As you know, there are millions of diseases in the world. Most pathologies are common in all regions. Nevertheless, there is a separate group - these are endemic diseases. Such pathologies are not found everywhere, but only in a certain geographical segment. Depending on the prevalence, there are: endemic, pandemic and epidemic.
Similar diseases include terrible diseases that have claimed millions of lives. Among them: plague, cholera, malaria. Like all endemic diseases, these infections began in a certain region, after which they spread throughout the world and were called epidemics. Most often, regional pathologies do not go beyond the boundaries of their biogeographic province.
Endemic diseases: concept
Diseases that cover a certain region are called endemic. These pathologies mean that the source of the problem is constantly in the environment. Usually such diseases are caused by problems with water, soil or air in the region. Often, endemic pathologies are associated with parasites that live in certain climatic conditions.(India, African countries). The most terrible diseases that raged in the Middle Ages and earlier were also at first related to regional problems. Fortunately, thanks to the development of epidemiology and medicine, they are not found in the modern world.
Causes of endemic diseases
In most cases, the etiological factors of endemic diseases are viral and parasitic infections. The carriers of these pathologies are rodents or insects. In some cases, the cause of diseases is a lack of trace elements or vitamins. The lack of compounds such as iodine, calcium, vitamins C and D causes identical disorders in the body in people living in a certain region. Also, an excess of microelements (for example, fluorine) can lead to diseases.
Endemic development mechanism
Each endemic disease has its specific pathogenesis and clinical picture. First of all, it depends on the cause of the pathology. In viral and bacterial infections, the pathogen enters the human bloodstream and multiplies in the tissues of the body. After that, the patient begins to show symptoms. The carriers of infections in most cases are insects (mosquitoes, bedbugs) and rodents. In some regions, endemic diseases are associated with parasites that live in water bodies. They enter the human body and multiply there. In most cases, the clinical picture develops when parasite feces enter the bloodstream.
If the causeendemic disease is the lack of essential vitamins and minerals, the pathogenesis of such ailments is different. Due to the fact that the body does not receive a certain substance, compensatory mechanisms begin to work. As a result, target organs are hypertrophied, and their functioning is impaired. The clinical picture of each pathology depends on which system is affected due to a lack of a trace element or vitamin.
Relationship between endemic diseases and epidemiology
Endemic diseases are directly related to the area in which they spread. The lack or excess of trace elements in the region leads to an increase in the number of pathologies in this area. Examples are the following disorders: endemic goiter, fluorosis, ur disease, scurvy, etc. Widespread infection leads to the development of pandemics and epidemics. This usually applies to viral, parasitic and bacterial diseases.
Thus, the spread of plague, cholera, malaria took place. Since these infections are carried by rodents and insects, they have affected entire continents. Diseases specific to the African region are Crimean-Congo fever, Ebola virus, HIV. Some authors refer to alcohol and drug addiction as endemic pathologies.
The most terrible diseases: plague, cholera
The most common endemias include especially dangerous infections that have claimed millions of lives. A special place is occupied by the plague pandemic. This disease has affected severalcontinents. The widespread spread of plague is associated with the migration of rodents, which are a reservoir of infection. Infection can occur in several ways. Most often this is a transmissible route (through flea bites). Also, the pathogen can enter the body with food and through inhaled air (with a pulmonary form of the disease). Despite the fact that the infection is very rare at the present time, it is worth remembering that the carriers of the plague, as before, are rats. Unlike humans, rodents can get sick for a long time. If they have a chronic infection, they are contagious.
Another endemic disease that turned into an epidemic is cholera. Like the plague, it claimed millions of lives and spread almost all over the world. The causative agent of the infection is Vibrio cholerae. The route of transmission of the disease is most often water or alimentary. This infection still occurs in areas with poor sanitation.
Clinical picture of endemic diseases
The symptoms of endemic diseases vary widely. With a lack of trace elements, a certain system usually suffers. Examples are endemic goiter, ur disease. In the first case, there is a lack of iodine in the body. This leads to a decrease in the hormonal function of the thyroid gland. The result is a delay in mental and physical development. Urov's disease is characteristic of areas with a low content of calcium in drinking water. It is found in Transbaikalia, China and Korea. Clinical picture of pathologylies in the deformation of the osteoarticular system.
Micronutrient excess can also lead to endemic diseases. An example is fluorosis. In this disease, fluoride accumulates in the tooth enamel, which is manifested by dark spots and caries.
Endemic infections are especially dangerous. They are characterized by intoxication and damage to the whole organism. Plague is accompanied by the appearance of septic ulcers on the skin or destruction of lung tissue. Cholera leads to progressive dehydration.
Diagnosis of endemic diseases
Diagnosing endemic diseases is usually easy. Since the extent of the pathology is large, the symptoms are quickly associated with a deficiency or excess of a particular chemical element. In this case, it is necessary to analyze the soil, water and air in the area. If this is an infectious pathology, then it is very important to find its source. It is different for every disease. For example, plague carriers are fleas, Crimean Congo fever is ticks. Since most diseases are zooanthroponic, it is necessary to find a reservoir of infection. Most often these are rats, mice, livestock.
During infectious processes, doctors take biological material (feces, urine, saliva) for examination, as well as the food that the patient has consumed. A bacteriological analysis of blood and feces is being carried out.
Endemic disease control methods
The fight against infectious endemic diseases requires the work of not only doctors, but also epidemiologists. ATthe place of infection immediately formed a quarantine zone. All patients must be hospitalized in an infectious disease hospital.
Persons who have been in contact with patients should be examined and not leave the quarantine zone. This is necessary to avoid further spread of the infection. At the site of infection, material is taken for an epidemiological study. Sanitization is carried out, which includes washing the room with disinfectants, airing, boiling laundry. The quarantine zone should be inaccessible to the he althy population. In case of especially dangerous infections, medical personnel work in a special uniform (anti-plague suit).
Prevention of endemic diseases
Endemic diseases require timely prevention. In places with a lack of trace elements and vitamins, the necessary substances are added to food (iodized s alt), water. Newborns are diagnosed (for phenylketonuria, hypothyroidism). If an endemic disease is suspected, biological supplements with missing vitamins and trace elements are prescribed. Also, for some pathologies, a special regimen is required (walks in the sun), periodic changes in climatic conditions.
