Tag: health and medicine

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Have you ever wondered what happens to your brain after reaching the big 5-0? Well, we have the inside scoop from medical professionals who explain what happens to your mental system once you reach your 50s.

Prepare for an easily understood process as we reveal the science underlying the transformations that the human brain undergoes as you go into the latter part of your life.

Visit the link to learn more about the natural shifts that accompany aging and uncover effective measures to proactively manage them.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/what-happens-brain-turn-50_l_65b135f6e4b0f55c6e31d156

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “slip one’s mind” mean in the sentence, “No matter our age, most of us are guilty of saying, “I must be getting old,” when we can’t quite find the words to describe something or an important item on our to-do lists slips our minds.”? Give 2 synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘slip one’s mind’ in a sentence.
2. What does “narrow down” mean in the sentence, “It doesn’t mean you have Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia, but a specialist can help to narrow down the cause and any potential treatments or lifestyle changes that may be helpful,” he said.”? Give 2 synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘narrow down’ in a sentence.
3. What does “down the road” mean in the sentence, “But as both Wint and Bredesen emphasized, lifestyle can make a huge difference in the rate at which your brain health declines, and whether you develop dementia down the road.”? Give 2 synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘down the road’ in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does the article describe brain shrinkage in your 50s, and what impact does it have on accessing accumulated knowledge?
2. How would you describe your current level of physical activity, and do you engage in regular, moderate aerobic exercise as suggested by doctors for brain health? Please share.
3. In terms of social connections, how rich and meaningful is your in-person social network, and how do you believe it contributes to your overall well-being and brain health? Tell me more.
4. Are there specific lifestyle changes you’ve made or are considering making based on the recommendations from doctors to support your brain health as you age? Please share.
5. Looking ahead, what long-term strategies do you envision incorporating into your lifestyle to promote brain health throughout the aging process?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It goes without saying that food can really affect our body. Experts say that reducing unhealthy food intake and eating healthy food can positively impact your mental health. Hence, it’s really important to be mindful of the food you eat during meals.

Read this article to learn about the five mood-boosting food.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mood-boosting-foods_l_64b81bfce4b09a3b489080a3

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “precursor” mean? “Tryptophan is an amino acid precursor to serotonin,” Behairy explained, “so look for foods like turkey, chicken, eggs, dairy, nuts and seeds.” Make a sentence with this word.
2. Define “intersperse“. “I think that implementing small, lasting changes will help you go a long way, much further than sporadic days of ‘clean eating interspersed with ‘binges,’ Naidoo said.” Make a sentence using this word and give two synonyms.
3. What is the meaning of “catch up” in this context? “And even if your mood hasn’t caught up yet, do know that your gut notices and appreciates what you’re doing right away.” Make a sentence using this phrase and give two synonyms.

Discussion Questions:

1. Have you ever tried including mood-boosting foods into your diet? If so, did you notice any improvements in your mood?
2. Which of the five mood-boosting foods suggested in the article have you already incorporated into your daily meals?
3. How do you usually manage your mood or emotional well-being with your food or lifestyle choices?
4. Do you feel there is a significant connection between the foods you eat and your overall emotional state? Talk about it.
5. Are there any seasons or times of year when you find it more difficult to keep your spirits up and do you change your diet accordingly? Share about this.

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Shifting from strict diets to intuitive eating means being kind to ourselves and tuning in to what our bodies want. It’s about enjoying food, moving a bit, and recognizing our differences. Yet, it’s tough because society insists we should look a certain way.

The person in the article tried intuitive eating for ten days and discovered a lot, such as enjoying favorite foods without feeling bad. It’s a journey to feeling good about ourselves and realizing it’s okay not to follow strict diets.

This topic prompts us to ponder our food habits and how societal ideas shape our self-perception. It’s about understanding ourselves and finding what genuinely makes us feel healthy and happy.

https://www.healthline.com/health/my-first-week-of-intuitive-eating#Everything-I-learned-during-10-days-of-intuitive-eating

Vocabulary Questions

1. What does the word “off-limit” mean in the sentence, “Throughout the entire 10 days of eating intuitively, I was a little fixated on certain foods that used to be off-limits and it was honestly really fun to follow those cravings without guilt.”? Use it in a sentence.
2. What does the phrase “jack up” mean in the sentence, “By day two, one thing became very clear — years of restricting followed by overindulgence and overeating has completely jacked up my hunger signals.”? Give 2 synonyms and use the phrase ‘jack up’ in a sentence.
3. What does the term “hamster wheel” mean in the sentence, “Freedom from the hamster wheel of dieting is worth it to me.”? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions

1. Have you ever tried eating just when you feel hungry and stopping when you’re full? How did it go for you?
2. Do you think it’s hard to eat intuitively because of what people say about how we should look? Why or why not?
3. What good things can happen if someone listens to their body and eats what feels right instead of following strict diets?
4. How do our thoughts about eating affect our choices?
5. Do you think more people will like the idea of intuitive eating if they find out it’s good for their health? Explain.

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It’s the start of a new year which means it’s time for people to make their new year’s resolutions. Individuals often vow to have healthier habits and make positive personal changes.

Cardiologists, in particular, understand the importance of leading a heart healthy-lifestyle. Hence, they focus on resolutions to maintain their own heart health.

Read this article to learn what new year’s resolutions cardiologists always make for better cardiovascular health.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/heart-health-cardiologists-new-years-resolutions_l_65831ae9e4b0d9bdbf6876af

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “out of whack” mean? ““It’s important to know where you’re at in terms of those numbers, but also not to be discouraged if numbers are out of whack,” Jackson noted.” Give two synonyms and make a sentence using ‘out of whack’.
2. What does “to turn on a switch” mean? ““Our cardiovascular health is not just turning on a switch.” Use this expression in this context in your own sentence.
3. What does “to cut someone some slack” mean? “You should cut yourself some slack if you miss a day at the gym or fall back into an old habit you’re trying to break.” Give two synonyms or similar expressions and make a sentence using ‘to cut someone some slack’.

Discussion Questions:

1. Talk about the four resolutions mentioned in the article and share your thoughts on them.
2. Have you considered your heart health while making New Year’s resolutions, and if yes, what changes are you contemplating?
3. How might cardiologists’ resolutions inspire you to incorporate heart-conscious habits into your own life?
4. Which habits have you adopted that are influenced by cardiologists’ resolutions for heart health in your own lifestyle?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Dementia is an umbrella term for loss of thinking ability, memory attention, problem-solving, and other cognitive abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life. In our every day lives, habits create a pattern that we often overlook. While some habits contribute to our well-being, some may harbor hidden risks especially to our mental health.

Read this article to learn about those seemingly harmless habits that may actually increase your risk of dementia.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/habits-raise-dementia-risk_l_6595a041e4b0912833aeb922

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “somebody’s way or the highway” mean? “Additionally, “try to be flexible with your reactions and avoid the ‘my way or the highway’ mentality, which can be common in older adults,” Steel said.” Use this in a sentence.
2. Define the expression “put something on the back burner“. “Let’s face it, sleep tends to be put on the back burner.” Make a sentence with this.
3. What does “unplug” mean in this context, “Try unplugging at least 30 minutes before bed.”? Give two synonyms and make a sentence with “unplug”.

Discussion Questions:

1. Which habits mentioned in the article do you have?
2. Are there other habits in your daily routine that seem harmless, but might potentially pose a risk to your cognitive health?
3. How do you prioritize activities that promote brain health in your personal lifestyle?
4. What specific cognitive health goals have you set for yourself, considering your current habits and lifestyle?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We often hear about patients suing doctors or hospitals for negligence or some kind of medical malpractice.

However, some hospitals in America are doing it the other way around. They are taking some legal actions against their patients.

Read the article to find out why some US hospitals sue patients.

https://www.chiefhealthcareexecutive.com/view/many-hospitals-sue-patients-or-turn-to-collectors-for-medical-debts-report

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What is “wage garnishment“? “More than two-thirds of hospitals are filing lawsuits or taking other legal measures, including garnishing wages and placing liens on homes or property.” Use this word in a sentence.
2. What does “(property) lien” mean? “More than two-thirds of hospitals are filing lawsuits or taking other legal measures, including garnishing wages and placing liens on homes or property.” Use this word in a sentence.
3. What does “saddled with” mean? “At a White House event in April, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said, “Too many families across the country are saddled with crushing medical debt.” Use this phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are your thoughts on hospitals aggressively going after patients for unpaid medical bills?
2. How can this impact patients with huge medical debts?
3. What are things being done in order to address the issue of hospitals suing patients who have increasing unpaid hospital bills?
4. What impact could these solutions have on the healthcare system in America?
5. Does this also happen in your country? Why or why not?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The administration of anesthesia makes the surgery emotionally and physically comfortable for the patient. It works as a pain blocker, anxiety reliever, and some types of anesthesia can put the patient in a state of unconsciousness. These are the benefits of using anesthesia during a surgery. However, there are cases where it could actually lead to death.

Let’s read the article and know more about the increasing number of anesthesia-related deaths.

https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/health-medicine/anaesthesia-causing-more-deaths.htm

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does the verb “undergo” mean? “The reason for this is that, because of modern medicine, more and more older patients undergo operations.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
2. Define the word “means“. “ Ancient  civilizations gave patients plants like  poppy  or alcohol to stop pain. In the 1800s  laughing gas  was discovered   as a  means  of anaesthesia.” Use it in your own sentence.
3. What does the word “arise” mean? “When  complications due to  anaesthesia  arise , the whole operating team must react quickly to get the situation under control.” Give two (2) synonyms and use ‘arise’ in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. Why are there more deaths caused by anesthesia?
2. How does the administration of anesthesia take place before the operation?
3. According to the article, what were the other forms of anesthesia in the past? Cite some of them.
4. Name any side effects and risks associated with the administration of anesthesia that you know of.
5. What concerns you most about anesthesia?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A new worry as the holiday season approaches is the JN.1 variant, a unique strain of COVID-19 that is spreading throughout the US. This article explores the most widespread symptoms that physicians are seeing in this dynamic environment right now.

Since JN.1 has surfaced, it is mandatory that we stay mindful of the unique traits of this variant to fully understand what makes it rare. Read the article to check out the symptoms linked to this novel strain and acquire important knowledge for managing the COVID-19 pandemic’s ongoing difficulties over the holiday season.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/covid-symptoms-doctors-winter_l_6582f87ae4b085747d67e8c9

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “uptick” mean in the sentence, “Behind this uptick is a new strain called JN.1, which accounted for 21.4% of cases in the United States as of Dec. 9, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”? Use this in your own sentence.
2. What does “at the global level” mean in the sentence, “The World Health Organization has named JN.1 a “variant of interest,” but also noted that “the additional public health risk posed by JN.1 is currently evaluated as low at the global level.” ”? Use this in your own sentence.
3. What does “red flag” mean in the sentence, “So what are the main red flags to watch for this winter? ”? Use this in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are the most common symptoms that doctors are observing with the emergence of the JN.1 variant? Please tell me about them.
2. How does the JN.1 variant differ from previous strains of COVID-19, and why is it important to be aware of these distinctions? Please elaborate.
3. How can individuals stay informed about the unique traits of the JN.1 variant to better understand its impact on public health?
4. What measures does the article suggest for managing and mitigating the potential risks associated with the JN.1 variant?
5. Is there any information in the article about the origins or characteristics of the JN.1 variant that may be influencing its spread during the holiday season? Please share.