The Leading Causes of Death:

Target Objectives:

• We will discuss how disease affects a person and how to prevent it.

• By the end of class YOU will be able to understand and discuss the causes of death and what you can do to reduce YOUR risk.

#10 Septicemia (BLOOD POISONING)

34,136 deaths/yr•Complication of serious infection

#9 Nephritis (KIDNEY DISEASE)43,901 death/yr

•Injury, poisoning, diabetes, high blood pressure can lead to kidney failure

•Leading cause of death until 1936

•90% of pneumonia & influenza deaths occur in persons age 65 and older

#8 PNEUMONIA & INFLUENZA

63,001 death/yr

• PNEUMONIA - fluid in the lungs; from a viral infection

• SYMPTOMS - fever, shortness of breath, coughing, chest pain, weakness, chills

• TREATMENT - antibiotics/hospital care

• PREVENTION - avoid direct contact with infected person/contaminated objects; get prompt treatment for respiratory infections

• INFLUENZA - highly contagious, viral respiratory infection

• SYMPTOMS - headache, chills, sneezing, sore throat, dry cough, body ache, fever

• TREATMENT - bed rest, fluids

• PREVENTON - avoid direct contact with infected persons/contaminated objects; flu shots

• Progressive disease in which the nerve cells in the brain degenerate & the brain shrinks in size

• Dementia: affecting thought, memory, language & function

• Due to brain disease or mental impairment

• Occurs in stages: 1st - loss of interest, forgetfulness, Depression/anxiety

• 2nd - Increased memory loss• 3rd - Disoriented, confused, dependent

#7 ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

71,599 deaths/yr

# 6 DIABETES 75,119 deaths/yr

INSULIN• Carries blood

sugar to cellsTYPE 1

• Produces little or no insulin.• Requires insulin injections• Symptoms: thirst, urination,

nausea, hunger, fatigue, weight loss.

• Can strike at any age, typically in childhood.

TYPE 2• Insulin

resistance• May be

controlled with diet & exercise

• Affects 92% of people with diabetes

• 17 million people have diabetes• 16 million people have pre-diabetes

SYMPTOMS:Increased thirst, frequent urination,

weight loss, blurred vision, extreme tiredness, RISK

FACTORS:FortyFamilyFemale

Fat

TREATMENT:TYPE 1 - Insulin

injectionsTYPE 2 - Weight loss,

Diet Physical Activity, Medication

COMPLICATIONS: Blindness, Heart disease, StrokeKidney failure, Loss of circulation to legs/feet, Nerve damage, & Premature death

1. Motor vehicles2. Falls3. Poisoning4. Unspecified5. Suffocation

6. Fire/burns7. Drowning8. Injuries9. Other

transportation10. Airplane

disaster

ACCIDENTS THAT CAUSE DEATH

#5 ACCIDENTS117,809

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases

1. Chronic bronchitis2. Emphysema

RISK FACTORS- anything that increases the chance of acquiring a

disease3. Smoking

4. Age 5. Heredity 6. Pollution

#4 CHRONIC LOWER RESPIRATORY DISEASE

130,933 deaths/yr

# 3 STROKES143,579 deaths/yr

• A condition caused by a blocked or broken blood vessel in the brain

• Caused by blood clot in brain artery, a burst aneurysm, or head injury

• Warning signs: slurred speech, paralysis on one side of the body, blurred vision, severe headache, slowed breathing.

• May result in paralysis, disability, or death• RISK FACTORS: high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes

Top View of Brain

Cerebral hemorrhage

#2 CANCER559,312 deaths/yr

• The uncontrollable division of cells• CARCINOGEN: anything that causes cancer• BENIGN TUMOR: non-cancerous/ does not

spread.• MALIGNANT TUMOR: cancerous/can spread

• METASTASIS: the spreading of cancer to other regions of the body

1.2 million new cases/yearOver 9 million survivors (5+

yrs)

Health Stats This graph shows the most common cancers in males and females.

Is lung cancer more common in males or females? Why do you think this is the case?

MOST COMMON CANCER (Overhead)

1. MELANOMA (SKIN)2. MALE - PROSTATE

FEMALE- BREAST

DEADLIEST CANCER

LUNG

WARNING SIGNSChange in bowel/bladder habitsA sore that does not healUnusual bleeding or dischargeThickening or lump in breast/elsewhereIndigestion or difficulty in swallowingObvious change in wart or moleNagging cough or hoarseness

TREATMENTSSURGERY: If tumors are confined most common treatment.

RADIATION THERAPY: High-energy radiation to kill or damage cancer cells;

side effects: fatigue, nausea, vomiting

CHEMOTHERAPY: Anti-cancer drugs; can harm healthy cells;

side effects: nausea, vomiting, fatigue, hair loss

IMMUNOTHERAPY: Immune system is stimulated to fight cancer

HOW TO REDUCE YOUR RISK

1. Know the warning signs2. Choose a tobacco free lifestyle3. Protect yourself from the sun & avoid tanning

booths4. Follow dietary guidelines to reduce cancer risk.

EAT: fruits, veggies, & foods high in fiber.

5. Maintain desirable weight & a healthful body composition.

6. Avoid drinking alcohol.7. Avoid exposure to dangerous chemicals &

airborne fibers.8. Get PSA or Mammogram tests every year after

age 40.9. Avoid infection with HIV/STD’s.10.Know your family’s cancer history.

#1 HEART DISEASE652,091 death/yr

•Diseases of the heart & blood vessels.•50 million people have high blood

pressure.•12.6 million people have coronary heart

disease.•1.1 million heart attacks/yr - 1/2 will die

TYPES OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

ANGINACHEST PAINS

from narrowed coronary artery

ARTERIOSCLEROSIS• Hardening of

the arteries• PLAQUE

HEART ATTACK• Death of

cardiac muscle

caused by lack of blood flow to the

heart.

CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE• Hearts pumping ability is

below normal & fluid accumulates in lungs/other

parts.• Caused: heart attack, birth defects, high blood

pressure.CORONARY HEART DISEASE• Narrowed/blocked coronary artery.

RHEUMATIC FEVER• Auto immune action in the

heart that can cause fever, weakness, & damage to the

heart.• Most common in children/teens• Results from untreated strep

throat

HYPERTENSION: High Blood Pressure

Plaque

HOW TO REDUCE RISK OF CARIDOVASCULAR DISEASES

1. Maintain a healthy blood cholesterol level - LDL/HDL

200 borderline >200 high2. Choose a heart healthy diet.• Low fat, fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean meat,

poultry, fish, & antioxidants.3. Avoid tobacco products & secondhand smoke.4. Maintain healthful blood pressure:

High BP = anything over 140/905. Maintain healthful body weight.6. Participate in regular physical activity.7. Manage stress:

• Being stressed causes the heart to beat more than it should, increases resting blood pressure, & cholesterol levels.

4 RISK FACTORS YOU CAN’T CONTROL FOR CVD• AGE• GENDER- Males more susceptible.• RACE- Certain ethnic groups have a higher risk

for cardiovascular diseases.• PREDISPOSITION- Family history, if it runs in

your family it might be a good idea to keep an eye out for it.

LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH FOR:

KIDS1. Accidents2. Cancer3. Congenital Anomalies4. Homicide5. Heart disease

TEENS1. Accidents2. Suicide3. Homicide4. Congenital Anomalies5. Cancer