Lifestyle and Disease

• What are non-communicable diseases?

  Diseases that cannot be passed person to person
• Give two examples of non-communicable diseases.

  Cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes
• Why are non-communicable diseases significant in the UK?

  They are the biggest cause of death
• What is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease?

  A diet high in fat and low in vegetables
• How does a high salt diet affect cardiovascular disease risk?

  It increases blood pressure
• What lifestyle factor massively increases cardiovascular disease risk?

  Smoking
• What is the relationship between exercise and cardiovascular disease risk?

  Regular exercise decreases the risk
• What is the single greatest cause of death by cancer in the UK?

  Lung cancer
• What are carcinogens?

  Chemicals that can trigger cancer
• What are the effects of smoking during pregnancy?

  Increases risk of miscarriage and low birth weight
• What condition can drinking alcohol during pregnancy cause?

  Fetal alcohol syndrome
• What are the potential problems for children born with fetal alcohol syndrome?

  Learning difficulties and physical problems
• What diseases can excessive alcohol consumption lead to in adults?

  Liver cirrhosis and liver cancer
• How does alcohol affect the brain?

  It can lead to addiction and memory loss
• What is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes?

  Obesity
• What serious complications can arise from type 2 diabetes?

  Blindness or limb amputation
• How can risk factors for diseases interact?

  Excess alcohol can lead to obesity
• What is radon?

  A radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk
• Where can radon be found?

  In certain parts of the UK
• What should pregnant women avoid to protect their unborn baby?

  Smoking and drinking alcohol
• What are the risk factors for non-communicable diseases?

  • Poor diet (high in fat, low in vegetables)
  • High salt intake
  • Smoking
  • Lack of exercise
  • Excessive alcohol consumption
  • Obesity
• What are the consequences of smoking on health?

  • Increases risk of cardiovascular diseases
  • Major cause of lung cancer
  • Leads to other lung diseases (e.g., emphysema)
  • Harms unborn babies during pregnancy
• What are the consequences of excessive alcohol consumption?

  • Increases risk of liver cirrhosis and cancer
  • Affects brain function (addiction, memory loss)
  • Harms unborn babies (fetal alcohol syndrome)
• What are the serious complications of type 2 diabetes?

  • Difficulty controlling blood glucose levels
  • Risk of blindness
  • Potential limb amputation
• What are the environmental risk factors for non-communicable diseases?

  • Radon exposure
  • Other environmental substances