DR. ZAHOOR ULLAH Ph. D. Post Doc DR. ZAHOOR ULLAH Ph.D. Post Doc. (Italy and Canada) Professor of Biochemistry and Former Research Director, PMRC, KMC

Recommended Text books   1. Murray: Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry- 29th Ed 2. Champe: Lippincott`s Illustrated Review: Biochemistry-----5th Ed 3. Chatterjae: Medical Illustrated Biochemistry 6th Ed

Water

Water for life and Health

Have not those who disbelieve known that the heavens and the earth were joined together as one united piece, then We parted them? And We have made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe? (21:30)

The quality of drinking-water is a powerful environmental determinant of health. Assurance of drinking-water safety is a foundation for the prevention and control of waterborne diseases.

Burden of disease Poor water quality continues to pose a major threat to human health. Diarrheal disease alone is responsible for an estimated 3.6 % of the global burden of disease. It is responsible for the deaths of 1.5 million people every year (WHO).

Water-related diseases: information sheets Anaemia Arsenicosis Ascariasis campylobacterosis. Cholera Cyanobacterial infections Dengue Fever Diarrhoea Drowning Fluorosis Hepatitis Encephalitis Lead Poisoning Leptospirosis Malaria Malnutrition Methaemoglobinemia Onchocerciasis (River Blindness) Ringworm (Tinea) Scabies Schistosomiasis Spinal Injury Trachoma Typhoid Enteric Fevers. Para Typhoid Enteric Fevers

Water-related diseases Water, sanitation and hygiene have important impacts on both health and disease. Water-related diseases include: Those which are due to micro-organisms and chemicals present in water we drink; Diseases like schistosomiasis which have part of their lifecycle in water. Water-related diseases

Water-related diseases Inadequate drinking-water, poor sanitation and poor hygiene are estimated to cause 8,42,000 diarrhoeal disease deaths per year (WHO 2014), and contribute substantially to the other diseases listed above. diseases like malaria with water-related vectors is another big cause of morbidity.

Out of 8,42,000 deaths per year, is attributable to unsafe water. 3,61,000 deaths of children under age five, mostly in developing countries (WHO). A significant reduction in these figures could be brought through: Better access to safe water supply, adequate sanitation and better hygiene practices.

Health-care waste Guidance for health-care waste management in low-income countries Health-care waste is a by-product of health- care that includes sharps, non-sharps, blood, body parts, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and radioactive materials. Poor management of health-care waste exposes health-care workers, waste handlers and the community to infections, toxic effects and injuries.

Emerging issues in water and infectious disease New diseases, including water- related diseases, periodically "emerge" either because they are newly recognized or because their importance increases.

Reason may be the micro-organisms themselves evolve changes in the way we manage water resources and supplies; changes in the tools and methods used to study the organisms and the health effects they cause; or due to changes in the human population itself.

WHO, USEPA and other agencies collaborate to address some of these challenges through an initiative. The initiative leads to development and publication of state-of-the-art reviews based on wide international expert consultations.

Recreational, or bathing, waters Recreational use of water can deliver important benefits to health and well- being. Yet, there may also be adverse health effects associated with recreational use if the water is polluted or unsafe.

Importance of drinking water Body is estimated to be about 60 to 70 % water. Blood is mostly water, and muscles, lungs, and brain all contain a lot of water. True health cannot occur without proper hydration of the body. Even today most of us do not realize the importance of water for overall health.

Water is required for Regulation of body temperature. Providing the means for nutrients to travel to all organs. Transportation of oxygen to body cells, Removal of waste, and Protection of joints and organs. Keeping the body environment aqueous

But when the supply is inadequate That is body does not receive a constant and good supply of fresh water “it has to ration what's available and cut back on certain functions in order to make the supply go round”.

BUT PRIORITIZATION IS DONE Essential systems like the brain is prioritized. Others are impaired or cut back until the brain need is met. The skin, being the least important, is rationed the least amount of water. Chronically dry skin and/or dandruff are signs of advanced bodily dehydration. Other signs of mild dehydration include Chronic pains in joints and muscles, Lower back pain Headaches and Constipation.

SURE SIGN OF DEHYDRATION Constipation is a sure sign of water starvation, as the body's intestinal peristaltic action extracts every precious drop of water from your food to save it , creating gridlock. Another sure sign is a strong odor and a dark yellow or amber color to urine indicates that the person may not be getting enough water.

The best indicator is thirst Thirst is an obvious sign of dehydration and in fact, you need water long before you feel thirsty. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic maths, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.

REAL SITUATION IS 75% of us are chronically dehydrated. In 37% of us, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger. Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism by 3%. The biggest trigger of daytime fatigue is lack of water. One glass of water deters hunger pangs for 98% of the dieters observed in a University of Washington study.

ADVICE ON WATER INTAKE IS JUSTIFIED Most of us use to be chronically dehydrated especially the elderly. General perception is that water is too tasteless to drink and therefore replace it with tea, coffee, sodas, flavored water and other chemical containing water alternatives. These alternatives do not hydrate the body as many are diuretic (water expelling) in their effect because of their chemical composition.

HOW MUCH IS REQUIRED? Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of: colon cancer by 45%, breast cancer by 79%, and bladder cancer by 50%.

According to some water experts Asthmas, allergies, arthritis, angina diabetes,, stomach upsets, chronic intestinal complaints and certain others degenerative illnesses are the cries for water,. These are complaints which are dramatically improved with a consistent and long-term intake of fresh, clean water.

Flushing the body with a constant long-term supply of good clean fresh water, is a best way to assist with detoxification and hydration and is especially important for anyone with cancer. Your body requires approximately 8 glasses (1.5 liters) of water a day for optimum

THANK YOU ALL