Health & Social Care – Disease Revision

Vocabulary flashcards covering causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments for various diseases and conditions from the Health & Social Care revision notes.

Sickle Cell Disease

An inherited genetic disorder affecting haemoglobin. Symptoms include pain crises, anaemia, fatigue, and infections. It is diagnosed through blood tests and treated with pain relief, hydration, antibiotics, and blood transfusions.

Hypothermia

A condition caused when body temperature falls below $35^\circ\text{C}$. Symptoms include shivering, confusion, slurred speech, and drowsiness. It is diagnosed by temperature measurement and treated with gradual warming, warm drinks, and medical care.

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)

A condition caused by fatty deposits narrowing coronary arteries, leading to symptoms such as chest pain (angina), breathlessness, and heart attack risk. Diagnosed via ECG, blood tests, and angiography, and treated with lifestyle changes, medication, stents, and bypass surgery.

Asthma

A condition where airways become inflamed and narrowed, causing symptoms like wheezing, coughing, and breathlessness. It is diagnosed through lung function tests and treated with reliever and preventer inhalers.

Osteoarthritis

A joint condition caused by wear and tear of joint cartilage. Symptoms include joint pain, stiffness, and reduced movement. Diagnosed by examination and X-rays, and treated with exercise, pain relief, and joint replacement.

Muscular Dystrophy

An inherited genetic condition causing muscle weakness, progressive muscle wasting, and mobility problems. Diagnosed through genetic testing and muscle biopsy, and treated with physiotherapy, mobility aids, and symptom management.

Multiple Sclerosis

An autoimmune attack on the myelin sheath, causing symptoms such as fatigue, numbness, vision problems, and weakness. Diagnosed using MRI scans and neurological tests, and treated with steroids, disease-modifying drugs, and physiotherapy.

Type 1 Diabetes

A metabolic disorder where little or no insulin is produced. Symptoms include thirst, frequent urination, and tiredness. Diagnosed via blood glucose and HbA1c tests, and treated with insulin, diet, exercise, and medication.

Type 2 Diabetes

A metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance. Symptoms include thirst, frequent urination, and tiredness. Diagnosed via blood glucose and HbA1c tests, and treated with diet, exercise, and medication.

Endometriosis

A condition where tissue similar to womb lining grows outside the uterus, causing pelvic pain, painful periods, and fertility issues. Diagnosed via ultrasound and laparoscopy, and treated with pain relief, hormones, and surgery.

Spina Bifida

A condition caused when the neural tube fails to close properly before birth. Symptoms include mobility, bladder, and bowel problems. Diagnosed via prenatal scans and examinations, and treated with surgery, physiotherapy, and long-term support.