Human Health And Diseases: Definition, Causes, Transmission and Prevention
Human Health And Diseases: Our parents always insist that we wash our hands before eating and never eat outside. Do you understand why? Unhealthy food and inadequate hygiene are the two main causes. Furthermore, no parent wants their kids to become ill and unfit for life. People in good health are more productive at work. They increase productivity and boost the economy. Health increases longevity and lowers maternal and infant mortality.
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Every human being must have basic knowledge about health and common diseases. Knowing the causes of diseases motivates people to eat hygienic and healthy food to maintain their fitness and avoid diseases.
Human Health And Diseases: What is Health?
It is common for everyone to use the term "health." But do we know exactly what health is? For a long time, being in balance with certain "humours" in the body and mind was thought to indicate health. Health does not simply mean being ‘free from diseases’ or ‘physical fitness’.
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Definition of health: A condition of total mental, social, and physical well-being.
WHO health definition: According to the WHO, “Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
Factors Affecting Health:
Naturally, the following factors have an impact on health:
i) Genetic disorders: deficiencies inherited from parents from birth, as well as defects or deficiencies a child is born with.
(ii) infections
(iii) lifestyle; what we eat and drink, how much sleep and exercise we give our bodies, the habits we follow or do not follow, etc.
Factors Affecting Physical Health:
Nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and hygiene are the factors that affect physical health.
A balanced diet and proper hydration support the cells' and body's processes and functions. Engaging in physical activities lowers the chance of developing chronic diseases and enhances cardiovascular health, muscular strength, endurance, and flexibility. Sleep is essential for recovery, cognitive function and emotional well-being. Practicing hygiene prevents infections and diseases.
Factors Affecting Mental Well-being:
Managing stress is very important because chronic stress can cause anxiety and depression. Friends and family play a crucial role in emotional well-being. Engage in brain-stimulating activities such as puzzle-solving and learning new skills.
Factors Affecting Social Well-being:
Work-life balance, social connections, community involvement, and the surrounding environment, impact social well-being.
Human Health And Diseases: What is Disease?
Due to interruptions in normal functions, when one or more organs are adversely affected, we say we are not healthy, which means we have a disease. Diseases are characterised by their signs and symptoms.
Microbes break the natural barrier to enter the body and interrupt normal functioning, causing diseases
Types of diseases
Diseases can be broadly divided into two groups: infectious and non-infectious diseases.
Infectious disease: diseases that are transmitted from one person to another. They are common. Common colds, throat infections, chicken pox, flu, measles, urinary tract infections, and tuberculosis are a few examples. Some infectious diseases can be fatal, for example, AIDS.
Non-infectious diseases: These diseases are not transmitted from one person to another in any way. Diabetes, heart disease, and cancer are a few examples. Cancer is the major cause of death, among non-infectious diseases.
Causes and Transmission of Diseases
Causes of Diseases:
Pathogens are often responsible for the disease. Lifestyle choices, genetic factors and environmental factors are other causes.
Pathogens: Bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi cause infectious diseases. For example, flu virus and tuberculosis.
Lifestyle Choices: smoking, poor diet, and lack of exercise and sleep can result in heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
Genetic Factors: Genetic mutations are inherited and can lead to diseases such as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell anaemia.
Environmental Factors: Pollution, exposure to hazardous chemicals, and poor living conditions can lead to respiratory diseases, cancers, and other health issues.
Transmission of Diseases:
Direct Contact: Diseases can be transmitted through Direct Contact. (For example, flu and chickenpox)
Indirect Contact: Diseases are transmitted via contaminated surfaces, objects, or food and water (norovirus or hepatitis A).
Vectors: Insects or animals act as a medium of transmission for diseases. They carry pathogens from one host to another. For example, mosquitoes transmit dengue and malaria fever.
Transmission Via Air: Pathogens present in droplets spread through the air. For example, tuberculosis and COVID-19.
Human Health And Diseases: Prevention of Diseases
There is a famous saying, “Prevention is better than cure." There is a lot to do to protect yourself from disease.
Healthy Lifestyle: Have a balanced diet, sufficient sleep, and do some physical activities regularly to boost your immune system.
Hygiene: There is some minute work to do to reduce the risk of infections. Maintain cleanliness and proper sanitation. Wash your hands regularly before having a meal.
Vaccination: Immunise yourself against diseases like polio, influenza and measles by taking a vaccine and building immunity.
Eliminate risk factors: avoid exposure to harmful substances such as smoking, and alcohol, and practice safe sexual behaviour to prevent STDs.
Use masks to avoid pollution and air-borne diseases.
To treat bacterial, viral, and fungal infections, antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals are used, respectively. Anti-inflammatory medications and painkillers are used to treat symptoms.
Common Human Diseases
Disease | Symptoms | Causes | Preventive Measures |
Malaria | Fever, chills, sweating, headache, nausea | Plasmodium parasite transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes | Use insect repellent, mosquito nets, and antimalarial drugs |
AIDS | Weak immune system, opportunistic infections, weight loss, fatigue | Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) | Safe sex practices, avoid sharing needles, antiretroviral therapy (ART) |
Tuberculosis (TB) | Persistent cough, chest pain, night sweats, weight loss | Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria | BCG vaccination, good ventilation, proper treatment of active TB cases |
Cancer | Variations by type; can include lumps, abnormal bleeding, weight loss, and fatigue | Genetic mutations, lifestyle factors (smoking, diet), environmental exposures | Regular screenings, healthy lifestyle, avoiding carcinogens |
Diabetes | Increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and blurred vision | Insufficient insulin production (Type 1) or insulin resistance (Type 2) | Healthy diet, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and monitoring blood sugar levels |
Understanding human health and diseases is important because it builds the foundation for both academic and practical knowledge in biology.
How the body functions and how diseases are caused develop a broad perspective on maintaining health and fighting disease. Stay Healthy, Stay Fit!
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Washing hands before meals protects one from pathogens that may transmit infectious diseases and helps the individual to be much healthier and cleaner.
According to the WHO, health is defined as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
Physical health can be influenced by key aspects: nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and hygiene.
Infectious diseases are Pathogens and contagious from one individual to another. On the other hand, non-infectious diseases are not transmitted from person to person. The latter is mostly caused by genetic or environmental factors and/or the result of bad habits in day-to-day life.
One can ensure prevention only by leading a healthy lifestyle with good hygiene, vaccination, and prevention of risk factors like smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol.
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