HEALTH IN THE 90s
The 1990s emerged as a period where the world entered a new millennium. As we look back on this transformative decade, we notice significant shifts in society, technology and health consciousness. The 90s presented a mosaic of experiences that shaped our understanding of health. Join me in this article as we embark on a journey to uncover the discoveries in the 90s about health that continue to influence even today.
In the 90s several diseases spread around the world affecting different populations.Some of the diseases are:
- HIV/AIDS – HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. If HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS(Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). There is no effective cure. Once people get HIV,they have it for life. This disease reached its peak in the 90s that caused millions of deaths worldwide.
- TUBERCULOSIS (TB) – It is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attacks the lungs, but can attack any part of the body such as spine, the kidney or brain.It remained a global health issue in the 90s, the World Health Organization worked to improve treatment during this time.
- MALARIA – It is a fatal disease caused by a parasite that infects a certain type of mosquito which feeds on humans. Used to be a major cause of death mainly in tropical and subtropical regions.
- HEPATITIS C – It is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus(HCV). In the 90s the infections were increasing among certain populations.
As we mentioned earlier Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It usually attacks the lungs, but can also attack other parts of the body, such as the kidneys, spine and brain. TB is spread through air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks, releasing bacteria-containing droplets that are then inhaled by others.
THE CAUSE:
The primary cause of tuberculosis is infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria is usually spread from one person to another through air. However, not everyone infected with the bacteria becomes sick, some have it in their body but do not show symptoms. The main symptoms of it are coughing, fever ,weight loss and fatigue.
TREATMENT:
The treatment of tuberculosis involves a combination of antibiotics taken for several months. The treatment usually consists of a phase of intensive treatment with multiple drugs for several months, followed by a phase with fewer drugs for an extended period to ensure that the bacteria is gone. It’s crucial for patients to complete the full course of treatment as prescribed by their doctor to prevent the development of drug-resistant strains of TB.
HOW TO PREVENT IT:
Vaccination is one of the ways to prevent it. The Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is available and used in many countries to prevent severe forms of TB in children. While it may not provide complete protection against TB infection, it can help prevent serious complications in children.
The top 5 medical treatment breakthroughs discovered in the 90s:
- 1990: Gamow Bag – The Gamow Bag is a unique, portable hyperbaric chamber used for the treatment of acute mountain sickness (AMS) also known as altitude illness.
- 1992: Smart Pill – This pill measures acidity, pressure and temperature as it travels through your digestive tract.
- 1994: Radiosurgery (for epilepsy and malignant tumors) – Even though it is called surgery, radiosurgery does not involve actual surgery. Instead,very focused beams of radiation are used to treat cancerous tissues without a surgical incision or opening.
- 1992: A ventricular assist – Is a mechanical pump that helps a weak heart pump blood throughout the body, it can help patients survive until they get a new heart.
- 1990: Ultrasound-Advanced in the 1990s with 3 and 4 dimensional images.
A gamow bag
Prioritizing our health is not a choice, but a responsibility we owe to ourselves. I hope that from this journey in this article, you learned important things about our health.
