Essays on Health and Medicine

... the level of the fifth through the eight dorsal vertebrae. The apex of the heart points downwards and forwards to the left and corresponds to the interspace between the fifth and sixth ribs, two inches below the left nipple. Its atrial border corresponds to a line drawn across the sternum on a level with the upper border of the third costal cartilage. Its lower border (apex) corresponds to a line drawn across the lower end of the same bone, near the xiphoid process. Its upper surface is rounded and convex, directed upwards and forwards, and formed mainly by the right ventricle and part of the left ventricle. The posterior surface of the heart is flattened and rests ...

... intrinsic asthma. Intrinsic asthma is usually caused by respiratory infections and emotional upsets. A typical asthma attack begins with coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Some people have dry coughing as the only symptom. Attacks usually last only a couple hours. An attack may happen again in hours to even years after the first attack. Asthma attacks can be treated and prevented by the use of drugs. Albuterol or terbutaline, which can bring relief within minutes, is the usual treatment. The common cold is another disease of the respiratory system. The cold affects the mucous membranes of the nose and throat. It causes nasal congesti ...

... to go into the dining room, but behind the door there is a chair: On the chair is a tray with 15 cups on it. Susan (Jim) doesn't know that all of this is behind the door. She (he) pushes on the door, the door knocks against the tray, and bang, goes the 15 cups! They are all broken. B. A girl (boy) named Mary (Robert) wants to get some candies. But her (his) mother tells her (him) that she (he) can't have any more candies, and she (he) leaves. But Mary (Robert) wants a candy, so she (he) climbs up on a chair and reaches up to the shelf. But she (he) knocks over one cup and it falls on the floor and breaks! Story Pair Two: A. Sarah (Kenny) was playing on her (h ...

... or if done on someone with severe obesity. One is to measure skinfold thickness in several parts of the body. The second involves sending a harmless amount of electric current through a person's body (bioelectric impedance analysis). Both methods are commonly used in health clubs and in commercial weight- loss programs, but results should be viewed skeptically. Because measuring a person's body fat is tricky, doctors often rely on other means to diagnose obesity. Two widely used measurements are weight- for-height tables and body mass index. While both measurements have their limitations, they are reliable indicators that someone may have a weight problem. They are ...

... what alcohol did to them . Alcohol has also been used as a tranquilizer , sedative , stimulant , and as an intoxicant. (History of Alcohol , page 1) Alcohol has played a significant role in religious backgrounds and ceremonies in the past. In Greece there was a god of wine which was named Bacchus. The Romans drank vast amounts of wine and other alcoholic beverages. Wine and beer both have a very long background and or history. Alcohol was used to supposedly relieve stress and the drudgery of day to day life. (History of Alcohol , page1) Gin houses used advertisements like " drinkers can drink for a penny and get dead drunk for two pence " to lure in alcohol ...

... of women who experience pre-eclampsia never get eclampsia-if the blood pressure gets out of hand suddenly, the disease may progress to eclampsia. Eclampsia is pre-eclampsia that has progressed to the point of convulsions and possible coma. Resulting in retardation for the child with lack of oxygenation and other proteins to fetus. A term that must be known is chronic hypertension due to increased pressure in the arteries and often associated with atherosclerosis (collections of fatty substances on the inside wall of the arteries). It is not caused by pregnancy, but may cause problems if a woman with chronic hypertension becomes pregnant. It has an unkno ...

... the muscles to begin to contract and relax at very high intervals.  This is commonly known as shivering.  The production of Adenosine Triphosphate or ATP in the mitochondria of the muscles produces heat.  If the body temperature does not rise immediately after this, then a second function begins. The brain will signal the blood vessels near the skin to constrict or narrow in diameter.  This occurs so the heat deep in the muscles is conserved.  Since the vessels are now smaller in diameter, less blood is needed to fill them.  Since less blood is needed through the vessels, the heart begins to slow.  If the body remains in this slowed state, hypothermia coul ...

... for example, in Europe more companies are subjecting potential personnel to psychological profile checks and psychological tests during interviews. Even our social lives are becoming affected. People who are seeking the right partner are using psychological techniques to establish the emotional state of their potential partners. As psychology becomes more and more accessible and understandable to more people, I feel that it will begin to influence our lifestyles more. From a personal stand point, this has been a very difficult exercise. This is a new area for me, so I have been unable to write from a professional or work experience perspective only ...

... time, I have performed CPR hundreds of times. To date, I have been credited with 39 pre-hospital save awards. These awards are given to emergency personnel who successfully revive patients who have suffered cardiac arrest, outside of the hospital setting. In each of the thirty-nine instances, healthcare professionals, bystanders or family members initiated CPR immediately. Early CPR is one of the most vital links in what is referred to as the cardiac chain of life. The cardiac chain of life is broken down into four vital components. The first is notification of the 911 or emergency medical system. When you see someone collapse, call an ambulance as soon as pos ...

... or preformed by the backroom "professionals"-- which resulted in infection, massive blood loss, and death. It is better now that they have a place to go where abortions can be performed cleanly and with minimal risk. Legalization of abortion is the only choice no matter what side one takes in the debate. Women will try to do what they think is necessary to live as they wish, no matter what the risk. In order to live as she chooses a woman may give up her freedom, her morals, her beliefs, her family, or even her life. Abortion has been around for thousands of years in every inhabited corner of the globe. It has always been accepted as a means to prevent th ...