Chapter 23- Chronic Diseases & Disabilities
Chronic diseases- diseases that persist for a long period or recur throughout life
Cardiovascular diseases- diseases of the heart and blood vessels
Stroke- a sudden disruption of blood flow to part of the brain
Cerebral hemorrhage- a burst artery that is located in the cerebrum
Aneurysm- a blood-filled weak spot that balloons out from the artery wall
Cancer- a group of diseases that involves the rapid, uncontrolled growth and spread of
abnormal cells
Tumor- cancer cells that form a mass of tissue
Malignant- a cancerous tumor
Metastasis- the spread of cancer from where it first develops to other parts of the body
Oncogene- a normal gene that has changed into a into a cancer causing gene
Carcinogens- cancer causing agents
C- change in bowel or bladder habits
A- a sore that does not heal
U- unusual discharge or bleeding
T- thickening or lump in the breast or elsewhere
I- indigestion or difficulty in swallowing
O- obvious change in a wart or mole
N- nagging cough or hoarseness
Biopsy- removing a small piece of tissue in question
Treatments:
Surgery- can remove part or all of a malignant tumor
Radiation- can kill cancer cells and slow tumor growth
Chemotherapy- drugs used to slow the reproduction of cancer cells
Prevention
* Don’t use tobacco
* Avoid alcohol
* Respect the sun’s ultraviolet rays
* Exercise regularly
Diabetes- a disease in which the body’s ability to use glucose is impaired
Insulin- a hormone that is produced by the pancreas
Type 1 Diabetes- insulin dependent (produces little or no insulin)
Symptoms
* thirst
* frequent urination
* nausea
* hunger, fatigue, weight loss
Type 2 Diabetes- noninsulin-dependent; produce sufficient insulin, but their body cells
do not respond normally to insulin
Additional symptoms
* drowsiness
* itching
* blurred vision
*numbness in hands & feet
Disability- any physical or mental impairment that limits or reduces normal activities
3 Most Common Physical Disabilities
* impaired vision
* impaired hearing
* impaired mobility
Vision-Impaired Person/Interaction
*speak right away so they know you are there
*do not grab the person
*ask for permission before touching or talking to a guide dog
*describe where things are and who is present
Impaired Hearing/Interaction
*touch the person gently to gain attention
*have the person look directly at you- do not shout
*speak slowing and clearly and be sure your mouth is visible to the person (lip reading)
*use sign language if both of you know it.
Impaired Mobility/Interaction
*be patient
*move only as quickly as the person can keep pace
*be ready to give assistance if asked
*sit down if the person is seated
Americans With Disabilities Act- guarantees the civil rights of Americans who have physical
or mental disabilities. This law guarantees that people with disabilities have access to
the same employment opportunities, public services, public transportation, public
accommodations, and communications capabilities as everyone else.