Category: Medicine and Health

Stress Management: Prioritizing and Goal-Setting for Optimal Well-being

Empowering Life through Prioritization and Intrinsic Motivation

Stress plays a role in every aspect of life. When lifestyles are not balanced, health is negatively affected, especially when one’s lifestyle lacks prioritizing skills.

Gaining adequate time management skills reprograms old habits. The instant a sense of control is perceived. It Enhances the way individuals set their short and long-term goals. In turn, gain the ability to easily identify what truly brings value to their life. This intrinsic motivator allows them to keep pushing in the direction that will satisfy their own values (Jackson, 2011). Simply deciphering what activities to include in their day to help achieve an end goal. It is enough to keep the individual motivated because the drive is coming from within themselves. Even when problems arise when trying to continue working on time management skills, being intrinsically motivated allows the person to find an alternative option (Seaward,2011,716). Simply because we are all naturally inclined to fight for what brings value into our lives.

When individuals use techniques that give them a sense of control, it eases unnecessary stress, like sweating small problems and reacting to what comes up. There are many techniques that can help you better manage stress. One particular technique that can be implemented to help stress levels is by prioritizing techniques. It curbs negative stress in advance. Hence, when an individual practices prioritizing, essentially, they are deciding what is most important or urgent. Prioritizing can help one reach one’s goals. Without prioritizing and putting what is most important first, working hard does not outweigh working toward a specified goal. This is why it is recommended that individuals write down their tasks and do them in order of importance so that the most important tasks can always be tackled (Seaward 716-718). That way, the most stressful tasks could be handled in the best way possible.

Stress-Induced Imbalances: The Consequences and Path to Well-Being

Not taking stress seriously can cause numerous symptoms that lead to imbalances throughout the body and can end up leading to the formation of diseases. The most common body imbalance is experiencing different sleeping patterns, which leads the individual to experience fatigue constantly. This stops them from becoming aware of how their reactions to each stressor really affect their well-being (Laura, 2011). Not implementing the stress techniques of setting goals and prioritizing causes one to become very anxious and perceive that they will not get the task done. In other words, it activates the flight or fight system, causing the body to change and creating an imbalance throughout the body. This is the dual response of the sympathetic nervous system and endocrine system.

The sympathetic nervous system connects messages to the nerves and endocrine system, shooting adrenaline directly into the blood system. That causes cortisol to increase oxygen to the brain and cause the immune system to get suppressed (Rodger,2011). In turn, it increases anxiety levels because too much oxygen in the brain clouds the sense of control one actually has over one’s end goals, and the immune system is slowly suppressed because of the shallow breaths normally taken. Individuals who implement techniques in advance perceive that they have time and end up being more relaxed rather than being tensed up about how the task will be done.

Overall, the level at which you evaluate and set goals highly predetermine how physical well-being turns out. Breaking down and figuring out what goals work best to manage time appropriately decreases the level of body tension that is caused by stress. Also, Making goals and working on prioritizing time effectively helps with time management skills. Having the ability to identify stressors and constantly learning how to use the appropriate techniques decreases the chances of chronic diseases in the long run. This leads to a healthier performing body system.

References

1. Larsen, L. (Ed.) (2011). (4th ed). Fitness and Exercise Sourcebook. Detroit, MI: Omnigraphics.
2. Seaward, B. L. (2011). Managing stress: Principles and strategies for health and well-being (7th ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.
3. Rodger D. (2011). Sympathetic nervous system. In K. Rogers (Ed.), The brain and the nervous system (pp. 76–80). New York, NY: Britannica/Rose Educational

The Color Purple and Other Signifiers: Decoding Popchips Ad with Katy Perry

Deciphering Colors: The Power of Red, Elegance of Purple, and Purity of White in Advertising

The text and images of this advertisement use signifiers to communicate a signified message. The first signifier in the advertisement that the consumer encounters is the color red. This color takes over the entire background, with the pop-up bag also being red. The signified message conveyed by the color red is powerful. According to the color-wheel-pro, red is associated with desire, power, strength, energy, and most importantly, it enhances human metabolism. The color purple is another signifier used in this ad, and it is seen in Katy’s headband and exercise ball. Again, the color purple delivers another signified message to the viewer.

The color-wheel-pro suggests the color purple is associated with royalty. Katy Perry is a famous celebrity. It could be said that many people look up to her as a role model. The color purple is also associated with luxury, power, and wisdom. Those who admire Katy Perry are prone to go and buy Popchips just to be like her. Another signifier seen is the color white. The message of the advertisement is printed in white, making it stand out and sending a signified message to the viewer. The color-wheel-pro describes white as purity, goodness, perfection, and innocence. This could be interpreted as the message being true, that chips are healthy. All the words of the advertisement are in white, which convinces the viewers of a truthful and honest message.

Beyond the Color Purple: Decoding Linguistic Signifiers and the Illusion of Health in Popchips Promotion

Furthermore, the words in the text are the strongest signifiers. The words are: “love. without the handles” and “I curl pop chips straight to my lips. good thing they don’t go straight to my hips”. Also, “think popped! never fried. never baked”. The signified message in the text is simply that the chips are a healthy choice. By eating these chips, no excessive fat will go to the hips of the consumer. But are they really healthy? According to the article “Food Review: Popchips,” “As for nutrition, yes, these chips have fewer calories, total fat, and saturated fat as compared to Lay’s and Kettle chips, but they also have more carbs and sodium and less protein.”

With Popchips, the consumer is ingesting a higher amount of sodium and carbs compared to other well-known brands of chips. Popchips also lack protein that can be found in other chip brands. Less protein in chips means the consumer will find themselves snacking more often because they are not full. Finally, Katy Perry herself is a signifier of the ad. She is a white woman, fit, and a celebrity. The signified message being conveyed is whoever eats pop chips will be like Katy Perry. There is no need to exercise to be fit because people can just eat popcorn chips.

References

1. Lüscher, M. (1969). The Lüscher Color Test. Simon and Schuster.
2. Zettl, H. (2013). Sight, Sound, Motion: Applied Media Aesthetics. Cengage Learning.
3. Gage, J. (1999). Color and Meaning: Art, Science, and Symbolism. University of California Press.
4. Kress, G., & Van Leeuwen, T. (2006). Reading Images: The Grammar of Visual Design. Routledge.

Asthma and Travel: A Comprehensive Guide to Safe and Enjoyable Adventures

If you have been diagnosed with asthma, you should still be able to safely enjoy traveling just like everyone else. However, there are certain precautions you may want to think about before you take your trip. Read on to find out more about what you should be doing in the build-up to your holiday and whilst you are away.

Plan ahead

If you want to feel confident that all is in order for your holiday, then you should try and plan as much in advance as possible. Around four to six weeks prior to your departure date, you might want to start thinking about what you need to prepare before you go.

Doctor’s appointment

It is a good idea to arrange an appointment with your doctor, specialist, or asthma nurse prior to traveling. This gives them the opportunity to check that your personal asthma action plan is still effective, that you are using your medications correctly, and also to provide any practical advice while you are away.

Travel vaccinations

Depending on the country you are visiting, you may be required or advised to receive extra immunizations to protect you from contracting diseases while you are away.
Your doctor should be able to advise you on which vaccinations are applicable. Your asthma medications should not interfere with the vaccines unless you have an allergy to an ingredient.

Asthma triggers

What are yours? Do you know whether they could be present at your destination? Depending on the types of triggers you have and the destination you are going to, you might want to prepare yourself accordingly. A common trigger to think about is the weather. Will there be a change in temperature or humidity when you arrive at your destination? Does your destination have a problem with air pollution? Or are you traveling at a time of year when pollen levels might be high?

Stick to your treatment plan

It is just as important to adhere to your asthma action plan whilst you are on holiday as it is when you are at home. This includes taking your medication as prescribed by your doctor in order to reduce your chances of having an asthma attack. You should ensure that you have sufficient medication to cover the time you are away as well as extra in case of any unforeseen circumstances. It can also be useful to have extra copies of your prescription details printed out should you lose your inhalers or need any medical attention while you are away. Keep your preventer inhaler with you at all times and carry a spare in your hand luggage so that you will not be left without your medication should your hold luggage go missing. Your inhalers will need to be placed into a clear plastic bag in order to adhere to current hand luggage restrictions. It is possible to carry essential medicines in quantities of more than 100ml, but you will need to obtain prior permission from the airport and airline as well as a doctor’s letter.

Do your research

Before you leave for your travels, you should try and find out more about the facilities available should you require emergency treatment. Is there a local ambulance service? Where is the closest doctor or hospital? Keep the results of your research with you whilst you travel, along with details of your UK doctor. Make any travel companions aware of the details and where you have kept the information.

Get insurance

You should take out a travel insurance policy for the time that you are away. You should declare your asthma condition when applying for the policy. Some insurance companies ask for those living with chronic illnesses to obtain permission to travel from their doctor.

ERIC

UK residents can apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Application is free of charge and can be carried out online, via post, or by phone. You should take the card with you whenever you travel within Europe, as it entitles you to free or reduced-rate healthcare. The card does not cover everything and should be obtained in addition to travel insurance.

Prepare for air travel

Most people with asthma can travel by airplane without any problems. However, some severe asthmatics may notice exacerbated symptoms caused by the cabin air pressure and reduced oxygen levels. Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor may want to carry out some tests to assess your suitability for air travel. You should speak to your GP before you plan to fly so that they can offer helpful advice.

Choose the right activities

If you have well-managed asthma symptoms, then you should be able to take part in any form of activity or exercise. That being said, you should remember that factors such as a change in temperature or altitude may play a part in your symptoms while you’re in a new place. Scuba diving, mountaineering, and skiing are three popular holiday activities that all present similar triggers (namely, an extreme change in air temperature, air pressure, and stress). If your asthma is exacerbated by any of these conditions, then you may want to consult your doctor before partaking in the above activities. Regulations surrounding asthmatics and scuba diving vary from country to country, so you may want to research them before setting off. Just because you have asthma doesn’t mean you should limit your expectations when it comes to going away. Ticking the above off your to-do list will help you to have a healthy and memorable time on holiday.

References

1. British Thoracic Society (BTS). (2019).
2. Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). (2020).
3. National Asthma Council Australia. (2019).
4. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI). (2018).
5. World Health Organization (WHO). (2013).

Asthma and Sexual Health: Balancing Challenges, Solutions, and Awareness

Asthma can be very tough when you want a healthy sex life. Perhaps it’s already ruining yours. When Berlin sang ‘Take My Breath Away,’ that’s not quite what they meant. Wheezing and coughing during your performance is not a good sex life.

Asthma And Sex Hormones

The effect of asthma on sex hormones starts in puberty. Girls are more likely to experience increased symptoms because their menstrual hormones start reacting to allergens. However, boys’ symptoms often decline around this time.

Menstruation and teenage stress can have a substantially negative effect on asthma, and it doesn’t stop there. Certain morning-after pills can affect asthma, as does menopause and potentially HRT. Our biological make-up doesn’t sit well with asthma.

Sex Is Exercise

Sex is cardiovascular exercise if you put some effort in. For some people, that can trigger a tight chest, wheezing, and coughing – all the asthma symptoms suffered by many. It’s called exercise-induced bronchospasm. If you suffer from asthma during exercise, you may suffer during Sex, too.

Experts say that if asthma really is due to sexual intercourse, then symptoms will appear about 5-8 minutes afterward. It’s most likely to be because you have poorly controlled asthma. When did you last look at your asthma plan? Have you even got one (naughty)?

Here are some tips:

Use your inhaler 15-20 minutes before Sex. It may seem presumptuous, but that’s better than having an asthma attack. Sort out an asthma plan for all-around better asthma health. Remember, it can still kill you. Keep windows closed during summer to fend off pollen. See your GP for advice because it may not be asthma.

What Else Could It Be?

If you are breathless during Sex, then it could be one of these illnesses instead. Heart Disease – early symptoms mimic asthma. Latex allergy – may trigger an asthma attack. Anxiety – a stressful day, previous sexual trauma, or just the fear of an asthma attack may all trigger symptoms. Environment – If you are somewhere other than home, there may be local allergens that trigger asthma, such as cat hair or smoke.

What To Do

If you are suffering any form of asthma symptoms and you haven’t sorted out an asthma plan, you are putting yourself at risk. Asthma kills three people a day in the UK. That’s a lot of people that didn’t necessarily have to die. You must sort out your medication because you don’t know when ‘the big one’ will happen. It could be during a stonking night of Sex, and you must be prepared.

If you are getting asthma symptoms when you raise your heartbeat during exercise, then it’s inevitable that Sex will do the same. Death by Sex is not just a cocktail in Yates wine bar; it’s a very real threat if your asthma is not controlled.

References

1. “Asthma and Sex Hormones” by Asthma UK
2. “Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction and Asthma” by American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
3. “Asthma Action Plan” by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health

Understanding Asthma: Impacts, Symptoms, and Everyday Challenges

Identifying Asthma: Symptoms, Testing, and Personal Experiences

Asthma Asthma is where when your airways are swollen or inflamed. Asthma is chronic, so you deal with it every single day. Some cases of Asmtha are that bad, but some can be life-threatening. Asmatham can make your airways sensitive to the environment. Also, a thing that can trigger asthma is smoke, so if you are walking in Pigeon Forge and someone is smoking, then more than likely, you will start coughing. Asthma can start at any age but is usually at the ages of six to forty. There have been more cases, so they estimate that there is a higher chance of getting it at those ages. Some symptoms can be shortness of breath, chronic coughing, chest tightness or pain, and trouble sleeping due to coughing or wheezing. Here are a couple of things to look at if you think you could have asthma. Fatigue, chest tightness, problems sleeping due to coughing or difficulty breathing.

Doctors say if your child has one or more of these, make a doctor’s appointment. If you go to the doctor, a test they might do is a spirometry test. Basically, what that does is you will blow into a sensor, and it will measure the amount of air in your lungs. My personal experience with asthma is that it will give you a disadvantage in running a mile or two. I have had to take the spirometry. One time, I failed that, and they have a new test which I can not find, but basically what it does is there is a screen, and there is a girl with a balloon, and you are not trying to it the clouds or the road, so it got to be right in the center. What that does is it checks to see if there are any allergies in your lungs.

Managing Asthma: Treatment Options, Variability, and Gratitude for Wellness

There are studies about asthma and deaths caused by asthma, and every day, eleven people die from asthma. Every year, four thousand people suffer from asthma. So that is why they recommend, if you have just one symptom, to go to the doctor because it’s easier to treat at the start than wait your whole life and it gets severe, and you could die from it. Now, if they say you have Asmtha, but it’s not the server, then the chances of Fie are slim. But if you go and they say you have a severe, then there is a higher chance than just a normal case of asthma. So go to the doctor. Now, for treating asthma, there are different types of asthma, so that means there are different inhalers. In fact, if you go to the doctor, there might be a poster with a lot of inhalers. An inhaler is what helps with asthma, so I can’t really describe what to do because there are a bunch of inhalers, but basically, what you do is you put your lips on the mouth part of the inhaler, and you press the button, you hold your breath for three seconds, and for my its recommend, but it can differ to what kind of asthma you have.

As of now, they have not found a cure for asthma, but for most people, it is under control, so it is like it is cur but not. Now, there are cases where the kid at a young age loses all of the symptoms and is gone completely. It happened to a girl who was diagnosed with asthma at the age of four, and at twelve years old, all of her symptoms went away. Now, in a way, her asthma is gone, but she will probably still have stuff in her lungs for the rest of her life. So, if you do not have asthma, you are blessed because normal stuff is normal, so running a lap is normal for people who do not have asthma. When people do have asthma, it makes running a lap around a gym hard. You will be coughing. So, you are truly blessed by God if you do not have asthma. So thank God every day, no matter what, if you do or not. Because if you do have it and it’s not a bad case, thank God that you don’t have a major chance of dying. And if you don’t have it, thank God that you can breathe normally. You don’t have to go through the everyday trouble of asthma.

References

1. “Global Initiative for Asthma. Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention” (2021 update)
2. “Asthma” by Mayo Clinic Staff, Mayo Clinic
3. “Asthma” by American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
4. “Asthma” by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health

Asthma Chronicles: Navigating Life with Breathless Moments

Sibling Perspectives: Contrasting Journeys with Asthma

I have asthma, or that is what I have been told for the last almost eighteen years. Growing up with asthma has not been a walk in the park, but I am handling it. This is the story of my life with asthma.

It all started when I was little, having chest pain and breathing problems. This has only gotten worse over the years. I remember being in middle school and having to leave physical education to use my inhaler because I had shortness of breath and chest pain. I remember getting out of running the mile so I would not have an asthma attack. I have physical activity-induced asthma, so I cannot breathe when participating in running or fast-paced activities. This is not just chest pain and breathing problems; I have always had a bad cough with it. Sometimes, I wonder what life is like for nonasthmatic people, being able to breathe and not always seem like you are coughing your lungs out during a coughing fit. My asthma was not nearly as bad as it is now. I had to do breathing treatments three or four times a day, but now they do no help for me.

My sister also has asthma, but hers is not as bad as mine. When at doctor appointments, seeing the folders of our medical history, my folder was twice or maybe even three times the size of hers. My sister has never had many breathing problems like I have. I made several doctor visits and even missed many days of school because of it, but my sister did not do much. Obviously, we both inherited asthma from our father, but for some reason, mine is the worst of all three of us. My sister has pretty much grown out of her asthma, except for the occasional chest pain; I wish that was my case. Unlike me, she never had to go to a pulmonologist, and I have had to more than once, and I am five years older than her. I do not wish her asthma was as bad as mine, but sometimes I wish she or others knew how it feels for me on a daily basis.

Uncertainties and Struggles: Navigating the Complexity of Asthma Diagnosis and Treatment

Asthma attacks are not fun at all. Everyone experiences asthma attacks differently, so I am not totally sure if I have actually had an asthma attack before. I do know I have most likely had mild attacks during physical education from running, even though I should not have pushed myself so hard. Experiencing what I believe is a mild asthma attack felt like breathing through a straw while squeezing the middle, feeling very lightheaded and almost passing out, and wheezing like the stereotype of asthmatics.

Usually, wheezing is not the case for me, but during what was probably an asthma attack, that happened. My asthma, or whatever it actually is, has actually gotten so bad that when I was in regular high school, teachers actually thought I was having an attack because I was coughing so much. It got even worse towards the end of my junior year; I actually got bullied and made fun of because of my medical problem. It was not only people fake coughing, but one girl would actually push my desk forward so I would not apparently get them sick.

After all of this that I have gone through already, I still do not actually know if asthma is what I have. Doctor appointment after doctor appointment and several different medications, no one knows if it is truly asthma. Over the years, my asthma was supposed to get better, but it has not; every year, it gets worse. Lately, it has gotten so bad that I have had to go to the nearest children’s hospital to a pulmonologist, but so far, still nothing. I have had to do chest X-rays, pulmonary function tests, and more doctor appointments.

During my first visit there, the doctor said that my cough was not an asthmatic cough but actually an irritated vocal cord that repeatedly got damaged from all the coughing. Since the first appointment, I have actually had less coughing fits but more chest pain and difficulty breathing. The doctor at this hospital did not listen to me when I said a certain inhaler did not help me at all, and I still got put on the same inhaler until my next appointment. I am currently waiting for the twenty-second of January to go back to the hospital for my next appointment and pulmonary function test.

In conclusion, living an asthmatic life has not been the easiest thing, but hopefully, it will get better. To sum up, this has been the story of me living with an upper respiratory disease called asthma.

References

1. Asthma For Dummies by William E. Berger.
2. Breathing Room: An Open and Honest Conversation About Asthma by Elizabeth Vierling.
3. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology often publishes research studies and articles on asthma and related conditions.

Personal Beliefs and Health: The Health Belief Model Among University Students

Understanding Health Behavior: The Health Belief Model’s Application in University Settings

The Health Belief Model & University Students The Health Belief Model (HBM) is a method that scientists use to predict different health behaviors. It all started in the 50s when researchers were trying to explain why a large number of individuals were not very receptive to participating in a program to prevent and detect infectious diseases. What motivates people to make decisions of this magnitude? Well, this is the outcome of how the population perceives their environment. People usually take into consideration knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, experiences, skills, culture, and even religious habits to make healthy or harmful choices in their lives. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the four perceptions serving as the primary constructs of the Health Belief Model targeting university students.

Let us use the example of sexually transmitted diseases. According to the World Health Organization, more than 1 million sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are acquired every day worldwide. Generally, most of the STIs have no symptoms or only mild symptoms that may not be recognized. Sexually transmitted diseases are preventable. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that nearly half of the 20 million new sexually transmitted infections diagnosed each year are among young people aged 15–24 years. Having unprotected sexual activities should be a reason to visit a physician, even when there are no symptoms. People tend to think that just because they feel right, they are healthy. It seems like common sense, but for many individuals, other variables are influencing their decisions.

Perceived Severity and Susceptibility: Influences on Personal Beliefs and Health Choices

Perceived Severity refers to how dangerous an individual believes the consequences of developing a health condition will be (Orji et al. (2012). Based on the previous definition, a young adult or university student is more likely to take action to prevent sexually transmitted diseases if she/he believes that the adverse repercussions resulting from the disease represent serious consequences. Some of those consequences could be death, pain, family or social issues, and emotional relationship concerns. While the perception of seriousness is usually based on medical knowledge, it may come from beliefs an individual has about the consequences of an illness.

For example, let us imagine that there is a university student named Henry who got gonorrhea from unprotected sex. Henry had a conversation with a friend who had the same sexually transmitted infection, and he told him that the use of antibiotics for seven days was the ideal treatment. It is not a big deal, he said. In this case, Henry’s perception of the gonorrhea infection might be that it is not a severe disease. We have to mention that even in this modern world, there are countries where buying antibiotics without a medical prescription is usual. Henry can visualize the situation as unimportant.

On the other hand, what could motivate Henry to adopt a healthier behavior, such as practicing safer sex? Perceived susceptibility is one of the most powerful perceptions prompting individuals to start making healthy choices (Hayden,(2014). The greater the perceived risk, the higher the chances of engaging in practices to decrease the risk. Many university students are choosing casual sexual relationships, saving money and time, and avoiding emotional attachment (Downing-Matibag & Geisinger (2009). Many of those sexual encounters involve alcohol and several intimate behaviors that could end in unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. Understanding the risk-taking within unsafe sexual practices and the consequences of sexually transmitted infections is essential to establish what we call perceived susceptibility.

Perceived Benefits, Barriers, and Campus Insights: Shaping Health Choices Among University Students

A study involving 71 college students at Iowa State University in 2009 demonstrated that the Health Belief Model could serve as a useful tool for understanding sexual risk-taking during ‘hooking up’ or casual dating (Downing-Matibag et al. (2009). It also offers recommendations to develop prevention programs on university campuses (Downing-Matibag et al. (2009). The construct of Perceived Benefits is defined as a person’s opinion of the value of new behavior in decreasing the risk of developing a disease (Hayden,(2014). In other words, it is the potential positive effect of health activity. Henry will not continue his old behavior if he can understand the benefits of protected sex. The use of condoms helps prevent and spread sexually transmitted infections (HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea) and unwanted pregnancies, has no side effects, and is quite accessible.

In the same way, we have to discuss the term Perceived Barriers. According to (Hayden (2014), these are an individual’s perception of the difficulties in the way of adopting a new behavior. Conforming to the article ‘Barriers and enablers to sexual health service use among university students,’ despite the availability of sexual health services at university health centers to promote sexual health, many students avoid seeking care. Multi-level barriers and enablers are known to influence sexual health service use among university students and provide some insight into the low rates of service use (Cassidy et al. (2018).

An analysis conducted on 56 university students identified ten barriers and enablers to sexual health service use based on seven domains: knowledge, memory, attention and decision-making, social influences, environmental factors, beliefs about consequences, optimism, and emotions. Most of the students showed the following barriers: limited sexual knowledge and awareness, lack of clarity for LGBTQ students, visibility of sexual health services (prompts & reminders), health care provider interaction, peer influence, campus culture, accessibility of services, a period of exploration and experimentation, normalizing sexual health, stigma, and confidentiality Cassidy et al. (2018).

Empowering Behavior Change: The Health Belief Model in Health Education and Student Insights

In conclusion, the Health Belief Model is a cognitive model for explaining health risk behavior (Downing-Matibag et al. (2009). It can be used as a helpful approach when establishing health education programs or strategies. As stated by (Brown et al. (1991), the HBM revealed that people take preventive actions if they believe that they are susceptible to an adverse health outcome, the cost of incurring the adverse health outcome will be severe, the benefits of protection outweigh the costs, and they can undertake the necessary actions to protect themselves from the outcome.

Finally, in line with Downing-Matibag et al. (2009) experiment, university students stated that they knew how to prevent sexually transmitted infections during sexual intercourse. They also knew where they could purchase protective barriers such as condoms and how to use them. However, they were unaware when the protection was necessary (e.g., oral sex). The lack of knowledge sometimes tarnishes an individual’s judgment. In the end, individual beliefs or the appreciation of their environment are what determine behavior.

References

1. Orji, R., Vassileva, J., & Mandryk, R. (2012). Towards an effective health interventions design: an extension of the health belief model. Online Journal of Public Health Informatics, 4(3), e9.
2. Hayden, J. A., & Introduction, B. P. (2014). The Health Belief Model. In Introduction to Health Behavior Theory (2nd ed., pp. 24-32). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
3. Downing-Matibag, T. M., & Geisinger, B. (2009). Hooking up and sexual risk taking among college students: A health belief model perspective. Qualitative Health Research, 19(9), 1196-1209.
4. Cassidy, C., Steenbeek, A., & Lang, T. (2018). Barriers and enablers to sexual health service use among university students: a qualitative descriptive study using the theoretical domains framework and COM-B model. BMC Health Services Research, 18(1), 731.
5. Brown, R. M., & Kandula, S. R. (1991). Developing a new strategy for tuberculosis control: Health Belief Model. The Family Physician, 24, 97-100.

Poverty and Education: The Hidden Struggles and the Need for Change

The Disparities of Poverty: From Home to School Hallways

Poverty negatively impacts students in so many ways. From the beginning, students who come from families above the poverty line enter school more prepared than the students below it. Their parents read to them, play educated games, and even have conversations with them that promote learning language faster. Families with low income have minimum time to prepare their children for school. They don’t have the time to read to their child or play educated games because the parents are working two to three jobs to make sure they are fed. I went to a diverse high school, and I have come to know many people who came from less stable homes, and I have seen their struggles. There was a copious amount of delinquency in my school, and we had metal detectors and bag searches every time we entered the buildings.

Poverty’s Grip: The Overwhelming Struggles Inside and Outside the Classroom

Normal schools probably had security guards, but we had security guards and police officers. I had friends who used to work night shifts to support their families and didn’t even go home after work because there was too much stress at home, so they would just stay outside. Those kids obviously did badly in school due to lack of sleep and not having the time to do homework. Those were the same students who were always in trouble for fighting or disturbing the class. It is obvious that poverty impacts mental health, and one big factor that causes students to struggle in school is stress.

These students don’t care if they pass or fail a test; they are too busy worrying about the rent and bills being paid. Stress can make it hard for an adult to think clearly, so imagine the impact an adolescent’s cognitive development takes when they are filled with stress and anxiety. Teachers play a big part, too. Some teachers knew and understood the student’s perspective because they grew up in the same area as kids, but some teachers just didn’t care, and I have seen what a teacher’s criticism does to a student. I have witnessed breakdowns and physical outbursts from students because they can’t handle the stress, and hearing someone say they are doing it to themselves or they are going to achieve nothing in life can make a person lose it.

When it comes to the resolution, I’m not sure what the resolution is; all I know is that there cannot be just one solution. Multiple things need to be changed, such as the school conditions, better-qualified teachers, and the way schools are funded. Something does need to change for students who live in poverty so they can have a fair and honest shot at succeeding in school.

References

1. The Economics of Inequality by Thomas Piketty
2. Teaching with Poverty in Mind: What Being Poor Does to Kids’ Brains and What Schools Can Do About It by Eric Jensen
3. The Broken Ladder: How Inequality Affects the Way We Think, Live, and Die by Keith Payne

Microeconomics of Healthcare: Regulatory Challenges for Abbot Industries

Navigating Regulatory Challenges: Compliance and Risk Management in Healthcare Industry

Abbot Industries specializes in the production and marketing of varied healthcare products. The materials for these products are purchased from several suppliers around the world. They manufacture a wide range of products extending into pharmaceuticals, medical diagnostics and devices, nutritional products, and data management software. Some of their products are jointly marketed with firms in related fields.

Abbot Industries’ products are marketed and sold worldwide. They are generally sold straight to wholesalers, healthcare facilities, pharmaceutical firms, government agencies, and their distributors.

There are many risk factors that Abbot Industries must face being part of the health care equipment industry as they are dealing with products that affect people’s lives, and so there are stricter regulations. As there are so many governmental regulations, it can be expensive to create products with a process that complies with all of them.

Microeconomic Implications of Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management for Abbot Industries

If the regulations are met, then a process must be undertaken in order to receive the necessary approvals. Getting the approval on the met regulation is high-risk in that they are expensive and prolonged. These approvals might not be permitted on a convenient time scale for the firm if the approval is even permitted at all in the end. In the absence of approvals for the products, Abbot Industries cannot go through with production or distribution and so substantially increases their additional cost. These delays or failures to gain approvals result in suspended or reduced product revenues.

Since there is no assumed guarantee that Abbot Industries will remain within regulation requirements after approval, many of their facilities undergo periodic continued inspections. In order to comply with these complex regulations, Abbot Industries must subject themselves to large amounts of expenses and time. If they are found not to be in compliance with any regulations, they will face large fines and civil penalties and even can have their products seized. This can result in significant changes to the Abbot industry’s industry practices in that they may be required to extend refunds or recall certain products. Depending on the violation, they may even be forced to partially shut down while the violation is being remedied. These failed checkpoints disrupt production and cause a substantial material reduction in Abbot Industries’ revenues and profitability.

On top of having to be approved to comply with many regulations, Abbot Industries must also gain patent protection on the products they produce. These patents do not last forever, and so another risk this firm faces is in the healthcare equipment industry.

References

1. Healthcare Industry Regulatory Compliance. (2020). Understanding Healthcare Regulations: A Comprehensive Guide. Healthcare Publications.
2. Regulatory Risk Management in Healthcare. (2018). Managing Regulatory Challenges in the Healthcare Sector. Regulatory Press.
3. Legal and Regulatory Challenges in Healthcare Production. (2019). Navigating Legal and Regulatory Issues in Healthcare Manufacturing. Healthcare Law Publishers.

Asthma: Understanding Its Impact and Complications on the Respiratory System

The Respiratory Battle: Understanding Asthma’s Growing Impact and Causes

There are many different people who don’t think that asthma can cause many complications. Asthma is considered a killer disease because you most definitely can die from asthma. There are about eleven Americans die from asthma each day. There are more than 4,000 deaths due to asthma each year. It also is considered a contributing factor to about 7,000 deaths per year. African Americans are more likely to die than Caucasians. African-American women have the highest mortality rate of all groups. It is 2.5 higher than Caucasians. As asthma is constantly growing, there is a great chance that you might come in contact with this disease. In this paper, I will discuss asthma and how it affects the respiratory system.

Asthma is considered to be a chronic disease of the respiratory system. This disease causes the passages that enable air to pass into the lungs narrow and unable to pass. When the lungs are narrow, it causes coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. The narrowing of the passages is usually temporary. In severe asthma attacks, passages remain narrow, which can lead to death. Asthma is most commonly known as bronchial asthma, which is considered to be an inflammation of the airways.

Bronchial is also referred to by the term cardiac asthma, which occurs when fluid builds up in the lungs. Cardiac asthma is a result or complication of heart failure. There are more than seventeen million americans who suffer from asthma. Of those seventeen million people, five million of them are children under the age of 18. Nearly 5,500 deaths occur each year in the United States. Asthma can occur in all ages and all ethnic groups of people. Researchers find it interesting that asthma is found greater in poor neighborhoods, in areas with cold climates, and in industrialized countries.

Asthma has increased tremendously between the year of 1982 and 1994. This increase between 1982 and 1994 was seen more in children. The morbidity rate increased tremendously by more than 55 percent. Many scientists think that this increase was due to being exposed to secondhand smoke, polluted areas, and poor circulation areas.

Asthma’s Intricacies: Breathing, Heredity, Allergens, and Diagnosis

Breathing is very important in dealing with asthma because, as stated, asthma affects the respiratory system. In the human body, all cells require oxygen to function. Every breath that we take, air will travel to the lungs and through several airways. After air passes through the mouth and throat, the air moves through the larynx. After the air passes through the larynx, it then goes through the windpipe. The trachea is divided into two branches; they are called the left and right bronchus. These two branches are connected to the lungs. Next, the air moves through the bronchi, where they are divided into smaller air passages. In the lungs, oxygen is diffused within the alveoli walls and then into the blood capillaries. This is how asthma affects breathing because if something doesn’t allow oxygen to reach the alveoli, the body can’t receive oxygen.

Oftentimes times, people don’t know that asthma can be inherited or passed down from their parents. Asthma can also occur even if a patient doesn’t have any family history of asthma in their family. Asthma is also caused by allergies; if you suffer from allergies, you may be more likely to have asthma. Asthma that occurs from allergies often times begins in children but can also happen in adults. The most common allergens that cause asthma are grass, mold, pollen, and grass.

These types of allergens can cause sneezing, wheezing, and a runny nose. Due to the allergens, the lungs can become irritated and can most definitely cause an asthma attack. Also, respiratory infections can cause asthma also. Respiratory infections can cause long-term effects such as shortness of breath and wheezing. Scientists found that the respiratory virus is the number one cause of asthma attacks. Severe asthma can cause you to stay home from school and work.

Asthma is not diagnosed without a breathing test. Americans who think that they might have asthma have to go to their healthcare provider. Their healthcare provider can order a breathing test so that asthma can be diagnosed.

References

1. The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP)
2. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Asthma Statistics
3. The World Health Organization (WHO) Global Data on Asthma
4. “Asthma: Epidemiology, etiology and risk factors” – A review in the journal “Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine”