TRACHOMA MAY CAUSE BLINDNESS

It is an infectious eye disease caused by bacteria namely Chlamydia trachomatis . This bacteria spreads through direct contact with an infected person’s towel or clothing . However flies also serve as an important carrier . It is one of the major cause of blindness all over the world .

 

CAUSES

Sharing towel of infected person

Sharing  antimony

Flies

Unhygienic conditions

SIGNS

 

Redness of the eyes

Watery eyes

Swelling of the eyelids

Single or multiple eyelid lumps

Eye pain

Marked light sensitivity                                                    

 Blurred vision

Corneal scarring

Diminishing vision

Blindness

 

 

PREVENTION

Protection against fies by the use of net

Keep clean water covered

Maintain cleanliness

Better sewerage system

Avoid towel and antimony of the effected person

MUMPS : COMMON IN CHILDREN

Mumps is a viral disease which is common in children less than 15 years of age . Among 100,000 infected people it is responsible for death of almost 100-1000 people . Normally it occurs in the winter season . A person who suffers one gets life long immunity . And thus can not get the disease again . It is more dangerous in adults as compared to children .

CAUSES

It is cause by mumps virus

This virus spreads through

Coughing

Sneezing

Sputum

From one person to an other

SIGNS

Fever

Pain in the ear

Difficulty in chewing

Sore throat

Headache

Dry mouth

Aches and pains

Anorexia

PREVENTION

Clean your teeth regularly

Give children diet rich in carbohydrates

Keep the effected person away from the others

Vaccinate children against rubella

Maintain cleanliness

ANTHRAX

Anthrax is an infectious disease caused by bacteria bacillus anthrax . It is transmitted from infected animals to humans by exposure to animal products ( meat , skin , wool ) . Patients present with boil like skin lesion , flu like symptoms , respiratory collapse and acute diarrhea .

CAUSES

Attack of bacillus anthrax

Using things made of animal wool

Taking meat or flesh of animals infected by bacteria

Decreased immunity

SIGNS / SYMPTOMS

Cutaneous Anthrax presents with black blisters on the skin .

Inhalational Anthrax presents with flu , fever , malaise , cough , shortness of breadth and chest pain .

Gastrointestinal Anthrax presents as nausea , vomiting and bloody diarrhea .

PREVENTION

Vaccination against bacillus anthrax is available but it is not recommended for general public , it may be available to certain military personells .

Staying away from the infected animals .

Avoiding products made of animal wool .

 

LOW FIBRE DIET

Fibre is a special type of carbohydrate that passes through the human digestive system unchanged  . It makes food stay in the stomach for more time and does not make us feel hungry .  It slows digestion and absorption , softens stool , keeps blood sugar on an even level and prevents us from many diseases ranging from constipation to colorectal cancer . So proper fibre intake is necessary in the daily food .We can take fibre from fruits , vegetables , legume , fish .

SOURCES OF FIBRE

Cereals , corn , porridge , beans , fish , egg

Vegetables

Carrot , cabbage , tomato , onion

Fruits

Pear , apricot , banana , apple , grapes

CAUSES OF LOW FIBRE

Lack of vegetable intake

Lack of fruit intake

Lack of intake of wheat and corn

SIGNS OF LOW FIBRE IN BODY

Indigestion

Pain abdomen

Vomiting

Constipation            

Heart problem

Diabetes

Weight gain

Colorectal cancer

HOW TO PROTECT

An average intake of 25-30 grams fibre can protect against all these problems .

In order to take this much of fibre you may follow the following regimen .

Take at least two cups of either fruits or vegetables daily .

Take beans / kidney half cup daily .

  

DRACUNCULIASIS

It is also known as guinea worm disease . it is caused by a parasite known as Dracunculus Medinensis . Dranculiasis is a disease which occurs by drinking stagnant water contaminated by larvae of this guinea worm .

CAUSE

It is caused by Dracunculus Medinensis which is found in contaminated  water .

SIGNS / SYMPTOMS

When the germ enters the circulatory system the patient experiences severe pain along with other symptoms which include

Fever

Nausea

Vomiting

PREVENTION

This disease does not have any cure so prevention is of utmost significance .

Drinking water should be obtained from a bore hole or a hand dug well i.e from an under ground source as it is free from contamination .

Water should be either filtered or boiled before drinking

People who are suffering from the disease should stay away from the wells and other water sources .

DIETARY DEFICIENCY

There are a number of factors which lead to decrease intake of diet which in turn leads to lots of problems like growth and mental retardation .

Dietary deficiency could be of many types

Deficiency of vitamins

Deficiency of minerals

Deficiency of proteins

 

CAUSES

Improper diet intake

Food deficiency in a certain area

Poor socio economic status and high pricing

Unawareness about proper food intake

Any chronic illness interfering with the food absorption

SIGNS / SYMPTOMS

Anorexia

Growth or mental retardation

Memory loss

Confusion

Mental weakness

Irritability

Blue spots on the skin

PREVENTION

It is very important to know about the balanced diet and to know the problems associated with intake of imbalanced diet .

Making food of good nutritional value available for every individual .

Improving the socio economic status of every individual

Keeping prices in control

SCABIES : HOW TO PROTECT

Scabies is a contagious disease caused by scabies worm . It is a contagious disease . About 3 million people are effected from it . The patient presents with itching and rashes of skin and there is formation of blisters and vesicles between fingers , around wrist and on head . It occurs by contact with effected person or use of already effected material .

CAUSES

Attack of scabies worm

Contaminated fomites

From one individual to an other

Lack of immunity

SIGNS

Rashes on the palm , wrist and the feet

Rashes on the male organs

In newborn rashes on face and head

Severe itching specially during sleep and bath

PREVENTION

Maintaining hygiene and cleanliness

Staying away from the patient

Washing clothing and linen with warm water

Keeping the body clean

  

DEFIENCY OF VITAMIN A MAY AFFECT EYES

Vitamin A is essential for the body functions . It has pivotal role in vision . Deficiency of this vitamin A can lead to decrease in the immunity of the body . Its deficiency also leads to night blindness . Deficiency is mostly seen in the old and sick people . And it is more common in the developing countries . Now a days it is mixed with polio drops to prevent it’s deficiency .

 

SOURCES

Animal sources

Liver , Eggs , Milk , Fish , Meat

Plant sources

Mango , carrot , papaya , margarine

CAUSES OF DEFICIENCY

Lack of intake of food of animal origin

Iron defiency

Excessive alcohol intake

SIGNS / SYMPTOMS

Deficiency of vitamin A mainly affect the eyes but it may also affect skin , hair and nails . It may result into following

Night blindness

Dry eyes

Change in the colour of eyes

 

Spots in the eyes

Dry hair

Dry skin

Broken nails

Decreased immunity

                                                                    

PREVENTION

Balanced diet

Immediately manage diseases which cause vitamin A deficiency like measles , diarrhea , respiratory problems

Use of polio drops along with vitamin A

  

CARE : WHEN BUYING MEAT

Meat can provide us with energy. It fulfills lots of our requirements of vitamins and minirals and it is very good for health . But if we are not very careful in buying , preserving or cooking meat than it can be a cause of lots of diseases . Some of these diseases are fatal . That’s why we should be very careful when buying meat .

 

CAUSES OF MEAT BORN DISEASES

Diseased animals

Dirty slaughter houses

Dirty tools

Unhealthy butchers

Use of dirty shopping bags

Improperly cooked meat

Improper freezing of meat

SIGNS / SYMPTOMS

Unhygenic meat can be a cause of the following diseases

Tuberculosis

Viral diseases

Shigellosis

Anthrax

Botulism

Brucilosis

PREVENTION

Care is very important in following respects

Slaughter healthy animals

Cleanliness of slaughter houses must be maintained with care

Butchers should be healthy and their tools should be clean

Clean shopping bags should be used to transport meat

Meat should be fresh and should be left covered

Meat should be properly cooked

It should be carefully defrozen before use

BERI BERI : VITAMIN B DEFICIENCY

Beri beri is a disease which is caused by the deficiency of vitamin B ( Thiamine ) .  It may be wet or dry . Wet beri beri affects the cardiovascular system whereas dry beri beri affects the nervous system . It may be seen in the infants of 2-4 months of age where it is called infantile beri beri .

 

CAUSES

Deficiency of vitamin B in diet which may occur during pregnancy or breastfeeding

 Liver disease

Alcoholism

Goiter

Eating over cooked food

Eating stale fruits and vegetables

SIGNS / SYMPTOMS

Anorexia

Pain in abdomen

Nausea

Irritability

Loss of sensations in the hands and feet

Joint pains

Muscular pains                                        

Fatigue

Shortness of breadth

Increased heart rate

Paralysis of the limbs

PREVENTION

Eating fruits , meat , fish and green vegetables

Intake of milk

Use of wheat and rice

Use of balanced diet

 

INSECT BITE IS PROBLEMETIC

Insects are the important part of our environment . They are almost found every where . They may bite the human beings and may result in different problems like malaria , dengue fever , yellow fever , plague e.t.c . Normally insects are common in the rainy season and they play an important role in the spread of different diseases . They either bite or contaminate the eatables . In some cases insect bite only results in a local inflammatory reaction .

 

CAUSES

Flies , mosquitos , cockroaches , fleas ,ticks lices and bees

There are  certain factors which accelerate the chances of an insect bite

Collection of dirty water

Old furniture

Occupational adventures

Improper sewerage

Improper disposal of waste

Unhygienic conditions

 

SIGNS / SYMPTOMS

Pain

Swelling

Allergy

Itching

Red spots on the skin                                      

Muscular weakness

Fever

 

PREVENTION

Some insects are more common in the morning and evening time

 Better cover the body in these times of the day

Use anti mosquito sprays and lotion

Use of mosquito nets

Keep water and eatables covered
Keep your enviornment clean