HEALTH 6

Diseases and disorders caused by poor environmental

sanitation:
1. Respiratory Diseases
One of the most common respiratory
sicknesses that is an effect of poor
environmental sanitation is the common cold.
Symptoms of common cold:
- itching or sore throat, runny nose, sneezing,
nasal congestion, watery eyes and mucus
drainage
- It is a viral infection of the upper respiratory
tract caused by many viruses

2. Gastrointestinal Diseases
Refers to diseases involving the
gastrointestinal tract namely the esophagus,
stomach, small intestine, large intestine and
rectum, and the accessory organs of digestions
– the liver, gallbladder and pancreas.
Causes: poor personal hygiene, poor
environmental sanitation and limited access to clean
water.

Diarrhea – sometimes called the “intestinal flu”.

It is the condition of unusual frequent and
liquid bowel movement. Some of the causes are
viruses, bacteria and other organisms and
contaminated food.
 Cholera – is an infection of the small intestine that
may result to severe diarrhea and can lead to
dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and even death if
untreated.

Dysentery – is an infectious disease passed

through the ingestion of food and water that has been
contaminated.

3. Skin Diseases
The skin is the largest organ of the body that
contains the nerves that sense pain, cold and heat.
When the skin comes in contact with pollutants, it
results to some illnesses like eczema, scabies and
ringworms.

4. Neurological Impairments
They are diseases that are related o the brain
and spinal cord.

Mercury Poisoning – caused by the exposure to

mercury or its compounds.