Disease and its Impact on Humans

Signs and SymptomsSigns- clear evidence of a disease seen by the

healthcare professionalEg. High blood pressureRash

Symptoms- changes experienced by the patient that cannot be seen by the doctorEg. Sore throatBackacheStomach ache

Pattern of diseaseEndemic- One that is always present in an

area. Eg. Malaria is an endemic in many areas of the world. Inspite of all the methods of control, people are still being infected and suffer from the disease. AIDS is now an endemic in the Caribbean and Africa.

Epidemic – This occurs in outbreaks when a large number of people are infected, but later the disease is brought under control. Eg. H1N1,cholera and dengue

Course of a diseaseInfection by pathogenIncubation – multiplication of the parasiteContagious period- The pathogen spreads

from person to personRecovery- The body’s immune system starts

to combat and eradicate the parasite.

CHRONIC DISEASE

Chronic DiseaseA long term illness that cannot be passed on

from one person to the next.CHARACTERISTICS

Not usually caused by pathogens ( microorganisms that cause disease.

Do not get better on its ownUsually cannot be cured, only treatedAre long term and can be permanentMost are degenerative ( gets worse over time)

Types of Chronic DiseaseDiabetes MellitusObesityCoronary Heart DiseaseHypertensionAsthma

Diabetes Mellitus Continuously high level of blood sugarAlso known as hyperglycaemiaPatients usually

Feel thirsty all the timeUrinate frequentlyContinuous hungerLose weightTirednessWounds wont heal properly

TypesType I –

Insulin dependentDevelops in

childhoodComplete insulin

deficiency

Type II-Insulin independentDevelops in adulthoodNon insulin dependent

Genetically linked

The disease is triggered by a defect in the pancreas that causes it to produce little or no insulin.

When our blood sugar level rises after a meal, insulin should be released.

Insulin allows glucose to be taken into our cells to be used for energy and it also allows our bodies to convert the extra glucose to glycogen and store it.

Effects of DiabetesMore prone to infections of the feet resulting

in amputationBlindnessKidney diseaseNerve diseaseHeart attack and stroke

ObesityOverweightConsuming more calories than the body needsLack of exerciseGeneticsIt increases the risk of developing type II diabetesIt contributes to high blood cholesterol level.Increases the risk of strokesCancers such as breast and colon cancer are linked to

obesityLeas to poor self esteem and quality of life40% of jamaican population is considered as obese

How can we help?

HypertensionHigh blood pressureBlood pressure is the

force exerted on the walls of the arteries when blood is pumped by the heart

140/90 is considered as hypertensive

Factors that increases the risk of hypertensionIncreasing age

OverweightExcessive salt intakeExcessive intake of

alcohol Inactive lifestyleSmokingDiabetesMedication

TreatmentLifestyle adjustmentDietary changesDiuretics – increase urination to reduce

water in the body hence reduces blood volume.

Coronary Heart DiseaseThe coronary arteries feeding the heart muscles

becomes blocked or narrowed.It can lead to heart attack as the heart muscle stops

workingIt is associated with high levels of blood fat: cholesterol

HDL- high density lipoproteins- (good) transports excess cholesterol from cells to the liver to be converted to useful compounds such as hormones, vitamin D and bile salts.

LDL- low density lipoproteins-(bad) this deposits in the arteries decreasing the diameter hence less food and oxygen flows to the heart.

TreatmentExerciseAspirinDefibrillator

Asthma Disease of the respiratory systemResults in difficult breathingThe lining of the airways swells up,

narrowing the tube and makes it difficult to breathe

Airway is easily irritated

TypesHyper-reactive response- irritant causes the

passage to narrow. The muscle spasms and narrows causing little or no air to enter

Inflammatory response- The immune system responds to inhaled irritants by sending white blood cells at lung clogging the airway with excess mucus

TreatmentInhaler

Adrenaline dilates the airway

Remove potential triggers

INFECTIOUS DISEASE