INTRODUCTION

Betel nuts are the fruit of the areca palm (name: areca catechu, family, palmaceae) which grows in tropical environments. The palm is indigenous to India and the South Pacific, but apparently can be grown in many other warm locations. The nut is most typically used in the form of a betel liquid, in which powdered betel nut is combine with tobacco, betel leaves, lime, and various flavorings such as fennel seed.

The quid is placed between the cheek and gum and remains for an extended time, sometimes overnight. Betel is believed by users to be a mild stimulant, which produces an increased awareness of ones surroundings. There is little documented evidence of significant psychoactive properties of betel, but its use is believed by many to be addictive psychologically.

Every individual has his/her own vices. Vices that cannot be avoided because it is related and its part of our culture. More people today have different beliefs, ideas on how they will perform their own culture in order to established their own groups. Any groups makes their own identity thats why they want to create their own subculture to be free for what they want. They can do all the

things that they want to do in order to be happy and to forget all the worries and problems that they have in their selves. More people do not know the effects of their vices to their health. Thats why these are hard for them to evade.

As we know that more places in our country the common vices is (NGANGA) betel chewing. This practices or vices is a form of social interaction for the groups that their really like is to performed it on their everyday life. Sometimes it can help to healed a stomach aches and wounds by means of terms BUGA. But aside from the benefits of chewing betel, it also have many side effects to the person who always chew betel. Some people really wants to chewed it with no doubt in their selves. They felt comfortable because for them it will help to increase their capacity to work. They do not know that capability of this vices to be a caused of many diseases. They do not know the bad impact on it to their health. Thats why they should be aware to the many unexpected health problem that will be happen and should know how to control it in order to be safe and have a long life.

More people in our different places especially Agta was performed this kind of vices. They are very die hard to chew Betelnut. They have their own identity to be part of this kind of practice because it is their nature to perform it on their everyday life. They were never failed to chew betel after meals and before bedtime in order to get a goodnights sleep and to be relaxed. They were chewed

it for stress reduction, feelings of well-being, and to be heightened their awareness. They believed that because of chewing Betelnut it will help to healed some problems like stomach ache, wounds and not serious skin diseases. Also through this kind of vices, they believed that will help their members who suffered from the other not very serious skin diseases like wounds even if they do not know the big impact or the many associated health problems caused of habitual chewing betelnut.

OBJECTIVES

This research paper aims to Know the nature of betel chewing. Determine the impact of it to the health of human beings. Identify the different oral cancers caused of chewing betel palm. Find out the other diseases of Betel Chewing. Prevent the diseases caused of Chewing Betel.

RATIONALE

The purpose of these research is to know the Nature of betel chewing to the life of human beings. How does it affects to the health of every chewers and because of this we will find out the impacts on it to the person who totally addict chewing betel palm. Through this study, we will determine the variety of health problems regarding betel chewing. For us to have a wide and deep understanding how all problems can be avoided in order to maintain our good and healthy body. It also help us to have a meaningful life in order to being safe our life from any diseases and danger that will be happen to us.

CONTENT

BETEL CHEWING TERMS

Dan Rooney, in her publication on Betel Chewing Traditions in Southeast Asia for Oxford University Press, lists regional terms for the betel leaf, areca nut and lime from Burma, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, but offers none for the Philippines.

Other than the aforementioned terms for the betel chew and its components, a look through some Filipino English dictionaries revealed the words : ikmo (piper betel; betel leaf pepper); dahon ng ikmo (betel leaf), ilemong may apog (betel leaf with lime); ikmuhan (land planted to ikmo); ikmuhan (to supply with ikmo) mangikmo (planter or dealer in ikmo). These are just the Tagalog (which is the national language) terms. Besides those already mentioned, theses are various regional terms in use or formerly used throughout Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

Western influence and modern day hygiene have more or less obliterated the chewing of betel in urbanized areas of the Philippines. There are

doctors who believe the practive may contribute to mouth and throat cancer, cause plague if not discolor and rot the teeth. It no longer takes a chew of the buyo to redden the lips of a maiden. Tea or coffee is the favourite drink of the day to aid digestion after dinner. Alcohol and its derivatives is what loosens up the tongue and helps shed inhibitions at intimate gatherings to the sophisticated man or woman, lighting up a cigarette (not withstanding the surgeon generals warnings) is the customary way to relax. The nervous individual may pop a tranquilizer to de stress or to induce sleep.

THE BETEL NUT: An Emerging Public Health Threat?

Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral mucosa is the most common malignant tumor of the oral cavity, tongue, pharynx, and larynx. Globally, oral carcinoma is the sixth most common cancer. Numerous epidemiologic studies have found an association between the use of betel and various oral cancers.

Concurrent tobacco and alcohol use are common factors that increase the risk of cancer from betel quid. One study found that the incidence of oral cancer was 123 times higher among patients who chewed betel quid than among abstainers. Other studies have found an association between the use of betel and infection with human papilloma virus, which may exacerbate the nuts carcinogenic properties.

Thirty five percent of all cancers occurring in persons living on the Indian subcontinent are oral carcinomas. Further, studies have found oral cancers to be prevalent among young women in India, who use betel but tradionally do not smoke tobacco products.

BETEL CHEWING IN THE COUNTRY SIDE

Just outside of Manila, going to north to Bulacan is a town called Pulilan where he encountered some diehard adherents to the chew. One of them was the 68 year old lady of the house who was celebrating her birthday. She never failed to chew betel after meals and before bedtime in order to get a goodnights sllep. After lunch, she brought out a tin can containing her leavers, split nuts and lime paste. Placing the nuts with a dab of lime and wrapping this with a leaf, she pounded the concoction in her almirez (a kitchen sized mortar and pestle) added a slice of fragrant chewing tobacco and popped the titbit into her mouth. This practice would be caused why she was suffered with some Oral diseases. Aside of she had a red stained teeth. The skin of her check becomes hard as a brick. Her mouth becomes unable to open because of her habitual chewing. This condition according to the specialist doctor in Oral Health is called Oral Submucous fibrosis which frequently leads to mouth cancer. It is caused of the permanent cell changes in her mouth tissues. Based from the expert in Oral Cancer, long term use of betel has been associated with with Oral Submucous fibrosis (OSF), pre cancerous oral lesions (mouth wounds), and Squamous Cell Carcinoma (Cancer). Acute effects of this practice includes worsening of asthma, low blood pressure and rapid heartbeat.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

1. What is betel chewing? 2. How does it affects to the health of human beings? 3. What are the Oral Cancers caused of betel chewing? 4. What are the diseases caused of betel chewing? 5. How to prevent diseases caused of betel chewing?

FINDINGS
Betel Nut health benefit and risk of chewing, side effects by Ray Sahelian, M.D. Information on chewing areta catechu

Betel nut side effects can occur with daily use for several years

Betel nut (areca catechu) is a psychoactive drug of the Asian continent, popular in the South Pacific islands, Southeast Asia, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Betel is chewed in New Zealand and Australia by immigrants from India now dwelling in these countries. Betel nut has been used extensively since antiquity. People chew it for stress reduction, feelings of well-being, and heightened awareness. It contains three major alkaloids: arecoline, pilocarpine, and muscarine. Betel nut chewing is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Risk of betel nut chewing

Betel nut is chewed regularly by at least 10% of the world population, imported by immigrant users wherever they settle, and is the fourth most widely used

addictive substance. It is thought, by users, to soothe the digestion and to be a stimulant and its use has a major role in social situations. Specific arecal alkaloids act as competitive inhibitors of GABA receptors and have widespread effects in the body, including actions on the brain, cardiovascular system, lungs, gut and pancreas. Nitrosated derivatives of arecal alkaloids, proven carcinogens inducing tumors throughout the upper gut and foregut derivatives in animals, are also associated with increased tumor risks in man. Increased central obesity is found in association with betel usage in man as well as increases in circulating markers of inflammatory and cardiovascular damage. The effects of chronic betel usage in man are at least as diverse as those of smoking and the habit increases the risks of ill health.

Betel Nut and Oral Cancer

Betel quid chewing is a strong independent risk factor for pharyngeal cancer (cancer of the back of the throat), but not laryngeal cancer (cancer of the voice box), according to findings published in the International Journal of Cancer. Chewing betel quid, which consists of betel leaf from the Piper betle vine, is popular in many parts of Asia. Betel quid is chewed for its stimulant effects, to satisfy hunger and as a social and cultural practice.

Breast cancer

Mutat Res. 2010. Betel quid chewing as an environmental risk factor for breast cancer. Institute of Pathology, ICMR, Safdarjung Hospital Campus, New Delhi, India. Northeast region of India shows high incidence of tobacco-related cancer with widespread consumption of betel quid and tobacco in different forms. Our study suggests betel quid chewing as a significant risk factor for developing breast cancer.

Betel Nut side effects

Excessive use leads to palpitations, warm sensation, increased pulse rate, sweating, . Prolonged use for many years may increase the risk for oral cancers. The regular use of betel will, in time, stain the mucosa, gums, and teeth. Betel nut is not recommended for those with heart conditions.

Betel Nut chewing and transgenerational effect

Exposure to paternal betel quid chewing increases the risk of early manifestation of metabolic syndrome x in human offspring in a dose-dependent manner.

Betel chewing and heart disease

Betel-quid chewing is a contributory cause of metabolic syndrome in humans, which implies a greater likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease among those with the betel habit. Betel quid ( Areca catechu ) is used by close to 10% of the world's population. Betel quid use is associated with the metabolic syndrome, a risk factor for heart disease. At least one study has shown that Betel-quid use is independently associated with heart disease. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 85, No. 5, 1229-1235, May 2007.

Compounds in Betel nut and their physiological effects

Betel nut is chewed regularly by at least 10% of the world population, imported by immigrant users wherever they settle, and is one of the top most

widely used addictive substance. It is thought to soothe the digestion and to be a stimulant and its use has a major role in social situations. Specific arecal alkaloids act as competitive inhibitors of GABA receptors and have widespread effects in the body, including actions on the brain, cardiovascular system, lungs, gut and pancreas. Nitrosated derivatives of arecal alkaloids, proven carcinogens inducing tumours throughout the upper gut and foregut derivatives in animals, are also associated with increased tumour risks in man. Increased central obesity is found in association with betel usage in man as well as increases in circulating markers of inflammatory and cardiovascular damage. The effects of chronic betel usage in man are at least as diverse as those of smoking and the habit increases the risks of ill health. Betel nut contains three major alkaloids: arecoline, pilocarpine, and muscarine.

Betel Nut research

There's a link between increased betel nut quid nut production and consumption and a substantial rise in the incidence of head and neck cancers among Taiwanese men, says a National Taiwan University Hospital study.

Betel chewing has been claimed to produce a sense of well-being, euphoria, heightened alertness, sweating, salivation, a hot sensation in the body

and increased capacity to work. Betel chewing also leads to habituation, addiction and withdrawal. However, the mechanisms underlying these effects remain poorly understood.

Immediate and Short-Term Effects

The immediate side effects of chewing a quid of betel nut is a satisfying buzz. A warm sensation spreads through the body, the heart rate spikes, the blood's sugar level is altered and the user begins to sweat. Upset stomachs are soothed by the betel nut's juice, and the breath smells fresher. Short-term effects will present themselves after several days of use, including confusion, difficulty walking, panic attacks and forgetfulness. After several days of use, betel nut chewers will notice their teeth and gums turning orange.

The Betel Nut: An Emerging Public Health Threat?

Betel nuts are the fruit of the areca palm (name: areca catechu, family: palmaceae) which grows in tropical environments. The palm is indigenous to India and the South Pacific, but apparently can be grown in many other warm locations including Florida and California. The nut is most typically used in the

form of a "betel quid," in which powdered betel nut is combined with tobacco, betel leaves, lime, and various flavorings such as fennel seed. The quid is placed between the cheek and gum and remains for an extended time, sometimes overnight. Betel is believed by users to be a mild stimulant, which produces an increased awareness of one's surroundings. There is little documented evidence of significant psychoactive properties of betel, but its use is believed by many to be addictive psychologically. Betel nut has three major alkaloids: arecoline, pilocarpine, and muscarine. Betel nut chewing is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral mucosa is the most common malignant tumor of the oral cavity, tongue, pharynx, and larynx. Globally, oral carcinoma is the sixth most common cancer. Numerous epidemiologic studies have found an association between the use of betel and various oral cancers.

Epidemiologic evidence indicates that many oral cancers are easily preventable through primary prevention efforts and early detection. Rapid response in the form of increased screening and regulation may be able to head off this potential public health threat.

These results suggest that betel chewing mainly affects the central and autonomic nervous systems. Future studies should investigate both the acute and chronic effects of betel chewing. Such studies may further elucidate the psychoactive mechanisms responsible for the undiminished popularity of betel chewing since antiquity.

Betel nut chewing has been linked to a variety of health problems including oral lesions of leukoplakia, submucosal fibrosis, squamous cell carcinoma and periodontal disease, albuminuria in diabetic patients, disruption of gastric mucosal barriers, aggravation of asthma, induction of extrapyramidal syndrome, milk-alkali syndrome (in a case report), induction of uterine cervical dysplasia, cancers of the esophagus and liver, and low birth weight of babies born to mothers chewing betel nut. In more recent population-based studies in Taiwan, betel nut chewing is also associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension, and total and cerebrovascular deaths.

Betel nut use refers to a combination of three ingredients: the nut of the betel palm (Areca catechu), part of the Piper betel vine and lime. Anecdotal reports have indicated that small doses generally lead to euphoria and increased flow of energy while large doses often result in sedation. Although all three ingredients may contribute to these effects, most experts attribute the psychoactive effects to the alkaloids found in betel nuts.

Betel nut is reportedly used by a substantial portion of the world's population as a recreational drug due to its stimulant activity. Found originally in tropical southern Asia, betel nut has been introduced to the communities of east Africa, Madagascar, and the West Indies. There is little evidence to support the clinical use of betel nut, but the constituents have demonstrated pharmacological actions. The main active component, the alkaloid arecoline, has potent cholinergic activity.

Constituents of betel nut are potentially carcinogenic. Long-term use has been associated with oral submucous fibrosis (OSF), pre-cancerous oral lesions (mouth wounds), and squamous cell carcinoma (cancer). Acute effects of betel chewing include worsening of asthma, low blood pressure, and rapid heart beat.

CONCLUSIONS
Based on the findings, the researcher concluded: Betel nut chewing has been claimed to produce a sense of well being, euphoria, heightened alertness, sweating, salivation, a hot sensation in the body and increased capacity to work. Betel chewing leads to habituation, addiction and withdrawal. Betel chewing has a bad impact to the health of every users/chewers. Habitual chewing on it has been linked to a variety of health problems including:

oral lessons of luekoplakia,

o submucosal fibrosis, o squamous cell carcinoma and periodontal disease, o Albuminuria in diabetic patients, o disruption of gastric mucosal barriers, o aggravation of asthma, o induction of uterine cervical dysplasia,

o cancers of the esophagus and liver, o low birth weight of babies born to mothers chewing betel nut.

Betel nut chewing is also associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Through primary prevention efforts and early detection, the oral cancers caused of betelnut chewing are easily be preventable.

RECOMMENDATIONS
From the evidences gathered, the following recommendations are given: Human beings should know that chewing betel nut habitually will cause to a variety of health problems. Chewers/users should control or avoid chewing Betel nut. Human beings should know that through primary prevention efforts and early detection, the oral cancers caused of Betelnut chewing are easily be preventable. The researcher recommended that human beings should be aware to the different diseases caused of betel nut chewing. The researcher recommended that future investigator continue to improve the said study.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Awake by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of the Philippines, Inc. Medical and Health Annual Encyclopedia of Knowledge, Groiler Incorporated, Danbury, Connecticut Websters Universal Dictionary and Thesaurus http://www.raysahelian.com/betelnut.html http://thefreelibrary.com http://www.watchtower.org Arecoline. Retrieved May 4, 2009. from http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=2230 Takeshima, T.; Takeuchi, H.; Egawa, T.; Konaka, S. Journal of Molecular Structure 2005, 734, 15-22. Molecular structure and nicotinic activity of arecoline. A gas electron diffraction study combined with theoretical calculations. Wang, Chin-Kun; Lee, Wen-Hsiu Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 1996, 44 (8), 2014-2019. Separation, Characteristics, and Biological Activities of Phenolics in Areca Fruit DOI: 10.1021/jf950611o DOI: 10.1021/jf950611o research log Arecoline Boosting in Sports. Retrieved May 4, 2009. from http://www.steroidsrx.com/Articles/Arecoline_Boosting.cfm Cultural Practices at Invasive.org. Retrieved May 4, 2009. from http://www.invasive.org/browse/detail.cfm?imgnum=4723021 Submucosal Fibrosis by DrBaltu. Retrieved May 3, 2009. from http://www.drtbalu.com/submu_fib.html

CURRICULUM VITAE

LENELYN S. JUNIO Brgy. Anoling, Gen. Nakar, Quezon Mobile No. 09308264064

PERSONAL DATA

Date of Birth: Place of Birth : Age: Gender: Religion: Height: Weight: Fathers Name: Occupation: Mothers Name: Occupation:

July 17, 1988 Anoling, Gen. Nakar, Quezon 23 yo Female Catholic 54 45 kgs. Melvin S. Junio Carpenter Marilyn S. Junio Housewife

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Tertiary Northern Quezon College, Inc Bachelor of Elementary Education March 2012

Secondary Paaralang Sekundarya ng Heneral Nakar 2004

Primary Mababang Paaralan ng Heneral Nakar 2000

I hereby certify that the above information are true to the best of my belief.

LENELYN S. JUNIO

NORTHERN QUEZON COLLEGE, INC Brgy. Comon, Infanta, Quezon

DISEASES CAUSED OF BETELNUT CHEWING TO THE HEALTH OF HUMAN BEINGS

In Partial Fulfillment of the requirements in Social Dimensions of Education

Presented to: Dr. Nenita B. Rutaquio

Submitted by: LENELYN S. JUNIO

March 2012

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. II.

Introduction Rationale

1-3 4 5 6-9 10 11-19 20-21 22 23 24-25

III. Objectives IV. Content V. Statement of the problem VI. Findings VII. Conclusions VIII. Recommendations IX. Bibliography X. Curriculum Vitae