Key Diseases and Medical Advancements
Major Health Topics
Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes
The pancreas does not produce insulin. Caused by the action of several inherited genes; possible autoimmune origin. Requires chronic insulin treatment. Involves many blood glucose injections (and urine analysis). Requires careful management of sugar intake.
Type 2 Diabetes
Affects adults, often associated with obesity and an unhealthy lifestyle. The pancreas produces little insulin, or the effect of insulin is greatly diminished (insulin resistance). Treatment involves medication and a healthy lifestyle.
Biotechnology and Medicine
The Genetic Revolution
For many years, pork insulin was used, but it produced unwanted immune reactions. Diabetes treatment advanced with the help of genetic engineering (recombinant DNA technology). Genetic technology is also relevant for prenatal diagnostic tests for many diseases and in forensic science. Most important discoveries include the molecular structure of DNA and its impact on human progress in biomedicine. The human genome is composed of the bases ATGC.
Recombinant Insulin
Human insulin produced by bacteria that have been genetically modified. The human insulin gene is isolated and introduced into a clone of an E. coli bacterium. The bacterium’s genome is altered to produce insulin, making it transgenic. Finally, the insulin is purified, isolated, and collected for use by diabetic people.
Patents and Biotechnology Industry
The biotechnology industry is of great importance. Patents protect discovered molecules with specific pharmacological action, such as patented insulin. Patents generate revenue; a percentage of money often goes toward the patent holder. The impact depends on economic power and resources.
Infectious Diseases
Malaria
An infectious disease caused by a type of microorganism, a dangerous protozoan (Plasmodium falciparum). It infects liver and blood cells and reproduces inside until they break. Causes intense fever, anemia, chills, and an inflamed spleen. Transmitted by mosquitoes. Mosquitoes reproduce sexually, develop into a cellular form, enter the salivary glands, and infect humans upon biting. Treatment involves drugs. Epidemics can lead to reinfection. Controlling mosquitoes is crucial. There is no 100% effective vaccine.
Global Health Challenges
Diseases still cause significant mortality. The WHO reports significant progress in combating diseases. However, increasing microorganism resistance is a major challenge. Challenges remain for diseases like typhoid and malaria, although diseases like smallpox have been eradicated.
Diarrheal Diseases
Very serious diseases, including cholera, dysentery, salmonellosis, and typhoid fever. Caused by microorganisms that live in the intestines of infected people; feces contain pathogenic microorganisms. Contagion occurs via the digestive route: consuming contaminated food or beverages (especially contaminated water), flies, or human contact with carriers (due to poor hygiene). Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, and loss of water and mineral salts (requiring oral or intravenous rehydration) or death. Improving water purification (potabilization) is critical, especially in regions like Africa and India.
Tuberculosis (TB)
A chronic, highly contagious disease primarily affecting the lungs but also other organs. Caused by bacteria that travel in droplets of saliva or mucus expelled by an ill person, invading the organism via the respiratory route. Contagion occurs through sneezing, coughing, etc. Symptoms include fever, sweats, weight loss, or can be asymptomatic. Very serious challenges include drug-resistant bacteria and the need for long treatment courses. Prevention involves vaccines and drugs.
Medical Interventions
Vaccines
Prepared substances designed to protect us, offering varying degrees of protection against certain diseases. Their basis is antibodies, proteins that react against a specific type of antigen. There are two main types of vaccines:
- Passive Immunization: Involves administering antibodies against the agent that causes the disease. Provides immediate protection but is short-lived (3-6 months).
- Active Immunization: Involves administering dead or weakened microorganisms so that the body produces its own antibodies against the causative agent. Takes days to become effective but provides long-lasting duration.
Antibiotics
A substance produced by a microorganism that kills or inhibits the growth of other microorganisms. They are not effective against viruses. Discovered by Fleming (Penicillin). Penicillin inhibits bacterial growth, kills bacteria, and is generally harmless to humans (except for allergies). Bacteria can become resistant. It is crucial to take the indicated dose for a sufficient time to eliminate the infection.