Tag: health and medicine

Flavonoids Cut the Risk of Dementia

B1 – Intermediate

Because people are able to live longer now, more illnesses affect the elders. One condition common among old people is dementia. It is a condition that greatly affect an old person in the late stages of their life. There are ways to reduce the risk of having dementia.

Read this lesson about flavonoids and how good they are for our brain health.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2107/210731-flavonoids-0.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What comes to your mind when you hear the word ‘dementia’?
  2. What are other ways to prevent dementia?
  3. Do you think flavonoids are really effective in improving our brain health? Why or why not?
  4. What do you do to make sure your brain is healthy in the long-term?
  5. What is something you would never want to forget?

Staying Safe in Hot Temperatures

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Summer is the season that most of us look forward to. Thanks to COVID-19 vaccines, a summer of fun in the sun is looking a lot more possible this year.

But going outside on a hot summer day can be really challenging. The sweat and heat can easily lead to dehydration and make us listless.

Let’s listen to the audio and read the transcript on some helpful tips on how to beat the heat and stay healthy, even as the temperature rises.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/staying-safe-in-hot-temperatures/5947328.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is summer like in your country / in your hometown?
  2. How do you usually spend your summer holidays?
  3. How hot is too hot for you? When was the hottest summer you can remember? Is summer changing for better or worse?
  4. How do you deal with heat in the summer?
  5. Have you ever experienced any heat-related illness before? How did you overcome it?

Noise Pollution Bad for the Heart

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Noise pollution happens when there is an excessive amount of unwanted sound. It is something we can’t see, but it is present – from planes taking off and landing, machines, road vehicles, construction noise, etc. It is an invisible danger and has potential health effects.

But how exactly does noise affect our physical health?

Let’s read the article to know more about it.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210315-why-noise-pollution-is-bad-for-your-heart

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of noise pollution and its effects on our heart?
  2. What are some noises that disturb you the most? Why?
  3. How bad is noise pollution in your city?
  4. Would you describe your workplace as noisy? What about your home or neighborhood?
  5. In your opinion, will the level of noise increase in the future? Why or why not?
  6. What can you do personally to reduce your own noise pollution?

Antibiotic Resistance

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Antibiotics are medications that are supposed to fight the bacteria that attack one’s body. When they are not administered properly, organisms that are supposed to be killed by the antibiotic thrive and it makes it difficult or even impossible to treat the infection.

Antibiotic resistance is growing at an alarming rate. It is a global health crisis and experts are saying it could potentially lead to the next pandemic.

Read more about antibiotic resistance.

https://www.inverse.com/mind-body/antibiotic-resistant-bacteria

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you know about antibiotic resistance?
  2. What are your thoughts on what experts say that the next pandemic could stem from antibiotic-resistant bacteria?
  3. Why is it important to grow awareness about this problem as soon as possible?
  4. What information about antibiotics and antibiotic resistance are available to you at the moment?
  5. Would you say that this is a looming problem in your country as well?

New Blood Test May Be Able to Detect Cancer

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Researchers have announced a major breakthrough for cancer patients that could help detect common and frequent cancer forms including lung, breast, colon, and stomach cancer. The main goal of this new blood test is to help patients detect cancer at an early stage so they can be treated accordingly and immediately.

Getting the right treatment quickly can help patients avoid further complications. Could this promising medical breakthrough really find signs and symptoms of cancer even before they become a problem?

https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/health-medicine/new-blood-test-may-be-able-to-detect-cancer.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can CancerSEEK  do? Despite the promising results, what problems do they still need to deal with?
  2. How can CancerSEEK affect the lives of cancer patients?
  3. What can you say about the healthcare facilities and services dedicated to oncology in your city/country? How innovative are the hospitals in your country when it comes to cancer treatments?
  4. What other medical breakthroughs in oncology do you know of?

You Don’t Need Eight Glasses of Water

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Our bodies are made up of over 70 percent water. Water is very important to the human body and we cannot go very long without it.

We have always been told that we have to drink 6-8 glasses of water every day. But little do we know that there are plenty of myths and misconceptions about drinking water.

Let’s learn how to separate the myths from the facts about drinking water by watching the video below.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can you say about the myths and facts mentioned in the video?
  2. What are other myths about drinking water that you know of?
  3. How much water do you drink every day?
  4. How else do you keep yourself hydrated besides drinking water?

Vaccine Volunteers

B1 – Intermediate

Over 25,000 people in the US have volunteered to be part of COVID-19 vaccine trials. They will help find a safe and effective vaccine faster. This will help us to see the end of this pandemic soon.

Read the transcript and listen to the audio and be able to answer the discussion questions.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/vaccine-volunteers-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the risks and benefits of clinical trial vaccines?
  2. Would you volunteer for a vaccine study? Why or why not?
  3. Are human trials for vaccines worth the risk? Explain your point.

Is Reading News Bad

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Reading newspaper is a good habit that can provide us a clear idea and understanding of what is happening in your country and the whole world. It carries information about politics, economy, entertainment, sports, business, industry, trade and commerce. However, a survey found that news consumption has a tremendous downside for mental health.

Read the article below to find out the downsides of reading too much news.

http://time.com/5125894/is-reading-news-bad-for-you/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “feed” mean here, “Yet one in 10 adults checks the news every hour, and fully 20% of Americans report “constantly” monitoring their social media feeds—which often exposes them to the latest news headlines, whether they like it or not.”? Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “exacerbate” mean, “Our studies also showed that this change in mood exacerbates the viewer’s own personal worries, even when those worries are not directly relevant to the news stories being broadcast.”? Use it in a sentence.
  3. Explain “negativity bias“.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does news affect you?
  2. What are the positive and negative aspects of watching or reading news for you?
  3. How has the way that news is presented changed in the past 15 to 20 years? What are your thoughts on “bystander-captured media”?
  4. What was the most devastating news that you have ever watched, read, or heard about?
  5. Talk about some news today.

Headaches

B1 – Intermediate

Almost everyone suffers from a headache at least once a year. In most cases, they are not dangerous and the person suffering it can still function normally. 

Headache is usually described as pain anywhere in the region of the head or neck. Headaches are very common and their effect can range from mild to worst.

Read on to know about the types of headaches, their causes, and ways to treat them.

https://www.english-online.at/health_medicine/headache/headache-disorder-of-nervous-system.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you often suffer from headaches?
  2. What type of headache do you often suffer from?
  3. What usually causes your headaches?
  4. What do you do when you have a headache?
  5. Do you think you should see a doctor immediately when you have a headache? Why/why not?
  6. Some say that physical activities such as exercise can help with relieving headaches. Do you agree or disagree with this? Explain.

Showering Everyday Is Bad

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It’s common sense that we take a bath to wash away germs that can make us sick, to keep clean and to smell fresh. However, a research shows that we do not actually have to shower every day for it may cause more harm than good.

Click the link to find out.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/is-shower-everyday-good-or-bad-cleaning-hygiene-university-utah-amazon-village-microbes-skin-a7546216.html

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you take a shower every single day? How do you feel when you skip a shower?

2. After reading the text, would you change your routine?
What is your daily self-care routine?

3. How do you take care of your skin? What are the advantages of having beautiful skin?