Debate #2: To provide an effective and just health care system and to forestall societal strains caused by the aging Baby Boomers, a Canadian-style government-sponsored, one-payer universal health insurance system should be instituted
Nicole Colraine Professor Lynch Gov. 105 Debate #2 - 12/8/2003 Debate #2: "To provide an effective and just health care system and to forestall societal strains caused by the aging Baby Boomers, a Canadian-style government-sponsored, one-payer universal health insurance system should be instituted". Currently in the United States, there is a widespread healthcare crisis. Approximately 20 years ago, medicine was in its "golden age"; doctors could provide what they felt was the best possible treatment for their patients without struggling with funding issues and insurance companies. However, as more and more patients seek medical help, and as costs continue to rise, the golden age of medicine has been left behind. Doctors and nurses can no longer assess a patient without worrying about the bottom dollar. In turn, the government of the United States must attempt to remedy this healthcare crisis by devising a new healthcare plan that better serves patients while capping the skyrocketing costs. One solution to the current healthcare crisis has been the attempt to employ a Canadian style healthcare system in the United States. The Canadian system, entitled Medicare, has many strengths. In 1966 the federal government of Canada passed a universal medical insurance law, and by 1971 the program was fully operational throughout the country 1. The Canadian system, which has
How does dietary status affect carcinogenesis?
How does dietary status affect carcinogenesis? Cancer is a multi-factoral disease resulting from the perturbation of the normal regulatory processes of a cell. Cancer cells are generated from healthy cells by an accumulation of genetic alterations [1]. These alterations can take the form of mutations, losses, amplifications or re-arrangements in so called "oncogenes" or "tumour suppresser genes" [1]. The many potential mutations giving rise to cancer are initiated by carcinogenic substances and by certain environmental conditions [1]. Carcinogenic substances can be loosely classified as "endogenous", which may be naturally occurring, iatrogenic, environmental contaminants or life style-related or endogenous, for example reactive oxygen species which can be produced in vivo. The human diet consists of an array of microbial, animal and plant derived material and a link between diet and health has been recognised for many centuries [2]. The specific relationship between diet and cancer however is ill defined and uncertain and the evidence is contradictory. Dietary constituents are believed to play both a protective and causative role in the aetiology of the disease and the link between dietary factors and carcinogenesis has been relentlessly investigated by way of animal experiments. Numerous, albeit rather general epidemiological studies have also supported the notion that
Discuss the use of ACE and Angiotensin 2 receptor blockers in diabetic nephropathy. Is there a role for a double blockade?
Discuss the use of ACE and Angiotensin 2 receptor blockers in diabetic nephropathy. Is there a role for a double blockade? What is diabetic nephropathy? Diabetic nephropathy can be defined as a microvascular complication of diabetes marked by albuminuria and a deteriorating course from normal renal function to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Diabetes is a disease which is caused by the inadequate production of insulin by the body or by the body not being able to properly use the insulin that is produced thereby resulting in hyperglycaemia. The high glucose and other abnormalities of diabetes may lead to kidney damage known as diabetic nephropathy. There are two main types of diabetes, type I, which is insulin dependent, and type II, which is non-insulin dependent. Type 2 diabetes is characterised by insulin resistance, i.e., the failure to respond to normal concentrations of insulin1. Type 1 diabetes is when the body no longer makes insulin. Diabetic nephropathy occurs in 30-40% of all diabetic patients and has become the leading cause of end stage renal disease in the western world2. Persistent albuminuria is the hallmark of diabetic nephropathy, which can be diagnosed in the presence of diabetic retinopathy but in the absence of any clinical or laboratory evidence of other kidney or renal tract diseases 3-6. This definition is valid in-patients with either type 1 or type
Dental Treatments. Gum disease; A silent epidemic
Gum disease The problem “Most people have at least one case of mild gum disease during their lifetime. In the UK, it is estimated that 50-90% of the adult population has some degree of gum disease.” [1] Gum disease is a silent epidemic. The above statement describes a disease which isn’t seen as harmful to many people but the truth is, it is. Gum affects a large amount of the UK population and many people across the world. It is the biggest causation of tooth loss. This in itself is a big reason why Gum disease remains a problem for Dentists today. Another reason why Gum disease is a problem is that it is incurable. This means that there is no solution present today that eliminates Gum disease – only improves the state of the condition. A large percent of the population have Gum disease and it affects all ages – although it affects adults the most, it is the biggest cause of tooth loss and it is incurable. Tooth loss affects many people in many ways. One of which is embarrassment due to bad breathe. Another is more serious – not being able to eat certain foods which can affect diet choices but mainly life expectancy. Gum disease is a problem in itself; however there are connections with Gum Disease and other diseases. Some theories explain that periodontal disease can lead to heart disease. This is because when oral bacteria enter the bloodstream, it can
Can disorders of old age such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases be viewed as lying on a continuum with aging? Discuss.
Can disorders of old age such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases be viewed as lying on a continuum with aging? Discuss. As many elderly individuals display minor motor and cognitive impairments which may seem familiar to those exhibited in neurodegenerative disorders, it has become a popular idea that aging and neurodegenerative disorders are on a continuum, thus making aging a mild or benign form of neurodegeneration (Przedborski,Vila & Jackson-Lewis, 2003). This idea was reinforced by studies from the 1950's to the late 80's which consistently overestimated the rate and extent of neuronal cell death necessarily associated with normal aging, forming the myth that in aging as in neurodegeneration significant cell loss is the norm rather than the exception (Brody, 1970). It was later discovered that these studies were confounded by asynchronous shrinkage of brain tissue in solution, the tissue of younger subjects shrinking more and leading to the impression of a higher neuronal density (Finch & Day, 1994). Neurodegenerative disorders such as PD and AD are characterised by vast neuronal death, which leads to functional decline. However, the neurobiological events which correlate with functional decline in normal aging are less well specified (Morrison & Hof, 1997). Recent evidence suggests that neuronal death does not occur in normal aging to an extent to which it is
DEGENERATIVE & MEMORY DISORDERS
DEGENERATIVE & MEMORY DISORDERS Degenerative Disorders Degenerative disorders occur when a certain part of the body, such as bodily tissues or an organ, gradually begins to deteriorate over a period of time, thus resulting in the tissue's or organ's failure to function properly and may even result in the entire body malfunctioning. There are many types of factors that may cause degenerative disorders. These include things such as infection, disease, a deficiency in the circulation, inflammation and even possibly, problems with the body's natural immune system. A simple example of degeneration is the wrinkling of the skin, as we get older. This is due to the degeneration of the skin tissue and will take many years to progress although particular factors may speed this process up. These could be things like prolonged and regular exposure to the sun and frequently using a sun bed. There are many other degenerative disorders, some are unfortunately quite common like arthritis and cancer. Arthritis is a debilitating inflammatory disease of the joints, with the symptoms being pain, stiffness and swelling. Sadly, as with the majority of degenerative disorders, there is no cure and nothing that can be done to prevent its progression, although there are a few treatments that help to relieve the symptoms and slow down the development of the disease, for instance,
Law and ethics in nursing
This assignment is based on the ethical and legal issues that are significant to nursing practice. The specific areas that are going to be covered will be that of consent, accountability, duty of care, the Nursing and Midwifery council's code of professional conduct and the four fundamental principles used in ethical decision making, also known as principlism. The following statement will also be discussed: "Ignorance of the law is no defence and the nurse should be aware of the limits which the law imposes on her, and also the power it gives her" (Dimond 2004). Nursing practice is affected by many pieces of legislation and law (Kozier) and so areas such as negligence and trespass will be discussed. A scenario taken from practice will then focus on some key legal and ethical issues that arise during practice, adhering to confidentiality at all times. The main issue from the scenario that will then be discussed is that of informed consent and also how a nurse may use her role to influence people and their decisions and what the implications this could cause. Throughout the assignment, personal reflective thoughts will be given to show learning and understanding. A conclusion of what has been discussed throughout the assignment will then summarise the main points and make recommendations for future practice. As a health care professional, nurses are accountable for
Alheimer's disease a Research paper.
ALHEIMER'S DISEASE A Research paper Presented to The Faculty of the High School Department St. James College of Quezon City By Ramil Ramirez February 2004 St. James College of Quezon City APPROVAL SHEET In partial fulfillment of the requirements of Elective English III (Research Techniques), this research paper entitled ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE, has been prepared by RAMIL RAMIREZ, who is hereby recommended for oral examination. _______________________ ______________ Date Adviser Approved as partial fulfillment of the requirements for Elective English III (Research Techniques) by the Committee of oral Examiners. _____________________ Chairman _____________________ Member _____________________ Member _____________________ Member __________________ Date Accepted as partial fulfillment of the requirements for Elective English III (Research Techniques). __________________ ____________________ Date Principal
ATYPICAL PSYCHOLOGY
ATYPICAL PSYCHOLOGY How do we define abnormality? A major issue to be faced by those who study and treat abnormal behaviour lies in the question 'when does behaviour come abnormal'? There is no separating normal behaviour and abnormal behaviour:- Psychopathology is a scientific study of mental disorders, the immediate problem this shows is what constitutes a mental disorder and should this be regarded as 'mental illness'. Mental disorders are treated mainly by psychiatrist doctors who specialize in the study and treatment of mental abnormality describing the disorders by DSM- IV and ICD10 later on. One of the most difficult tasks for those working within the field of abnormal psychology is to define abnormality. Definitions of what constitutes abnormal behaviour have changed dramatically through history. Any behaviour that seemed outside an individuals control was thought to be the product of supernatural forces, for example exorcism was one of them. The definition of abnormality itself remains a judgement; abnormality is described in several ways. Applying abnormality to psychology is very complex, what is normal? Whose normal? For what age? For what culture? Some would classify or argue that what is 'good' as normal and what is 'bad' as abnormal. Definition brings up many of the same questions. There are many more ways of showing a more objective reference point. One
Parkinson's Disease.
Parkinson's Disease According to the latest statistics, there are from 80,000 to 120,000 people with Parkinson's disease in the UK, and the figures are rising, Findley (2000) therefore it is essential that health professionals understand the long term effects of not only the physical but social and psychological problems that Parkinson suffers experience. This assignment will focus on how the diagnosis affects the quality of life of those living with the disease and their carers. It will give an overview of physical aspect of the disease and focus on the social and psychological problems of living with a long term chronic illness and how the multidisciplinary team work together with patients and carers by assessing implementing and evaluating the problems that arise. Noble (2000) Parkinson's disease is a progressive, neurological disorder, occurring when nerve cells do not work properly in a particular area of the brain, called the substantia nigra, which is a pigmented nucleus in the brain stem. Alexander et al (2000).The substantia nigra forms part of the basal ganglia which consists of several clusters of cell bodies receiving impulses from different parts of the cerebral cortex. These nerve cells produce and store dopamine and acetylcholine, the chemical messenger which co-ordinates the body's movements, the chemical messengers work in balance to transmit messages