Chapter 16: Drugs 

%%Drug%% is any ^^externally^^ administered ^^chemical substance^^ (not food) that ^^modifies or affects chemical reactions in the body^^.

Medicinal Drugs

• Antibiotics
  • Produced by certain bacteria.
  • Only treats bacterial infections.
  • Four main types
  • penicillin
  • cephalosporins
  • tetracyclines
  • erythromycin

Alcohol

• Rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream from intestine & is broken in liver.
• A depressant and addictive.
• %%Effects on nervous system%%
  • Slows down some brain functions and self control.
  • In some people; may increase anxiety.
  • Reduces nervous tension.
  • Blurred vision and poor muscular coordination.
• %%Effect of digestive system:%%
  • Increases risk of gastric ulcers.
  • May damage liver - lead to liver cirrhosis.

Types of Drugs:

• Stimulant
• depressant
• hallucinogenic
• opiates

Heroin:

• A powerful depressant.
• Dulls senses.
• Reduces hunger.
• Relieves tension.
• Makes user sleepy.
• When user gets addictive; he gets physically dependent on drug causing: stomach upsets, vomiting, diarrhea.

Smoking:

• %%Why do people smoke?%%
  • Symbol of adulthood.
  • Impression of maturity, high social status, happiness and success.
  • Some use it to cover weaknesses/shortcomings or heartbreaks.
• %%What is cigarette made up of?%%
  • ^^Nicotine^^
  • Addictive drug.
  • Dulls brain and senses.
  • Causes release of adrenaline.
  • Makes blood clot easily.
  • ^^Carbon monoxide^^
  • Increases risk of atherosclerosis.
  • Damages lining of blood vessels.
  • ^^Tar^^
  • Contains cancer causing substances.
  • Paralyses cilia.
  • ^^Irritants^^
  • Irritate the cells lining air passages

Smoking related diseases:

• Lung cancer.
• Chronic bronchitis.
• Emphysema.

Smoking and Pregnancy

• There are following risks:
  • Brain development of fetus is affected.
  • Fetus grows slowly.
  • Premature birth.
  • Miscarriage.
  • Stillbirth.