Notes-Part-2-Class-12-Biology-Chapter-10-Human Health and Diseases-Maharashtra Board

Stages of Adolescence :

i. Early period (10 to 14 years) :

• Appearance of secondary sexual characters
• Rapid physical growth
• Concrete thinking;
• Defining boundries of dependence/independence
• Self-exploration.
• Developing body image
• Development of intense friendship
• Seeking to counter instability and evaluation.

ii. Middle period (15 to 17 years) :

• Complete development of secondary sexual characteristic.
• Growth slows down, approximately 95 % of the adult stature is attained
• Thinking is more abstract.
• Concrete thinking under stressful conditions
• Reestablishing of body image capable of long range thinking
• Sense of leadership and all powerfulness.
• Ability testing to attract opposite sex, peer group pressure.

iii. Late period (18 to 19 years) :

• Total physical maturity established.
• Abstract thinking,
• Intellectual and functional identity.
• Peer group recedes in favor of individual relationship.
• Stable relationship and change from childhood to adulthood relationship.

Mental Health and Adolescence :

• Confusion, irritation, moodiness, frustration, nausea, less concentration, hyper activities, anger, effects on lifestyles like obesity, addictions, accidents, leading to ill health, etc. are common problems in adolescent age. '
• Psychoses or neuroses may appear.
• Psychoses include delusions, hallucinations, disturbance in the thinking process, etc.
• Amnesia (loss of memory), Bullimia (extreme over indulgence in food), Anxiety (fear or apprehension), Anorexia nervosa (emotional aversion to food) depression (sadness, inactivity reduced to enjoy life, etc.), illusions, hallucination, etc.
• Characterized by number of cognitive, emotional, behavioural, physical and attitudinal changes.
• Parental communication and other conditions mould the adult personality.
• Improper peer pressure may result into addictions, like smoking, taking drugs, etc.

Commonly abused drugs : The drugs, which are commonly abused, are opioids, cannabinoids and alkaloids of coca, Hallucinogens.

Opioids : (Smack, Heroin)

• These drugs binds to opioid receptors present in central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract.
• Heroin, otherwise called smack is chemically di-acetyl morphine. It is extracted from latex of poppy plant Papaver somniferum.
• Heroin is depressent and slows down the activity of body.

Cannabinoids : (Marijuana, hashish, charas and ganja)

Interact with receptors present in brain.

Inhalation and ingestion of these substances affect the cardiovascular system. These are obtained from inflorescences and the parts of Cannabis sativa.

Marijuana, hashish, charas and ganja are other different forms of drugs obtained from this plant.

Cocain : (Crack, Coke)

• This is an alkaloid obtained from coca plant- Erythroxylum coca.
• It increases level of neurotransmitter-dopamine.
• It’s excessive dosage causes extreme happiness, irritability, paranoia.

Hallucinogens (mind expanding drugs) :

• These are alkaloids causing day-dreaming.
• Lycergic acid and cannabis are hallucinogenic substances. Atropa bellodona and Datura spp. also have hallucinogenic properterties.
• Hallucination are unreal perceptions of unreal object due to the disorder of nervous system.

Effects of Drug/Alcohol Abuse :

• Reckless behaviour, vandalism and violence.
• Excessive doses of drugs can cause coma and death due to respiratory failure, heart failure or cerebral haemorrhage.
• Overdose and even deaths occur if there is weird combination of drugs and alcohol.

Warning signs of drug and alcohol abuse among youth :

• Drop in academic performance. '
• Unexplained absence from school/college.
• Lack of interest in personal hygiene, withdrawal, isolation, depression, fatigue, aggressive and rebellious behaviour, deteriorating relationships with family / friends.
• Loss of interest in hobbies.
• Change in sleeping and eating habits.
• Fluctuations in weight, appetite, etc.
• May turn to crime for money.

Other hazards :

• Those who take drugs intravenously are likely to acquire serious infections like HIV and hepatitis B.

Long-term effects :

• Loss balance, liver cirrhosis, pancreatitis.
• It could lead to heavy drinking in adulthood.
• Chronic use of drugs and alcohol damages nervous system and liver (cirrhosis). Use of drugs and alcohol during pregnancy adversely affects the foetus.

Side effects of Anabolic steroids:

• Effects in females : Masculinization in females, increased aggressiveness, mood swings, depression, abnormal menstrual cycles, excessive hair growth on the face and body, enlargement of clitoris, deepening of voice.
• Effects in males : Acne, increased aggressiveness, mood swings, depression and reduction of size of the testicles, decreased sperm production, kidney and liver dysfunction, breast enlargement, premature baldness, enlargement of the prostate gland.
• Prevention and Control : Habits such as smoking, taking drug or alcohol should be avoided right from young age. Identify the situations which can form addictions and take remedial measures. Help from parents and teachers should be sought.