Сборник текстов по английскому языку для дополнительного чтения №1.
Для студентов 2 -4 курса «Л\д»
Содержание:
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What is a migraine headache?
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Pancreatic cancer.
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High Blood Pressure - Effective Treatments.
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Asthma Myths.
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Dialogues.
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At the doctor’s.
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At the dentist’s.
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What the doctor wrote.
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AIDS.
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Medical Care in Great Britain and the United State.
Техт 1. What is a migraine headache?
A migraine headache is a form of vascular headache. Migraine headache is caused by a combination of vasodilatation (enlargement of blood vessels) and the release of chemicals from nerve fibers that coil around the blood vessels. During a migraine attack, the temporal artery enlarges. (The temporal artery is an artery that lies on the outside of the skull just under the skin of the temple.) Enlargement of the temporal artery stretches the nerves that coil around the artery and cause the nerves to release chemicals. The chemicals cause inflammation, pain, and further enlargement of the artery. The increasing enlargement of the artery magnifies the pain.
Migraine attacks commonly activate the sympathetic nervous system in the body. The sympathetic nervous system is often thought of as the part of the nervous system that controls primitive responses to stress and pain, the so-called "fight or flight" response. The increased sympathetic nervous activity in the intestine causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Sympathetic activity also delays emptying of the stomach into the small intestine and thereby prevents oral medications from entering the intestine and being absorbed. The impaired absorption of oral medications is a common reason for the ineffectiveness of medications taken to treat migraine headaches. The increased sympathetic activity also decreases the circulation of blood, and this leads to pallor of the skin as well as cold hands and feet. The increased sympathetic activity also contributes to the sensitivity to light and sound sensitivity as well as blurred vision.
Migraine afflicts 28 million Americans, with females suffering more frequently (17%) than males (6%). Missed work and lost productivity from migraine create a significant public burden. Nevertheless, migraine still remains largely undertreated and underdiagnosed. Less than half the sufferers are diagnosed by their doctors.
Техт 2. Pancreatic cancer
What are the symptoms of pancreatic cancer?
Pancreatic cancer has been called a "silent" disease because early pancreatic cancer usually does not cause symptoms. If the tumor blocks the common bile duct and bile cannot pass into the digestive system, the skin and whites of the eyes may become yellow, and the urine may become darker. This condition is called jaundice. As the cancer grows and spreads, pain often develops in the upper abdomen and sometimes spreads to the back. The pain may become worse after the person eats or lies down. Cancer of the pancreas can also cause nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, and weakness.
How is cancer of the pancreas diagnosed?
The doctor performs a complete physical exam and asks about the patient's personal and family medical history. In addition to checking general signs of health (temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and so on), the doctor usually orders blood, urine, and stool tests. The doctor may also ask for a "barium swallow," or "upper GI series." For this test, the patient drinks a barium solution before X-rays of the upper digestive system are taken. The barium helps visualize the pancreas on the X-rays.
Are there additional tests that may be used to diagnose pancreatic cancer?
Here are other tests that may be performed:
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Angiogram: special X-ray of blood vessels.
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CT scans: X-rays that give detailed pictures of a cross section of the pancreas.
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Transabdominal ultrasound: high-frequency sound waves that form a picture of the pancreas.
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ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram): a special X-ray of the common bile duct.
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Endoscopic ultrasound: a relatively new procedure in which an endoscope containing an ultrasound probe scans the pancreas for cancers.
How is cancer of the pancreas treated?
Cancer of the pancreas is curable only when it is found in its earliest stages, before it has spread. Otherwise, it is very difficult to cure. However, it can be treated, symptoms can be relieved, and the quality of the patient's life can be improved.
Treatment for pancreatic cancer depends on a number of factors. Among these are the type, size, and extent of the tumor as well as the patient's age and general health. Treatment can consist of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or possibly biological therapy. We'll take a look at each option and the possible side effects on the following slides.
Text 3. High Blood Pressure - Effective Treatments
Patient 1.
I am 70 years old with basic high blood pressure/hypertension for the last five years. When I smoked two to three packs a day and had a few drinks every day, I did not have high blood pressure! When my doctor discovered my high blood pressure, a prosthetic aortic valve was inserted. That was five years ago. I have not even touched a cigarette since, but I do have two large drinks every evening. I walk four kilometers every day and remain physically and mentally active. I have had to change medicines almost every three to six months. I also take a water pill every other day to prevent my feet from swelling.
Patient 2.
I am suffering from essential hypertension since 37 years I have taken various treatments & combinations of drugs to control it. I have to check regularly observe discipline in food habits exercise regularly. I have no cholesterol or diabetes. Presently I take Valent Aten 100 in morning & Catapres with Aspirin 75 in the night. I develop resistance to drugs & have to have them changed from time to time. I have to measure pressure regularly. It is the spot check which catches pressure & I have to visit the doctor to have the drugs changed.
Patient 3.
The best treatment that has been effective for my high blood pressure is simply walking every other day. I began to feel great and more alert!
Patient 4.
I'm 49 and my Hypertension is all stress related, so under Doctor supervision I've been taking Naturopathic medication (after consultations with Naturopath) with regular exercise, I've found most days it stays within normal limits. Please Note: I had terrible reaction to Micardis hence the Naturopath.
Patient 5.
I had high blood pressure, and by taking garlic regularly and reducing my weight by 15 pounds, my blood pressure has dropped.
Text 4. Asthma Myths.
These are some of the many faces of asthma. Most researchers believe that the different patterns of asthma are all related to one condition. Other researchers feel that separate lung conditions exist. There is currently no cure for asthma, and no single exact cause has been identified. Therefore, understanding the changes that occur in asthma, how it makes you feel, and how it can behave over time is vital. This knowledge empowers you to take an active role in your own health care.
Test your "asthma IQ" by taking the following true or false quiz:
False: Asthma is not a psychological condition. However, emotional triggers can cause flare-ups.
You cannot outgrow asthma. In about 50% of children with asthma, the condition may become inactive in the teenage years. The symptoms, however, may recur at anytime in adulthood.
There is no cure for asthma, but the disease can be controlled in most patients with good medical care. The condition should be taken seriously since uncontrolled asthma may result in emergency hospitalization and possible death.
True: You have a 6% chance of having asthma if neither parent has the condition; a 30% chance if one parent has it; and a 70% chance if both parents have it.
A new environment may temporarily improve asthma symptoms, but it will not cure asthma. After a few years in the new location, many persons become sensitized to the new environment, and the asthma symptoms return with the same or even greater intensity than before.
Asthma is not contagious.
Swimming is an optimal exercise for those with asthma. On the other hand, exercising in dry, cold air may be a trigger for asthma in some people.
Asthma medications are not addictive.
Text 5. Dialogues.
Feeling bad.
“Hello. How are you?”
“I’m not doing very well. I’ve got a cold.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. You must go to the doctor at once.”
“Well, I’m sure I’ll recover in no time.”
“Take care of yourself. I hope you feel better soon.”
“Thank you. Bye.”
“Bye-Bye”