Diseases notes - Diseases influenced by lifestyle and genetics

Diseases influenced by lifestyle

Lifestyle can affect human health. Specific risk factors are associated with various diseases: 

• Exercise
• Stress
• Diet : Salt - fat - malnutrition

Atheroma can be caused by excessive fat (LDLs) in the diet which affects arteries and blood flow.  Lactose intolerance can be brought about by reduced exposure to milk in the diet because the production of lactase decreases over time. Exposure to other diseases like coeliac disease can increase the likelihood of contracting the condition. 

• Smoking

Emphysema can be caused by smoking and affects lung function.Asthma can be caused by numerous allergens such as dust or smoking and this affects lung function .

Thrombosis, Aneurysms and Conorary heart disease can all be exacerbated by smoking and high cholesterol. Thrombosis is the formation of a clot in a blood bessel which blocks the blood flow in/ leading to a an organ or tissue. Coronary heart disease is the formation of plaques on the walls of the coronary arteries hat supply the muscle of the heart and this can limit the blood flow to the heart. If they are dislodged then this can result in myocardial infarction. This is when the blood supply to the heart is interrupted. Aneurysms are the localised swelling of a blood vessel, which can rupture causing internal bleeding or death. 

• Alchohol consumption
• Exposure to car fumes - pollution - coal dust - radiation - asbestos. 

Fibrosis of the lungs can be caused by coal dust and effects lung function. 

Changes to aspects of your lifestyle may also be associated with reduced risk of contracting these conditions. 

Diseases influenced by genetic factors

Some diseases are caused by errors in the DN A, although the onset of these could be exacerbated by lifestyle. 

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