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B2 N) Non-Communicable Diseases
B2 N) Non-Communicable Diseases
Health is a state of physical and mental wellbeing. Diseases decrease the health of individuals. There are two different types of diseases; communicable diseases and non-communicable diseases.
Communicable diseases are diseases that are caused by pathogens and they can be spread between organisms of the same species or different species. Communicable diseases can be spread in water, food, the air, animal vectors etc. Examples of communicable diseases are coronavirus, measles and salmonella.
Non-communicable diseases are medical conditions or diseases that are not caused by pathogens. Examples of non-communicable diseases are cardiovascular disease, cancer, asthma and diabetes. Non-communicable diseases cannot be transferred from one individual to another individual; if I had cancer, you could not catch cancer from me. Non-communicable diseases kill around 36 million people each year and they represent around 63% of all deaths across the world (source: World Health Organisation).
Communicable diseases are diseases that are caused by pathogens and they can be spread between organisms of the same species or different species. Communicable diseases can be spread in water, food, the air, animal vectors etc. Examples of communicable diseases are coronavirus, measles and salmonella.
Non-communicable diseases are medical conditions or diseases that are not caused by pathogens. Examples of non-communicable diseases are cardiovascular disease, cancer, asthma and diabetes. Non-communicable diseases cannot be transferred from one individual to another individual; if I had cancer, you could not catch cancer from me. Non-communicable diseases kill around 36 million people each year and they represent around 63% of all deaths across the world (source: World Health Organisation).
Interaction of Diseases
Sometimes one disease can result in the development of another disease. Here are a few examples:
Sometimes one disease can result in the development of another disease. Here are a few examples:
- Sometimes individuals who are infected with a virus have an increased chance of developing certain types of cancers. For example, people who have contracted hepatitis B and C have a greater risk of developing liver cancer.
- Individuals who have immunodeficiency disorders (issues with their immune system) have a greater chance of getting different communicable diseases. This is because their immune system is unable to fight off the communicable disease in the normal way.
- A lot of diseases can affect the mental health of the individuals that are suffering from the disease; the suffer could become depressed or anxious. These mental health issues can arise if the disease that the individual has affects their ability to live a normal life.
- Some immune responses that are initially caused by a pathogen can trigger other effects in the body, such as skin rashes and asthma.
Other Factors Affecting Health
There are many different factors that affect both the physical and mental health of individuals.
One of these factors is a balanced diet that contains everything that an individual needs in the right quantities; the correct quantities of calories, minerals, vitamins, proteins etc. A poor diet can reduce the health of individuals. This is especially true for children who need everything in the correct quantities to develop properly.
Another factor that affects your health is stress. Being under too much stress can reduce your health. Also, too little stress is bad for your health as well.
The final factor is life situation. This refers to how easy it is for an individual to have access to everything that they need for a healthy life. For example, how easy is it for an individual to access medicine (drugs) and medical treatment (seeing a doctor or nurse) and have access to a healthy diet etc.
There are many different factors that affect both the physical and mental health of individuals.
One of these factors is a balanced diet that contains everything that an individual needs in the right quantities; the correct quantities of calories, minerals, vitamins, proteins etc. A poor diet can reduce the health of individuals. This is especially true for children who need everything in the correct quantities to develop properly.
Another factor that affects your health is stress. Being under too much stress can reduce your health. Also, too little stress is bad for your health as well.
The final factor is life situation. This refers to how easy it is for an individual to have access to everything that they need for a healthy life. For example, how easy is it for an individual to access medicine (drugs) and medical treatment (seeing a doctor or nurse) and have access to a healthy diet etc.