Environmental factors play a quintessential role in affecting our health. Fresh air, fresh food and fresh water, not only strengthen our body and mind but also make our life worth living. Contrary to this bad environment hampers the quality of life. This is the main reason why people from hill stations or the countryside seem to be healthier than those living in polluted urban cities. Following are the environmental factors that affect your health:

Polluted air

The health effects of polluted air are several. Not many people know that one-third of the deaths are caused because of strokes, lung cancer and heart failure. Air pollution is the chief reason behind these chronic ailments. The other life-threatening diseases caused by polluted air is- asthma or bronchitis. Smoke from machines, vehicles outside, and stoves, the burning of fuels inside can cause breathing problems and wheezing. 

Dirty environment

A dirty environment often leads to the breeding of insects and bacteria that become carriers of life-threatening diseases such as dengue, typhoid, diphtheria, malaria, and so on. Most of the diseases mentioned here are caused by mosquitoes that thrive on stagnant water.

Toxic food ;

The environmental quality of a region has a direct impact on the food produced in that area. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food faces the danger of becoming toxic if the environment it is being grown in is polluted. For eg- chemical wastes that are often dumped in water bodies cause the seafood in that area to become highly toxic.

Chemical pollutants

Cancer nowadays is becoming a household disease. The major reason behind this is that technological development has brought new categories of pollutants. Many of these contain chemicals and compounds that are carcinogenic in nature. This ultimately leads to the development of cancer in most people. 

Climate change and natural calamities

Change in climate disrupts the functioning of nature in many ways that further impact the health of humans. These changes include- the natural temperature of the planet, heavy rainfalls and sandstorms. The numerous impacts of climate may result in a high risk of nervous and respiratory diseases. ;

Hence protecting the environment is extremely important for the life of a human being. The change will come after taking small steps. Numerous small steps can really make a difference. 

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Environmental Factors That Affect Health

Thyroid cancer refers to the type of ;cancer that originates in the thyroid gland. Cancer develops when the cells in your thyroid gland begin multiplying uncontrollably to form malignant tumours.

What leads to the development of cancer in the thyroid glands is not clearly known. However, a combination of environmental factors and genetics could be a leading cause of cancer.

Thyroid cancer is the sixth most common cancer in women, and usually affects those in their 20s and early 30s.

Types of thyroid cancer

Four types of thyroid cancer are prevalent, which are  


	
	Papillary thyroid cancer   ;this is the most common type of thyroid cancer. Cancer typically develops in one of the two lobes in the thyroid gland, and gradually spreads to the lymph nodes in your neck.
	
	
	Follicular thyroid cancer   ;the second most common type is the follicular thyroid cancer. Here the disease spreads to other body parts and organs, like the bones or lungs rather than the lymph nodes.
	
	
	Medullary cancer   cancer starts from the c-cells of the thyroid gland, which usually produce a hormone called ;calcitonin. The disease can spread to the lungs, liver, or lymph nodes even before a nodule is discovered.
	
	
	Anaplastic thyroid cancer   this form of cancer is rare but aggressive. It develops from an existing follicular or papillary cancer and spreads to other parts of the body faster than any other type of thyroid cancer.
	


Symptoms to watch out for

The symptoms of thyroid cancer depend on its type. Although there are no observable symptoms in the initial stage, you might be able to spot some changes in your body as cancer progresses. These symptoms include:


	
	A lump or mass in the neck that can be felt through the skin
	
	
	Change in voice   ;hoarseness
	
	
	Pain in the throat and neck
	
	
	Difficulty in swallowing
	
	
	Swelling of the lymph nodes in your neck
	


Diagnosis and treatment

The following tests/procedures can help detect thyroid cancer early  


	
	Blood test
	
	
	Ultrasound
	
	
	Biopsy
	
	
	Imaging tests
	
	
	Genetic testing
	
	
	Pet scan
	


Once cancer is diagnosed, appropriate treatment will be prescribed depending on the stage. Primary treatment options include  


	
	Chemotherapy ;  medications are infused through veins to kill cancer cells
	
	
	Radiation therapy   high-energy radio beams are directed to destroy cancer cells
	
	
	Radioactive ;iodine   large doses of radioactive iodine are given orally
	
	
	Targeted therapy   medications are given to attack certain vulnerabilities in the cancer cells
	
	
	Surgery ;  complete or partial removal of the thyroid gland or the lymph nodes
	


Prior to the treatment, your doctor will discuss the treatment plan specific to your diagnosis. Thyroid cancer is curable if detected at the right time. Therefore, do not lose hope and consult a specialist as early as possible.

Thyroid Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment

Blood donation is a process that is carried out when a person voluntarily offers for blood to be extracted from his body. There are countless myths about blood donation that need to be squashed and awareness is the only way of doing it.

While blood donation brings multiple health benefits to both the donor and recipient, some facts are known to only a few. These facts will not only open doors to endless possibilities, but will make people feel confident about it.

Facts

Here are some lesser-known facts about blood donation- every person should know-

 


	
	Approximately 112.5 million units of blood are collected from blood donation globally.
	
	
	Around 30 million units are transfused annually.
	
	
	Any person in sound health, at least 18 years old, and weighing at least 45 kilograms can donate blood every 56 days.
	
	
	Your one unit of donated blood can save up to 3 lives.
	
	
	A, b, ab, and o are the primary blood groups. While ab is a universal recipient, o negative is a universal donor.
	
	
	The blood donation process normally takes less than 10-12 minutes.
	
	
	Donating blood does not make you physically weak or decrease your strength.
	
	
	Only 1% of india's population donates blood each year, leading to an annual deficit of two million units.
	
	
	All donated blood units are tested for diseases like hepatitis b, hepatitis c, hiv, and syphilis before transfusion.
	
	
	Red cells, plasma, cryoprecipitate, and platelets are the various types of transfusable elements derived from the blood. The procedure takes place using a method called apheresis.
	
	
	Red blood cells carry oxygen to the organs.
	
	
	Red blood cells survive for about four months in the system of circulation.
	
	
	Platelets encourage blood clotting and provide leukemia patients and other cancer patients with better treatment.
	
	
	Plasma is a pale yellow combination of proteins, salts, and water.
	
	
	Plasma is 55 percent of the volume of blood and 90 percent water.
	
	
	White cells are the chief defense of the body against infections.
	
	
	There is no alternative for blood donation as blood cannot be manufactured.
	
	
	You cannot contract aids or other infectious diseases due to blood donation.
	


Lesser Known Facts About Blood Donation

All types of viral hepatitis diseases are contagious and they can be transmitted from one person to another easily. Although, the modes of transmission may vary.

 

Experts recommend some preventive steps for every type of infection to lower your risk of acquiring or spreading hepatitis infection.

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Here are some preventive measures that may help in preventing the infection:

 

Vaccines

Vaccines for hepatitis a and hepatitis b are the best ways to prevent these viruses. Vaccines are not for all types of hepatitis infections. However, hepatitis a vaccination can help prevent the infection caused by the hepatitis a virus. The hepatitis a vaccine is generally administered in 2 doses. Similarly, there are vaccines available for hepatitis b as well. It is administered within 6 months duration. The same vaccine is helpful to prevent hepatitis d as well. There are no vaccines for hepatitis c and hepatitis e currently.

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Reducing exposure

Hepatitis diseases can be transmitted through bodily fluids, water, and food containing the infection. One can lower the risk of contamination by minimizing contact with these agents. Practicing proper and good hygiene is a way to avoid getting hepatitis through these mediums.

 

You can decrease your risk of coming in touch with fluids containing these viruses by avoiding:

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	Sharing used needles and razors
	
	
	Using someone else s toothbrush
	
	
	Touching spilled blood
	
	
	Not using condoms and dental dams during sexual contact
	


 

Handwashing

One must trust in personal hygiene to lower the risk of spreading or acquiring the hepatitis virus. Here are some preventive steps you can follow by washing hands:

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	Washing your hands thoroughly after accessing the restroom
	
	
	When you get in touch with an infected person's blood, or stool
	
	
	After daycare routine for caretakers
	
	
	After a diaper change, and before serving food.
	


 

Avoiding contaminated consumption:

Contaminated or infected food and water may become the primary causes of hepatitis infection. One should take these precautions to avoid any contaminated consumption of food or water:

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	Avoid eating raw shellfish
	
	
	Beware of fruits that have been washed in contaminated water
	
	
	Avoiding unhygienic street vendors
	
	
	Use bottled water for brushing or oral cleaning in areas where clean water is not available
	
	
	Bringing the water to a 1-minute boil is a must in doubtful areas
	
	
	Heated food to be eaten right away
	


Hepatitis: Some Ways To Prevent Yourself

Surprising benefits of donating blood

Blood is that element in the human body that can't be manufactured. Hence, it makes blood donation a very significant phenomenon. It benefits the patients, the donors, society, and the overall medical ecosystem. However, people are not particularly aware of some of the benefits of donating blood. While some of them are necessarily good for your overall health, some can even surprise you.

Benefits

Potentially reveal health issues
Donating blood gets your vitals checked to make sure you are adequately fit for the procedure. Hence, it can be a process to keep your overall health checked. Your pulse, blood pressure, and hemoglobin check can ensure that you are free of any chronic illness. Usually, blood low in iron is not taken for donation. As a result, blood donation can find health issues that can be eradicated from the roots.

Reduce harmful overload of iron
Iron overload in the body causes a condition called hemochromatosis. Although this condition is not a usual phenomenon in india, it is important to detect it at the earliest. Blood donations help eliminate the excess iron from the body through red blood cells.

Cardio and vascular health
Regular blood donation maintains low blood pressure and keeps the risk of heart attacks at bay. According to a study, donating blood reduces the chance of heart attacks by 88 percent. High hemoglobin and high iron stores are checked by blood donations that have to do with blood clots and strokes.

Reduce the risk of cancer
A high concentration of iron in the body can cause free-radical damage. It increases the risk of cancer in the lungs, liver, colon, and throat due to the lowering of oxidative stress. Thus, regular blood donations make sure that the risk of cancer and mortality is lower.

Liver stays healthy
Excess iron in the body gets stored in the liver, heart, and pancreas leading to a risk of cirrhosis or liver failure. Various health ailments related to the liver are prevented by donating blood and getting rid of the extra iron in the body.

Help your mental state
With several physical benefits, there are also some psychological edges. As donating blood directly or indirectly helps a patient, it gives a sense of pride and satisfaction. Making a difference in society feels extremely fulfilling and that keeps you in an elated state. Hence, blood donation is equally healthy for your body and mind.

Surprising Benefits Of Donating Blood

Hepatitis is a condition that affects the liver by causing inflammation which is a common outcome resulting from a viral infection. While different types of hepatitis diseases are caused by different causes, there are some reasons like medications, toxins, alcohol, and drugs that are typically known.

 

Types

The five common types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis a, b, c, d, and e.

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	Hepatitis a
	


Hepatitis a is the result of an infection caused by the hepatitis a virus. This type of hepatitis is an acute disease.

 


	
	Hepatitis b
	


The hepatitis b virus causes hepatitis b. This is often a chronic disease that lasts longer.

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	Hepatitis c
	


Hepatitis c comes from the hepatitis c virus. It is one of the most common bloodborne infections in the world. It is a long-lasting condition.

 


	
	Hepatitis d
	


This is a not so commonly found form of hepatitis that only occurs in hepatitis b infected people. This virus not only causes liver inflammation but also cannot be contracted without an existing hbv infection.

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	Hepatitis e
	


Hepatitis e is waterborne. Hepatitis e virus infection is responsible for it. It is generally acute but can be severely chronic for pregnant women.


 

Causes of viral hepatitis

It is true that different types of viral hepatitis infections are caused by distinct modes of transmission. Here are the causes of a hepatitis infection:

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	Hepatitis a- when a person is exposed to the hepatitis a virus through food or water.
	


 


	
	Hepatitis b- when an individual comes in contact with hepatitis b virus through the transmission of bodily fluids like blood, semen, etc.
	


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	Hepatitis c- when someone gets infected with the hepatitis c virus through the contamination of bodily fluids.
	


 


	
	Hepatitis d- when a person is exposed to hepatitis d virus-infected blood, it causes this disease.
	


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	Hepatitis e- when a person comes in contact with the hepatitis e virus through water or food.
	


 

Causes of non-viral hepatitis

Although hepatitis is commonly caused due to an infection, other factors can also be reasons to cause hepatitis.

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Alcohol

Excessive alcohol can lead to liver damage, causing inflammation. It can also be called alcoholic hepatitis. The alcohol impacts the liver cells directly. Moreover, it can also cause cirrhosis or even permanent liver failure.

 

Autoimmune system response

In rare cases, the immune system of a person attacks the liver itself. It leads to inflammation that can be mild to severe according to the infection. Moreover, it s more common in females than in males.

How Is Hepatitis Caused And Some Common Types?

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