MPU2313/MPU3313

TOPIC 6
PREVENTING DISEASES

Learning Outcomes
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Importance of disease prevention

Risk factors, signs & symptoms, & prevention
of cardiovascular disease
Types, risk factors, signs & symptoms, &
prevention of cancer
Causes, classification, risk factors &
prevention of diabetes mellitus
Risk factors & prevention of osteoporosis
Causes, signs & symptoms, risk factors &
prevention of kidney disease

Introduction
Non-communicable diseases due
to lifestyle choices. E.g.:
Heart diseases
Cancer
Diabetes mellitus
Osteoporosis
Kidney diseases
Others???

1. IMPORTANCE OF DISEASE PREVENTION

Promote health & wellness

Improve life expectancy

Raise health standards through lifestyle

changes
Most non-communicable diseases attributed to
lifestyle choices
Unhealthy lifestyles have long term effects on
body
Empower people with knowledge & skills to
modify lifestyles & take active roles

2. CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES
A variety of ailments associated with

malfunctioning within the heart & blood

circulation in the body, e.g.
- Coronary heart diseases (CHD)
- Hypertension
- Stroke
Caused by :
rheumatic heart disease & valvular h.d.
congenital anomalies

2.1 Understanding the Heart

A muscular organ about the size of fist and is
located at the centre of the chest, behind the
sternal bone

2.2 Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)

o Pumps about 70 times/ min

o Coronary arteries supply oxygenated
blood to heart muscles
o CHD hearts blood supply is reduced/
blocked by plague (fats/ tar) within
coronary artery wall atherosclerosis
heart attack (chest pain)
o minor h.a.= angina pectoris
o full-blown h.a. = myocardial infarction

2.3 Risk Factors of CHD

What factors trigger a heart attack?
Smoking

Diabetes mellitus
Hypertension
High blood cholesterol
Obesity
Excessive and prolonged stress

2.4 Seriousness of CHD

o Main cause of death in Malaysia
o 25% of all fatalities in hospitals in 2013
o Top 5 reasons for hospital admission
o In US : 1 in 4 deaths every year

o In UK : 1 in 6 men & 1 in 10 women

o In Msia : ranked 33 in the world, 80% male

2.5 Signs &Symptoms of CHD

Radiation of pain over left arm, neck, jaw,

shoulder or stomach
Tightness over chest
Breathlessness
Heart palpitations
Excessive sweating
Feeling lightheaded or fainting
Nausea

2.6 Preventing CHD

Link to lifestyle choices:
Keep blood pressure under control

Keep blood sugar under control

Manage stress
Take a healthy, well balanced diet
Be physically active & regular exercise
Maintain a normal, healthy body weight

Refraining from smoking, recreational drugs & alcohol

Take any prescribed medicines regularly
Have a positive outlook in life

3. UNDERSTANDING CANCER
o A fatal disease with no cure so far
o Afflict all ages, gender, ethnic origins &

S.E.S.
o Even in children, eg. Leukemia, bone
cancers
o 4th cause of death in Malaysia

3.1 What is Cancer?

A condition where cells in a specific part of

the body begin to grow at an abnormal and

uncontrollable rate tumour formation
Tumours = abnormal masses of tissue cells
that have grown & multiplied rapidly
Can be benign / malignant

Differences between Benign & Malignant Tumours

Benign Tumours
Non-life threatening growth
Localized
Can enlarge & obstruct blood &
lymphatic circulation or other body
functions

Malignant Tumours
Spread rapidly to other parts metastasis
Can infiltrate nearby cells & destroy blood
vessels, organs, nerves & lymphatic system
Severity classified by differentiation level &
advanced stage of cell growth

3.2 Common Types of Cancer

According to tissue type:

Cancer Type
Carcinomas
Sarcomas
Lymphomas
Leukemia

Description
Originated in epithelial tissue
In fibrous & connective tissue
In lymphatic system
Affect leucocytes

According to breeding organ:

- lung cancer, breast c, prostate c,

bowel c, brain c

3.3 Risk Factors for Cancer

Risk Factor

Description

Lifestyle choices

Diet type, smoking, stress, obesity

Environmental
exposure to
carcinogens

Asbestos, tobacco, alcohol, radiation,

carbon emission, petroleum by-products,
toxic chemicals, certain dyes, food
preservatives, ultraviolet light

Viruses

Herpes II, hepatitis B, HIV, Epstein Barr

Chronic irritation

Tobacco chewing inner linings of mouth

Genetics

Presence of oncogenes predispose to

cancer growths

3.4 Signs and Symptoms of Cancer

Sudden unexplained weight loss
Lumps in breasts or other body parts
Bleeding in between menstrual periods, blood in the

urine, cough or vomiting

Chronic cough, persistent, dull, aching pain over a
body part, mild fever & breathlessness
Changes in bowel habits such as blood in the stools,
diarrhoea or constipation for no apparent reason
Moles that are growing >7mm in diameter, irregular
shape & size, itchy, crusting or bleeding

3.5 Prevention Strategies for Cancer

= Recognition of potential cancer causing hazards & taking
affirmative action to avoid prolonged exposure to
carcinogens from the food source & other environmental
hazards

Prevention strategies:
Improve lifestyle behaviours
Practise responsible consumerism
Become an active advocate for your health

4. UNDERSTANDING DIABETES MELLITUS

= An endocrine disorder perpetuated by irregularity of
insulin production or its physiologic action in the body
Insulin = hormone produced by pancreas to enable

glucose in blood stream to enter body cells for energy

production
Insufficient insulin high blood sugar =
hyperglycaemia
Excessive insulin low blood sugar = hypoglycaemia

4. 1 Causes of Diabetes Mellitus

4. 2 Classification of Diabetes Mellitus

Types of Diabetes Mellitus

Type I

Type II
Gestational

Description

Insulin-dependent, juvenile
onset
Non-insulin dependent, adult
onset. Most common
During pregnancy period,
resolves when pregnancy is over

4. 3 Risk Factors of Diabetes Mellitus

Obesity & physical inactivity
High fasting blood sugar levels
Advancing age
Genetic predisposition
Ethnicity
Which risk factors above are modifiable and which are nonmodifiable?

4. 4 Prevention of Diabetes Mellitus

No known cure
Through recognition & control of its trigger factors:
Maintaining ideal body weight
Engaging in a regular programme of aerobic fitness

exercises
Maintaining a normal level of blood glucose
Early recognition of the warning signs of diabetes

5. OSTEOPOROSIS
A condition in which the bones weaken & become

fragile as a result of low mineral content usually

due to progressive aging
Risk of fracture & delayed healing
Women higher risk after menopause (no estrogen)

5. 1 Risk Factors for Osteoporosis

Genetics
Body frame size

Gender
Race
Advancing age

Reduced peak bone mass

Low estrogen & testosterone levels
Physical inactivity

Inadequate dietary calcium intake

Smoking
Alcohol consumption

5. 2 Prevention Strategies for Osteoporosis

Increased physical activity
Taking dietary calcium supplements as

required
Being wary of over exercising
Controlling alcohol consumption
Quit smoking

6. KIDNEY DISEASE
8th most common cause for hospital admission.
Functions of kidney:
Cleanse blood by removing waste & excess fluids
Maintain balance of salts & minerals in the blood
Help regulate blood pressure
Produce hormone erythropoietin which stimulates red blood cell
production
Produce a form of vitamin D for bone health
Sudden loss of kidney function acute kidney failure /acute kidney injury
due to:
Lack of blood flow to the kidneys
Direct damage to the kidney tissue
Blockage of urine flow from the kidneys

6. 1 Common Causes of Kidney Disease

o Traumatic injury to kidney tissue
o Severe, prolonged dehydration

o Damage to kidneys due to shock during severe sepsis

o Obstruction of urine flow
o Damage from certain nephrotoxic drugs or poisons

o Complications related to pregnancy such as eclampsia

6. 2 Signs and Symptoms of Kidney Disease

Decreased urine output
Fluid retention causing swelling in legs, ankle & feet

Drowsiness
Shortness of breath
Chronic fatigue

Confusion
Nausea
Seizures or coma in severe cases
Chest pain or pressure

6. 3 Risk Factors for Kidney Disease

Diabetes
High blood pressure

Cardiovascular diseases
Family history of kidney disease
Infections

Nephrotoxic drugs and chemicals

6. 4 Prevention of Kidney Disease

Healthy lifestyle
Regular medical check-ups to screen for kidney damage
Manage diabetes, hypertension or heart disease

Take prescribed medicines regularly & accordingly on time

Eat foods that are free from toxic chemicals, fresh foods & green vegetables
Adequate hydration with clear fluids
Control salt, potassium-rich foods & sugar intake

Limit alcohol consumption

Be physically active
Keep weight at ideal levels
Quit smoking
Keep cholesterol levels within normal range

MPU2313/MPU3313

TOPIC 6
PREVENTING DISEASES

THANK YOU
P R E PA R E D B Y
MDM KOK MONG LIN