Tag: health and medicine

High Blood Pressure – A Silent Killer

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Below is a short article that gives some interesting information about high blood pressure and its consequences.

Read the article then be ready to talk about health and other health issues.

http://www.english-online.at/health_medicine/high-blood-pressure/high-blood-pressure-silent-killer.htm

Discussion Question:

  1. Do you know some people who suffer from high blood pressure? What are their struggles with this condition?
  2. Is high blood pressure also a widespread health problem in your country? Why do you think that is?
  3. Have there been steps taken by the national health ministry to reduce cases of this so-called ‘silent killer’? What are they?
  4. Do you agree that a lifestyle change can make a person healthier?
  5. What are some of the things you do to stay healthy?

Ways To Make Any Workout Feel Easier

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Having a fitness regimen means committing yourself to a series of activities that can be done with regularity. Some might start hitting the gym, start having a diet plan, but most fail when it comes to consistency.

In this topic, we are going to discover some ways to make any work-out feel easier.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/15-science-backed-ways-to-make-any-workout-feel-easier_us_56be5c66e4b0b40245c6c820?utm_hp_ref=healthy-living

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on these tips?
  2. Do you exercise? If yes, how often? If not, why so?
  3. What other things do you do to stay fit?
  4. How else can we motivate ourselves to exercise?
  5. How would you describe your diet?

Hooked Up to Computers

B2 – Upper Intermediate

With so many advancements in the medical field, it is no surprise that doctors and surgeons are able to utilize computers as part of a person’s recovery.

Read the article below to know about Matt Nagel and his operation.

http://fullspate.digitalcounterrevolution.co.uk/archive/ai.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your initial reaction to the story?
  2. Will this kind of technology be helpful to a lot of people? Why or why not?
  3. How can this technology be helpful to paralyzed people? What do you see are its dangers/risks?
  4. Do you see this new technology becoming widely available to help a lot of people in the near future?
  5. Matt Nagel is the first patient to try out this new technology. Would you be willing to be the first person to ever try out a new medical technology? Why or why not?

Women Do Not Get Enough Sleep

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It is a known fact that sleep is important to everyone. The article below shows how women are dangerously more susceptible to sleeplessness.

Read the article to get the facts on sleep deprivation among women.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1601/160130-sleep-deprivation.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What might be reasons women do not sleep enough?
  2. What are your thoughts on the results of this report?
  3. How important is sleep to you?
  4. How are you like when you did not get enough sleep?
  5. Would you change your sleeping habits after reading this article?
  6. Talk about a time when you suffered from sleeplessness and how did you deal with it?
  7. Would you consider going to a sleep doctor if you ever suffered from sleeplessness over a period of time? Explain.

Processed Meat Cause Cancer

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The World Health Organization (WHO) released findings linking processed meat and cancer, particularly classifying Spanish jamon alongside others such as bacon and sausages.

Find out more about this report and the reaction of the Spanish meat industry regarding this report.

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-34615621

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the report about and what is your reaction to it?
  2. What are the good and bad things about meat?
  3. Would this report change the way you and most Spanish consume processed and cured meat especially the Spanish jamon?
  4. How do you think reports such as this one affect the Spanish meat sector?
  5. What are other cancer-causing food that you know of?

Doctor Brings Healing to Patients

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Gone are the days when doctors would actually visit the sick and heal them from the comfort of their homes. But what one doctor is bringing that back.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about what Ernest Brown does and why he is considered unique.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/doctor-healing-patients-in-homes/2829125.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Explain Dr. Brown’s background and how he was led to making house calls. What is “concierge services.”?
  2. Are house doctors a popular idea in your city or region?
  3. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of doctors making house calls?
  4. Talk about the last time you were sick and had to see a doctor.

Childhood Obesity

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We are all guilty of giving children just what they want to show how much we love them.  But, sometimes, we forget that too much of something is not good. Letting them eat more than what is needed and not monitoring their unhealthy eating habits could lead to serious consequences.

Read the article below to know more about the facts when it comes to childhood obesity.

http://www.english-online.at/health_medicine/childhood-obesity/causes-and-risks-of-childhood-obesity.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you noticed if childhood obesity is happening in your country? Explain why it is or not happening there?
  2. What are good ways to combat childhood obesity?
  3. Describe the kind of eating habits you had as a child and how has it changed as you grew older.
  4. If you had/have children, what would be/are your rules when it comes to food and eating?
  5. Should we pressure children to be so worried about their diet? Elaborate on your stand.

US Love Affair with McDonald’s Waning

B2 – Upper Intermediate

More and more Americans are turning their backs on McDonald’s. With lower sales for six straight quarters, one of the largest fast-food chain’s new British CEO’s main task now is to entice Americans to remain drawn to eating their burgers, among their other food products.

Read the article about how Americans’ love for McDonald’s is waning.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-32573204

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are reasons for fast food becoming less craved for by many?
  2. How much do people love fast food in your country? Why do you think it’s that way?
  3. Do you agree that people are more health-conscious nowadays? Explain your point.
  4. What are the pros and cons of fast food?
  5. Talk about your own diet / eating habits.

Vaccines Protect Us From Diseases

B1 – Intermediate

Vaccines have been around for many years. But how does it work and what does it do to our body?

Click the title below to know more about vaccines. Be ready to answer some discussion questions.

http://www.english-online.at/health_medicine/vaccines/vaccines-antibodies-that-protect-us-from-diseases.html

Discussion Questions:

1. In your own words, please explain what vaccines are?
2. What are some of the common vaccines that you know?
3. What do you think about vaccines? Are they helpful or harmful?
4. Do you agree that some vaccines can cause illnesses?

Organ Donation Myths

B2 – Upper Intermediate

More than 100,000 patients in the U.S. are waiting for an organ donor. However, there’s just not enough people who are interested in doing this. There’s always the fear of the risks surrounding this procedure.

What do we really need to know about organ donation?

Read the article below that might help clear up some myths about organ donation.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/consumer-health/in-depth/organ-donation/art-20047529?pg=1

Discussion Questions:

1. What was your notion on organ donation before reading this article?
2. What is your opinion about organ donation?
3. Would you consider organ donation?