Solution-Class 8-General Science-Chapter-2-Health and Diseases-Maharashtra Board

Answer:

1. Malaria, hepatitis, elephantiasis, dengue:

Hepatitis is the odd one because it is caused by a virus while the rest of three usually spread through mosquito bites.

2. Plague, AIDS, cholera, T.B.:

AIDS is the odd term because it is caused by a viral infection while the rest of the diseases are caused by bacteria.

Infectious diseases usually spread through water, air, human blood to blood transfusion and animal vectors.

Non-infectious diseases include cataract, arthritis, osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis, Parkingson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.

Some of the reasons for diabetes include

• obesity,
• lack of physical activity,
• mental anxiety & stress,
• imbalanced diet
• and genetic causes.

Some of the reasons for heart diseases include

• heavy smoking,
• drinking,
• hypertension,
• diabetes,
• obesity,
• lack of physical activity,
• mental anxiety & stress
• and imbalanced diet.

Boiling and filtration are useful methods of purifying water that renders it suitable for consumption. Drinking boiled and filtered water can prove helpful in prevention of various water-borne diseases such as typhoid fever, cholera, etc. Most of the water-borne diseases are caused due to the consumption of contaminated water in some form or the other.

Smoking and alcoholism are two major causes of health problems which affect our society greatly. Smoking leads to different kinds of respiratory disorders and hinders the respiration process in humans. It can lead to acute health diseases such as lung cancer, throat cancer, etc. On the contrary, consumption of alcohol affects the liver, nervous and digestive system of our body. People can maintain a healthy lifestyle and stay protected from various diseases by avoiding alcohol and smoking in their lives.

Having a balanced diet and proper exercise are key factors which contribute to good health. When both are combined together, it helps our systems to function properly, maintain a healthy body mass and weight, reduces body fat, provides energy, promotes sound sleep and makes us feel fresh and fit about ourselves.

Proper checking of blood before blood donation is important to check the blood thoroughly before it is transferred to others. Many a time, there are chances of transmission of infectious diseases from the donor to the recipient in case the former is suffering from any such diseases. One more important reason, it is important to check blood before donation is to examine that the donor is not anaemic as donating blood may be harmful to him/her.

Since, the house of master X is in a slum area and there is a public toilet near it, there are chances that there is a lack of cleanliness in that area. He is likely to suffer from diseases like shigellosis, salmonellosis, diarrhoea, gastroenteritis, giardiasis, trachoma, tapeworm infection or threadworm infection.

In this case, the family needs to maintain personal hygiene and cleanliness in and around their houses. They should be explained about the importance of a balanced diet for the entire family. Since, the father is a drukyard, he needs proper counselling, rehabilitation and treatment to get rid of this ill-habit of alcoholism.

Since the father of master X is a drunkard, he is likely to suffer from complex diseases such as liver cirrhosis, heart diseases, ulcers and gastrointestinal problems, brain haemorrhage, etc

Dengue is a disease which is transmitted by Aedesmosquito which lays eggs in water-logged places, which multiply over time. Mosquitoes breeding can be prevented by adopting the following measures:

• Larvae-eating fishes should be introduced and left in pond water.
• Water storage and collection should always be done in closed vessels.
• There should be proper drainage of potted plants to avoid accumulation of water in the pots.
• Use of pesticides against mosquitoes as and when necessary.

Preventive measures for cancer:

• To maintain a healthy diet.
• Proper exercise daily.
• Avoid smoking or drinking alcohol.
• Regular health checkups to maintain health.

Preventive measures for AIDS are:

• Avoid sexual contact / intercourse with unknown people.
• Check blood thoroughly before transfusion.
• Avoid sharing or using the same needles or syringes.

A balanced diet is a diet that consists of all essential nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals in the right proportion. A balanced diet helps us in the following ways:

• supplies important nutrients to our body that is required for body growth.
• helps us to maintain fitness and stay free from diseases.
• strengthens the human immune system.
• helps to maintain and function our systems properly.
• helps to maintain a healthy and balanced body weight
• reduces or helps in cutting down body fat.
• provides energy to the entire body.
• promotes sound sleep and boosts our overall health.

Importance of exercise and yoga asanas are:

• reduces the risk of heart diseases such as attacks or strokes.
• helps in maintaining proper weight.
• helps in maintaining blood pressure levels.
• helps in maintaining proper cholesterol level of blood.
• lowers the risk of cancers and type 2 diabetes.
• helps in maintaining stronger muscles, bones and joints.
• lowers the risk of osteoporosis disease.
• makes you feel relaxed by boosting energy levels.

Diagnostics of cancer: There are various techniques which are used in the diagnosis of cancer. The application completely depends upon the type of cancer. Radiography (use of X-rays), biopsy, CT Scan (Computed Tomography), histopathological studies of bone and blood and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) are mostly used in the diagnosis of cancer. Some of the modern techniques such as Radiography, CT Scan and MRI are used in cancer diagnosis.

1. MRI uses strong magnetic rays and non-ionising radiations to accurately detect and identify pathological and physiological changes in the living tissue or body.
2. CT Scan uses X-rays to generate a three-dimensional image of the internal parts of a particular object or human body.

Treatment of cancer: Cancer can be treated by using three major approaches based upon the type of cancer. These approaches include surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

1. In surgery, the tumor is removed from its site through operation and is applicable in specific body regions and cases only.
2. Radiotherapy is a technique in which the cancer cells are damaged with radiations and take care of the normal tissues surrounding the cancer cells.
3. Chemotherapy uses various types of drugs for treating cancer. These chemotherapeutic drugs can be used specifically for particular tumors only and they have a lot of side effects such as hair loss, paling of skin, anaemia, etc.

Most of the cancers can be treated by using a combination of all these three approaches.

The following medicines are found in our houses:

1. For treating influenza, we generally use Paracip – Paracetamol or Acetaminophen.
2. For treating minor stomach aches and disorders, we use Digene, Polycrol, Pudin Hara, etc.
3. For treating body aches we use Volini, Moov, Iodex, etc.

(Note: Students can write this answer as per the availability of medicines at their homes.)