Chronic Diseases: Hypertension, Diabetes, Cholesterol & Cardiovascular Diseases
Etiology: In medicine, etiology refers to the study of disease causes. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is incredibly common. But what exactly is hypertension? How does it relate to physical inactivity, obesity, and poor diet? This section will explore these questions. Let’s start by understanding blood pressure mechanisms. Blood pumped by the heart travels through arteries, veins, and capillaries to all body tissues and organs. This involves two phases: systole (heart contraction, pumping
Read MoreWeight Management Tips and Tricks
Weight Management Tips and Tricks
Tricks to Manage Hunger
- If you feel hungry, count to 1,000. You’ll likely realize it’s not worth overeating.
- Take a sip of water with every bite of food to feel full faster.
- If you’re experiencing anxiety-related cravings, try tasting a small amount of food and spitting it out. Repeat as needed.
- Brush your teeth or take a bath when you crave food to discourage eating.
- If you have a family meal planned, consider eating lightly the day before.
- Cut food into small pieces
Pillars of Health: Lifestyle, Nutrition, and Well-being
1. What is Health?
Health is a state of equilibrium encompassing physical, mental, and social well-being.
Physical Well-being
It results from a balanced diet and personal care habits, including healthy activities without unnecessary risks.
Mental Well-being
It is based on self-acceptance, the ability to convey feelings, and the attitude to address life’s challenges.
Social Well-being
It is based on the ability to interact and share aspects of life.
Health and illness are influenced by several factors:
- Genetic
- Biological
- Environmental
- Personal
2.
Read MoreCommon Infectious Diseases and Substance Abuse Overview
Common Infectious Diseases
Chickenpox
Agent: Varicella-zoster virus (herpesvirus family).
Symptoms: 14-18 day incubation period, mild fever, rash starting on the trunk, spreading to the face, neck, limbs, and scalp.
Contagion: Direct contact.
Measles
Agent: Paramyxovirus.
Symptoms: 10-12 day incubation period, pre-eruptive photophobia, mouth staining, followed by a skin rash.
Contagion: Direct contact.
Rubella
Agent: Rubella virus.
Symptoms: 1-2 week incubation period, swollen neck glands, cold-like symptoms,
Understanding Infectious and Non-Infectious Diseases
Infectious Diseases
Pandemic
A pandemic is a global outbreak of an infectious disease caused by bacteria or a little-known virus that crosses geographical barriers. Example: The Black Plague.
Epidemic
An epidemic is an infectious disease caused by a bacteria, virus, or other pathogen, usually affecting large, specific regions. Example: Influenza A.
Endemic
An endemic is an infectious disease caused by a virus or bacteria that is consistently present within a specific region. Example: Seasonal influenza.
Read MoreUnderstanding Antibiotics, Cardiovascular Health, and Spanish Health Legislation
Antibiotics
Antibiotics: Chemical substances of biological or synthetic origin that kill bacteria or stop their multiplication. Antivirals stop viruses (or fungi or protozoa) from entering cells or, after their reproduction, prevent them from being released and infecting neighboring cells. Drug resistance arises through mutation, where information changes spontaneously and randomly, altering the ability to survive antibiotic action, or by the exchange of genes between bacterial species or variants.
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