Deficiency, Non-Contagious and Other Diseases Notes with PDF

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A Structured Overview of Human Diseases and Medical Conditions

Bone, Joint, and Muscular Diseases

Arthritis and Gout
- Gouty Arthritis: Caused by the deposition of Uric Acid in the joints.
- Gout: Characterised by a high level of uric acid in the blood.
Other Musculoskeletal Conditions
- Biological Resurfacing: A recent surgical technique used to treat problems of the Hip joints.

Food, Nutrition, and Deficiency Diseases

Deficiencies due to Lack of Nutrients
- Iodine: Deficiency leads to malfunctioning of the thyroid gland, causing Goitre.
- Iron: Deficiency causes Anaemia.
- Vitamin A: Deficiency causes Night-blindness and Xerophthalmia (a top priority for remedial action in India).
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): Deficiency causes Beri-beri. Consumption of polished rice (which lacks Vitamin B1) is a cause.
- Vitamin C: Deficiency causes Scurvy, which can be treated with Gooseberry (Amla). A diet lacking Vitamin C (e.g., only milk, egg, and bread) may lead to it.
- Vitamin D: Deficiency causes Rickets (in humans and poultry birds).
- Niacin (Vitamin B3): Deficiency causes Pellagra.
- Zinc: Deficiency causes Khaira disease.
- Protein & Calories:
  - Marasmus: Caused by prolonged starvation (deficiency of both proteins and calories).
  - Kwashiorkor: Caused primarily by protein deficiency.
Food Adulteration & Toxicity
- Dropsy: A dangerous disease caused by consuming mustard oil adulterated with Argemone oil.
- Lathyrism: Caused by the excessive consumption of Khesari dal.
Eating Disorders
- Bulimia: Characterized by overeating (not knowing when to stop eating).

Respiratory and Organ-Specific Diseases

Lung Diseases
- Silicosis: Caused by inhaling silica dust.
- Emphysema: Caused by environmental pollution.
- Pneumoconiosis: Affects workers in the Coal Mining Industry.
- Asthma: Can be caused by an allergy.
Heart and Blood Conditions
- Heart Attack:
  - Sequence: Plaque formation → Narrowing of the blood vessel → Inadequate supply of blood and oxygen to the heart muscle.
  - Golden Hour: The crucial first hour after a heart attack.
  - Medication: Beta-blockers are used as protective medicine.
  - Surgery: Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery can use a vein from the leg or an artery from the forearm/mammary region.
- “Blue Baby” Syndrome: A pollution-related disease caused by excessive Nitrate in drinking water, leading to Methemoglobin in the blood, which reduces its oxygen-carrying capacity.
- Blood Pressure: Deficiency of Potassium can lead to low blood pressure.
Liver Diseases
- Jaundice: A disease associated with the liver; considered not very contagious.
- Liver Cirrhosis: Caused by excessive alcohol consumption.
- Hepatitis B: Caused by a viral infection.
Kidney Disorders
- Indicator of Failure: The release of Albumin in urine is a key indicator.
- Bright’s Disease: Affects the kidneys.
- Effect of Fasting: The kidney is the organ most affected by prolonged fasting.
- Potassium Deficiency: Can cause damage to the kidneys.

Neurological and Psychological Conditions

Neurological Disorders
- Alzheimer’s Disease: Affects the brain; caused by the Amyloid precursor protein.
- Parkinson’s Disease: Treatment developed by Nobel laureate Arvid Carlsson.
- Cerebral Palsy: A brain disorder generally found in small children.
- Encephalitis: A disease of the brain.
- Sensation: Scratching eases itching by stimulating nerves to increase antihistaminic chemicals.
- Anosmia: The medical term for the loss of the sense of smell.
Phobias
- Anthophobia: The fear of flowers.
Psychological Disorders
- Hysteria: Generally occurs in young women.
Sleep Disorders
- Sleep Apnea: A serious disorder where a person briefly and repeatedly stops breathing during sleep.

Major Diseases: Cancer, AIDS, and Diabetes

Cancer (Oncology)
- Definition: Characterised by the uncontrolled multiplication of cells; begins as a single cell. Associated genes are called Oncogenes.
- Metastasis: The process by which cancer cells spread to other sites.
- Specific Cancers:
  - Leukaemia: A cancer with an abnormal increase in white blood cells; affects the bone marrow.
- Causes: Tobacco, alcohol, ionizing radiation, and ultraviolet rays.
- Treatment:
  - Radiation Therapy: Cobalt-60 (emits gamma rays) is used. Infrared radiations are used for muscle aches.
  - Modern Therapies: Immunotherapy (most recent), 3D Conformal Radiotherapy (3D CRT), Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT).
  - Medication: Interferon is used to control cancer.
- Radiation Susceptibility: The brain is the most susceptible organ; the heart is less susceptible.
Diabetes
- Diabetes Mellitus:
  - Cause: Malfunctioning of the Pancreas, leading to Insulin deficiency (discovered by F.G. Banting).
  - Effect: Higher blood sugar levels and lower insulin levels.
  - Management: Measurement of Glycosylated Haemoglobin (HbA1c) is useful. Fenugreek seeds can help. The curry leaf tree is a potential cure.
  - Blood Glucose: Measured in Milligrams per decilitre (mg/dL). Imbalance can cause spasms, stroke, and faintness.
  - Vaccination: It cannot be controlled by vaccination.
- Diabetes Insipidus: Caused by insufficient secretion of vasopressin, leading to thirst.

Eye Disorders and Anatomy

Vision Disorders
- Myopia (Short-sightedness): Corrected with a concave lens.
- Hypermetropia (Far-sightedness): Inability to see nearby objects clearly.
- Astigmatism: Caused by an irregularly shaped cornea or lens.
- Cataract: The lens of the eye becomes opaque.
Anatomy & Pharmacology
- The Retina contains the ‘blind spot’ and ‘yellow spot’ and is an outgrowth of the Diencephalon.
- Atropine (an alkaloid) in a dilute solution can dilate the pupil.

Infectious and Other Diseases

Causative Agents & Pairing
- Tuberculosis (T.B.): Bacterial infection.
- Typhoid: Bacterial infection (not a lung disease).
- Malaria: Affects blood cells.
- Filaria: Affects lymph nodes.
- Mad Cow Disease: Caused by Prions.

Drugs, Pharmacology, and Medical Devices

DRDO Developments
- Lukoskin: A polyherbal product for Leucoderma.
- Other products: Amtooth, Eczit. (Nocdurna is not a DRDO product).
Common Drugs
- Aspirin: Effective for pain relief and has anti-blood-clotting action; it is not a narcotic analgesic.
Medical Devices
- Intrauterine Device (Cu-T): A common side effect is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID).
Medical Facilities
- A ‘Cath Lab’ (Catheterisation Laboratory) is found in the Cardiology department.

Nuclear Medicine (Radioisotopes)

Definition: Nuclear medicines are radioisotopes used in medical science.
Common Radioisotopes:
- Arsenic-74: Detecting tumours.
- Cobalt-60: Treatment of cancer (emits gamma rays).
- Iodine-131: Assess and treat the thyroid gland.
- Sodium-24: Diagnose blood disorders and measure blood flow speed.
- Phosphorus-32: Treatment of leukaemia.
- Radio-Iron: For blood disorders.
- Note: Gold-198 is not used for treating retinal disorders.

Minerals and Their Deficiencies

Potassium:
- Function: Regulates heartbeat.
- Deficiency Effects: Can lead to kidney damage, muscle paralysis, and low blood pressure.
Iron:
- Deficiency Effect: Causes Anaemia.

Substance Abuse and Effects

Alcohol:
- Causes Liver Cirrhosis.
- Increases urination by suppressing the secretion of vasopressin.
Tobacco/Gutka:
- Causes Oral Submucous Fibrosis.

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