The science of the human body and health

The subject of human body and health teaches how our body is built, how it works and how to look after it. Anatomy studies the structure of organs, physiology studies their functions and processes, and hygiene studies how living and working conditions affect health. The World Health Organization defines health not merely as the absence of disease but as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. In ancient times doctors did not know the inside of the body and could not explain illness correctly; the study of structure began in Ancient Greece and Rome, and scholars such as Vesalius and Leonardo da Vinci later drew it accurately. Ibn Sina (980–1037) gathered knowledge about illness and medicines in the “Canon of Medicine”, and Beruniy (973–1048) did so in “Saydana”. Vaccination, clean water and quick diagnosis have lengthened life, but pollution, low physical activity and stress remain problems; if symptoms appear, see a doctor rather than treating yourself.