Health and Diseases

Introduction

The WHO defines health as the absence of disease or infirmity and a state of mental, social and physical well-being. The WHO believes that promoting the health of all should be the government’s responsibility. 

Types of Health 

Health is broken down into three categories- 

• Mental health refers to our overall psychological, emotional and social well-being. Mental health issues can determine how we think, act and feel in situations, relate to others, and handle stress
• Physical health- Physical well-being or health refers to the normal functioning of our body
• Social health- The National Health Portal of India describes social health as an “increased degree of happiness including a sense of belonging with others”

Factors on which Health and Diseases depends

Several factors is responsible for health and diseases ,here explained some factors- 

• Genetic factors-Genetic abnormalities or disorders can increase people’s risk for certain health conditions. For example, down syndrome is a genetic abnormality that can cause intellectual delays
• Environmental factors-Environment refers to a person’s immediate surroundings, which can affect your health. Where people live, the quality of their relationships, the level of cleanliness and pollution in their immediate surroundings, along with that person’s lifestyle choices, can make a significant impact on people  

Preservation of Health

While it is true that you cannot prevent health issues caused by genetic factors, you can preserve your health by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. People should follow some steps to preserve their health- 

• By eating healthy, nutritious food
• By exercising regularly
• By seeking meaningful relationships with the people around them
• By focusing on their mental health and seeking help whenever required
• By engaging in activities and hobbies that are fulfilling and enriching for you

Diseases

A disease can be defined as a condition or illness that prevents normal functioning. Diseases can affect any living organism and are categorized by having certain symptoms that affect a specific location. 

Types of Diseases 

1. Infectious or contagious diseases- Infectious or communicable diseases are those diseases that are caused by organisms like bacteria, parasites, fungi, or viruses. As the name suggests, infectious diseases can be acquired by people who have consumed something contaminated or have interacted with someone who has that disease or has been bit by an animal or insect carrying that disease. For example, Coronavirus, common flu, typhoid, malaria, dengue, chickenpox, ringworms, HIV, sexually-transmitted diseases are infectious diseases. 
2. Non-infectious or non-communicable diseases- India’s National Health Portal describes non-infectious diseases as not caused by organisms or infectious agents. Non-infectious or non-communicable diseases can be caused due to physical inactivity, genetic disorders, bad eating habits, and lifestyle choices (for example, having unprotected sexual intercourse, abusing alcohol and drugs). Common non-communicable diseases are- cancer, cardiovascular ailments, diabetes, arthritis, and respiratory ailments, amongst other diseases. 
3. Physiological diseases- A physiological disease is a disease that is caused due interference with the normal functioning of organs and body parts. Physiological diseases or disorders are diabetes, arthritis, dementia, glaucoma, leukemia, congenital heart disorders, and cancer. 
4. Genetic diseases- Genetic diseases refer to diseases caused by an abnormality in a person’s genome. Genetic disorders can be caused by different types of genetic inheritance like single gene inheritance (caused by mutations in the DNA of a single gene), multifactorial inheritance (caused by mutations in multiple genes and environmental factors), mitochondrial inheritance (mutations caused in the non-chromosomal DNA of the mitochondria), and chromosome abnormalities (caused due to abnormalities in the DNA structure or number). Common genetic diseases are- diabetes, down syndrome, Alzheimer’s, cancer, cystic fibrosis, and obesity. 
5. Hereditary diseases- Hereditary diseases are those diseases that are inherited and are passed on from one generation to another. However, not all genetic disorders are hereditary. Examples of hereditary diseases are Marfan syndrome (a disease that can affect the connective tissues), sickle-cell disease (a disease that affects the shape of red blood cells), color blindness (a disease that affects the ability to distinguish between different colors), etc. 

Common Diseases in Humans 

1. Typhoid- Typhoid is caused by a pathogenic bacterium called ‘Salmonella typhi.’ This pathogen usually enters the body via contaminated food and water and can cause fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, stomach ache, and constipation. 
2. Pneumonia- Pneumonia is a disease that affects the lungs and can be caused by bacteria like ‘Haemophilus Influenzae’ and ‘Streptococcus Pneumoniae.’ Due to this disease, the person faces extreme respiratory discomfort since the lungs get filled with a liquid. Common symptoms of pneumonia include shivering, fatigue, fever, headache, and cough. Pneumonia is a transmittable disease that can be acquired by sharing food or close contact with a person affected by the disease. 
3. Common Cold- Common cold is a prevalent disease that affects upwards of 10 million Indians every year. It is a short-term disease that spreads quickly and is caused by several different viruses. A common cold is a form of airborne disease that causes an infection in the respiratory passage and nose. Symptoms of the common cold include congestion, nasal discharge, coughing, sore throat, headache, tiredness, etc. A healthy person can catch a cold if they touch contaminated objects like pens, utensils, desks, books, keyboards, etc. 
4. Malaria is a treatable disease that spreads through animal or insect bites and stings. A plasmodium parasite causes the disease. Although malaria is a short-term disease, it requires a medical diagnosis and urgent medical care. Symptoms of malaria include abdominal pain, shivering, fatigue, fever, sweating, nausea, vomiting and headache. Malaria is treated with antiparasitic and antibiotic drugs. 

Common Sexually Transmitted Diseases

AIDS- AIDS or Acquired ImmunoDeficiency Syndrome is an auto-immune disease caused by       the ‘Human ImmunoDeficiency Virus’ or HIV. HIV can be transmitted in the following ways- 

1. HIV can be transmitted if a person has made sexual contact with an infected person. 
2. HIV can be transmitted during a blood transfusion. 
3. HIV can be transmitted by sharing infected needles. 
4. A mother infected with HIV can transmit the disease to her child through the placenta. 

People who indulge in unprotected sexual intercourse with several sexual partners, intravenous drug abusers, and people who require blood transfusions are at a higher risk of getting infected with HIV. 

Since the start of the AIDS epidemic, more than 80 million people have been infected, and more than thirty-five million have died from AIDS-related illnesses. During the peak of the AIDS epidemic in the late 1980s and 1990s, much misinformation about the disease led to social ostracization and discrimination. 

Not everyone that gets infected with HIV develops AIDS. Sometimes it takes years when you get any symptoms. It’s important to know that HIV cannot be spread through mere touch or physical contact. It’s essential not to isolate people affected by the disease for their physical and psychological well-being. 

Conclusion 

Public health techniques purpose to prevent disorder or lessen its effect via means of taking moves to protect or sell the fitness and wellness of the populace as a whole, in comparison to clinical techniques for treating disorder in its character members. 

 However, there are hopeful signs: the advances that introduced such big enhancements in public fitness in high-earnings international locations within the 20th century are being carried out in low- and middle-earnings international locations with giant success.