Care of the Body Systems:
Integumentary, Skeletal, Muscular, and Nervous
Systems
Skin and the Sun:
 When skin is exposed to UV rays, whether from the sun, a
tanning booth, or another source, melanin production is
increased
 Fair-skinned people, whose skin has little melanin, and
thus little natural protection from UV radiation, burn in the
sun.
 Skin will become wrinkled or hard and leathery with
repeated exposure to UV radiation.
Protection:
 Always wear sunscreen, with Sun Protection Factor (SPF)
45 or better, on exposed areas of skin.
 Wear protective clothing.
Body Piercing and Tattooing:
 Both procedures result in the physical barrier of the skin
being broken.
 Possibility of bacteria or viruses entering the body
increases.
 New bacteria can be introduced through nonsterile needles.
 Transfer of bloodborne pathogens
o Hepatitis B
o Hepatitis C
o HIV
 Tattoos can be removed by using a laser procedure, but
can cause skin to discolor and infection could leave scars.
Skin Problems:
Acne: Caused when pores in the skin get clogged and the
sebum produced cannot reach the skin’s surface.
Warts: Virus that infects the surface layers of the skin
commonly found on hands, feet, and face.
Vitiligo: Skin condition in
which patches of skin have
lost all pigment.
Boils: Form when hair follicles
become infected with bacteria that
are normally found on the surface
of the skin.
Moles: Spots that contain extra melanin.
 Most moles are harmless
 Moles may develop into Melanoma.
Melanoma: The most serious form of skin cancer.
 A B C D E’s of Melanoma:
o Asymmetry: Imaginary line
drawn through the center of
the mole does not produce
matching halves.
o Border irregularity:
Noncancerous moles have
smooth edges. Suspect
moles often have irregular
edges.
o Color: Look for moles that
are intensely black, possibly
with a bluish tint, uneven
color.
o Diameter: Check for moles that
are wider across than a pea.
o Evolving: Moles should not grow.
Preventions:
 Every morning and evening, wash your face with soap and
water.
 Eat a well-balanced diet with vitamin “A”
 Keep your hands away from your face.
Hair Follicle: Structure that surrounds the root of hair.
 100,000 to 200,000 hairs on your head lone.
Hair Problems:
 Dandruff
o Flaking of the outer layer of dead skin cells covering
the skull.
 Head lice
o Insects that attach themselves to the human hair and
skin and feed off blood.
Prevention:
 Brushing your hair helps keep dirt from building up and
helps evenly distribute the natural hair oils.
 Limit the use of treatments such as permanents, dyes, or
bleach.
 Don’t over brush your hair.
 Washing your hair regularly is necessary for healthy hair.
Nail Problems:
 Hangnails
 Ingrown toenails
Prevention:
 Keep nails clean and evenly trimmed
 Keep cuticles pushed back and clip hangnails with a nail
clipper.
 Never bite your nails.
 Cut toenails straight across
 Fingernails should be slightly rounded
PROBLEMS OF THE SKELETAL SYSTEM:
Scoliosis: is lateral, or side-to-side, curvature of
the spine
Osteoporosis: Condition that results from a loss of calcium
in the bone and becomes brittle.
Injury to the joints:
 Sprains: occurs when tissue around the joint is twisted or
receives too much pressure. (Damage to Ligaments)
 Dislocation: Results when a bone slips from its normal
position at a joint.
 Torn cartilage: It results from a sharp blow or severe
twisting of a joint.
 Bunion: Painful swelling of the bursa in the
first joint of the big toe.
 Bursitis: Inflammation of a fluid-filled sac
called the bursa.
 Arthritis: inflammation of the joints.
Repetitive Motion Injury: Damage to tissues caused by
prolonged, repeated movements.
Problems with the Muscular System:
Muscle Strain: A strain or a “pull muscle” is a sudden,
painful stretching or tearing of muscle fibers.
Muscle Cramp: A cramp occurs when a muscle contracts
spasmodically and involuntarily.
 Feels tense, knotted, and painful
Bruise: Discolored skin that appears after an injury causes
the blood vessels beneath the skin to rupture and leak.
Hernia: Occurs when an organ or tissue
protrudes through an area of weak muscle.
Muscular Dystrophy: Is a crippling disease
characterized by a progressive wasting away of skeletal
muscles.
 Usually inherited
 Muscle cells are unable to function
properly and are replaced by fatty
tissue.
 A person may experience muscle weakness, difficulty
standing or walking, or frequent falls.
Care of the Nervous System:
 You need to exercise regularly
 Proper Nutrition
 Adequate rest and sleep
 Avoid using alcohol and other drugs
Problems of the Nervous System:
 Head and spinal cord injuries
o Paraplegic: Paralysis of the lower body
o Quadriplegic: Paralysis of both arms and legs
 Degenerative Diseases
o Parkinson’s disease: caused by degeneration of the
nerve cells within the brain that modify nerve impulses
transmitted from the motor area of the brain.
o Multiple Sclerosis: It involves the destructions of the
myelin sheath that surrounds nerves fibers
o Alzheimer’s Disease: General mental deterioration.
Patients gradually lose their memory and powers and
judgments.
o Epilepsy: Is a disorder of the nervous system that is
characterized by recurrent seizures.
 Grand Mal Seizures: Usually last about 2-5 minutes
and fall to the floor, unconsciousness.
 Petit Mal Seizures: Often pass unnoticed; usually
people have a blank stare for about 30 seconds.
o Cerebral Palsy: Disorder that are the result of damage to
the brain before birth, during birth, in the newborn
period, or in early childhood