lifestyle & diseases

• examples of non-communicable diseases

  1. cardiovascular diseases
  2. type 2 diabetes
  3. most types of cancer
• risk factors of cardiovascular diseases include:

  • a diet high in fat and low in vegetables - increases cholesterol= increases the rate of fatty materials build up in the arteries
  • a diet high in salt can increase BP = greater risk of cardiovascular disease
  • smoking - risk is decreased with exercise
• obesity is associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes as well as other health problems such as hypertension (high blood pressure) and coronary heart disease.
• how does smoking increase lung cancer?

  cigarette smoke contains a number of chemicals which can trigger cancer= known as carcinogens. also can increase the risk of lung disease (emphysema)
• what are the effects on smoking on unborn baby?

  • smoking when pregnant increases the risk of miscarriage and premature birth
  • born with low body-mass
• effects on drinking alcohol on unborn baby?

  • can lead to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome = born with learning difficulties and other mental and physical problems
• what can't pregnant women do?

  • drink alcohol
  • smoke
• what are the effects of drinking alcohol on adults?

  • increase their risk of liver cirrhosis/liver cancer
  • can cause memory loss and addiction
• what is the effect of type 2 diabetes?

  lead to blindness or require amputation of a limb
• what increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes?

  obesity - can be cured with a carbohydrate-controlled diet and exercise

  = drinking excess alcohol can lead to obesity and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes
• what is radon?


  a radioactive gas which increases the risk of developing lung cancer