WHY DO WE GET FEVER?

FEVER -

Fever is one of the most common health disorders that afflict humans. Have you given a thought to why this ailment is so common? The normal body temperature of a healthy person is 98.4F (37 deg.C). Fever is a condition in which the body temperature rises above the normal. It is a common symptom of some diseases.

The heat energy produced by the chemical reactions taking place inside the body is controlled by brain and skin. As long as there is no disease or malfunctioning in the body, the temperature remains at 98.4 deg. F. When germs of any specific disease attack the body, certain reactions take place in the body cells. As a result, the centers controlling the body temperature are affected and, the body temperature starts rising. This rise in temperature is called 'fever'. The first signs of fever are chills, loss of appetite and a feeling of weakness. The body temperature is measured with the help of a clinical thermometer.

Fever is a body mechanism that helps us in destroying the germs of diseases. During fever, some of the body organs start working fast and some physiological processes get accelerated.  The rate of production of hormones, enzymes, and blood cells increases considerably. These hormones, enzymes and blood cells start fighting the germs, causing the body temperature to rise. During fever, blood circulation and respiration become faster. Both these processes help the body in getting rid of the poisonous germs present inside. Fever is often the symptom of infection.

Persistence of any fever for a long period is not good. During fever, the internal parts get heated and there is a deficiency of water causing the contraction of the capillaries of blood and urinary tract. Protein accumulated in the body gets depleted. Disorder sets in, in the brain due to high temperature. It is, therefore, a big mistake to ignore fever and wait for it to pass. Though fever is a physiological activity aimed at fighting any disease, it is absolutely essential to seek immediate medical help once you get it.

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WHY ARE HEAD INJURIES DANGEROUS? Understanding the Risks and Consequences.

HEAD INJURIES -

The Importance of Protection Against Head Injuries :

In today’s society, safeguarding the most vital part of our body—our head—has become a critical priority. Whether it’s a soldier wearing an advanced helmet in war or a motorcyclist adhering to safety standards with protective gear, the emphasis on head protection highlights its essential role. Governments worldwide have implemented measures to minimize the risk of head injuries by mandating the use of helmets in specific activities. But why is protecting the head so important?

Anatomy and Significance of the Brain :

The human brain serves as the body’s command center, encased within the skull and shielded by a strong framework of bones. Despite this natural armor, the brain remains susceptible to injuries. Understanding the potential consequences of head trauma requires a thorough evaluation of the brain’s structure and functions.

Sections of the Brain:

1. Cerebrum:

   • The largest part of the brain, responsible for higher cognitive functions.
   • Controls memory, reasoning, emotions, and voluntary actions such as walking and speaking.

2. Cerebellum:

   • Located beneath the cerebrum, this part ensures balance and coordination.
   • Refines motor movements and ensures precision in physical activities.

3. Medulla Oblongata:

   • Situated in the brainstem, it regulates basic involuntary functions such as breathing, heart rate, and digestion.

The brain also governs essential sensory functions, including sight, smell, taste, hearing, and touch. This intricate network allows humans to interpret their environment and respond effectively.

Natural Protections for the Brain

The human skull acts as a durable shield against physical impacts. Beneath the skull lies cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which cushions the brain by absorbing minor shocks and preventing direct contact with the skull. While these protections are remarkable, they are not foolproof. A sharp or forceful impact can overwhelm these defenses, resulting in serious brain injuries.

Consequences of Head Injuries

Head injuries can range from mild concussions to life-threatening conditions. The severity and location of the impact determine the outcomes, which may include:

1. Cerebral Hemorrhage:

   • Severe head trauma can cause internal bleeding in the brain, known as a cerebral hemorrhage. If untreated, this condition can quickly escalate and result in death.

2. Memory Loss:

   • Traumatic brain injuries can damage the hippocampus, a region critical for memory formation. Victims may experience temporary or permanent memory loss, affecting both short-term and long-term recall.

3. Coma:

   • Severe trauma can disrupt brain activity, leading to prolonged unconsciousness. Recovery from a coma often depends on the extent of the damage.

4. Neurological Disorders:

   • Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Damage to the myelin sheath of neurons may lead to MS-like symptoms, impairing communication between the brain and the body.
   • Parkinson’s Disease: This progressive condition, characterized by tremors and impaired motor functions, may stem from chemical imbalances caused by head injuries.

5. Aphasia:

   • Injuries to the brain’s language centers can result in aphasia, a condition that disrupts speech production and comprehension, severely affecting communication.

6. Other Cognitive and Physical Impairments:

   • Brain injuries can cause chronic dizziness, headaches, blurred vision, and difficulty concentrating. In severe cases, victims may lose the ability to perform basic tasks and require lifelong assistance.

Preventive Measures to Protect the Head

Given the dire consequences of head injuries, prevention is of utmost importance. Here are some effective strategies:

1. Wearing Helmets:

   • Helmets significantly reduce the risk of head injuries during activities such as cycling, construction work, and sports.
   • Modern helmets are designed with impact-absorbing materials to provide maximum protection.
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2. Promoting Road Safety:

   • Adhering to traffic laws, such as wearing seat belts and maintaining speed limits, can help prevent accidents that often result in head trauma.

3. Implementing Workplace Safety Regulations:

   • Industries involving heavy machinery or hazardous environments should enforce strict safety protocols, including mandatory use of helmets.

4. Raising Public Awareness:

   • Governments and organizations must educate the public about the importance of head protection through seminars, advertisements, and school programs.

5. Technological Innovations:

   • Advances in helmet design and automotive safety features are essential for reducing the impact of accidents.

Long-Term Management of Head Injuries

For individuals who have sustained head injuries, timely medical intervention is crucial. Rehabilitation programs, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and psychological counseling, play a vital role in recovery. Family and community support are equally important in helping victims regain independence and confidence.

Conclusion

The human brain is the epicenter of all bodily functions and defines our very existence. Despite its natural defenses, it remains vulnerable to injuries with potentially severe consequences. By prioritizing head protection and adopting preventive measures, we can significantly reduce the risks associated with head trauma. A single moment of vigilance can spare you from enduring a lifetime of regret. Let us commit to protecting our heads and, by extension, our futures.

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WHEN DID PEOPLE FIRST USE MONEY?

MONEY -

Money has always fascinated man ever since ancient times. Money has come to become the most important thing in the world. Aristotle observed that man is a social being who establishes certain norms and regulations for his social interaction. The man employed money as a mode of exchange to facilitate such social dealings for his economical aspect.

In primitive societies, when people wanted to buy anything, they had to give something else in return for it. For example, if a potter wanted to buy rice from a farmer, he offered him earthenware in exchange for rice. The farmer would accept them because he needed pots. This was called the barter system, which involved goods in exchange for goods.

During those times goods served the purpose of money. But with the development of trade, the barter system could not meet the growing demands of a convenient exchange system for buying and selling. People started using the token or symbolic goods in exchange all over the world. American Indians used beads of shells, Fijians used whale's teeth and North Americans used tobacco in their exchange system. The Roman army men were provided salt for their services. But when was the coin first used as currency?

The precise origin of money in the form of coins is not clearly known. According to the available sources, the earliest coins were minted in about 800 B.C. when Indians who lived in Asia used stamped pieces of metal as a medium of exchange. Some believe that the Chinese used coins even earlier. Coins were preferred because they were easy-to-carry and durable. The early coins were of irregular shape and were stamped with rough designs. The money value of coins depended on the value of the metal that the coins were made of. Coins were mostly made of gold, silver or copper because they were precious and durable metals.

The use of paper currency was known to China as early as in the 9th century but it did not develop in Europe until the 17th century. The governments of different countries favored the use of paper currencies and coins to simplify the monetary dealings. It helped because what mattered was the money value printed or stamped on them and not their real value. This is because the printed value on the currencies denoted their purchasing power as assured by the government. People accept a coin or currency in payment not because they value the coin itself but because they have confidence in the authority that issued it.

As coins are heavy and bulky, larger payments are made in paper money issued by the paper legal authority.

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WHY DOES THE BLOOD GROUP VARY FROM PERSON TO PERSON?

BLOOD GROUP -

Even though the blood of all the human beings looks alike, in reality, it is not so. Our blood is mainly composed of red blood corpuscles, white blood corpuscles, platelets, and plasma. It has been observed from microscopic investigations that molecules of antigens found on the surface of red blood corpuscles are different in different people. Antigen molecules are a kind of proteins that stimulate the production of antibodies. It is this difference in the antigen molecules that give rise to different groups of blood.

In the year 1900, Dr. Karl Landsteiner discovered two kinds of antigen - `A' and `B' type. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for medicine in 1930 for this discovery. Blood containing 'A' type antigen was classified as A group, while that containing 'B' type as B group. Subsequently, it was discovered that the blood of some people contains both A and B type antigens. This type was classified as AB group. The blood that contained neither A nor B type antigens was called O group. Thus the blood of all human beings has been divided into four groups. Studies made till now have revealed the existence of more than 200 groups of human blood.

However, as far as the transfusion of blood to any patient is concerned, only the aforesaid four groups of blood are important. Before transfusing blood to any patient, it is essential to get his blood group tested. It is very essential to match the blood of the patient with that of the donor before transfusion. It has been found that the blood of even real brothers and sisters may not be of the same group. On the other hand, the blood of two individuals belonging to two different states may be of the same group.

If the wrong blood transfused to the patient, he can die, because antigens of different classes cannot combine with each other. However, the blood plasma of one individual can be given to another because it is the same in everybody. Landsteiner and Alexander S. Wiener discovered another important blood antigen in 1940. This additional factor is called the Rhesus antigen or Rh factor.

Rhesus antibodies do not occur in naturally blood groups - both for recipients and donors. 'AB' group is called the universal recipients whereas `O' is the 'universal donor.

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WHEN DID THE FIRST ALPHABET APPEAR?

ALPHABET -

The origin and development of any language can be traced back to the rudimentary symbols the primitive people used in their verbal interaction. These symbols, when used over a long period, take an established pattern thus giving rise to a new language, But the growth of a language does not stop at oral communication a script for writing is also to be developed. But when did the first alphabet that enabled man to express himself in writing?

The earliest people used pictures for writing which we call pictograph. The stone age people used this form in their writing. In pictograph, a particular sign represents an object such as a tree or a bird which in turn communicates a specific meaning or idea. Ideas could be communicated through picture writing in the sense that the picture of a bird might mean flying.

The ancient Egyptians also used picture writing. But this form had its limitations. It required thousands of pictures, which were also called characters, to symbolize a few things. This drawback of pictograph led to the discovery of signs that represented sounds used in verbal communication. These signs representing different sounds were grouped differently to form new words. But when did the sound-signs first appear which we now call alphabet?

About 3500 years ago, the Phoenicians in the eastern Mediterranean, invented the first alphabet. Later the Greeks and Romans developed their own alphabet which were improvements of the Phoenician script. In fact, the word 'alphabet' is derived from two words alpha (a) and beta (b) which were the first two letters in the Greek alphabet. The appearance of the alphabet made it easier to create thousands of words using a few alphabets. For example, there are only 26 letters in English alphabet but just imagine how many words we make out of these 26 letters. Pictograph lacked this advantage since one picture represented only one meaning or idea.

Now, most of the languages in the civilized world have their own alphabet but the number of letters in the alphabet and their pronunciation differ from language to language.

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WHY IS CUTTING OF NAILS AND HAIR PAINLESS?

NAILS AND HAIR -

You may have noticed that whenever any part of our body is cut, we experience tremendous pain but when we cut out our hair or nails, we do not feel any pain. Do you know why is it so?

We have, in all, twenty nails on our hands and feet. We do not experience any pain in cutting them because they are composed of dead cells. Nails are special structures of the body formes from the outer layer of the skin. They are made up of a hard material called keratin. Keratin is a kind of dead protein. The base of the nails is located inside the skin of the fingers. The skin beneath the nails is similar to that in other parts of the body, but it has flexible fibers. These fibers are attached to the nails and keep them in a fixed position. Generally, nails are thick but their roots in the skin are very thin. The portion near their roots is white and semi-circular. It is known as lunule. The fingernails grow at the rate of about 2 inches per year. Nails are very useful for our body. They help us in picking up things as well as in doing artistic work. They protect the fingertips too. For ladies, nails are an object of beauty.

Similarly, hair is also a filamentous structure made of keratin - a dead protein. The hair grows on our head about 13 millimeters each month. We have about 100,000 hairs on our head. the base of the hair - the root, as it is often called, is in the form of a round Bulb. About 50 to 100 hairs fall every day. Each hair usually lasts for about 3 years and then it falls. New hairs grow to replace the fallen ones. They grow out of pits in the skin and are called foliates. And, it is the shape of these follicles that make our hair straight, wavy or curly.

Men and women from very ancient times have practiced the custom of cutting and styling the hair. Hairdressing occupies a very important position in grooming and beautification in the present time.

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WHY DO SOME PEOPLE SNORE DURING SLEEP?

SNORING -

You must have definitely come across people who snore during sleep. Their mouth remains open and a peculiar sound comes out while breathing. Do you know why this happens?

Normally, people breath through the nose. But some people's nose remains blocked due to some reason. And thus they breathe through the mouth. Sleeping on the back can also make a person snore. When we are asleep and breath through the mouth, the air coming out causes our soft palate (tissue at the back and top of our mouth) to flutter back and forth. Thus, a strange sound of snoring is produced. Often this vibrations also causes cheeks, lips, and nostrils to vibrate which produces an even louder sound. When we are awake, the palate remains tight and, therefore, no such sound is produced.

If we clean our nose and mouth before sleeping, snoring can be controlled to some extent. This increases the possibility of breathing through the nose rather than through the mouth. If one develops the habit of breathing through nose, the possibility of snoring is greatly reduced.

Breathing through the mouth is harmful to health. The germs of many diseases can enter directly into the mouth and causes disease. If we breathe through the nose, the hairs present in the nose do not allow these germs to enter into the body. It is, therefore, advisable to develop the habit of breathing through the nose.

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