Noninfectious Diseases

1. A genetic disease is caused entirely or partly by genetic information passed on to a child from one or both parents (example = Downs syndrome) A congenital disease is present at birth, but is not a genetic disease (example = Cerebral Palsy or Spina Bifida)

2. A noninfectious disease is a disease or disorder that is not caused by a virus or living organism. Lifestyle choices can cause or trigger some noninfectious diseases, especially… Smoking, which causes lung cancer and other breathing problems like emphysema Unhealthy eating habits, which cause obesity and heart disease Stress and lack of exercise, which trigger high blood pressure, heart attacks, stroke

3. You can often prevent noninfectious diseases by eating a healthy diet, regular exercise, avoiding tobacco, alcohol and other drugs and dealing with stress. 4. Some noninfectious diseases need a lifetime of treatment. – Type 2 Diabetes – healthy diet and exercise – Type 1 Diabetes – daily medication (insulin) – Asthma – medication, avoiding allergens – Arthritis – medication, massages, hydrotherapy – High blood pressure – medication, healthy diet, avoiding stressful situations

5. Some noninfectious diseases can be cured by surgery or radiation and chemotherapy. Lance Armstrong survived stage 4 testicular cancer and went on to be a world class athlete

What is the difference between prevention, treatment and cures? If you met someone who was in a wheelchair because of a disease, how would you treat them?