Prevention & Control of Non-Communicable Diseases Vocabulary

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and definitions from the Foundations to Public Health Practice lecture on Prevention & Control of Non-Communicable Diseases.

Morbidity

The state of being unhealthy for a particular disease or situation.

Mortality

The number of deaths that occur in a population.

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

Also known as Chronic Diseases, persist over a long duration and slow progress, resulting from a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioral factors.

Metabolism

The process your body uses to get or make/convert energy from the food you eat.

Metabolic Disorder

A collective term for a group of syndromes that disrupt the normal metabolic processes in the body.

Insulin

A hormone secreted by the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas that allows your body to use sugar (glucose) from carbohydrates for energy or storage, helping regulate blood sugar levels.

Type I Diabetes (IDDM)

Insulin-dependent Diabetes Mellitus; an autoimmune condition where the pancreas doesn't produce insulin due to the immune system attacking the islet of Langerhans cells.

Type II Diabetes (NIDDM)

Non-Insulin-dependent Diabetes Mellitus; condition where the pancreas makes less insulin than used to, leading to insulin resistance in the body.

Gestational Diabetes (GD)

Diabetes that develops during pregnancy, caused by pregnancy hormones altering pancreatic activity, often resolving after childbirth but increasing the mother's risk of Type II Diabetes.

Polyuria

Excessive urination, often a sign of diabetes mellitus where the kidneys overwork to filter out excess glucose.

Polydipsia

Excessive thirst, a symptom of diabetes mellitus.

Polyphagia

Excessive hunger/appetite, indicative of diabetes mellitus, because glucose isn’t being converted into energy.

Hypertension

Sustained elevation in mean arterial pressure, with a systolic BP of ≥ 140 mmHg or a diastolic BP of ≥ 90 mmHg on two visits one week apart.

Systolic Pressure

The pressure that the heart exerts while beating (DURING contraction).

Diastolic Pressure

Amount of pressure in the arteries between the beats (IN BETWEEN relaxation).

Coronary Artery Disease

Heart disease caused by impaired coronary blood flow, where the coronary arteries are blocked (occlusion) or narrowed (stenosis).

Occlusion

Blockage in the vessels that makes it difficult for the blood to pass through.

Stenosis

Narrowing of the diameter of the blood vessel, making it difficult for the blood to go through.

Atherosclerosis

Buildup of plaque or hardened fat, usually occurring when there’s high levels of cholesterol in the blood.

Arteriosclerosis

A general term describing any narrowing (and loss of elasticity) of medium or large arteries.

Cerebrovascular Disease/Accident (Stroke)

Loss or alteration of bodily function that results from an insufficient supply of blood to some parts of the brain, causing disability.

Thrombotic Stroke

Development of blood clot in the blood vessel, obstructing flow of circulation.

Embolic Stroke

Clot is dislodged and becomes part of the flow of circulation. The clot/fats are driven to different parts of the body.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

When the traveling clot ends up stuck in tinier vessels in which an area can no longer receive blood because it’s obstructed. Increased BP & Stasis may also occur.

Thrombus

A blood clot that forms within a blood vessel

Embolus

A piece of a blood clot, fat, air bubble, or other substance that breaks free and travels through the bloodstream

Tumors

Usually solid or cystic, either benign or malignant.

Neoplasms

New growths that do not resemble the parent cell, characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells.

Localized Cancer

Stays in a particular area. Doesn’t spread

Metastasis

Ability of cancer cells to penetrate into lymphatic & blood vessels, circulate through the bloodstream, & then invade normal tissues elsewhere in the body

Benign Tumor

Grows locally & compresses surrounding tissue without invading them.

Malignant Tumor

Invades & infiltrates surrounding tissues with Fast and uncontrolled growth.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD)

Airflow limitation that is not fully reversible, usually progressive.

Hypoxemia

Low Level of oxygen in the blood.

Hypercapnia

Too much carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood.

Spirometry

The most common type of pulmonary function or breathing test.

Bronchial Asthma

Obstructive disease of the lower respiratory tract.

Healthy Lifestyle

Operationally defined as a way of life that promotes and protects the health and well-being of an individual.