Health Issues

what are cardiovascular diseases

diseases of the heart and blood vessels

what are stents

A metal object that keeps the arteries open to allow blood flow to the heart muscle

What are statins

Statins are drugs used to reduce blood cholesterol levels which slows down the build up of fatty material

What is an artificial pacemaker

artificial pacemakers are electrical devices used to correct am irregular heart rate

what is an artificial heart

can be used when waiting for a heart transplant to keep the patient alive

what are replacement valves

leaky heart valves can be treated with replacement valves( biological or man-made)

Explain how cancer begins

Changes in cells lead to uncontrolled growth and division

what are benign tumours

not technically cancer. Growth of abnormal cells which are contained in one area, usually within a membrane. They do not invade other parts of the body but can still be life threatening

What are malignant tumours?

They are cancer because they invade neighbouring tissues and can spread to different parts of the body in the blood or lymph, where they form secondary tumours.

What are carcinogens

substances that increase the risk of cancer. e.g. tar contains carcinogenic chemicals

Explain smoking as a risk factor

Chemicals in tar can cause mutations leading to cancer. Nicotine and carbon monoxide can also increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Explain obesity as a risk factor

increases your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers e.g. liver and kidney

puts pressure on the joints increasing your risk of arthritis

explain alcohol as a risk factor

High levels of alcohol can damage brain and liver function e.g. causing liver cirrhosis or cancer

Explain ionising radiation

radiation can penetrate cells and cause mutations (changes to DNA), this increases the risk if cancer.

explain viral infection as a risk factor

Some viral infections increase the risk of developing certain cancers. e.g. human papilloma virus can cause cervical cancer. Hepatitis B and C can increase the risk of developing liver cancer

Explain genetics as a risk factor

Scientists have identified certain genes which increase the risk of developing some cancers and other non-communicable diseases

What is a pathogen

microorganisms that cause infectious disease. May be protists, viruses, bacteria, or fungus.

What do bacteria do

produce toxins (poisons0 that damage tissues and make us feel ill

What do viruses do

They live and reproduce identical copies, usually causing the cell to burst. This cell damage is what makes us feel ill.

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