Human Health and Diseases - 1 Notes PDF

UNIT 1 What Is Health? In simple terms, Health can be defined as being free from all diseases and infections. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), health is not only the absence of disease or illness. It is a state of an active and energetic condition, including physical, mental, and s...

UNIT 1 What Is Health? In simple terms, Health can be defined as being free from all diseases and infections. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), health is not only the absence of disease or illness. It is a state of an active and energetic condition, including physical, mental, and social well-being. A balanced diet and regular exercise play an important role in maintaining the good health of an individual. There are many factors which affect health, such as: Poorly balanced diet Genetic disorders Stress and anxiety Infection from pathogens Intake of unhealthy and unhygienic food Lack of exercise and other physical activities To maintain good health, an individual should include a healthy and balanced diet and maintain personal hygiene along with regular exercise and other physical activities. Everyone should be aware of the different types of diseases and their effects. What Are Diseases? A disease is an abnormal condition affecting a healthy living organism. It is broadly divided into infectious and non-infectious. Infectious diseases- These diseases are caused by the pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites and can be easily transmitted from one person to another; hence it is also known as a contagious or communicable disease. Common Cold, Tuberculosis, flu, ringworm, and malaria are some examples of infectious diseases. Non-infectious diseases- Diseases which cannot be transmitted from one person to another are called non-infectious disease, it is also known as non-communicable disease. These diseases can be either caused by genetic disorders, unhealthy diets, lack of physical activity and a few environmental factors. Some Common Diseases in Humans A pathogenic bacterium known as Salmonella typhi is known to cause typhoid in humans. This fever can be confirmed by the Widal test. Pneumonia is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Hemophilus influenza.  Rhinovirus, a group of viruses, is known to cause one of the most infectious ailments in humans, cold. Plasmodium, a small protozoan, causes malaria. Another protozoan, Entamoeba histolytica, causes amoebiasis (amoebic dysentery). Ascaris(an intestinal parasite) causes ascariasis. Wuchererta, the filarial worm, causes filariasis or elephantiasis. Immunity Immunity is defined as the ability of the body to protect, defend and fight against invading pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and other foreign bodies and toxic substances. There are two types of immunity. Innate immunity – non-specific defence type of immunity present at the time of birth achieved by the provision of 4 barrier types – the physical barrier, physiological barrier, cellular barrier, and cytokine barrier. Acquired immunity – pathogen-specific immunity that is characterized by memory. Active and Passive Immunity Active immunity is where the host produces antibodies in the form of dead or living microbes when it is exposed to antigens. It is a slow process, taking time to provide its full effective response. Passive immunity, on the other hand, is the immunity where ready-made antibodies are given directly to protect the body against any foreign agents. Prevention Most diseases are preventable to a greater or lesser degree, the chief exceptions being the idiopathic diseases, such as the inherited metabolic defects. In the case of those diseases resulting from environmental exposures, prevention is a matter of eliminating, or sharply reducing, the factors responsible in the environment. Because chemicals and other substances and materials originate largely from human activities, prevention ought to be a simple matter of the application of well-established principles of industrial hygiene. In practice, however, this is often difficult to achieve. The infectious diseases may be prevented in one of two general ways: (1) by preventing contact, and therefore transmission of infection, between the susceptible host and the source of infection and (2) by rendering the host unsusceptible, either by selective breeding or by induction of an effective artificial immunity. The nature of the specific preventive measures, and their efficacy, varies from one disease to another. Quarantine, which is an effective method of preventing transmission of disease in principle, has had only limited success in actual practice. In only a few instances has quarantine achieved prevention of the spread of disease across international borders, and quarantine of individual cases of human disease has long been abandoned as ineffective. It has not been possible to prevent effectively the dissemination of airborne disease, notably airborne fungal diseases of plants and human diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Nor is disease ordinarily controllable by elimination of reservoirs of infection, such as those that occur in wild animals. There are, however, certain exceptions in which the reservoir of infection can be greatly reduced. For example, chemotherapy of human tuberculosis may render individual cases noninfectious. The slaughtering of infected cattle may reduce the incidence of bovine tuberculosis, while the culling of poultry can reduce the incidence of bird flu. When infection is spread less directly, through the agency of living vectors or inanimate vehicles, it is often possible to break one or more of the links connecting the susceptible host with the source of infection. Malaria can be controlled effectively by the elimination of the mosquito vector, and louse-borne typhus in humans can be regulated by disinfestation methods. Similarly, diseases spread in epidemic form through the agency of water or milk are controlled by measures such as the chlorination of public water supplies and the pasteurization of milk. Immunization against certain diseases provides immunity and may be used in these instances, particularly when other methods of control are impractical or ineffective. The mass immunization of children in their early years has been highly effective in the control of diphtheria, smallpox, polio, and measles. In addition, hepatitis B immunization of children worldwide has helped control the spread of this highly infectious virus, and the immunization of girls against human papillomavirus is expected to reduce the future incidence of cervical cancer. Under special circumstances, as in certain military populations, it has been possible to control with prophylactic medicinal agents the spread of disease for which effective vaccines have not been developed. Treatment Treatment of disease in the affected individual is twofold in nature, being directed (1) toward restoration of a normal physiological state and (2) toward removal of the causative agent. The diseased organism itself plays an active part in both respects, having the capacity for tissue proliferation to replace damaged tissue and to surround and wall off the noxious agent, as well as defense and detoxification mechanisms that remove the causative agent and its products or render them harmless. Therapy of disease supplements and reinforces these natural defense mechanisms. When disease is produced by environmental factors, there is commonly no specific treatment; only removal of the affected individual from exposure to the agent generally allows normal detoxification responses to take over. Again, there are notable exceptions, as in the treatment of lead poisoning with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), an agent that forms complexes with lead that are then excreted by the kidney. Treatment of infectious diseases is more effective in general; it assumes several different forms. Treatment of diphtheria with antitoxin, for example, neutralizes the toxin formed by the microorganisms, and host defense mechanisms then rid the body of the causative microorganisms. In other diseases, treatment is symptomatic in the sense of restoring normal body function. An outstanding example of this is in cholera, in which disease symptoms result from a massive loss of fluid and salts and from a metabolic acidosis; the highly effective treatment consists of restoring water and salts, the latter including bicarbonates or lactates to combat acidosis. More often, however, therapy is directed against the infecting microorganism by administration of drugs such as sulfonamides or antibiotics. While some of these substances kill the microorganisms, others do not and instead inhibit proliferation of the microorganism and give host defenses an opportunity to function effectively. For other infectious diseases there is no specific therapy. There are, for example, very few antiviral chemotherapeutic agents; treatment of viral diseases is mainly directed toward relief of discomfort and pain, and recovery, if it ensues, is largely a matter of an effective cellular immune response mounted against the invading virus by the host. What is health management? Health management is a profession that involves the oversight, planning, direction, and administration of healthcare systems, facilities, clinics, and hospital networks. Health care managers are responsible for the organization and operation of a healthcare facility, ensuring medical professionals perform daily tasks under effective oversight and with the right resources. They are responsible for facilitating information flow between and across departments to communicate operational goals and account for the success of medical services. Health management requires business skills, communication with multiple stakeholders, and knowledge of technology to operate a healthcare organization's complexities. Healthcare managers direct and produce services within healthcare systems under performance indicators, creating guidance measures that enhance overall operations. Daily tasks and skills in health management include: Workforce recruitment and training. Facility management. Regulatory compliance with privacy laws. Managing internal communication between staff and department heads.  Improving medical services. The duties of a health care manager range depending on specialist knowledge and the type of organization they oversee, e.g., nursing home, hospital, or clinical practice. Examples of health management roles include – health care finance manager, health care department manager, research manager, clinical director, and health care administration. These managers shape decisions that create procedures and protocols to enhance operations within the healthcare system. Why do health systems need health management? Health systems have complex procedures, requirements, and services that need professional management to help them execute goods and services that impact the quality of healthcare treatments. Individual health departments do not operate independently and need direction to improve health practices, facility services, and staffing protocols. Healthcare organizations need managers with exceptional leadership skills to keep hospitals and clinics operating smoothly, safely, and up to date with the latest medical innovations. Health management administrators or teams oversee entire facility operations and have expert knowledge of the regulatory guidelines of patient care. Examples of different types of health care management include: Health care consulting: Managers work with health organizations to create training programs that keep employees updated with the latest methods and practices. Health insurance underwriting: Managers train health care staff to formulate insurance policies and programs that align with organizational goals and budgets. Clinical management: Managers oversee clinical trials for specialized research in product design and the effectiveness of medical devices before their use in a medical setting. Benefits of health management include: Structured care system: Healthcare organizations maintain services under the guidance and observation of professional managers that enable the continuum of care, helping doctors administer effective treatments. Cost control: Health managers can keep costs down for patients by providing health services based on a fixed pricing structure, helping patients stay aware of the cost of needed medical treatments.  Better clinical care: Physicians can make more accurate and quicker health assessments with the assistance of health managers that maintain medical report systems and facilitate the information flow of essential patient data. What are water-related diseases? Water-related diseases occur due to the intake of dirty or contaminated water which can cause various diseases such as diarrhoea, dysentery, cholera, typhoid, and even serious illnesses such as the guinea-worm disease. What are the causes of water-related diseases? Many of the water-related illnesses arise due to lack of adequate clean water for drinking and cooking purposes. Other diseases are caused due to inadequate sanitation facilities and poor personal hygiene practices that are directly connected to the lack of clean water. The two major causes of water-related diseases are: 1. Pollution High levels of chemicals, nitrates, and other heavy metals are mixed in water resources due to industrial pollution and/or the over-use of agricultural chemicals, which adversely affects human health. 2. Dirt and contamination Bacteria, viruses and parasitic organisms invisibly contaminate water and cause diseases. Most of the water-related diseases occur due to coming in contact with animal or human waste. How to avoid water-related diseases? Water-related diseases are highly preventable and can be avoided altogether if proper attention is given. Listed below are some tips on how you can prevent contracting water-related diseases: Ensure that the water you use is boiled, filtered and disinfected. Wash your hands properly and follow proper sanitation practices. Do not drink unfiltered water. Always carry a portable filter or only drink boiled water while traveling to ensure you drink clean water. Ensure that any stored water remains germ-free and clean using chlorine disinfectants. Before taking a bath, add a few drops of antiseptic liquid to your water to kill harmful bacteria.  Ensure all your food is washed with iodine, cleaned, and thoroughly cooked before eating. Avoid eating from roadside vendors. Get immunized to protect yourself from vaccine-preventable diseases. Using insect-repellent cream while hiking or traveling. Water-related diseases can be prevented easily. However, once you suffer from the symptoms, it may be necessary to immediately contact a health professional in order to get it diagnosed so that a treatment procedure can be recommended quickly. What is Air Pollution? Air pollution is defined as the introduction of pollutants, organic molecules, or other unsafe materials into Earth’s atmosphere. This can be in the form of excessive gases like carbon dioxide and other vapours that cannot be effectively removed through natural cycles, such as the carbon cycle or the nitrogen cycle. Types of Air Pollution 1. Man-made (Artificial) sources These are mostly linked to the combustion of several kinds of fuel. Immobile sources entail clouds of smoke from power plants, industrial facilities (manufacturing works) and waste furnaces, as well as incinerators and other sorts of fuel-burning heating devices. In poor and developing countries, archaic biomass burning is the chief cause of air pollution; traditional biomass embraces wood, crop leftovers and excrement. Movable sources comprise automobiles, aquatic vessels, and planes. Controlled burning is a procedure sometimes used in forest management, agriculture, prairie re-establishment. Fire is an accepted facet of both forest and grassland ecosystem and an organized fire can be an instrument for foresters. Precise burning kindles the sprouting of some desirable trees, thus renewing the forest. Fumes from hair spray, paint, aerosol sprays, varnish and other solvents Waste deposits in landfills create methane. Methane is extremely combustible and may form an explosive and volatile concoction with air. Methane is furthermore an asphyxiant and may displace oxygen in a sealed-off space. Suffocation may result if the oxygen concentration goes below 19.5% by displacement. Military resources, such as nuclear weapons, toxic gasses, germ warfare and rocketry 2. Natural sources Dirt from natural sources, typically big areas of land with little or no plant life. Methane, discharged by the breakdown of food (digestion) by animals, for example, cattle Smoke and CO from jungle fires. Volcanic activity, which emits sulphur, chlorine, and ash particulates Causes of Major Effects of Air Pollution Air pollution has a very negative effect on humans and the ecosystem. The constituents can be dense particles, fluid, or gasses. A contaminant can be of natural or artificial. Contaminants are categorized as primary or secondary. Effects of Air pollution Respirational and cardio complications: The adverse impacts of Air pollution are distressing. They are the root of numerous respirational and cardiac conditions accompanied by Cancer, midst other threats to our body. More than a few million are known to have expired due to direct or unforeseen effects of Air contamination. Kids in areas open to air contaminants are said to suffer frequently from pneumonia and asthma. Global warming: One more direct consequence is the speedy changes that the world is observing due to Global warming. With the increase in temperatures worldwide, an increase in sea levels and melting of ice from cold areas and icebergs, displacement and loss of habitat have already beckoned an imminent disaster if actions for protection and regulation aren’t undertaken soon. Acid Rain: Dangerous gasses like NO2 and SO2 are released into the atmosphere during the incineration of fuels. When it rains, the droplets combine with these pollutants, become acidic and then fall on the ground in the form of acid rain. Acid rain is a source of great harm to human beings, wildlife and crops. Diminution of Ozone layer: Ozone is present in the Earth’s atmosphere (Stratosphere) and is responsible for shielding humans from injurious ultraviolet (UV) rays. Earth’s ozone layer is diminishing because of the presence of chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere. Prevention of Air Pollution Some important measures that can be adopted by individuals to contribute towards the prevention of air pollution have been listed below.  Usage of public transport and carpooling Switching off the lights when they’re not in use Reusing and recycling products Avoiding the burning of garbage and smoking Avoiding the use of firecrackers What is Radioactive Pollution / Radioactive Contamination? Radioactive contamination is defined as the deposition or introduction of radioactive substances into the environment, where their presence is unintended, or the levels of radioactivity are undesirable. Such type of pollution is harmful to life due to the emission of ionizing radiation. This type of radiation is potent enough to cause damage to tissues and DNA in genes. How Is Radioactive Pollution Caused? Radioactivity can occur in one of two ways: Naturally occurring radioactivity Man-made radioactivity Natural radioactivity, as the name suggests, occurs naturally in our environment. Some radioactive elements such as uranium and thorium are present in rocks and soil, albeit in trace quantities. Interestingly, humans and all other living organisms contain nuclides such as carbon-14, which are created by cosmic rays. Man-made radioactivity is the result of nuclear weapon discharge or a nuclear reactor containment breach. In such scenarios, all living organisms in the vicinity of the nuclear event will become contaminated by fission products and remnants of nuclear fuel. This can be in the form of radioactive dust or even particles that are found on various surfaces. Examples of Radioactive Pollution One of the most infamous cases that resulted in radioactive pollution was the Chernobyl disaster. Other examples include: Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Disaster Nuclear fallout (after atmospheric nuclear explosions) Criticality accidents What are the acute health effects of radiation exposure? At very high doses, radiation can impair the functioning of tissues and organs and produce acute effects such as nausea and vomiting, skin redness, hair loss, acute radiation syndrome, local radiation injuries (also known as radiation burns), or even death. In a radiological or nuclear emergency, first responders and the workers of the affected facility (e.g. nuclear power plant workers) are at a greater risk of being exposed to doses of radiation high enough to cause acute effects. The general population, however, is not likely to be exposed to doses high enough to cause the effects mentioned above. In the case of a radiation emergency, people should follow information from local authorities and comply with urgent protective actions to reduce their risk of exposure. Radiation Prevention Radiation Pollution can be controlled and prevented at various levels, including the handling and treatment of radiation waste, the control and mitigation of nuclear accidents, as well as the control and minimization of personal exposure to radiation at an individual level. The treatment of radiation waste cannot be done through degradation by chemical or biological processes. Additionally, many radioactive materials have very long half-times (time necessary for half of the material to degrade or transform into non- radioactive materials) and thus radiation waste may pose a risk for many years after it was produced. Basically, there are only a few options for radiation waste treatment involving: Containment of the waste in radiation-shielded containers usually buried underground Isolation of radiation waste in remote locations such as remote caves or abandoned mines - which may also involve the use of some kind of barriers (shields), When the first two alternatives are not possible, the waste may be diluted until background values are achieved.  UNIT 2 Balanced Diet Definition A balanced diet contains an adequate amount of all the nutrients required by the body to grow, remain healthy and be disease-free. In addition, a healthy, balanced diet provides the necessary energy requirement, protects against vitamin, mineral, and other nutritional deficiencies, and builds up immunity. What are The Benefits of Eating a Balanced Diet? A balanced meal helps provide the body with all the nutrients it needs to maintain normal growth and repair functions. Benefits of Healthy Eating for Adults A healthy diet helps boost immunity, reduces the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and some cancers, maintains a healthy weight, and helps recover quickly from diseases and trauma. Benefits of Healthy Eating for Children A healthy diet helps strengthen bones, supports brain development, boosts immunity, and regulates growth functions. 7 Essential Components of A Balanced Diet Proteins, carbohydrates, fats or lipids, micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals, and water are the essential components of a well-balanced diet. 1. Carbohydrates - Carbohydrates provide you with energy, which should constitute 50- 60% of your diet. Though it forms a significant diet component, you should not treat all carbs equally. Sources of healthy carbs are- o Whole grains like Oats, Quinoa o Whole wheat, Dahlia o Legumes o Millets like ragi, bajra, barley o Vegetables  2. Protein - Protein helps you build muscles and develops skin and hair. It should constitute 10-12% of your diet. Sources of protein are- o Legumes and beans, soyabean o Poultry-Chicken, Turkey o Seafood- Fish, Crab, Prawn, Lobster o Eggs o Lean meat- Lamb, Beef, Pork o Nuts and Seeds o Greek yoghurt 3. Fat - It is a misconception that fats are bad for your health. It would be best if you chose healthy fats as fats help you maintain your body temperature and help absorb fat-soluble vitamins ADE&K. Sources of healthy fat are - o Avocados o Nuts o Seeds o Extra virgin Olive oil o Fatty fish- Salmon, Sardines, Mackerel, Herring 4. Vitamins - Though there are 13 essential vitamins, you should take vitamins A, C, B, and D measures. Sources of vitamins are - o Fruits o Vegetables o Poultry o Seeds o Nuts 5. Minerals - Minerals help release energy from the food you take and promote the growth of organs. Some essential minerals are iron, calcium, potassium, iodine, and sodium. Sources of minerals are - o Fish o Meat o Beans o Cereals o Nuts & Seeds 6. Fibre - Fibre helps in digestion and also helps in lowering your cholesterol levels and controlling sugar levels. Sources of fibre are - o Oats, dahlia, Quinoa and Brown rice o Beans o Whole grains o Nuts & seeds 7. Water - You should take at least eight glasses of water as it hydrates your body and is used in body functions. Foods to Avoid For a Healthy Balanced Diet Avoid the below foods for a healthy life - Red meat Refined grains (cereals) like maida, white bread, sewain, noodles, pasta Trans fat, butter, cheese Added sugar Pastry Processed foods Importance of A Balanced Diet A balanced diet- Meet the nutritional demands of the body and prevent malnutrition Keep up energy levels and maintain normal body functions Boost the immune system and optimise cell repair  Prevent lifestyle diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes, Cardiovascular diseases, and some cancers Strengthen bones, muscles, skin, teeth, and eyes Help support healthy pregnancies Nutritional problems Nutritional problems, or deficiencies, occur when the body doesn't have enough of a particular nutrient or essential nutrients. Some common nutritional problems include: 1. Protein-energy malnutrition PEM results when the body's needs for energy and protein or both cannot be satisfied by the diet. It has a wide spectrum of manifestations, and its severity ranges from weight loss to growth retardation to distinct clinical syndromes, frequently associated with deficiencies of vitamins and minerals (e.g. vitamin A, iron and zinc). The most severe clinical manifestations of PEM are kwashiorkor and marasmus. Symptoms of marasmus include: · apathy; · growth failure, with weight below 60 percent of expected weight for age; · wasted muscles (muscles that are visibly thinner and less developed than normal) and very little fat under the skin; · diarrhoea. Marasmus is commonly seen in babies whose mothers had inadequate breastmilk and occurs most clearly during the child's first year. It may also occur when there is too long a reliance on breastmilk without complementary solid foods. Improper use of bottle- feeding is closely associated with marasmus, especially in urban areas. Symptoms of kwashiorkor include: · fine, reddish-brown, lustreless hair with loose curls; · apathy; · growth failure, with weight usually below 60 percent of expected weight for age, but this depends on the degree of oedema; · oedema (excess fluid under the skin, causing puffiness); · blotchy skin; · prominent stomach; · diarrhoea; · wasted muscles. Kwashiorkor usually occurs later than marasmus and is uncommon under one year of age. It occurs most frequently when children are taken off a diet of breastmilk and have to rely only on the starchy staple. On the same kind of diet and in the same household, one child may develop marasmus and another kwashiorkor. The causes of kwashiorkor are still not fully known; however, it has often been found to occur in association with diarrhoeal infections, which indicates that the causes go beyond nutritional factors. Infants and young children are the most severely affected by PEM because of their high energy and protein needs relative to body weight and their particular vulnerability to infection. Children's health is most in danger from about three months of age until they can feed themselves, perhaps at about three years of age. During this period several weaning practices can have an adverse effect on child nutrition. One factor is the age at which food supplements are introduced into the child's diet; others include the method of food preparation, the frequency of feeding and the energy density of weaning foods. In all circumstances, but especially during illness, young children need to be fed frequently during the day. Mothers may have difficulty in feeding children often enough if they are working in the fields; thus the limited time available to mothers may be an important constraint on children's food intake. 2. Low birth weight (LBW) Low birth weight (LBW) is a public health issue that can have a range of negative health outcomes for both infants and adults: Definition The World Health Organization (WHO) defines LBW as a birth weight of less than 2,500 grams (5.5 pounds). Causes LBW can be caused by intrauterine growth restriction, prematurity, or both. Consequences LBW can lead to: Infant mortality: Infants with LBW are at a higher risk of death, especially in the first 28 days of life.  Growth and development: LBW infants are more likely to be underweight, stunted, or wasted, and may have impaired immune function and poor cognitive development. Chronic disease: Adults born with LBW are at an increased risk of chronic diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Interventions Nutrition-specific interventions, like vitamin and mineral supplements, and nutrition- sensitive interventions, like malaria prevention, can help reduce LBW. Other factors Environmental factors like smoking and indoor air pollution, as well as social factors like poverty, can also contribute to LBW. 3. Xerophthalmia Xerophthalmia is an eye disorder caused by a lack of vitamin A, which can lead to blindness if left untreated. Here are some notes on xerophthalmia: Causes Xerophthalmia can be caused by malnutrition or issues with processing vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A is important for vision because it helps produce moisture to lubricate the corneas and pigments for the retinas to work properly. Symptoms Symptoms of xerophthalmia include night blindness, Bitot spots, corneal xerosis, ulceration, and necrosis. Treatment Treatment for xerophthalmia includes: Vitamin A supplements: Vitamin A supplements can be given orally or by injection. Diet: A dietitian can educate patients on foods that can help reverse the deficiency. Eye care: Patients can be educated on how to use eye drops to prevent dryness and should wear sunglasses outdoors. Humidifier: Patients should be encouraged to keep their home humidified.  Management It's important to manage xerophthalmia with an interprofessional team, including a primary care clinician, ophthalmologist, and dietitian. Prevention Vitamin A deficiency is preventable with regular vitamin A supplements. 4. Nutritional anaemia Nutritional anemia is a condition that occurs when the body doesn't have enough of certain nutrients, like iron, vitamin B12, or folate, to produce red blood cells. Here are some things to know about nutritional anemia: Causes Iron deficiency is the most common cause of nutritional anemia worldwide. Other causes include folate and vitamin B12 deficiencies, as well as vitamin A deficiencies. Nutritional anemia can also be caused by parasitic infestations, medications, and other medical conditions. Symptoms Symptoms of nutritional anemia include fatigue, headache, lethargy, and palpitations. Who it affects Nutritional anemia is especially common in young children, pregnant and postpartum women, and menstruating adolescents and women. Prevention A healthy, varied diet can usually prevent nutritional anemia. If you take iron and calcium supplements, take them at different times of the day. Treatment Doctors may recommend iron supplements or hormonal contraceptives for people with heavy menstrual bleeding. 5. Iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs) Iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs) are a range of health issues that can occur when the body doesn't get enough iodine. Iodine is a mineral that's essential for normal growth and development, and for the production of thyroid hormones. Symptoms of IDDs include:  Goiter: An enlarged thyroid, which is usually the first clinical sign of iodine deficiency Hypothyroidism: An underactive thyroid, which can cause fatigue, weight gain, and feeling cold Mental retardation: Iodine deficiency can cause irreversible mental retardation, especially in infants and children Cretinism: The most extreme form of mental retardation caused by iodine deficiency Miscarriage and stillbirth: Iodine deficiency can cause miscarriage and stillbirth in pregnant women Iodine deficiency can be caused by a number of factors, including: Diet: Some foods, like cruciferous vegetables, contain substances that can interfere with the body's ability to absorb iodine Altitude: Foods grown at high altitudes are often low in iodine Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Pregnant and breastfeeding people have higher iodine requirements Iodine deficiency can be treated by eating more iodine-rich foods, taking iodine supplements, or using iodized salt. What Is Food Adulteration? Food Adulteration can be defined as the practice of adulterating food or contamination of food materials by adding a few substances, which are collectively called adulterants. Adulterants are the substance or poor quality products added to food items for economic and technical benefits. Addition of these adulterants reduces the value of nutrients in food and also contaminates the food, which is not fit for consumption. These adulterants can be available in all food products which we consume daily, including dairy products, cereals, pulses, grains, meat, vegetables, fruits, oils, beverages, etc. Why is Food Adulteration done? The process of contaminating food or adding to the food components is a common phenomenon in developing countries. For instance: Milk can be diluted by adding water to increase its quantity and starch powder is often added to increase its solid content. Listed below are the main reasons for adulterating food products:  Practised as a part of the business strategy. An imitation of some other food substance. Lack of knowledge of proper food consumption. To increase the quantity of food production and sales. Increased food demand for a rapidly growing population. To make maximum profit from food items by fewer investments. Methods of Food Adulteration Here is a list of most common adulterants which have been added 1. Adding certain chemicals for faster ripening of fruits. 2. Mixing of decomposed fruits and vegetables with the good ones. 3. Adding certain natural and chemical dyes to attract consumers. 4. Mixing of clay, pebbles, stones, sand, and marble chips, to the grains, pulses and other crops. 5. Cheaper and inferior substances are added wholly or partially with the good ones to increase the weight or nature of the product. Adulteration is an illegal practice of adding raw and other cheaper ingredients to excellent quality products to increase the quantity. Having this adulterated food is highly toxic and leads to several health issues, including certain nutrition deficiency diseases, kidney disorders, and failure of an individual’s organ systems, including heart, kidney and liver. How can Adulteration be Prevented? According to the National Health Service and Food Research Institute, several food products have been adulterated to increase the quantity and make more profit. This practice of adding adulterants to food products are quite common in all in developing countries and other backward countries. Every year, the 7th of April is celebrated as the World Health Day globally and as per the reports, WHO aims to bring a general awareness about the adulterations of food products, motivate and inspire everybody to have a healthy, balanced diet. Here are certain safety tips to avoid Adulteration 1. Avoid dark coloured, junk and other processed foods. 2. Make sure to clean and store all the grains, pulses and other food products.  3. Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly in running water before they are used. 4. Check if the seal is valid or not, before buying food products like milk, oil and other pouches. 5. Always make sure to check and buy products having an FSSAI-validated label, along with the license number, list of ingredients, manufactured date, and its expiration. Below is a list of a few adulterants added to the food products along with their harmful effects. Food Adulterant Harmful Effects Products Milk and Curd Water and starch powder. Stomach disorders. Ghee, Cheese Mashed potatoes, Vanaspati and starch Gastro-intestinal disturbances and Butter powder. and other stomach disorders. Dust, Pebbles, Stones, Straw, weed seeds, Liver disorders, Toxicity in the Grains damaged grain, etc. body, etc. Pulses Dyes, chemical and Lead Chromate. Stomach disorders. Coffee Chicory, tamarind seeds powder. Diarrhoea. powder Tea Artificial colouring agents. Liver disorders. Stomach disorders and kidney Sugar Chalk powder, Washing soda, Urea, etc. failure. Severe allergic reactions Pepper Dried papaya seeds and blackberries. including stomach and skin irritations.  Abdominal contractions, Mustard Argemone seeds. sluggishness and increased seeds excretion. Gallbladder cancer, allergies, Mineral oil, Karanja oil, castor oil and Edible Oils paralysis, cardiac arrest, and artificial colours. increased LDL cholesterol. Pesticide residues, sawdust, chalk dust, Turmeric Cancer and Stomach industrial dyes, metanil yellow dye arsenic, Powder disorders. lead metal etc. Redbrick powder, Rhodamine B dye, Red Metal toxicity, Cancer, lead Chilli and lead, dung powder, soluble salts, water- poisoning, tumour, variations Coriander soluble synthetic colours and other in blood pressure and other powder common salts. stomach related disorders. Liver Damage, Low Blood Cinnamon Cassia bark. Sugar, Mouth Sores and sticks increased risk of cancer. Coloured grass seeds, sawdust and Cumin seeds Stomach disorders. charcoal dust These dyes are highly Jam, Juice Non-permitted dyes including metanil carcinogenic that have the and Candies yellow and other artificial food dyes. potential to cause different types of cancer. Vomiting and other Stomach Jaggery Washing soda, chalk powder disorders Honey Molasses, dextrose, sugar and corn syrups Stomach disorders  Chemical dyes, Malachite green, calcium Stomach disorders, vomiting, Fruits and carbide, copper sulphate and oxytocin and dyes used are highly Vegetables saccharin wax. carcinogenic. Tomato Pumpkin pulp, non-edible artificial colours Gastritis and inflammation of sauces and flavours. vital organs. Pepper oil, ethyl acetate, butyraldehyde, nitrate, washing powder. The kind of gum is Dreadful diseases that affect Ice Cream added which is prepared by boiling different organs including lungs, animal parts including the tail, udder, nose, kidneys, and heart. etc.