The skeletal and muscular system
Two common problems of the bones and joints are arthritis and osteoporosis.
Arthritis is a painful inflammation of the joints, especially hands, spine, knees and hips. Osteoporosis weakens the bones by making them fragile and likely to break.
Other problems that may occur are fractures and sprains1. A fracture is a break in a bone caused by an accident, a fall or a sports injury. A sprain is the consequence of an unnatural movement of a joint and occurs most frequ1ently in ankles, fingers and knees.
The most serious muscular problem is muscular dystrophy (MD), a group of muscle diseases that results in increasing weakening and breakdown of slkeletal muscles over time.
WARM UP
What do you think is the most frequent serlous dlsease In the world?
a. A stroke
b. Diabetes
c. Heart disease
d. Lower respiratory infection
e. Pulmonary disease
DO
1 Do you know what parts of the body can be subject to sprains?
The nervous system
The most important nervous diseases are epilepsy1, i.e. abnormal electrical discharges from brain cells, Parkinson's Disease, which is a progressive nerve disease that affects movement, and multiple sclerosis in which the protective lining of the nerves is attacked lby the body's immune system.
MORE
1 Epilepsy is immediately associated with someone falling on the ground and shaking convulsively, but that's just one type of epilepsy.
The cardiovascular and respiratory system
Some common cardiovascular problems are aneurysm, i.e. a weak spot in the wall of an artery, hypertension, commonly called high blood pressure, and cardiac arrhythmia when the heart beats irregularly.
As for the respiratory system, there can be minor problems like a cold or influenza (flu) or more serious problems like pneumonia. A cold is a respiratory illness that usually goes away without any treatment. More serious diseases can affect the upper respiratory system such as the nose, mouth, sinuses and throat, and the lower system such as bronchial tubes and lungs.
The digestive system
The most common digestive problems are constipation, heartburn and bloating.
Constipation is a condition characterized by hard faeces that are difficult to pass. It can be caused if the colon absorbs too much water.
Heartburn is a painful feeling in the chest or throat when the stomach acid backs up into the oesophagus.
Bloating occurs when the gastrointestinal tract is filled with air or gas.
