12 2 Promoting Healthy Systems Healthy lifestyle choices

12. 2 Promoting Healthy Systems

Healthy lifestyle choices • One of the best defenses again disease is to have a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, a good diet, sleep and avoiding toxic substances such as cigarette smoke

Common Respiratory Disorders • Colds – Result of viral infection – Sometimes accompanied by sinusitis • Sinusitis – Can also be caused by bacteria – Symptoms include stuffy/runny nose swelling around the eyes and cheekbones, sense of pressure • Lack of sleep, allergies, stress, diet, exposure to smoke can reduce your ability to resist being infected by colds or sinusitis

Common Respiratory Disorders • Influenza, commonly called the ‘flu’ – Common viral infection of the upper respiratory system • Pneumonia – Can result from a viral (flu) or bacterial infection of the lungs • Also fungi and parasites – The alveoli fill with fluid which prevents gas exchange

Common Respiratory Disorders • Asthma is a chronic disorder of the bronchi and bronchioles – They become narrower which restricts air flow • Can be life threatening • There are many environmental triggers • Treatment usually include a ‘puffer’ that contains a bronchodilator (a steroid)

Common Respiratory Disorders • Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi that produces excess mucus resulting in coughing and difficulty breathing – There are many environmental triggers – May last for years • Makes the heart work harder to supply the body with adequate amounts of oxygen

Common Respiratory Disorders • Emphysema mean to ‘puff up’ in Greek – Refers to “overinflated lungs” – The cilia become damaged and can’t adequately clear the bronchioles which become clogged – Air pressure build up which eventually tears the alveoli apart reducing the surface area for gas exchange • Caused by exposure to smoke and workplace chemical hazards

Common Respiratory Disorders • Chromic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) – Occurs when chronic bronchitis and emphysema occur together – Treatment includes and increased oxygen supply and medication – If untreated can lead to respiratory failure

Common Respiratory Disorders • Cystic Fibrosis is a fatal genetic disease – Abnormally thick mucus is produced in the lungs and digestive systems • Mucus is difficult to dislodge – 1 in 3600 children in Canada are born with this – In 1989 Lap-Chee Tsui (U of T and Sick Kids) identified the gene • Research is ongoing for a cure

Common Respiratory Disorders • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) – Caused by a corona virus this disease causes a serious pneumonia like illness • Breathing becomes difficult and is often fatal

Common Respiratory Disorders • Lung Cancer – 85% of these are linked to smoking – Uncontrolled growth of cells results in tumours – Can be treated by surgery, radiation and chemotherapy and possibly transplant*

Smoking • Cigarette smoke contains small carbon particles that are coated with toxic chemicals – Over time this creates a thick tar like coating on the cilia so they no longer work • “smoker’s cough” is the result of trying to clear the mucus because the cilia don’t work – The contact of toxic chemicals with the cells of the lungs cause mutations to those cells creating malignant tumours • These often metastasize and cause cancer in other parts of the boy

Smoking • Research has shown that exposure to second hand smoke can be as dangerous as smoking • There are huge benefits to stopping : – Within 8 hours • Carbon monoxide levels drop • Oxygen levels increase to normal – Within 48 hours • Your chances of having a heart attack start to go down • Your sense of smell and taste improve

Smoking • There are huge benefits to stopping : – Within 72 hours • Your bronchial tubes relax and make breathing easier • Your lung capacity increases – Within 2 weeks to 3 months • Your blood circulation improves • Your lung function increases by 30% – Within 6 months • Your coughing, tiredness and shortness of breath improves

Smoking • There are huge benefits to stopping : – Within 1 year • Your risk of smoking related heart attack is cut in half – Within 10 years • Your risk of dying from lung cancer is cut in half – Within 15 years • Your risk of dying from a heart attack is the same as a person who never smoked.

Diabetes • This is a group of diseases where a high level of blood glucose build up as the result of problems with insulin secretion, insulin action or both – Discovered by Banting and Best in 1921 (U of T) – Insulin is a hormone that makes cells permeable to glucose (blood sugar) • Since cells are always undergoing cellular respiration there is a constant need for blood sugar

Diabetes • An inability to take glucose into the cells results in fatigue – Long term effects can include kidney problems, blindness, heart disease, poor circulation resulting in amputation etc. • Type 1 Diabetes – Caused when the pancreas is damaged – Can not be prevents but can be controlled

Diabetes • Type 2 Diabetes – Body cells do not respond properly to insulin – The incidence of this type is increasing at an alarming rate • Linked to obesity, sedentary lifestyle

Diabetes • Treatment of diabetes is synthetic insulin injections, close monitoring of blood glucose levels, increased physical activity and a better diet

Reducing the risk of Type 2 • • • Don’t smoke Have an active lifestyle Maintain a healthy weight Limit intake of fat and sugar Keep cholesterol and blood fats within recommended levels • Maintain normal blood pressure • Eat regular balanced meals