Non-Communicable Diseases (H&D 005) Flashcards
What are some characteristics of non-communicable diseases
Are often incurable, disease develops over long periods of time, does not result from an infection of a pathogen and are “not communicable”
What are some examples of NCD
Cancer, diabetes, arthritis, auto immune diseases and chronic lung disease (asthma)
What is the definition of epidemiologic transition
The shift from the predominance of communicable diseases to non-communicable diseases
What are the two types of risk factors with NCD
Modifiable and non-modifiable
What is the definition of a modifiable disease
A risk factor that can be reduced or controlled by intervention in which reduces the possibility of the disease (eg. physical activity, high glucose/ blood levels, drug use or overweight)
What is the definition of a non-modifiable disease
A risk factor that cannot be reduced or controlled by intervention (eg. age, gender, ethnic group or family history (genetics))
What is the definition of prevention measures
Activities that stop people from getting a disease
What is the definition of control measures
Activities that slow the course of an existing disease or reduce its severity. Also focused on controlling the disease after it has been contracted
What are the three types of intervention
Primary, secondary and teritary
What is the definition of primary intervention
A measure that try to stop the disease from developing at all
What is the definition of secondary intervention
An intervention of early detection and treatment to limit the development of the disease once it has occurred
What is the definition of tertiary intervention
To restrict the severity of the disease and improving the wellbeing for the person with the disease
What is the process of screening used for
Screening is used to suggest or detect disease among individuals in a population without signs or symptoms (eg. breast cancer screening, blood testing, genetic screening of embryo or cervical cancer screening)
What are the seven screening guidelines
1) The disease must be fatal or have serious consequences
2) Treatment should be available for the disease
3) Test should be easy to apply, cheap, reliable and valid
4) Cost effective
5) Disease should have a long lead time
6) Natural history of the disease should be known
7) Adequate facilities for diagnosis, treatment and follow up should be available
What is the definition of sensitivity
A test of the proportion of subjects with the disease who have a positive test
What is the definition of specificity
A test of the proportion of subjects without the disease who have a negative test
What causes Alzheimer’s
Brain cell death overtime due to amyloid plaques not being broken down. These proteins become insoluble and disrupt signals being sent between the neurons within the brain
What are the symptoms of Alzheimer’s
Impaired communication, poor judgement, behavior changes, difficulty in speaking, swallowing and walking
What are non-modifiable risk factors of Alzheimer’s
Age, family history, having the APOE gene and being female
What are modifiable risk factors of Alzheimer’s
Cardiovascular risk factors like diabetes, high cholesterol and blood pressure, prior head injury
What is primary prevention of Alzheimer’s
Better control of blood pressure and cholesterol, more physical activity, less obesity
What is secondary prevention of Alzheimer’s
Screening, drugs to reduce symptoms
What is tertiary prevention of Alzheimer’s
Long term support to improve patient’s wellbeing
