Tag: Cancer

Introduction

A disease is any adverse change from an organism’s usual anatomical, genetic, or physiological state. An illness is accompanied by a distinctive collection of signs and symptoms that are illustrative of that specific condition and aid in its diagnosis and treatment. Diseases can be acquired, congenital, communicable, non-communicable, chronic, and acute diseases. Medical science has cured some of the diseases while some diseases are not curable and hence prove to be fatal. 

Classification of disease

Various diseases can be classified based on the source of detection, causative agents, medium of infection, Duration, Communicability, and Extent.

Based on Communicability there are two types of diseases-

• Communicable disease-These diseases are contagious and are brought on by microbes like bacteria, fungi, viruses, worms, and protozoans. For eg COVID-19, chickenpox, cholera,
• Non- Communicable disease-These are not contagious and do not pass from person to person. These bind the person who contracts them inside. Cataracts, Alzheimer’s, cataracts, and heart conditions are a few examples.

 Based on duration there are two types of diseases-

• Acute diseases-These illnesses are severe, last very briefly, are typically curable with appropriate medical care, and the patient regains their normal bodily functions after being treated. Common colds, fractures, pneumonia, bronchitis, etc. are a few examples. Chronic diseases can develop from acute illnesses if they are not treated on time. 

• Chronic diseases- These illnesses last three years or longer before they are diagnosed. Depending on the organism’s immunity, the disease’s stage of development, the organ or organ system that is affected, and other factors, they may be curable. Such illnesses have the potential of being deadly and incurable. Examples include high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV, arthritis, and cancer etc.

Differentiate between Acute diseases and Chronic diseases

Acute diseases	Chronic diseases
Generally spread from one infected individual to another.	They do not usually spread from one infected individual to another.
These are generally communicable diseases	These diseases are generally non-communicable diseases
These are caused due to contaminated food, water, vectors or from direct or indirect contact with an infected person.	They are caused due to genetic, allergic, deficiencies or environmental factors.
People who are unvaccinated, immunosuppressed or who are constantly travelling to the infected regions have a high risk of getting this disease.	People who show various comorbidities such as high blood pressure, obesity, and various metabolic disorders are at high risk of getting these diseases.
Poor living conditions, underdeveloped healthcare systems and lack of cleanliness are responsible for these kinds of diseases.	Behavioural factors, Poor dietary habits and Genetic factors are responsible for these kinds of diseases.
Eg- COVID-19, SARS, Chlorella, TB etc	Eg- Cancer, HIV, Diabetes etc

Diseases due to environmental changes

Polluted environment is one of the main factors for diseases to occur. Some of these are explained below.

• Air pollution: Respiratory disorders such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema, lung cancer, acute lower respiratory infections, etc. are caused by harmful gases in the air such as sulphates, nitrates, together with VOC, PM and Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs).
• Water pollution: Several pathogenic bacteria can cause cases of botulism, dysentery, cholera, giardiasis, amoebiasis, naegleriasis, etc. These are caused due to contaminated water as  sewage sources, swimming pools, or untreated drinking water containing all different kinds of microbes.
• Toxins- The presence of lead, arsenic, and mercury in the environment are some  toxins, and they cause various diseases including malignancies like mesothelioma and melanoma, cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis, kidney ailments, and cerebrovascular diseases.

Summary

Disease is a state of the body that deviates from its usual state. There are many different ways to categorise diseases, including according to how long they have persisted, what caused them, how they spread, and how contagious they are.Acute disorders manifest abruptly and last only briefly. Chronic diseases are those that take longer to develop, last for a year or, occasionally for a lifetime. A healthy person can contract a communicable disease from an infected person using a variety of carriers, such as air, water, and animals. Cardiovascular diseases, CRDs, cancer, and diabetes are examples of non-communicable diseases that cannot be passed from one person to another. Pollution in the environment can also cause diseases.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What do zoonotic illnesses mean?
Ans: Diseases which are caused by animals.i.e. animals carry disease-causing microbes such as bacteria or viruses are known as zoonotic illness. These diseases can be spread by scratches, body fluids etc. Eg- malaria, rabies, zika virus etc.

2. Explain the terms- Pathogen, Pathogenesis.
Ans: Pathogen- Any organism which causes disease is known as a pathogen eg- virus, fungus, bacteria etc.

Pathogenesis- It is a series of events which occur between the entry of the pathogen inside the body  and spread of the disease in the body.

3. How can the  transmission of communicable illness be prevented?
Ans: It is crucial to improve one’s personal hygiene as well as societal awareness and societal hygiene. Vaccinations have already contributed to the global eradication of several serious diseases.

Introduction

The human body is a complex structure made up of several organs that are arranged into different systems and are designed to perform specific functions during various life events. To stay healthy, each of these systems needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients. The metabolic wastes produced by each of these systems must also be transported to the excretory organs to get expelled from the body. The body’s fluids, which are constantly circulated throughout the body, carry out all of this transportation. These fluids are lymph and blood. This article will go into further detail about lymph.

What is Lymph?

An alkaline translucent fluid called lymph fills the gaps between the lymphatic tissue and travels via the lymph vessels. It is a vascular fluid connective tissue that aids the immune system in performing its duties by transporting chemicals throughout the body. It is the primary component of the lymphatic system.

Composition of Lymph

Plasma and lymphocytes are the two components that make up the lymph.

Plasma: The lymph’s fluid component and its matrix are known as plasma. It is produced as a result of the ultrafiltration of blood plasma through the capillary walls. Its composition is essentially similar to that of blood plasma, with the exception that it has a higher concentration of glucose and a lower proportion of proteins, calcium, or phosphorus.

Leucocytes: Unlike blood, the lymph’s cellular makeup only consists of amoeboid WBCs, also known as leucocytes. Lymphocytes are the main form of WBC that are present in the lymph. These WBCs are agranular, and their main job is to help the body’s defence system by assisting in the production of antibodies. So we can say that lymph is the blood that has been stripped of its red blood cells, platelets, and some proteins.

Lymph vs Blood

The two fluid connective tissues in the body are blood and lymph. However, there is a big difference in the way they are made and how they circulate. The distinctions between lymph and blood are outlined in the table below.

Lymph	Blood
Lymph is a colourless fluid in connective tissue.	Blood is a red-coloured fluid.
The lymphatic system carries lymph through it.	The cardiovascular system carries blood through it.
Leucocytes and plasma make up the lymph.	Plasma, leucocytes, erythrocytes, and thrombocytes make up blood.
Proteins, calcium, and phosphate are present in lymphatic plasma in comparably lower amounts.	Higher amounts of calcium, phosphorus, and proteins are present in the blood plasma.

Lymph, Lymphatic Vessels, and Lymphoid Organs

• The lymphatic system is made up of lymph, lymphatic veins, and lymphoid organs. The interstitial fluid that is lost from the circulatory system as a result of the filtration of blood through capillary walls is restored to it via this supplementary pathway. 
• The lymphatic system is made up of several soft, fragile lymph nodes, which are bean- or sphere-shaped structures. 
• Lymph nodes are typically invisible and are hard to find. They can be seen in the armpit, groin, neck, and region between the chest and abdomen. These nodes may swell as a result of an infection within the body, which may be a sign that the body is fighting against the illness.
• In the lymphatic system, the lymph passes through the lymph vessels. The main lymphatic vessel is the thoracic duct, which enters near the base of the spine and receives lymph from the lower chest, pelvis, and abdomen. 
• Primary lymphoid organs and secondary lymphoid organs are the two categories of lymphoid organs. The bone marrow and thymus are prominent examples, but the spleen, tonsils, and several other mucus membrane tissues are secondary examples. 
• The lymphoid organs are linked to the development of immune cells and play a crucial part in the body’s immunological response.

The Function of the Lymph

The lymph has two main roles: supporting the circulatory system and boosting the immune system. The lymphatic system serves the following functions.

• Immune response: White blood cells, which are a vital component of the body’s defense system, are found in the lymph. Lymphocytes in the lymph secrete antibodies that defend the body against foreign invaders.
• Fat absorption from the digestive tract: Blood cannot carry fats. They circulate throughout the body after being absorbed by the lymph.
• Acts as a middle man: Lymph serves as a conduit for the exchange of substances between the blood and the tissues. so serves as a bridge between the blood and tissue cells.
• Waste material transportation: Waste products leave the tissues and are carried by lymph, which then excretes them into the blood for them to be transported to the excretory organs for removal from the body.

Summary

An alkaline, translucent fluid called lymph fills the gaps between the lymphatic tissue and travels via the lymph vessels. Plasma and lymphocytes are the two components that make up the lymph. The lymphatic system is made up of lymph, lymphatic veins, and lymphoid organs. The lymph has two main roles: supporting the circulatory system and boosting the immune system.

Frequently Asked Questions  

1.Why is Lymph Regarded as Blood without Some Proteins, Red Blood Cells, or Platelets?
Ans. White blood cells and plasma make up the lymph. Although the composition of lymphatic plasma is essentially identical to that of blood plasma, it lacks certain proteins, and coagulating agents, and has significantly less calcium and phosphorus. Lymph can therefore be compared to blood, which lacks some proteins, red blood cells, and platelets.

2.How does Swelling of Lymph Nodes Occur?
Ans. Any type of infection in the body can cause swelling in the lymph nodes. It is a sign that the body’s immune system is working to fight off an infection of some kind.

3.How does the Lymphatic System Function?
Ans. By supporting the immune system and guarding the body against external intruders, the lymphatic system serves a crucial role in the body. Additionally, it controls blood volume by replenishing the interstitial fluid that drains from blood as it flows through blood capillaries.

4.Define Lymphedema.
Ans. Lymphedema is a condition in which the body’s lymphatic system accumulates protein-rich fluid, which causes swelling in tissues. Typically, it affects the hands or legs, but it may also develop on the chest walls, abdomens, necks, and genital areas.

5.What is Lymphatic Cancer?
Ans. Lymphoma is s cancer that affects the body’s immune system, which fights germs. There are lymph nodes (lymph glands), spleens, thymus glands, and bone marrow in the lymphatic system. All of these areas, as well as other body organs, can be affected by lymphoma.