Medicines (Drugs)
Definition of Medicines: Medicines are chemical substances that people take when they are sick or want to prevent getting sick. These substances help the body fight off diseases, relieve pain, or improve health by changing how the body works on the inside. They can also stop harmful germs or help the body recover faster from illness.
Types of Medicines
Traditional Medicines
Natural Origins: Traditional medicines are made from natural sources like leaves, roots, fruits, or animal parts. They do not go through modern chemical processes in factories. People often use them in their original or slightly processed forms.
Examples of Remedies: These include plant-based remedies like aloe vera, which can soothe burns; turmeric, which can help reduce swelling; ginger, which is good for nausea; garlic, known for its antibacterial effects; and lemon, which is thought to help clean the body.
Usage Basis: Traditional medicines are used based on knowledge passed down from parents or elders. People have used them for many years to treat everyday problems like stomachaches, colds, and small wounds.
Modern Medicines
Synthetic Creation: Modern medicines are created by scientists in laboratories. They are made using special chemical processes that allow them to be very specific in how they help the body. These medicines can be made as pills, syrups, injections, or creams.
Variety of Drugs: There are many different types of modern medicines. Each type is made to treat a specific health issue, such as reducing pain, killing germs, or helping with mental health problems.
Categories of Modern Medicines
Analgesics
Pain Relief: Analgesics are a group of medicines that help people feel less pain. They work without putting the person to sleep or making them lose awareness. They just reduce the feeling of pain.
Examples of Analgesics: Examples of these painkillers include paracetamol, which helps with fever and pain; aspirin, which reduces pain and swelling; codeine, which is used for stronger pain; and morphine, which is used in hospitals for very strong pain.
Common Uses: People use analgesics for many reasons, such as headaches, toothaches, injuries, joint pain, or during surgery recovery.
Antimicrobials
Infection Control: Antimicrobial medicines are used to stop infections. They work by either killing harmful germs like bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites, or by stopping them from growing and spreading.
Types of Antimicrobials: The types include antibiotics (like penicillin for bacterial infections), antifungals (like clotrimazole for fungal infections), antivirals (like acyclovir for viral infections), and antiparasitics (like anthelmintics to remove worms).
Essential Role: These medicines are very important for treating infections that could otherwise spread or become dangerous if left untreated.
Psychotropics
Mental Health Treatment: Psychotropic medicines help people with mental health conditions. They work by changing how the brain sends signals, helping to balance mood and thoughts so a person can feel and function better.
Examples of Psychotropics: Some examples are antidepressants (used to treat depression), antipsychotics (used for serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia), and mood stabilisers (used for conditions like bipolar disorder).
Treatment Targets: These drugs are used for mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. They help people live healthier and more stable lives.
Antiallergics
Allergy Management: Antiallergic medicines stop or reduce the symptoms of allergies. They work by blocking substances like histamines that cause sneezing, itchy skin, or a runny nose.
Examples of Antiallergics: These include antihistamines (to stop allergic reactions), decongestants (to clear blocked noses), and epinephrine (used in emergencies for severe allergic reactions).
Common Symptoms Treated: These medicines help with allergy signs like red eyes, sneezing, skin rashes, and breathing problems.
Corticosteroids
Inflammation Reduction: Corticosteroids are strong medicines that act like natural hormones from the body. They help reduce swelling, redness, and pain in many illnesses.
Examples of Corticosteroids: Examples include betamethasone (used on skin), cortisone (for joint pain), and prednisone (used for many long-term conditions).
Conditions Treated: These drugs are used for asthma, eczema, arthritis, and serious allergies. They help control the immune system when it overreacts.
Cosmetics
Definition of Cosmetics: Cosmetics are products that people use to improve how they look and smell. They can be used on the skin, hair, or nails to clean, protect, or decorate. They are not meant to treat diseases but to make someone feel or look better.
Basic Components of Cosmetics
Air and Solvents: Air and liquids like water or alcohol help dissolve other ingredients in cosmetics. This makes the product smooth and easy to spread on the body.
Emulsifiers: Emulsifiers such as polysorbate and lecithin are added to help oil and water mix together in creams and lotions. Without them, the ingredients would separate.
Preservatives: Preservatives like parabens and benzoic acid stop the growth of bacteria or mould in cosmetics. This helps the product last longer and stay safe to use.
Thickeners: Thickeners like cetyl alcohol and xanthan gum make cosmetics feel creamy and thick. This helps improve texture and makes them easier to apply.
Moisturisers: Moisturisers such as mineral oil and glycerine help keep the skin soft and hydrated. They prevent the skin from drying out.
Colorants: These are dyes or pigments that give colour to products like lipstick, eyeshadow, or nail polish. They can be made from natural or artificial sources.
Fragrances: Fragrances come from plants, essential oils, or synthetic chemicals. They are added to cosmetics to give a nice smell.
Common Ingredients: Most cosmetics contain other ingredients such as alcohol (which helps mix everything), surfactants (which clean), emollients (which soften skin), pigments (for colour), and fillers (to give volume or texture).
Potential Side Effects of Cosmetics
Allergic Reactions: Some people may be allergic to certain ingredients in cosmetics. This can cause itching, red skin, swelling, or even a rash after using the product.
Skin Irritation: Cosmetics may cause irritation if the skin is sensitive or the product is too strong. This can lead to dry skin, pimples, or a stinging feeling.
Hormonal Disruption: Some ingredients, such as parabens, may interfere with the body’s natural hormones if used in large amounts over time.
Other Side Effects: Other possible side effects include burning in the eyes from sprays or creams, skin colour changes (called pigmentation), and in rare cases, hair falling out if the product is not suitable for the scalp.