Biology B2 - Risk Factors for Non-Communicable Diseases

How are many non-communicable diseases caused?

By several different risk factors interacting with each other rather that one factor alone

lifestyle factors can have different impacts locally, nationally, and globally.

where are non-communicable diseases more common

developed countries

why are non-communicable diseases more common in developed countries

people generally have a higher income and can buy high fat food

what are people people from deprived areas more likely to do?

smoke, have a poor diet, and not excercise?

what does this mean?

cardiovascular disease, obesity, and Type 2 diabetes is higher in those areas

are some risk factors able to directly cause a disease?

yes

List risk factors that can directly cause diease

Smoking & doing it while pregnant, Obesity, Drinking too much alcohol

What can smoking directly cause? (include pregnancy in answer)

lung cancer, lung disease, cardiovascular disease

-doing it while pregnant can cause lots of health problems for the unborn baby

Why can smoking cause these diseases?

It damages the walls of arteries and the cells in the lining of the lungs

What disease can obesity cause directly

type 2 diabetes.

How can obesity directly cause type 2 diabetes?

By making the body less sensitive or resistant to insulin, meaning that it struggles to control the concentration of glucose in the blood

Explain how alcohol can directly cause diseases

Drinking too much Alcohol can cause liver disease, and affect brain function.

how can drinking too much alcohol affect brain function?

can damage nerve cells in the brain, causing the brain to lose volume

What can cancer be directy caused by?

exposure to certain substances or radiation

What are things that cause cancer know as?

carcinogens

Give one example of a carcinogen (hint form of radiation)

ionising radiation eg from x-rays

What may the life of people with non-communicable disease involve?

lower quality of life and shorter lifespan

Is the cost to NHS reserching and treating these diseases a lot

Yes. Very expensive. Same for other health services around the world

What else can be expensive about non-communicable diseases?

families may have to move or adapt their home to help a family member with a disease - costly.

-also if family member with disease has to give up work or dies, family's income will be reduced

-reduction in number of people who are working can also affect a country's economy