Hypertension: Quick Facts

Q1: What is hypertension?
High blood pressure that strains the heart and blood vessels.

Q2: Why is it called the “silent killer”?
Because it often has no symptoms but causes serious damage over time.

Q3: What causes it?
Genetics, aging, diet, weight, inactivity, stress, and other health problems.

Q4: What are the risks?
Heart attack, stroke, kidney damage, and vision loss.

Q5: How is it treated?
Lifestyle changes, medications, and regular monitoring.

Diabetes: Quick Facts

Q1: What is diabetes?
A disease where the body cannot properly use or make insulin, causing high blood sugar.

Q2: What are the main types?
Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes.

Q3: What are common symptoms?
Thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, weight changes, and blurred vision.

Q4: What health risks come with diabetes?
Heart, kidney, eye, nerve, and foot problems.

Q5: How is it treated?
Healthy lifestyle, medications, insulin, and regular medical care.

High Cholesterol: Quick Facts

Q1: What is cholesterol?
A fatty substance in the blood that the body needs in small amounts.

Q2: What does “high cholesterol” mean?
Too much LDL (“bad”) cholesterol or too little HDL (“good”) cholesterol.

Q3: What causes it?
Genetics, unhealthy diet, inactivity, weight, smoking, or other health conditions.

Q4: What are the risks?
Heart attack, stroke, and artery disease.

Q5: How is it treated?
Healthy lifestyle changes, medications if needed, and regular blood tests.

Depression: Quick Facts

Q1: What is depression?
A medical condition that causes persistent sadness and loss of interest.

Q2: What are symptoms?
Sadness, loss of interest, sleep or appetite changes, fatigue, poor focus.

Q3: What causes it?
Genetics, brain chemistry, stress, trauma, or social difficulties.

Q4: Why is it serious?
It can harm health, relationships, and may lead to suicide if untreated.

Q5: How is it treated?
Therapy, medications, lifestyle changes, and supportive care.

Insomnia: Quick Facts

Q1: What is it?
Difficulty falling or staying asleep, or waking too early.

Q2: Symptoms?
Poor sleep, fatigue, irritability, poor focus.

Q3: Causes?
Stress, poor sleep habits, medical conditions, medications.

Q4: Is it dangerous?
Yes—chronic insomnia raises risks of depression, heart disease, accidents.

Q5: Treatment?
Good sleep habits, CBT-I, short-term medications, treating underlying causes.

Marijuana: Quick Facts

Q1: What is it?
A plant containing THC (causes a high) and CBD (non-intoxicating).

Q2: How is it used?
Smoked, vaped, eaten, or used as oils.

Q3: Short-term effects?
Relaxation, altered senses, munchies, poor focus, slowed reflexes.

Q4: Long-term risks?
Addiction, memory problems, lung issues, and mental health risks.

Q5: Is it safe/legal?
Laws differ by state; even where legal, risks remain.

Smoking: Quick Facts

Q1: Why is smoking harmful?
It damages nearly every organ and raises the risk of cancer, heart disease, and lung disease.

Q2: What health problems does it cause?
Cancers, COPD, heart disease, stroke, infertility, and faster aging.

Q3: Why is it addictive?
Nicotine changes the brain, creating dependence and withdrawal.

Q4: Are vaping or light cigarettes safe?
No—while possibly less harmful than smoking, they are not risk-free.

Q5: How can I quit?
Counseling, medications, support programs, and healthy lifestyle changes.

Alcohol Use Disorder: Quick Facts

Q1: What is AUD?
A medical condition where a person cannot control alcohol use.

Q2: What are symptoms?
Cravings, tolerance, withdrawal, failed attempts to cut down, and drinking despite problems.

Q3: What causes it?
A mix of genetics, brain chemistry, stress, trauma, and social factors.

Q4: Why is it serious?
It leads to liver disease, heart disease, cancer, mental health issues, and accidents.

Q5: How is it treated?
Therapy, support groups, medications, detox, and lifestyle changes.

Medication Abuse: Quick Facts

Q1: What is it?
Misusing prescription or OTC medicines in unsafe ways.

Q2: Which drugs are misused?
Opioids, sedatives, stimulants, and cough medicines.

Q3: Why do people misuse them?
For pain relief, stress, focus, energy, or to get high.

Q4: Why is it dangerous?
It can cause addiction, overdose, organ damage, and death.

Q5: How is it treated?
Therapy, support groups, medications, and medical supervision.

Cancer Screening for Women: Quick Facts

Q1: Why screen?
Find cancers early when treatment works best.

Q2: Which cancers?
Breast (40–45+), cervical (21–65), colorectal (45+), lung (if smoker), skin.

Q3: Extra screening?
Bone density at 65+, genetic testing for strong family history.

Q4: Risks?
False positives, overdiagnosis, test discomfort or comlications.

Q5: What else helps?
healthy lifestyle and routine health checks.

Cancer Screening for Men: Quick Facts

Q1: Why screen?
Detect cancers early when treatment works best.

Q2: Which cancers?
Colorectal (45+), prostate (discuss PSA at 50+), lung (if smoker), skin.

Q3: High-risk groups?
African American men or those with family history → earlier prostate screening.

Q4: Risks of screening?
False positives, overdiagnosis, test discomfort or complications.

Q5: What else helps?
Healthy lifestyle and routine health checks.