Noncommunicable DiseaseNoncommunicable Disease

Noncommunicable disease-disease that Noncommunicable disease-disease that cannot be spread from person to person.cannot be spread from person to person.

Many noncommunicable diseases are Many noncommunicable diseases are chronic, or present continuously, or on and chronic, or present continuously, or on and off for a long period of time.off for a long period of time.– Most are caused by changes with in the bodyMost are caused by changes with in the body

Examples include:Examples include:– AsthmaAsthma– Cancer Cancer – Heart diseaseHeart disease

Noncommunicable DiseaseNoncommunicable Disease

Present at birth-diseases that are caused by Present at birth-diseases that are caused by hereditary factors or that result from hereditary factors or that result from problems during a baby’s development or problems during a baby’s development or birth.birth.– Cystic fibrosisCystic fibrosis– Sickle-cell anemiaSickle-cell anemia– Cerebral palsyCerebral palsy

Noncommunicable DiseaseNoncommunicable Disease

Behavior choices-diseases to which Behavior choices-diseases to which unhealthful choices often contribute.unhealthful choices often contribute.– Heart diseaseHeart disease– Lung cancerLung cancer– Cirrhosis of the liverCirrhosis of the liver

Noncommunicable DiseaseNoncommunicable Disease

Environmental factors-diseases that are Environmental factors-diseases that are caused by exposure to specific substances caused by exposure to specific substances in the environment, or to environmental in the environment, or to environmental hazards such as pollution, toxic waste or hazards such as pollution, toxic waste or second hand smoke.second hand smoke.– AllergiesAllergies– Lung cancer (asbestos)Lung cancer (asbestos)– Respiratory diseases (polluted air)Respiratory diseases (polluted air)

Noncommunicable DiseaseNoncommunicable Disease

Unknown causes-diseases whose causes Unknown causes-diseases whose causes are unknown.are unknown.– Alzheimer’s diseaseAlzheimer’s disease– Rheumatoid arthritisRheumatoid arthritis– Chronic fatigue syndromeChronic fatigue syndrome

AllergiesAllergies

Allergy-an extreme sensitivity to a Allergy-an extreme sensitivity to a substance.substance.– The immune system is overly sensitive to The immune system is overly sensitive to

certain substances that are normally harmless certain substances that are normally harmless which causes an allergic reaction.which causes an allergic reaction.

– Allergens-are the substances that cause an Allergens-are the substances that cause an allergic reaction.allergic reaction.

– Pollen-a powdery substance released by the Pollen-a powdery substance released by the flowers of certain plants.flowers of certain plants.

Common AllergensCommon Allergens

AllergensAllergens– PollenPollen– Insect bites or stingsInsect bites or stings– PetsPets– PlantsPlants– Household dustHousehold dust– Foods Foods

Allergic ReactionsAllergic Reactions

When a person breaths in, touches, or When a person breaths in, touches, or swallows an allergen the allergen locks onto swallows an allergen the allergen locks onto the body’s lymphocytes.the body’s lymphocytes.– These cells then release histamines, the These cells then release histamines, the

chemicals in the body that cause the symptoms chemicals in the body that cause the symptoms of an allergic reaction.of an allergic reaction.

Allergic ReactionsAllergic Reactions

Allergic reactions may involve the following Allergic reactions may involve the following parts of the body:parts of the body:– Eyes-allergies can make the eyes red, watery, Eyes-allergies can make the eyes red, watery,

and itchy.and itchy.– Nose-common allergy symptoms include a Nose-common allergy symptoms include a

runny nose and sneezing.runny nose and sneezing.– Throat-some food allergies can make Throat-some food allergies can make

swallowing difficult, or even swell up and close.swallowing difficult, or even swell up and close.

Allergic ReactionsAllergic Reactions

– Skin-skin may break out in a rash or cause Skin-skin may break out in a rash or cause hives, a raised itchy areas.hives, a raised itchy areas.

– Respiratory system-can cause coughing and Respiratory system-can cause coughing and difficulty breathing.difficulty breathing.

– Digestive system-a reaction to food may cause Digestive system-a reaction to food may cause stomach ache, cramps and diarrhea.stomach ache, cramps and diarrhea.

Treating AllergiesTreating Allergies

How do you know if you are allergic to How do you know if you are allergic to something?something?– Some give a rash.Some give a rash.– Some reactions are not so obvious.Some reactions are not so obvious.

A doctor can run test to see what the cause of the A doctor can run test to see what the cause of the reactions reactions

Treating AllergiesTreating Allergies

Avoid the allergen if possibleAvoid the allergen if possible Take medicationTake medication

– Antihistamines-are medications that relieve Antihistamines-are medications that relieve symptoms by suppressing the production of symptoms by suppressing the production of histamineshistamines

Get injectionsGet injections– Each injection contains a tiny amount of the Each injection contains a tiny amount of the

allergen to help a person overcome his or her allergen to help a person overcome his or her sensitivity to it.sensitivity to it.

AsthmaAsthma

Asthma-a chronic respiratory disease that Asthma-a chronic respiratory disease that causes air passages to become narrow or causes air passages to become narrow or blocked.blocked.– The number of people with asthma has The number of people with asthma has

increased in the past 20 years.increased in the past 20 years. Nearly 5 million Americans under the age of 18 have Nearly 5 million Americans under the age of 18 have

asthma.asthma. Many of the same substances that cause allergies Many of the same substances that cause allergies

cause asthma.cause asthma.– They are known as asthma triggers.They are known as asthma triggers.

AsthmaAsthma

Common asthma triggers include:Common asthma triggers include:– Pollen, dust, pets and moldPollen, dust, pets and mold– Strenuous physical activity, especially in cold Strenuous physical activity, especially in cold

weather.weather.– Infections of resp. system (cold and flu).Infections of resp. system (cold and flu).– Irritants, cigarette smoke, air pollution, fumes.Irritants, cigarette smoke, air pollution, fumes.– Increased breathing rates, stress or Increased breathing rates, stress or

laughing/crying.laughing/crying.– Weather changes and cold air.Weather changes and cold air.

A Typical Asthma AttackA Typical Asthma Attack

Symptoms of an asthma attackSymptoms of an asthma attack– WheezingWheezing– Shortness of breathShortness of breath– Felling of gagging or chokingFelling of gagging or choking– Tightness in the chest.Tightness in the chest.

See 13.3 page 367See 13.3 page 367

Managing AsthmaManaging Asthma

Monitor the conditionMonitor the condition– Use a peak flow meter to measure lung capacity.Use a peak flow meter to measure lung capacity.

Manage the environmentManage the environment– Vacuum floors and rugsVacuum floors and rugs– Wash sheets in hot water frequently.Wash sheets in hot water frequently.

Manage stressManage stress Take medicationTake medication

– Bronchodilators-medications that relax the Bronchodilators-medications that relax the muscles around the bronchial air passages.muscles around the bronchial air passages.