What is health?

Health is generally defined as being "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity" according to the World Health Organization (WHO). [1][2]

In 1986, the WHO, in the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion, said that health is "a resource for everyday life, not the objective of living. Health is a positive concept emphasizing social and personal resources, as well as physical capacities." Classification systems such as the WHO Family of International Classifications (WHO-FIC), which is composed of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) also define health.

Overall health is achieved through a combination of physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being, which, together is commonly referred to as the Health Triangle

Aspects of health

Physical health
Main article: Physical fitness

Physical fitness refers to body health, and is the result of regular exercise, proper diet and nutrition, and proper rest for physical recovery.

This is also influenced by the standard of living and quality of life. Genetics also plays a major role in people's height. The study of human growth, its regulators, and implications is known as Auxology.
Mental health
Main article: Mental health

Mental health describes either a level of cognitive or emotional well-being or an absence of a mental disorder. The World Health Organization defines mental health as "a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community”.[3] However, despite official definitions, the term mental health, and the question of whether or not an individual is 'mentally well', remains a subjective assessment.
Determinants of health
Main article: Social determinants of health

The LaLonde report suggests that there are four general determinants of health including human biology, environment, lifestyle, and healthcare services.[4] Thus, health is maintained and improved not only through the advancement and application of health science, but also through the efforts and intelligent lifestyle choices of the individual and society.

A major environmental factor is water quality, especially for the health of infants and children in developing countries.[5]

Studies show that in developed countries, the lack of neighborhood recreational space that includes the natural environment leads to lower levels of neighborhood satisfaction and higher levels of obesity; therefore, lower overall well being.[6] Therefore, the positive psychological benefits of natural space in urban neighborhoods should be taken into account in public policy and land use

Some Important Biological Facts
Largest egg = Struthio(Ostrich)
Longest cell = Neuron
Largest animal = Blue Whale
Largest Terrestrial animal = Loxodonta(African elephant)
Largest bird = Struthio(Ostrich)
Largest snake = Python
Largest living lizard = Varanus(Monitor lizard)
Largest living reptile = Crocodylus(marine crocodile)
Largest teeth = Tusk of elephant
Largest Human muscle = Gluteus maximus]
Deadly poisonous snake = Hydrophis(Sea snake)
Smallest animal = Babesia(Parasitic Protozoa)
Smallest bird = Humming bird of Cuba
Smallest mammal = Shrew
Connecting links between Reptile & birds = Archaeopteryx
Primitive mammal = Echidna or Spiny ant eater(Egg laying)
Poisonous lizard = Heloderma(Gila monster)
Living fossil reptile = Sphenodon(Tuatara)
Flying lizard = Draco
Desert lizard or Horned toad = Phrynosoma
Flying fish = Exocoetus
Pigeon milk is secreted from = Crop glands of pigeon
Largest gland in body = Liver
Largest endocrine gland = Thyroid
Blood gland = Found in Pheretima
Brunner's gland = Duodenum and secretes mucous.
Ceruminous gland = External ear
Conglobate gland = Male cockroach
Collaterialgland = Female cockroach.
Cowper's gland = Reproductive tract of male rabbit.
Green gland = Antenna of Prawn(Excretory in function).
Harderian gland = Eye of mammals.
Abdominal testes = Elephant,whale e.t.c.
Ink gland = Sepia(Protective in function)
Lachrymal(tear) gland = Eye of mammals
Mammary gland = Mammals only.
Mehli's gland = Reproductive organ of Fosciola
Meibomian gland = Eye of mammmal.
Mushroom gland = Male cockroach.
Phallic gland = Male cockroach
Preengland = Birds
Sebaceous gland = Skin of mammal
Sweat gland = Mammals only
Utricular gland = Male cockroach
Zeis gland = Eye lashes of vertebrate
World's first test tube baby = Louise Joy Brown
Total species existing today = 5 to 30 millions.
Origin of universe = 10 to 15 billion years ago.
Origin of life = 3.6 to 4.0 billion years ago.

Important Vitamin Dificiency diseases

Diseases = Dificiency

1. Alopecia = Vitamin B₇(Biotin).
2. Rickets = Vitamin D or antirachitic in children.
3. Beri-beri = Vitamin B₁ or Thaimine or antineuritic
4. Cheilosis = Vitamin B₂ or Riboflavin or G.
5. Pellagar = Nicotinic acid or Niacin C Vitamin B₅.
6. Anemia = Folic acid vitamin B₆.
7. Pernicious anemia = Vitamin B₁₂ or Cyanocobalamin.
8. Scurvy = Vitamin C or Ascorbic acid.
9. Dermatitis = Vitamin B₂,B₆,B₇(H).
10. Hypoprothrombinemia = Vitamin K.
11. Nyctalopia = Vitamin A.
12. Ostteomalacia = Vitamin D in adult.
13. Keratomalacia = Vitamin A(Retinol).
14. Tetany = Vitamin D.
15. Anorexia = Vitamin B₁ (Thiamine)
16. Polyneuritis = Vitamin B₁.
17. Glossitis = Vitamin B₂.
18. Xerophthalmia or Night Blindness = Vitamin A or antixerophthalmia or Retinol or Anti Infection Vitamin.
19. Macrocytic anemia and Spure = Folic acid(Pteroylgutamic acid).

Important Hormonal Diseases

Diseases = Causes

1. Acromegaly = Due to hyperecretion of growth hormone or S.T.H in audlt from anterior lobe of pituitary.
2. Adrenal virilism = Due to hypersecretion of androgen from adrenal corex.
3. Addison's diseases = Due to hyposecretion of Glucocorticoids from adrenal cortex.
4. Dwarfism = Due to hyposecretion of S.T.H or G.H. in children.
5. Cretinism = Due to hyposecretion of thyroxin in children from thyroid gland.
6. Cushing's syndrome = Due to hyper secretion of glucocorticoids
7. Diabetes insipidus or Polyuria insipida = Due to Hyposecretion of A.D.H. or vasopressin from posterior lobe of pitutary.
8. Diabetes mellitus = Due to Hyposecretion of Insulin from Islets of Langerhans.
9. Goitre = Due to Hyposecretion of thyroxin from thyroid.
10. Grave's disease or Exophthalmic goitre or Basedow's disease = Due to Hypersecretion of thyroxin from thyroid.
11. Hashimoto's disease = Due to Hyposecretion of thyroxin from thyroid.
12. Myxedema = Due to Hyposecretion of thyroxin from thyroid.
13. Plummer's disease = Due to Hypersecretion of thyroxin from thyroid.
14. Tetany = Due to Hyposecretion of parathormone from parathyroid.

Mineral dificiency diseases

Dificiency = Diseases

1. Iron =Anemia.
2. Potassium = Hypokalemia.
3. Sodium = Hyponatremia.
4. Iodine = Simple Goitre.
5. Calcium = Rickets and Ostomalecia.

Viral diseases

1. 1. Acquired immuno deficiency syndrome(AIDS) = By lymphadenopathy associated virus (LAV) and Human T Leukaemia virus(HTLV).
2. 2. Chicken Pox. = By Varicella virus
3. 3. Influenza = By Orthomyxo virus
4. Measles = (Rubeola)By Paramyxovirus
5. Mumps = By Paramyxo virus

Some Important Facts of Human Body

1. Length of Alimentary Canal = Approximately 8 metres.
2. B.M.R.(Basal Metabolic Rate) = 1600 K.Cal/day.
3. Number of cells in body = 75 trillion
4. Longest Bone = Femur(Thigh Bone).
5. Smallest Bone = Ear ossicle(Stapes).
6. Weight of brain = 1400gms.
7. Blood volume = 5 to 6 Litres(in 70 kg body).
8. Normal B.P. = 120/80mm Hg.
9. Number of R.B.C.
• In male = 5 to 5.5 million/cubic mm.
• In female = 4.5 to 5 million/cubic mm.
10. Life span of R.B.C. = 120 days.
11. Normal W.B.C. count = 5000-11000/cubic mm.
12. Life span of W.B.C. = 2 to 5 days.
13. D.L.C.(Differential leucocyte count)
    • Basophils = 0.5-1%
    • Eosinophils = 1-3%
    • Monocytes = 3-8%
    • Neutrophils = 40-70%
    • Lymphocytes = 20-25%
14. Blood platelets count = 2,00,000-4,00,000/cubic mm.
15. Haemoglobin %
    • In male = 14-18gm/100c.c. of blood.
    • In female = 12-16gm/100c.c. of blood.
16. Haemoglobin content in body = 500-700gm.
17. Universal blood donor = O(Rh negative)
18. Universal blood recipient = AB
19. Blood clotting time = 2-5 minutes.
20. Average body weight = 70kg.
21. Normal body temperature = 310.038K.
22. Breathing rate = 12-16/minutes.
23. Dental formula = Adult 2123/2123=32 & Child 2102/2102=20 milk teeth.
24. Number of cranial nerves = 12 pairs.
25. Number of spinal nerve = 31 pairs.
26. Largest endocrine gland = Thyroid.
27. Gestation period = 9 months+1 week(280 days).
28. Normal Heart beat = 72-75/minutes.
29. Largest gland = Liver.
30. Largest muscles in the body = Gluteus maximum(Buttock muscle).
31. Smallest muscle in the body = Stepedius(ear).
32. Largest artery = Abdominal aorta.
33. Largest vein = Inferior venacava.
34. Largest W.B.C. = Monocyte.
35. Smallest W.B.C. = Lymphocytes.
36. Greatest regeneration power = In Liver.
37. Longest nerve = Sciatic.
38. Longest cell = Neuron(nerve cells).
39. Menstrual Cycle = 28 days.
40. Menarch = 14-15 years.
41. Menopause age = 45-50 years
42. Minimum regeneration power = In Brain cells
43. Minimum distance for proper vision = 25 cm.
44. Type of Placenta = Haemochorial(Chorio-allantoic)
45. Pulse Rate = 72 per minute.
46. Volume of Semen = 2-4ml/ejaculation.
47. Normal sperm count = 200- 350 million/ejaculation.
48. ESR(Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate) = 4-10min/hour(normal).
49. Thinnest skin = Conjunctiva(eyelid).
50. pH of Gastric juice = 1.4-3
51. pH of urine = 4.5-8
52. pH of blood = 7.35-7.45
53. pH of Bile = 7.5
54. pH of Pancreatic juice = 8.5
55. Total number of muscles in the body = 639.
56. Total number of bone in the body = 206.
57. Largest organ of human body = Skin.
58. The average adult contains about 65% water of his body weight.
59. Four main groups of Bacteria lie on human skin and can be found almost anywhere on the body.They are:
    • Corynebacteria (including Corynebacterium acnes, which causes acne);
    • Micrococci;
    • Streptococci and
    • Coliform bacteria.
60. The large intestine is also rich in bacteria.Among the types are Coliform bacteria(especially Escherichia coli); Bacteriodes; Lactobacilli; Clostridia and Streptococci.In the intestine,they are harmless.
61. Three main types of yeast commonly live on the skin.Malassezia furfur is found mainly on the chest and back.Candida albicans is mainly found between the toes and mouth.Trichospora beigelii lives mainly on the scalp.Two other, kinds of fungi -Trichophyton and Microsporum cause ringworm and athelete's foot respectively.
62. One strain of virus Herpes simplex lives inside the nerve fibres of 90% of adults-the only virus to do so. It is usually dormant, but when the host's health is low, it can sometimes erupt on the lips as cold sores.