Non-infectious Diseases

Flashcards about non-infectious diseases, their causes, and related concepts.

Non-infectious diseases

Diseases not caused by pathogens and cannot be spread from person to person.

Causes of non-infectious diseases in developed countries

Poor diet, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity.

Causes of non-infectious diseases in developing countries

Malnutrition, poor access to clean water, and poor hygiene.

Risk factors influencing non-infectious diseases

Age, gender, economic and social conditions, culture, race, lifestyle, environment and genetics

How can many non-infectious diseases be prevented?

Reducing UV exposure, a healthy diet, regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight.

What causes genetic diseases?

Mutations in genes or chromosomes that can cause the gene to produce a faulty protein.

How are diseases inherited via recessive and dominant alleles

Recessive Alleles: Disease is expressed only if individual inherits the abnormal recessive allele from both parents. Dominant Alleles: disease is expressed if the individual inherits the abnormal allele from one parent.

Sex-linked diseases

Occur when the mutated gene is on a sex chromosome, usually the X chromosome

Cystic Fibrosis (CF)

Caused by a mutation in the CFTR gene on chromosome 7. Mutation causes thick mucus production in mucus-secreting organs.

Symptoms of cystic fibrosis

Recurrent chest infections, malabsorption and failure to thrive, large, foul-smelling stools, diabetes, excess salt in sweat, liver failure and infertility

Phenylketonuria (PKU)

Caused by mutation on chromosome 12 affecting the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH). Mutation causes build up of phenylalanine, which is toxic to the body

Effects of Phenylketonuria (PKU)

Intellectual disabilities, developmental delays, social, emotional, behavioural issues, psychiatric disorders, hyperactivity and risk of seizures.

Treatment of Phenylketonuria (PKU)

Lifelong low-protein diet avoiding phenylalanine-rich foods (milk, nuts, eggs, meat). Avoid sugar-free products containing artificial sweeteners made with phenylalanine.

Types of chromosomal mutations

Incorrect number of chromosomes, structural changes to chromosomes, deletion, addition/duplication and translocation

Non-disjunction

Chromosomes fail to separate properly during meiosis. Leads to gametes with extra or missing chromosomes.

Trisomy

A zygote has one extra chromosome, total chromosome number = 47 (instead of 46).

Monosomy

A zygote is missing one chromosome, total chromosome number = 45.

Cause of Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21)

Extra chromosome 21 (3 copies).

Effects of Klinefelter Syndrome (XXY)

Low testosterone, small testes, sterile, taller than average, breast development, feminine fat distribution (hips, abdomen) and behavioural and learning difficulties in childhood.

Cause of Cri du chat Syndrome

Deletion on chromosome 5.

Lifestyle diseases

Result from personal choices and habits.

Common lifestyle diseases

Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancers and chronic lung disease.

Key risk factors for common lifestyle disease

Tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol.

Causes (lifestyle-related) of Atherosclerosis

Lack of physical activity, excessive alcohol consumption, high stress levels and diets high in kilojoules (energy), saturated fats, salt and red meat.

Disease process of Atherosclerosis

Fatty deposits (lipids) accumulate inside artery walls. Artery walls become rough, thickened, and less elastic. Blood pressure rises (hypertension) due to reduced blood flow. Plaque (hard, calcified deposits) forms, worsening the blockage.

Key physical factors that can alter DNA (genetic material) in body cells

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation (from the sun or solariums) and radiation from nuclear substances.

Resulting cancers from exposure to chemicals

Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma.

What is Asbestos?

A chemical previously used in building materials and products. Even small amounts of exposure can lead to serious disease.

Diseases caused by Asbestos

Asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Lead exposure sources

Old paint, contaminated soil/water, pottery, toys, pipes, roofing and batteries.

Lead poisoning symptoms (especially in children)

Developmental delays, learning difficulties, irritability, fatigue, sluggishness, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation and weight loss.

Causes of nutritional diseases

Poor diet, psychological conditions and the imbalance leads to malnutrition.

Undernutrition

Too little food, or food that lacks essential nutrients.

Over nutrition

Excessive intake of food, especially high in kilojoules, fats, or sugars.

Kwashiorkor Cause

Severe lack of protein in the diet. Common in young children after weaning (especially if diet is mostly carbohydrate-based).

Marasmus Cause

Severe deficiency of both protein and energy. Common in all age groups, especially infants.

Vitamin D deficiency diseases

Rickets (in children): soft bones, bower legs, growth delays, osteomalacia (in adults): weak bones, muscle weakness and osteoporosis: associated with long-term inadequate vitamin D → bone thinning.

Symptoms of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) deficiency - Beriberi

Growth retardation, weakened heart muscle, poor coordination, tingling, paralysis and nerve inflammation and confusion.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) deficiency - Scurvy Symptoms

Bleeding gums, joint pain, poor wound and bone healing and spontaneous bleeding.

Iron deficiency Anaemia Symptoms

Pale skin, fatigue and weakness, apathy, shortness of breath during exertion and cold intolerance.

Iodine deficiency effects

Low metabolic rate, low body temperature, lethargy, goitre - visible swelling of the thyroid gland in the neck and in pregnancy, severe deficiency can cause: Abnormal foetal development and severely stunted mental and physical growth (can lead to cretinism).

Behaviours of Anorexia nervosa

Severe restriction of food intake, obsessive exercising and purging (self-induced vomiting).

Behaviours of Bulimia nervosa

Binge eating large amounts of food and purging via vomiting, laxatives, or fasting.

BRCA1

Tumour suppressor gene. Normally repairs PTEN gene. PTEN gene: Also a tumour suppressor. Regulates cell division and promotes cell death.

Cell behaviour of Benign Tumours

Grow slowly and in an organised way and stay within the tumour boundary (do not spread).

Cell behaviour of Malignant Tumours (Cancer)

Grow rapidly and chaotically, invade nearby tissues and organs and Can metastasise (spread via blood or lymph)

Origin of Carcinoma

Epithelial tissue (e.g skin, glands, lining of organs like lungs or liver).

Origin of Sarcoma

Connective tissue (e.g bones, muscles, cartilage, blood vessels).

Origin of Leukaemia

Blood-forming tissue (e.g bone marrow) - affects white blood cells.

Origin of Lymphoma and myeloma

Lymphatic system and immune system cells (e.g lymph nodes, plasma).

Origin of Central Nervous System cancers

Brain and spinal cord.

Carcinogens

Substances that can cause cancer by mutating genes that regulate cell division.

Non-modifiable risk factors

Genetic predisposition (inherited mutations), random mutation, environmental factors and pre-existing health conditions.

Incidence

Number of new cases of a disease in a specific time (usually per year).

Prevalence

Total number of existing cases (diagnosed and still alive) in a population Includes old and new cases.

Mortality

Number of deaths caused by a specific disease in a given time period.