Risk Factors and Disease Classification

These flashcards cover the key concepts related to risk factors for disease development and the classification of diseases.

What is a risk factor?

A situation, habit, environmental condition, genetic predisposition, or other aspect that increases the vulnerability of an individual or group to illness or accident.

What are some examples of risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD)?

Heredity, smoking, high cholesterol, and stress.

Do risk factors guarantee the development of a disease?

No, risk factors increase the chances of disease but do not necessarily mean a person will develop a disease.

What are the four categories of risk factors?

1. Genetic and physiologic 2. Age 3. Environment 4. Lifestyle

What does chronic disease mean?

A disease that develops slowly and persists over a long period, often for a person's lifetime (e.g., diabetes mellitus).

What is remission in terms of disease?

The partial or complete disappearance of clinical and subjective characteristics of a disease, which can be spontaneous or result from treatment.

What characterizes an acute disease?

It begins abruptly with marked intensity of severe signs and symptoms and often subsides after treatment (e.g., appendicitis).

What is an organic disease?

A disease that results in structural changes in an organ that interferes with its functioning (e.g., stroke).

What is a functional disease?

A disease that may exhibit as an organic disease but does not reveal any structural or physiologic abnormalities upon careful examination (e.g., nervous or mental disorders).