Noninfectious Disease Allergies A specific reaction of the immune system to a foreign and frequently harmless substance. Its estimated that 40 to 50 million Americans suffer from allergies. Allergies The substances that cause allergies are called allergens and may include : Pollen Certain foods Dust Mold spores Chemicals Insect venom Animal dander Certain medicines Allergies Allergens produce the allergic reactions of sneezing and runny nose in the following 4 step process: 1. The allergen enters the body, which treats the allergen as a foreign substance. 2. Antigens on the surface of allergens attach to special immune cells in the lining of the nasal passage 3. These immune cells release histamines, chemicals that can stimulate mucus and fluid production. 4. Histamines cause sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose, and other allergy symptoms. Allergies More serious allergic reactions that can be life threatening include: Severe hives Itching or swelling of an area stung by an insect. Difficulty breathing or swallowing Swelling of the tongue, mouth, or eyes Sharp drop in blood pressure, which can cause dizziness Allergies The simplest way to treat an allergy is to avoid the allergen that causes it. When avoidance is not possible, people with allergies can take antihistamines. Some antihistamines may aggravate other medical conditions, such as heart conditions or lung problems. Allergies Doctors may also give a person with long-lasting or severe allergies a prescription dose of antihistamine, or a single, injectable dose of epinepherine that you carry with you at all times. Asthma An inflammatory condition in which the small airways in the lung become narrowed, causing difficulty breathing. Asthma The bronchial tubes of people with asthma are highly sensitive to certain substances called triggers which may include: Air pollution Pet dander Tobacco smoke Microscopic mold Pollen Dust mites Sometimes an asthma attack may be triggered by exercise. Asthma During an asthma attack, the muscles of the bronchial walls tighten and produce extra mucus. Symptoms may range from minor wheezing to severe difficulty in breathing. Asthma People with asthma are usually under a doctors care and take prescribed medications They can also help themselves with these self-management strategies: 1.Monitor the condition Learn to recognize the warning signs of an attack: shortness of breath, chest tightness or pain, coughing or sneezing Responding quickly can help prevent attacks or keep them from getting worse. Asthma 2.Manage your environment Avoid exposure to tobacco smoke, wash bedding frequently, and be aware of the air quality in your area. 3. Manage stress Stress can trigger an asthma attack. Learn relaxation and stress-management techniques to reduce your risk. 4. Take medication properly Medications help relieve symptoms, flare-ups, and make air passages less sensitive to triggers Asthma Many people take bronchodilators, or inhalers to treat asthma. These devices deliver medicine that relaxes and widens respiratory passages. Diabetes A chronic disease that affects the way the body cells convert food into energy. Its one of the fastest- growing diseases in the U.S. with more than 1 million new cases diagnosed every year. Its the 7 th leading cause of death in the United States. Diabetes In a person with diabetes, the pancreas produces too little or no insulin, a hormone that helps glucose enter the bodys cells. In some diabetics adequate insulin is produced, but cells dont respond normally to it. If glucose is not converted to energy, it builds up in the blood, and cells dont get the glucose they need to function. Diabetes Diabetes can cause: Blindness kidney failure limb amputations heart disease stroke There is no cure for diabetes, but it can be managed with: Medication a healthful diet regular moderate exercise Diabetes Symptoms include: Frequent urination Excessive thirst Unexplained weight loss Sudden changes in vision Tingling in hands and feet Frequent fatigue Sores that are slow to heal More infections than usual Type I Diabetes Accounts for 5-10% of all diabetes cases. Appears suddenly and progresses quickly. The cause is unclear. Some research suggests an environmental trigger (perhaps a virus) that stimulates an immune response, destroying the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. Type I Diabetes Type I diabetes is known as an autoimmune disease, a condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks itself, targeting the cells, tissues, and organs of a persons own body. People must take daily doses of insulin. Type II Diabetes Accounts for 90-95% of all diabetes cases. Onset is gradual and the disease can go undetected for years. It often appears after age 40, but can occur among any age group. It is a metabolic disorder where the body is unable to make enough insulin or use insulin properly. Problems with circulation are common. Type II Diabetes Treatment includes weight management and regular physical activity. Patients must also regulate their diet in order to control their blood sugar levels. In some cases oral medication and insulin injections are needed to manage the disease. Arthritis A group of more than 100 different diseases that cause pain and loss of movement in the joints. It is one of the most common medical problems in the world and the number one cause of disability in the U.S. Arthritis More than 1 in 6 people suffer from the disease, with over 40 million people having arthritis severe enough to require medical care. There is no cure for arthritis, but self- management techniques can reduce pain and improve movement. Osteoarthritis A disease of the joints in which the cartilage, at the ends of bones, break down It is one of the most common types of arthritis, accounting for half of all arthritis cases. It affects about 20 million people in the U.S. and is most common among women and people over the age of 45. Osteoarthritis Cartilage, the strong, flexible tissue that provides cushioning at the joints, become pitted and frayed and may eventually wear away completely causing the bones to rub against each other. Affects mainly the weight- bearing joints of the knees and hips, but can affect any joint causing aches and soreness, especially when moving. Osteoarthritis Some things to do to reduce the risk of osteoarthritis include: Exercise Controlling weight Eating a balanced assortment of foods Preventing & treating sports injuries Protecting against Lyme disease Rheumatoid Arthritis A disease characterized by the debilitating destruction of joints due to inflammation. It affects about 2.5 million people in the U.S. It is three times more common in women than men It is considered an autoimmune disease There is no cure, but can be managed with treatment. Rheumatoid Arthritis Sufferers experience joint pain, inflammation, swelling and stiffness Eventually the joints become deformed and cease to function normally. It can also cause fever, fatigue, and swollen lymph glands Rheumatoid Arthritis It affects any joint in the body The effects are usually symmetrical, where both sides of the body develop the same symptoms at the same time and in the same pattern. Early detection is crucial because with the use of medication, the effects of the disease can be controlled. Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment methods focus on: Relieving pain Reducing inflammation and swelling Keeping the joints moving as normally as possible. Disabilities Disability Any physical or mental impairment that limits normal activities, including seeing, hearing, walking, or speaking. According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau statistics, almost 20% of the adult population has some type of disability. Sight Impairment Worldwide, more than 40 million people are blind. Sight impairment can be moderate, as for the 5 million Americans who have some degree of sight impairment that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses, or it can be severe, as for the 1.3 million people who are legally blind. Although visual impairment is more common among older adults, nearly 1 in 1,000 children has partial vision loss or is legally blind. Causes of Sight Impairment Some causes of blindness include: 1.Complications from diabetes the number one cause of blindness where high blood sugar levels damage the retina. 2.Macular degeneration a disease in which the retina degenerates. It is the leading cause of blindness in people over 55 years old. Causes of Sight Impairment 3. Glaucoma a disease where high pressure in the eye damages the optic nerve. 4. Cataracts a clouding of the lens of the eye due to buildup of calcium. Hearing Impairment Affects about 30 million adults and as many as 2 in every 1000 children. Profound deafness is a hearing loss so severe that a person affected cannot benefit from mechanical amplification, such as a hearing aid. Hearing Impairment Causes include: Heredity Injury Disease Obstructions Nerve damage Hearing impairments caused by nerve damage often occur with age, but can also be the result of repeated exposure to loud noise. This type of hearing loss is gradual. Motor Impairment Results when the bodys range of motion and coordination are affected by an injury. Injuries to the brain or a disorder of the nervous system can also cause motor impairment. Motor Impairment People with motor impairments can adapt to their situations and lead full, active lives with the help from treatment such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and using assistive devices. Mental Challenges Mental Retardation The below-average intellectual ability, usually present from birth or early childhood and associated with difficulties in learning and social adaptation. Affects about 3% of the population (75% of which are only mildly affected and indistinguishable). Mental Challenges Causes include: Injury Disease Brain abnormalities Genetic disorders (Downs syndrome, PKU, Tay-Sachs, Fragile X syndrome) Behaviors during pregnancy. Alcohol or drug poisoning Disease transmission during pregnancy Rubella infection Restricted oxygen supply Stroke, head injury Certain infections (meningitis) Accommodating Differences The Federal government has begun to address difficulties of living in a society that may not meet the needs of people with disabilities. Advocacy efforts have resulted in laws and policies that address discrimination Accommodating Differences These policies are based on the following principles: 1.Public transportation, vehicle and building entrances must be wheelchair accessible Accommodating Differences 2.People should be evaluated on the basis of individual merit, not on stereotyped assumptions about disabilities. 3.People with disabilities, to the extent that each is able, should have the same opportunities as people who do not have disabilities. Acts of Congress Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (1990) A law which prohibits discrimination against people with physical or mental disabilities in the workplace, transportation, public accommodations, and telecommunications. Acts of Congress Workforce Investment Act (1998) A law which ensures that any information or programs posted to a Web site by a government agency must be accessible by those who are disabled.