Understanding Health, Illness, and Environmental Risks

CMC T.5: Health and Illness

Core Definitions

• Health: According to the WHO, it is a complete state of physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease.
• Disease: A change in health status resulting in a temporary or permanent loss of physical, mental, or social function.
• Quality of Life: The level of comfort, happiness, and satisfaction that allows an individual to experience life positively.
• Life Expectancy: A key indicator used to measure the quality of life.
• Genetic Disorders: Alterations in the genome where a genetic defect is the direct cause of the disease (e.g., Hemophilia, Down syndrome, or certain types of diabetes).
• Predisposition to Disease: Conditions where the environment influences health outcomes.
• Congenital: Conditions that manifest from birth due to factors occurring during pregnancy or childbirth.

Assaults and Health Risks

Health is subject to various diseases, aggressions, and risks caused by:

• The surrounding environment.
• The body itself (internal factors).
• Lifestyle choices.
• The sociocultural environment.

Physical Environmental Insults

• Ionizing Radiation: A form of energy capable of modifying the structure of matter.
• Noise: Unwanted sound that causes sleep disturbances, behavioral issues, and hearing loss.
• Temperature Variations: High temperatures combined with excessive humidity prevent sweat evaporation and cooling, which can be lethal. Extreme cold causes injury and increases mortality by complicating other existing diseases.

Chemical Environmental Insults

• Air Pollution: Human activities that change the composition of the air by adding compounds that negatively affect health.
• Contamination of Food: Food is considered contaminated when it contains foreign substances that are injurious to health when ingested.

Infectious Diseases

These are caused by microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi.

Transmission Methods

• Direct contact.
• Contaminated water.
• Contaminated food.
• Animal vectors.

Stages of Development

1. Infection
2. Incubation period
3. Acute period
4. Decline period
5. Convalescence

Prevention Strategies

• Avoid drinking contaminated water.
• Store food properly.
• Boil prepared food.
• Wash fruits and vegetables.
• Wash hands frequently.
• Use a condom.