Understanding Non-Infectious Diseases: Types & Causes

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Written at March 25, 2025 on English with a size of 3.61 KB.

Non-Infectious Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases affect the heart and blood vessels, and their incidence is higher in adults and the elderly.

Atherosclerosis: An enlargement of the walls of the arteries due to the deposition of cholesterol, platelets, and fibrous tissue. The arteries can become calcified and hardened, resulting in a loss of elasticity.
Thrombus: A blood clot that occurs in an artery or vein, leading to its obstruction (thrombosis). When the clot forms in a vein, it can be released and easily move to another place (embolism).
Aneurysm: A weakening of the arterial wall, which promotes dilation of the artery. This can rupture and form a hemorrhage.
Stroke: Interruption of blood supply to the brain.
Coronary Artery Disease: Narrowing or blockage of the arteries that supply the myocardium, resulting in reduced blood flow (cardiac ischemia). If severe, this can lead to a heart attack or myocardial infarction. Angina is a milder form of heart disease.

Cancer arises as a result of a loss of control over the process of cell division, which is regulated by specific genes:

Proto-oncogenes: Genes that stimulate cell division. Their mutation transforms them into oncogenes, inducing uncontrolled cell division and tumor formation.
Tumor Suppressor Genes: Inhibit cell division and can activate the cell death process (apoptosis) when cells have been irreversibly damaged.

Oncogene - Hyperplasia - Dysplasia - Neoplasia - Metastasis

Immunodeficiency: Congenital or acquired conditions where the immune system fails to perform its functions adequately.
Autoimmunity: Conditions where the immune system attacks the body's own tissues (e.g., multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Addison's disease, type I diabetes).
Hypersensitivity: Exaggerated immune responses (allergies), ranging from localized and mild (e.g., allergic rhinitis or asthma) to severe (e.g., anaphylactic shock).

Eating disorders are alterations of eating habits that can have very negative consequences for the person.

Obesity: Increased body weight due to fat accumulation.
Type II Diabetes: A chronic disease whose main symptom is hyperglycemia due to insulin deficiency.
Anorexia Nervosa: The continuing loss of appetite for food, leading to severe malnutrition that can cause death.
Bulimia: Alternation of excessive ingestion of food with elimination through induced vomiting.

Examples include Huntington's disease, hemophilia, muscular dystrophy, and Down syndrome.

Schizophrenia: A personality disorder where the individual loses a sense of reality, and thinking becomes disorganized.
Anxiety Disorders: States of disproportionate concern.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Characterized by impulsive behavior and excessive activity.

Osteoporosis: Bone loss.
Alzheimer's Disease: A degenerative process of neurons resulting in progressive loss of memory and other mental faculties.

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