How Medicines Help the Body

HEALTH EDUCATION - Lesson 1 - Week 1/10

Substance Abuse & Disease Prevention (5)

HPE Lesson Plans - Health - KHE, 1HE, 2HE, 3HE, 4HE, 5HE

Safety | Mental, Social & Emotional Health | Substance Abuse & Disease Prevention | Growing Up Healthy

5TH GRADE VIRTUAL HEALTH

L1: How Medicines Help the Body| L2: Medicine Use, Misuse & Abuse | L3: Tobacco Affects Body Systems | L4: Alcohol Affects Body Systems | L5: Refusing Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs | L6: The Causes of Disease| L7: Pathogens & Infectious Diseases | L8: Disease and the Immune System | L9: When Someone Gets Ill | L10: Noninfectious Disease | EXTRA: Choosing a Healthy Life

Substance Abuse & Disease Prevention

How Medicines Help the Body

See below for the following:

Standard(s), Essential Question(s), Big Idea(s)


LEARNING TARGET / SUCCESS CRITERIA

I will know and be able to explain that medicines cause helpful changes in the body when used correctly.

I will know and be able to differentiate between OTC (over-the-counter) and prescription medicines.

I will know and be able to interpret information on how to use a medicine.

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PRE-INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITY

Vocabulary

drug - a substance, other than food, that affects the way the body or mind works

medicine - a drug used to treat illness or disease. While all medicines are drugs, not all drugs are medicines. Medicines cause changes in the body that can help prevent, treat, or cure health problems

prescription medicines - medicines that can be bought only with an order from a doctor

over-the-counter medicines (OTC) - medicines that can be bought without prescriptions

side effects - unwanted reactions to a medicine


OPENING (Engage)

Main Idea

Medicines can help you stay healthy if you use them correctly. They can be harmful if you use them incorrectly.

Why Learn This?

Learning how to use medicines safely will help you stay healthy.


WORK PERIOD (Explore/Explain/Extend/Elaborate)

READ: How Medicines Help the Body


Everyone gets ill or hurt from time to time. Harmful bacteria in food can upset your stomach. An allergy can make you sneeze and give you itchy eyes. A fall on ice can be painful. Medicines help you feel better and get well, but only if they are used correctly.


The animals, minerals, and plants found on Earth provide ingredients for medicines.


What are drugs and medicines?


A drug is a substance, other than food, that affects the way the body or mind works. A medicine is a drug used to treat illness or disease. While all medicines are drugs, not all drugs are medicines. Medicines cause changes in the body that can help prevent, treat, or cure health problems. Illegal drugs, such as cocaine and marijuana, also cause changes in the body. But unlike medicines, the changes they cause do not improve health and can be harmful.


Medicines can improve health in a number of ways. Vaccines can help prevent diseases such as polio, measles, mumps, and chicken pox. Antibiotics can cure infections such as strep throat and ear infections. Pain relievers can help lessen aches and pains. Some people take medicines regularly to control conditions such as diabetes, allergies, asthma, and heart disease.


Scientists who work for drug companies are always looking for new, more effective medicines. They find new medicines in plants, animals, and minerals, and they make new medicines from chemicals. Before a new medicine can be sold, however, it must be approved by the government. Scientists who work for the government test every new medicine to make sure it is safe and effective. It takes years of testing before a new medicine can be sold.


Career: Pharmacologist


What They Do

Pharmacologists are scientists who study the effects of drugs, chemicals, and other substances on people and animals.

They study the ways new drugs work in the body. They determine the best way to administer a medicine, the most effective dosage, and the kinds of side effects a medicine might produce.


Education and Training

Pharmacologists have four-year degrees in science and earn doctorates in pharmacology.

People who want to enter this field should take biology, chemistry, math, and computer science in school. Pharmacologists must also be able to write and speak well to report on their research.


What are prescription medicines?


You go to the doctor with a sore throat. The doctor examines you, makes a diagnosis, and gives you a prescription. Your parent or another adult then takes the prescription to a pharmacist. Following the orders from the doctor, the pharmacist prepares the prescription for you.


Prescription medicines are medicines that can be bought only with an order from a doctor. They are strong and can be harmful if they are not taken correctly. That's why a doctor must decide who should take them. The doctor also decides how much of the medicine should be taken and for how long it should be taken.


A doctor considers many things about you before writing a prescription. These things include your age, weight, other medicines you take, and any health problems or allergies you might have.


Your doctor writes your prescription with only you in mind. that's why it's dangerous to take a prescription medicine meant for someone else, even if you both have the same health problem. for example, you and your older sister might have the same allergy. The name of the medicine on both of your prescriptions might be the same. But because she is older and weighs more than you do, her medicine could be stronger than yours. If you take her medicine, you might take more than is safe for you.


The labels on prescription medicines contain the patient's name and doctor's name, the name of the drug, the amount to take, and how often to take it. The labels also give special directions such as "Do not take on an empty stomach." They may also have storage directions such as "Keep away from light."


WARNING: Look for these stickers on prescription medicines. They give important information about how to use and store medicines so that they are safe and effective:


What are over-the-counter medicines?


You have a headache. It seems minor, so you probably don't need to see a doctor. Your parent or guardian gives you an over-the-counter pain reliever. Over-the-counter medicines (OTC medicines) are medicines that can be bought without prescriptions. OTC medicines usually treat minor health problems. They are for short-term use. Cough medicines, laxatives, nasal sprays, and pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, are examples of OTC medicines.


OTC medicines are easy to buy. But like prescription drugs, they can be harmful if you take too much, use them too often, or use them for the wrong reasons. It's important to use them carefully.


The label on an over-the-counter medicine gives you a lot of important information. It tells you what the medicine treats and how to take it. The label also tells you the length of time to take the medicine and warns that some people should not take the medicine. For example, an aspirin label might say, "Children or teens should not use this medicine for chicken pox or flu symptoms."


Because OTC medicines can harm you if they are used incorrectly, never decide on your own to take them. Tell an adult if you don't feel well.


Sometimes you will find that you really don't need medicine. For example, you don't always need a pain reliever for a headache. Sometimes simply drinking a glass of water or taking some time to relax can cure a headache.


You can find many kinds of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines in drugstores and supermarkets. They include pain relievers, nasal sprays, eye drops, cough syrups, and acne creams.


How do medicines affect the body?


Medicines come in many forms. Some are ointments rubbed on the skin. Others are drops placed in the eyes or nose, or liquids that are injected. Most medicines, however, are pills or liquids that are swallowed. From the mouth they go to the stomach and intestines, where they enter the bloodstream. Then they are carried to all parts of the body.


Different medicines have different effects. Some medicines open passages in the lungs to help people breathe more easily.

People with asthma use these medicines. Other medicines control the level of sugar in the blood. People with diabetes use these.


Medicines can also have side effects. Side effects are unwanted reactions to a medicine. For example, the medicine you take for an allergy may clear up your runny nose, but it can also make you sleepy. Most side effects are not serious. But if you ever feel strange after taking a medicine, tell a parent or another adult.


Medicines can also produce unexpected allergic reactions. An allergic reaction occurs when someone is sensitive to a certain medicine. Common medicines such as aspirin and penicillin are safe for most people. But they can be dangerous for those who are allergic to them.


DRUG INFORMATION

DRUG: MOXACIN PENICILLINS-ORAL


USES: Penicillins are antibiotics used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections.


HOW TO TAKE THIS MEDICATION: This medication may be taken without food. Shake well before using. Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Do this by taking the medication at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day and night. Continue to take this medication until the full prescribed amount is finished, even it symptoms disappear after a few days.

Stopping the medication too early may allow bacteria to continue to grow, resulting in a recurrence of the infection.


SIDE EFFECTS: This medication may cause stomach upset, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting during the first few days as your body adjusts to the medication. If these symptoms persist or become severe, inform your doctor.

Notify your doctor immediately if an allergic reaction occurs while taking this medication.

Symptoms include difficulty breathing, skin rash, hives, or itching.


PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor if you have any other illnesses or any allergies, especially to penicillin or other antibiotics.

NOTE: This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another infection or give it to someone else.


MISSED DOSE:

If you should miss a dose, take it as soon as remembered unless it is almost time for the next dose. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed dose.


STORAGE: Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.


REMEMBER...Medicines can help you stay healthy if you use them correctly. They can be harmful if you use them incorrectly.


CLOSING (Evaluate)


Standard(s)

HE5.1a - recognize the relationship between healthy behaviors and disease prevention

HE5.1b - describe and apply the basic personal health concepts of healthy eating and physical activity

HE5.1c - describe and apply the basic health concept of mental and emotional well-being

HE5.1d - describe and apply the basic health concept of personal hygiene and safety

HE5.1e - distinguish the short and long-term physical effects of use and/or misuse of substances

HE5.1f - identify trusted adults and when it might be important to seek health care or emergency help for themselves or others

HE5.1g - identify the changes that occur during puberty

HE5.1h - distinguish between tattling, reporting aggression, bullying, cyberbullying, and violence (physical and/or sexual) and how to report these instances

HE5.1i - identify strategies to avoid physical fighting and violence

HE5.2a - evaluate the influence of family and peers on personal health behaviors and decisions

HE5.2b - describe how the school and community can support personal health practices and behaviors

HE5.2c - explain how media/technology influences thoughts, feelings, and health behaviors

HE5.3a - identify characteristics of valid health information, products, and services

HE5.3b - access resources from home, school, and community that provide valid health information

HE5.3c - assess the characteristics of valid health information, products, and services

HE5.4a - apply effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills to enhance health

HE5.4b - model effective nonviolent strategies to manage or resolve conflicts

HE5.4c - demonstrate how to ask for assistance to enhance personal health and the health of others

HE5.5a - identify health-related situations that might require a thoughtful decision

HE5.5b - list healthy options and possible consequences to a health-related issue or problem

HE5.5c - predict the potential outcomes of each option when making a health-related decision

HE5.5d - analyze when assistance is needed in making a health-related decision

HE5.5e - choose a healthy option when making a decision

HE5.5f - describe the outcomes of a health-related decision

HE5.6a - set a personal health goal and track progress toward its achievement

HE5.6b - identify and utilize resources to assist in achieving a personal health goal

HE5.7a - practice responsible personal health choices

HE5.7b - demonstrate a variety of healthy practices and behaviors to preserve or enhance personal health

HE5.7c - model a variety of behaviors that prevent or decrease health risks to self and/or others

HE5.8a - review accurate information and develop an opinion about a health issue

HE5.8b - advocate for positive health choices


Essential Question(s)


Big Idea(s)


RESOURCES / INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS


DCSD Board-Approved Instruction Materials


Technology