Harmful Goods and Healthy Lifestyle

Foodstuff in the market may have less weigh in the packet and they may be of low quality. Sometimes, there may be adulteration in the food available in the market. The adulterated food may not have adequate nutrition. Some of the things may be harmful to our body
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Harmful Stuffs of Daily Use

Several industrialists produce stuffs and traders supply them to different markets in villages and towns. We use all these to fulfil our needs. Some of these stuffs may be pure but some may be harmful. Drugs for drug abuse, tobacco related stuffs and alcohol are harmful. We have taboos and misconception related to food in our society. As a result, people prepare harmful stuffs.

People wish to have new taste style of using attractive and colourful foodstuffs. Children use harmful foodstuffs as they don’t get proper guidance from the parents. Consumers are cheated from black marketing, production and distribution of food with less weight, low quality and adulteration.

The following are the causes of harmful or low quality food:

a)     To mix one type of foodstuffs with another type of foodstuff.

b)     To use different chemicals in foodstuffs and drinks

c)     To use food even after expiry date.

d)    To minimize cost by preparing food with low nutrition in it

e)     To prepare food for taste just by roasting it

f)     To use colour to make foodstuffs attractive

g)    To pack food and drinks in plastic and cans

There must be guarantee of having quality in all the foodstuffs and goods of daily use like mobile, utensils, rope, cement, iron rods, bags, radio, belts, clothes, etc. we use several stuffs like gel, oil, shampoo, hair spray, hair colour, polish, balsam to make our hair, nail and body attractive. Such low quality gods may cause side effects like fall of hairs, skin disease, wrinkles on skin, crooked body. It may spoil beauty of your body. There may be some problem in other organs.

Precautionary Measures in the Use of Harmful stuffs

There is unemployment problem in the country. As a result, there is poverty. Poor consumers are attracted to cheaper stuffs a there is demand for low-priced stuffs and low quality stuffs. There is more production of harmful low quality stuffs. The government implemented has consumer’s protection Act to discourage production and distribution of such low quality stuff. At the same time, it is necessary to reduce poverty and unemployment in order to make such law effective. The following precautions have to be adopted to minimize the use of harmful stuffs:

.      Public awareness has to be brought about through consumer’s education.

.      Produced stuffs have to be taken to the market after laboratory examination.

.      Inspection and monitoring of go down of traders have to be made effective.

.      Industrialists and traders in producing and distributing harmful stuffs have to be

       punished by law strictly.

.      If anyone knows the sale and distribution of harmful stuffs in the locality, he/she

       must inform the government immediately for necessary action.

.      During landslides, floods, fire, wars, natural disaster there are chances of sale and

       distribution of harmful stuffs. Therefore, we have to be aware about it.

.       We have to make local agencies responsible to implement strict law against

        Production and sale of harmful stuff compulsorily.

.       Permits must be implemented for production, sale, storage and distribution of

        Consumers stuff.

.       The community must be informal of the information about food adulteration

         Through social organization, non-government organizations, voluntary

          organizations.

Healthy Lifestyle Plan

The state of being physically and mentally healthy is considered healthy lifestyle. If an individual and a family are healthy, the whole society becomes healthy. The guardian has to play a vital role in making children’s lifestyle healthy. All the members have to be conscious in making the family healthy. Guardians and all the members of the family have to play an important role in making the family lifestyle healthy.

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Introduction

1

Importance of Primary Health Care

Different countries have used different kinds of health programs to improve the health condition of their citizens. But, they are not successful to bring a significant change in the health status of people. Especially, the third world countries are the places of experiment of new methods and techniques of health care. But people of some countries are facing the maximum health problems. They are the victims of common diseases like diarrhoea, cholera, measles, etc. It is proved that we should emphasize on primary health care. 90% of population of poor countries are illiterate and living in remote and village areas. They don’t even have basic knowledge of health care. They are not interested or cannot afford for preventive aspect of health. As a result, they have to suffer a lot or sometimes lose their life untimely even by the effects of minor diseases. Such facts prove the importance of primary health care. In order to improve the health condition of common people of developing countries, we should make them aware about their personal hygiene, community health and immunization programmes that are launched by the government for the targeted group. In the same way, lack of nutritious food, education, and inadequate health services provided by the state are major causes of poor health condition of people in backward countries.

The importance of Primary Health Care

.        Primary health care helps in controlling most of the preventable diseases which

         Are main causes of low status of people.

.        Primary health care promotes active participation of people in caring their health

         in the right way.

.        Primary health care gives emphasis on decentralization approach. As a result,

         We can make the maximum participation of local people in health programs. It

         helps to improve the health condition of the community.

.        Primary health care aims to provide minimum and basic health services to all the

         people living even in rural and remote areas. All the people living in the corner

         of the earth can get such health services facilities.

.        Primary health care deals not only with the preventive and curative health, but

         also with the promotive and rehabilitative health of individuals, families, and

         communities. In such a way, it plays a role of milestone in improvement of

         overall health status of the nation.

Elements of Primary Health Care

Different countries, organizations and communities have contributed to various ways to the services and facilities for primary health care. In spite of their various contributions, the international conference at Alma-Ata has outlined the following necessary aspects of primary health care:

a. Supply of Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation

There is deep relation between the supply of water and sanitation. If there is storage of water, it naturally affects the sanitary condition. Due to the lack of safe water and cleanliness, disease like diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid, worms, dysentery are likely to occur. Unless we prevent ourselves from such diseases, we cannon keep our health in a good condition. Therefore, the supply of safe drinking water is necessary. It is equally important to pay attention to hygiene.

b. Nutrition

A nutritious diet is necessary for living a healthy life. It is possible when we have sufficient supply of food and management of good nutrition. In the absence of a balanced diet, we may suffer from malnutrition and different health problems may appear. So, the supply of food and management of proper nutrition is taken as the second major aspect of primary health care.

c. Appropriate Treatment of Common Diseases and Injuries

Diseases such as diarrhoea, common cold, worms, fever, headache, stomach-ache, etc. adversely affect our health. Even the minor injuries, if not treated in time, can make us suffer much. If such health problems are treated in time, we can achieve a better health. So, the primary health care has given emphasis on the treatment of common diseases and minor injuries.

d. Management of Essential Medicine/Drugs

Primary Health Care has given emphasis on the management of necessary medicine. In rural areas, the health centres provide  medicines for diarrhoea, fever, pain, etc. Medicine is also provided for minor injuries and wounds.

When primary health care is considered in its essence, it makes us realize that one should take care of one’s health oneself. Health education is considered as a process and medium of taking care of themselves. To make primary health care a successful program, participation of the community is extremely needed. With the help of our minimum efforts, we can protect ourselves from more than 90 percent diseases prevailing in our surroundings. For this, there is a need of active participation of individuals, the community and the nation.

e. Protection from Local Diseases

Diseases may be found appearing differently according to the variations of the places. Thus, the first necessity arises in the treatment of diseases which especially appear in definite places.

f. Family Planning and Maternal and Child Health Care

Family planning is necessary to live a happy life. In family planning, the size family and education for them is managed according to the sources of family income. Along with the family planning, maternal and child health care should also be taken into consideration. Both child death rate and maternity death rate are high in Nepal. Therefore, the importance of the maternity and child care has increased more in Nepal.

g. Immunization against Major Communicable Diseases

Immunization is a preventive measure given against the diseases. If we are immunized, we become immune to diseases. we can immunize ourselves from the diseases such as tuberculosis, tetanus, whooping cough, measles, poliomyelitis, etc. The government Nepal has made these injections freely available to all the people in the country.

h. Health Education

Due to the lack of health education, it is hard to enjoy a normal health condition. Health education teaches us about the problems of health, the diseases and their causes. It also teaches us how those diseases can be prevented. That is why, health education is considered as one of the main aspects of primary health care.

Introduction

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Introduction to Primary Health Care

Health is wealth. It is the fundamental human right. So, it is the major duty of government to make basic health services available throughout the country. Primary health means the basic health services that are needed for every individual to be healthy. For the healthy life of citizens of any country, the individual, community, family, nation, government, all should be conscious and responsible from their respective field.

More than half of the world population is deprived of even from the basic health care. Mostly, the people of rural and remote areas are losing their life untimely by common diseases which can be controlled and treated easily. They do not have access to the basic health care. In developing countries, emphasis is given on curative aspect rather than preventive aspect. This is because of economic problem, lack of awareness, and scarcity of health services provided by the nation to its citizens.

As the time changes, concept of people also goes on changing. They become more conscious about their health. New approaches to health have come into existence. In 1978, there was an international conference held on 6 to 18 September in the capital city of Alma-Ata of present Kazakhstan in the then USSR. The conference was organized by the WHO and the UNICEF. There was participation of 134 countries altogether including Nepal. Participation of our country initiated the trend of health strategies and plans according to the concept of Primary Health Care. The conference has defined primary health in the following way.

Primary Health Care is an essential health care made universally accessible to individuals and acceptable to them, through their full participation and at a cost that the community and country can afford.

From the above definition, we can include the following points under primary health care:

.      Primary health care should have accessibility in all individuals and families in the

      community.

.      Primary health care should be easily available and must be affordable to all

       classes of people.

.      There must be participation of people in dissemination of primary health care.

.      Services of primary health care should be bearable to the nation.

Characteristics of Primary Health Care

Availability of Health Services

Basic and minimum health services should be available to all the people of community. There must be physical presence of health service provider, i.e. health centers and health personal should be available easily in the community

Accessibility of Health Services

Health services provided by the government or other related agencies should be within the access of common people. It should be provided at affordable cost. Basic medicines needed for common health problems should be made available.

Full participation of Community in Primary Health Care Programs

Any kind of health program needs participation of local people to be successful and effective. Without participation of people, the program cannot be successful and it cannot bring changes in the health status of the concerned community.

Affordable for community and Nation

The components of Primary Health Care must have affordable price. In such a program, local resources and technologies should be used. Foreign technologies and medicines may be expensive but the government or health service providing organizations should manage it for the common people if these are included under primary health care.

Introduction

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Some Communicable Diseases

Cholera

Cholera is an acute diarrhoea caused by vibrio cholera. It is characterized by the sudden onset of effortless watery diarrhoea followed by vomiting, rapid dehydration, muscular cramps and suppression of urine. The severity of cholera depends on its rapidity and duration of fluids loss. The outbreak of cholera is massive and epidemic in nature.

Modes of Transmission

The modes of transmission of cholera are as follows:

.          Faecally contaminated water.

.          Contaminated food and drinks.

.          Polluted water and drink it may transmit throny to mites of infected person.

.          Direct contact with an infected person.

.          Flies acts as mechanical carrier.

Signs and Symptoms

The symptoms of cholera are as follows:

.          Onset of painless watery diarrhoea and vomiting.

.          Diarrhoea like washed water of rice more than 4 times in a day.

.          Occurrence of the following symptoms of dehydration:

           -Sunken eyes                                    -Hollow cheeks

           -Wrinkled abdomen                         -Sub-normal temperature

           -Absence of pulse                            -Unrecordable blood pressure

           -Loss of skin elasticity                     -Shallow and quick respiration

.          The output of urine decreases and may ultimately cease.

.          The patient becomes restless and complains of intense thirst.

.          Muscle cramps in legs and abdomen.

.          Heart and kidney failure due to severe dehydration.

Prevention and Control

The prevention and controlling measures of cholera are as follows:

.          Start re-hydration therapy. Use of oral or intravenous therapy as per the degree

           of dehydration.

.          Provision of safe drinking water in all communities.

.          Proper disposal of human excreta and discourage open defecation practices.

.          Maintain food hygiene during preparation, storage and administration.

.          Eat raw foods and vegetables after careful washing.

.          Maintain personal and environmental sanitation.

.          Give health education to community people about causes and consequences of

           cholera.

Common Cold

Common cold is caused by an acute viral disease of the upper respiratory tract caused by rhino virus. Some common colds aaffect the whole respiratory tract, producing some bodily discomforts such as headache and mild fever.

           It is characterized by the inflammation of mucus membrane of nose, sinuses and throat. The most significant role of common cold is that it serves as a precursor to some serious disease by lowering the person’s resistance power. The incubation period of common cold is 12-72 hours.

Mode of Transmission

The mode of transmission of common cold are as follows:

.           Droplet infection: While sneezing, coughing and even talking many rhino

            viruses come from the respiratory tract to the air and thus the viruses are

            transferred to the susceptible person.

.           Direct contact with the infected person.

Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of common cold are as follows:

.           Irritation in nose and throat.

.           Congestion and dryness of nose and throat

.           Hoarseness of voice and sore throat

.           Coughing and sneezing

.           Water flows from the nose

.           Mild fever, headache and moist eyes.

Prevention and Control

The following are the preventive and controlling measures against common cold.

.            Avoiding colds as much as possible particularly in case of excessive coughing

             and sneezing.

.            Keeping up resistance by sufficient sleep, recreation and proper diet.

.            Washing hands with soap before eating or handling food.

.            Avoid towels, eating and drinking utensils, or toilet articles used by others.

.            Keeping the head, back of the neck and feet warm and dry.

.            Eating light meals with nourishing food.

.            Increasing the fluid intake by drinking plenty of water, fruit juice and soup.

.            Covering the nose and mouth with a handkerchief when coughing or sneezing.

Introduction

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Nose and Tongue

Nose is the sense organ for smelling. It is also the important organ of respiratory system.

        Our nose is divided into two parts – external nose and internal nose. The external nose consists of two openings called nostrils. The internal nose consists of a wide cavity known as nasal cavity. The nasal cavity is divided into two cavities by nasal septum. The nasal cavity consists of hairs which prevent the entry of dust particles during respiration. The upper part (roof) of the nasal cavity contains a special tissue known as olfactory mucosa. This mucosa consists of cells called sensory cells. When a smell reaches to nasal cavity, it activates the sensory cells of the olfactory epithelium. The sensory cells that send the smell to the brain. Then we find out the smell. 

         Actually, the nasal cavity is lined by mucous membrane. The olfactory epithelium covers the small area of mucous membrane in human beings. In hence, they can detect very faint smell also.

Defects of nose

         Common cold causes the inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane. It is due to the viral infection. The inflammation hinders the smells from reaching the olfactory are and results in loss of sense of smell. This is known as rhinitis.

         Bleeding from nose is common in children due to the minor trauma in nose. In such case, we should keep our head little up and pinch the nose for some minutes.

         Similarly, when a person inhales a substance with a strong smell again and again, the sense of smell for that substance decreases gradually and may disappear altogether. This is due to the changes in sensory cells of nose and olfactory region of the brain. This process is known as olfactory adaptation.

Care of nose

          We should be careful for the cleanliness and protection of our nose. We should take the following precautions to protect our nose:

1.              We should blow and wash our nose to keep it clean.

2.              Fingers, pencils, matchsticks, etc should not be inserted into the nostrils.

3.              If our nose is blocked, we can use nasal drops. But excessive use of such drops is harmful. They should be used according to the advice of doctor.

4.              We should inhale the strong smells or stenches. They can damage our smelling capacity or make us sick.

5.              We should not take smell of flowers from a close distance.

Tongue

           The tongue is the sense organ of taste. You can see a number of tiny knobs if you deserve the upper surface of your tongue in a mirror. These tiny knobs present in the tongue are called taste buds. There are about ten thousands taste buds in our tongue.

           The surface of the tongue is very sensitive in sensing sweet, salt, sour and bitter tastes. There are  different regions to notice the different tastes in our tongue. The sweet taste is noticed by the tip of the tongue whereas the bitter taste is noticed by the back part of the tongue. That is why we know sweet taste earlier than the bitter one.

Sweet:        The sweet taste is noticed by the tip of the tongue.

Salty:         The salty taste is noticed by the region just inside (after) the tip.

Sour:          The sour taste is noticed by the middle of the tongue.

Bitter:        The bitter taste is noticed by the back part of the tongue.

Defects of tongue

          The taste buds can be damaged by very hot foods and drinks and the use of sharp things (while cleaning the tongue). The tongue with damaged taste buds cannot detect the taste of food properly. The sensory cells of the nose also help the taste buds while determining the taste. Therefore, we cannot find the taste of food while we are suffering from common cold.

          Our tongue is helpful not only to taste the food but also move food while chewing. It also helps to produce different sounds while speaking, talking, singing, etc.

Introduction

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Ears

The human body consists of two ears. The ears enable us to hear sounds coming from different sources. We can recognize people by hearing their sound only. We understand what they are saying. We enjoy the pleasant music, songs, singing of birds etc with the help of our ears. If people don’t have eyes, they do many works with the help of ears. Hence, the ears are very important to us.

Structure of ear

         Each ear is divided into three parts- external ear, middle ear and internal ear. The part of ear that we can see is called external ear. It consists of pinna, auditory canal and tympanic membrane or ear drum. Its function is to collect and send the sound to the middle ear. The middle ear consists of three tiny bones which transfer the sound from tympanic membrane to the inner ear.

        The inner ear is a fluid filled chamber that consists of complex system of canals and cavities. Cochlea is the main organ in inner ear that sends sound from inner ear to the brain for hearing. We hear the sound when it reaches to our brain. The movement of sound in the ear is very fast, so we hear the sound of a source fast.

Defects of ear

          The conditions due to which we are unable to hear sound partially or completely are called defects of ears. Some of them are:

.           Ear infections (pus discharge)

.           Wax collection

.           Ruptured tympanic membrane

.           Nerve degeneration    

           Ear infections are the most common problems in all age groups. When our ears are infected with different organisms, we have pain, fever and pus discharge from ear and decreased hearing. In such cases, we should immediately visit doctor, otherwise we may have permanent hearing loss. We should not swim in dirty water.

           The auditory canal secrets  some waste material called wax. If it is collected in excess amount, it block the auditory canal. There is decreased hearing capacity. We should not try to remove it with sharp objects.

          The continuous noise of machines and vehicles may result in decreased hearing capacity. Large sound of bomb blast or thunder may rupture our tympanic membrane. If ant foreign body enters our ears, we should remove them gently or visit doctor quickly.

Care of ears

          The ears are also the very delicate organs. The eardrum (tympanic membrane) breaks very easily. So, we must be careful about the safety of our ears.

1.                We should not use sharp instruments like hair pins, toothpick, compass, needle, matchstick, pencil, etc to remove wax from the ears. These instruments can break the ear-drum and make us deaf.

2.                If the insects or other foreign bodies enter into the ears, they should be removed by the doctor.

3.                If the part of head near the ears is hit hard, the ear drum can break. Therefore , the head should also be protected.

4.                Loud and continuous noise of factory machines, vehicles, jets, loudspeakers, etc can also make us deaf.

5.                We should not shout near the ears of other people because this can make people deaf.

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Introduction

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Eyes

Eyes are very important organ of our body. Although every part is equally important, eyes are very precious organs. It would be quite difficult to enjoy and understand the world without the eyes.

         Think, what would be the world like without your eyes!

         The eyes help us to know beauty, size and shape, brightness and darkness, height and depth, distances, colours and various other things.

Structure of eye

          When we look from outside, we can see following parts in our eyes:

          Each eye consists of an eyeball. It moves with the help of muscles called ocular muscles. The eyes are externally protected with the help of eyelids. The eyelids keep the eyes moist and clear. They also protect the eyes from harmful foreign things. The eyelashes are the hairs that grow from the margin of eyelids. The eyelashes help to trap dust particles and tiny insects and prevent them from entering into the eye. The borders of short hairs above the eyelids are called eyebrows. They form the distinct border between forehead and eyes.

           When we observe from outside, the eyeball appears white ball with a dark round in the middle. The internal eye is made of three layers- sclera, iris and retina. The outermost white and strong part of eyeball is called sclera. The front portion of sclera is transparent and is known as cornea. The black or brown structure just under the cornea is called iris. The iris gives the colour to the eyes. The eyes people can be black, grey, brown or blue due to the colour of iris. There is a small gap between the two strands of iris in the front part of eyes. This gap is called pupil. The light enters our eyes through the pupil.

           The innermost layer of eyes is called retina. It acts like the screen of camera. The retina forms the inverted (upside down) image of an object what we see around us. The retina has a number of light sensitive cells and optic nerve. The optic nerves carry the inverted picture formed in retina to the brain. The brain percepts the picture and makes it erect. Then we see the object. It is a very rapid process.

Defects of eye

            The eyes are very delicate sense organs. They can be harmed or damaged easily. Very bright or dim light, knitting works, watching TV from near distance, improper diet, improper angle of looking while reading books, etc can harm our eyes. Our eyes can also be infected by the germs. Sometimes, the eyes gradually become unable to see the objects clearly due to some internal reasons. The inability of the eyes to see the objects clearly is called defect of eyes. Short-sightedness, long-sightedness, cataract, glaucoma, night  blindness and colour blindness are some defect of eyes.

            A person who is suffering from short-sightedness, can see the near objects only but cannot see the distant objects. Similarly, a person who is suffering from long-sightedness, can see the far objects only and cannot see at night. Cataract is common in old people. In cataract, there is opacity in eye lens and gradual loss of vision occurs.

Care of eyes

1.                  Avoid reading by lying on the bed.

2.                  Do not read in dim or very bright light. Do not place the book near or too far from eyes while reading. The reading distance should always be maintained between 25 to 35cm.

3.                  Do not rub the eyes when dust particle enter into them. Let the dust be washed away by tears or dip the open eyes into the tub of clean water. The water washes away the dust or dirt.

4.                  Protect your eyes from foreign bodies like dust particles, coal pieces, insect and small stones. These things cause a lot of damage to our eyes if they enter into them.

5.                  Never look at the glare of the sun. it can damage your eyes permanently.

6.                  Maintain at least 6 feet distance between the TV screen and your eyes while watching the TV.

7.                  Eat fruit and vegetables that provide you vitamin A. Meat, fish, liver, milk etc also provide you vitamin A. The vitamin A saves you from night blindness.

8.                  If you have defects of eyes, headache etc, visit the ophthalmologist (eye doctor) for treatment. You may need glasses to wear.

Introduction

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The Heart

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The heart is a hollow, thick-walled muscular, cone-shaped organ about the size of our first. It is like a pump in the body which brings about the circulation of the blood. The heart lies in the thorax. It is about 10 cm long and weighs about 250 grams in women and it it is heavier in men. The human heart has four chambers. The heart is divided  (from base to apex) into right and left halves by a muscular portion called the septum. Each half of the heart again is subdivided into the upper and lower chamber. The upper chamber is called an atrium and the lower is called the ventricle. The atrium and ventricle of each side communicate with one another through the atrio-ventricualr orifice, which is guarded by valves. The right atrium collects the impure (deoxygenated) blood from the whole body, whereas the left atrium collects the pure (oxygenated) blood from the lungs. In the same way, the right ventricle pumps the blood toward the lungs, whereas left ventricle distributes the blood to various parts of our body.

      

The two auricles contract at the same time. Then the two ventricles contract, after which the heart takes a little rest. The beat of the heart is between sixty to hundred times a minute. But as each cycle last about 0.8 of a second and consists of arterial systole (0.1 sec), ventricular systole (0.3 sec) and cardiac diastole (0.4 sec), the average normal cardiac cycle is assumed to beat 73-75 times per minute in normal conditions.

       The major functions of the heart are as follows:

. It collects the impure (deoxygenated) blood from the whole body.

. It pumps the impure blood toward the lungs for purification.

. It distributes the pure (oxygenated) blood to various parts of our body.

. It helps to supply the oxygen and nutritive elements to various parts of our body.

. It helps to control the blood pressure.

The Blood Vessels

      The blood flows through blood vessels, which are elastic tubes. There are mainly three types of blood vessels in our body. Those are:

(i)                 Arteries,

(ii)               The Capillaries, and

(iii)             The veins.

(i)                 Arteries: Arteries are the blood vessels the transport blood from the heart. Generally, they carry only the pure (oxygenated) blood, but pulmonary artery carries away impure (deoxygenated) blood from the heart to the lungs for the purpose of purification. The largest artery is the Aorta, through which pure blood leaves from the heart and gets distributed to the whole body through the various branches of arteries. The arteries, at last, merge into capillaries.

(ii)               The Capillaries: As the arteries get farther away from the heart, they get smaller. Each one divides into a series of smaller ones like branches of a tree. Finally, when they reach tissues, they are sub-divided into tiny tubes called capillaries. The blood passes through the thin walls of the capillaries into the tiny cells of the entire body. At last, the capillaries combine to form venules.

(iii)             The Veins: after the blood has given its nourishment to the body cells through the capillaries, the impure materials are received from the cells through the capillaries. These materials pass into another set of the blood vessels called veins, which carry the impure (deoxygenated) blood back to the heart. The veins, at last merge in superior and inferior vena cava. In fact, the veins are the blood vessels that transport impure blood to the heart. The only exception to this is pulmonary vein whose function is to carry pure (oxygenated) blood at the left atrium of the heart from the lungs.    

Drugs

WHO has defined a drug as “any chemical entity or mixture of entities, other than those required for the maintenance of normal health, the administration of which alters the biological function and possibly, structure.”

       

Furthermore, the drug is “any article intended to use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment and prevention of disease in man or other animal, “or” any article other than food which is intended to alter the structure and function of the body of man or other animals is called drug. Hence, all medicines are drugs, not all drugs are medicines. The volatile solvents or inhalants are notorious examples of drugs without any accepted medical value. These include common household articles such as plastic glue, paint thinners and removers, hair sprays and various aerosol products. At present, adolescents with the deliberate intent of altering human body function and behaviour are abusing these chemical substances increasingly. Almost any drug can be misused or abused. Drugs, which abuse the mind and produce changes in mood and behaviour, have the greatest potential for misuse. Drugs are classified into three general categories based on their primary effects on the human body.

I)                   Depressants (Downers): These are the substances, which suppress vital body function especially those of the brain and its parts. As such, dull the mind and slow down body reactions, which often lead to accidental death and suicides.

                        The depressants include the narcotics, barbiturates, tranquilizers, alcohol and the volatile solvents.

II)                Stimulants (Uppers): Those drugs produce an opposite effects to the depressants. Instead of bringing about relaxation and sleep, they produce increased mental alertness, reduce hunger and provide a feeling of well-being. Hence, they have the slang names ‘uppers’, ‘pep pills’ and ‘lid poppers’. Stimulants such as cocaine, amphetamines, nicotine and caffeine are some of the substances with great potential for abuse.

III)             Hallucinogens (Psychedelics, Psychotropic): These constitute a variety of mind-altering drugs, which distort reality, thinking and perception of time, sound, space and sensation. Thus they produce hallucinations, which at times can be bizarre and mimic insanity. Experiences may be predicting whether a “trip” will be good or bad. Varying reaction depends on several factors like the mind set, setting, dose and quality of the drug used.

      Causes

       .          To satisfy curiosity and to have different/new experience.

       .          Peer-pressure and satisfying curiosity.

       .          Influence of western culture.

       .          Lack of supervision and guidance by the parent’s.

       .          To avoid mental tensions and anxiety.

       .           Religious factors (some people use Ganja to please Lord Shiva).

       .           Failure in work, unemployment.

       .           Being trapped by smugglers.

     Effects

 .          Disturbance in educational places / and peace.

 .          Social isolation.

 .          Development of physical dependency.

 .          Loss of appetite, loss of weight and loss of memory power.

 .          Demonstrating irresponsible behaviour regarding their own personal health and dress-up.

 .          Loss of interest in school extra activities and social work.

 .          Violation of home, community norms, values and social work.

 .          Reduction in body immunity power, which leads to ill health.

 .          Chances of infertility.

 .          Nausea and vomiting.

 .          Social crimes like thief, pick pocketing and murdering of people in want of money for buying drugs.

 .          Cause malnutrition and diseases like cancer, semally tramistted etc.

Prevention and Control

.            Peer education and counselling service centre should be introduced at school and in the community.

.            Seek community participation and support for the drug awareness campaigns and the establishment of drug rehabilitation centre.

.            Develop awareness about the harmful effects of drug misuse and its consequences among the adolescents.

.            Effective enforcement of rules and regulation and laws for the supply and control of drugs.

.            More interaction between parents and their children, and parents are advised to spend more time with them.

.            Avoid friendship of bad mates and curiosity of the children.

.            Strict rules and acts should be develop for penalizing and punishing drug smugglers.

.            Better support, guidance and supervision should be provided to children by parents.

              

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Quality of Life

Someone rightly said that the quality life is a relative term depending upon the socio-cultural and religious background, personal preference and philosophy life. For a group of people, religious values and practice may be the priority and some other may prefer creative development. Similarly, some may like to have modern innovation bonded with traditional values and culture as an attainment of quality life.

The degree of satisfaction and happiness that one can fulfil through his/her basic and other needs is known as quality of life.

        Quality of life is accepted as being happy and resourceful life. Similarly, it may be a sense of being pleased with what one has or what one gets. If one gets satisfied  with his various physical various physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual needs, it may be a state of attaining quality life. Although satisfaction or happiness has been considered as the core element in acquiring quality life, however, it should not be taken as a short state of happiness; rather it should be along term state of happiness. This completeness in life is the best expression of quality of life.

         So the quality life refers to the life style with full of happiness and satisfaction that fulfils sociocultural, psychological and emotional needs including survival needs.

         Therefore, quality life is a complex phenomenon including basic physical, social, cultural and other needs.

          The basic physical needs include food, shelter, clothing, drinking water, fresh air, etc. similarly social, cultural and other needs include education, health services, security, transportation and communication, entertainment, freedom, etc. these needs, when fulfilled properly and adequately, result in a state of fulfilment for human beings. The fulfilment will bring happiness, satisfaction, peace and harmony in the society. This is said to be the attainment of quality life.

Importance of quality of life: The quality of life represents to the overall status of satisfaction or standard of family and family members in totality. In one hand, it represents the overall standard of the nation and on the other the standard of different classes like high, low, medium and old, children, adolescence etc. without standard and meaningful life, existence of the human life is not regarded as successful and qualitative. More attention was not paid to the quality life due to the lack of development of the structure of human of human society in the ancient time. There was almost no discussion in the importance and necessity of quality life in those days. It was the age of physical development and competition and the major focus was on how could the human life can be made happy and prosperous. But today each and everyone are motivated and interested to have more information about need and importance of quality life. The importance of quality life is described in the following ways:

i)                    Fulfilment of Basic Needs: Quality life plays vital role in a family welfare. Living is very easy in a family where there is quality life. Basic needs like food, housing, clothing, etc. can be easily managed in such family. Easy fulfilment of these needs come under the positive aspect of family.

ii)                  Attainment of quality education: Quality life helps to attain the quality education joining the good educational institution as well as affording the educational materials easily. It helps to achieve better education which ultimately contributes to the economic development of a family.

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Narcotics and smoking

In modern society, the use of some narcotic drugs, alcoholic drink and smoking to ward off worries is becoming very common. Addiction has got multi- dimensional problems. The habit has been spreading like fire. The use of narcotic drugs, alcohol and smoking is an evil habit, which affects the brain and nervous system directly. Intake of these substances affects both the physical and mental health, and also discourage social acceptance.

                                       Narcotics Drugs

   Drugs are chemical substances that cause changes when taken into the body. They may also affect a

person’s emotions or moods. Drugs are essential in modern medicine and they are used painkillers. they help to fight infection. But when drugs are consumed for reasons other than cure or non-medical

reason, in amounts, frequency or manner then it damages the user’s mental and physical well- being. with regular, continued intake of drugs, the abuser becomes dependent. There are several narcotics drugs, such as opium, morphine, heroin, cocaine, hashish, charas, marijuana, L.S.D. and cannabis among which some of them acts as depressant and other as stimulant. Some of them even alter the normal structuring of perpection (Hallucinogers). As the addiction increases, it affects negatively on

health and damages the lungs, heart, liver, kidneys, eyes and other vital organs of the body.

                                       Effects of narcotics drugs

Once the body receives some narcotics, it demands more. The person who uses them is known as a drug addict. The major affects observed due to the abouse of narcotic drugs can be classified in two groups.

a)       Immediate effects

. It reduces motor coordination.

. Speech is slurred.

. Elevate blood pressure and heart rate.

. Loss of appetite and weight.

. Unusual smells, strains or works.

. It causes sweating, headache, dizziness.

. It reduces memory and comprehension.

. Loss of interest in hobbies, sport, or friends.

. Person may commit some breach of law.

b)       Long term effects

. Continued intake of drugs makes the abuser drug dependent.

. Marked decline in academic or work performance.

. The person becomes irritable, unreliable, socially withdrawn and not responsible.

. Drug abusers start abstaining themselves from school, place of work or even from home.

. It leadst to malnutrition, insanity and other diseases like sexually transmitted diseases, cancer, hepatitis-B.

. Damages the vital organs of the body.

. Economic problems.

. Immature death.

                                      Prevention and control of drug abuse

. Creating a warm and friendly atmosphere at home.

. Encouraging the child to believe in himself.

. Dare to say ‘NO’ to drugs.

. The youth should be motivated to be involved in the fight against drug abuse.

. Enforcement of laws, rules and regulation for the control and supply of drugs.

. Involvement in recreational and sports activites during leisure.

. Educate the community about the problem of drug addiction.

                                        Alcohol

         Use of alcoholic drink is found common in our country from the very beginning as a social, cultural and religious tradition. It is used widely during festivals, feasts, gathering, parties, and such other ceremonies having the purpose of recreation and enjoyment. Some people drink alcohol to escape from their worries, problems or frustrations. Alcohol is manufactured by a process called fermentation. some of them are wine, beer, whisky, rum and gin. Alcohol acts as a sedative and it bottles up disagreeable thoughts and sensations. Thus, it is harmful to health.

                                         Smoking 

          Tobacco is used mostly in form of chewing, snuffing and smoking. Smoking is the most common form of social adduction. From smoking, the smoker gets nicotine and tar. Nicotine is a chemical substance which acts as poison. It is believed that even one drop of nicotine for an adult is a fatal dose.

while smoking, poisonous chemical substance reach the lungs and from lungs they go to the blood, heart and brain leading to various diseases and premature death.

Introduction

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