non-communicable diseases

• risk factor


  an aspect of a person's lifestyle of substance found in the body or environment which can increase the risk of disease
• causal mechanism 


  a mechanism which demonstrates how one factor biologically influences another
• diet affecting the development of cardiovascular disease


  high levels if bad cholesterol causes arteries to become blocked, increasing blood pressure and the risk of a heart attack
• smoking affecting the development of cardiovascular disease

  nicotine increases heart rate; other chemicals damage the artery lining and increase blood pressure
• exercise affecting the development of cardiovascular disease

  lowers blood pressure, reducing strain on the heart
• how does obesity affect type 2 diabetes


  stronly linked with the onset of type 2 diabetes - body stops responding to insulin
• alcohol affecting liver and brain function


  excessive long-term alcohol use may lead to liver cirrhosis

  increases risk of liver cancer

  damages brain tissue and nerve cells
• smoking affecting lung disease and lung cancer


  tar in tobacco can damage the alveoli of the lungs, leading to COPD

  tar also damages the cells which line the lungs, leading to cancer
• smoking and alcohol affecting unborn babies

  tobacco smoke reduces the amount of oxygen the foetus receives which can lead to premature birth or stillbirth

  alcohol passes along the placenta and damages the developing foetus; once born they may have deformities -> foetal alcohol syndrome
• how do carcinogens affect the development of cancer

  ionising radiation is a type of carcinogen which can cause mutations in DNA, potentially leading to caner