Examples of Non-communicable Diseases

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are non-infectious conditions that cannot be transmitted from one person to another. Cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases are some examples of noncommunicable diseases.

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Non-communicable Diseases – Definition

WHO defines NCD or non-communicable disease as a chronic disorder that happens due to a combination of a variety of factors like environmental, physiological, genetic as well as behavioural factors. It is a non-infectious health condition which cannot spread among people. Still, they are responsible for around 70% of global deaths. Especially in middle and low-income countries, they are the major cause of death.

Though NCDs are mostly associated with old age, they can affect all age groups. Various factors like metabolic, behavioural, genetic and even socio-economic conditions play a vital role in causing non-communicable diseases. Here, let’s look at some examples of various non-communicable diseases.

NCD – Classification and Examples

Diseases can be classified into two broad types – communicable and non-communicable diseases.

Communicable Diseases Non-communicable Diseases
They are transferred/spread from one person to another. They are not transferred/spread between people.
Pathogens like bacteria and viruses are the main causative agents. Occurs due to environmental, physiological, genetic as well as behavioural factors.
Examples – measles, malaria, etc. Examples – cancer, stroke, diabetes, etc.

A person’s surroundings and lifestyle play a major role in determining NCDs. Some of the risk factors and diseases associated with it are listed below. Most of these factors can also act together as a cause for a single non-communicable disease.

  • Diseases due to environmental factors – Skin cancer and malnutrition. These types of NCDs can be caused due to air pollution, UV exposure or weather changes.
  • Diseases due to physiological or metabolic factors – Cardiovascular diseases, obesity, raised blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia. These are mostly due to physical inactivity, age and an unhealthy diet.
  • Inherited diseases – Down’s syndrome, thalassemia, haemophilia and cystic fibrosis. These diseases are mainly due to mutations and genetic inheritance.

Most of these are interrelated with behavioural factors like alcohol consumption, unbalanced diet, tobacco usage and sedentary lifestyle.

List of Non-communicable Diseases

Non-communicable diseases

Cardiovascular Disease Stroke, heart attack, peripheral artery diseases (PAD), coronary artery disease, deep vein thrombosis, congenital heart disease, etc.
Respiratory Disease Asthma, pulmonary hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), occupational lung disease, etc.
Diabetes Type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes.
Cancer Skin cancer, leukaemia, prostate cancer, lung cancer, break cancer, gastric carcinoma, cervical cancer, bladder cancer, etc.
Others Rheumatoid arthritis, neurodegenerative disease, osteoporosis, obesity, depression, hypertension, cataracts, cognitive impairment, chronic kidney diseases, etc.

See more:Health and Diseases

Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune diseases are also NCDs. This happens when the immune system is unable to recognise its own body tissue which further leads to an abnormal immune response. This type of disease cannot be spread from one person to another. Also, various environmental and genetic risk factors are involved in causing these NCDs. Examples – rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, multiple sclerosis, etc.

Mental Health Disorders

Another major group of NCDs (non-communicable diseases) is mental health disorders. Anxiety, OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder are some of the less noted non-communicable diseases. These types of mental conditions can also cause premature mortality.

Also Check:

Protozoan Diseases
Infectious Diseases
Difference between Disinfection and Sterilisation

Keep exploring BYJU’S Biology to learn more such exciting topics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1

Define communicable diseases.

Communicable diseases are infectious diseases that can spread among people. They are typically caused by pathogens like viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. Communicable diseases can be transmitted through insect bites or contaminated water and food. Also, these diseases are not inheritable. Examples – malaria, dengue, smallpox, and measles.
Q2

What are the biological causes of cancer?

Diseases that involve abnormal growth of cells are termed as cancer. Though they can’t be spread from one person to another, these abnormal cells have the ability to spread or invade the other parts of the body. Biological factors like hormones and infectious parasites also have a role in causing cancer. Example – Helicobacter pylori causes gastric cancer. Likewise, too much oestrogen can also lead to ovarian and breast cancer.
Q3

How to prevent NCDs?

Lowering the risk factors is the only way to prevent NCDs. Follow a healthy lifestyle with adequate sleep, exercise and a balanced diet. Try relaxing your mind through meditation. This will reduce depression, anxiety and hypertension. Also, it is a must to avoid alcohol and tobacco. Smoking and chewing tobacco will directly contribute to chronic lung diseases and cancer. Visiting genetic counsellors is the foremost way to prevent inheritable or genetic NCDs.
Q4

What are the 10 non communicable diseases?

Here is a list of 10 non communicable diseases –
1. Cancer
2. Diabetes
3. Heart disease
4. Chronic lung disease
5. Alzheimer’s Disease
6. Hypertension
7. Asthma
8. Mental health ailments
9. Blindness
10. Obesity