Health and Environmental Issues: A Comprehensive Guide

Posted on May 26, 2024 in Biology

Air Pollution

The term “air pollution” is defined as the presence in the ambient (surrounding) atmosphere of s substances (e.g., gases, mixtures of gases and particulate matter) generated by the activities of man in concentrations that interfere with human health, safety or comfort, or injurious to vegetation and animals and other environmental media resulting in chemicals entering the food chain or being present in drinking-water and thereby constituting additional source of human exposure.

Sources of air pollution –

(a) Automobiles : Motor vehicles are a major source of air pollution throughout the urban areas. They emit hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. (b) Industries : Industries emit large amounts of pollutants into the atmosphere. Combustion of fuel to generate heat and power smoke, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and fly ash. (c) Domestic Sources : Domestic combustion of coal, wood or oil is a major source of smoke, dust, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. (d) Smoking: The most direct and important source of air pollution affecting the health of many people is tobacco smoke. Even those who do not smoke may inhale the smoke produced by others (“passive smoking”).

Effects of air pollution

Air quality has deteriorated because of rising industrial activity, increasing power generation and the congestion of streets with poorly maintained motor vehicles that use leaded fuel. Air pollution can affect by two ways: ■ Health aspects: The health effects of air pollution are both immediate and delayed. The immediate effects are borne by the respiratory system; the resulting state is acute bronchitis. If the air pollution is Intense, it may result even in immediate death by suffocation. ■ Social and economic aspects: These comprise destruction of plant and animal life: corrosion of metals; damage to buildings; cost of cleaning and maintenance and repairs and aesthetic nuisance. Air pollution also reduers visibility in towns. It can soil and damage clothing’s.

Q. Write a note on Sewage and Solid waste disposal.

Waste disposal (or Waste management) includes the processes and actions required to manage waste from its inception to its final disposal. This includes the collection, transport, treatment and disposal of waste, together with

Describe composition balanced diet in Indian food.

A balance diet fulfills the energy requirements, improves the body functioning, boosts the immune system and prevents weight gain. It also prevents the risk of developing certain diseases (like diabetes, hypertension and other heart disease, cancer, etc.). The composition of balanced diet in Indian food is as: (A) Macronutrients: Macronutrients are essential nutrients required by body in large quantities. There are following three types of macronutrients:

(i) Protein: Proteins are polymers of long chain amino acids. They are required for the growth, development, repair and maintenance of body tissues. They consist of 10-35% of total food. The various sources are: meat, chicken, fish, nuts, seed, whole grains, beans, eggs, dairy, and soy. (ii) Fats: They are main and major source for providing energy to the body. They consist of 20-35% of total food. The various sources are: oily fish, olive oil, nuts, meat, butter and cheese (iii) Carbohydrates: They are primary and preferred source of energy for several body tissues including brain. They consist of 45-65% of total food. The various sources are: rice, potatoes, corn, honey, beans, sugars etc. Micro nutrients : Micronutrients are essential nutrients required by body in mall quantities but are critical for several important functions of body and therefore must be consumed in food. The most important micronutrients are vitamins and minerals. For examples, Vitamin A is required for sight, Body development are required for proper development against diseases: Vitamin B-complex (B1, B2, &growth of the body, Stamina A in blood formation, etc; is required for increased anti-disease capacity and as antioxidant. (C) Water: Since water is the universal solvent and therefore used in most of the reaction and product formation. The role of water in diet are as: (i) To help in digestion. (ii) In circulation (iii) Regulation in body temperature.

Effects of Drug Misuse

Drug misuse may cause a range of health and social problems other than dependence, which include: Physical health problems (for example, thrombosis, abscesses, overdose, hepatitis B and C, HIV, and respiratory and cardiac problems). Mental health problems (for example, depression, anxiety, paranoia and suicidal thoughts). Social difficulties (for example, relationship problems, financial difficulties, unemployment and homelessness).

Define following terms: (a) Epidemic, (b) Pandemic, (c) Endemic, (d) Outbreak, (e) Quarantine, (f) Isolation.

Ans. (a) Epidemic – An epidemic is the rapid spread of disease to a large number of people in a given population within a short period of time. (b) Pandemic : A pandemic is an epidemic of an infectious disease that has read of an infected region, affecting large population. A disease or condition is pandemic nearly because it is widespread or kills many people, it must also be infectious. Pandemic is an epidemic that’s spread over multiple countries or continents. (c) Endemic: The endemic is something that belongs to a particular people or country. The Endemics are a constant presence in a specific location. Example: Malaria is endemic to many parts of Africa. (d) Outbreak-An outbreak is specifically a sudden rise in cases, especially when it is only or so far affecting a relatively localized area. An outbreak is a sudden breaking out or occurrence or eruption. (e) Quarantine: A state, a period, or place of isolation in which people or animals that have arrived from elsewhere or been exposed to infectious or contagious disease are placed. It is defined as separating & restricting the movement of people who are exposed or are potentially exposed to a contagious disease. (f) Isolation: The isolation means to set apart from others. The isolation is the property when an individual is socially withdrawn or removed from society. In health care facilities, isolation represents one of several measures that can be taken to implement in infection control.

Important functions of fibres-1. Help in digestion- Fibres play an important role in the digestion by providing the support to the food material. In the intestine food material are combine with the fibrous material and eaisly pass out through the anal/rectal region. 2.Maintain the cholesterol level- In our body cholesterol are not eaisly pass out from the body but due to involvement of fibres unwanted cholesterol are ligate with the fibre and easily excrete from the body. 3. Maintain the blood sugar level- By helping in the digestion process fibres allow the essential substances absorbation and removal so it regulates the blood sugar level. 4. Prevention in GIT infections- Some time indigestion, constipation and distrub digestion, cause the infections in the GIT. For the treatment of these conditions Doctor are recommended to take of more fibres fruit or vegetable. Fibres are also prevent the severe problems like piles.

Whooping Cough/Pertussis – Whooping cough is a highly infectious bacterial disease, characterised by uncontrollable and violent coughing. It mainly affects children, Causative Agent  The causative agent of whooping cough is a gram negative pleomorphic bacillus, Bordetella pertussis Epidemiology  Source of Infection : The source of infection is nose and throat secretions.  Infective Period : 2 – 3 Weeks  Age : mostly

Leprosy– Leprosy (or Hansen’s disease) is a contagious disease characterised by painful white patches on the dermis and Capable of causing necrosis of nerves and muscles.  Leprosy is of two types, lepromatous leprosy and tuberculoid leprosy. Other types of leprosy are borderline leprosy and intermediate leprosy, Iying in between these two types. Causative Agent  The causative agent of leprosy is Mycobacterium leprae. Epidemiology – 1) Source of Infection : Only the multibacillary cases are highly infectious. 2) Age : Infection can occur at any age.3) Sex : Males are more commonly affected than females. 4) Incubation Period : The incubation period is long, variable, and ranges from 2-5 years. Mode Of Transmission- Contact Transmission : Leprosy is transmitted by direct (skin with fomites ) with the infectious patient. Droplet Infection : Leprosy can also be transmitted by droplet infection. Clinical Presentations- Presence of hypopigmented spots on the skin. The affected area loses its cutaneous sensitivity either partially or totally, The nerves get thicken, In the later phase, leprosy can lead to several complications

Role of Pharmacist in Educating the Public in Prevention Detecting leprosy cases and tracing their contacts such as children belonging to houses where there is a leprosy patient. There must be no contact between the patient and the healthy person. An acute patient should be isolated selectively or should be hospitalised. The infected person

National Health Programmes in India  After independence of our nation, the National Health Programmes are launched by the Central Government for the control/ eradication of the communicable diseases, improvement of environmental sanitation, improving the standard of nutrition, control of population and promotion of rural health.  Various International agencies have been providing technical and material assistance in the implementation of these programmes. Following are the some of the Health Programmes: –  National Health Mission  Reproductive And Child Health Programs  Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP) : DOTS Strategy  National AIDS Control Program  National Vector Borne Disease Control Program Nutritional Programs  National Anti-Tobacco Program  Ayushman Bharat Yojana  Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) Ayushman Bharat Yojana :-  The United Nations Development Programme classifies ‘Good Health and Well-being’ as one of the top 5 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)1.  Health is a prime development goal for the current GoI. Through the National Health Policy 2017, India wants to move progressively towards Universal Health Coverage.  Ayushman Bharat (AB) is a step in this direction. Historically, India’s approach to healthcare has been fragmented and has focused on either sectoral or segmented service delivery Benefits of Ayushman Bharat Yojana  Medical examination, treatment and consultation  Pre-hospitalization expenses  Post-hospitalization follow-up care up to 15 days  Diagnostic procedures and lab investigation charges  Cost of Medicine and medical consumables expenses are covered

Nation Health Mission  National Health Mission is a strategic plan of central health ministry to strengthen the health systems in rural and urban areas National Health Rural Mission was launched in 2005 for strengthening health systems and provide better rural health Services. It was converted to National Health mission in 2013.  It is provided under 2 sub – missions NRHM – National Rural Health Mission was launched in 2005 to provide health care to the remote rural population. NUHM – To meet the health care needs of the urban population with the focus on urban poor. Functions of NHM  Antenatal and postnatal check up  Improved facilities for Institutional deliveries

Immunity—Immunity is define as the ability of immune system to produce the immune response against the disease causing organisms like bacteria,

FIP Development Goal (International Pharmaceutical Federation)

RCH- Reproductive child health

Example of live vaccine – Tuberculosis (BCG), Oral polio vaccine (OPV), Measles, Rotavirus, Yellow fever.

BCG– Bacillus Calmette Guerin

Health Programmes: –  National Health Mission  Reproductive And Child Health Programs  Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP) : DOTS Strategy  National AIDS Control Program

Balanced diet -This means eating a wide variety of foods in the right proportions, and consuming the right amount of food and drink to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.

Water pollution sources- These are sewage discharges, industrial activities, agricultural activities, and urban runoff including stormwater.

Water borne diseases are diarrhea, giardiasis, dysentery, typhoid fever, E. Coli infection, and salmonellosis.

Household combustion devices, motor vehicles, industrial facilities and forest fires are common sources of air pollution.

(a) Epidemic – An epidemic is the rapid spread of disease to a large number of people in a given population within a short period of time.

prokaryotic microbes: Escherichia Coli Bacterium. Cyanobacteria. Lactobacillus Acidophilus. Streptococcus Bacterium. Streptococcus Pyogenes. Bacillus Cereus.

First aid refers to medical attention that is usually administered immediately after the injury occurs and at the location where it occurred.

Communicable diseases, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), malaria, viral hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)

Types of vaccine—1. Live attenuated vaccine (LAV)– Live attenuated vaccines (LAV) is prepared by pathogens (virus or bacteria) which causes the infections or disease, that have been weakened under laboratory condition. Live microorganisms provide continual antigenic stimulation giving sufficient time for memory cell production. Due to their weak activity it cause no or very mild disease. Example– – Tuberculosis (BCG), Oral polio vaccine (OPV), Measles, Rotavirus, Yellow fever. 2. Inactivated vaccine (Killed vaccine)– Inactivated vaccines are prepared by the method of killing antigens through the physical or chemical processes. These killed organisms cannot cause risk of inducing the disease and they are also considered more stable than LAV vaccines. Example– – Whole cell pertussis, Inactivated polio virus (IPV) 3. Subunit vaccine (Purified antigen)—Subunit vaccines contains the antigenic parts ( disease causing portion) of antigen. Like inactivated vaccine it also not contains the live components of antigen, it is only contains the antigenic parts like surface protein, conjugated chemicals, polysaccharide etc. Example– Acellular pertussis, Haemophilus influenza type b Pneumococcal, Hepatitis B. 4. Toxoid vaccine (Inactivated Toxoid)– Toxoid vaccines are based on the toxin produced by certain bacteria (e.g. tetanus or diphtheria). Released toxin is used to prepare the vaccine and these parts are necessary to elicit a protective immune response and produce antibody. Example– Tetanus Toxoid (TT), Diphtheria Toxoid.

IMPORTANCE OF BREASTFEEDING– Benefit for Child—Milk are the essential nutrients for the growing baby. It helps many ways like… ➢ Improve resistance power—Mother milk contains the many antibodies, which are responsible for the protection of child against the disease. IgA is the major immunoglobulin in human colostrums and milk. Resistance provide by milk against disease like➢ Asthma, respiratory disease, obesity, diabetes, ear infections, gastro- intestinal infections, cancer and any syndrome etc. ➢ Fulfill nutrients supply—Milk are the best food supplement for the growing baby because it contains the essential supplement (vitamins, minerals, proteins, amino acids, fat or lipids etc) in required and abundant amount. Proper growth and development—Due to involvement of supplement, it helps in proper growth and development and of body parts (bone, muscle, liver, heart etc.) and also provided the strength to body parts .

IMMUNITY

Immunity—Immunity is define as the ability of immune system to produce the immune response against the disease causing organisms like bacteria, virus, fungus, and other foreign agent. Types of Immunity—Immunity is of two types. a) Innate Immunity. b) Acquired ImmunityInnate immunity. Innate immunity is non-specific type of defense, that is present at the time of birth. This is accomplished by providing different types of barriers to the entry of the foreign agents into our body. Innate immunity consists of four types of barriers. These are — 1. Physical barriers — Skin on our body is the main barrier which prevents entry of the microorganisms. Mucus coating of the epithelium lining is also provide the barrier and also prevents the microbes entering in our body. It is present in respiratory, gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts. 2. Physiological barriers—Due to the physiological activity of secreting substances of our body create a barrier that is, acid in the stomach, saliva in the mouth; tears from eyes–all prevent microbial growth. ACQUIRED IMMUNITY. Acquired immunity—It is the pathogen specific immunity which is characterized by memory. This means that our body when it encounters a pathogen for the first time produces a response called primary response which is of low intensity. Subsequent encounter with the same pathogen elicits a highly intensified secondary or anamnestic response. Two types of our acquired immune response present in our body – 1. Antibody mediated immune response—These antibodies are found in the blood, the response is also called as humoral immune response. 2. Cell Mediated Immunity (CMI)—The T-lymphocytes mediate CMI. Very often, when some human organs like heart, eye, liver, kidney fail to function. ➢ The body is able to differentiate ‘self’ and ‘nonself’ and the cell-mediated immune response is responsible for the graft rejection.