Sleep is an essential part of life, but it is not taken seriously. We live in a chronically overtired society where half of us are not getting the necessary 7 to 8 hours of sleep needed. Sleep needs to be taken more seriously because disruption to the sleep cycle can lead to health issues and can affect performance/concentration.
Disruption to the sleep cycle causes changes in metabolism, hormone levels and blood pressure. These changes have been associated with heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity, depression, infection and accidents. These effects develop over time, but the goal to make sleep a priority now can help offset them later.
Disruption to the sleep cycle slows an individuals reactions and breaks their concentration. Everything becomes harder to do because the individual cannot think as clearly and things take longer to understand. When the body is not properly rested, the body cannot function at high performance.
It is time to take sleep seriously. The sleep lost due to sleep deprivation can never be made up. By starving your body from sleep, one is shortening their life. Implementing an earlier bedtime, afternoon naps and regular bedtimes/wake time can help improve the amount of sleep achieved per night.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Underage Drinking
Alcohol has become the drug of choice among youth. Young teens are experiencing the consequences of drinking alcohol at too young an age. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), 50 percent of eighth graders have had at least one drink and 30 percent of 12th graders engage in binge drinking three or more times a month. Underage drinkers are putting themselves at risk for detrimental brain damage, a reduction in their inhibitions and severe legal consequences.
The brain goes through changes during adolescence and exposure to alcohol during this time can cause long-term, irreversible brain damage. The hippocampus and the prefrontal area are the two areas of the brain most affected by adolescence alcohol consumption. A study performed by the American Medical Association showed that adolescent drinkers scored ten percent less than non-drinkers in vocabulary, general information, and memory retrieval.
Alcohol consumption affects a person’s decision-making capacity and judgment by lowering their inhibitions. A reduction in inhibitions tends to lead to risky behaviors among adolescences that result in physical harm. These risky behaviors include sexual behavior and driving under the influence of alcohol.
It is very important to make the right decisions about underage alcohol use. The legal consequences associated with underage drinking are severe. Underage drinking is a misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine, community service, or by suspension of the driver’s license. One night of fun can turn into many years of consequences.
The brain goes through changes during adolescence and exposure to alcohol during this time can cause long-term, irreversible brain damage. The hippocampus and the prefrontal area are the two areas of the brain most affected by adolescence alcohol consumption. A study performed by the American Medical Association showed that adolescent drinkers scored ten percent less than non-drinkers in vocabulary, general information, and memory retrieval.
Alcohol consumption affects a person’s decision-making capacity and judgment by lowering their inhibitions. A reduction in inhibitions tends to lead to risky behaviors among adolescences that result in physical harm. These risky behaviors include sexual behavior and driving under the influence of alcohol.
It is very important to make the right decisions about underage alcohol use. The legal consequences associated with underage drinking are severe. Underage drinking is a misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine, community service, or by suspension of the driver’s license. One night of fun can turn into many years of consequences.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
ER
I had the opportunity to watch the final episode of ER over the weekend. I have been a devoted ER fan for years and I never thought the day would come when I would have to say good-bye. ER was a great television series that was different than any other show on TV.
The main thing that set ER apart from all the other medical shows on TV throughout its 15-year life span was reality. ER reflected what life was truly like in the emergency room. It made viewers feel like they were watching a real world emergency room.
The fast paced, action packed episodes also separated ER from other TV series. There was never a dull moment while watching the show. There was always something interesting going on. The show always managed to educated viewers on medical and social issues throughout the course of the intense 60-minute episode.
ER is nothing compared to popular medical shows such as Grey’s Anatomy or Scrubs. These two shows lack the reality and intensity ER had. It will be hard to replace ER, but the things I have learned while watching the show will stick with me for the rest of my life.
The main thing that set ER apart from all the other medical shows on TV throughout its 15-year life span was reality. ER reflected what life was truly like in the emergency room. It made viewers feel like they were watching a real world emergency room.
The fast paced, action packed episodes also separated ER from other TV series. There was never a dull moment while watching the show. There was always something interesting going on. The show always managed to educated viewers on medical and social issues throughout the course of the intense 60-minute episode.
ER is nothing compared to popular medical shows such as Grey’s Anatomy or Scrubs. These two shows lack the reality and intensity ER had. It will be hard to replace ER, but the things I have learned while watching the show will stick with me for the rest of my life.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Sun Exposure
I was looking through spring break pictures of my friends from spring break and in every picture someone had lobster red skin. Their minimal use of sunscreen concerned me because their skin had been damaged by ultra violet radiation. Safe sun practices should be used in order help prevent the harmful effects of ultra violet radiation.
The American Academy of Dermatology and the Skin Cancer Foundation developed a five-step system to reducing the risk of sunburn and skin cancer, which are caused by overexposure to UV radiation. The five-step process includes the follow steps:
1. Minimize sun exposure between 10 am and 3 pm- this is when the sun’s rays are the strongest
2. Use sunscreen with a SPF of 15 or higher
3. Reapply sunscreen every two hours
4. Wear protective clothing and sunglasses
5. Avoid tanning beds
These simple practices are simple to do and the benefits of using them are life-long.
Overexposure to ultraviolet rays can lead to premature aging, abnormal pigmentation, reduced immune and most dangerously skin cancer. It may seem like a sunburn is not a big deal, but each sunburn causes your skins cells to break down. The break down of skin cells can easily lead to skin cancer. Every year skin cancer is responsible for 10,000 deaths each year in the United States.
Those 10,000 deaths a year could easily be prevented if proper sun practices were implemented. By simply putting on sunscreen or by covering up in the sun, skin cancer deaths would be reduced. It may not seem worth it now to protect your skin, but later on your will be glad that you did.
The American Academy of Dermatology and the Skin Cancer Foundation developed a five-step system to reducing the risk of sunburn and skin cancer, which are caused by overexposure to UV radiation. The five-step process includes the follow steps:
1. Minimize sun exposure between 10 am and 3 pm- this is when the sun’s rays are the strongest
2. Use sunscreen with a SPF of 15 or higher
3. Reapply sunscreen every two hours
4. Wear protective clothing and sunglasses
5. Avoid tanning beds
These simple practices are simple to do and the benefits of using them are life-long.
Overexposure to ultraviolet rays can lead to premature aging, abnormal pigmentation, reduced immune and most dangerously skin cancer. It may seem like a sunburn is not a big deal, but each sunburn causes your skins cells to break down. The break down of skin cells can easily lead to skin cancer. Every year skin cancer is responsible for 10,000 deaths each year in the United States.
Those 10,000 deaths a year could easily be prevented if proper sun practices were implemented. By simply putting on sunscreen or by covering up in the sun, skin cancer deaths would be reduced. It may not seem worth it now to protect your skin, but later on your will be glad that you did.
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