Chronic Diseases Chapter 23

Chronic Diseases Diseases that persist for a long period or recur throughout life Chronic diseases are caused by behavioral, environmental, or hereditary The leading cause of death in the United States

Cardiovascular Diseases Hypertension Atherosclerosis Heart attack Arrhythmia Congestive heart failure Stroke

Hypertension Also known as high blood pressure A person who’s blood pressure is 140/90 or higher Can lead to heart disease or death Exercise, healthy weight, reducing stress, eating foods low in sodium will reduce your risk

Atherosclerosis Also known at high cholesterol A disease where fatty substances called plaque build up in your arteries This makes blood flow difficult so your blood pressure rises

Heart Attack Occurs when the tissue in the heart doesn’t receive its normal blood supply Usually a blood clot blocks the flow of blood to the heart Each year, over a million people in the United States suffer from heart attacks and ½ will die from it

Arrhythmia Irregular heartbeats Heart can beat too slow or too fast Fibrillation is a life-threatening arrhythmia is which the heart twitches rapidly in an uncontrolled fashion. Some of these can be controlled by medicines others require surgery and artificial pacemakers.

Congestive Heart Failure The heart slowly weakens over time Heart is unable to pump the blood like it once did

Stroke Sudden disruption of blood flow to the brain Usually caused by a blood clot blocking an artery to the brain

Preventing Cardiovascular Disease Risks you can not control Heredity Family history Ethnicity Gender Men vs women Age Older people have a higher risk Risks you can control Maintain healthy weight Eat a healthy diet Exercise Manage stress Monitor blood pressure Do not Smoke or drink

CANCER Cancer harms the body by destroying healthy body tissue Cancer cells typically for a mass called a tumor Malignant means that the tumor IS cancerous Benign means that the tumor is NOT cancerous Many cancers can be treated if caught early

Causes of Cancer Heredity Environment Can inherit genes that are cancer causing Environment Cancer causing agents called Carcinogens are in the air

Types of Cancer Skin Prostate Breast Lung Colorectal Cervical Oral Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Ovarian Leukemia In the table list the symptoms of each type of cancer using page 611 in the book

Warning signs Change in bowl or bladder A sore throat that does not heal Unusual bleeding or discharge Thickening or lump Indigestion or difficulty swallowing Obvious change in wart or mole Nagging cough or hoarseness

Detecting Cancer Tests Treatment Screening tests Biopsy Surgery Mammograms, chest x-ray Biopsy Surgeons remove small piece of tissue for testing Treatment Surgery Radiation Therapy Chemotherapy

Prevent Cancer Do Not use any form of tobacco Avoid alcohol Protect yourself in the sun and avoid tanning beds Choose a diet low in fat and cholesterol Exercise Avoid carcinogens

Diabetes A disease in which the body’s ability to produce glucose (sugar) is impaired Requires insulin Can be life threatening if NOT controlled There are 2 types

Type 1 Type 2 Person produces NO insulin Without insulin glucose levels in the blood remain high Usually in children Type 2 Usually occurs in people over 30 and people who are overweight Person produces insulin but their body does not respond to it High level of glucose in the blood

Allergies & Asthma Allergies Asthma Immune system is sensitive to certain substances Plant pollen, dust, mold, some foods, & medicine Asthma Persons respiratory passage becomes swollen and narrow

Arthritis Inflammation and irritation of a joint Stiffness, joint pain, swelling