TheBuzzReads.com | Explore Popular Blogs

Understanding the impact of water contamination on health

Water is one of the most essential components for the survival of all living organisms. However, rapid urbanization and industrialization over the last few decades have led to an increase in the contamination of water sources in the country. Even with multiple facilities designed for filtration and purification, drinking water can have hazardous elements that increase the risk of known chronic diseases and severe illnesses. Here is a look at the consequences of water contamination:

Health concerns
As the human body is made up of nearly 70% water, most organs and functions are affected by consuming contaminated water. Here are the common consequences:

Heavy metal contamination issues
Heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and mercury increase the risk of developing cancer in the liver, bladder, or lungs. Long-term consumption can affect neurological development among kids affecting their cognitive skills. Women drinking contaminated water during pregnancy are at substantial risk of developing fetal malformations. Heavy metals like arsenic can also be introduced into breast milk, affecting the health of breastfed newborns.

Respiratory issues and autoimmune disorders
Byproducts of chlorine and other chemicals used for disinfection can mix with groundwater. These chemicals adversely affect the upper respiratory tract, causing chest pain and lung irritation. Repeated exposure also increases the risk of genetic abnormalities as the contamination affects the DNA and triggers cell mutation. Hazardous chemicals often increase the risk of developing autoimmune responses by the body, leading to autoimmune disorders.

Pathogenic diseases
Groundwater contamination leads to microbes and parasites entering homes. This kind of contamination is a product of unsafe agricultural practices, excessive animal husbandry, and even mismanagement of sewage waste. Common pathogens include E coli, Giardia, Salmonella, Legionella, and Cryptosporidium. The disease-causing pathogens increase the risk of diarrhea, blood toxicity, and dehydration linked to chronic illnesses.

Common symptoms
Regular intake of unsafe water can lead to the following symptoms:

Eye infections, including trachoma, caused by pathogens
Nausea, vomiting, respiratory difficulties, and stomach infections
Organ damage and liver and kidney function failure
Skin diseases due to exposure to metals like arsenic
High blood pressure and increased risk of anemia due to lead poisoning
Teeth and bone problems caused by the fluoride chemicals found in contaminated water
Diarrhea, dysentery, typhoid, and cholera caused by pathogens

Camp Lejeune water contamination
The water at U.S Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina was heavily contaminated. It was consumed by on-site personnel for several years and may have been affected by diseases like cancer or autoimmune disorders. Veterans, reservists, and guardsmen on active duty (for at least 30 days) at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 qualify for Veterans Affairs health care benefits. Treatment is free for eligible health complications triggered by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

Popular Reads

Here’s how you can get your allergies detected

How many times have allergies caused you to sneeze every time you take a ride in the open air? Or rashes on coming in contact with a plant? Or swelling as a result of a peanut allergy? Sneezing, running noses, watery eyes, rashes, swelling all these reactions due to allergies can be quite distressing. Allergies are more common and can be caused by various things. The cause of allergies is still unknown, it could be genetic or just a singular development. However, they can be easily detected by just visiting your doctor and undergoing some tests. Read on to know more about what are allergies and how to detect them. What are allergies? The immune system is designed to fight any entrant in the body that it recognizes as foreign. However, at times, the immune system becomes over vigilant and starts fighting foreign entrants that are not harmful. Substances that cause the immune system to react this way are called “allergens”, and when you display symptoms of these interactions, you are diagnosed “allergic” to the substance. Allergens can include plants, grass, pollen, dust, food, animal dander among others. While symptoms like running nose, sneezing, watery eyes, rashes, itching, and others, are all attributed to allergic reactions.

5 frequently asked questions about Alzheimer’s disease

A common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease is a debilitating and progressive disease that affects the brain and motor functions of the body. The disease progresses through stages. It begins to affect the regions of the brain that control language, thought, and memory. In most of the cases, it begins with a slight memory loss. In the final stages, Alzheimer’s disease leads to the loss of various abilities including motor skills, speech, and independent movement. Here are a few frequently asked questions about Alzheimer’s. What are the causes? Alzheimer’s disease does not have any definite cause. Research has been unable to conclude whether Alzheimer’s is developed by one cause or multiple ones. The exact cause of the ailment is not yet known. However, there are multiple factors that may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. One of the major causes is ageism. Also, a family history of Alzheimer’s is another major risk. This may lead to the inheritance of genes that cause this disease. Some other possible risk factors that can cause Alzheimer’s include high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, and high cholesterol. What are the symptoms? In most cases, the first warning sign of Alzheimer’s disease is a loss of cognitive ability.

Four important steps in anemia management

Hemoglobin is a protein molecule in the red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. Its richness in iron gives blood its red color. Anemia is a condition where a person has low hemoglobin or red blood cell count. From an underlying disease to nutrient deficiencies, there are a lot of factors that contribute to the onset of this condition. There are many forms of anemia. Some of them include: Iron deficiency anemia -This is caused due to low iron levels in the blood. Most common causes of this type of anemia are heavy menstruation or internal bleeding. Vitamin deficiency anemia – This type of anemia is caused by the deficiency of vitamin C, B-12 or folate Aplastic anemia – Damaged stem cells in the bone marrow fail to produce enough red blood cells, leading to aplastic anemia. Sickle cell anemia – This is a condition characterized by the development of abnormal crescent-shaped red blood cells. Hemolytic anemia – This is a blood disorder caused due to premature death of red blood cells. Thalassemia – This is caused due to low amounts of hemoglobin in the blood. The blood disorders vary in duration and severity. Prompt diagnosis, and treatment are important because anemia could also be due to an underlying condition.