Health, Medicine and Common Medical Conditions Explained

Health and Disease

Health: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential for the proper functioning of the body. Health is an integral state of physical, mental and social well-being.

WHO: The World Health Organization (WHO) is an institution of the United Nations that coordinates international health activities.

Physiology: Physiology studies the functions and properties of the body.

Disease: A disease is an alteration in the functioning of one or more organs.

Trace: Study of etiology (causes), semiology (symptoms), diagnosis, details of the disease, treatment (curative) and prognosis.

Diagnostic Methods and Exploration

Diagnostic tests include: FSIC, observation, blood, lipids, hemoglobin, carbohydrates, enzymes, urine, prostate, ureter, radiology, CT scan, MRI and PET.

• Radiography: The first diagnostic image.
• CT scan: Computerized tomography.
• NMR: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance.
• Ecography (ultrasound): Ultrasonic emission into the body, which is collected by a device that forms images of structures.
• PET: Positron Emission Tomography.

Medical Specialties

• Angiology: Study of blood vessels.
• Hepatology: Study of the liver.
• Nephrology: Study of the kidney.
• Obstetrics: Care during pregnancy.
• Histology: Study of tissues.

Preventive Health Measures

Healthy habits include vaccination, careful diet, exercise, avoiding drugs, stress control and prevention.

Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases of bacterial origin include tuberculosis, salmonellosis and tetanus. Viral diseases include influenza, rhinovirus infection and AIDS.

• Contagion: Live flu spreads through indirect contact during incubation.
• Treatment: Vaccination and antibiotics.
• Prevention methods: Destruction of pathogenic microorganisms.
• Non-infectious diseases: Disinfectants and sterilization.

Cancer

Cancer is a malignant disease characterized by invasiveness and metastasis.

Cancer treatment: Surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and immunotherapy. Types include skin, lung, kidney, liver, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and stomach cancer.

Blood

Blood components: Plasma and cellular units.

Blood group composition: Blood groups are determined by the ABO antigens and the Rh factor. Rh-positive individuals have the Rh substance.

• Blood disorders: Anemia (low red blood cells), leukemia (excess white blood cells) and hemophilia (low platelets).
• Landsteiner's law: Mixing of incompatible blood groups.

Mental Disorders

• Anxiety: Persistent stress, panic attacks and chest palpitations.
• Schizophrenia: Usually appears between ages 15 and 25.
• ADHD: Affects about 5% of children, with inattention and impulsivity.
• Bipolar disorder: Mood changes alternating between euphoria and sadness.
• Alzheimer's disease: Memory loss, mainly in the elderly.
• Parkinson's disease: Tremor and movement difficulties.

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually transmitted infections include gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes and AIDS.

Transplantation

Transplantation replaces a damaged organ or tissue with a healthy one.

• Types: Autotransplantation (donor and recipient are the same person), isotransplantation (donor and recipient are genetically identical) and allotransplantation (same species, not identical).

Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery

Cosmetic surgery has ancient origins, with early practices recorded in India around 2000 years ago. Plastic surgery repairs imperfections, body injuries and illnesses, with roots dating back to ancient Rome in the 1st century.

Disadvantages of cosmetic surgery: Risks include facial changes, anesthesia complications and postoperative risks. Silicone implants are used to increase breast size.

Silicone drawbacks: Silicone implants can cause a spongy or inflexible texture and are associated with possible breast cancer and fibromyalgia concerns.

Botox (botulinum toxin A) is a poisonous neurotoxin used in patient care to rejuvenate the eyes. It is sold as Vistabel in Spain. Side effects include bruising and inconvenience.