 Non- communicable diseases (chronic diseases)

Non communicable diseases start slowly & develop over a period of years some of
the infectious disease may become chronic they are impairment from normal with
one or more of the following characteristics:
 Being permanent
 Leave residual disability
 Caused by an irreversible pathological alteration
 Require long period of medical supervision & care
 Prevalence
 More prevalence in the older group. Causes & predisposing factors are unknown. By
studies show risk factors.
 Genetic factor: one cause of transferring of chronic disease e.g. Diabetes &
glaucoma.
 Familial & life- style: Tend to occur in families e.g. hypertension & cancer.
 Premature birth: increasing risk of congenital defects both physical & mental.
 Injury at birth: causes permanent damage to infants e.g. cerebral palsy.
 Sex & Race: Incidence differs with sex & race. Woman show higher rates of
rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes.
 Habits: Cigarette & other forms of smoking, Alcohol abuse.
 Environment risk factors: Air & water pollution, poor hosing, over crowding that lead
to incidence of tuberculosis & allergies.
 Occupation: Exposure to certain substances & conditions has been linked with
number of chronic diseases. E.g. Dust leads to respiratory diseases. Prolonged
contact with chemicals leads to dermatitis.
 Excessive exposure to radiation: Increase the risk of types of cancer.
 Nutrition: Under- nutrition leads to some deficiency diseases.e.g. Insufficient iodine
intake results in thyroid disease which will lead to heart disease.
 MOST COMMON CHRONIC DISEASES
 Cardio- vascular disease, cancer, diabetes mellitus, tuberculoses, Allergic diseases.
 Role of the Nurse
 The objectives of care are:
 To maintain the ability to function in both pt. & family.
 To support the pt. care regimen.
 To enhance community & family efforts.
 To maximize the comfort & safety of the pt.
 To reduce the stress of family & pt.
 To observe & report new pattern