Diseases Part 1, 2, and 3 Lecture Notes

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering communicable and chronic diseases, immune system components, and specific medical conditions based on the lecture transcript.

VIRUSES

Smallest of pathogens that cause many common diseases and use a host to reproduce; they cannot be cured, only their symptoms can be treated.

BACTERIA

Single celled microorganisms that can be helpful or cause disease and can be cured using ANTIBIOTICS.

FUNGI

Spore-producing organisms that feed on organic matter, such as Athletes foot and ringworm.

PARASITE

Parasite organisms that grow on living things to survive, such as Lice and Bed bugs.

Treatment

Management for diseases or infections that cannot be cured, where symptoms are taken care of but the pathogen stays in the body.

Cure

The resolution of diseases or infections so they go away, though they can sometimes return.

Direct Transmission

Contact transmission involving physical contact between an infected person and a susceptible person, or exposure to body fluids.

Indirect Transmission

Contact transmission where there is no physical contact between people, such as touching contaminated objects or spreading droplets via airborne transmission.

Immunity

The body’s ability to fight off infection on its own.

Innate Immunity

Immunity that we are born with, providing general protection such as the skin acting as a barrier.

Adaptive/Active Immunity

Immunity that develops throughout our lives when we are exposed to diseases or immunized with vaccines.

Passive Immunity

Short-term immunity resulting from the introduction of antibodies from another person, such as from mother to child via breast feeding.

Vaccines

A substance containing dead or weakened pathogens introduced into the body to stimulate the production of antibodies for a specific pathogen.

Skin

The first layer of defense against diseases.

Tonsils

Part of the lymphatic system that produces white blood cells and antibodies.

Lymph

A liquid that contains infection fighting white blood cells.

Lymph nodes

Small structures that trap microbes.

Spleen

An organ that destroys old or damaged red blood cells and makes disease fighting substances.

Bone Marrow

Spongy tissue found in bones that makes red blood cells to carry oxygen, white blood cells to fight infection, and platelets to help blood clot.

Thymus

Produces white blood cells called T-lymphocytes.

Chronic Disease

A disease that can last for a long period of time and is not spread from person to person; some are lifestyle-based or genetic.

Communicable Disease

Infectious diseases that can spread through air, contact, and bodily fluids.

Herd Immunity

Protecting people from a virus through vaccinations when the majority of people are vaccinated, reducing the virus spread.

Epidemic

A sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in a specific population in a certain area.

Pandemic

An event in which a disease spreads across several countries and affects a large number of people.

COVID 19 (SARS2)

A coronavirus disease (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome 2) that is a virus with no cure, transmitted via airborne or direct/indirect contact.

Influenza (the flu)

A highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract transmitted person to person through the air.

Cardiovascular Disease (Heart Disease)

Diseases of the heart with risk factors including family history, diet, smoking, lack of exercise, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

Cholesterol

A fatty substance that can build up in the arteries of the heart.

Angioplasty

A procedure where the arteries of the heart are widened by inserting a small balloon.

Bypass surgery

A treatment for heart disease where an artery is removed from another part of the body and attached to the heart.

Cancer

A group of diseases in which cells divide uncontrollably, linked to genetics or lifestyle choices but never contagious.

Tumor

An abnormal growth of tissue.

Malignant Tumor

A tumor that is cancerous.

Benign Tumor

A tumor that is not cancerous.

Metastasis

When cancer has spread to another part of the body.

Radiation Therapy

The use of high energy radiation to kill or damage cancer cells.

Chemotherapy

The use of anti-cancer drugs that kill cancer.

Immunotherapy

A treatment where the immune system is stimulated to fight cancer cells.

Allergies

An immune system response to a foreign substance that is not typically harmful to the body.

Antihistamines

The main treatment for sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes caused by allergies.

Cerebral Palsy (CP)

A disorder that affects the nervous system, causing difficulties walking, speaking, hearing, and seeing, with no prevention or cure.

Diabetes

A disease in which the body produces little or no insulin which regulates blood sugar levels.

Type I Diabetes

A condition where the body or pancreas produces no insulin, often appearing in childhood.

Type II Diabetes

The most common form of diabetes where the body produces insulin but is unable to use it, often linked to lifestyle or obesity.

Cystic Fibrosis

A disease where large amounts of mucus are produced, damaging the lungs, pancreas, and other organs.

Tuberculosis

A bacterial infection of the lungs that is curable with antibiotics and tested for with a skin test.

Heart Attack

The death of cardiac muscle due to a lack of blood flow to the heart.

Narcolepsy

A chronic sleep disorder characterized by excessive sleepiness and falling asleep without warning.

Arthritis

Painful inflammation of the joints characterized by the wearing down of muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Asthma

A chronic disease in which bronchial tubes in the lungs become inflamed and constrict, causing coughing and wheezing.

Migraine Headache

A condition characterized by severe head pain caused by blood vessels in the brain dilating.

Muscular Dystrophy

A genetic disease in which the muscles progressively deteriorate, occurring mostly in males.

Stroke

A condition caused by blocked or broken blood vessels in the brain.

Multiple Sclerosis

A disease in which the protective covering of nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord are destroyed.

Epilepsy

A condition where abnormal electrical current in the brain causes loss of control of mind and body, appearing as seizures.

Down Syndrome

A genetic disorder in which a child is born with an extra chromosome in the cell.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

A condition characterized by recurring tiredness that makes it difficult to function in normal ways.

Hemophilia

An inherited condition in which blood does not clot normally.

Parkinson’s Disease

A brain disorder that causes muscle tremors, stiffness, weakness, and rigid postures.

Peptic Ulcer

An open sore on the lining of the esophagus, stomach, or first part of the small intestine, curable with antibiotics.

Sickle Cell Anemia

An inherited blood disease in which fragile, sickle-shaped red blood cells carry less oxygen.

Lupus

A condition in which connective tissue becomes inflamed, potentially leading to kidney or heart failure.

Alzheimer's

A progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions over time.

Treatment, management, and prevention of Cerebral Palsy

• Physical therapy, speech therapy, braces, medications, surgery, family support

• No prevention/no cure

Treatment, management, and prevention of Type II  Diabetes

• Treatment: Weight loss, diet, physical activity, medication

• Prevention: Maintain a healthy weight, regular physical activity, know your family history

• No cure

Treatment, management, and prevention of Cystic Fibrosis

• Treatment: Physical therapy, diet changes, medication, removal of mucus

• Prevention: Blood/genetic testing of both parents prior to conception

• No cure

Treatment, management, and prevention of Tuberculosis

• Treatment: Antibiotics

• Prevention: Have a skin test; avoid direct contact with others that are infected

• Curable with antibiotics

Treatment, management, and prevention of Heart Attack

• Treatment: Seek medical attention immediately; Nitroglycerin; maintain a healthy lifestyle

• Prevention: Healthy diet, blood pressure, cholesterol, avoiding smoking, and physical activity

Treatment, management, and prevention of Narcolepsy

• Treatment: Medication, adequate rest and sleep, and support

• Prevention: The cause is unknown as well as ways to prevent it

• No cure

Treatment, management, and prevention of Arthritis

• Treatment: Medication, rest, therapy, surgery

• Prevention: Healthy diet, exercise and stretch regularly, know your family history

• No cure

Treatment, management, and prevention of Asthma

• Treatment: Inhaler

• Prevention: Avoid triggers- dust, pollen, grass, mold, animals, smoke, pollution, fumes, odors, stress; taking certain medications

• No cure but you can “grow out of it”

Treatment, management, and prevention of Migraine Headache

• Treatment: Medications, rest, relaxation, management of stress, blood pressure and colds

• Prevention: Know your family history, reduce daily stresses, stay hydrated, exercise

Treatment, management, and prevention of Muscular Dystrophy

• Treatment: Physical therapy, physical activity, weight management, surgery, and wheelchairs to improve mobility

• No prevention

• No cure

Treatment, management, and prevention of Stroke

• Treatment: Seek immediate medical attention

• Prevention: Maintain a healthy blood pressure, avoid smoking, keep a low cholesterol, know your family history

Treatment, management, and prevention of Multiple Sclerosis

• Treatment: Physical therapy to strengthen muscles, medications, avoid stress and extreme temperatures, seek counseling, support from friends and family

• No prevention

• No cure

Treatment, management, and prevention of Epilepsy

• Treatment: Medication, regular physical activity, surgery

• Prevention: Usually not preventable- caused by head injury, brain tumor, stoke, poisoning, infection, heredity

• No cure

Treatment, management, and prevention of Down Syndrome

• Treatment: Surgery, early intervention, therapies

• Prevention: Pregnant women over 40 have a higher risk of carrying a child with Down’s Syndrome; early detection is possible during pregnancy

• No cure

Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy (CP)

Difficulties walking, speaking, hearing and seeing

Symptoms of Type II  Diabetes

Tired, frequent urination, slow healing, unusual thirst, blurred vision, infections, a leading cause of death in the United States

Symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis

Coughing, wheezing, vomiting, body organs become damaged by large amounts of mucus

Symptoms of Tuberculosis

Extreme fatigue, coughing, night sweats, loss of appetite, fever, chills, very contagious

Symptoms of Heart Attack

Sweating, nausea, neck pain, and pain in the chest, different in men and women

Symptoms of Narcolepsy

Falling asleep without warning in any (possibly inappropriate) situation

Symptoms of Arthritis

Wearing down of the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that surround joints

Symptoms of Asthma

Coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, tightness in chest, rapid breathing, itchy or sore throat, can have ‘attacks’

Symptoms of Migraine Headache

Severe, throbbing headache, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting

Symptoms of Muscular Dystrophy

Gradual loss of muscle function- occurs more often in males

Symptoms of Stroke

Blood clots,  head injury, aneurysms- may result in paralysis, disability or death

Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

Immune system attacks the protective coverings of nerve fibers resulting in scarring of nerve fibers

Symptoms of Epilepsy

A seizure occurs (petit mal- quick loss of consciousness or grand mal- convulsions).

Symptoms of Down Syndrome

Intellectual disability, short arms and legs, flattened face and almond shaped eyes

What is the difference between a benign and malignant tumor

Benign is non-cancer causing versus malignant, which is cancer causing

What are the 4 common treatment approaches for cancer,

Surgery, chemo, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy.

Name 2 non-communicable diseases, illnesses, or conditions,

cancer and diabetes

Name 2 communicable/ infectious diseases, illnesses, or conditions,

flu and Covid

What is the most common cancer overall,

skin cancer

What is the most common cancer for males,

Prostate cancer

What is the most common cancer for females,

breast cancer

What is the deadliest cancer,

lung cancer