Preventive Medicine & Public Health

Preventive Medicine and Occupational health is a master branch of medicine that focuses on the physical and mental health of employees in the working environment. Occupational health professionals intend to discover what impact work has on staff health and make sure that staff is fit to undertake the role they are employed to do both physically and emotionally. The aim of occupational health is to prevent business related disease and injury by empowering safe working practices; monitoring the health of the workforce; supporting the administration of sickness absence. Occupational healthexperts can support associations by advising on business-related diseases and accidents, carrying out assessments for new starters and existing workers, observing the health of representatives and prevention. The maintenance and promotion of the mental, social and physical well-being of all the workers belonging to all the categories is the goal of Preventive Medicine and Occupational Health. This leads to prevention of departures from health issues, control of risks and the adaptation of people to their jobs and works to people. This incorporates all the fields of healthcare concerned about helping an individual to fulfill the demands of their work environment, with their health under concern. Occupational physicians must have a wide information of medication and be competent in various vital zones. They often advise global bodies, governmental and state agencies, associations and trade unions. There are contextual links to physical medicine and recovery and to insurance medicine.

Diabetes often alluded to by doctors as diabetes mellitus. Diabetes is a disease in which your blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels are too high. Glucose originates from the foods you eat. Insulin is a hormone that allows the glucose to get into your cells to give them vitality. With Type 1 diabetes, your body does not make insulin. With Type 2 diabetes, the more common type, your body does not make or utilize insulin well. Without enough insulin, the glucose remains in your blood. You can also have pre-diabetes. This implies that your blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough to be called diabetes. Having pre-diabetes puts you at a higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes.

Over time, having excessively glucose in your blood can cause serious issues. It can affect and harm your eyes, kidneys, and nerves. Diabetes can cause coronary illness, stroke and even the need to remove a limb. Pregnant ladies can also get diabetes, called gestational diabetes. Blood tests can show if you have diabetes. One kind of test, the A1C, can also check on how you are dealing with your diabetes. Exercise, weight control and adhering to your diet plan can help control your diabetes. You should also monitor your blood glucose level and take medicine if recommended.

Vaccinations or Immunization are an indivisible part of preventive medicine against microbial infections, like measles, diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis, smallpox, polio etc. A vaccine is a biological preparation that provides dynamically acquired immunity to a particular disease. Immunization, adjournment of weakened, killed, or divided microorganisms or of antibodies or lymphocytes that is controlled primarily to anticipate disease.

A vaccine can confer dynamic immunity against a particular harmful agent by stimulating the immune system to attack the agent. Once invigorated by an Immunization, the antibody-producing cells, termed as B lymphocytes, stay sensitized and ready to react to the agent should it ever gain entry to the body. A vaccine may confer passive immunity by providing antibodies or lymphocytes already made by an animal or human donor. Immunizations are usually administered by injection (parenteral administration), but some are given orally. Vaccines applied to mucosal surfaces, such as those lining the gut or nasal passages, appear to invigorate a greater antibody response and may be the most effective route of administration. 

Chronic disease crisis is an enormous threat around the globe currently, which has been brought about by risk factors that are preventable.

Chronic disease is a disease that persists over a long period of time. Chronic disease can hinder independence and the health of individuals with disabilities, as it might create additional activity limitations. People with chronic disease often think that they are free from the disease when they have no symptoms. Having no symptoms, however, does not necessarily mean that chronic disease has disappeared. Chronic diseasestend to become more common with age. Chronic diseases in developed countries include arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, heart attacks, stroke, cancer (colon and breast cancer), obesity, diabetes etc.

The good news is that chronic disease can be prevented or controlled through 1) regular participation in physical activity, 2) eating healthy, 3) not smoking, and 4) avoiding excessive alcohol consumption. 

Geriatrics is a specialty that focuses on health care of elderly individuals. The art and science of preventing diseases in the geriatric population and promoting their health are termed as Geriatrics. The geriatric titans are the infirmity that is shown up in the aging public, particularly as they start to fail. These incorporate immobility, instability, incontinence and impaired intellect. Its objective is to promote health by preventing and treating diseases and disabilities in older adults. There is no static age at which patients might be under the care of a geriatrician or geriatricdoctor who requires in the care of elderly individuals. Impaired vision and hearing loss are the most common chronic problems among the Geriatric population.

Community health and preventive medicine focus on determining how to prevent diseases. A community is a group of people who might have different characteristics but share geographical location, settings, goals, or social interest. Examples of communities include people living in the same town, members of a church, or members of a sports team. Community health is a field of public health that focuses on studying, protecting, or improving health within a community. Promoting human health and reducing health risks through disease prevention, education and other public health services are the major goals of Preventive Medicine and Community Health. It does not focus on a group of people with the same shared characteristics, like age or analysis, but on all people within a geographical location or involved in the specific activity.

Community health covers a wide range of health care interventions, including health promotion, disease prevention, and treatment. It also involves management and administration of care. Community health workers (CHWs) are often frontline health professionals with knowledge of specific characteristics and developments of the community. They are often members of the community themselves and play an important role in the functioning of community care.

Internal medicine, the medical field deals with the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of adult diseases. The significant objective of Internal Medicine is to prevent and treat the diseases, in turn increasing the lifespan. Doctors specializing in internal medicine are called internists. Internists are skilled in the management of patients who have undistinguishable or multi-system disease procedures. Internists care for hospitalized and ambulatory patients and may play an important role in teaching and research. Subspecialties of internal medicineincorporate oncology, infectious diseases, endocrinology, allergy, immunology, cardiology, nephrology, and rheumatology etc.

Primary care is that care provided by specialists, experts absolutely trained for and skilled in broad first contact and continuing care for individuals with any undiagnosed sign, symptom, or health concern not limited by problem origin (biological, behavioral, or social), organ system, or diagnosis.

Primary care comprises disease prevention, patient education, health promotion, health maintenance and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses in a variety of healthcare situations. Primary care is executed and governs by a personal specialist often collaborating with other health professionals, and utilizing discussion or referral as appropriate. Primary care provides patient advocacy in the health care system to achieve cost-effective care by coordination of healthcare amenities. Primary careencourages effectual communication with patients and inspires the role of the patient as a companion in health care.

The word Oncology is derived from Greek ónkos means tumor and logos mean study. Oncology is the branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. It involves therapeutic oncology (use of chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and other drugs to treat cancer), radiation oncology (use of radiation therapy to treat cancer), and surgical oncology (use of surgery and other procedures to treat cancer). The person who treats cancer diseases is known as anoncologist. In simple words, we can define that the study of cancer is oncology. There are different types of cancer like Breast cancer, Prostate cancer, Basal cell cancer, Lung cancer, Leukemia, Lymphoma and Colon cancer. Cancer is a form of disease where the cancer-causing cell will invade (cell start to grow out of control) and spread to other body parts.

Infectious diseases, caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi. The Infectious diseases can be transmitted, directly or indirectly, from one individual to another. They are harmless and even helpful, but under certain circumstances, they may cause disease. Zoonotic diseases are infectious diseases of animals that can cause disease when transmitted to humans. Some infectious diseases can be transmitted from individual to individual. Some are transferred by bites from insects or animals. And others are acquired by consumption of contaminated food or water which is being exposed to organisms in the environment.

Signs and symptoms differ depending on the organism causing the disease; however frequently incorporate fever and fatigue. Gentle diseases may respond to and home treatment, while some serious threatening diseases may require hospitalization. Numerous infectious diseases, such as measles and chickenpox, can be prevented by vaccines. Frequent and thorough hand-washing also helps protect us from most infectious diseases.

Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever, is a severe, often fatal illness in humans. Ebola virus disease is caused by four different strains of Ebola virus; these viruses infect humans and nonhuman primates. The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission. The virus family Filoviridae includes three genera: Cueva virus, Marburg virus, and Ebola virus. Within the genus Ebola virus, five species have been identified: Zaire, Bundibugyo, Sudan, Reston and Taï Forest. The first three, Bundibugyo ebola virus, Zaire ebola virus, and Sudan ebola virus have been associated with large outbreaks in Africa. The virus causing the 2014–2016 West African outbreak belongs to the Zaire ebola virus species.

Ebola is introduced into the human population through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected animals such as chimpanzees, gorillas, fruit bats, monkeys, forest antelope and porcupines found ill or dead or in the rainforest. Ebola then spreads through human-to-human transmission via direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials (e.g. bedding, clothing) contaminated with these fluids.

Symptoms of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) are treated as they appear. When used early, basic interventions can significantly improve the chances of survival. These include:

• Providing fluids and electrolytes (body salts) through infusion into the vein (intravenously).
• Offering oxygen therapy to maintain oxygen status.
• Using medication to support blood pressure, reduce vomiting and diarrhea and to manage fever and pain.
• Treating other infections, if they occur.

Recovery from EVD depends on good supportive care and the patient’s immune response. Those who do recover develop antibodies that can last 10 years, possibly longer. It is not known if people who recover are immune for life or if they can later become infected with a different species of Ebola virus. Some survivors may have long-term complications, such as joint and vision problems.

Personalized medicine, also known as precision medicine, is a therapeutic method that segregates patients into various classifications—with medical results, practices, interventions or products being couturier to the individual patient based on their anticipated response or risk of disease.

Customized prescription, named as exactness solution, is a therapeutic strategy that isolates patients into various classifications—with medicinal outcomes, practices, interventions or items being custom-made to the individual patient in light of their foreseen reaction or danger of sickness. The terms customized drug, accuracy prescription and P4 medication are utilized conversely to portray this origination however a few creators and associations utilize these articulations independently to show specific refinements.

Dentistry, a branch of medicine which deals with the prevention, study, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases, disorders, and circumstances of the oral cavity, generally in the dentition but also the oral mucosa, and of contiguous and related structures and tissues, particularly in the maxillofacial region. Though fundamentally associated with teeth among the over-all public, the arena of dentistry is not constrained to teeth, however, integrates individual parts of the craniofacial complex including the temporomandibular joint and other supportive, nervous, lymphatic, muscular etc.

Dental treatments are conceded out by a dental group, which frequently comprises of a dental specialist and dental auxiliaries. Maximum dental specialists either work in private practices, dental hospitals or organizations.

Cardiology a branch of medicine deals with disorders of the heart as well as parts of the circulatory system. This field includes medical analysis and treatment of congenital heart defects, heart failure, valvular heart disease, coronary artery disease, and electrophysiology. Physicians who specialize in this field of medicine are called cardiologists. A cardiologist is not the same as a cardiac surgeon. A cardiac surgeon performs open heart surgery.

A cardiologist concentrates on diagnosing and treating diseases of the cardiovascular system. The cardiologist carries out tests and may do procedures, such as angioplasty, heart catheterizations, or inserting a pacemaker. Heart disease relates exactly to the heart, while cardiovascular disease affects the heart, the blood vessels, or both.

Behavioral health refers to a person’s state of being and how their behaviors and choices affect their general wellbeing and health. Substance abuse and obsessions of all kinds fall into the realm of behavioral health. Behavioral health disorders are diseases that are invigorated or spread by your sensible decisions and which you are incapable to resist the urge to recurrence, in spite of negative significances. Changing these uncontrollable behaviors straightforwardly impacts your life, then, by lessening or eliminating some of the indicators of the behavioral health disorder.

Behavioral health indicates mental and emotional well-being. From those struggling with psychological sicknesses – such as depression or personality disorder – to those with substance abuse disorders or other addictive behaviors, treatment is vital to reclaiming control of their lives.

Psychology is the methodical study of the mind and behavior. Psychology is a multifaceted discipline and incorporates many sub-fields of study in such regions as human development, sports, health, clinical, social conduct, and intellectual procedures. The discipline of psychology is broadly categorized into two subdivisions: a vast profession of consultants and a smaller but growing science of mind, brain, and social behavior. The two have distinctive objectives, training, and practices, yet a few analysts incorporate the two.

The term psychiatric disorders are sometimes used to refer to what is more frequently known as mental disorders or psychological disorder.  Psychiatric disorders are patterns of behavioral or psychological side effects that affect different areas of life. These disorders create distress for the individual experiencing these symptoms.

A psychiatric disorder may also cause physical manifestations, for example, a headache, back pain, or stomach pain. In case if you’re being assessed for a psychiatric disorder, make sure to inform your doctor regarding any physical side effects you're having, including unexplained aches and pains.

Family medicine (FM), formerly family practice (FP), is a medical specialty devoted to comprehensive health care for people of all ages; the specialist is named a family physician or family doctor. In Europe the discipline is often referred to as general practice and a practitioner as a general practice doctor or GP; this name emphasizes the holistic nature of this specialty, as well as its roots in the family. Family practice is a division of primary care that provides continuing and comprehensive health care for the individual and family across all ages, genders, diseases, and parts of the body; family physicians are often primary care physicians. It is based on knowledge of the patient in the context of the family and the community, emphasizing disease prevention and health promotion. According to the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA), the aim of family medicine is to provide personal, comprehensive, and continuing care for the individual in the context of the family and the community.

The importance of Preventive Medicine and Nutrition is recognized widely. Preventive Medicine and Nutrition cover all aspects of wellness, including diet, genetic variation, and stress management. A sense of responsibility is gained for lifestyle choices and their effects upon one’s health are considered with concern. Nutrition, nourishment, or ailment, is the supply of food materials required by organisms and cells to remain alive. In science and human medication, nutrition is the science or practice of consuming and utilizing foods.

In hospitals, nutrition might refer to the food requirements of patients including nutritious arrangements conveyed by methods of an IG (intragastric) or IV (intravenous) tube.  Nutritional science considers how the body breaks food down (catabolism) and how it repairs and forms tissue and cells (anabolism). Catabolism and anabolism combined together and referred to as metabolism. Nutrition emphases on how diseases, circumstances, and problems can be prevented or reduced with a healthy diet. Similarly, nutrition involves recognizing how certain diseases and circumstances might be caused by dietary factors, such as food intolerances, poor diet, and food allergies.

Hospital medicine is a sort of practice within internal medicine in which the clinical focus is caring for hospitalized patients. Internists practicing hospital medicine are frequently called “hospitalists.” Although not all hospitalists are required to be internists, the nature of internal medicine training uniquely makes internists for hospital medicine practice.  As a result, the vast majority of hospitalists are trained in internal medicine, usually general internal medicine.

The discipline of hospital medicine grew out of the increasing complexity of patients requiring hospital care and the need for dedicated clinicians to oversee their management. The hospitalist model succeeded the traditional method of caring for hospitalized patients, which was often done by clinicians also seeing ambulatory patients or with other clinical obligations that limited their ability to provide the intensity of care often required by these patients. By focusing their practice on this specific group of patients, hospitalists gain specialized knowledge in managing very ill patients and are able to provide high-quality, evidence-based, and efficient patient and family-centered care in hospital settings.

Adolescence is a developmental period and a time of rapid and complex physical, intellectual, emotional, and social development. It is a critical stage in life as young people mature from childhood, when they are dependent on parents and other adults, to young adulthood when they are expected to make decisions and be responsible for themselves.

Adolescents have many concerns about their changing bodies, changing moods, and changing interactions with others. They have concerns about what is normal and what they should expect as they continue to mature. They engage in behaviors that may present risks to their health and safety. Parents also have concerns about what to expect of their adolescent children, what is normal and how they can be kept safe and healthy.

Sports medicine emphases on helping individuals improve their athletic performance, recover from injury and avoid future injuries. It is a fast- developing healthcare field because health workers who specialize in sports medicine help a wide range of individuals, not just athletes.

Sports medicine specialists have the unique training to restore function to injured patients so they can move again as soon as possible. They are also knowledgeable about preventing illness and injury in dynamic individuals. Although sports medicine specialists do work with professional athletes, they also treat children and adolescences involved in sports and adults who exercise for personal fitness, as well as individuals who have physically demanding jobs, like construction workers.

Telemedicine is generally a new concept, and in the realm of the internet, it develops with lightning speed. Telemedicine is a subset of telehealth, which incorporates both remote clinical administration conveyance and nonclinical components of the healthcare system. In contrast, telemedicine alludes particularly to the utilization of medical information exchanged for the purpose of improving a patient's health. Telemedicine is the remote conveyance of healthcare services, such as health assessments or consultations, over the telecommunications infrastructure. It allows healthcare providers to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients utilizing regular innovation, such as video conferencing and smartphones, without the requirement for an in-person visit. It is often a time-saving way for a consumer to see and speak to a clinician for minor and non-urgent medical needs instead of going to a primary care physician's office or emergency department.