Tag: health and medicine

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The term “functioning alcoholic” is often used to describe individuals who appear to manage their alcohol consumption while maintaining their professional and personal responsibilities. Despite regularly consuming alcohol, they may still excel in their careers, maintain relationships, and fulfill daily obligations.

However, it’s essential to recognize that the term “functioning alcoholic” can be misleading. While some individuals may seem to function well despite alcohol misuse, it doesn’t mean that they are not experiencing significant negative consequences or health risks associated with their drinking.

Functioning alcoholism is considered a type of alcohol use disorder (AUD), which is a chronic relapsing brain disease characterized by compulsive alcohol use, loss of control over drinking, and negative emotional states when not drinking. Just because someone appears to function well doesn’t mean they aren’t struggling with AUD.

Read the article below about some and be ready to answer the following questions.

https://www.everydayhealth.com/alcoholism/taylor-swift-fortnight-ttpd-what-is-a-functioning-alcoholic/

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What the idiomatic expression “to run the gamut” mean in the sentence, “Treatment recommendations can run the gamut from inpatient treatment to community support activity.”? Use it in your own sentence. 
2. What does the word “to match up” mean in the sentence, “We might find ourselves drinking very heavily, in ways that are damaging our mental and physical health, but because we don’t match up to our mental image of an ‘alcoholic,’ we don’t see ourselves, and aren’t seen by others, as having a problem.”? Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.
3. What does the phrase “inflection point” mean in the sentence, “Usually there is an inflection point where the person’s dependency progresses to a state where they can no longer hide the symptoms of alcohol use disorder.“? Use this phrase in your own sentence and give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you think the stigma surrounding the term “alcoholic” affects individuals’ willingness to seek help for alcohol use disorder (AUD)?
2. Do you agree with the suggestion to shift the focus from asking “Am I an alcoholic?” too “Am I happy with my drinking?” Why or why not?
3. Have you encountered situations where someone’s drinking habits have affected their personal or professional life? How was it addressed, and what were the outcomes?
4. How can friends and family members effectively support someone who may be struggling with unhealthy drinking habits without being confrontational or judgmental?
5. In your opinion, what can be done to reduce the stigma surrounding alcohol use disorder and encourage more open discussions about seeking help and support?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing cancer care by augmenting diagnostic accuracy, personalized treatment planning, and predictive analytics. Machine learning algorithms trained on vast datasets can analyze medical images, genomic profiles, and patient records to identify subtle patterns indicative of cancer, enabling earlier detection and intervention.

Read the article to know more about how AI-powered decision support systems assist oncologists in devising tailored treatment regimens based on individual patient characteristics and disease dynamics, leading to improved survival rates and quality of life for cancer patients.

https://www.healio.com/news/hematology-oncology/20240208/researchers-aim-to-harness-the-power-of-ai-to-detect-treat-prostate-cancer

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “to run in the background” mean? “The lab processed the slides and, as the slides were scanned, the computer algorithm was running in the background, confirming the diagnosis of cancer and quantitating it.” Use it in a sentence.
2. What does “training wheels” mean here, “This could help a pathologist who doesn’t read many prostate biopsies, or serve as “training wheels” for new pathologists.”? Use it in a sentence.
3. What does “stratify” mean? “After digital pathology and AI, the next step is predictive methods to triage and stratify patients” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. How do researchers plan to use artificial intelligence (AI) in detecting and treating prostate cancer?
2. What are the potential benefits and downsides of using AI for the detection and treatment of prostate cancer?
3. How might harnessing the power of AI impact the diagnosis and management of prostate cancer in the future?
4. Share your opinion on this, “AI is not meant to replace a pathologist because, at the end of the day, a pathologist is responsible for the diagnosis.“

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Telemedicine has emerged as a transformative force in delivering mental health services, particularly in underserved communities and rural areas. With the proliferation of digital platforms and secure communication technologies, individuals can now access therapy sessions, psychiatric consultations, and support groups from the comfort of their homes.

Read the article to know why this not only reduces barriers to care, such as transportation and stigma, but also enhances the overall accessibility and convenience of mental health services, ultimately improving patient outcomes and well-being.

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “to pave the way for someone/something” mean? “Technological advancements in telehealth are paving the way for a healthcare delivery model that surpasses barriers and provides personalized care.” Use it in a sentence.
2. What is the meaning of the idiom “to gain traction”? “The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare diagnostics and treatment is gaining traction.” Use it in a sentence.
3. What does “underserved” mean? “Patients living in underserved areas can now easily connect with specialists without having to travel.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is telemedicine and how is it transforming healthcare delivery?
2. What might be some benefits and drawbacks of telemedicine?
3. How does telemedicine make it easier for people to receive healthcare services?
4. Share your insights about some key trends in telehealth:
   • Remote Monitoring and Wearable Technology
   • Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare diagnostics and treatment
   • Mental health support apps

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Recent clinical trials have shown promising results with gene-editing techniques demonstrating the ability to address the underlying genetic mutations responsible for CF. While further research is needed, these developments signal a potential paradigm shift in the treatment of this debilitating condition, offering the prospect of personalized therapies tailored to individual patients.

Read the article to know more about these breakthroughs in gene therapy and how they brought new hope to individuals living with cystic fibrosis (CF), a genetic disorder affecting the lungs and digestive system.

https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230626/New-hope-for-cystic-fibrosis-patients-as-groundbreaking-treatment-enters-clinical-trial.aspx

Vocabulary Questions:

1. Explain what “molecular prosthetic” is. “”With this method, people with CF could directly deliver this molecular prosthetic to their lungs where they need it most, hopefully increasing its efficacy and safety” Use it in a sentence.
2. What does “spin-out” mean here, “Pioneered by scientists at Carle Illinois College of Medicine at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the Carver College of Medicine at the University of Iowa in partnership with the spin-out biotechnology company, cystetic Medicines, this promising inhalable molecular prosthetic is intended to improve lung function in people with CF who cannot benefit from current therapies.”? Use it in a sentence.
3. What does “at the root” mean? “We’re hopeful that for those who have held their breath for far too long, this could be a first opportunity to regain ion-channel-like function in the airway and thereby address CF at its roots.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is gene therapy, and how does it offer hope for cystic fibrosis patients?
2. What recent advancements have been made in gene therapy for cystic fibrosis?
3. How might gene therapy change the way cystic fibrosis is treated in the future?
4. What could this treatment mean for individuals living with cystic fibrosis and their families?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The study highlights the potential benefits of the Mediterranean diet in promoting both longevity and cognitive health.

According to research, they found that individuals adhering closely to the Mediterranean diet experienced lower rates of cognitive decline and a reduced risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Read the article to see the growing body of evidence supporting the role of dietary patterns in maintaining brain health as we age.

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/07/18/health/mind-diet-study-results-wellness/index.html

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “rub” mean in this context, “But here’s the rub — the brains of the control group who were not eating the MIND diet also improved to a similar degree.”? Use it in a sentence.
2. What does “a battery of something” mean in this context, “A battery of cognitive testing was done when the study started and repeated at set intervals, while regular blood tests measured biomarkers, such as beta carotene, which indicated how well each person was following the MIND diet.”? Use it in a sentence.
3. Define “biomarker“. “A battery of cognitive testing was done when the study started and repeated at set intervals, while regular blood tests measured biomarkers, such as beta carotene, which indicated how well each person was following the MIND diet.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What specific findings were highlighted in the recent study regarding the Mediterranean diet’s impact on longevity?
2. How did researchers measure brain health in participants of the study?
3. What are some potential benefits of the Mediterranean diet for the brain, according to the study?
4. What advice might be given to people interested in trying the Mediterranean diet based on these findings?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Traumatic childhood events can linger in our minds even through adulthood. These traumatic events such as physical and mental abuse, a serious unfortunate accident or a natural disaster may scar children for the rest of their lives. Recently, AI was used to reassess the effects of childhood trauma on the human brain.

Let’s read the article and find out more about this AI brain study.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-essex-68424853

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does the idiom “to win/hit the jackpot” mean? “Valerie always wondered why she reacted to situations differently to other people, and said this research was “like winning the jackpot.” Give example sentence using this expression.
2. What does “to mean something to someone” mean in this context? “Kari, who was sexually abused as a child, said she had “no words to describe what [the research] means to me“.” Use it in a sentence.
3. Define “brain rewiring“. “It brings hope because the right treatments can help to reverse that brain rewiring.” Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. According to the study, how does childhood trauma change the brain?
2. What are the long-term effects and physical symptoms associated with childhood trauma?
3. What coping mechanisms are used to manage the aftermath of childhood trauma?
4. How does this study help people who are dealing with childhood trauma?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Our parents and grandparents often warn us about dressing appropriately in cold weather to avoid getting sick. We tend to believe them because there seems to be more cases of cold and flu cases at this time of the year. However, medical experts have explained that the cold weather alone is not the culprit.

Let’s watch the video and read the article to find out how people get sick when the temperature drops.

https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/02/21/fact-check-can-cold-weather-actually-make-you-sick

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does the idiom “old wives’ tale” mean? “You’ve probably heard of the old wives’ tale that you should cover up once the temperatures drop.” Use it in a sentence.
2. What is the meaning of the adverb “suppressed“? “In some respects, when we’re exposed to cold air, we can think that our immune system is suppressed.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘suppressed’ in your own sentence.
3. Define the phrase “fend off“. “Well, one legacy of the COVID pandemic was the popularisation of one important device for fending off these pesky germs: a face mask.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘fend off’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is the connection between cold weather and falling ill?
2. How can one protect oneself against viruses during winter?
3. How do you feel/What do you think about wearing a mask in winter?
4. What are your thoughts on topical nasal medications?
5. What other medical myths have you heard of?