Effects of Lifestyle on Respiratory and Circulatory Systems

Key Questions Explored in This Module

• What are the effects of lifestyle on the functions of the respiratory and circulatory systems?

• What are the ways to detect and prevent diseases of these two body systems?

• How does one’s lifestyle affect normal physiological functioning?

• How can we effectively inform and encourage the public regarding detection and prevention of respiratory- and circulatory-related diseases?

Detecting, Treating & Preventing Respiratory Diseases

Table of Major Respiratory Diseases

Definitions & Significance

• Asthma: chronic inflammatory narrowing of airways; early detection prevents severe attacks.

• COPD: progressive airflow limitation; smoking cessation dramatically slows decline.

• Chronic bronchitis: persistent bronchial inflammation; part of COPD spectrum.

• Emphysema: destruction of alveolar walls, reducing surface area for gas exchange.

• Lung Cancer: leading cancer killer; often diagnosed late; prevention centers on smoking control.

• Tuberculosis: airborne; remains a global health issue; drug adherence critical.

• Pneumonia: major cause of morbidity across ages; vaccine-preventable types exist.

• COVID-19: new pandemic disease; variable latency (up to 14 days); asymptomatic transmission complicates control.

Detecting, Treating & Preventing Circulatory Diseases

Table of Major Circulatory Diseases

Key Concepts

1. Atherosclerosis = fatty plaque deposits → arterial stiffness.

2. Myocardial ischemia results when plaques constrict coronary blood flow.

3. Heart Failure = heart can’t pump sufficient blood volume.

4. Stroke = blocked or burst vessel → cerebral hypoxia.

5. Hypertension = sustained BP elevation; "silent killer" because most people feel nothing.

6. Anemia = inadequate RBC count → reduced O_2 delivery.

Lifestyle Factors & Their Physiological Effects

Cigarette Smoking

• Contains thousands of harmful chemicals (tar, nicotine, CO).

• Respiratory impact: chronic irritation, mucus overproduction, ciliary paralysis, structural lung damage.

• Circulatory impact: endothelial injury, increased clotting tendency, decreased O_2 capacity (via CO binding to hemoglobin), elevated BP.

• Linked diseases: stroke, hypertension, anemia, COPD, lung cancer.

Healthy Diet

• Not limited to fruits/vegetables; must include a balance of Go (carbohydrates), Grow (protein), and Glow (vitamins/minerals) foods.

• Food pyramid serves as visual guide.

• Overconsumption of LDL-rich foods raises cholesterol level → arteriosclerosis.

Regular Exercise & Adequate Rest

• CDC recommendation: at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week (≈ 30 min * 5 days) to lower risk of chronic disease.

• Exercise strengthens respiratory muscles & improves cardiac output; rest (sleep at \approx9 PM) facilitates repair.

Proper Hygiene

• Wash hands \ge20 s, especially after coughing/sneezing.

• Wear protective masks; critical during COVID-19 pandemic.

Learning Activities Embedded in the Module

1. Crossword Puzzle – reinforces disease-lifestyle links.

2. Guess the Word – visual clues; examples: ASTHMA, HYPERTENSION, ANEMIA, STROKE, COVID-19.

   • Learners also list two preventive practices for each.

3. Gibberish Challenge – decode key terms (e.g., “As ma” → Asthma → cough & wheeze).

4. Information Dissemination – create an infographic about caring for respiratory & circulatory systems.

   • Assessed on Content, Layout & Visual Appeal (10 / 8 / 4-point scale).

5. One-Month Healthy Lifestyle Challenge – 30-day planner covering diet, exercise duration, bedtime.

   • Rubric: Eating Healthy Foods, Regular Exercise, Sleeping Early (2/1/0 points each day).

Consolidation Task (Fill-in-the-Blanks Summary)

• Emphasizes that:

  • Cigarette smokers have higher disease risk.

  • Asthma preventable by avoiding triggers.

  • Lung Cancer is the nation’s leading cancer killer.

  • Tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

  • Pneumonia arises from bacterial, viral, or fungal infection.

  • Stroke = sudden vascular blockage in brain.

  • Hypertension often symptomless.

  • A healthy diet includes go, grow & glow foods.

  • At least 120 minutes (module answer key) or CDC’s 150 min guideline of exercise weekly reduces chronic disease risk.

  • Conducting information dissemination keeps peers & loved ones safe.

Practical, Ethical & Public-Health Implications

• Smoking policies (e.g., DOH No-Tobacco campaign) protect both smokers and bystanders.

• Vaccination campaigns (influenza, pneumonia, COVID-19) rely on herd immunity principles.

• Infographics & peer education empower communities, bridging knowledge gaps.

• Ethical duty: adopt lifestyles that minimize healthcare burden and respect collective well-being.

Key Numerical & Statistical References

• Symptom onset for COVID-19: up to 14 days.

• Hand-washing duration: 20 seconds.

• Recommended exercise: 150 minutes/week (CDC) or at least 120 minutes (module fill-in answer).

• Sleep target in planner rubric: bedtime 8{-}9 PM (excellent), 10{-}11 PM (good), after 12$$ AM (fair).

Real-World Connections & Prior Knowledge Links

• Builds on Module 1 anatomy/physiology.

• Relates to current pandemic management (mask use, distancing).

• Underscores global NCD (non-communicable disease) targets: reduce smoking prevalence, combat hypertension & dyslipidemia.

• Highlights United Nations SDG 3: “Good Health and Well-Being.”

Study Tips Based on This Module

• Memorize cause-symptom-treatment triads for each disease.

• Use mnemonics: "CHAPTERS" for circulatory diseases (Cholesterol, Hypertension, Atherosclerosis, Stroke, etc.).

• Draw combined Respiratory–Circulatory concept maps showing lifestyle influences.

• Practice decoding medical terms (prefix/suffix) via Gibberish exercise method.