Health and Disease: Concepts, Determinants, Prevention, and Statistics
1) Concept of Health and Disease
The concept of health has been changing over time. Long defined in negative terms (health = no disease), it is currently used as defined by the WHO in 1946: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being.” This definition is subjective and utopian, and many institutions disagreed with it. Its drawback is that it measures health as an absolute state and does not admit different degrees. The concept of health varies by country and historical
Read MoreEnvironmental and Lifestyle Factors Affecting Human Health
How Does the Environment Influence Health?
Harmonious development allows a person to thrive in a healthy environment. Pollution negatively impacts health, as do societal and family factors, which influence both physical and mental well-being.
Determinants of Health
- Lifestyle: Diet, obesity, alcohol consumption.
- Environmental: Pollution.
- Biological: Diseases, obesity.
Modifiable Health Determinants
Environmental factors, lifestyle choices, healthcare systems, and some biological factors (excluding hereditary
Read MoreWorkplace Risk Prevention and Assessment
The Need for Preventive Action
Preventive action is a legal obligation of the employer.
Motivating factors include:
Society in general, companies, trade unions, and the government.
General Principles of Preventive Action
Prevention: The set of activities or actions taken or planned at all stages of business activity to prevent or reduce occupational hazards.
Prevention is the duty of both the employer and government.
Hazard, Injury, Risk
Hazard: The intrinsic property of something.
Occupational Hazard: The
Read MoreHealth and Wellness: Concepts, Prevention, and Treatment
Health & Healthy Lifestyle
Concept of Health: A state where the body normally performs its functions. Associated with physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual, sexual, and environmental well-being.
Concept of Disease or Pathological States: A disorder due to a deficiency or alteration in the functioning of some organs and systems of the human body.
Symptoms: Changes in body temperature and blood composition, altered pulse, pain, dizziness, etc. In the modern conception of medicine, we must
Hepatitis A: Symptoms, Transmission, and Prevention
Hepatitis A
What is Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is an acute viral illness affecting the liver.
Stages of Hepatitis A
- Incubation: The initial phase after infection.
- Prodromal (Pre-jaundice): This phase lasts an average of seven days and involves symptoms such as malaise, headache, low fever, anorexia, weakness, intense fatigue, joint pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort in the right upper quadrant, aversion to certain foods and cigarette smoke.
- Jaundice: This phase has varying intensity and duration,
Common Skin Conditions: Diagnosis and Treatment
Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Symptoms (Sx)
- Chronic itching and vascular changes
Pathophysiology (Px)
- IgA antibodies against transglutaminase
- Granular IgA deposits in the dermis
- Gluten sensitivity
- Association with HLA-DQ2/8
Clinical Features (CF)
- Small vesicles, red macules, erosions, crusts
- Association with celiac disease
Diagnosis (Dx)
- Clinical features, cytology, histopathology (subepiderminal blisters rich in eosinophils)
Treatment (Tx)
- Gluten-free diet
- Dapsone (15-300mg)
- Wound care