Mexico, the second most popular country in Latin America, has a lot of people but also has a lot of pollution How much disease could be prevented through better management of our environment? The environment influences our health in many ways — through exposures to physical, chemical and biological risk factors, and through related changes in our behavior in response to those factors.
To answer this question, the available scientific evidence was summarized and more than 100 experts were consulted for their estimates of how much environmental risk factor contributes to the disease burden of 85 diseases. Some diseases can be mortal for us but some medicaments can prevent this. Mexico has a lot of diseases and you can prevent them. Respiratory Diseases Influenza virus strains similar to those in the United States circulate in Mexico, as was demonstrated by the emergence of pandemic influenza A H1N1 in North America in the spring of 2009. Coccidioidomycosis, a fungal respiratory disease caused by inhaling spores in the soil, is endemic in northwestern Mexico.
Several outbreaks of coccidioidomycosis have been reported among missionary groups from the United States doing construction projects in this region. Histoplasmosis, another fungal respiratory disease agent found in soil, is endemic in other regions of Mexico. As occasional hotel clusters of legionellosis have been reported from Mexico, Legionnaires’ disease should be considered in elderly and immunocompromised travelers who develop acute pneumonia. Parasitic Infections Cutaneous leishmaniasis, transmitted by sandflies, is found in focal areas of coastal and southern Mexico.
The risk is higher for ecotourists and long-term travelers. Vector preventive measures are indicated, including avoiding outdoor activities at night. Travelers to beach areas are at risk for cutaneous larva migrans, a creeping skin eruption most commonly associated with the dog hookworm infection, preventable by wearing shoes and avoiding direct skin contact with sand. Chagas disease is also endemic in Mexico and is sometimes diagnosed in Mexican immigrants to the United States, but no cases have been reported among travelers. Prevent diseases Some diseases can be prevent, the most common are:
Preventing BronchitisWhen the lining of your bronchial tubes comes into contact with a virus, bacteria, or irritating pollutant, it becomes inflamed. Bronchitis symptoms can include a mild fever, fatigue, shortness of breath, and a cough that brings up yellow or green mucus. Bronchitis often shows up three or four days after you’ve recovered from a cold or flu. Preventing Legionnaires’ DiseaseLegionnaires’ disease is a form of pneumonia that is resistant to some antibiotics. It was named after an outbreak at a Philadelphia hotel during an American Legion convention in 1976.
Symptoms of Legionnaire’s disease can include fever, chills, cough, muscle aches, headache, fatigue, chest pain, and sometimes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Preventing Pneumonia Pneumonia is most often caused by a virus, but it can also be the result of bacteria, mycoplasmas, fungi, and even certain chemicals. During a pneumonia infection, the lung tissue becomes inflamed and the air sacs fill with fluid. A pneumonia vaccine is now available and is effective in 80 percent of healthy adults. Preventing Sinusitis Sinusitis most often flares up when you’ve had a stuffy nose as a result of a cold or allergies.
Your sinuses get infected and then swell and build up additional mucus. In addition to a stuffy nose, sinusitis symptoms can include sinus tenderness, yellow or green nasal and postnasal drainage, headache, cough, fever, and bad breath. Preventing Tuberculosis Tuberculosis is a very serious infection, but only 10 percent of people who are infected with tuberculosis develop active tuberculosis. In active tuberculosis cases, bacteria can attack any organ in your body, causing a long-lasting (sometimes bloody) cough, chest pain, fatigue, fever, weight loss, and drenching night sweats.
Treatment for common diseases Gastroenteritis Gastroenteritis describes a group of diseases affecting the stomach or part of the intestine. Symptoms are often diarrhoea, sickness and stomachache. Because the lining of the stomach is likely to be inflamed medicines are often immediately vomited up. Large quantities of water, orange juice or thin soup should be taken to counter the effects of dehydration.
Consult your doctor if symptoms persist for more than a day or, in the case of babies or young children, six hours. Stomachache Most attacks are not serious and are usually caused by indigestion or wind. A hot water bottle will often relieve the symptoms and, in the case of indigestion, a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in half a glass of water will help. If the pain lasts for longer than eight hours or increases in intensity you should consult your doctor. Colds Even in this day and age there is still no cure for the common cold. Rest, take plenty of drinks. If you have a headache or are feverish, take Aspirin or Paracetamol.
Do not take antibiotics as these will have no effect! If after 4 days you are getting worse then call the surgery. Mexico has many diseases of which the population must be prevented at any of these. Any symptoms or pain may be a warning of a disease so better go to see a doctor in order to avoid any health problems.
Remember, the doctor is always the best option, should never self-medicate. References Waterman, S. H. (19 de Agust de 2014). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Obtenido de http://wwwnc. cdc. gov/travel/yellowbook/2014/chapter-4-select-destinatio ns/mexico.