Personal Health –

Issues and Concerns

Height and
Weight
Height refers to how tall you are. You could measure
your height using a ruler or a meter stick. It is
expressed centimeters or meters.
Weight
Weight tells how heavy you are. A weighing scale like
the bathroom scale could be used to find your weight.
Weight is expressed in kilos.
The body mass
index (BMI) is a
measure that uses your
height and weight to
work out if your weight
is healthy.
Hearing- Problems the
ears and with hearing are
very common among
children. Most of them are
caused by infections.
Swimmer ‘s ear
is an infection of the
auditory canal. It occurs
often in children who
frequently go swimming.
The infection can be caused by
bacteria that invade the constantly
moist skin of the external earflap
and the ear canal. The ear may also
itch or have a discharge. The
infection is treated by applying an
antibacterial eardrop prescribed by
the doctor.
Impacted cerumen
is common often causes
unpleasant symptoms and is
occasionally associated with
serious squeal, including hearing
loss, social withdrawal, poor
work function and perforated
eardrums.
Clinicians have sought an effective
means to remove impacted cerumen
for centuries. For example, softening
earwax with the specific intention of
facilitating removal dates to the 18th
century. Since then, a large number of
drugs to loosen impacted cerumen
have been routinely used in general
practice and as over-the-counter
medications.
Otitis media
refers to inflammation of the middle ear.
When infection occurs, the condition is called
"acute otitis media." Acute otitis media
occurs when a cold, allergy, or upper
respiratory infection, and the presence of
bacteria or viruses lead to the accumulation of
pus and mucus behind the eardrum, blocking
the Eustachian tube. This causes earache and
swelling.
When fluid forms in the middle ear, the condition is
known as "otitis media with effusion." This occurs
in a recovering ear infection or when one is about to
occur. Fluid can remain in the ear for weeks to many
months.
When a discharge from the ear persists or
repeatedly returns, this is sometimes called
chronic middle ear infection. Fluid can remain
in the ear up to three weeks following the
infection. If not treated, chronic ear infections
have potentially serious consequences such as
temporary or permanent hearing loss.
Vision – There are eye
disorder that some people are
born with and they could not
avoid them but do something
to improve the eyesight.
Below are a few of them.
Astigtmatism - This is an eye disorder
caused by a defect in the curvature of the cornea
or lens of the eye.
Most people with this defect can see clearly the
things directly in from of them, but seeing the
objects above and below or objects to the right or
to the left sides or diagonally is not clear. Usually,
prescribed eyeglasses correct the problem.
Myopia – When the eyeball is too long from front to back or
the cornea is too curved, the result can be myopia. This is better
known as nearsightedness.
People with myopia can see close objects clearly, but objects
at a distance look blurry. In normal vision, the image of a
distant object gets focused on the retina, but in myopia,
because of the greater length of the eyeball, the focused
image falls short of the retina and the result is a fuzzy image.
Myopia tends to be hereditary, developing at around age 12
and progressing until about age 20. Rarely does the condition
get any worse after age 30. Eyeglasses or contact lenses
easily correct nearsightedness.
Hyperopia – is the refractive
error in which an image of distant
object becomes focused behind
the retina. It’s either because the
eyeball axis Is too short, or
because the refractive power of
the object is too weak. This is
commonly known as
farsightedness. This condition
makes close objects appear out of
focus.
Hyperopia causes headaches, eye strain and/or fatigue.
Squinting, eye rubbing, lack of interest in school and difficulty
in reading are often observed among children with this
condition, eyeglasses or contact lenses help to correct or
improve hyperopia by adjusting the focusing power to the retina.
Strabismus or squint –
refers to any condition in
which the eyes do not point
to the same direction when
looking at an object.
There are three types of
this condition – walleye,
cross-eye, and vertical
strabismus. Surgery may
needed to correct these
eye defects. Eye doctors
may prescribe corrective
glasses to remedy these
defects.
Xerophthalmia or dry eyes,
is a medical condition in which
the eye fails to produce tears. It
may be caused by a deficiency in
vitamin A and is sometimes used
to describe that lack, although
there may be other causes.
Xerophthalmia caused by a severe
vitamin A deficiency is described
by pathologic dryness of
conjunctiva and cornea. The
conjunctiva becomes dry, thick
and wrinkled. If untreated, it can
lead to corneal laceration and
ultimately to blindness as a result
of corneal damage.
Ophthalmologist Otolaryngologists
Skin, Hair, and Nail

Sunburn – is red, painful skin that feels hot to

the touch. It usually appears within a few hours after
sun exposure and may take several days or weeks to
fade. Intense sun exposure that results in sunburn
increases the risk of certain complications and related
skin diseases, like skin cancer.
Anyone can prevent sunburn
and the related skin
conditions by protecting the
skin when outdoors, even on
cloudy days. In case of
sunburn, several home
remedies and treatments can
relieve the pain and speed up
the healing of the skin.
Dandruff – is the scalp
skin that comes off in tiny
flakes. When there is too little
oil, the skin becomes flaky and
dry. When there is too much
oil, dandruff is also possible. It
may have a slight yellow color.
Hair washing twice or thrice a
week becomes necessary.
Combs and brushes must be
washed very well. The hair
should be brushed regularly.
Wholesome diet and overall
cleanliness will help.
Massaging the scalp every day
improves circulation.
Corns – are also areas of hard, thick
skin. They are usually made up of a
soft yellow ring of skin around a hard,
gray center. They often form on the
tops of the toes or in between toes.
Like calluses, corns come from
pressure or repeated rubbing of the
toes. Corns usually develop after one
has worn shoes that are tight around
the toe area.
Blister – is an area of raised skin
with a watery liquid inside. Blisters from
on hands and feet from rubbing and
pressure, but they form more quickly than
calluses. Anyone can get blisters on the
feet the same day he/she wears
uncomfortable or poor-fitting shoes or get
blisters on the bare hands when using a
hammer, a shovel, or even when riding a
bike.
Callus – is an area of thick
skin. It is formed at points where
there is repeated rubbing for a long
period of time. The skin hardens
from the pressure overtime and
eventually thickens; forming a
hard though grayish or yellowish
surface that may feel rough.
Ingrown Toenails – is
common condition in which the
corner or side of one of the toenails
grows and presses into the soft flesh
of that toe. The result is pain, redness,
swelling and sometimes, an infection.
An ingrown toenail usually affects the
big toe.
Posture and spine
disorders – it used to describe an
abnormal forward curve in the upper
spine because of slouching and a C-
shaped curve along the entire spine
which can be seen from the side
when a person slouches forward in
the sitting position. It is also often to
as the slouched posture.
Scoliosis - is the medical term for sideways
curvature of the spine which is usually the result when
a person uses one hand- to do most of his/her tasks. It
can also result in one leg being longer than the other.
Lordosis – is an excessive
forward curve in the lower
spine and is usually
associated with a swayback
posture. Common causes are
obesity or pregnancy where
the weight of the abdomen
drags the lower spine
forward.
Kyphosis – is a more extreme
forward curvature of the upper
spine and is due to an abnormality
in the structure of the spine. It is
generally referred to as the
hunchback posture. It is usually
accompanied by a corresponding
forward curve in the lower spine
so that it looks like an S-shape
when seen from the right side.
Oral/dental
problems
Cavities - are holes in teeth caused by tooth
decay. Cavities are also referred to as caries. When
a cavity advances deep into the tooth, it may
produce increased sensitivity to foods that are cold,
hot, or sweet. But not all cavities will cause a
toothache. There are three things to consider in the
treatment of dental cavities: prevention,
remineralization, and restoration.
Gingivitis - is a common and
mild form of gum disease
(periodontal disease) that causes
irritation, redness and swelling
(inflammation) of your gums.
Because gingivitis can be mild, you
may not be aware that you have the
condition. But it's important to take
gingivitis seriously and treat it
promptly.
Periodontitis - also known as gum
disease, is linked to heart attacks and
strokes. Gum disease is an infection in
the gums surrounding the teeth. Gum
disease is also one of the main causes of
tooth loss among adults. There are two
major stages of gum diseases gingivitis
and periodontitis. Regular dental
checkups along with brushing at least
twice a day and flossing daily play an
important role in preventing gum
disease.
Molocclusion - of the teeth is a
misalignment problem that can lead to
serious oral health complications. It’s
also known as: crowded teeth, crossbite,
overbite, underbite, open bite. The teeth
won’t be able to perform vital functions
if they’re misaligned. Depending on the
classification of malocclusion, the
symptoms of the disorder may be subtle
or severe.
Typical symptoms of malocclusion include:
• improper alignment of the teeth
• alteration in the appearance of the face
• frequent biting of the inner cheeks or tongue
• discomfort when chewing or biting
• speech problems, including the development of
a lisp
• breathing through the mouth rather than the
nose
Halitosis – is the outcome of poor
oral hygiene and infection of the
gums. Proper brushing of the teeth
and oral care can get rid of bad
breath. Colds, sinuses, throat
infections, or tonsillitis can also
cause halitosis.
Copy the correct answers and write it on
your books. FOR THE STATEMENT/S THAT
IS/ARE FALSE, Look for the correct word
that will make it true.