Environmental Health Concerns

KIN RASHES. Breathing problems. Alzheimer's disease. Heart disease. Underweight births. Stuffy nose. Migraine. Cancer.

LMOST EVERY disease has an environmental component. Environmental health concerns are medical problems that may be worsened by or may result from exposure to environmental health hazards. The environment affects a person's health from before conception until death.

HE HUMAN BODY is extremely sensitive to many environmental factors, including the air we breathe, the substances that touch our skin, and the quality of the food and water we ingest. Some populations, such as children and the elderly, are generally more susceptible to environmental health hazards than are others. Nevertheless, many factors, in addition to one's genetic predispositions, influence whether an individual person will actually get sick following exposure to an environmental health hazards.

HESE INCLUDE the nature of the exposure itself, as well as the body's ability to deactivate and excrete the toxins. Maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, getting sufficient sleep, eating regular nutritious meals, avoiding other environmental health hazards whenever possible, and maintaining a positive attitude are important factors in helping your body contend with exposure to toxic substances.