Human Health and Disease

Important Topics of Human Health and Diseases

Human Health and Diseases is a must for understanding how the body protects itself and reacts to different internal and external threats. The matter includes significant areas such as the categorisation and etiology of diseases, mechanisms of immunity, categories of pathogens, modes of transmission of disease, and prevention and treatment methods. It also covers disorders related to lifestyle, the physiology of addiction, cancer, and the consequences of drug and alcohol abuse. These subjects give an overall idea about how health is being preserved and how different factors cause illness and disease.

• Factors affecting Health

• Types of Diseases

• Immunity

• Alcohol and Drug Abuse

• Important Concepts - Pathogens, Vaccination, Cancer, AIDS

What is Health?

Health can be defined as a state of well-being where an individual feels body, mind, and social well-being. It is not only the absence of disease but also having the energy and ability to enjoy life to the fullest. Good health is dependent upon healthy nutrition, staying active, getting ample rest, and managing stress. It also has to do with living in a clean environment and avoiding bad habits.

Factors Affecting Health

Many factors affect our health:

• Genetic disorders inherited by parents cause deficiency or defects at birth.

• Infections are conditions brought about by microbes, such as bacteria or viruses.

• Lifestyle, diet, exercise, sleep, and habits all contribute to fitness or overall good health.

Physical Health Factors

Mental Health Factors

What is Disease?

A disease is a condition that causes the body or mind to perform abnormally. It results from some form of abnormality in the body, such as an infection, injury, or imbalance. Diseases can be caused by microbes, such as bacteria or viruses, unhealthy habits, or genes passed from parents. Some diseases are short-lived, such as the flu, and others, such as diabetes, last longer. Treatment and prevention also vary according to the disease.

Types of Diseases

Human diseases fall into two categories:

Congenital

• A condition that has existed since birth

Acquired

• Disease that occurs during a person's lifetime

Basic points about Congenital and Acquired are discussed below:

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

Diseases can be transmitted through:

• 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.

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.

• Masks: 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

The table below lists the common diseases that affect humans:

Immunity

The immune system refers to the body's ability to fight off infections by invading viruses or foreign bodies. There are two types, such as.

Innate Immunity

This protection is available from the time of birth and provides barriers to attack by any foreign agent that causes infections. In addition, there are four types:

• Physical barrier

• Physiological barrier

• Cellular barrier

• Cytokine barrier

Acquired immunity

This type of resistance is directly related to the pathogen, and a person acquires it during his or her lifetime.

Immune System Disorders

The immune system disorders include:

Allergies

Allergies occur when the immune system reacts to certain things such as pollen, medicines, food, etc. The human immune system can distinguish between foreign molecules and bodies. However, there are cases when the body beats its cells. As a result, it is harmful to the body and is called an autoimmune disease. A usual example of such a given effect is rheumatoid arthritis.

Cancer

Cancer refers to the uncontrolled and abnormal replication of cells. These cells capture and kill neighbouring tissues, and the continuous proliferation of cancer cells causes metastasis. The basics of cancer are discussed below:

Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Drug abuse commonly includes cannabinoids, coca alkaloids and opioids. Few medicines can be found in the fungus, especially in flowering plants. Opioid drugs also bind to the opioid receptors present in the human GI tract and the CNS (Central Nervous System). On the other hand, cannabinoids interact with cannabinoid receptors in the brain. Examples of such drugs are hashish, marijuana, and charm.

Human Health and Diseases NEET MCQs (With Answers & Explanations)

Important questions asked in NEET from this topic are:

• Classification and types of mutations

• Causes and effects of mutations

Practice Questions for NEET

Q1. Assume a population that has reached herd immunity for an infectious disease. If an infected individual is introduced to this population, which of the following is most likely to occur?

(A) The infection will spread exponentially across the population.

(B) The infection will spread linearly across the population.

(C) A few individuals may get infected, but the infection will not spread across the population.

(D) No other individual will be infected by the disease.

1. (A)

2. (B)

3. (C)

4. (D)

Correct answer: 3) (C)

Explanation:

The point at which the proportion of susceptible individuals falls below the threshold needed for transmission is known as the herd immunity threshold. Herd immunity is a form of indirect protection from infectious diseases. When a sufficient percentage of a population has become immune to an infection, it breaks the chain of transmission thereby reducing the likelihood of infection for individuals who lack immunity against that infection.

Hence, the correct answer is option 3) A few individuals may get infected, but the infection will not spread across the population.

Q2. Maintenance of personal and public hygiene is very important for

1. Prevention of infectious diseases

2. Control of non - infectious diseases

3. Control of infectious disease

4. More than one correct answer

Correct answer: 4) More than one correct

Explanation:

Maintenance of personal and public hygiene is very important for the prevention and control of many infectious diseases. Measures for personal hygiene include keeping the body clean; and consuming clean drinking water, food, vegetables, fruits, etc. Public hygiene includes proper disposal of waste and excreta; periodic cleaning and disinfection of water reservoirs, pools, cesspools and tanks and observing standard practices of hygiene in public catering.

Hence, the correct answer is option 4 - More than one correct answer

Q3. The term 'Health' is defined in many ways. The most accurate definition of health would be:

1. Health is the state of body and mind in a balanced condition

2. Health is the reflection of a smiling face

3. Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being

4. Health is a symbol of economic prosperity.

Correct answer: 3) Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being

Explanation:

To lead a quality life, physical fitness alone is not sufficient. Mental and Social well-being hold equal importance. A quality life is achieved through a balance of physical, mental, and social well-being. Mental health is crucial for emotional resilience, stress management, and overall happiness. Social well-being fosters strong relationships, a sense of community, and social support. Together, these aspects contribute to a harmonious and fulfilling life.

Hence, the correct answer is option 3) health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being.

Also Read:

• MCQs on Health and Diseases

• Protozoan Diseases

• Life Cycle of Plasmodium