Tag: health and medicine

Over-The-Counter Medicine May Shrink Brain

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Medicines are supposed to make us feel better and cure any illness a person might have. But sometimes, these medicines may also cause more harm than good.

Read the article below to find out more. Share your opinion after reading the text.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1604/160421-over-the-counter-drugs.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the pros and cons of OTC medications?
  2. What is your reaction to this, “OTC medicines for asthma, aches and pains, insomnia and allergies, etc. could have side effects including cognitive impairment, dementia, and even brain shrinkage.”?
  3. In general, what do you think about OTC medicines? Does this research change the way you think about them?
  4. Do you think you take too many medicines or do you know anyone who does? What do you think about this?
  5. Talk about one OTC medicine you know of, what is it for, and what side effects do you know it has?

Fear Over Eating Disorder Care

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There is a commonly held view that eating disorders are a lifestyle choice. Eating disorders are considered serious illnesses that can affect a person’s eating behaviors. Some people, mostly young girls, go too far with their aspiration to become slim.

Watch the video and read the article on how Japan is tackling the issue of eating disorders.

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-36095287

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are causes of eating disorders and how do they affect people who have them?
  2. What should be done to prevent this from happening and to help those suffering from it?
  3. Why is there a stigma around eating disorders and their families and what are the consequences of these to them?
  4. Who should be held responsible for illnesses like eating disorders? Explain your point.
  5. Why is it important to spread awareness about this health issue?

Coffee Can Help You Live Longer

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A cup of coffee has always been a part of a lot people’s morning routine. It could definitely awake our senses and boost our energy. Now, coffee drinkers have more reasons to drink that fresh cup.

Read the article on how coffee can help you live longer.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1511/151119-coffee.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are you a coffee drinker? How many cups do you drink each day?
  2. How healthy do you think coffee is?
  3. Why might coffee reduce the incidence of suicides?
  4. How do you feel about certain coffee shops like Starbucks?

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?

The Art of Aging

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Everybody wants to live a full and long life. There are different ways it can be achieved.

Watch the video below to get to know people who have discovered the art of aging.

https://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2015/02/20/spc-vital-signs-art-of-aging-a.cnn

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the secrets of the people in California when it comes to living longer?
  2. What have you learned from the people who were interviewed from this short video clip?
  3. What are the common physical signs of getting old?
  4. What do you think about the idea of getting old up to a hundred years or more? Why or why not?

ALS Ice Bucket Money

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In the summer of 2014, one guy posted a video of himself pouring a bucket of ice water over his head to support ALS and other causes. Then his friends decided to do it as well. In total, more than 17M people took part in the Ice Bucket Challenge.

Ever wondered what happened to the money the supporters donated? Watch the video and read the article to get an update on the ALS research.

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/07/15/health/one-summer-after-the-als-ice-bucket-challenge/


Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you know about ALS?
  2. What did you think about the Ice Bucket Challenge? Is the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge a novelty or a repeatable tradition?
  3. Share your thoughts on this, “Donors will pay attention only to diseases with the cleverest social media marketing campaigns.“
  4. If you could support a research or an organization, what would it be?