2.2.6 lifestyle on some noncommunicable diseases

• What are risk factors?

  ● An aspect of a person’s lifestyle or substances in a person’s body / environment

  ● That have been shown to be linked to an increased rate of disease
• What is the main risk factor for Type 2 diabetes?

  Obesity
• Explain the effects of diet, smoking and exercise on cardiovascular disease

  1. Diet eg. high saturated fat increases cholesterol so increases rate of fatty material build-up in arteries

  2. Smoking → damages artery lining and raises blood pressure

  3. Lack of exercise → raises blood pressure
• Explain the effect of alcohol on the liver and brain function

  ● Breakdown of alcohol by liver cells produces toxic substances → cirrhosis (scarring) → liver failure

  ○ So no bile made / lactic acid not broken down etc.

  ● Neurones in brain damaged

  ● Increases risk of liver cancer
• Explain the effect of smoking on lung disease and lung cancer

  ● Damages alveoli → reduces surface area of alveoli → reduces gas exchange (lung disease)

  ● Chemicals inflame bronchi which damages cilia → can’t remove mucus → higher risk of lung infections

  ● Carcinogens in smoke (tar) → increase risk of lung cancer
• Explain the effects of smoking and alcohol on unborn babies

  ● Smoke contains carbon monoxide (toxic) → binds to haemoglobin so blood carries less oxygen →

  foetus receives less oxygen → risk of premature birth / stillbirth / reduced birth mass

  ● Alcohol → increased risk of miscarriage / premature birth / foetal alcohol syndrome
• Explain how carcinogens are risk factors in cancer

  ● Carcinogen = a substance or form of radiation that can cause cancer

  ● Ionising radiation eg. X rays, UV light can cause DNA mutations → leading to uncontrolled cell division
• Describe the difference between a risk factor that shows a correlation with

  the incidence of a disease and one that shows causation of a disease

  ● Correlation - link between factor and incidence disease - as one changes, the other does

  ● Causation - an increase in the risk factor results in the incidence of disease

  ● Correlation does not prove causation - there could be another factor
• why is this statement wrong

  “Having a [named risk factor] means

  you will definitely get [a named

  disease].”

  Risk factors increase the likelihood of getting a disease, but don’t

  guarantee it. Many diseases are caused by an interaction of risk

  factors.
• The number of people who are obese in the

  UK is increasing. Explain the financial

  impact on the UK economy of an increasing

  number of people who are obese. (2)

  ● Costs NHS / government / hospitals more money

  ● As need to pay for additional surgery / medication /

  hospital stay to treat stroke / diabetes
• Other than stopping smoking, suggest two

  lifestyle changes a person can make to

  reduce the risk of CHD. (2)

  ● Reduce fat / cholesterol / sugary foods in diet

  ● Take regular exercise

  ● Reduce alcohol intake