Introduction to Health Science

Introduction to Health Science

• What is Health?

  • State of complete physical, mental, and social well-being; not merely absence of disease or infirmity.

• Hygiene

  • Practices essential to preserve health and prevent disease spread.

• Disease

  • Occurs when a part of the body does not function properly.

• Disease Prevention

  • Clean water and food, immunization, balanced diet.

  • Safety precautions (home, work, road).

  • No smoking, maintaining normal body pressure.

• Common Diseases in The Bahamas

  • Hypertension (High Blood Pressure).

  • Diabetes Mellitus (Type 1 and Type 2).

  • Anemia (Iron-deficiency, pernicious, hereditary).

• Modern Medicine

  • Involves trained professionals, high technology for diagnosis/treatment, modern drugs, surgery, and anesthetics.

  • Advances include blood transfusion, hormone replacement, antibiotics, dialysis, and cancer removal.

• Purposes of Medicines

  • Kill disease-causing agents (e.g., antibiotics).

  • Prevent diseases (e.g., vaccines).

  • Supply essential lacking substances.

  • Correct improper body processes.

  • Relieve symptoms.

• Hypertension

  • Condition of high blood pressure in blood vessels, serious if untreated.

  • Risk factors: older age, genetics, overweight/obesity, physical inactivity, high-salt diet, excessive alcohol.

• Diabetes

  • Chronic disease where the pancreas does not produce enough insulin.

  • Insulin is a hormone regulating blood glucose.

  • Symptoms include