HEALTH HAZARDS Anything that damages health © PDST Home Economics

Smoking Why people begin: CuriosityImage Peer pressure Bad Example

Harmful substances in tobacco 4000 chemicals Nicotine – addictive drug Tar – coats lungs Carbon monoxide – robs body of oxygen Irritants – Causes coughs Carcinogens – triggers cancer in the body

Harmful Effects of Smoking Cancer: lungs, stomach, mouth, throat. 90% of people who get lung cancer are smokers. Heart disease: 3 times more common in smokers than non-smokers. Bronchitis Smoker’s children get more lung infections Pregnant smokers are more likely to have miscarriages, still births or smaller babies. Smokers cough

Other Effects Poor sense of taste and smell Addiction Unfit and slow Bad breath, smelly clothes Yellow teeth and fingers Wrinkles and skin ageing Wastes a lot of money

Passive smoker When people who do not smoke inhale other peoples cigarette smoke. Environmental tobacco smoke ETS Passive smoking can have the same effects as smoking

Government Action MARCH 2004 – SMOKING BAN High Tax illegal to sell tobacco to under 18’s Pack of 10 banned Health warnings on packs Tobacco advertising banned

In Ireland 5000 people die each year because of smoking

Alcohol Abuse Alcoholic drinks contain a drug called ethyl alcohol If adults drink within recommended limits it may do no harm. If too much alcohol is drunk it can become addictive and cause serious health problems

Why people drink For confidence Relaxes them Like the taste Peer pressure To escape problems

Effects of alcohol depend on: How much is drunk How quickly it is drunk The size and gender of the drinker If the drinker has eaten first

Short-term effects of alcohol Blood vessels widen – skin red Loss of co-ordination – staggers, slurred speech Brain slows down Effects judgement Causes aggression Poisonous – pass out

Long term effect of alcohol abuse: Addiction Destroys brain cells – co-ordination and memory effected Cirrhosis liver Foetal alcohol syndrome Cancer throat and mouth Heart disease Stomach ulcers Obesity Mental illness – depression Premature death

Effects on the family of the abuser Family unhappiness and breakdown Financial problems – alcohol is expensive Physical abuse of spouse or children Bad example for children

Effect of alcohol abuse on society Increase in crime Increase in road accidents More people absent from work Tax payers money used treating abusers

Help for alcoholics and their families Alcoholics anonymous – group that helps alcoholic control their addiction, it cannot be cured. Al Anon – for partners and adult relatives of an alcoholic Alateen – for teenage children of alcoholics

Teenage Drinking Added dangers of drinking early in life before you are finished growing Alcohol has a more severe effect on a younger body and brain. Addiction develops more easily Learning and exams suffer Greater risk of underage pregnancy

Alcohol content of drinks Measured in units Max 3 units recommended for men per day Max 2 units recommended for women per day 1unit = 1 glass wine or ½ pt beer or 1 measure of vodka

Sensible drinking for adults (over 18) Drink in moderation Drink slowly Eat before drinking Avoid ‘rounds’ Don’t mix drink and medicine or other drugs Don’t drink and drive Don’t force other people to drink

Drugs

Drugs Any substance other than food which affects the body. Some drugs are very helpful if used correctly, preventing disease, curing disease, reducing pain. Follow doctors instructions, complete the course of medication, only give medicine to the person for which it’s prescribe.

Types of drugs Common drugs Controlled drugs (prescription) Illegal drugs Caffeine Alcohol AlcoholNicotine Painkillers (Panadol) Sleeping pills TranquillisersAntibioticsEcstasyCannabisCocaineHeroin

Common drugs nicotine caffeine alcohol painkillers

Controlled (prescription) Sleeping pills Anti-biotic Tranquilisers

Illegal drugs

Drug Abuse Drug abuse or misuse is using a drug for the wrong purpose so it causes harm. Why do people abuse drugs? Curiosity For pleasure To hide insecurities or forget problems Peer pressure

Which drugs are abused? Painkillers – taking them when not needed Solvents – glue sniffing Controlled drugs – stolen and sold illegally Illegal drugs - cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy

Effects of drug abuse Addiction and withdrawal symptoms Health damaged – self neglect Tolerance grows AIDS Death – overdose, suicide, inhaling solvents, disease. Crime increases Hardship and heartbreak for family of addicts

Addiction Addiction is dependence on a drug. 2 types (i) Physical addiction (ii) Psychological addiction. Physical addiction: the body depends on the drug, without it they get withdrawal symptoms, cravings, cramps, sweating etc. Psychological addiction: person relies on the drug to get them through the day, without it the feel tension, panic, paranoia etc Addicts can suffer from one or both types.

Overcoming Addiction Physical addiction is worst and medical help is needed for the addict to withdraw from the drug safely – drug treatment centre Psychological addiction is easier to overcome, if the addict decides to kick the habit they can be helped by friends, family counsellors to stay away from the drug one day at a time.