ANSWER THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION QUESTIONS. EACH DISCUSSION QUESTION SHOULD BE AT LEAST 200 WORDS.
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COH 320
Chronic & Communicable Disease
Week 3 – Introduction
Welcome to the week three lecture for COH 320 Chronic and Communicable Disease.
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Week 3 Overview
Cancer
COPD
Asthma
Malaria
This week we are going to cover quite a few chronic and communicable diseases, including cancer, COPD, asthma, and malaria. We are going to talk about risk factors, prevention, and the epidemiology of these diseases.
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According to the National Cancer Institute
“Cancer is the name given to a collection of related diseases. In all types of cancer, some of the body’s cells begin to divide without stopping and spread into surrounding tissues.”
What Is Cancer? (2015). Retrieved February 4, 2018, from National Cancer Institute: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/what-is-cancer
Cancer is a disease, that has likely touched everyone in this class, in one form or another. Like many of the diseases we cover in this course, we could design an entire class around this one disease. During this class, we are going to only scratch the surface of this complex disease.
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Cancer Mortality Worldwide
Women v. Men
Cancers that cause significant mortality in women include:
Breast Cancer – which causes the most deaths worldwide in women
Lung cancer
Gastrointestinal cancers (stomach, liver, esophagus, and pancreas)
Malignancies of the genitourinary tract (uterine, cervix and ovaries)
Cancers that cause significant mortality in men include:
Lung cancer and other malignancies of the respiratory tract.
Malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract (stomach, liver, esophagus, colon/rectum, pancreas, an oral cavity).
When we use the term cancer, we are referring to a group of related diseases. This week we discuss the global epidemiology of cancer, comparing the mortality rates in developing versus developed nations; we will learn about cancer mortality specifically in the United States; and how cancer mortality differs between men and women.
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Cancer Prevention
Primary
Secondary
Tertiary
Abstinence from smoking & tobacco
Exercising regularly
Limiting alcohol intake
Healthy diet
Maintaining a healthy body weight
Avoiding exposure to sunlight & other sources of radiation
Regular cancer screenings (mammograms, Pap tests, endoscopies, colonoscopy).
Population screening programs
Early detection programs
Regular physical exams
Goal: Improving the quality of life among individuals diagnosed with cancer.
Compliance with treatment regimens.
Smoking cessation
Improved diet
Maintaining an optimum weight
Prevention of Disease
We will also discuss risk factors associated with cancer; as well as learn about primary, secondary and tertiary cancer prevention.
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Asthma
Pulmonary disease
Usually presents in childhood/adolescence
Risk Factors include genetic/familial predisposition coupled with environmental factors.
Symptoms include difficulty breathing, wheezing and coughing, and shortness of breath
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Inflammatory disease which causes obstructed airflow from the lungs.
Primary prevention includes complete abstinence from tobacco use.
Mortality rates in the US and UK are changing with the mortality in men declining and rates of mortality increasing in women.
Asthma & COPD
We will then turn to learning about the epidemiology of both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition to discussing risk factors and prevention of these diseases, we will discuss how air pollution increases the risk of developing COPD; and cover the spectrum of disease as it relates to asthma. We will then turn to learning about the epidemiology of both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition to discussing risk factors and prevention of these diseases, we will discuss how air pollution increases the risk of developing COPD; and cover the spectrum of disease as it relates to asthma.
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MALARIA
CDC definition:
“Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease caused by a parasite that commonly infects a certain type of mosquito which feeds on humans. People who get malaria are typically very sick with high fevers, shaking chills, and flu-like illness.”
Maria (2017). Retrieved from February 4, 2018, from CDC Global Health – Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria: https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/faqs.html#
Malaria will be introduced and discussed. Malaria is a zoonotic infectious disease, which is transmitted to humans by a species of mosquitoes called the Anopheles. The disease itself, is caused by a microscopic worm, which the Anopheles mosquito carries in it’s saliva.
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Malaria Facts
Malaria is preventable and curable.
Common is tropical and subtropical parts of the world (Central America, Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa).
When traveling to these countries preventive medicine is recommended.
The medication used to prevent malaria are the same that are used to treat it.
Many malaria parasites have become immune to the more common medication used to treat malaria.
Risk factor: The biggest risk factor associated with malaria is traveling to a part of the world where this disease is commonly found.
We will cover the epidemiology of malaria and the history of this disease, whose symptoms were accurately described in ancient Chinese medical writings as far back as 2700 BC.
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Prevention
Vector control
Mosquito nets
IRS – Indoor Residual Spraying of insecticides.
Take preventative medication before, during, and after traveling.
Prevent mosquito bites
Protective clothing
Use insect repellent
Sleep/stay in screened areas
Control
Early diagnosis and treatment
Identification of high risk groups
Children < 5 years old
Pregnant Women
Individuals with HIV/AIDS
Non-immune travelers
Surveillance
Elimination
Malaria Prevention & Control
We will then turn to cover the global burden of Malaria, learn about prevention, surveillance, and control of this disease.
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I've decided to be happy because it's good for my health.
― Voltaire
As you can see, we have a lot to cover this week! Reach out to your instructor with any questions and have a happy and healthy week!
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