At the beginning of the 20th century,
life expectancy of human was 47.3 years, which increased to 77.85 years in the century
after. According to the US Census Bureau[1], this raise in the life expectancy occurred
largely due to the developments in treatments for deadly diseases and
vaccinations.
A person throughout his/her lifetime gets
sick and ill for numerous times due to many reasons. Every single human suffers
from diseases every now and then. Thankfully, there are diseases, which can be
cured by taking ample rest and medication. The person suffering returns to
their daily activities after a day or two in such cases. But there are other
severe diseases, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, which lasts for quite
a longer duration and needs to be treated differently; preferably with care and
caution.
Diseases have many roots and
avenues:
A disease can be defined as any abnormal
condition that affects the human body; it is often associated with certain
signs and symptoms[2]. Diseases are caused from both
internal and external sources. Diseases usually cause pain, distress,
dysfunction and even death to the affected person. The effected person does not
only suffer physically, but at times emotionally as well, since it might lead
to altering his or her way of living and personality as well2.
While there are almost countless numbers
of diseases, some are more common than the other. Among the most common
diseases a person suffers several times during his/her lifespan includes fever,
headache, food poisoning, diarrhea, malaria and respiratory infection among
others. These common diseases can attack a person any time during lifetime,
during any season. Due to the advancement of the medical science, this can be
cured easily.
Here is a list of common diseases and
its cures:
Colds and flu:
Colds and flu are rather common diseases3. A person might suffer from cold or flu every
two to three months. It is so common that people often cannot remember the last
time they suffered from these diseases. Unless colds or flu is lasting for over
a week, there is no need to worry or to consult a doctor. Taking adequate rest,
drinking a lot of water, drinking a lot of juice and eating fruits can cure
colds and flu.
Migraine and headaches:
There are many people suffering from
migraine and headaches every now and then. Headaches can also cause the patient
to feel really bad and distressed. Taking rest or just lying down with eyes
closed for a while can at times relieve headaches. If it is too severe,
applying balms such as tiger balm[3]
can relieve pain and make the person feel better in quite time. But it the pain
is too much to tackle or too regular than the patient should go for medication.
Chicken pox:
Chicken pox is a very common disease; it
is caused by varicella-zoster virus1. A person suffering from chicken pox would have
itchy rash of small red bumps on the skin. The virus of this disease can without
difficulty spread if a person suffering from the disease sneezes or coughs near
a person who is non-immune to the disease. The virus can also pass if someone
comes in contact with the pox blister fluid. Paracetamol and/or ibuprofen are
used to reduce fever of the affected person, while calamine lotion or
antihistamines are prescribed to the person to reduce the itching[4].
Diphtheria:
Diphtheria is another bacteria borne
disease that mainly affects the throat and nose1. The disease bacteria can spread through
personal items that are shared between people and also through airborne
droplets. The cure for this disease is antibiotic does from prescribed doctors.
Approximately 10% of the people suffering from diphtheria die even with proper
treatment. To kill the bacteria inside the body, antibiotics are given[5] by
the doctors. If the case is severe, the person suffering from this disease is
kept in isolation so that it does not spread and others are not infected. The best
way to avoid diphtheria is by vaccination. It is advised that everyone should
get a new vaccination after every 10 years to reinforce the protection.
Invasive H flu:
Invasive H flu is a common disease
caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bacteria. The bacterium spreads
as the infected person speaks, sneezes or coughs1. Invasive H flu can lead to bacterial
meningitis, epigolottitis, pericardium (the covering of the heart), blood
infections and pneumonia. Children below age of 5 years are normally susceptible
to this disease due to their underdeveloped immune system.
Malaria:
Malaria is caused by mosquitoes and
infects the red blood cells and liver1. There are several drugs to treat malaria.
While some prevents from being infected, while others kill the parasites once
they are in the blood.
Food poisoning:
Another very common disease is food
poisoning which results from having foods that contains germs[6]. Food poisoning causes upset stomach,
diarrhea, stomach cramps and fever. Unwashed vegetables, raw foods and foods
from animals such as milk, poultry, shellfish, and meat – all contain germs and
can cause food poisoning. One might start to feel sick within hours after
having bad food, while others might have it after a few days. In most cases the
patient does not need to take any medicine to get cured. However, if the case
is serious, for example if the affected person gets dehydrated by losing too
much of fluid due to vomiting and diarrhea, he might need to be taken to the
hospital where he will be given medicines and fluids through an IV. In order to
avoid getting dehydrated while suffering from food poisoning, it is best to
drink a lot of water and juice.
Food poisoning can be avoided if the
foods are prepared, cooked and stored properly7. Washing the vegetables and fruits properly
before eating, eating properly cooked foods, not eating foods or drinking (such
as milk) that smell, properly heating leftover foods before consumption and not
eating expired foods are some of the good ways food poisoning can be avoided.
Pneumonia:
Many people around the world suffer from
pneumonia[7].
Pneumonia is a lung disease where the affected person's lungs are unable to do
their usual job. The infection creates fluid and blocks alveoli, making it hard
for oxygen to go deep into the lungs and pass on to the blood. The person
suffering from pneumonia finds it hard to breathe if both the lungs are infected.
Pneumonia can happen at any stage of life. Pneumonia is caused by either
bacteria or virus. If it is caused by bacteria, the doctors generally prescribe
antibiotics. If it is severe where the patient is unable to take medicine,
treatment is provided through intravenous IV line. If it is caused by virus,
there is no point in taking antibiotics, as they simply won't work. Doctors
usually just prescribe medicines to reduce fever and cough. Whatever the cause
of pneumonia is, it is best to take ample rest and drink a lot of fluids.
Knowledge is power:
There are a lot of people around the
world who quickly turn to their doctors when there is a slightest sign of
illness. This is good. Ignorance can be very dangerous at times. Many people do
not know that drugs do not always guarantee a cure and may at times causes more
harm than any good[8]. For examples, if a person,
suffering from diarrhea takes antibiotics; his condition might aggravate and
make him suffer more. For this reason, it is highly advisable to know about
effects of drugs taken.
Abstract: Life expectancy had
increase by a perceptible margin in the recent times, largely due to the
developments in treatments for deadly diseases and vaccinations. People suffer
from diseases every now and then. Diseases are caused from both internal and
external sources. Diseases usually cause pain, distress, dysfunction and even
death to the affected person. There are diseases, which can be cured by taking
ample rest and simple medication. Common diseases have simple cures.
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