Common Diseases Explained: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Tumor Diseases and Cancer

In normal tissues, cells divide to produce new cells that replace those that are old or damaged. These old or damaged cells must die to make room for new ones. When this balance is altered, a tumor appears (a disorganized mass of tissue). Most tumors are benign.

Malignant Tumors: Cancer

A malignant tumor is one whose cells can move from the initial tumor site to build new tumors in other parts of the body. Malignant tumor cells have two key characteristics:

• Invasiveness: The ability to penetrate and spread through adjacent tissues.
• Metastasis: The ability to penetrate into lymphatic and blood vessels, move through the blood and lymph, and settle in any part of the body to form a secondary tumor.

Genetics and Cancer

When the DNA of a cell accumulates various mutations, and these mutations affect cell division and the cell's ability to move, they may give rise to a tumor. There is a risk that these mutations appear due to chemicals in tobacco smoke, excessive solar radiation, or some viral infections.

Cancer Treatment

Common approaches to cancer treatment include:

1. Surgery: Involves the removal of the tumor mass.
2. Radiotherapy: The use of radiation to kill cancer cells.
3. Chemotherapy: Involves the administration of drugs that kill cancer cells.
4. Hormone Treatments: Effective in cancers that require the presence of hormones to grow. They consist of the use of drugs that counteract the effects of these hormones.
5. Immunotherapy: The use of agents that enhance the immune system, which is responsible for removing the tumor.

Endocrine, Nutritional, and Metabolic Diseases

These diseases are caused by defective enzymes or hormones involved in metabolism, or by diseases of the endocrine glands or organs involved in metabolism.

Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease caused by a total or partial deficiency of insulin, a hormone that controls the concentration of glucose in the blood. The treatment of diabetes is based on a balanced diet, regular physical exercise, and the use of medication. In some cases, it is related to excessive consumption of calories in the diet and overweight.

Obesity

Excess body fat can be caused by hereditary, endocrine, metabolic, or environmental factors. It occurs when you consume more calories than the body expends. The consequences can include high blood pressure, increased blood cholesterol, diabetes mellitus, myocardial infarction, or stroke.

Cardiovascular Disease

What is Cardiovascular Disease?

These are diseases of the heart and blood vessels. The most common include:

• Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack): Occurs because a portion of the heart muscle's blood supply runs out, usually due to occlusion of the coronary arteries that supply it.
• Stroke: Occurs when blood flow is interrupted to part of the brain, usually because a blood clot blocks a brain artery.

Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease

• Non-modifiable risk factors: Advanced age, male gender, or a history of cardiovascular disease in close relatives.
• Modifiable risk factors: Tobacco consumption, hypertension, diabetes, high blood cholesterol levels, inadequate diet, physical inactivity, obesity, stress, and hormonal contraceptive use.

Respiratory Diseases

• Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Due to narrowing or blockage of the airways, which reduces the volume of exhaled air. The most frequent types include asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.
• Restrictive Lung Disease: Due to loss of elasticity of the lungs, which reduces the total volume of air they can contain.

Mental Diseases

• Schizophrenia: Typically manifests between 15 and 25 years of age. It is a disease in which the patient's reasoning powers and perceptions are significantly distorted. Symptoms may include hallucinations and delusions.