Non-Infectious Diseases: Types, Causes, and Prevention
Non-Infectious Diseases
(Which are not communicable or contagious)
Cardiovascular Diseases
Affecting the heart and blood vessels.
- Atherosclerosis: Thickening of the artery walls due to the deposition of cholesterol, platelets, and the formation of fibrous tissue. Favors thrombus formation (blood clot that occurs in an artery or vein and leads to an obstruction that can lead to a stroke).
- Aneurysm: Narrowing of the artery wall; the artery can rupture and cause bleeding.
- Strokes: Interruption of blood supply to the brain, the cause may be an injury, a clot, or rupture of a blood vessel.
- Coronary Heart Disease: Narrowing or obstruction of the arteries that supply blood to the myocardium. If severe, myocardial infarction occurs due to death of affected cells due to lack of oxygen, leading to cardiac arrest. Angina pectoris occurs when there is a limited supply of blood and oxygen to the cells.
Oncological Diseases (Cancer)
Cancer arises as a result of loss of control over the process of cell division. Proto-oncogenes stimulate cell division; their mutation transforms them into oncogenes, which induces the formation of tumors. Tumor suppressor genes can activate the cell death process (apoptosis); the mutation of these genes favors the development of cancer. A malignant tumor is caused when cancer cells form a group of cells capable of infiltration and invasion of tissues. Their cells, carried in the blood, can lead to metastasis. Some cells of the human immune system can destroy cancer cells and prevent tumor growth.
Immune Diseases and Disorders
The role of the immune system is the body’s defense against external or internal genes.
- Immunodeficiency (AIDS): Serious processes in which the immune system fails to perform its functions.
- Autoimmune Processes: The immune system acts against components of the body (Multiple sclerosis, Type I diabetes).
- Hypersensitivity Processes (Allergies): Exaggerated responses against harmless substances (allergic rhinitis, asthma, anaphylactic shock).
Disease and Eating Disorders / Behavioral Diseases
- Obesity: Increased body weight due to fat accumulation, originating from lack of exercise, genetic predisposition, and hormonal disturbances.
- Type II Diabetes: Excess blood glucose (hyperglycemia) due to a partial or total lack of insulin.
- Anorexia Nervosa: Continued loss of appetite, resulting in malnutrition; its origin is psychological.
- Bulimia: Alternation of excessive food intake with subsequent elimination by induced vomiting.
Inherited Diseases and Congenital Malformations
Hereditary diseases are determined by genes; many are degenerative, non-heritable, and congenital malformations.
- Huntington’s Disease: Nerve degeneration produces psychic disorders and loss of control of movements, leading to death.
- Hemophilia: Inherited defect that prevents the normal clotting of blood due to the lack of any of the factors necessary to do so.
- Muscular Dystrophy: Characterized by progressive weakness and atrophy of muscle tissue, accompanied by nerve degeneration.
- Down Syndrome: The most common cause of congenital mental disability.
Diseases and Mental Disorders
Affect thinking, emotions, and behavior.
- Schizophrenia: Personality disorder where the sense of reality is lost, accompanied by delusions and hallucinations.
- Anxiety Disorders: State of concern disproportionate to situations that arise in daily life.
- Bipolar Disorder: Sudden changes in mood.
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Impulsive behavior, lack of interest and attention in school.