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.

Binge Drinking

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Binge drinking refers to the excessive consumption of alcohol in a single setting. It is very common among people in several countries worldwide, and is somehow similar with social drinking since it is often done in groups.

Binge drinking is considered a serious public health problem, but can be prevented.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What drive people to binge drink?
  2. What health effects do overindulging in alcohol have?
  3. What can be done to prevent knocking drinks back like it’s an Olympic sport?
  4. What kinds of social problems does alcohol cause in your country?
  5. Talk about the drinking culture in your country.

What If You Never Ate Meat?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Steak, burgers, chicken, hot dogs… These are just some types of meat to name a few. The question is, is eating meat good or bad? Meat is a staple in many diet and is a great source of protein and other important nutrients needed by our body. However, It’s a highly controversial food because some people believe that eating meat is unhealthy, unnecessary and it may even kill us.

Watch the video and take a look at the health benefits and potential risks of eating meat.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree with the video? Explain your position.
  2. Cite the benefits and consequences of meat on our bodies or health.
  3. Can you live without ever eating meat? Why or why not?
  4. What kinds of meat do you enjoy eating? Do you think it’s healthy? Share.
  5. What do you think of processed meat?

Button Batteries Kill

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Medical cases involving button batteries have been reported since the 1970s. Who would have thought that these tiny things in your remote control or car keys could be so dangerous?

Read the article to find out more.

https://theconversation.com/button-batteries-kill-heres-how-we-can-prevent-needless-child-deaths-from-battery-ingestion-101187

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the article, how do button batteries cause damage?
  2. What can parents do to prevent incidents with batteries from happening? How should parents child-proof their homes?
  3. How prevalent are button battery injuries among kids in your country? Why do you think that is?
  4. What other health-related issues are very common among children in your country these days?
  5. Have you or anyone you know had a medical emergency as a kid or involving a child? Please share.