Coronary artery disease is caused by plaque buildup in the arteries leading to the heart, restricting blood flow and oxygen. Over time, this lack of blood flow causes symptoms and can lead to heart attack. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder causing thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and pancreas, resulting in lung infections and digestion problems. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or use it properly, preventing blood glucose from fueling cells and causing damage to nerves, blood vessels, and organs. Muscular dystrophy is a genetic disorder where muscles gradually weaken due to missing or faulty proteins, impairing movement and potentially impacting breathing and the heart.
1. Disease
Name
Coronary
Artery
Disease
Cystic
Fibrosis
Diabetes
(Type 2)
Muscular
Dystrophy
Description
Coronary artery disease, also called heart disease, is a result of plaque (cholesterol
deposits) buildup in coronary arteries which leads to blockages. The arteries, which
start out smooth and elastic, become narrow and rigid, restricting blood flow to the
heart. The heart becomes starved of oxygen and the vital nutrients it needs to pump
properly. Eventually, the decreased blood flow may cause chest pain, shortness of
breath, or other coronary artery disease signs and symptoms. A complete blockage
can cause a heart attack.
Because coronary artery disease often develops over decades, it can go virtually
unnoticed until you have a heart attack.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by a defective gene which causes the body to produce
abnormally thick and sticky fluid, called mucus. This mucus builds up in the
breathing passages of the lungs and in the pancreas, the organ that helps to break
down and absorb food. This collection of sticky mucus results in life-threatening
lung infections and serious digestion problems. The disease may also affect the
sweat glands and a man's reproductive system. Over time, the symptoms of cystic
fibrosis can worsen and may include pancreatitis, a painful inflammation of the
pancreas, liver disease, or diabetes
In patients with type 2 diabetes, the pancreas does not make enough insulin (the
hormone that regulates glucose in the blood) or the body cannot use the insulin well
enough. (called insulin resistance). When there isn't enough insulin or the insulin is
not used as it should be, glucose (sugar) can't get into the body's cells so they can
function properly. Then, glucose builds up in the blood which causes additional
health complications such as nerve and blood vessel damage in the eyes, kidneys,
and heart, dehydration due to increased urination, and kidney failure due to
overworked kidneys filtering glucose from the blood. Patients with diabetes
continue to feel hungry even when they've eaten because their cells are not getting
the glucose they need for energy. This also explains why they are so fatigued.
Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a genetic disorder that gradually weakens the body's
muscles. It is caused by incorrect or missing genetic information which prevents the
body from making the proteins necessary for strong and healthy muscles. A patient
who is diagnosed with MD gradually loses the ability to do things like walk, sit
upright, breathe normally, and move the arms and hands. This increasing weakness
can lead to further health complications such as skeletal deformities, loss of range of
motion in the joints (where bones connect), respiratory failure (by weakening
muscles associated w/ breathing) , or heart failure.
Osteoporosis Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones. Bone is living tissue, which is constantly
being absorbed and replaced. Osteoporosis occurs when the creation of new bone
doesn't keep up with the removal of old bone. As a result, bones become weak
and may break from a minor fall or, in serious cases, even from simple actions, like
sneezing or bumping into furniture. Osteoporosis is most common in Caucasian
women over 50, however other factors such as smoking, drinking, poor diet, lack of
exercise, small body frame, and genetics can increase the risk of suffering from this
2. Parkinson's
Disease
Pneumonia
disease.
Parkinson's disease is a disorder of the nervous system caused by the breakdown of
nerve cells in the part of the brain that controls movement. It develops gradually,
sometimes starting with a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. But while
tremor may be the most well-known sign of Parkinson's disease, the disorder also
commonly causes stiffness or slowing of movement. The same brain changes in that
cause stiffness and slow movement also affect the muscles involved in swallowing
and in pushing food through the digestive system
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that is caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or
parasites. It is characterized primarily by inflammation of the alveoli or fluid filled
alveoli (microscopic sacs in the lungs that absorb oxygen). At times a very serious
condition, pneumonia can make a person very sick or even cause death. If bacteria
from the lungs enters the bloodstream, it can spread the infection to other organs,
potentially causing organ failure. Symptoms include fever, cough with thick green
or rust-colored mucus, and chest pain, especially when deep breathing.