelihood of hospitalisation and duration of stay predicted better by psychological factors than objective symptoms?

Answer 12

Asthma

Question 13

Name some smoking cessation methods

Answer 13

nicotine replacement

buproprion (zyban)

smoking cessation groups

education (e.g. quit line)

buddy systems

hypnotherapy

self-help / bibliotherapy