Introduction to Lifestyle Related Diseases-E2
| Numbering Code | U-LAS40 10008 LE26 | Year/Term | 2022 ・ Second semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Credits | 2 | Course Type | Lecture |
| Target Year | All students | Target Student | For all majors |
| Language | English | Day/Period | Tue.5 |
| Instructor name | RAUDZUS，Fabian (Graduate School of Medicine Assistant Professor) | ||
| Outline and Purpose of the Course | The lecture series focuses on diseases that are predominantly caused by a "western lifestyle", including the overabundance of food such as meat, dairy products, and vegetable oils, as well as the abuse of tobacco and alcohol. Due to industrialization, the lack of physical activity and an increase in air pollution have become additional enhancers or causes for these diseases. The first lectures in this series give an overview of lifestyle-related diseases and their impact on longevity, as well as on their burden on society. Subsequent lectures are organized into four major topics that represent the major causes of the above-mentioned diseases: diet and physical inactivity, air pollution and smoking, alcohol abuse, and social-psychological stressors. The importance of these topics is increasing, as lifestyles in Japan are continuously changing towards American and European lifestyles. Due to this relevance, the lecture series will be highly interactive: a major topic will be introduced and further extended by short presentations on different related diseases by students. In subsequent group discussions, strategies to recognize and minimize the risks will be elaborated. During the lecture, students will get the chance to work on selected scientific literature, newspaper articles, and additional media to increase their insights into lifestyle-related diseases and their prevention. | ||
| Course Goals | The lecture series will introduce you to the most-common lifestyle-related diseases. The necessary knowledge gained will enable you to understand the major causes of these diseases. By guided personal study, you will gain further insights into prevention strategies. After completing the lecture series, you will be familiar with diseases that are becoming an increasing financial and social burden on society but which can be avoided with a more conscious lifestyle. | ||
| Schedule and Contents |
Total: 14 lectures, 1 exam, 1 feedback session 1. Global overview of lifestyle-related diseases 2. How the wrong diet and physical inactivity can make you sick 2.1. Hypertension: why prolonged high blood pressure is lethal 2.2. Ischemic stroke: interruption of the blood supply to the brain 2.3. Diabetes mellitus: how too much sugar can leave a sour taste 3. Impact of air pollution and smoking on health 3.1. Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): lung diseases affecting the airways 3.2. Lung cancer: how smoking causes cellular damage in the lung 3.3. Alzheimer's disease: environmental influences on neurodegeneration 4. The underestimated risks of alcohol misuse 4.1. Alcohol dependence: craving, loss of control, physical dependence, tolerance 4.2. Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis: scar tissue formation in the liver due to alcohol-induced damage 5. Major depressive disorder: mental disorder enhanced by several lifestyle-related factors 6. Prevention of lifestyle-related diseases 7. Exam 8. Feedback |
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| Evaluation Methods and Policy |
Class/video meeting attendance and active participation: 20% Assessments: 40% Presentation: 40% |
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| Course Requirements | The course is open to all students but a basic understanding of biology is recommended. | ||
| Study outside of Class (preparation and review) | Preparation and review is strongly recommended for every lecture. | ||
| References, etc. | Additional literature and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) will be introduced during the lectures. | ||
