Environmental Health Conditions

1. Heat-Related Conditions:
➢ Heat Exhaustion:
- Symptoms: Heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, headache.
- Cause: Prolonged exposure to high temperatures and dehydration.
➢ Heat Stroke:
- Symptoms: High body temperature (above 104°F or 40°C), confusion, loss of consciousness, rapid heartbeat.
- Cause: Severe overheating due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures, often with dehydration.
➢ Heat Rash:
- Symptoms: Red, itchy rash or small blisters on the skin.
- Cause: Blocked sweat ducts due to high humidity and heat.
➢ Dehydration:
- Symptoms: Thirst, dark urine, dry mouth, dizziness.
- Cause: Excessive loss of fluids due to sweating, especially in hot weather.
➢ Sunburn:
- Symptoms: Red, painful skin that may blister.
- Cause: Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.

2. Cold-Related Conditions:
➢ Hypothermia:
- Symptoms: Shivering, confusion, slurred speech, numbness, fatigue.
- Cause: Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures, leading to a dangerous drop in body temperature.
➢ Frostbite:
- Symptoms: Numbness, pale or grayish skin, stiffness, and blisters in severe cases.
- Cause: Freezing of the skin and underlying tissues due to exposure to extremely cold temperatures.
➢ Chilblains (Pernio):
- Symptoms: Red, itchy, swollen skin on fingers, toes, ears, or face.
- Cause: Inflammation of small blood vessels due to repeated exposure to cold but not freezing temperatures.
➢ Trench Foot (Immersion Foot):
- Symptoms: Swelling, numbness, blisters, and pain in feet.
- Cause: Prolonged exposure to cold, wet conditions that lead to tissue damage.

3. Air Pollution-Related Conditions:
➢ Asthma Exacerbation:
- Symptoms: Increased coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
- Cause: Pollutants like ozone and particulate matter.
➢ Chronic Respiratory Diseases:
- Symptoms: Chronic cough, breathlessness, and mucus production.
- Cause: Long-term exposure to pollutants like tobacco smoke and industrial emissions.

4. Allergies:
➢ Pollen Allergies (Hay Fever):
- Symptoms: Sneezing, runny or itchy nose, and itchy eyes.
- Cause: Pollen from plants.
➢ Mold Allergies:
- Symptoms: Coughing, sneezing, and wheezing.
- Cause: Mold spores in damp or humid environments.

5. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning:
- Symptoms: Headache, dizziness, confusion, shortness of breath, nausea.
- Cause: Inhalation of carbon monoxide from faulty heating systems, gas appliances, or vehicle exhaust in enclosed spaces.

6. Lead Poisoning:
- Symptoms: Abdominal pain, headache, irritability, developmental delays in children, and cognitive impairment.
- Cause: Exposure to lead from sources like lead-based paint, contaminated soil, plumbing, or industrial activities.

7. Waterborne Diseases:
➢ Giardiasis:
- Symptoms: Diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and nausea.
- Cause: Giardia parasites from contaminated water.
➢ Cryptosporidiosis:
- Symptoms: Diarrhea, stomach cramps, and vomiting.
- Cause: Cryptosporidium parasites from contaminated water sources.

8. Vector-Borne Diseases:
➢ West Nile Virus:
- Symptoms: Fever, headache, and in severe cases, neurological symptoms.
- Cause: Mosquito bites.
➢ Lyme Disease:
- Symptoms: Fever, rash, and joint pain.
- Cause: Tick bites.

9. Radon Exposure:
- Symptoms: Often asymptomatic initially but can lead to lung cancer over time.
- Cause: Exposure to radon gas from soil or building materials.

10. Asbestos-Related Diseases:
➢ Asbestosis:
- Symptoms: Shortness of breath, persistent cough, and lung fibrosis.
- Cause: Inhalation of asbestos fibers.
➢ Mesothelioma:
- Symptoms: Chest pain, cough, and shortness of breath.
- Cause: Long-term exposure to asbestos.

11. Heavy Metal Poisoning:
➢ Mercury Poisoning:
- Symptoms: Tremors, memory problems, and mood changes.
- Cause: Exposure to mercury from contaminated fish or industrial sources.
➢ Arsenic Poisoning:
- Symptoms: Abdominal pain, diarrhea, and skin changes.
- Cause: Contaminated water or food.

Preventive measures such as using protective equipment, avoiding prolonged exposure to extreme conditions, and reducing exposure to pollutants can help manage and prevent these health conditions.