Diseases & NutritionDiseases & Nutrition

Detailed analysis of dietary components required for human metabolism, energy production, and physiological regulation.

• Fat-Soluble Vitamins: Vitamins A, D, E, and K are soluble in fats, stored in the liver and adipose tissues, and excessive accumulation can lead to hypervitaminosis.
• Water-Soluble Vitamins: Vitamin C and the B-complex group dissolve in water, cannot be stored significantly in the body, and require regular daily dietary replenishment.
• Vitamin A (Retinol): Deficiency causes Night Blindness (Nyctalopia), Xerophthalmia, and Bitot's spots. Found abundantly in carrots, cod liver oil, and green leafy vegetables.
• Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin): Contains Cobalt metal. Its deficiency leads to Pernicious Anemia and neurological impairments. It is synthesized by gut microbiota in animals.
• Mineral Deficiencies: Iron deficiency causes microcytic anemia; Iodine deficiency leads to goitre and cretinism; Calcium and Phosphorus deficiency results in rickets and osteomalacia.

Examination focus on pathogens (bacteria, viruses, protozoa, fungi) transmitting diseases and vector-borne illnesses.

• Bacterial Diseases: Includes Tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosis), Typhoid (Salmonella typhi), Cholera (Vibrio cholerae), Diphtheria, and Tetanus.
• Viral Diseases: Includes Rabies (Rhabdovirus), Dengue (Flavivirus, transmitted by Aedes aegypti), Polio, AIDS (HIV), Influenza, and Smallpox.
• Protozoan Diseases: Malaria is caused by Plasmodium species (P. vivax, P. falciparum) and transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes. Amoebiasis is caused by Entamoeba histolytica.
• Fungal Infections: Dermatophytes cause ringworm (Tinea infections), athlete's foot, and candidiasis. Common in humid and poorly ventilated conditions.

Pathological conditions arising from inadequate caloric or protein intake, prevalent among children in developing nations.

• Kwashiorkor: Caused strictly by severe protein deficiency while total caloric intake may be adequate. Symptoms include edema (swollen belly), thin hair, and skin pigmentation.
• Marasmus: Caused by a simultaneous deficiency of both proteins and total calories (energy). Characterized by extreme emaciation, shrunken ribs, and arrested physical growth in infants.
• Goitre (Galaganda): Enlargement of the thyroid gland due to dietary iodine deficiency, leading to decreased synthesis of thyroxine hormone.

Key administrative programs and vaccination missions administered by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

• Mission Indradhanush: Launched in 2014 to achieve full immunization coverage for children up to 2 years of age and pregnant women against 12 vaccine-preventable diseases.
• National Health Mission (NHM): Encompasses National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) to provide accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare.
• Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY: World's largest health insurance/assurance scheme fully financed by the government, providing health cover of Rs. 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care.