Tag: health and medicine

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?

Burnout Is Not a Badge of Success

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Getting tired and working too hard is now being equated to productiveness. And there is a growing sense of pride in being too busy to do anything else but work.

Should this be the case? Is this the better choice?

Read the article why a burnout is not a badge of success.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/self-made/202509/burnout-is-not-a-badge-of-success

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “slammed” mean? “If I were to ask these women, “how are you doing,” I would hear a chorus of “busy,” “exhausted,” and “totally slammed right now.” Use this term in a sentence.
  2. What is a “badge of honor“? “Burnout has become so normalized in our culture that it’s practically a badge of honor.” Use this term in a sentence.
  3. What is a “perfect storm“? “Layer that onto professional expectations of working longer, harder, and faster just to be seen as “equally competent,” and you’ve got a perfect storm for burnout.” Use this term in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some effects of occupational burnout?
  2. Why do you think being busy is often mistaken for status and success?
  3. What is your opinion about this, “It’s time to choose energy as a status signal instead.“?
  4. What are your thoughts on this, “Success can feel energizing – when it aligns with values.“
  5. Do you think people in your country cling to burnout culture? Why do you think this is the case?

 

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?

Bad Luck Can Cause Cancer

B2 – Upper Intermediate

You’ve got people who smoke and live to be 90. Then you’ve got fit ones who are diagnosed with cancer in their 40s. A research from the Johns Hopkins Medicine says that it could be bad luck cancer – and it’s could be the primary cause for some cases of cancer.

Read the article and watch the video to know the role bad luck plays in some cancer cases.

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/01/02/health/cancer-random-mutation/

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to researchers, someone who smoked and still lived to be 90 just got plain good luck and those who live like Puritans and get cancer anyway — that’s bad luck – and it’s the primary cause of most cancer cases. Does luck have anything to do with cancer risk factors? Share your thoughts on this.
  2. Share your insights on this, “Some forms of cancer (like lung and skin cancer) are exceptions, where lifestyle and environment play a big role.”
  3. What are your thoughts on this, “All cancers are caused by a combination of bad luck, the environment and heredity.”
  4. Do you see a lot of money going into cancer research in your country? Talk about this matter.

Sunburn Dangers

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Summertime is the perfect time for everyone to get tanned. But if you are so fond of being under the sun, you should also be aware of the dangers it poses on your health.

Watch the video about the dangers of sunburns.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How dangerous are sunburns?
  2. Are you conscious at all about your skin’s health? Why or why not?
  3. Do you like being under the sun or getting tanned? Why or why not? Share some of your experiences getting sunburns.
  4. How important is it to make sure that your skin is protected when you do outdoor activities?
  5. What are some things you do in order to protect your skin from the sun?

Fall Ill When on Holiday

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Most people have probably experienced accomplishing all their tasks right before they go on holiday. In effect, they would subsequently encounter post-work health decline too.

Read the article on the truth about leisure illnesses.

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20150216-the-truth-about-holiday-illnesses

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the causes of leisure illness?
  2. What do you think are ways to prevent it?
  3. Have you ever experienced leisure sickness? Why did you get sick at the time?
  4. How do you feel before and after going on holiday?
  5. Would you be more conscious about leisure illness now that you are aware it exists? Why or why not?

Ways Smartphone Wreck Your Health

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Cellular phones or cellphones are now an essential part of living. Without our mobile phones, it’s pretty difficult to function normally. 

While we have grown more and more attached to and dependent on our mobiles, it is imperative to be aware of how it could affect our health.

Click the link below to  know more about the dangers of using smartphones.

https://www.webmd.com/balance/ss/slideshow-smart-phone-health-problems

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is an “over-the-counter drug“? “If the damage is done, simple rest, a heating pad, and over-the-counter drugs for pain and stiffness should help.” Use this term in a sentence.
  2. What does “in plain view“? “Even if you don’t look at it, just putting a phone in plain view when you talk to someone can get in the way of making a strong connection.” Use this term in a sentence.
  3. What is a “splint”? “A night splint to keep your arm straight may help, too.” Use this term in a sentence.

Discussing Questions:

  1. Which among the practices mentioned in the article are you guilty of?
  2. What are some things you do to avoid problems cause by using mobile phones?
  3. What are your thoughts on how much people use their phones? What about children?

Eating Disorders Affect Men Too

C1 – Advanced

We commonly relate eating disorders to women. However, over the last 15 years, this has changed. The number of men suffering from eating disorders has significantly increased to 27%.

Read the article below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/jan/18/are-more-men-getting-eating-disorders

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your reaction to the rise of men who are being diagnosed with eating disorders. What do you think causes these disorders?
  2. Why do you think eating disorders have long been perceived as an issue affecting women and girls?
  3. What can we do to help people battling these conditions?

Teenagers and Sleep

B2 – Upper Intermediate

If you have teenagers at home, then you’re probably familiar with the problem of them not going to bed on time and consequently, not being able to wake up the next morning for school.

Read the article below to discover the importance of getting enough sleep for teenagers and how to help them get enough of it.

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/teenagers-and-sleep-how-much-sleep-is-enough

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do you think most teenagers are “night owls”?
  2. How were your sleeping habits like when you were a teen? What would you have done differently?
  3. As an adult, do you still have difficulties getting enough sleep? Why or why not?
  4. What are some of the health issues that are associated to sleeplessness?

Girl with Hypothalamic Obesity Gets Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There are many mysterious diseases in the world. If you are lucky, they can find medications for it. In some cases they can’t. Medical researchers are continuously exploring ways to cure a number of diseases .

Watch the video and read the article below about a girl who recovered from the very rare disease hypothalamic obesity after getting sleeve gastrectomy surgery.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/hungry-girl-childhood-back-weight-loss-surgery/story?id=27578118

Discussion Questions:

  1. Explain the rare condition mentioned in the video.
  2. What happens to the patients who suffer from this condition?
  3. What was your reaction to what happened to her?
  4. Share your thoughts on this, “Seven months after the surgery, Alexis’ mother said that her daughter’s health has improved remarkably and that she has her childhood back.”