According to CBC news on June 20, Saudi MERS outbreak shows SARS-like symptoms and MERS coronavirus is a high attack rate virus. MERS stands for Middle East respiratory syndrome. Symptoms of MERS infection include renal failure and severe acute pneumonia which often cause death. MERS erupted this spring in four hospitals in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, and now it becomes more serious than spring.
MERS has the close symptoms like SARS which outbreak in 2003 and infected more than 8400 people over 31 countries, killing at least 916 people. The other same feature between these two diseases is they are all contagious in hospital and difficult to diagnosis. Scientists said if MERS contagious earlier in the course of illness, it will be hard to treat. MERS is contagious in hospital,so it is a challenge for health professionals. The reason is many patients stay in hospital and they have compromised immune system. Patients will be easy to infect this virus. Doctors and nurses look after many patients everyday, and they have a high risk of getting the disease and transmit to their patients. The best way to control infection is washing hands. Most of the virus will be eliminated by hand hygiene.
Traveling is other way to transmit virus. If people go to Saudi, they need to be caution of their healthy. If they feel uncomfortable, they are better to see the doctor as early as they can. Making sure hand hygiene is also important when people travel. If people get MERS, they may need to be isolated in hospital for treatment.
I believed the World Health Organization will do better this time than SARS outbreak because they have some experiences.
2013/06/20
E-cigarettes
According to CBC news on June 18, people concerned about the safety for e-cigarettes. As we all known, smoking is bad for people’s health and can cause lung cancer and heart disease. People tried many ways to quit smoking, one of the methods was using e-cigarettes. As e-cigarettes grow in popularity, some health professionals suggested that e-cigarettes needed to be regulated.
E-cigarettes are battery devices which use a liquid-filled cartridge that contain different flavours such as mint and vanilla. Some e-cigarettes may contain nicotine. This kind of device was not authorized by Health Canada, but some people buy them at online store or flea markets. Health professionals concerned about the safety of the device, the main issues is whether e-cigarettes meet manufacturing and regulatory inspection standards, for example the company should make sure e-cigarettes do not explode and cause burns. If e-cigarettes contain nicotine, they need to be compared with the risk from regular cigarettes.
As I known, some nicotine products can help people quit smoking, such as nicotine patch or gum. Nicotine patch need to be changed every day and it works very well. In my opinion, the best way to stop smoking is people’s motivation. If a person really want to quit smoking, he/she will control himself/herself. If a person does not want to quit smoking, even though what method he/she uses, the results will not be satisfied. We can persuade our family members or friends quitting smoking and we can help them if they need helps.
In conclusion, using scientifically proven methods such as nicotine replacement patches or gums instead of e-cigarettes is good and safe for people’s health.
E-cigarettes are battery devices which use a liquid-filled cartridge that contain different flavours such as mint and vanilla. Some e-cigarettes may contain nicotine. This kind of device was not authorized by Health Canada, but some people buy them at online store or flea markets. Health professionals concerned about the safety of the device, the main issues is whether e-cigarettes meet manufacturing and regulatory inspection standards, for example the company should make sure e-cigarettes do not explode and cause burns. If e-cigarettes contain nicotine, they need to be compared with the risk from regular cigarettes.
As I known, some nicotine products can help people quit smoking, such as nicotine patch or gum. Nicotine patch need to be changed every day and it works very well. In my opinion, the best way to stop smoking is people’s motivation. If a person really want to quit smoking, he/she will control himself/herself. If a person does not want to quit smoking, even though what method he/she uses, the results will not be satisfied. We can persuade our family members or friends quitting smoking and we can help them if they need helps.
In conclusion, using scientifically proven methods such as nicotine replacement patches or gums instead of e-cigarettes is good and safe for people’s health.
2013/06/19
Chinese culture influences cancer patients (part 2)
The Chinese healing focuses on Ying and Yang,which seek balance and harmony within the body. It’s in complete accordance with the term “homeostasis” in modern western medicine which describes the balance of all physiological processes. The Chinese people believe that many diseases such as cancer and autoimmune disorders are related to the loss of balance between Ying and Yang which compromises the bodily functions. This is also reflected in some theories in the western medicine, such as decreased immune surveillance gives neoplastic cells the opportunities to become cancerous. In this sense, there is very little difference between the view of cancer in Chinese culture and that in the modern western medicine. However, when it comes to cancer care, these two systems do not always share the same approaches.
In the hospitals of North America, doctors typically communicate directly with the patients about his or her conditions and provide detailed information on the benefits and risks of different treatment regimens. The patient usually has a complete grasp of the situation and is one of the main decision makers during the treatment process. However, in Chinese culture, doctors, nurses, and family member tend to keep the patient “out of the loop” by hiding much information, especially the grave news, from him/her. Even if it is decided that the patient should be informed of real situation, the communication is typically done between the family members and the patient, but not directly from the doctor .
Interestingly, despite being a taboo topic in Chinese culture, the diagnosis of cancer is usually received well the by patients themselves, and hysteria or deep depression is rarely observed. This also stems from the ancient Chinese culture. For example, Confucianism views death as a preservation of virtue and Buddhism believes in reincarnation, where a new life will occur after death . From the evolution point of view, death is part of the life circle, and it is a necessary process to ensure the variety of the genetics which allow us to adapt to the ever changing environment without overwhelming the earth with exploding population. Cancer is just one of the natural processes to enforce the life circle and is of little fundament difference from other forms of death.
In the hospitals of North America, doctors typically communicate directly with the patients about his or her conditions and provide detailed information on the benefits and risks of different treatment regimens. The patient usually has a complete grasp of the situation and is one of the main decision makers during the treatment process. However, in Chinese culture, doctors, nurses, and family member tend to keep the patient “out of the loop” by hiding much information, especially the grave news, from him/her. Even if it is decided that the patient should be informed of real situation, the communication is typically done between the family members and the patient, but not directly from the doctor .
Interestingly, despite being a taboo topic in Chinese culture, the diagnosis of cancer is usually received well the by patients themselves, and hysteria or deep depression is rarely observed. This also stems from the ancient Chinese culture. For example, Confucianism views death as a preservation of virtue and Buddhism believes in reincarnation, where a new life will occur after death . From the evolution point of view, death is part of the life circle, and it is a necessary process to ensure the variety of the genetics which allow us to adapt to the ever changing environment without overwhelming the earth with exploding population. Cancer is just one of the natural processes to enforce the life circle and is of little fundament difference from other forms of death.
Chinese culture influences cancer patients (part 1)
Decades into modern medical cares, with incredible improvement in medicines, diagnostic methods, and medical devices, the average life-expectancy in developed countries has dramatically extended. Many lethal diseases, especially infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, hepatitis, and pneumonia can now be easily treated or prevented and are no long regarded as major threats to public health. Moreover, the research of human genetics and molecular and cellular biology has not only helped us to understand in much depth the driving force of life, aging, illness, and death, but also led to the discovery of innumerable diagnostic tests and medicines. However, just as exciting as it was when the human genome was decoded, we also desperately realized that aging and death are the inevitable course of life. Immortality only exists in the distant future, if not just in fictions.
Death can come in many forms, but nothing is as dreadful as cancer, a rather complex disease related to aging and mutation of one’s own body. A cancer can quietly lurker for many years or even decades before becoming life threatening, but it can also come so robustly and roaring and claim a life within a few weeks. Regardless of the origin or form of cancer, it is a term equal to death sentence to most people.
As one of the countries with the longest history of medicine and medical care, China has developed a broad and profound culture related to disease and decease. There are a multitude of pluralistic religions in the Chinese culture, such as Daoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism, each having its own views of life and death. Deeply influenced by these religions and beliefs, the Chinese have developed distinct thinking patterns, world views, and lifestyle than those of the western culture . Many Chinese people even believe in the traditional Chinese medicines more than western medicines when it comes to treatment of complex diseases such as cancer.
Death can come in many forms, but nothing is as dreadful as cancer, a rather complex disease related to aging and mutation of one’s own body. A cancer can quietly lurker for many years or even decades before becoming life threatening, but it can also come so robustly and roaring and claim a life within a few weeks. Regardless of the origin or form of cancer, it is a term equal to death sentence to most people.
As one of the countries with the longest history of medicine and medical care, China has developed a broad and profound culture related to disease and decease. There are a multitude of pluralistic religions in the Chinese culture, such as Daoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism, each having its own views of life and death. Deeply influenced by these religions and beliefs, the Chinese have developed distinct thinking patterns, world views, and lifestyle than those of the western culture . Many Chinese people even believe in the traditional Chinese medicines more than western medicines when it comes to treatment of complex diseases such as cancer.
2013/06/18
Eating habit relates children’s health
On Jun 17, CBC released a piece of news which tile was pay attention to how children eat, not just what. As we all known, nutrition is crucial for children’s health,so parents are focus on food choices for their children. According to the new study, children’s health is not only relate to what they eat, but also how they eat.
This new research stated that eating behaviours of preschoolers, such as watching TV while having dinner can lead to elevated cholesterol levels that could put kids at risk for cardiovascular disease in future life. Children aged from three to five who with poor eating behaviours had higher blood-cholesterol readings than children who had healthier eating hehaviours. If parents teach their children healthy eating habits, child will be healthier in later life. Some bad eating habits include eating while watching TV, eating in front of computers, and snacking on fluids like juice that can make kids feeling full at mealtime.
To solve this problem, parents can try to make mealtimes fun. For example,only present healthy food to children and exhibit good dietary habits like taking lots of vegetables. In this way, parents can promote healthy eating in children. Creative presentation of food can improve children’s eating habits, such as cutting vegetables into interesting shapes.
Targeting preschool children is very important because this group is usually neglected. Studies showed that in older children, elevated cholesterol levels are associated both with the later risk of heart attacks and strokes. If we try to intervene and promote healthy eating behaviours in preschool children group, their health will be promoted later on.
This new research stated that eating behaviours of preschoolers, such as watching TV while having dinner can lead to elevated cholesterol levels that could put kids at risk for cardiovascular disease in future life. Children aged from three to five who with poor eating behaviours had higher blood-cholesterol readings than children who had healthier eating hehaviours. If parents teach their children healthy eating habits, child will be healthier in later life. Some bad eating habits include eating while watching TV, eating in front of computers, and snacking on fluids like juice that can make kids feeling full at mealtime.
To solve this problem, parents can try to make mealtimes fun. For example,only present healthy food to children and exhibit good dietary habits like taking lots of vegetables. In this way, parents can promote healthy eating in children. Creative presentation of food can improve children’s eating habits, such as cutting vegetables into interesting shapes.
Targeting preschool children is very important because this group is usually neglected. Studies showed that in older children, elevated cholesterol levels are associated both with the later risk of heart attacks and strokes. If we try to intervene and promote healthy eating behaviours in preschool children group, their health will be promoted later on.
Pay attention to sibling fights
CBC news posted a news which is sibling fights compared to school sibling on June 17. After reading this piece of news, I wanted to share some of my thoughts. I agreed with the writer’s opinion because sibling fights might be associated with psychological damage.
Pediatrics did a research in the U.S. about sibling fights between aged one month to seventeen years. The result revealed that about thirty-two percent of children and teens said that they had experienced sibling fights in the past years. Caregivers of kids gave three types of sibling aggression which is physical assault, property victimization and psychological aggression. Physical assault is children hitting or kicking by his/her siblings without weapon or injure. Property victimization means that children’s belongings are stolen or broken by siblings. Psychological aggression includes saying things to make siblings feel bad, scared or not wanted around.
I had experience about psychological aggression cause by my cousin. I still can remember that he said I were silly and he did not want to play game with me. During a period of time, I felt so bad and I were isolated by my cousin. When I grew up, I tried to forgive him and my parents said my cousin was young at that time, so his words should not be correct. Actually, this memory is still in my head and it is hard to deal with the feelings. Parents should try their best to prevent siblings fight because the small fights may cause psychological damage and it may become school bully in future.
All in all, parents and caregivers cannot dismiss aggression between siblings as normal or harmless, because the children’s mental health can be effect in a negative way. Finding sibling aggression in early phase and prevent it is good for children’s mental development and their future lives.
Pediatrics did a research in the U.S. about sibling fights between aged one month to seventeen years. The result revealed that about thirty-two percent of children and teens said that they had experienced sibling fights in the past years. Caregivers of kids gave three types of sibling aggression which is physical assault, property victimization and psychological aggression. Physical assault is children hitting or kicking by his/her siblings without weapon or injure. Property victimization means that children’s belongings are stolen or broken by siblings. Psychological aggression includes saying things to make siblings feel bad, scared or not wanted around.
I had experience about psychological aggression cause by my cousin. I still can remember that he said I were silly and he did not want to play game with me. During a period of time, I felt so bad and I were isolated by my cousin. When I grew up, I tried to forgive him and my parents said my cousin was young at that time, so his words should not be correct. Actually, this memory is still in my head and it is hard to deal with the feelings. Parents should try their best to prevent siblings fight because the small fights may cause psychological damage and it may become school bully in future.
All in all, parents and caregivers cannot dismiss aggression between siblings as normal or harmless, because the children’s mental health can be effect in a negative way. Finding sibling aggression in early phase and prevent it is good for children’s mental development and their future lives.
2013/06/17
Poverty as illness
According to CBC health news, doctors said poverty was an illness and needed to be treated. The Canadian Medical Association made a survey about how poverty affects people’s health. The survey’s result showed that social and economic factors determine fifty percent of health outcomes.
One of the reasons that poverty affects health is the doctors have difficulty when they prescribe medication for the poor. One of the doctor who works at Toronto’s St. Michael’s hospital stated that treating people at low income and a higher income will be different. Some drugs which he can prescribe for the rich but not the poor. For example, if the expensive medication will work better for the disease and people should buy it themselves, the rich people can ask doctor to prescribe it and get treatment, but the poor will ask doctor to prescribe a cheaper one instead of the expensive one. Obviously, the treatment’s outcome will be different.
The other reasons that poverty affects health is people’s lifestyle and their stress level. People who have low income may have worse lifestyle than the rich, for example smoking and drinking. Poor people say smoking is one of the strategies to relieve stress. The rich people may do exercise for relieving stress. The poor may have high calorie food such as fires, burger and can food, but the rich have healthier food such as fresh fruit and vegetable. Lifestyle influences the health status. People belong to low income group may easier develop diabetes and heart disease than the rich. The influences will be continue to affect the children and the children may become unhealth. It is kind of negative effects for many generation.
In conclusion, people should see poverty as illness. If we can improve people’s living conditions, it will be good for them and their next generation.
One of the reasons that poverty affects health is the doctors have difficulty when they prescribe medication for the poor. One of the doctor who works at Toronto’s St. Michael’s hospital stated that treating people at low income and a higher income will be different. Some drugs which he can prescribe for the rich but not the poor. For example, if the expensive medication will work better for the disease and people should buy it themselves, the rich people can ask doctor to prescribe it and get treatment, but the poor will ask doctor to prescribe a cheaper one instead of the expensive one. Obviously, the treatment’s outcome will be different.
The other reasons that poverty affects health is people’s lifestyle and their stress level. People who have low income may have worse lifestyle than the rich, for example smoking and drinking. Poor people say smoking is one of the strategies to relieve stress. The rich people may do exercise for relieving stress. The poor may have high calorie food such as fires, burger and can food, but the rich have healthier food such as fresh fruit and vegetable. Lifestyle influences the health status. People belong to low income group may easier develop diabetes and heart disease than the rich. The influences will be continue to affect the children and the children may become unhealth. It is kind of negative effects for many generation.
In conclusion, people should see poverty as illness. If we can improve people’s living conditions, it will be good for them and their next generation.
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