Medicine and Health

Table of Contents

Basic Pharmacology3

Nervous System and Brain4

Addiction and the Brain5

History, Social Issues and Drug Policy6

Genetics and Family Issues7

Specific Drugs Prevention / Treatment8

References9

Medicine and Health

Basic Pharmacology

Pharmacology can be defined as the study of drugs. Drugs can be defined as chemical substances that have an impact on living organisms. In general terms, pharmacology can be described as the science of actions of drugs on biological systems. Pharmacology includes the study of the knowledge of sources, biological effects, and chemical properties. The science of pharmacology is not only related to medicine but also to pharmacy, dentistry, and veterinary medicine. The study of pharmacology includes the examination of the effect of chemical agent on sub cellular mechanisms. Pharmacological studies also deal with the hazards of pesticides and herbicides. The field also focuses on the knowledge of different treatment and prevention options for major diseases with the help of drug therapy. Pharmacologists are professionals who are involved in administering the impact of drugs on living organisms. They use molecular modeling and different computer-based design for understanding the function of cells.

By integrating knowledge in different disciplines, pharmacology provides a unique perspective to solve drug, hormone, and chemical related problems that impact he health of human beings. The understanding of pharmacology includes unlocking the mysteries of drug actions and develops new medicinal products. Pharmacology has an impact on the lives of every human being. Although considerable development has been occurred in developing new drugs, the challenges of pharmacology are still the same. The ongoing discoveries related to different life processes will continue to raise new questions that require further research (Roach & Ford 2006).

Pharmacology is the field that has an impact on all aspects of chemical actions including both traditional and novel therapeutic agents. The two significant and interrelated areas in the field of pharmacology include pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

Nervous System and Brain

The nervous system of human body is also called as the decision and communication center of human body. The central nervous system consists of different parts including bran, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system. All these parts of the central nervous system are responsible for controlling every part of human life. The functions that are controlled by nervous system range from breathing to cognition and memory. Nerves reach from human brain to different parts of human body including ears, face, eyes, nose, and spinal cord. From spinal cord, nerves reach to the rest of the body. Sensory nerves are responsible for gathering information from the environment. The information gathered by sensory nerves is sent to the spinal cord and then to the brain. When the message reaches the brain, it gives a response. Motor neurons are responsible for delivering instructions from brain to the rest of the body (Brodal, 2010).

The spinal cord of human body consists of a bundle of nerves that run up and down the spine. The human brain consists of three important parts including forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain. The forebrain further consists of cerebrum, thalamus, and ...