Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Medicine and health sciences

Teaching Health as a 21st-Century Skill for Children

An apple a day is not enough. Don't let me start preaching, but shouldn't the children of the country that's the wealthiest also be the children of the country that's the healthiest? That makes sense — you think that would be true. I know I would. I'm just saying: wouldn't you?

But that's not the case with our kids these days. Kids' health is declining in all kinds of ways. We need to improve it, we can, and we will — but it starts with thinking of health as a skill, a 21st-century skill that you practice. Practice makes perfect. The unhealthy can't hack this. We've got to teach our kids by example every day, and it's tough because people stop listening when they think they know what...

Long-Term Diabetes: Consequences

• Neuropathy (damage to the nervous system)
• Nephropathy (kidney damage)
• Retinopathy (damage to the retina)
• Cardiovascular complications

Overnutrition and Obesity: Definitions and Causes

Overnutrition: a type of eating disorder caused by excessive intake of food as usual, which is higher than the nutritional needs of that person.

When is a person obese? A person is obese when body weight exceeds the normal by 20% or more.

Other factors in obesity: is due to hereditary factors (genetic), endocrine (glands in these disorders), metabolic or environmental (chemical reactions that occur in our cells).

Complications involved in obesity: hypertension, increased cholesterol, diabetes, myocardial infarction or stroke (overnutrition)...

Essential Vocabulary and Definitions

This reference list provides definitions for common words, phrasal verbs, and expressions, organized alphabetically.

A - C Terminology

-B.M- Awake: Asleep

(Antonym pair)

Ahead

In front.

A Lift

When a lorry takes somebody (a ride).

Argument

Disagreement, quarrel.

Ad

Say something else.

Average

Medium.

A While

A short time.

Almost

Nearly.

Afraid

Frightened.

Boss

Superior.

Breathe

Take air in and out.

Bump Into

Come against with a blow or strike.

Counter

Flat surface served in a bar or shop.

Close

Near.

Cheerio

Goodbye.

Chance

Opportunity.

Corridor

Long, narrow passage.

Close Together

Next to each other.

Carry On

Continue.

Caretaker

Person in charge of the upkeep of a building.

Crowd

A lot of people together.

Chase

Run after.

Crash

Fall or strike violently.

Cardiovascular Disease: Causes, Treatments, and History

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are largely caused by lifestyle factors, including:

• Poor diet
• Lack of exercise
• Excessive stress
• Tobacco use (snuff)

Understanding Cardiovascular Disorders

CVDs are a group of disorders affecting the heart and blood vessels. These include alterations in:

• The heart muscle itself
• Valves
• Vessels that carry blood to the heart and brain
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)

Heart attacks and strokes are typically caused by a blockage of blood circulation to the heart or brain. This blockage often results from the narrowing of arteries and veins due to the accumulation of fat (known as atheroma or cholesterol plaques) in their walls, hardening them.

The History and Role of Aspirin

The...

Caffeine and Societal Impact

Why Coffee is Considered a Drug

Coffee is considered a drug because it contains caffeine, a psychoactive substance that stimulates the central nervous system.

The Simplicity of Coffee Consumption

People generally agree on how to drink coffee because it's typically a straightforward process: simply pouring it into a cup and drinking it. However, preparation methods and additions vary widely.

Health Risks of Caffeine Tablets in Coffee

Adding caffeine tablets to coffee is not considered healthy. Excessive caffeine intake, especially from concentrated sources, can lead to adverse health effects and is generally not recommended.

Vocabulary: Coffee & Related Terms

• Soon: As early as possible
• Custom: One's usual coffee order

A Normal Day in the Life of an Abused Woman

The faint light of dawn caused Clara to wake up to the worst day of her short life. It was a Saturday, just like every other Saturday for the last three years. She was preparing breakfast for her husband so that when he woke up, he would only have to sit at the table and eat. She wondered, "What conversation should I keep? What will he be served?"

Roberto left for work at a small family business, leaving Clara home alone. She spent the day terrified that this Saturday would be like the others, fearing her husband would return home drunk and angry about his misfortunes at work. She lived in constant fear that he would hit and humiliate her again.

The Unexpected Visit

Ding-dong. The doorbell rang. Clara...

Common Kidney and Urinary System Disorders

Glomerulonephritis

Glomerulonephritis is an inflammation that affects the glomeruli. It is typically caused by an immune reaction to a toxin released by streptococcal bacteria, which has infected another part of the body, usually the pharynx (throat). As a result, the urine contains many red blood cells and large amounts of protein.

Pyelonephritis

Pyelonephritis is an inflammation of one or both kidneys, affecting the nephrons and the renal pelvis.

Cystitis

Cystitis is an inflammation of the urinary bladder wall, usually caused by bacterial infections. The most common symptoms include a burning sensation during urination, urgency, and frequent urination.

Nephrotic Syndrome

Nephrotic Syndrome is characterized...

Clinical History

Includes information on family history: certain hereditary diseases may affect the course and outcome of pregnancy. Personal history: the doctor provides health status information from earlier in the pregnancy. Obstetrical history: it is relevant if the mother is multiparous, including previous pregnancies, birth weights of children, duration of labor, and any complications during labor or postpartum. All this information must be recorded in the pregnant woman's health record.

Physical Examination

Investigates changes requiring attention, such as dental caries, dietary deficiencies, and weight fluctuations. Weight and blood pressure are measured and recorded in the history to monitor for any significant changes.

Gynecological and

1. Human Survival Across the Globe

Survival rates vary significantly depending on the country of residence, specifically between developed and underdeveloped nations.

• Developed Countries: Citizens often lead full lives with access to advanced medical care, vaccines, and sufficient resources to treat serious illnesses.
• Underdeveloped Countries: Many lack access to essential food, clean water, and basic medical treatments, making even minor illnesses difficult to manage.

2. Defining Health

True health is defined by living without disease, supported by a balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate hydration. Unfortunately, sedentary lifestyles and poor nutrition have led to rising rates of obesity in both children and adults.

3. Eradicating Illness

If...

WATER: Constitutes 70% of living beings (up to 98% in some organisms in the cell, 40% intracellular, 15% extracellular, and 8% in blood plasma). Freezing point: 0 °C. Boiling point: 100 °C. Density (liquid at 4 °C): 1 g/cm³. Gas: 0.

Anomalous characteristics:

• Solid is less dense than liquid.
• Dissolves polar substances, salts and many organic compounds; does not dissolve apolar substances.
• High specific heat and high dielectric constant.
• Thermal conductivity.
• High cohesion force and capillarity.
• High surface tension.
• Practically incompressible.

MINERAL SALTS: Functions in living beings: regulation of osmotic pressure (intervenes in transport through membranes; prevents hemolysis (cell rupture) and plasmolysis (cell shrinkage)), and pH regulation....