COMMON NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

What are the different types of non-communicable diseases?

1. ALLERGY- is synonymous to hypersensitivity, which refers to an exaggerated response to an

antibody-forming substance or antigen.

a. Responses may be triggered through food intake, vaccines or blood transfusion, insect
sting, skin contact, or through nasal by smell.
b. Allergies are not contagious.
c. Symptoms of allergies include swelling of the mucus membrane, redness and itching of
the eyes, impaired hearing, rashes and headaches.

2. ASTHMA- is a chronic condition in which breathing becomes difficult.

a. Common asthma triggers are dust and mold, pollen, cold air, weather change, sinus
infections, stress, and certain foods.
b. How can we manage asthma?
 Do not inhale paint fumes, insecticides and cleaning products.
 Avoid products sold in aerosol cans.
 Drink at least six to eight glasses of water a day.
 Avoid stressful situations and do not exercise too hard.
 Do not smoke or avoid secondhand smoke.
 Take all prescribed medications and filled stomach.
 Do not go outside in extremely cold weather.

3. CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE – is a disease of the heart and blood vessels. This disease is the
leading cause of mortality in the Philippines.

What are the types of cardiovascular diseases?

a. Coronary heart disease occurs when coronary arteries are narrowed or blocked
by waxy substance referred to as plaque.
b. Heart Attack is the death of heart muscle due to the lack of blood flow to the heart.
c. Angina Pectoris is the chest pain resulting from narrowed coronary arteries
because the heart gets inadequate quantity of oxygen. Angina attack usually lasts
less than five minutes.
d. Rheumatic Fever is when the immune system attacks the heart and causes fever,
weakness and damage to the valves in the heart.
e. Heart Rhythm Abnormalities or Arrhythmia is the condition when heartbeat is
not in rhythm. The heart may beat fast or slow without having obvious reasons.
f. Congestive Heart Failure happens when the heart is not able or is below the
normal capacity to pump blood causing liquid to accumulate in the lungs and other
areas of the body.
g. Stoke also known as cerebrovascular accident, occurs when blood vessels in the
brain are broken or blocked. Blood cells, which are supported by the blocked artery,
will not receive oxygen and will die in minutes. The affected part of the brain cells
including the part of the body it controls will not work. The most common cause of
stroke is blood clot in the artery of the brain, which causes aneurysm, a weakened
part of the blood vessels. When one aneurysm bursts, it may result to stroke.

What are the ways of reducing risk of cardiovascular diseases?

 Maintain a healthy blood cholesterol level and choose a heart-friendly diet.
 Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke.
 Maintain a healthy blood pressure.
 Maintain a normal body weight.
 Participate in regular physical activities.
4. CANCER – is a group of diseases in which cells divide in an uncontrolled pace.

a. Cancer is not contagious and is not caused by injuries or accidents. Anyone can have
cancer.
b. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in male or female, seconded by prostate
cancer for male and breast cancer for female. Lung cancer is the leading cause of death for male and
female.
c. Abnormally dividing cells can form a tumor, an abnormal growth of the tissue, which can
be benign or malignant. A biopsy or microscopic examination of the tissue is done to determine if a
tumor is benign or malignant.

What is the difference between malignant and benign tumor?

 Malignant is cancerous. Malignant tumors can spread infection and destruction of
nearby tissues and other body parts. This is called metastasis.
 Benign is not cancerous. Benign tumors may increase in size but do not infect other
body parts. They are typically harmless unless they are in a position where they
block normal tissues or organs.

What are the major categories of cancer?

a. Carcinoma is the most common form of cancer. It is a malignant tumor that
develops from epithelial tissue and tends to spread to other areas of the body.
Epithelial cells line the entire surface of the body and the body organs. Cancers of
the skin, uterus, prostate, lung, stomach, colon and rectum are examples of
carcinoma.
b. Sarcomas are connective or supportive cancers, which develop in the muscle, bone,
fat, blood vessels and cartilage.
c. Lymphomas are cancers arising in cells of the lymphatic tissues or the immune
system tissues. They are characterized by an abnormal production of white cells and
decrease in resistance.
d. Leukemia is a cancer of the blood or bone marrow. It is characterized by an
abnormal proliferation or production of blood cells, usually leukocytes or white
blood cells.

What are the ways to treat cancer?

 Radiation Therapy – uses high-energy radiation to kill or damage cancer cells. This
treatment is usually performed using radiation-generating machines.
 Chemotherapy – treatment using anti-cancer drugs which kill cancer inside the
body. Anti-cancer drugs target mainly cancer cells although they may harm healthy
cells as well.
 Immunotherapy – treatment where the immune system is stimulated to fight
cancer cells.

How can you reduce the risk of cancer?

 Identify the signs and symptoms of cancer.
 Have a regular check-ups
 Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke.
 Avoid too much sun exposure.
 Eat your fruits and vegetables.
 Observe the meat you eat.
 Exercise and have the right weight.
 Be aware of family history of cancer.
 Avoid drinking alcohol.
 Avoid being exposed to dangerous chemicals and airborne fibers.

5. DIABETES or DIABETES MELLITUS – a disease in which the body produces little or no insulin.
This happens when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or produces insulin but does not
help cells breakdown sugar. This results in too much sugar or glucose in the bloodstream. Diabetes
cannot be cured but can be controlled.
 How can we reduce the risk of diabetes?
 Get more physical activities.
 Include fiber and whole grains in your diet.
 Lose the extra weight.
 Make healthier food choices.

6. ARTHRITIS – is a painful inflammation of joints that affects the muscles, tendons and ligaments
surrounding the joints.

How is arthritis managed and treated?

 Perform physical exercises that help in strengthening the muscles around the joints.
 Lose and keep a healthy weight.
 Take medicines, like aspirin and some prescription medicines, that will help
alleviate the pain and pother symptoms.
 Take hot baths that can help reduce swelling and pain.

7. RENAL FAILURE – also known as kidney failure is a condition where the kidney stops to
function properly, causing renal insufficiency. The kidneys remove the waste-products from blood
and help regulate blood pressure, balance electrolytes and red-blood cell production of the body.

What are some symptoms of kidney failure?

a. Changes in urination.
b. Swelling in legs, ankles, feet, face or hands.
c. Extreme skin rashes and itching.
d. Nausea and vomiting.
e. Shortness of breath, feeling cold, dizziness and concentration problems brought
about by anemia related to kidney failure.

MYTHS AND FALLACIES

MYTHS AND FALLACIES FACT

“I’m too young to worry about
heart disease.”
Lifestyle during childhood and adolescence affects risk for
cardiovascular diseases in later life. Plaque may start
accumulating during early stages of life and may lead to clogged
arteries. Now that obesity, type 2 diabetes and other risk
factors are more common at younger age, heart problems can
also develop early.

A diabetes diagnosis means you Some cases of type 2 diabetes need proper diet, exercise, and
automatically need insulin. oral medications in order to keep it under control until insulin
becomes a necessity.

Eating too much sugar causes In type 2 diabetes the body doesn’t respond normally to insulin
diabetes. and is caused by genetic and lifestyle factors. Although
excessive sugar intake can lead to weight gain and increased
chances of developing the disease.

Only women get breast cancer. Men having breast tissue can also develop breast cancer.