Health: The Ultimate Treasure
3.1 What is Health?
- Health means more than just not being sick.
- According to WHO: Health is a complete state of physical, mental, and social well-being.
A healthy person:
- Feels happy and strong.
- Thinks positively.
- Has good relationships.
Good health = Healthy body + Healthy mind + Healthy social life.
Scientific Heritage: Ayurveda
Teaches balance of body, mind, and surroundings.
Practices:
- Dinacharya: Daily routine.
- Ritucharya: Seasonal routine.
- Eat fresh food based on prakriti (body constitution).
- Yoga, sleep, hygiene, and meditation are helpful.
3.2 How Can We Stay Healthy?
1. Healthy Lifestyle
- Eat a balanced diet (fruits, vegetables, whole grains).
- Avoid junk food, sugary drinks, processed food.
- Exercise regularly: run, walk, play outdoors.
- Reduce screen time; spend time in nature.
- Get enough restful sleep.
- Practice yoga, pranayama.
- Avoid harmful substances like tobacco and alcohol.
2. Healthy Environment
- Keep your home and surroundings clean.
- Clean air and water are necessary.
- Pollution causes diseases like asthma.
- Spend time with family and friends for mental health.
3.3 How Do We Know We Are Unwell?
- When the body is not working normally, we feel unwell.
- Symptoms: What we feel (e.g., pain, tiredness).
- Signs: What can be seen or measured (e.g., fever, rash).
- Doctors use signs and symptoms to understand illness.
3.4 Diseases: Causes and Types
What is a Disease?
- A disease is when body or mind does not function properly.
Two Types of Diseases:
1. Communicable Diseases:
- Spread from person to person.
- Caused by pathogens (bacteria, virus, fungi, worms).
- Examples: Cold, flu, typhoid, TB, COVID-19.
2. Non-Communicable Diseases:
- Do not spread from person to person.
- Caused by poor diet, lifestyle, pollution, or inherited.
- Examples: Diabetes, cancer, asthma.
3.4.1 Spread of Communicable Diseases
Spread through:
- Air (sneezing, coughing)
- Direct contact
- Contaminated food/water
- Mosquitoes or flies (vectors)
Examples:
| Disease | Cause | Symptoms | Prevention |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common cold | Virus | Fever, cough, sore throat | Wash hands, cover mouth |
| Chickenpox | Virus | Fever, rash | Vaccination, isolation |
| Measles | Virus | Red rash, fever | Hygiene, vaccination |
| Hepatitis A | Virus | Jaundice, fever | Drink boiled water, vaccination |
| Cholera | Bacteria | Diarrhoea | Boiled water, hygiene |
| Malaria | Protozoa | Fever, chills | Mosquito nets, remove still water |
| Dengue | Virus | Fever, muscle pain | Mosquito control, repellents |
3.4.2 Non-Communicable Diseases
- Not caused by germs.
- Linked to lifestyle and environment.
- Chronic diseases last a long time.
Examples:
| Disease | Signs & Symptoms | Lifestyle Changes |
|---|---|---|
| Obesity | Overweight, tiredness | Eat healthy, exercise |
| Diabetes | Frequent urination, tiredness | Avoid sugar, exercise |
| High BP | Headache, dizziness | Relax, avoid junk food |
3.5 Prevention and Control of Diseases
Immunity
- Body’s natural defense system.
- Vaccines train the immune system to fight diseases.
- Example: Polio, measles, tetanus vaccines.
Edward Jenner: First vaccine (smallpox)
- Used cowpox to prevent smallpox.
- This was the beginning of modern vaccination.
3.5.1 Treatment of Diseases
Doctors give medicines for treatment.
Antibiotics kill bacteria (not viruses).
- Don’t use antibiotics unnecessarily.
- Overuse leads to antibiotic resistance (medicines stop working).
Discovery:
- Alexander Fleming discovered Penicillin, the first antibiotic.
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