Personal Health/Hygiene

Functions of the SkinWhat is the largest organ in the body? Integumentary System: The bodys system that includes the hair, nails and skin.

The skin has a few important functionsProtection from Ultraviolet raysCushion for internal organs and tissuesTemperature RegulationProtection from Pathogens

Function of the Skin

Functions of the SkinSkin functions continuedThe bodys first line of defense against infectious diseasesRegulating your bodys temperatureYour skin can cool itself through the process known as perspiration.

Functions of the skinPerspiration: The process by which the skin increases blood flow to capillaries, causing the temperature to rise and the release of sweat. As the sweat evaporates the skin naturally cools.Sweat Glands: structures in the skin that secrete perspiration through ducts to skin pores.

Skin CareYou should wash your facial skin each morning and night as it builds up oils and clogs pores.Vitamin A, which is found in such foods as milk, egg yolks, green leafy and yellow vegetables, is essential for healthy skin.

Skin CareHow much can the sun damage your skin?There are three types of UV rays that are harmful to the skin; UVA, UVB and UVC.All three rays can destroy the collagen fibers in your skin, which are what cause your skin to remain elastic and tight looking. In other words, too much sun causes premature WRINKLES!!

Skin CareUVA and UVB also destroy the Vitamin A in your skin.These rays are also known to cause damage to deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, which can lead to the development of cancer cells.You cannot judge sunburn on initial appearance. It can take several hours to show its true damage.

Skin CareUse sunscreen SPF 15 or higher (aka. Sunblock) if you are going to be exposed to the sun for more than 15-30 minutes at a time. Sun damage to skin is IRREVERSIBLE.

Skin CareSunscreen protects against UVA and UVB rays. UVB causes the initial sunburn and UVA causes the long term aging effects from sun damage to your skin.

Body Piercing and TattooingCan permit the passage of blood borne pathogens if the equipment used is not sterile.Body Piercing and Tattooing may hold social stigmas, which can prevent one from getting a job, a promotion, etc. What do you think?

Skin ProblemsAcne: The clogging of your skin pores.Sebaceous glands: The structure within the skin produce an oily secretion called sebum. As the glands enlarge they can produce excess sebum. During adolescence an increase in hormone production causes excess sebum, thus oily skin.

HairThere are between 100,000- 200,000 hairs on your head.Follicles: tiny pits in the skin from which hair grow.Dead cells and keratin, a protein, form the roots of your hair.

Hair ProblemsDandruff: a condition in which the outer layer of dead skin cells are shed from the scalp. Causes flaking and itching.Head Lice: A small parasitic insect that lives at the roots of your hair.Head lice can be transmitted by sharing certain items.

Hair ProblemsThere are several methods used to destroy the head lice. No matter what, you need to be thorough.Chemical shampoo (insecticides)Light emitting combsThe nuovo method, using cetaphil soapLouse combShaving your head

Hair Problems

NailsNails are also dead cells that grow from the outer layer of your skin.Keep your nails trimmed and cuticles pushed back for proper nail health.

Your TeethPeriodontium: The area around the teeth, including the gums, periodontal ligament and the jawbone. These structures support the teeth.Teeth are divided into three major partsThe rootThe neckThe crown

Your Teeth

Your TeethPlaque: a sticky, colorless film that acts on sugar to form acids that destroy tooth enamel and irritate gums.The most effective way of removing plaque is by flossing, especially the plaque found between your teeth.

Your TeethFluoride: An effective element, and electrolyte, that has been found to help prevent tooth decay. Today over 60% of the nations drinking supply has fluoridated water.Toothpaste and mouthwash also contain fluoride.

Tooth DecayBad habits such as eating sweets, smoking, not brushing or flossing regularly and not going to your dentist can promote tooth decay.

Periodontal DiseasePeriodontal Disease: an inflammation of the periodontal structures, which is almost entirely preventable.Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria in the mouth. The bacteria cause plaque. Unless the plaque is removed within 24 hours it will turn to tartar, a hard, crust like substance.

Periodontal DiseaseDecay begins as plaque eats through the enamel and spreads to the dentin. The tooth becomes more sensitive as the decay reaches the pulp. When decay reaches the pulp the nerve becomes exposed, which causes a toothache.

Periodontal DiseaseAn abscessed (dying) tooth is when decays progresses to the stage of pus formation. The infection can spread to the upper jaw and sinuses.

Other Dental ProblemsHalitosis: Bad breath, caused by decaying teeth, eating certain foods, smoking and mouth infections.Gingivitis: Inflammation of the gums, causing soreness and bleeding. Periodontitis: An advanced gingivitis that leads to deteriorating bone around the tooth, causing tooth loss.

Gingivitis

Other Dental ProblemsMalocclusion: When the teeth of the upper and lower jaw do not align. The condition can cause problems with chewing and speech, and may also lead to improper tooth wear.

Malocclusion

Your Eyes

Anatomy of the EyeMore than one million electrical connections.Your eye can distinguish nearly 8 million differences in color.Your eye sits in a bony socket, protected by eyebrows, eye lids and eye lashes.

Anatomy of the EyeLacrimal Gland: Produces tears to keep eyes moist and remove foreign matter.The Scleara: A tough, white outer coating of the eye.The rounded part of the sclera forms the transparent cornea.

Anatomy of the EyeThe choroid is the middle layer of the eyeball wall, which the iris, the colored part of the eye.The retina is the light sensitive part of the eye where images are cast, much like a movie screen.

Anatomy of the EyeA shallow space between the cornea and lens exists, which contains a fluid known as the aqueous humor.The vitreous humor is the fluid behind the lens that gives the eye structure and shape.

VisionVision is accomplished through nerve impulses sent from the optic nerve to the brain.Twenty/Twenty (20/20) vision is used to describe a person who has normal vision.

Vision ProblemsMyopia: nearsightednessHyperopia: farsightednessAstigmatism: curvature of the lens causing blurrinessStrabismus: eye muscles not in sync, causing cross eyed ness or lazy eye

Vision ProblemsAmblyopia is a strabismus that is undetected or untreated, and can cause vision loss in one eye.Cataracts is a clouding of the lens, causing blurry vision.High pressure in the fluid of the eye is known as glaucoma.

Vision ProblemsDetached retina

EarsThe auricle is the visible, fleshy part of the ear, which contains the external auditory canal.The middle ear contains the ear drum and ear bones.The inner ear is also known as the labyrinth.

HearingBinaural Hearing is how we determine what direction sound comes from.Generally, humans are born with hearing range between 20-20,000 hertz.Ears also help us maintain balance through the semicircular canals.

Hearing ProblemsWhen sounds that reach the inner ear are not being sent to the brain you have sensorineural deafness.When sound waves are not passed from the outer to the inner ear you have conductive deafness.