Endocrine System – emale gonads or Ovaries
Ovaries in female produce oestrogen which controls development of secondary sexual characters (development of breast etc) and causes the lining of uterus to thicken.
Drugs and Nervous System
There are different types of drugs known to us. Many types of drugs known to us. Many of them have medicinal value and are being used by the pharmaceutical industry. But the misuse or abuse can produce serious physiological, behavioral and mental problems in a person. A brief description of some of the common drugs and alcohol are given below:
. Excessive or harmful use of drug is considered drug abuse of substance abuse. Drug abuse is a major problem. It affects people, their families and many other people with whom they interact.
. Most drugs have devastating effect on brain and other part of nervous system and may cause loss of memory and weakening of nerves due to which permanent damage to the coordination mechanism taken place.
Aspirin
It will not be an exaggeration to call it a wonder drug as it has wide ranging effects e.g. it is used as an analgesic (pain-killer), as antipyretic (anti-fever) as anti-inflammatory and is also useful in heart patients as antithrombotic, but its overuse may lead to blood thinning leading to hemorrhage with serious consequences. It is derived from opium.
Morphine
Primarily a pain relieving drug but its abuse affects the central nervous system and is addictive. It can cause constipation and lowering of blood pressure. Since the drug reduces anxiety the user of the drug develops escapist tendencies and gradually loses the confidence to face the realities of life. It can also produce serious allergic reactions, nausea and vomiting.
Heroin
It is the most addictive drug and is produces form morphine by modification in its chemical structure and this has some adverse effects as of morphine. It affects the nervous system adversely and its indiscriminate use can produce drug induced toxicity. Its addiction is extremely difficult to treat.
Cocaine
It affects the mental functioning and behavior of a person causing anxiety. Insomnia irritability and can make the user psychotic. It has been called as the third scrouge of humanity alcohol and heroin.
Marijuana
It is the oldest drug. It is also called charus and hashish. This drug can produce lightened sensation and hallucination. Its high doze results in death. It alters the production of hormones e.g. reproductive hormones, decreasing the production of sperms in man and ovulation in woman. Men may develop fatty enlargement of the breast.
Nicotine
Cigarette smoke contains over 1000 drugs, a large number of which are carcinogenic. The primary among them is nicotine. This drug is least sedative but highly addictive. When taken for the first time, it may cause nausea, vomiting, headache and general weakness. If a pregnant woman smokes, the nicotine damages the placenta, increasing the likelihood of miscarriages, premature births, and damage to the foetus.
Alcohol (Ethyl)
Among the most harmful of drugs, particularly in view of the frequency of its use, is alcohol. It is a central nervous system depressant. It causes temporary loss of body coordination. It is one of the cases of brain, liver and muscle tissue (including heart) damage. Alcohol in the gut also destroys certain vitamins and interferes whit absorption of others leading to severe vitamin deficiencies. It is also associated with an increased risk for cancer. It produces permanent mental and physical birth defects called foetal alcohol syndrome, in children born to alcoholic mothers.
. In addition to addiction, the use of psychoactive drugs can impair the health of individual drug users in other ways. It can also affect their gametes, and thus the development of their children.
. The use of alcohol causes stomach ulcers and permanent damage to heart and liver.