New Sample of Health & Diseases Definitions with List Order Examples

Understanding Biology: Introductory Lesson Notes

Unit 1: Human Biology and Wellness

Health and Diseases

This structured lesson note provides a chronological overview of human health, the nature of illnesses, and the specific factors that disrupt body functions.

• Defining Health: Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
• Traits of Good Health:
  • Having high energy levels and normal physiological body functions.
  • Possessing a stable emotional state and clear mental focus.
  • Maintaining strong, supportive social connections with others.
• Traits of Poor Health:
  • Experiencing constant chronic fatigue or physical pain.
  • Dealing with persistent anxiety, stress, or emotional instability.
  • Suffering from frequent digestive issues or weakened immunity.
• Defining Disease: A disease is an abnormal condition that negatively affects the structure or function of part or all of an organism, which is not due to any immediate external injury.
• Acute Diseases: These are medical conditions that onset rapidly, present severe symptoms, and last for only a short duration.
  • Example 1: The influenza virus causes sudden fever and body aches but clears within a week.
  • Example 2: Acute appendicitis creates sudden abdominal pain requiring immediate surgical removal.
• Chronic Diseases: These are long-lasting conditions that develop slowly over time, often worsen progressively, and persist for three months or longer.
  • Example 1: Diabetes impairs glucose regulation and requires lifelong management.
  • Example 2: Hypertension forces the heart to work harder to pump blood and damages arteries over decades.
• Intrinsic Factors: Internal biological elements inside the body that directly cause or increase the risk of developing a disease.
  • Example 1: Genetic mutations passed from parents, such as the gene causing sickle cell anemia.
  • Example 2: Hormonal imbalances, like an underactive thyroid causing hypothyroidism.
• Extrinsic Factors: External environmental influences outside the body that disrupt health and cause illness.
  • Example 1: Infectious pathogens, such as bacteria entering the body and causing cholera.
  • Example 2: Environmental pollution, including toxic chemical exposure or heavy smog triggering asthma attacks.