Health Concerns
Health
Anatomy
Digestive Anatomy
Mouth
Teeth/ Tongue/ Saliva
Esophagus
Stomach
Small Intestine
Large Intestine
Bowel
Allergies & Intolerance
A food allergy is an immune system response
to a food that the body mistakenly believes is
harmful.
Can lead to death
Food intolerance is the inability to properly
digest or fully process certain foods –
Examples: lactose, yeast, gluten, sugar
sensitivity.
Illnesses
Food Poisoning
Results from eating bacteria contaminated
food
All foods are susceptible
Symptoms may include abdominal cramps,
vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, fever
Examples Salmonella, E. Coli
Anemia
The three main classes of anemia include
• excessive blood loss
• excessive blood cell destruction
• deficient red blood cell production
Signs/ Symptoms – fatigue, dizziness,
irritability, headaches, pale appearance
Arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Cause – decrease in
cartilage around joints
Signs/ Symptoms –
pain, stiffness, limited
motion, cracking
Blood Pressure
Systolic – measurement of pressure against the artery walls when the
heart is pumping
Diastolic – measurement of pressure against the artery walls when the
heart is at rest
Examples
Normal
Hypertension
High
Systolic
120 or below
120 – 139
140 or above
Ways to reduce
Avoid salt, sugar, caffeine, limit alcohol
Increase vegetable intake (potassium)
Exercise
Stop smoking
Diastolic
80 or below
80 – 90
90 or above
Heart Burn
Esophageal sphincter does not close properly
Allows stomach acid to back up
Often will have a bitter taste in the mouth
Can be related to meals & posture
Cared for with medications & diet
Gastric Ulcers
Occur in the stomach
Stomach Ulcers
AKA - peptic ulcers
Occur in the small intestine
Pain in the gut lasting 30 min - 3 hrs
Caused from increase in hydrochloric acid,
stress, anti-inflammatory meds, cigarettes
Angina
Cause – plaque buildup in the arteries, narrowing blood flow
Signs/ Symptoms – weakness, sweating, difficulty breathing,
pain
Heart Attack
Cause – plaque buildup in the arteries, blocking blood flow
Signs/ Symptoms – weakness, sweating, difficulty breathing,
pain
Ways to reduce
Eat the correct Fat (Monounsaturated,
polyunsaturated are okay)
Eat Nuts, Fish & diets with high fiber
Avoid coffee, Salt and Sugar
Increase your exercise
Stroke – blood clot
Aneurysm – ruptured
blood vessel
Diabetes
Inability of the body to produce or utilize insulin
Insulin is produced by the pancreas
Type I - body no longer produces insulin, most
commonly effects children & young adults
Type II - body no longer utilizes insulin,
commonly occurs as we age & become
inactive (genetic involvement)
Gestational - women who are pregnant & have
high blood pressure
Hypoglycemia –
Low blood sugar
Give sugar
Precedes Insulin shock
Hyperglycemia –
High blood sugar
Give sugar
Precedes Diabetic Coma
Eating Disorders
Anorexia Nervosa
Relentless pursuit of happiness
Weighs 85% or less of norm for age/ height
Can effect Men (sex hormones fall) & Women (will
lose menstrual cycle)
Person denies low weight
Afraid of getting fat
May exhibit obsessive ritualistic behavior, strange
eating habits and division of food into good & bad
categories
Bulimia Nervosa
Diet - binge - purge disorder
Feels out of control while eating
Has a fear of gaining weight and
frantically tries to lose it by purging
Often has a low self-esteem
Weight may appear to be normal
Disorder Signs & Symptoms
Irregular heart beat/ cardiac arrest
Kidney failure
Liver damage
Loss of muscle mass
Permanent loss of bone mass
Destruction of teeth/ esophagus/ stomach lining
Delayed growth/ discontinued menstrual cycle
Weakened immune system
Excess hair on face
Fainting spells