Research Articles Base: Health Topics

Psychological Effects Of Sexual Harassment

PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT       Sexual Harassment is an unethical behavior of people who uses light force against others by using his physical, verbal or conditional position in order to take advantage to others so that they will submit to such authority within the given condition. This can happen almost everywhere especially in the workplace and other organizations even in school. Usually the harasser has a certain advantage against the victim. Sexual harassment can include many things such as actual sexual attempts, dealings, physical touch, gestures, intimidating looks, unwanted arrangement and threats etc. words and comments can also be a form of sexual harassments if a person is guilty to attempt a sexual communication, opening up sexual questions or topics, and more.       Sexual harassment usually arises from unwelcomed behavior which is sexual in nature. There are times that a person may voluntarily submit to their offenders within a certain conditions if they are in need to submit their will or they have no choice, in a workplace where an ordinary employee are offered to gain a higher position by their boss if they allowed themselves to deal in a one night stand or they will be forced to kick them out of the company, there are employees who are forced to take the offer in order to maintain their job. This is just a lighter example of sexual harassment. There are also times that they will be forced to retaliate in order to resist such acts.       In a court or even in an argument, sexual harassment is sometimes hard to identify especially in a more liberated countries that usually are not cautious in verbal and physical gestures since there is no physical contacts involved. Usually the effects of sexual harassment may depend on the severity of the incidents that takes place during the harassment. Psychologically this can be a lifelong struggle in the mind of the victim especially if they have not experienced such conditions. Medical experts and psychologist believed that the effect of sexual harassment is just like the same with rape. The victim may feel guilty or worthless to commit a harsh decision to fight back to their offenders, or worst they can even have a hostile physical tendency if they are not given support. Mostly the victims of sexual harassment are women.       The most common psychological effects of sexual harassment is withdrawal in work or in school and any other activity that they usually does, they are merely reckless and negligence in most of their activities. In school a student may usually bothered to see their offenders and the same in their workplace. Sometimes the victims can become an accused if they tend to criticize their conviction or if they are being played around in the community this creates heavier burden psychologically. If the scandal has become sensationalized or publicly exposed, the victim themselves are sometimes judge by other person that weakens them to discontinue the undertakings in suing the offenders.       Preliminarily the victim may feel uncomfortable, sleepless and uneasy. If the victims themselves suffered from bad reputation and mistrust and if they have not gotten support from family and friend depression and anxiety may occur the conviction may become hopeless that causes traumatic exhaustion or breakdown. Some may even lead their lives to alcoholism, drugs or sometimes rebellion that they are unaware that they themselves are performing sexual harassment against others subconsciously. Post traumatic stress disorder and suicidal thoughts can be the most dangerous psychological effects of sexual harassment. Most companies and organization must make it clear that there are department that can take good care of their employees and people in such situation so that if this happened in their employment they can immediately expose such harassment rather than come out to the public.       Alternatively the victim must be moved away or transfer in the location temporarily or permanently until such time they can recover and escape the tragic experience where the sexual harassment occur. If possible they need a new atmosphere and surroundings that can remove their tendency to commit unnecessary actions, they should consult a psychiatrist in order to validate the severity in the case of the victim if they are willing and if their conditions are still fine and easy to be recovered. They can suggest a temporary remedy during those times that the victim may highly need them. In case of children who are victims they must immediately seek medical attention because most children may not feel the guilt or the pain during the occurrence but they can be slowly developed until they grow-up. Most importantly the greatest cure is the support of their immediate family and friends to whom they can trust.   Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Psychological Effects Of Sexual Harassment

PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT Sexual Harassment is an unethical behavior of people who uses light force against other...

Abortion Essay

Abortion   Abortion is the most controversial issue nowadays that various groups of people are debating whether or not it is legally or morally acceptable in the society.   To begin with, abortion is the most common medical procedure performed in the United States and even in some countries every year.  This study reveals that 40 % of women end their pregnancy by abortion during their reproductive years. On the other side, some women end up with abortion due to some reasons, either they are still young; out of wed luck, poverty or over aged to bear the child.  In the United States, abortion was legalized in 1973.   On the contrary, there are 10 to 20 million abortions   illegally done worldwide.  Dangers and health complications   among women are associated with illegal and unsafe abortion.  It has been found out that there are 13 percent of deaths among women caused by serious complications due to illegal abortions.   In this relation, the implementation of 1973 US law on the legality of abortion has been become controversial and rampant in the country.  This medical procedure has been legally active areas in the field of medicine.  However, there are still various questions regarding the issue of parental permission for the minor patients before undergoing abortion procedure.   While adult pregnant women who have pregnancy problems or abnormalities that in need to undergo abortion for the sake of saving their lives; abortion is being carried out legally by the doctors.  This is of course with the consent of the husband or any adult member of the family.  Rape and incest cases must be taken into serious consideration as well.   In these cases, everything must be evaluated seriously, the pros and cons.  And, whatever decision that makes a woman think will provide her with peace and inner happiness, and then she must follow it.   (http://www.emedicinehealth.com/abortion/article_em.htm) Nonetheless, what is very alarming these days is the prevalence of illegal abortion in the countries where abortion is not legally allowed by the government and foremost by the church.  For instance, in the Philippines, abortion is    morally and legally prohibited in the country, but there are many reports of abortions done by   large number of women yearly.  And, since it is illegal practice in the country, many women are suffering pain and complications from the illegal procedure. In deontological perspective, personally, it is better to have a legal abortion, if it is really necessary for women, than having it in illegal way.  It may even lead to the increase number of deaths among women.  Unlike in the legal process, abortion obviously    provides a safe and legal procedure that the mother can assure for her total safety.  However, the common denominator for both legal and illegal abortion is they both kill   innocent and helpless lives.  And, they are still morally accountable for that aspect.  But, if there is a valid and legal reason behind it, let just say, that the mother is in danger if the baby will be pushed through.  This factor may lessen the gravity of moral obligations of the people concerned in doing abortion.  In this regard, the United Nations declared as well that abortion is only considered legal if the life of the woman or mother   is in danger.  (http://www.emedicinehealth.com/abortion/article_em.htm)  On the other point of view, World Health Organization has a policy also on abortion that agrees with the Center of Reproductive Rights of Women.    According to one of WHO journal spokesperson, a safe and legal abortion is very crucial part of women’s right.  But, many Filipino people are still considering abortion   as killing babies.  Intuitionally, this notion is also at the back of my mine as a woman, and I think I can never do the same thing to my fetus if I were in the shoes of those young women who can not stand to face the circumstances of keeping their babies; it is more of what you believe is right, the moral values and obligations that have instilled in you as an individual will help you decide to come up with the best decision when you are in this situation. In the final note, abortion is a right choice for doctors who knows that their woman-patients will soon die; if they will not do the abortion procedure at the soonest time. Nevertheless, having an abortion just for the sake of saving the face of minor expectant mothers is entirely irresponsible act.  Every woman must bear in mind that the issue of being pregnant is   a matter of self-discipline and being responsible of your action.  There are a lot of ways these days to avoid   pregnancy before engaging into sex. There are birth control methods to be used appropriately before engaging sexual intercourse.  Some people, argue, that using any form of contraceptive after a pregnancy is underway, still an immoral act.  (http://www.friesian.com/abortion.htm) References: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/abortion/article_em.htm http://www.friesian.com/abortion.htm   Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Abortion Essay

Abortion Abortion is the most controversial issue nowadays that various groups of people are debating whether or not it is legally o...

Malnutrition

Malnutrition   Malnutrition is the physical condition that caused by taking an unbalanced diet; which certain nutrients are lacking.  A number of different nutrition disorders may arise, depending on which nutrients are under or overabundant in the diet. In this connection, the World Health Organization noted that malnutrition as the greatest single threat to the world’s public health, must be widely given focus as the most effective form of aid and emergency measures that include  providing micronutrients  through sachet powders like peanut butteror directly through supplements.  In addition, the famine relief operation program has been increasingly used by international civic groups in order to give cash vouchers to the hungry population in every part of the world.  Aside from this, there is a long term measure implemented by the WHO through investing in modern agriculture in countries lack fertilizers and irrigation, which largely eradicated hunger in the developed world. However, World Bank strictures restrict government subsidies for farmers and the spread of fertilizer use is hampered by some environmental groups. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malnutrition) Based on the report made by Jean Ziegker, United Nations Special Reporter; mortality rate has been increasing since 2006 due to malnutrition.  There is approximately 62 million people die due to lack of proper food nutrition.  World Health Organization also added that   malnutrition is by far the biggest contributor to child mortality, present in half of all cases; and six million children die due to hunger in a year.  As regards malnutrition, 2.2 million underweight newly born babies die every year because of poor or lack of breastfeeding system from their mothers. Many children worldwide are found to be nutrients deficient such as lack of Vitamin A or Zinc.  Malnourished children grow up with worse health and lower educational achievements. And, when these children once become parents, their own children also tend to be smaller. Malnutrition has been previously seen as something that exacerbates the problems of diseases as measles, pneumonia and diarrhea. But malnutrition actually causes diseases as well, and can be fatal to everyone.  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malnutrition) Furthermore, malnutrition increases the risk of infection and infectious disease; for instance, it is a major risk factor in the onset of active tuberculosis. Whereas, in communities or areas that lack access to safe drinking water, these additional health risks present a critical problem. Lower energy and impaired function of the brain also represent the downward spiral of malnutrition as victims are less able to perform the tasks they need to in order to acquire food, earn an income, or gain an education.  Moreover, it is also the cause of iodine deficiency among people specially children.  It is well observed that even moderate iodine deficiency, especially in pregnant women and infants, lowers intelligence by 10 to 15 I.Q. points, shaving incalculable potential off a nation’s development. The most visible and severe effects of iodine deficiency is goiters, cretinism and dwarfism. These diseases affect a tiny minority, usually in mountain villages. But 16 percent of the world’s people have at least mild goiter, a swollen thyroid gland in the neck.  According to research, entire awareness of nutritious meal choices every day; as well as establishing long-term healthy eating habits has a great positive impact on the cognitive and spatial memory capacity of every student.  By this way, the students will be able to have a great potential to retain in their brain as many academic information as they can.  This is also the major reason that some organizations have started working with teachers, policymakers, and managed foodservice contractors to give direction on the improved nutritional content and increased nutritional resources in school canteens and cafeterias from primary to college level institutions worldwide. (http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/diseases/malnutrition/en/) Subsequently, health and nutrition have obviously been proven to play major role in the educational success of any student.  It has been reported that less than 10 percent of American college students are recommended to eat five servings of fruit and vegetables a day.   It is shown that better nutrition has large effect on both cognitive and spatial memory performance of the students.  Additionally, a study shows that those people or students with higher blood sugar levels performed better on certain memory tests. On the other hand, those who consumed yogurt performed better on thinking tasks when compared to those who consumed caffeine free diet soda or confections.] Nutritional deficiencies have been shown to have a negative effect on learning behavior in mice as they were being experimented in 1951.  In view thereof, better nourished children excel significantly in school compare to the malnourished children. And, nutritional education is an effective and workable model in a higher education setting in order to produce more   successful individuals in the world. (http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/diseases/malnutrition/en/) References: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malnutrition http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/diseases/malnutrition/en/     Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Malnutrition

Malnutrition Malnutrition is the physical condition that caused by taking an unbalanced diet; which certain nutrients are lacking....

THE IMPACT OF BACKREST ELEVATION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF VENTILATOR ASSOCIATED PNEUMONIA

THE IMPACT OF BACKREST ELEVATION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF VENTILATOR ASSOCIATED PNEUMONIA         According to the US American Journal of Critical Care Pneumonia is due to noscomial infection and another leading cause of death in the United States and other countries. The inflammation of one or both lungs due to this virus irritates the respiratory tract that promotes bacterial spread and may induce mucus secretion release constantly in our body. Medical experts have found a need to experiment for the cure of such infectious and deadly disease that is why the development of backrest elevation of the Ventilator Associated Pneumonia has been introduced. The person who suffered this critical level of the disease may require the use of mechanical ventilation or a breathing machine within 48 hours because they may suffer breathing seriously and may cause death if not been treated in time. The death rate of this disease of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia is critically high and it required immediate treatment upon diagnosis.       The Center for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended the use of Backrest Elevation to a 30 degree during the first 24 hours to 45 degree during the next few hours to this angle so that the Ventilator Associated Pneumonia could reduce the risk  or be slightly prevented. Ventilator Associated Pneumonia may still be developed in people of serious condition if the backrest elevation is less than 30 degree during the first few hours and the development of VAP may still arise during 24 hours. Therefore positioning the patient is the key component of nursing aide to protect them. The elevation of the head gradually reducing the patient must have been the key where there is no medical contradiction this has been the chosen position.       From this point of view there are still negative implication of the position on the part of the patient since the complication of the 30 degree to 45 degree may affect the risk pressure and may form ulcer formation due to prolong position and that patient may slide down from the machine eventually due to their body weights especially from the elderly and bed ridden patients. To prevent this from happening there should be a continual monitoring of backrest elevation educating the nurse and immediate family and patient to maintain their position.       Study shows that it is a misconception that the critically ill patient should lay down on a supine position (lying on the back with face upward position) this position may create a major impact on the condition of the patient to highlight the risk of backrest and basically complication may occur. These findings have largely contributed to the Development of Backrest Elevation of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia.       In a recent study conducted in the medical respiratory in Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This room can accommodate at least 1000 patient each year because of its large capacity of 12 beds where half of them may require mechanical ventilation where included in the study excluding the patients using the intubation (inserting a tube through the vocal chords into the windpipe to provide oxygen into the lungs) where intubation would increase the risk of VAP, this reduce the patients to 276 to be studied that is sufficient enough that will indicate the efficiency of backrest elevation in the development of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia. Data development record has been critically measured in a comprehensive and accurate manner during admission of patient until a week of study. They have also developed a transducer measuring system to measure the elevation consequently for accurate recording over time and continuous data recording has been done every 10 minutes. Other data that is related to the VAP risk were also included to support the study. During the day of study period the patient is consistently in backrest elevation position. Initially they have gathered volume of data that results in the creation of formula to simplify the figures and expert has been very happy about the outcome.       The study has been reviewed and approved by the University Board and suggestions have been implemented to obtain the backrest elevation system and this has been the result of the study to prove the impact of backrest elevation. No direct association of backrest elevation and ventilator associated pneumonia was found. And the previous conclusion that Ventilator Associated Pneumonia was more likely to develop in patient suffering from serious ailment that spend more time at backrest elevation of less than 30 degree during the first day of intubation.  (American Journal of Critical Care 2005)                   Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

THE IMPACT OF BACKREST ELEVATION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF VENTILATOR ASSOCIATED PNEUMONIA

THE IMPACT OF BACKREST ELEVATION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF VENTILATOR ASSOCIATED PNEUMONIA According to the US American Journal of C...

FACTORS AFFECTING STUDY HABITS AND ATTITUDES OF FRESHMEN COLLEGE STUDENTS

FACTORS AFFECTING STUDY HABITS AND ATTITUDES OF FRESHMEN COLLEGE STUDENTS         There are various factors that may affect college freshmen students about their study habit and attitude during their first few days of their study they may experience  various feelings and confusion of mix emotion of how if it like as a college student and yet they still posses their high school spirit of youth and adolescence.       Anxiety or a feeling of the inadequacy – They may feel the stress of the unknown if they are not decided to what course they really wanted to take so they simply enrolled in the course whatever it maybe. Sometimes they are too picky to choose a course or they may take it for the sake of their parents they may be the one to choose and make decision on their children until such time that they discovered that they never really want to take such course. This kind of decision coming from a child may lead to negligence and carelessness in their study habit or they may sometimes quit or prevent their studies. This has been the reasons why many high schools are orienting their students to take a brief career orientation about their options and decisions they have to make before taking college courses.       Peers Pressure – They are one who largely influences students to take the course only for the sake of the group they are tempted to take a course to stick to their peers and stay there. They may sometimes be a bad influence who takes advantage of their time and money to be engaged in serious vices including drugs and alcohol or they may be the ones who may influence students to join a group or fraternity or sorority who have developed their thinking pattern of demeanor and aggressiveness. Organizations like these may tend to look good but most of the time it does not because they take the time of students in such worthless activities rather than in study. Students may also find good peer groups they are the students who aim for excellence and achievement above anything. They value their time and money and most parents are proud of them. They are scholars who love nurturing their mind with worthy thoughts and they engage themselves with healthy activities. Sooner or later students will find themselves to belong in groups and organization and it is important that their parents knew what kind of activities they are involved in because it can greatly affect their attitude and their study habit and winning perception.       Family Influence – students who belong to healthy family conditions who have a strong support with their family especially their parents will find them truly a performer in class or at least loving their studies, they are confident, motivated and they realize their worth in school. Their family motivates them and they are thankful. Parents have a very strong influence over their children in their study habit they are the ones who makes the bigger part of motivation with proper guidance and involvement in their study habit doing project or assignment, they are the one who can mold their persistence and courage to study well to the best they can. They can also be the one to discourage them.       Goal Settings – This is a very important decision that students can make and they can do it consciously and sub-consciously they will be determined and more than willing to persevere to take the challenges of the toughest obstacle they have to face, they will focus on their goal and they succeed. Some students who suffered so much poverty and hopelessness in life may find that education is their tools on their way out, they look for education as a highest form of achievement so thus it will become their priority in life. Some parents would say that is it the only legacy that they can give.       Lack of self-confidence and self-worth – Students who are weak inside lacks confidence and it may show physically, usually this feelings starts at home during their childhood and it reflects in the society and organizations or groups including in their studies. There are the ones who are scolded, teased and bullied. Their classmate can make fun of them and this affected their attitude and study habit, students who lack self confidence may feel lonely even if they belong to a group.       They may not be physically disabled but their emotion leads them to a feeling of inadequacy and fear. Students who have this kind of attitude need so much attention to deal with; parent and teachers should be responsible to uplift the emotion of such student so they can grow. Usually they lack love and respect and that’s what they need to change their behavior to slowly grow, they must come out of their shells that delimit them to later on succeed in life. Finally Robert Hutchins some it all up when he says: My idea of education is to unsettle the minds of the young and inflame their intellects.                         Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

FACTORS AFFECTING STUDY HABITS AND ATTITUDES OF FRESHMEN COLLEGE STUDENTS

FACTORS AFFECTING STUDY HABITS AND ATTITUDES OF FRESHMEN COLLEGE STUDENTS There are various factors that may affect college fresh...

Elaborate How Behavioural Factor Affect Community Health

BEHAVIORAL FACTORS THAT AFFECTS COMMUNITY HEALTH         Health is probably one of the most important factor in our standard of living and we spend our entire life to live a good healthy living conditions, we seek medical attention in time of need and we even allotted at least a percentage of our budget in health insurance and other related issues just to maintain our physical conditions, in fact we seek opportunity and money for food everyday which is again a part of our health. We may or we may not know it. But basically there are certain issues that we have often neglected and that largely contributes to affect our health and the community that were living in and everyone maybe involve here. The silent problem that affects our community is caused by people living in the community the problem underlying this conditions is the discipline of the people.       Dengue is a disease that is widespread in the community and it is scattered around the world from various countries and nations including the Philippines, Thailand, Pakistan, Brazil etc. There are also various reports of this disease in USA and other African countries; the community suffers because of mosquitoes that penetrate the local residents. In America alone there are 890,000 cases while there are 80,000 cases in Venezuela including casualties and death in 2005 in the later years. As of today there are various fogging system, smoking and cleaning of inlet canal and some water stagnant that mosquitoes may concentrate on propagation basically it is the cleanliness and sanitation that is needed to provide a dengue free surroundings that has not been manifested earlier by the residence that causes thousands of life but now they knew it and their behavior changes.       Take a look at the garbage, the disposal behavior of people in the community and villages are definitely getting worst they prefer to threw their garbage everywhere within the community while on the streets that goes through the rivers that poisoned them and the fishes. This has been the reasons why there are various diseases has been widespread within the community, garbage that are toxic and harmful like chemicals may create an airborne diseases that can be easily inhaled by people. Various insects even detoxify them, it may perish and smells unhealthy odor that may cause tract infections especially among children who have a lower tolerance in decays.       Animals and people may eat some and poison them. Garbage that are non bio-degradable continues to pollute the community while waste materials that are biodegradable goes to air and water and pollutes them the water that we drink and the air that we inhale may not be safe because of the behavior of the residence within the community. Just imagine the vast majority of people, who are doing these, collectively they are the major contributor of the climate changes that has been the result of major calamity including typhoon, earthquake and tsunami that manifested within the year from various countries.            Alcohols and beverages in the commercials also pollutes the minds of the people that they have become their habit to get drunk at least by weekend and drink again during weekdays at home and this has been the reasons why hospitals is flooded with patients that has various problems from excessive alcohol. Men and women in the USA alone have 80,000 records of death due to alcohol related incident according to Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). They have exhausted and deluded their brain to socialization and their pockets are empty and now they have risk their life.          Smoking is another behavioral disease in the community that is hard to prevent. People seem to be addicted to smoking and later on they suffered. Smoking kills and smokers knew it but they still risk their life simply to feel the comfort of their addiction, there are certain euphoria and a feeling of freshness they felt during smoking. But this has cause heart attack, certain types of cancer and other lung problem. Knowing that they are smoking nicotine, carbon monoxide and thousands of harmful chemicals they can kill the body and worst burn their money. The people who surround them are also affected to destroy their health, pregnant smokers may suffer from their weight gain, and they may suffer premature birth and fetal syndrome. People may die earlier in fact smoking kills them slowly without them knowing but they still insist in their behavior.       Take a look at the vehicles and the people who never check their cars that exhaust greatly fumes, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and other hazardous air pollutants, toxics and chemical compounds that has been the reasons for birth defects, cancer and other serious illnesses caused by air pollution coming from their vehicles. Basically is this kind of smoke emission and others smokes coming from the factories that float in the air that reaches the ozone layer to destroy the earth and it is irreversible no matter what we do. Industrialization and globalization is not largely the problem but is it the lifestyle of the people and their behavior.           Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Elaborate How Behavioural Factor Affect Community Health

BEHAVIORAL FACTORS THAT AFFECTS COMMUNITY HEALTH Health is probably one of the most important factor in our standard of living ...

Soft Drugs Should be Legalized

Debate on the Legalization of Soft Drugs   First and foremost, what are soft drugs?  These are drugs that are believed by some people are less damaging to the health and non-addictive than a hard drug, and they are alcohol, cannabis and nicotine drugs. Argumentations and debates have spread around the globe nowadays regarding the legalization of these soft drugs. Public opinion has recently surprised by few proposals from the various countries that intend to legalize the use of   soft drugs such as nicotine, cannabis and alcohol.  Everybody knows that drug addiction is a leading problem now among youth as well as among adults across the globe.  And,   it caused serious impact to the psychological, social, spiritual and moral beings of any individual who is using it.  However, different groups of people today are worried about the effects of the legalization of soft drugs in some other countries. According to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) in Lisbon; there are already 45 million people who have tried cannabis soft drug.  About 15 million European people have initially tried cannabis in 1999.  Additionally, in United Kingdom, there are 10 percent of adults who are already using the drugs. While Spain, has 7 percent of its population who are already cannabis dependent.  Similarly, Denmark has 3 percent of its people who also hooked with this kind of soft drug; so as to the rest of the people in the European states.  This controversial policy of “soft drugs” has already accepted and practiced already in various parts of Europe.  In France and Netherlands, many people are already using cannabis, now in Belgium; smoking is already widespread among people in various regions, and it seems that the authority does not care anymore.   The prevalent usage of cannabis, nicotine and alcohol in these places has been a controversy lately by many debaters in the world, especially those in Christian countries.  (http://www.sciaga.pl/tekst/48932-49-soft_drugs_should_be_legalised_presentation) Nevertheless, there are various reports stating different opinions from various groups, there are people who really opposed on the soft drugs existence, for they may have detrimental influence on the society at large.  There are arguments presented for the legalization of these “soft drugs”, some people say that it is better to assist the drug addicts with the legal drugs than letting them do illegal drug addiction. And besides, this will enable them, and other people   to control or limit the use of those drugs.  They, according to other people can help the country to monitor drug dealers for drug consumption control.  Another stand here,   science and technology have always the ability to improve the health conditions of the people who use the drugs.  For instance, it is observed that some of these drugs are producing pleasant, euphoric, tranquilizing, sedative, stimulating, or hallucinogenic to the users.   In contrast, these drugs, at the same time, can cause a total loss of concentration and sense of focus to any individual who use them. Large or little amount of consumption of these substances can still lead to isolation and permanent dependence of the users.  (http://www.sciaga.pl/tekst/48932-49-soft_drugs_should_be_legalised_presentation) In view thereof, you also decide for yourself, is the legalization of the soft drugs beneficial to mankind?  Or, can it only bring devastating effects to the lives of many people, especially to the young people in our society?  Keep this in mind that most of the drug users nowadays are at young ages.  Many children and teenagers are already capable of taking illegal drugs, what more if these illegal drugs would be legalized; they have more access of getting them without any effort at all.  In the final note, people live in a society that supposed to protect the lives of their   young children from any forms of harmful elements, and the legalization of any drugs leads many children to think that taking these drugs is not prohibited, so, it could be harder for the parents and educators to explain to them why they can not take it as well. Many families today have been ruined, as well as many young lives have been destroyed by drugs, and the bottom line here is the children are always at the lose end of this phenomenon.  Whether the children are not taking drugs or drinking alcohol, but if their parents are drug-dependent or alcohol dependent does it make any good for them? The effects of drugs and alcohol are always negative to the children; whether they or their parents are using drugs. Children are the one who always suffer from the consequences of abusive parents, broken families, immorality, maltreatment, illiteracy and most of all poverty; and all these are caused of being drug dependent by so many people in the world. (http://skolarbete.nu/skolarbeten/soft-drugs-should-not-be-legalised-2/)  References: (http://www.sciaga.pl/tekst/48932-49-soft_drugs_should_be_legalised_presentation) (http://skolarbete.nu/skolarbeten/soft-drugs-should-not-be-legalised-2/) Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Soft Drugs Should be Legalized

Debate on the Legalization of Soft Drugs First and foremost, what are soft drugs? These are drugs that are believed by some peopl...

Soft Drugs Should be Legalized

Soft Drugs Should be Legalized

Debate on the Legalization of Soft Drugs First and foremost, what are soft drugs? These are drugs that are believed by some peopl...

Term Paper on the Concept and Definition of Visual Impairment

VISUAL IMPAIRMENT         Visual impairment is a disease in vision and partial sight that may lead to blindness. It is an abnormal visual behavior that affects people to demonstrate a decrease in visual acuity. There are many factors that may affect a person from having this kind of visual abnormality sometimes a person may be genetically born to have such visual impairment.       A person who has been born with this kind of visual acuity may also be physically weak in mobility and intellectual capacity when they grow up therefore they are definitely required for an extensive medical attention as early as possible to be able to apply an immediate cure to their vision. Sometimes inborn vision impairment may not be cured at all by any medical surgery because of complication or it may vary from different type of severity and therefore medical operation may be crucial to the extent of total blindness or complication that may lead to death.       Most of the times less severe visual impairment can simply be cured by using an eye glasses or contact lenses. There are different types of visual impairment according to level of severity; firstly is the partially sighted person who can see but with less vision, they can sometimes depend on their own to mobilize and grasp things independently but may require a special assistance when reading because of small details that they may not easily identify while reading. Second is the low vision individual which suffers a more serious visual problems than a partially sighted person, they may need a Braille system when reading although there is a slight visual transparency in their vision when nearer. Next is the legally blind person who cannot see things clearly near or far but just a reflection or abstract images. Lastly is the totally blind person who has no vision all. This kind of blindness is usually incurable and may require a Braille system to understand and read objects.       One eye blindness is another form of visual impurities that can create an imbalance and abnormal vision to a person who suffered from this kind of abnormalities but nevertheless they can still be as normal in conceptual framework of development such as learning and reading.  Conceptually a person may also suffered from deaf blindness or an umbrella effect that may cause a person to be deaf and blind at the same time children and adult alike can be susceptible with this visual disease depending on their progression or experiences. It can also be inborn or hereditary.       Basically a person with this kind of visual imperfection may be need to a thorough attention in learning from various institutions and schools for the blind so that they can be given a special treatment and gradually assess their consistency in learning. Their performance in school may or may not be like of those ordinary students depending on their physical and spiritual capacity and interest to learn but basically it is an understandable behavior that visually impaired students are expected to learn slowly because of their situation. Braille system and cane stick has been very helpful in their learning capability that should always be available on their side in school or even at home if possible.         A person with a regular 20/20 vision can also be affected in this kind of disease accordingly and there are many reasons why people can suffer from this impairment. ·         Infection from bacteria can cause visual impurities, especially from busy streets and construction sites where there are dangers in visual suffocation. ·         Dust, moisture and any other harmful chemicals and objects that are large enough to enter into our eyes can ruin our vision. ·         Cataracts that shows a cloudy vision due to overuse of vision. This condition can be surgically treated with the use of eye glasses and or contact lenses. ·         Amblyopia which is caused by misaligned eyes that causes the brain to interpret images in unlikely manners. ·         Macular degeneration of retina, a part of the eye that weakens its condition that usually occurs because of aging, vices like smoking and over exposure to sunlight.       Ophthalmology and other medical professionals that is concerned in eye care should be sought if a person experience any of the above visual impurities so that they can be given professional attention and treatment that is legally applicable to their conditions and can manifest cure rather than neglect or self medication that is basically dangerous. A person who self medicate can put themselves in a more dangerous condition when not properly guided by applicable treatment.          Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Term Paper on the Concept and Definition of Visual Impairment

VISUAL IMPAIRMENT Visual impairment is a disease in vision and partial sight that may lead to blindness. It is an abnormal visua...

Diet Pills: Effective or Detrimental to Human Anatomy and Biological System?

NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF DIET PILLS   Part One I have read about the story of a 362-pound pastor who was so humiliated when the flight attendant announced that she was bringing an extra seat belt to secure him. The pastor then decided to embark on the diet and basketball program. For the first four months of his personal weight-loss program, he avoided red meat and all fast and junk foods, stayed away from bread, and gave up his favorite munchies – potato chips.   He only ate boneless, skinless chicken and turkey meat, fish and fresh vegetable; learned to prepare his own low-fat, low-salt meals, taking over the family’s cooking chores from his delighted wife. To overcome late-night bringing, he ate oranges and grapes whenever he was hungry. Encouraged by his diet change, he embarked on an exercise program of swimming, aerobics and basketball. He joined a health club and started working out on a bicycle machine for an hour, and swam 5 or 6 laps every day for four months. This personal weight-loss program helped him lose 140 pounds.   The success story of the pastor motivated me to write something about weight-loss programs, focusing on diet pills. The story inspired me because of the fact that the pastor did not rely on diet pills which, nowadays, become a debate of health concerns. Thus this project, covering eight weeks, discusses the dangers of diet pills.   The title of my study is “Diet Pills: Effective or Detrimental to Human Anatomy and Biological System?” Obviously, I investigated the overall effect of diet pills to human system. I hypothesized that in general, diet pills are not detrimental to human anatomy and biological system. This was a result of my observation of some friends who do not experience negative side effects while taking diet pills. In this research, I attempted to answer the following questions: (1) How do diet pills affect the human anatomy and biological system? (2) How do people perceive themselves in terms of their appearance?; (3) Why do they turn to diet pills? To carry out the overall aim I first assessed and evaluated the situation by observing some friends who are into diet pills. I underwent archival research to gather information about the positive and negative effects of diet pills. Then I did a review of related literature on the effects of diet pills. Afterwards, I identified main issues and problems, followed by the interview. I made sure that the information given by the interviewee would be confidential. Through this interview, I was able to gain first-hand information about the topic. For this study, descriptive research method was utilized. In this method, it is possible that the study would be cheap and quick. The purpose of employing this method is to describe the nature of a situation, as it exists at the time of the study and to explore the cause/s of particular phenomena. I opted to use this kind of research considering the desire of the researcher to obtain first hand data from the respondents. Primary research data was obtained through this new research study. In-depth interview was conducted. On the other hand, the secondary research data was obtained from previous studies on the same topic.    A lot of overweight people are getting more conscious about how they look. This is the result of the twisted thought that the seemingly anorexic supermodels and brainless beauty queens are the only beautiful creature in this planet. It is really important to watch one’s figures mainly for health concerns and not due to aesthetics concerns.    Those who are considering to enroll in weight-loss programs, specifically those who are into diet pills will certainly relate with this study. Moreover, conducting this study provides personal benefits for me, especially that diet pills have no effect on me and that I am not able to follow any regime. Conducting this study then was a learning process for me.   Part Two Although researching about the topic was a really tedious task, it was an adventure for me as well. Moreover, my eight weeks spent on reading everything about the topic makes me knowledgeable about the dangers of some weight-loss programs and diet pills.   For this research, I did library research and interview. For the first part, which was the library work, I gathered data, collated published studies from different local and foreign universities and articles from books and journals; and made a content analysis of the collected documentary and verbal material. Afterwards, I summarized all the information and made a conclusion based on the research question posited.   For the second part of the study, I interviewed a female human resources manager for whom I am working temporarily as a file clerk. In the interview, open-ended questions were used to obtain as much information as possible about how the interviewee feels about the research topic. Interviews took a maximum of approximately an hour. The interview process was spontaneous. We had fun recollecting our high school years when looks mattered over anything else. The interviewee shared that she tried taking diet pills but stopped after some unbearable side effects.   The questions being used during the interview have been based on the research questions for this project, they have been reviewed, refined and approved by the project supervisor. The researcher designed a semi-structured interview. Here, the researcher encouraged the interviewee to clarify vague statements and to further elaborate on brief comments. The interviewer did not share his/her own beliefs and opinions.   It has been hypothesized that women are generally particularly susceptible to the development and maintenance of disturbed eating behaviors Indeed, prevalence research supports that disturbed eating behaviors are common among these women. For example, large percentages of high school women indicate that they use several maladaptive weight control techniques such as fasting appetite suppressants and skipping meals to lose weight. This made me remember when I was younger. I was so much into dieting that there were days that I skipped meals to please people. Well, the truth is, I was delusional in hoping that I could be like Linda Evangelista of Cindy Crawford.      During my archival work, I had found that a majority of college women report engaging in subclinical eating behaviors such as chronic dieting and binge eating, and a high percentage either occasionally or regularly use extreme measures to control their weight. These high prevalence rates of subclinical eating behaviors, combined with the information that .5% to 2% of young adult women have clinical eating disorders, have prompted many counselors and health care professionals to devote attention to the prevention and treatment of disordered eating behaviors among women.   Reading literatures on self-perception, I found that when women become dissatisfied with their inability to match the ideals presented in magazine photographs, stories, and advertisements, they begin to develop eating disordered cognitions which may eventually be acted upon in the form of anorexic and bulimic behaviors. Authors also reported statistically significant relationships between reading fashion magazines and “body dissatisfaction” as well as between reading health and fitness magazines and a “drive for thinness.” Moreover, adolescents who saw images of thin fashion models were more likely to report higher levels of body dissatisfaction immediately after exposure than those who saw non fashion images.   In addition to heightened body dissatisfaction, exposure to content and images depicting thinness may also lead to short-term reductions in self-esteem, distortions in body-size estimation, and more depressed mood. Recent research suggests that as many as two-thirds of all high school females are either on a diet or planning to start one. In fact, dieting has become so common that some researchers contend that what is now considered “normal” eating by many female adolescents may actually border on what has been traditionally considered to be pathogenic or eating-disordered. Finally, in this study, I found that some diet pills provide life-threatening health risks. For example, a 2001 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine concluded the Ephedra could cause high blood pressure, heart problems, stroke, seizures and death. And the FDA has reports of 100 deaths among ephedra users. Yet manufacturers adamantly claim the reports do not prove the product is risky and ephedra-containing products remain on the market. In 1997, the prescription weight loss pills redux and fenfluramine were recalled by their manufacturers after the FDA recommended that anyone taking them stop and consult with their doctors. The FDA asked manufacturers to withdraw the drugs after reviewing the records of 291 patients and found 30 percent had abnormal heart-test results. Some 92 patients had problems with their aortic or mitral heartvalves, the data showed. Most of the psychology books and journals were useful for my research. However, these are limited to the psychology of eating behaviors. Information of diet pills were briefly discussed on these materials. Nevertheless, they were still generally useful. The Internet was of little help. I could not find research articles on the negative impact of diet pills. As a result, I resorted to commercial domains.   Part Three During the two years between 1996 and 1998, 2.5 percent of American adults used prescription diet pills, according to new figures released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), based on the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Four percent of all women and nearly 6 percent of women age 25 to 44 took the prescription diet pills. However, one-quarter of those who took the pills were not overweight; therefore, at least 1.2 million adults may have inappropriately used the pills, says the CDC (see Healthy Weight Journal, 2001). Even diet pills that are prescribed by doctor may not be completely safe, either. By 1998, the use of prescription diet pills had dropped to 0.5 percent. The popular diet drugs fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine were withdrawn from the market in September 1997. Dexfenfluramine (Redux) had been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 1996; fenfluramine was approved earlier but not for the commonly used fenphen combination (Heavy Weight Journal, 2001). Although these drugs were effective in curbing the appetite, they were linked to heart valve disease as well as a condition called primary pulmonary hypertension (Dee, 2000). With this condition, there is an increased resistance to blood flow through the lungs. That puts strain on the heart and can lead to heart failure. Concerned, the Food and Drug Administration collected information on 271 patients who had used these drugs and found that 32% had valve abnormalities (Harvard Heart Letter, 2000). Studies did show an increased risk of aortic regurgitation detectable by echocardiography among patients who had used one of the fenfluramines, particularly among those who had taken the drug longer than three months. However, the studies found that only one out of 1,000 patients who had used these drugs actually developed symptoms from their heart-valve problems. Researchers found no differences in heart-related symptoms or physical examination findings among the three groups. They did find a higher rate of aortic valve leaking among those who used dexfenfluramine (9%) or phen-fen (14%), compared with the control group (4%) — however, severe leaking of the aortic valve was practically nonexistent in all three groups (0%, 0.2%, and 0.2%, respectively). Among the three groups, the rates of a leaky mitral valve were about the same. The result of the study also showed that the rate of mild or greater aortic regurgitation was 1.4% for those who used the drugs for three months or less, but rose to 13% among those who used them for longer. Among people who used one of the fenfluramines for more than 18 months, the rate of aortic regurgitation reached 21%. Although the vast majority of these patients have not suffered from their leaking aortic valves, there is some possibility that, with time, the leaking will get worse and the patients will ultimately need surgery. Sachdev et al. (2002) studied the effect of fenfluramine-derivative diet pills on cardiac valves. These pills were withdrawn from the market in 1997 because of an association with valvular regurgitation, but subsequent estimates of the prevalence of this condition have varied widely. Sachdev et al. (2002) concluded that their  data indicate that fenfluramine-associated valvular regurgitation is less common than initially reported, but still present in 1 of 8 patients treated for >90 days. A variety of medications used to assist with weight loss have been implicated in the precipitation or induction of depressive symptoms and disorders. This is true of a large number of phenylethylamine agents possessing psychostimulant properties, non-phenylethylamine psychostimulants (e.g., caffeine) and the serotonergic agent, fenfluramine (Pattern, 2002). There is, as yet, no substantial evidence linking the more modern weight loss drugs, sibutramine and orlistat, to the aetiology of major depression. Nevertheless, when these drugs are used, major depression will continue to be an important clinical consideration because of the elevated frequency with which major depression occurs in obese patients, the contribution that major depression may make to poor outcomes in non-pharmacological weight loss treatment and because of the interplay between symptoms of depression and weight loss treatment. Pattern (2001) evaluated epidemiological associations between self-reported diet pill consumption and major depressive episodes (MDEs), using data from a large-scale, cross-sectional survey of the Canadian population. The result of Pattern’s (2001) study shows that approximately 0.5% of the population reported the use of diet pills. Diet pill use was more common among women than among men. At the time of data collection (1996-1997), the most commonly used medication was fenfluramine (since withdrawn from the market because of cardiovascular toxicity). The use of these medications was strongly associated with MDE: the annual prevalence among persons reporting use was 17.1% (95%CI, 8.6 to 25.6), approximately 4 times the underlying population rate. The association between valvular heart disease and diet pills was discovered several years ago in a small cohort of patients. Subsequent uncontrolled surveys and reports suggested a prevalence of cardiac abnormalities as high as 30%. (Weissman, 2001). These results led to widespread concern by millions of appetite suppressant users and the withdrawal of both fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine from the market. Through Weissman’s (2001) review of the literature, it becomes apparent that we have better defined the association between valvular heart disease and appetite suppressants; nonetheless, many questions and controversies remain. Most large scale, multicenter, controlled studies have shown that a prevalence of significant valve regurgitation is between 2 and 12% and that the likelihood of disease increases with increasing dose and/or duration of appetite suppressant use.    Dieter and Vorperian (2000) presented the case of an otherwise healthy woman with a history of palpitations who survived sudden cardiac death from a ventricular arrhythmia. According to Dieter and Vorperian (2001), the patient’s only medications at the time of the event were alprazolan prn and over-the-counter diet pills. The authors explored the relation between ventricular arrhythmias and over-the-counter diet pills. Moreover, They discussed basic electrophysiologic principles as well as an overview for the work-up and long term management of sudden cardiac death.   Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) is the major ingredient of many over-the-counter cold remedies and diet pills. According to Ryu and Lin (1995), the use or abuse of PPA may cause hemorrhagic stroke or cerebral vasculitis similar to the clinical and angiographic picture associated with amphetamine use or abuse. In their study, they reported a 32-year-old Taiwanese women who developed sudden onset of severe headache, nausea and vomiting on the seventh day of oral ingestion of 75 mg PPA per day. Cerebral angiograms showed multiple areas of alternating focal constriction and dilatation in the anterior and posterior cerebral arteries consistent with cerebral arteritis. Ryu and Lin (1995) warned medical practitioners of the potential hazards of over-the-counter drugs like PPA.   PPA is consumed by millions of persons annually and is sold in varying dosages and combinations for different ailments. Adolescents are an especially susceptible group influenced by its action as an anorexiant. In the early 80s, several cases had been reported of patients in whom intracerebral hemorrhage developed, with and without concomitant angiographic evidence of vasculitis, after taking PPA. In Forman et al. (1989), the 11th documented case of PPA-associated intracerebral hemorrhage with vasculitis is described. This was the first case in an adolescent following the ingestion of an overdose of diet-aid pills. Cases of intracerebral hemorrhage with vasculitis have also been described in users and abusers of amphetamine, methamphetamine, and ephedrine, all sympathomimetics with chemical structures similar to that of phenylpropanolamine. Forman et al.’s (1989) alerted pediatricians to the potential use by their patients of nonprescription medications containing phenylpropanolamine whenever unexplained acute cerebral symptoms were present. According to Dee (2000), over-the-counter weight-loss drugs such as Acutrim and Dexatrim contain PPA. When combined with changes in eating habits and exercise, PPA can help people lose weight. However, the results are temporary and should only be used for the short term until new eating habits are established. Kikta, Devereaux and Stroke (1985) described two patients with intracranial hemorrhage after ingestion of diet pills containing (PPA) in combination with caffeine. The first patient had bilateral simultaneous intracerebral hemorrhages, and the second had a subarachnoid hemorrhage. PPA is widely used most often without prescription and causes intracranial hemorrhage more often than has been realized. The mechanism may be induction of a transient hypertensive crisis.   Lewis (1992) reviewed twenty-six domestic reports of suspected adverse reactions from the guar gum-containing diet pill, Cal-Ban 3000 (filed with the FDA) were reviewed. There were 18 instances of esophageal obstruction, seven instances of small bowel obstruction, and one individual who was reported to have died after ingestion of Cal-Ban 3000, but for whom insufficient details were provided to assess causation. There were 14 women and 11 men for whom sufficient information was available. Preexisting esophageal or gastric disorders were present in 50% of those with esophageal obstruction, including peptic stricture, pyrosis, hiatal hernia, esophagitis, gastric stapling procedure, Schatzki ring, and muscular dystrophy. Fourteen of these 18 patients with esophageal obstruction were treated successfully by endoscopy, although the tenacious gel-like consistency of the material was often difficult to remove.   Two patients required rigid esophagoscopy when flexible endoscopy was unsuccessful. This resulted in the death of one patient who developed a pulmonary embolism after surgical repair of an intraoperative esophageal tear. For the seven patients with small bowel obstruction, no specific predisposing factors were mentioned. One individual required exploratory laparotomy, and inspissated tablets were found in the ileum. These cases, spontaneously reported to the FDA, are very similar to those reported in the literature. The water-holding capacity and gel-forming tendency of guar gum permits it to swell in size 10- to 20-fold, and may lead to luminal obstruction, especially when an anatomic predisposition exists.   Jones and Pillsbury (1990) stated that cellulose fiber diet pills have recently become a popular form of weight control. Jones and Pillsbury (1990) have seen two patients in whom ingestion of these pills had resulted in complete distal esophageal obstruction. Further studies revealed that each patient had a previously undiagnosed anatomical abnormality of the distal esophagus; in one case a Schatzki’s ring, and in the other a stricture probably secondary to chronic reflux. Jones and Pillsbury (1990) conclude that patients with known esophageal narrowing, or with a history of reflux and/or dysphagia, should use cellulose fiber diet pills only with extreme caution.   Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Diet Pills: Effective or Detrimental to Human Anatomy and Biological System?

NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF DIET PILLS Part One I have read about the story of a 362-pound pastor who was so humiliated when the flight atte...

EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL AND AMPHETAMINES ON SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION

EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL AND AMPHETAMINES ON SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION   Neurons, which are specialized cells, make up the nervous system. (Williams College Neuroscience, 1998) These nerve cells are specialized for receiving, processing and transmitting signals. (Sumanas, Inc., 2004) Accordingly, an efficient communication between these specialized cells is essential for the normal functioning of the central and peripheral nervous systems. (Williams College Neuroscience, 1998) This process by which information from a neuron to a target (neuron, muscle or secretory cell) across a specialized junctions called synapses is called synaptic transmission. (Gene Ontology Browser, 2004). On the other hand, it is also known that drugs of abuse, such amphetamines, and alcohol can have various effects on the body functions of a human being. What happens, then, to the process of synaptic transmission when a person consumes alcohol or amphetamines?  Accordingly, drugs of abuse and many other kinds of experiences share the ability to alter morphology of neuronal dendrites and spines, which are the primary site of excitatory synapses in the brain. (Kolb et al, 2003) In fact, stimulants mimic the stimulation provided by the sympathetic nervous system.  (Kimball, 2003) Amphetamine, one of the most widely used stimulant, block transporters used for the reuptake of dopamine (and noradrenaline) into presynaptic neuron, which causes the level of dopamine to rise in the synapses, and these high levels of dopamine in an area of the brain called the nucleus accumbens appear to mediate the pleasurable effects associated with amphetamine. (Kimball, 2003) Although, amphetamines are also used medically; they are used to help people lose weight because they can suppress appetite, and also, it is used to help children with attention deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD). (Kimball, 2003) It was discovered that hyperactive children exhibit a behaviour that is caused by the slow working of their brains. (Myron, 2003) Children with ADHD usually could not concentrate because the world moves too fast for them, and the amphetamine Ritalin allows these children’s synapses to fire more quickly so they can keep up with their environment and be able to focus on their work more effectively and proficiently. (Myron, 2003) On the other hand, alcohol appears to have two general effects on the membrane, anxiolytic and anesthetic, which are due to the interaction of ethanol with the membranes and membrane proteins. (Palmer, 1991) Due to ethanol, there is greater fluidity in cellular membranes, which in turn increases the permeability of that membrane to other chemical signals. (Wayne State University, 2003) “In the case of neurons, these chemical signals, which are used in conjunction with concentration gradients, must be kept either inside or outside the cell to allow for synapses to occur.  When the chemical signals leak in/out due to the increased permeability of the membrane, the speed of the synapse is reduced.” (Wayne State University, 2003) In addition, a study conducted by Gruol et al (2000) found out that: “alcohol effects on dendritic function could lead to prominent alterations in synaptic responses, including a disruption of calcium regulation of neuronal biochemistry and excitability, and may lead to neuronal death due to the toxic effects of calcium. Such actions of alcohol could contribute to the known toxic effects of alcohol on the developing nervous system. Moreover, because AMPA receptors mediate most fast synaptic transmission in the brain, many parts of the brain could be affected by this action of alcohol.”     References: Gene Ontology Browser. Synaptic Transmission. In Mouse Genome Informatics. Available at:             [http://www.informatics.jax.org/searches/GO.cgi?id=GO:0007274]. Accessed: [27/01/04].   Gruol et al. (2000). Molecular Mechanisms of Neuronal Signaling and Pathologic Changes. In The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) Scientific Report. California:         TSRI.   Kimball, John W. (2003). Drugs and the Nervous System. In Kimball’s  Biology Pages. Available at:       [http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/D/Drugs.html]. Accessed: [27/01/04].   Kolb B, Gorny G, Li Y, Samaha A.N., and Robinson T.E. (2003). Amphetamine or       cocaine limits the ability of later experience to promote structural plasticity       in the neocortex and nucleus accumbens. In Proceedings of the National      Academy of Science (PNAS) of the U.S.A., 100(18): 10523-8.   Myron, Harold (ed). (2003). Effects of Amphetamines (Rilatin).  In Newton, BBS.          Chicago: University of Chicago, Argonne National Laboratory.   Palmer, Norman T., ed.  The Molecular Pathology of Alcoholism.  New York: Oxford     University Press, 1991.  pp. 238-242.   Sumanas, Inc. (1994). Synaptic Transmission Sumanas, Inc. Available at:             [http://www.sumanasinc.com/webcontent/anisamples/neurobiology/synaptictransmission.html]. Accessed: [27/01/04].   Wayne State University. 2003. Effects of Alcohol on the CNS. Detroit: College of Science, Wayne State University.   Williams College Neuroscience. (1998) Synaptic Transmission: A Four Step Process. Massachusetts: Williams College.       Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL AND AMPHETAMINES ON SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION

EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL AND AMPHETAMINES ON SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION Neurons, which are specialized cells, make up the nervous system. (Willi...