Question

Q1___List the factors essential for good health.

Q2___vitiligo is a condition in which persons immune system attacks his /her own healthly pigment producing melanin cells. As a result the person appears to have regions of white patches on her or his body. This disease has long been a source of social stigma in India. traditionally, people are asked to avoid touching people with vitiligo to prevent the spread of disease. Do you think that this is correct practice do you believe this disease is infectious and why

Answer 1

1. Health is influenced by a number of factors which exist within the individual and the society. The important factors which deter­mine health are: 1) heredity 2) environment 3) life-style 4) socio - economic conditions 5) health services 6) health related systems.

1. Heredity:
Genes determine the health of an individual from the moment of conception. The genetic makeup cannot be altered. Some diseases like diabetes and mental retardation have genetic origin. So the health of an individual depends on his genetic constitution.
2. Environment:
Diseases are caused by changes in environment like air, water, climate etc. Environment is of two types: internal and external. Internal environment relates to each and every tissue, organ and system of the body and their harmonious functioning. External environment is the physical, biological and psychological components to which an individual is exposed. Environment has a direct influence on the physical, mental and social well being of an individual.
3. Life - style:
It means 'the way people live'. It includes culture, behaviour and also habits like smoking and alcoholism. A number of diseases like heart diseases, cancer and diabetes are related to life - style. Good life - style like good food, sleep and exercise promotes better health.
4. Socio - economic conditions:
They include income, education, nutrition, employment and housing.
i) Income:
Rich people have a capacity to seek better medical care. So they are healthy. But rich people are inactive and sedentary. So they are prone for heart diseases, diabetes and obesity.
ii) Education:
Education especially female education has an influence on health. Education helps people to understand the importance of clean environment and maintaining good health.
iii) Nutrition:
Starvation has an adverse effect on health. Good nutrition is essential for normal growth and also for resistance against infection.
iv) Occupation: Employment provides income.
Employed people enjoy good health. Due to lack of income unemployed people do not have access to health care.
v) Health services:
The aim of health and family welfare services is to treat diseases, prevent illness and promotion of health. Health services like safe water supply and immunisation prevent a variety of diseases.
vi) Other health related systems:
They include agriculture, education, industry and rural development. They have an impact on health by raising the standards of living.



QUESTION 2:

Vitiligo is a skin pigment-related issue and is therefore not contagious. The main cause of this disorder is a defect in the production of the skin pigment known as melanin. It is not the result of a viral or any other germ infection. Thus, it is essentially a pigmentation disorder occurring on the dermal layer of human skin.
Vitiligo is not contagious at all, unlike most other skin disorders or infections. The main cause of the breakdown in melanocytes, the structures responsible for the production of melanin, is not clearly understood until now. It has been theorized that a combination of autoimmune, genetic, and environmental factors are responsible for the occurrence of vitiligo.
Even though vitiligo is not contagious, there are evidences that they may be inherited through generations, although not all the offspring of affected people will be affected by vitiligo. It is very difficult to predict who in particular would be affected by vitiligo due to genetics.
Diseases that are caused by viruses or bacteria will be contagious, making them transmittable from one person to another through physical contact, through air transmission, or some other means. But in this case, vitiligo is not a result of viral or bacterial infection and thus cannot be transmitted from one person to other. According to skin experts, vitiligo is just a cosmetic disability that is limited to a single person. It is more likely for vitiligo to be inherited, although it is very difficult to predict the probability of vitiligo in an offspring of an affected parent.
Many people think that vitiligo is a contagious disease and those affected may thus become socially ostracized. One patient even relates that he finds it difficult to even leave his home, for fear that he would scare kids when they see his face. He also mentions how people would refuse to even shake his hand, thinking that the disorder could be transmitted to them by mere physical contact. This misconception should be corrected to help the patient lead a normal social life and minimize his avoidance of social situations.