PSY 383 – Flashcard
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the most frequent cause of death in the US
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Cardiovascular disease
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what does cardiovascular disease consist of
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coronary artery disease, coronary heart disease, and stroke
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what does the cardiovascular system consist of
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the heart, arteries, and veins
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what is the function of the heart
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a muscle that pumps blood throughout the body
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what is the function of the arteries
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carry oxygenated blood away from the heart
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what do your veins do?
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carry blood back to the heart
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what is the function of the coronary arteries?
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supply blood to the myocardium (heart muscle)
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what can damage to the coronary arteries can result in?
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the formation of atheromatous plaques
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Atheromatous plaques
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deposits composed of cholesterol or other lipids (fats), connective tissue, and muscle tissue
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atherosclerosis
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Formation of plaques on the arteries can also occur to the arteries, which is the loss of elasticity of the arteries
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Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
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-damage of the coronary arteries by either atherosclerosis or arteriosclerosis -plaques narrow the arteries, restricting the supply of blood to the myocardium
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Ischemia
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restriction of blood flow
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Coronary heart disease (CHD)
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damage to the myocardium as a result of insufficient blood supply
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Myocardial infarction
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heart attack; the death of myocardial tissue
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Signs of Myocardial infarction
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-feeling weak or dizzy, nauseous, cold sweating, difficulty breathing, pain in chest/arms/shoulders/back -Half of people who experience a myocardial infarction survive
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Angina Pectoris
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results from restriction of the blood supply
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Symptoms of Angina Pectoris
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-crushing pain in chest and difficulty breathing -Usually caused by stress or exercise An indicator that there is obstruction in the coronary arteries
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Bypass surgery
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-treament for CAD -replaces blocked portion of the coronary artery -Expensive and risky but usually relieves angina and improves quality of life
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Cardiac Rehabilitation
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-treatment for CAD -helps cardiac patients adjust lifestyle to minimize risk factors
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Stroke
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-damage to the brain resulting from lack of oxygen -Since blood travels to the brain, obstruction in the arteries of the brain will restrict blood flow and oxygen to the brain -Strokes are the 3rd most frequent cause of death in the US -Strokes damage neurons in the brain and are not replaced or repaired -Usually leads to some functionality lost
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what do atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis raise
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blood pressure
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what are the two numbers blood pressure has
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systolic pressure and diastolic pressure
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Systolic pressure
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pressure generated by the heart's contraction
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Diastolic pressure
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pressure experience between contractions, reflects elasticity
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Hypertension
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-abnormally high blood pressure; predictor of heart attack and stroke -1/3 of all Americans have hypertension -Related to age, weight, sodium intake, African American ancestry, tobacco use, and sedentary lifestyle
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Treatment for hypertension
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-Lifestyle changes and behavior such as a better diet and more exercise -Medication
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History of rates of CVD
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-CVD rates rose from 1920 to 1960s -Declined since 1960s -34% of all deaths in the US are from CVD
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Reasons for the decline in CVD
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-Improved emergency coronary changes -Increased awareness in risk factors of CVD
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CVD risk factors
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-Genetic conditions -Physiological conditions -Psychological/behavioral conditions -Psychosocial factors
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Genetic Risk Factors for CVD
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-Age -Family history -Gender - men have a higher rate of death from CVD -Ethnic background - African Americans have higher risk
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Physiological Risk Factors for CVD
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-Hypertension (single most important risk factor for CVD) -Serum cholesterol level -Glucose metabolism -Inflammation
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Diabetes
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a condition where glucose cannot be taken into cells because of problems producing or using insulin, increases rates of CVD
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Inflammation
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-Influences development of plaques -Stress influences inflammation and also increases risk for CVD
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Psychological/Behavioral Risk factors for CVD
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Smoking Weight and diet Physical activity
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Smoking
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-Leading behavioral risk factor for CVD -Smokers are 3 times more likely to suffer a heart attack -Quitting smoking helps decrease risk
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Weight and diet
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-Obesity is a risk factor but is also related to others risk factors (blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol) -People who eat a diet high in fruits and veggies have a lower risk of heart attack
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Physical Activity
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-Physical inactivity is an important behavioral risk factor for CVD
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Psychosocial Risk Factors for CVD
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-Educational Level and Income - lower education and income increases risk for CVD -Social support and marriage - those with low social support or poor marriages have increased risk for CVD -Stress, anxiety, and depression - all increase the risk for CVD -Hostility and anger - anger (an emotion) and hostility (an attitude) both increase the risk for CVD
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Psychosocial Risk Factor for CVD: Discrimination and Cardiovascular Reactivity (CVR)
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-CVR - increases in blood pressure and heart rate due to frustration or harassment -African Americans have higher CVR which may explain their higher rates of hypertension -Suppressed Anger may be more toxic than expressing anger -Rumination
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Preventing First Heart Attacks
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Focus on modifying risk factors, such as eating healthier, exercising, not smoking Specifically: -Reducing hypertension - using medicine, weight loss, and dietary changes -Lowering serum cholesterol - using drugs, dietary changes, and increasing physical activity -Modifying psychosocial risk factors - generating a more positive outlook about self and future, strategies for coping with hostility, anger, and depression
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Goals of Cardiac Rehabilitation
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-Help patients deal with reactions to their diagnosis, potentially cope with depression or anxiety -Return to normal activities -Change to a healthier lifestyle and adhere to medical regime
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Cancer
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-group of diseases characterized by the presence of new cells that grow and spread beyond control
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Benign Cancer
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Neoplastic tissue cells remain localized; usually less threatening
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Malignant Cancer
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Neoplastic tissue cells spread; usually more dangerous because they can invade and destroy surrounding tissue
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name the four main groups of malignant growths
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Carcinomas, Sarcomas, Leukemias, Lymphoma
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Carcinomas
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cancers of the epithelial tissue
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Sarcomas
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cancers of the connective tissues (bone, muscles, cartilage)
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Leukemias
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cancers of the blood
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Lymphoma
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cancers of the lymphatic system; less common
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why did death rates for cancer declined during the 1990s
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-Early detection and treatment -Lifestyle factors (better diets, less smoking) play a large role in the lower rates of cancer
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Cancers with decreasing death rates
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Lung, breast, prostate, colon/rectum cancer rates have all declined
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Cancers with increasing death rates
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-Liver cancer -Melanoma (a form of skin cancer) -Esophageal cancer (increased for men, decreased for women) -Lung cancer (increase for women, decrease for men)
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Inherent Risk Factors for Cancer
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Ethnic Background -African Americans have greater incidence for most cancer and greater mortality as well -Diagnoses for African Americans tend to come at a later stage which means lower survival rates -Other ethnic minorities do not show this increased incidence even though they do also tend to be diagnosed at latter stages of their cancer too -Advancing age -Family History and Genetics -Identification of specific genes -Example - BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 for breast cancer -Only 5-10% of cancers are due to specific inherited genes
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Environmental Risk Factors for Cancer
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-Exposure to asbestos -Exposure to radiation
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Behavioral Risk Factors for Cancer- Smoking
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mainly related to lung cancer but also can be the cause of -----stomach, bladder, upper digestive tract, esophagus, colon, and prostate cancers -Also increases risk for larynx, pharynx, oral cavity, sinuses, cervix, pancreas, liver, and kidney cancers -Men who smoke are 23.3 times more likely to die of lung cancer than men who have never smoked (relative risk) -Smokers may have optimistic bias where they realize that smoking is a health risk but believe they personally are not at risk
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Behavioral Risk Factors for Cancer- Diet
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-Foods that may cause cancer are called carcinogenic -Foods that lack preservatives or foods that have certain preservatives -Foods high in fat -Consumption of preserved meat raises the risk for colorectal cancer -Obesity - accounts for 14-20% of all cancer-related deaths; related to esophagus, breast, endometrial, and kidney cancers
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Foods that may prevent cancer
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-Fruits and veggies -High fiber diet (for colorectal cancer) -Unclear if certain nutrients or specific vitamins can help -Beta-carotene, selenium, and calcium may help lower risk of certain cancers
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Behavioral Risk Factors for Cancer- Alcohol
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-increases risk for mouth, esophageal, breast, and liver cancers -Alcohol abusers are more likely to die from other causes before they develop liver cancer -Women who drink more than a single drink of alcohol daily have higher risk for breast cancer
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Behavioral Risk Factors for Cancer- Sedentary lifestyle
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increases the risk for colon, endometrial, breast, lung, and pancreatic cancers
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Behavioral Risk Factors for Cancer- Ultraviolet Life Exposure
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-(from the sun or tanning beds) increases risk for skin cancer -Strong genetic component for skin cancer -Can decrease risk by wearing sunscreen lotions and sun-protective clothing
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Behavioral Risk Factors for Cancer- Sexual Behavior
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-Cancers resulting from AIDS -HPV increases risk for cervical and oral cancer -Can decrease risk by practicing safe sex
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Psychosocial Risk Factors for Cancer
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-A relationship between personality traits and increased risk for developing cancers (but not developing cancer) -Negative emotionality and the tendency to repress (rather than express) emotion -This means that stress does NOT cause cancer!
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Cancer prevention prevents more than just cancer!
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-People who keep a normal weight, maintain a healthy diet, stay physically active have: -30% lower risk for cancer-related deaths -48% lower risk for CVD -42% lower risk for all-cause mortality
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Problems with Medical Treatments for Cancer
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-The main cancer treatments are surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy -All of these treatments can have negative side effects such as fear and anxiety, loss of hair, fatigue, and depression
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Adjusting to a Diagnosis of Cancer
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-Factors that predict poor reaction to cancer diagnosis are negative affect and social inhibition -Thus, optimism relates to adjusting well to a diagnosis of cancer -Optimism is related to adjustment early in cancer diagnosis and treatment, but may not be as related to long term cancer survival
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Social Support for Cancer Patients
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-Social support can come from health care professionals, family, friends, or support groups -Health care professionals may provide more instrumental support -Family and friends may provide emotional support -Some people benefit from support groups more than others -Breast cancer survivors who lacked adequate marital support showed benefit from support groups
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Psychologists use both individual and group techniques to help cancer patients
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-Examples include cognitive behavioral stress management skills, providing social support, opportunities to express emotions -Interventions have been shown to yield short-term benefits, helping managing distress and improvement in some physiological outcomes -There is less evidence that psychological interventions can prolong the life span of people with cancer -May need to match characteristics and needs of people to a multicomponent psychological intervention
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Cancer treatment and fatigue
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-Persistent, medically unexplained fatigue is a common and disabling result of breast cancer treatment (Bower et al., 2000, 2006). -The effects of proinflammatory cytokines on central nervous system function and ''sickness behavior" suggests inflammation as a potential mechanism for cancer-related fatigue. -Elevations in circulating inflammation occur in breast cancer survivors with persistent post-treatment fatigue. -The genetic profile of patients may indicate who will experience post-treatment fatigue and depression. -Someday we may use different treatments for individuals with different genetic makeup.
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Chronic diseases
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-Include Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, asthma, and AIDS -Cause 7 in 10 deaths in the US -50% of adults have chronic illness and 10% of children -Have an impact on patient and their family
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Patients with chronic illness need to
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-Adjust and adapt to symptoms -Manage stress of treatment -Face the possibility of death -Some people find positive aspects of their chronic illness
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Impact on the Family
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-Illness requires adaptation from family members as well -Feelings of grief or loss -Parents of children with chronic illness may face difficulties, such as maintaining a normal routine
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Alzheimer's Disease
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-degenerative disease of the brain Early-onset: occurs before 60; rare; genetic component Late-onset: occurs after 60; more common; may have genetic component but lifestyle factors may also play a role
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Risk factors for Alzheimer's disease
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-Age - by age 85, 50% of individuals show signs -Genetic factors -Environmental factors - stroke, head injury, Type 2 diabetes, and CVD all increase risk -Lifestyle factors - exercising, cognitive activity, low level of alcohol consumption decrease risk
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Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease
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-Memory loss -Behavioral symptoms: irritability, sleep difficulty,paranoia, inappropriate sexual behavior -Depression is often common -Individuals in the early stages may be aware enough to realize what is occurring
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Helping people with Alzheimer's Disease
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-No cure -Currently, the primary treatment is drugs to slow down progression of memory loss and retain cognitive abilities -Other approaches include sensory stimulation, music therapy, and reality orientation
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Helping family members & Alzheimer's Disease
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-Caregiving usually falls to daughters -Caregiving is full-time usually (10+ hours a day) -Caregivers experience poor physical and psychological health -Caregivers can seek support groups in person or over the internet
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Diabetes mellitus
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-disorder caused by insulin deficiency -Insulin-dependent (Type 1) - autoimmune disorder; occurs usually before age of 30; cannot produce insulin; no cure -Non-insulin-dependent (Type 2) - more common
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The impact of diabetes on individuals
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Physical changes: Diabetes increases risk of CVD, damage to retina, kidney diseases, pancreatic cancer Behavioral/Lifestyle changes: Diabetics must test blood sugar levels at least daily May affect sexual functioning
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Research on diabetes
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-Stress affects glucose metabolism -Decreasing stress and negative emotions can help diabetes management
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Adherence to regimens for diabetes
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-Social support groups may help increase diabetes management -Text message reminders
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Lifestyle changes for diabetes
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eat healthier, exercise
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Asthma
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-inflammatory disease that causes constriction of the bronchial tubes, preventing air to pass freely -7% of Americans have asthma -Children have highest rates
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Potential causes of asthma
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-Diathesis-stress model -Hygiene hypothesis -Combination of both views
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Risk factors for asthma
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-More common in developed countries -More common in urban area -More common for African Americans -Sedentary lifestyle and obesity increase risk
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Managing Asthma
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-Minimizing attacks is main treatment goal -Requires medication and learning 'triggers' of attacks -Drugs often have side effects of weight gain and lack of energy -Asthmatics may rely on inhalers too often
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Helping people manage their asthma
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-Increase education -Boosting self-care and adherence -Developing a written action plan
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HIV
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human immunodeficiency virus; causes the development of AIDS
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AIDS
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acquired immune deficiency syndrome; immune system loses effectiveness
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History and Prevalence of AIDS
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-AIDS first recognized in 1981 -Leading cause of death in Africa -40 million people are infected -2.6 million news cases each year -No cure; but medication has helped extend lives
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Sociodemographic factors of HIV/AIDS
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-African Americans disproportionally affected by AIDS -Young adults more likely to acquire HIV
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Psychologists' Role in the HIV Epidemic
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Primary prevention - changing behavior to decrease transmission of HIV Secondary prevention - helping people live with infection
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Primary prevention efforts include
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-Reducing unprotected sexual activities -Increasing perception of risk
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Secondary prevention efforts include
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-Encouraging HIV testing -Coping with HIV diagnosis -Tailoring interventions to person's specific situation -Finding meaning -Adhering to complex medical regime -Motivational interviewing
