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Alexia
Period 5
29 February 2016
Disease
Disease is an abnormal disorder that negatively affects part or all of an organism.
Diseases can be recognized with signs and symptoms that stray from homeostasis, and
may be caused by an external source or an internal dysfunction. In humans, diseases
cause a varying spectrum of pain, dysfunction, distress, social problems, or death.
Homeostasis regulates the internal conditions, so when a disease disturbs the bodys
internal balance, the body acts quickly to fight the causes and effects of disease
(Goserud).
There is a wide range of diseases that do not exhibit wellness; three of these
diseases are obesity, cardiovascular disease, and high blood pressure. Obesity is one of
the most pervasive, chronic diseases (What is Obesity?) that is a result of excess
adipose tissue. Obesity causes increased levels of circulating fatty acids and inflammation
that can lead to insulin resistance, which can result in type 2 diabetes. Obesity is a serious
disease that affects more than one-third of the U.S. adult population. Cardiovascular
disease is a disorder of the blood vessels of the heart that can lead to a heart attack.
Essentially, there is plaque build up in the walls of the arteries; this buildup narrows the
arteries, making it harder for blood to flow through. If a blood clot forms, it can stop the
blood flow, causing a heart attack or stroke (What is Cardiovascular Disease?). High
blood pressure is a common disease in which blood flows through blood vessels at higher
than normal pressures. High blood pressure is a silent killer (High Blood Pressure

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)) because there are usually no warning symptoms;
therefore, it is important to check ones blood pressure regularly. High blood pressure can
affect anyone, and it puts one at risk for heart disease and stroke. High blood pressure
affects about 70 million American adults.
Preventable diseases in our society are: obesity, high blood pressure, high
cholesterol, and sexually transmitted diseases. Obesity has not been a concern until the
1980s when it was identified as an epidemic, which has only increased over the decades.
Obesity is only a serious issue in the U.S., Canada, and Ireland (Sassi). High blood
pressure gained fame since the 1940s is rising worldwide as 1 billion people have the
disease. High cholesterol has increased worldwide since the 21 st century; the world has
begun to take precaution towards the disease in an effort to minimize its global affect.
Sexually transmitted diseases became a growing concern since the 1970s, the epidemic
spreading like wildfire worldwide. Obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol
could be prevented if one exercised regularly and ate healthy meals. Exercise would
prevent all of these diseases because it would reduce body fat, decrease a strain on the
heart, and decrease the amount of low-density lipoprotein respectively. In regards to
nutrition, eating unsaturated fats would prevent these diseases. For example, high
cholesterol could be prevented if one ate meals with low cholesterol. Since my ethnic
background is Mexican-Salvadorian, and my mother is Mexican, half of the meals she
cooks are Mexican meals, that involve a lot of tortillas, meat, and rice. I may susceptible
to obesity, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, but I do not eat large portions and I
do not always eat Mexican food. In addition, since I am in a sport year-round, I stay in
shape and lower my risks of contracting these diseases.

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Socio-economic status and culture are two major factors that can influence
disease. Socio-economic status is one of the most powerful risk factors for poor health
outcomes. For example, a person of lower socio-economic status would suffer from
nearly all diseases because he does not have the sufficient amount of money to take care
of himself and live a comfortable life that lowers his risks of contracting diseases.
Another influential factor is culture, which can immensely affect the perception of health.
In regards to nutrition, cultural meals can improve or worsen ones health depending on
the food. Culture can also modify ones belief about diseases, and could result in an
individual refuse medication because his culture does not accept it. As a result, a disease
may prevail due to the beliefs of a culture.

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Bibliography
Goserud, Erik J.J., and PJ Schroeder. "What Is the Relationship between Homeostasis and
Disease?" WiseGeek. Conjecture, 18 Feb. 2016. Web. 27 Feb. 2016.
"High Blood Pressure Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)." Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 19 Feb. 2015. Web.
27 Feb. 2016.
Sassi, Franco. "How U.S. Obesity Compares With Other Countries." PBS. PBS, 11 Apr.
2013. Web. 27 Feb. 2016.
"What Is Cardiovascular Disease?" What Is Cardiovascular Disease? N.p., n.d. Web. 27
Feb. 2016.
"What Is Obesity." - The Obesity Society. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2016.