Chapter 3: Health – The Ultimate Treasure
3.1 Health: Is It More Than Not Falling Sick?
Health does not only mean the absence of illness. A person can be free from disease but still
feel unhappy, stressed, or socially isolated. True health includes physical, mental, and social
well-being.
Definition of Health
According to the World Health Organization (WHO),
Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the
absence of disease.
Three Aspects of Health
Health consists of three important aspects:
1. Physical Health
o The proper functioning of the body and its organs.
o A physically healthy person has energy, strength, and good bodily functions.
2. Mental Health
o The ability to think clearly, handle stress, and maintain emotional balance.
3. Social Health
o The ability to interact well with family, friends, and society.
A healthy person:
• Performs daily activities efficiently.
• Adjusts well with others.
• Handles difficult situations calmly.
Traditional Indian View of Health
• According to Ayurveda, health is not just absence of disease, but a balance of body,
mind, and surroundings.
• Body
• Mind
• Environment
Practices like yoga, meditation, good diet, and proper daily routine help maintain health.
3.2 How Can We Stay Healthy?
Maintaining good health requires a combination of healthy habits and a clean environment.
Important Habits for Staying Healthy
To remain healthy, we should:
• Eat nutritious and balanced food.
• Maintain personal hygiene.
• Exercise regularly.
• Sleep properly.
• Stay positive and relaxed.
• Spend time with friends and family.
Health depends on two main factors:
1. Lifestyle
2. Environment
3.2.1 Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
Definition of Lifestyle
Lifestyle refers to the way a person lives, including daily habits, diet, exercise, sleep, and
behaviour.
Healthy lifestyle practices include:
Balanced Diet
A balanced diet is food that contains all essential nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins,
fats, vitamins, minerals, and water in the right proportions.
Benefits:
• Provides energy
• Supports growth
• Prevents deficiency diseases
Physical Activity
Regular physical activity such as:
• Playing sports
• Walking
• Cycling
• Exercising
helps maintain fitness and reduces the risk of diseases.
Adequate Sleep
Sleep helps the body:
• Rest
• Repair tissues
• Maintain mental health.
Stress Management
Practices like:
• Yoga
• Meditation
• Breathing exercises (Pranayama)
help reduce stress.
Avoid Harmful Substances
People should avoid:
• Tobacco
• Alcohol
• Drugs
because they damage health.
3.2.2 Keep the Environment Clean
Importance of Clean Environment
A clean environment reduces the risk of disease and helps maintain good health.
A polluted environment can cause:
• Respiratory diseases
• Allergies
• Infections
Air pollution from vehicles and factories may cause problems like coughing and asthma.
Air Quality Index (AQI)
Definition:
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a measure used to indicate how clean or polluted the air is.
High AQI levels indicate poor air quality that can harm health.
Here are the current AQI (Air Quality Index) values for some major Indian cities (as of 26
June 2026):
City Air Quality
AQI
Chennai 🟢 Good
50
Mumbai 🟡 Moderate
52
Delhi 131 🟠 Poor
Lucknow 173 🔴 Unhealthy
Patna 151 🔴 Unhealthy
Jaipur 153 🔴 Unhealthy
Bengaluru 74 🟡 Moderate
Hyderabad 65 🟡 Moderate
Kolkata 71 🟡 Moderate
AQI categories (India):
• 🟢 0–50: Good
• 🟡 51–100: Moderate/Satisfactory
• 🟠 101–200: Poor
• 🔴 201–300: Very Poor
• 🟣 301+: Severe
Social and Emotional Health
• Spend time with family and friends
• Avoid loneliness
• Talk and share feelings
👉 Good relationships improve mental health
3.3 How Do We Know That We Are Unwell?
When the body does not function normally, we feel unwell.
Doctors identify illness through symptoms and signs.
Definition of Symptom
A symptom is a change in the body that a patient feels.
Examples:
• Pain
• Tiredness
• Dizziness
Definition of Sign
A sign is a change that can be observed or measured by others.
Examples:
• Fever
• Rash
• Swelling
• High blood pressure
These signs and symptoms help doctors diagnose diseases.
3.4 Diseases: What Are the Causes and Types?
Definition of Disease
Disease is an abnormal condition of the body or mind that disrupts normal functioning.
Diseases may occur due to:
• Pathogens (germs)
• Poor nutrition
• Unhealthy lifestyle
• Environmental factors
Diseases are mainly divided into two types:
1. Communicable diseases
2. Non-communicable diseases
Communicable Diseases
Definition
Communicable diseases are diseases that spread from one person to another and are caused
by pathogens.
Definition of Pathogens
Pathogens are microorganisms that cause diseases.
Examples of diseases caused by pathogens are:
• Bacteria – Typhoid
• Viruses – Common cold
• Fungi – Ringworm
• Protozoa – Malaria
• Worms – Ascariasis
3.4.1 How Are Communicable Diseases Caused and Spread?
Communicable diseases spread through different methods.
Modes of Transmission
🌬 (a) Through Air
• When an infected person coughs or sneezes, Germs spread through droplets
👉 Example: Common cold, influenza
🤝 (b) Direct Contact
• Touching, shaking hands, or close contact
👉 Example: Skin infections
🧴 (c) Indirect Contact
• Sharing personal items like towels, utensils
🍲 (d) Contaminated Food and Water
• Eating or drinking infected food/water
👉 Example: Cholera, typhoid
🦟 (e) Through Vectors (Insects)
✅ Definition of Vector
A vector is a living organism (usually an insect) that carries disease-causing pathogens
from an infected person to a healthy person.
🦠 Common Vector-Borne Diseases
• Malaria → spread by female Anopheles mosquito
• Dengue → spread by Aedes mosquito
• Chikungunya → spread by mosquitoes
Examples of Communicable Diseases
Diseases Spread Through Air
• Common cold
• Influenza
• Chickenpox
• Measles
• Tuberculosis
Diseases Spread Through Contaminated Water or Food
• Hepatitis A
• Cholera
• Typhoid
• Ascariasis
Diseases Spread by Insects
• Malaria
• Dengue fever
3.4.2 🛡 Prevention Methods of Communicable Diseases
✅ Basic Idea
Communicable diseases can be prevented by stopping pathogens from entering the body and
stopping their spread.
🧼 1. Maintain Personal Hygiene
What to do:
• Wash hands with soap regularly
• Bathe daily
• Keep nails, clothes, and body clean
👉 Removes germs and prevents infection
😷 2. Follow Respiratory Hygiene
What to do:
• Cover mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing
• Use a handkerchief or mask
👉 Prevents spread through air (droplets)
🚫 3. Avoid Direct and Indirect Contact
What to do:
• Do not share personal items (towels, utensils, bottles)
• Avoid close contact with infected persons
👉 Stops person-to-person transmission
🍲 4. Safe Food and Drinking Water
What to do:
• Drink boiled or clean water
• Eat properly cooked food
• Keep food covered
👉 Prevents diseases like cholera and typhoid
🦟 5. Control Vectors (Insects)
What to do:
• Use mosquito nets and repellents
• Do not allow water to stagnate
• Keep surroundings clean
👉 Prevents malaria, dengue
🏠 6. Keep Surroundings Clean
What to do:
• Proper waste disposal
• Clean home and environment
• Avoid polluted areas
👉 Reduces breeding of germs and insects
💉 7. Vaccination
What to do:
• Take vaccines on time
👉 Vaccines protect the body by building immunity
🛌 8. Stay at Home When Sick
What to do:
• Rest and avoid going to crowded places
👉 Prevents spreading infection to others
🚫 Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
✅ Definition
A non-communicable disease is a disease that is not caused by pathogens and does not spread
from one person to another.
• These diseases are mainly linked to:
o Lifestyle
o Diet
o Environment
• They are becoming more common in India due to:
o Unhealthy eating habits
o Less physical activity
o Longer life expectancy
👉 Today, most deaths in India are caused by non-communicable diseases.
🧬 Causes of Non-Communicable Diseases
1. 🥗 Unhealthy Diet
• Excess sugar, oil, and processed food
• Lack of nutrients
2. 🛋 Lack of Physical Activity
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Less exercise
3. 🌫 Environmental Factors
• Air pollution
• Poor living conditions
4. 🚬 Harmful Habits
• Smoking
• Alcohol
• Drug use
5. ⚖ Obesity and Overweight
• Increases risk of diseases like diabetes
🧾 Main Types of Non-Communicable Diseases
1. 🛋 Lifestyle Diseases
✅ Definition
Lifestyle diseases are diseases caused by unhealthy habits and daily lifestyle choices.
📌 Causes
• Poor diet (junk food, excess sugar and fat)
• Lack of physical activity
• Stress
• Smoking and alcohol
🦠 Examples
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Obesity
👉 These are becoming very common due to modern lifestyle.
2. 🥗 Deficiency Diseases
✅ Definition
Deficiency diseases are diseases caused by the lack of essential nutrients in the diet.
📌 Causes
• Unbalanced diet
• Lack of vitamins and minerals
🦠 Examples
• Anaemia (lack of iron)
• Scurvy (lack of Vitamin C)
• Goitre (lack of iodine)
👉 These diseases can be prevented by eating a balanced diet.
3. ⏳ Chronic Diseases
✅ Definition
Chronic diseases are diseases that last for a long time (usually more than 3 months) and
require long-term care.
📌 Features
• Slow progression
• Long duration
• Continuous treatment needed
🦠 Examples
• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Asthma
🔍 Key Differences Between Types
Type Cause Nature Examples
Lifestyle diseases Habits Preventable Diabetes, BP
Deficiency diseases Lack of nutrients Preventable Anaemia, scurvy
Chronic diseases Long-term conditions Long-lasting Cancer, asthma
⚠ Common Non-Communicable Diseases
1. 🍬 Diabetes
✅ Definition
• Diabetes is a disease in which the body is unable to control the level of sugar
(glucose) in the blood.
📌 Key Points
• Caused by lack of insulin or improper use of insulin
Symptoms:
• Frequent urination
• Excessive thirst
• Tiredness
2. 🧬 Cancer
✅ Definition
• Cancer is a disease in which body cells grow uncontrollably and damage healthy
tissues.
📌 Key Points
• Can affect different parts of the body
• Often linked to lifestyle and environmental factors
3. 🌬 Asthma
✅ Definition
• Asthma is a disease in which the airways become narrow and inflamed, making
breathing difficult.
📌 Key Points
Causes:
• Pollution
• Allergies
Symptoms:
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
4. ❤ High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
✅ Definition
• High blood pressure is a condition in which the force of blood against the walls of
arteries is too high.
📌 Key Points
• Often called a “silent disease”
• Can lead to heart problems
5. ⚖ Obesity
✅ Definition
• Obesity is a condition in which a person has excess body fat that affects health.
📌 Key Points
Caused by:
• Overeating
• Lack of exercise
• Leads to diseases like diabetes and heart disease
🛡 Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases
1. 🥗 Healthy Diet
• Eat balanced and nutritious food
• Reduce sugar, salt, and oil
2. 🏃 Regular Exercise
• Daily physical activity
• Outdoor games
3. 🚫 Avoid Harmful Substances
• Say NO to tobacco and alcohol
4. 😴 Proper Rest and Mental Health
• Get enough sleep
• Manage stress
5. 🌿 Healthy Lifestyle
• Maintain proper routine
• Stay active and positive
🩺 Management and Control of Diseases
✅ Meaning
Management and control of diseases means taking proper steps to:
• Reduce the effects of diseases
• Prevent complications
• Help the patient recover or live a better life
🛡 1. Prevention is Better than Cure
• It is always better to prevent diseases before they occur
• Simple habits like hygiene and healthy lifestyle reduce risk
🧍 2. Strengthening the Immune System
✅ Definition of Immunity
Immunity is the body’s natural ability to fight against diseases.
How to improve immunity:
• Eat nutritious food
• Exercise regularly
• Get proper sleep
👉 Strong immunity helps prevent infections
💉 3. Vaccination
✅ Definition
A vaccine is a biological substance that provides protection against diseases by
stimulating the immune system to develop immunity.
Key Points:
• Vaccines train the immune system
• They are preventive, not curative
• Protect against diseases like polio, measles, hepatitis
💊 4. Proper Treatment
Visiting a Doctor
• If immune system fails, medical treatment is needed
Use of Medicines
• Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections
• They do not work against viruses
⚠ 5. Avoid Misuse of Antibiotics
Problem: Antibiotic Resistance
• Overuse or wrong use of antibiotics makes bacteria resistant
• Diseases become harder to treat
Prevention:
• Use antibiotics only when prescribed
• Take correct dose and duration
🌿 6. Role of Traditional Medicine
• Systems like Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani:
o Use natural remedies
o Promote healthy lifestyle
• Useful for general well-being but not all diseases
⚕ 7. Management of Non-Communicable Diseases
• Focus on:
o Lifestyle changes
o Regular check-ups
o Long-term care
👉 Helps control disease and improve quality of life
🏥 8. Early Diagnosis and Continuous Care
• Early detection prevents serious complications
• Regular monitoring is important
🔬 1. Be a Scientist
👩🔬 Dr. Kamal Ranadive
• A pioneering biomedical researcher
Studied:
o Link between hormones and cancer
o Role of viruses in cancer development
• Showed that:
o Tobacco, poor diet, and pollution increase cancer risk
👉 Highlighted importance of healthy lifestyle in preventing diseases
👨🔬 Dr. Maharaj Kishan Bhan
• Famous Indian doctor and scientist
• Played a key role in developing the Rotavirus vaccine
• Worked to make healthcare:
o Affordable
o Accessible
✅ Definition: Biomedical Research
Biomedical research is the study of biological processes and diseases to improve medical
knowledge and healthcare.
🌿 2. Our Scientific Heritage
🪷 Ayurveda and Health
• Health = balance of body, mind, and surroundings
• Focus on:
o Daily routine (dinacharya)
o Seasonal routine (ritucharya)
o Balanced diet and lifestyle
💉 Variolation (Ancient Practice)
• Traditional method used in India to prevent smallpox
• Involved introducing material from smallpox sores into the body
• Helped build immunity
✅ Definition: Variolation
Variolation is an early method of immunisation where material from a smallpox patient
was used to create mild infection and immunity.
🧠 3. Think Like a Scientist
🧪 Edward Jenner and Vaccine Discovery
🔍 Steps of Scientific Method:
1. Observation
• Milkmaids who had cowpox did not get smallpox
2. Hypothesis
• Cowpox infection may protect against smallpox
3. Experimentation
• Jenner injected cowpox material into a boy
4. Results
• The boy did not develop smallpox
5. Application
• Led to development of the first vaccine
• Helped eradicate smallpox worldwide
✅ Definition: Vaccine
A vaccine is a substance that trains the immune system to recognise and fight harmful
pathogens.
🔬 Discovery of Penicillin (Antibiotic)
🧪 Alexander Fleming
• Discovered penicillin in 1928
• Found that a mould killed bacteria in a petri dish
👉 Led to development of antibiotics
✅ Definition: Antibiotic
An antibiotic is a medicine that kills or stops the growth of bacteria.
🌍 4. Ever Heard Of…
🇮🇳 India’s Role in Vaccine Production
• India is one of the largest vaccine producers in the world
• Supplies vaccines globally
• Played a major role during COVID-19 pandemic
Importance:
• Protects millions of people worldwide
• Supports global health programs