Lesson One - Risk Factors
| Site: | MoodleHUB.ca 🍁 |
| Course: | Chronic Conditions [1 cr] - AB Ed copy 1 |
| Book: | Lesson One - Risk Factors |
| Printed by: | Guest user |
| Date: | Sunday, 14 September 2025, 5:28 AM |
Information
- This lesson is designed to take approximately 20 minutes.
- You have the following tasks and assignments to complete in this lesson:
- Study all Lesson 1 content, including videos, supplementary reading, etc.
- 3.1 Final Project
Lesson Outcomes
- Explain lifestyle risk factors.
- Describe what a person can do in their daily life to decrease the risk of developing chronic illness.
Introduction
Risk Factors and Prevention
When looking at the risk factors for developing certain chronic conditions, some factors can be controlled and prevented by changing the patient’s lifestyle. These risk factors are sometimes called lifestyle risk factors. In this lesson,
you will learn about how these risk factors influence the course of certain diseases. The lesson will also explore which lifestyle risk factors are common to chronic conditions and how lifestyle changes can contribute to disease prevention.
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Risk Factors
Age of Onset
In the Introduction to Unit 1, the top ten causes of death in Canada were presented to you. After reading about the risk factors for these conditions, can you make any connections between lifestyle and common causes of death? Did you notice how many conditions had lifestyle related risk factors? There is a correlation between the age at which people are first diagnosed with the conditions that have lifestyle risk factors and the lifestyle risk factors themselves.
What is the age at which some of the conditions talked about in the previous unit occur?
The average age for a first heart attack is 65. However, as many as 4–10% of all heart attacks happen before the patient is 45 years old. As was discussed in the last unit, a heart attack could be likened to the climax of heart disease.
If you remember from your language arts class, you will remember that the climax of a story happens after a number of building events. Studies have shown that heart disease can start as early as 18 years old with a diagnosis of hypertension (exposition). The diagnosis of hypertension and heart disease are filled with hardening of the arteries and plaque build up (rising action). As these factors intensify, the patient is more likely to have a heart attack (climax) unless changes are made to reverse these building events.
If you remember from your language arts class, you will remember that the climax of a story happens after a number of building events. Studies have shown that heart disease can start as early as 18 years old with a diagnosis of hypertension (exposition). The diagnosis of hypertension and heart disease are filled with hardening of the arteries and plaque build up (rising action). As these factors intensify, the patient is more likely to have a heart attack (climax) unless changes are made to reverse these building events.
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In the past, Type 2 diabetes was known as adult-onset diabetes because it was rarely diagnosed in children. However, it is becoming increasingly more common for young adults and children to be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
Between 2011 and 2012, the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth conducted an international study which concluded that 5,300 youth between the ages of 10–19 were diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. With that rate of increasing diagnoses, a 2012 study published in the ADA journal, Diabetes Care, predicted that the number of youth under the age of 20 diagnosed with Type 2 could increase by 49 percent by 2050. Other studies suggest that the number of youth under 20 with Type 2 diabetes could quadruple.
Between 2011 and 2012, the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth conducted an international study which concluded that 5,300 youth between the ages of 10–19 were diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. With that rate of increasing diagnoses, a 2012 study published in the ADA journal, Diabetes Care, predicted that the number of youth under the age of 20 diagnosed with Type 2 could increase by 49 percent by 2050. Other studies suggest that the number of youth under 20 with Type 2 diabetes could quadruple.
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Repetitive motion injuries, such as “texting thumb”, can happen at a young age. The 3339 texts sent by the average teenager each month and the 12 hours a week of video games played by 77% of youth between 12–15 years old are good examples of
repetitive motion. Anyone, at any age, can get a repetitive motion injury.
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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Recall that COPD is a result of damage to the lungs over a period of time. This means that COPD is usually diagnosed in older adults. Occasionally, a middle-aged adult will be diagnosed with COPD. It is rare for younger adults to be diagnosed with COPD.
Recall that COPD is a result of damage to the lungs over a period of time. This means that COPD is usually diagnosed in older adults. Occasionally, a middle-aged adult will be diagnosed with COPD. It is rare for younger adults to be diagnosed with COPD.
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In 1993–1994, the average age at which patients had a stroke was just over 71 years old. However, the number of strokes in patients between the ages of 20 and 54 has significantly increased. As strokes in older patients are more likely to be
fatal, it is younger patients that are more likely to experience the chronic effects of stroke talked about in the previous unit.
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Shared Lifestyle Risk Factors
Recall the various risk factors discussed in the last unit. Did you notice that some lifestyle risk factors were mentioned for several conditions? Did you notice the number of conditions for which lifestyle risk factors were predominant on the list?
Some of the lifestyle risk factors that were found on a number of lists, in no particular order, are:
- smoking
- stress
- previous injury
- excessive drinking
- repetitive motion, over-use of joint
- unsafe sexual practices
- improper hygiene
- being sedentary
- poor diet
Prevention
The benefit of knowing that there are lifestyle related risk factors for so many chronic conditions is that now you know that there are ways to minimize the risk of a patient, or yourself, developing these conditions. These actions will be the subject of the remainder of this lesson. The order that they are discussed does not reflect their importance in relation to each other.
Smoking
Smoking and the use of other tobacco products is a widely recognized contributor to disease. If you do smoke or vape, remember that nicotine is an addictive substance. It can be difficult to quit smoking without help. Not smoking means that your body has to go through withdrawal from nicotine. Withdrawal usually happens for about two weeks. The worst withdrawal symptoms tend to happen within the first few days after you quit. This is when most people give up.
Common withdrawal symptoms include:
- strong cravings
- anxiety or nervousness
- irritability
- fatigue
- difficulty concentrating
- depressed mood
- anger and frustration
- increased hunger
- constipation
- insomnia or difficulty sleeping
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Preliminary evidence suggests that the chemicals in vaping pens and e-cigarettes cause similar lung damage as those found in traditional tobacco products.
For help to quit smoking visit Alberta Quits.
Stress
Stress is a normal part of life. It is expected. However, too much stress left uncontrolled over an extended period of time has a negative effect on your physical health.
Signs you are under too much stress and need to make some changes include:
- anxiety
- depression
- digestive problems
- headaches
- heart disease
- sleep problems and tiredness
- memory and concentration problems
- health problems
- unexpected weight gain or loss
- lack of energy or focus
- use of alcohol or drugs to relax
- irritability, sadness, or guilt
- loss of interest, enjoyment, or energy in something you used to enjoy
- restlessness
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Knowing you have stress is not enough to be preventative. You actually have to do something about managing your stress. Some recommended ways to manage your stress are:
- Identify why you are stressed. Once you know where your stress comes from, it is easier to work to remove the source of the stress.
- Solve the problems in your life as they come up.
- Talk about your problems. Simply talking about your problems can help with perspective and help find ways to lessen the stress.
- Simplify your life. Remember that it is okay to say no. Sometimes the source of stress is overscheduling.
- Learn positive and helpful thinking. Expecting the worst case or always trying to be perfect can cause considerable stress.
- Learn stress management strategies. There are courses, books, and websites available to help you learn stress management techniques.
- Use mindfulness strategies such as yoga, meditation, journalling, prayers, breathing exercises, etc. These will help you become aware of your thought processes so that you can manage your responses to stressful situations.
- Engage in physical activity. The hormones produced during exercise can help improve your mood and how you deal with stress.
- Do something you enjoy. Doing something fun, that makes you laugh, or otherwise gives you a temporary break from the things that are causing your stress. It is important to not use this strategy as a means of just putting off the things that you need to do as that can cause more stress.
Learn More
To learn more about stress, how it affects the body, and how to cope with the stress in your life check out the course HSS3020: Mental Health and Wellness.Previous Injury
Injuries, especially ones that are not fully and properly healed, can lead to a number of chronic conditions. While it is not possible to avoid all injuries, it is possible to reduce the risk of injury. Some actions that can be done to reduce your
risk of injury include:
- Have planned rest days from exercise and activity. This allows the body time to recover.
- Wear proper gear for the activity; note that proper gear does not fully protect from injury. Proper gear includes foot wear and protective equipment.
- Exercise regularly to prevent injuries from suddenly participating in an increased amount of exercise.
- Work to ensure flexibility by regularly stretching.
- Find out how to safely participate in your chosen activity and follow safety guidelines.
- Do not play through pain.
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Excessive Drinking
When defining excessive drinking, the CDC “includes binge drinking, heavy drinking, and any drinking by pregnant women or people younger than age 21.”
Binge drinking is based on how many drinks a person consumes at a time. For men, that is five or more drinks in a day. For women that is four or more drinks in a day.
Heavy drinking is based on how many drinks a person drinks over the course of a week. For women, eight or more drinks would be deemed heavy drinking. For men, it is 15 or more drinks.
Some steps you can take to prevent excessive drinking include:
Binge drinking is based on how many drinks a person consumes at a time. For men, that is five or more drinks in a day. For women that is four or more drinks in a day.
Heavy drinking is based on how many drinks a person drinks over the course of a week. For women, eight or more drinks would be deemed heavy drinking. For men, it is 15 or more drinks.
Some steps you can take to prevent excessive drinking include:
- Choosing not to drink too much yourself, and encouraging others to do the same.
- Limit your daily drinking to no more than one drink for women and two for men.
- Do not serve alcohol to people who should not be drinking.
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If you feel that alcohol may be a problem for you or someone you know you can turn to the 24 hour Addiction Helpline at 1-866-332-2322.
Repetitive Motion
Repetitive motion is doing the same motion over and over without giving your joints, muscles, and other tissues a chance to recover. For example, a gaming marathon without a break. The more frequent the participation in the activity, the higher the
chance of a repetitive motion, and the higher the chance of injury and a chronic condition developing.
Things that can be done to prevent injuries from overuse include:
Things that can be done to prevent injuries from overuse include:
- using proper form for an activity
- building up to how much time is being spent on an activity
- varying your exercise and activity routine
- using proper equipment, including shoes
- taking regular breaks
- stretching regularly
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Unsafe Sexual Practices
Safe sexual practices are important in protecting you against certain chronic conditions.
Safe sexual practices include abstinence, practicing monogamy, and having open and honest communication with your partner and health care provider.
Safe sexual practices include abstinence, practicing monogamy, and having open and honest communication with your partner and health care provider.
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Improper Hygiene
In addition to improving body odour and greasy skin, good hygiene can improve health. The world was reminded of this in 2020 as the novel Coronavirus 19 spread across the world, and frequent hand-washing and sanitizing became commonplace. Other hygiene steps to prevent illness are:
- Brushing your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes at a time.
- Showering with soap at least every second day and shampooing your hair and scalp at least twice a week to prevent irritating buildup.
- Trimming your nails and keeping them clean with a nail brush and washcloth.
- Wiping from front to back after using the toilet.
- Sneezing or coughing into your elbow, sanitizing shared surfaces, and immediately throwing away used tissues and washing your hands.
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Being Sedentary
“Regular physical activity activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health” (CDC, 2020).
Being sedentary is a risk factor for many of the diseases we have learned about. Being physically active can also help prevent or improve the risk factor of obesity. In fact, it is the number one thing you can do to increase your life expectancy.
Recommended amount of physical activity:
Physical activity can take many forms. If you have not found an activity you enjoy, keep trying. Remember that just moving more will make a difference.
*Remember, if you experience pain while exercising it is important to stop the activity. Pain is a sign of something going wrong inside the body. Pain that is ignored can lead to chronic conditions.
Being sedentary is a risk factor for many of the diseases we have learned about. Being physically active can also help prevent or improve the risk factor of obesity. In fact, it is the number one thing you can do to increase your life expectancy.
Recommended amount of physical activity:
- At least 60 daily minutes of moderate to vigorous physical for those 5–17 years old.
- At least 150 weekly minutes of moderate–intensity or 75 weekly minutes of vigorous–intensity physical activity for adults 18 years old and over.
Physical activity can take many forms. If you have not found an activity you enjoy, keep trying. Remember that just moving more will make a difference.
*Remember, if you experience pain while exercising it is important to stop the activity. Pain is a sign of something going wrong inside the body. Pain that is ignored can lead to chronic conditions.
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Poor Diet
Like being sedentary, a poor diet can lead to obesity. However, not everyone with a poor diet is obese. Poor diet can refer to the amount of food or the quality of the food that is eaten. Poor diet causes malnutrition or nutritional deficiencies.
Chances are you know someone who eats out a lot. Maybe someone whose diet consists of a lot of chips, pop, and other prepared foods which are high in salt and sugar. There are any number of factors that cause nutritional deficiencies. A good resource to help prevent malnutrition and ensure you are eating a healthy diet is Canada’s Food Guide.
Chances are you know someone who eats out a lot. Maybe someone whose diet consists of a lot of chips, pop, and other prepared foods which are high in salt and sugar. There are any number of factors that cause nutritional deficiencies. A good resource to help prevent malnutrition and ensure you are eating a healthy diet is Canada’s Food Guide.
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Doctor Visits
One final, but very important action that everyone should do is get regular check ups. Check ups with your doctor, dentist, and optometrist can catch warning signs or risk factors for developing a chronic condition. For example, at a yearly exam, a doctor might order blood tests, including cholesterol and blood glucose tests, which can indicate a future risk of developing Type 2 diabetes or heart disease.
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