-The Immune system
-Effects of stress in the immune system
-Maintaining a good social life prevention of illnesses
EFFECTS OF STRESS IN THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
How stress affects the immune system
1. Stress occurs when life events surpass your abilities to cope. It causes your body to produce greater levels of the stress hormone called cortisol.
2. Cortisol can boost your immunity by limiting inflammatory. But over time, your body can get used to having too much cortisol in your blood. And this opens the door for more inflammation.
3. Stress decreases the body's lymphocytes (the white blood cells that help fight off infection). The lower your lymphocyte level, the more at risk you are for viruses, including the common cold and cold sores.
4. High stress levels also can cause depression and anxiety, again leading to higher levels of inflammation. in the long-term, sustained, high levels of inflammation point to an overworked, over-tired immune system that can't properly protect you.
5. The brain and the immune system are in constant communication in this delicate balance that can be disrupted by any kind of physical or emotional stress.
6. If we're not able to change our response to stressors, we'll find ourselves in a constant hormonal battle that will lead to serious health issues like hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease.
7. Some experts claim that stress is responsible for as much as 90% of all illnesses and diseases, including cancer and heart disease.
COMMON EFFECTS OF STRESS ON YOUR BODY
· Headache
· Muscle tension or pain
· Fatigue
· Change in sex drive
· Stomach upset
· Sleep problem
COMMON EFFECTS OF STRESS ON YOUR MOOD
· Anxiety
· Restlessness
· Lack of motivation or focus
· feeling overwhelmed
· irritability or anger
· sadness or depression
COMMON EFFECTS OF STRESS ON YOUR BEHAVIOR
· overeating or undereating
· angry outburst
· drug or alcohol abuse
· tobacco use
· social withdrawal
· exercising less often
Some of the mind-body therapies that help reverse that are:
· . Evidence shows that people who believe they are doing better actually do better than those who have the same physical condition but aren't as positive. Research also suggests that , hostility, and other negative states affect the immune system.
· techniques. Changing how we act can often break habits that trigger stress reactions.
· Social support. According to researchers, people with strong social support have better overall health and are more resistant to infection and disease.
· Meditation, Yoga and Exercise. Reduce the production of stress hormones. It reduce your cortisol levels and reduces inflammation. Research also shows it helps prevent the breakdown of your chromosomes that leads to cancer and premature aging.
· Setting aside time for hobbies. Such as reading a book or listening to music
MAINTAINING A GOOD SOCIAL LIFE PREVENTION OF ILLNESSES
Social relationships—both quantity and quality—affect mental health, health behavior, physical health, and mortality risk.
HOW CAN SOCIETY INFLUENCES HEALTH
· If you want to be healthier; you cannot avoid other people -like it or not; the human body is built to be part of a society; and putting time and effort into positively interacting with others, will inevitably bring you many health benefits, if nothing else.
· People who fit into society are likely to be more content and as a result healthier; both physically and mentally.
· Even in the most affluent countries, people who are less well off have substantially shorter life expectancy and more illnesses than the rich.
Thecontext of people's lives determine their health, and so blaming individualsfor having poor health or crediting them for good health is inappropriate.Individuals are unlikely to be able to directly control many of the determinantsof health. These determinants—or things that make people healthy or not—includethe above factors, and many others: Income and social status - higher income and social status are linked to better health. The greater the gap between the richest and poorest people, the greater the differences in health. Education – low education levels are linked with poor health, more stress and lower self-confidence. Physical environment – safe water and clean air, healthy workplaces, safe houses, communities and roads all contribute to good health. Employment and working conditions – people in employment are healthier, particularly those who have more control over their working conditions Social support networks – greater support from families, friends and communities is linked to better health. Culture - customs and traditions, and the beliefs of the family and community all affect health. Genetics - inheritance plays a part in determining lifespan, healthiness and the likelihood of developing certain illnesses. Personal behaviour and coping skills – balanced eating, keeping active, smoking, drinking, and how we deal with life's stresses and challenges all affect health. Health services - access and use of services that prevent and treat disease influences health Gender - Men and women suffer from different types of diseases at different ages.
FACTORS AFFECTING HEALTH:
Transport
Evidence of health impact focus on:
Accidents between motor vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians (particularly children and young people). Pollution from burning fossil fuels such as particulates and ozone. Noise from transportation. Psychosocial effects such as severance of communities by large roads and the restriction of children's movement. Climate change due to CO2 emission Loss of land Improved physical activity from cycling or walking Increased access to employment, shops and support services Recreational uses of road spaces Contributes to economic development Vector borne diseasesFood andAgricultureAgriculturalproduction issues and manufacturingTobacco farming and its impact on heart disease, stroke, certain cancers and chronic respiratory disease. Including passive smoking and impact of foetal development. Pesticide policies on tobacco crops require consideration. Changes in land use, soil quality, choice of crop, use of agricultural labour and occupational health. Mechanisation of work previously done by hand, and plantation agriculture. Fisheries – biotoxins, pollution, chemical use, wastewater, processing, and occupational health Forestry – vector borne diseases, occupational health, and food security. Livestock use – vector borne diseases, drug residues, animal feed, waste, and food security. Sustainable farming including chemical and energy use, biodiversity, organic production methods, and diversity of foods produced. Fertiliser use – nitrate levels in food, pollution of waterways, re-use of agricultural waste. Water – irrigation use and its impact on river/water-table levels and production outputs. Pesticide usage and veterinary drugs– legal requirements, best practice, consumer issues. Food packaging, preservation and safety, and avoidance of long storage and travel.Housing
Evidence of health impacts focus on:
Improvements in housing and improved mental health and general health The possibility of improved housing leading to rent rises, impacting negatively on health. Movement of original tenants after housing improvement and therefore not benefiting from the improvements. Housing tenure, outdoor temperature, indoor air quality, dampness, housing design, rent subsidies, relocation, allergens and dust mites, home accident prevention, and fire prevention. Homelessness.Waste
Evidence of health impacts focuses on environmental and social determinants related to:
the transmission of agents of infectious disease from human and animal excreta (sanitation, hygiene and water-related); exposure to toxic chemicals in human and animal excreta; and in industrial wastes discharged into the environment; environmental degradation, direct and indirect impacts on health; exposure to radioactive wastes; exposure to health-care wastes; exposure to solid wastes and involvement in informal waste recycling; and breeding of disease vectors.Energy
Evidence of health impacts focus on health hazzards such as:
Fossil fuels Biomass fuels Hydropower and their impact on vector borne diseases, and pollution Electricity generation and transmission Nuclear power Other energy sources Occupational health effects of energy workers Impacts on ecosystems, agriculture, forests, fisheries and building materials Noise Visual impact Global warmingIndustry
Evidence of health impacts focus on industrial sectors such as:
Asbestos and man made fibres Basic chemicals Cement, glass and ceramics Electronicds Iron and steel Manufacture of rubber and plastic products Metal products Mining Pesticides, paints and pharmaceuticals Petroleum products Pulp and paer Service industries Textiles and leather Wood and furniture.