Discussion 3

The Devastating Effects of Infectious Diseases in the 20^th Century

In this twentieth century catching a disease, even something as simple as a cold can be deadly to us humans. From the effects of global warming, to the raping of our densely packed rain forests, creating new infectious “hot spots” anywhere and everywhere is the norm. Deadly disease and pathogens are spreading like wildfire, and not only are earth changes to blame but people too.

Environmental changes have made a huge impact on spreading diseases now and for the future of humans with the weather patterns changing world wide, problems with the spread of diseases like West Nile virus and the AIDS epidemic are just a couple of hundreds of diseases that have occurred over the past decades. We now have whole eco-systems disrupted and places that were dry are now wetter and vices versa.  For example with the bats in Australia, that were use to cohabitating in the forests that were since cut down move closer into the backyards of suburbia, “…where four people and dozens of horses have died of Hendra.” Do we get the idea here?

As quoted on the Baylor College of Medicine website, “Since the 1970’s, about 40 infectious diseases have been discovered, including SARS, Ebola, avian flu and swine flu.” Experts are quoted at saying, “The human population is currently doubling every seventy years, is set to reach nine billion by 2050.” Could you imagine alone, what this statistic, would mean for the spread of disease through air travel and more densely packed third world countries where there is already serious problems with deadly diseases like malaria? And what about ill-habited human behavior? With over-population, comes more people and more drug use--needle sharing and transferring more blood borne pathogens is on the rise.

The solution here is complex and would take various academics, professionals, scientists and specialized worldwide organizations alike to come together and come up with a serious plan to slow the spread of the infectious diseases running rapid on this planet, maybe though hard research and statistics, and with the help of local groups, villages and governmental agencies all over world they could figure out some solutions. I believe the situation is dire and the best answer for us is to be aware of our surroundings, practice good hygiene, diet and healthy lifestyle practices at home and away. Hopefully with being more mindful and aware in our own lives, we can at least slowdown the spread of disease to future mankind.

Sources

Baylor College of Medicine

http://www.bcm.edu/molvir/eid#Introduction. Retrieved on 4/23/2013

New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/15/sunday-review/the-ecology-of-disease.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0. Retrieved on 4/23/2013,

The Naked Scientists

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/articles/article/pandemic-where-do-new-viral-infections-come-from/. Retrieved on 4/23/2013

Paper 3

Sweat it Out - Through Our Skin

Our skin is one of the most amazing and unique organs in our body. Not only is it our first line of defense for our immune system, it protects us against our deadliest enemy, the suns UV rays! It stores water, fat and produces and absorbs vitamin D from the sun. It regulates our body temperature and renews itself approximately every 28 days. We lose about 30,000 to 40,000 dead skin cells every minute--that’s about 9 pounds of dead cells per year! It is one of our body’s best natural detoxifiers. Did you know that we have about 3 million sweat glands, and on any hot given day that we can sweat out up to 3 gallons of it?

The Heat Is On

For thousands of years, from the Romans, to the Japanese, to the Russians, to the Finns and the Native Americans, have used heat in the form of “heat baths,” Hot Sand,” “Hot Water Soak Baths,” “Saunas,” and “Sweat Lodges,” to detoxify their bodies. Dr. Lawrence Berger, who wrote an article on, “Sweat Lodges: A Medical View,” said, “Sweating is one of our most important mechanisms of natural healing, since it allows the body to rid itself of unwanted materials,” “Heat stress’…is very effective in releasing fat-stored toxins from the cells.” Sweat contains mostly, sodium, potassium, chloride & bicarbonate and other essential minerals and enzymes.

Immune Benefits

Dr. Berger goes on to explain all the health benefits of sweating it out in a sweat lodge, where anywhere from a few to a large group, sit through intense heat guided by a leader in an enclosed tent or hut like structure.  He mentions that not only can you get healthier skin but, “…50-70% of the cardiac output may be directed to the blood vessels of the skin…This dramatic increase if blood flow means increased perfusion and delivery of oxygen, immune agents, and other substances to the skin.” Wounds to the skin’s surface can be healed quicker. Studies have also shown hyperthermia appears, “…to be a promising modality for cancer treatment when combined with radiotherapy or chemotherapy.”

The list of health benefits go on and on, and of course there are health risks as well with going into a place of such high heat, which include, dehydration, cardiovascular or asthma conditions, children, pregnant women—so always consult with a professional or physician before hand.

Conclusion

All in all, if you can take the hot heat of a sweat lodge or sauna, maybe a less intense approach such as dry skin brushing, an Epson salts bath or even a clay mask for the face is better. Whichever way one decides to go about getting rid of toxins, I’m sure by the end you will feel healthier and/or lighter in one way or another.

Resources

Berger, L.R. & Rounds, J.E. (1998). Sweat Lodges: A Medical View. The IHS Primary Care Provider, 23 (6). Retrieved from http://www.ihs.gov/provider/documents/1990_1999/PROV0698.PDF

Gard, Z. R. & Brown, E. J. Literature Review & Comparison Studies of Sauna / Hyperthermia in Detoxification: Part 1. Retrieved from http://www.encognitive.com/node/3080

Ainscough, J. (2010, November 29). 6 Ways to Detox Through Your Skin. Retrieved from http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-1683/6-Ways-to-Detox-Through-Your-Skin.html

Smith, J. Doctors have Expert Research about Dry Body Brushing? Retrieved from http://www.koraorganics.com/blog/live-in-my-skin/all-things-organic/doctors-have-expert-research-about-dry-body-brushing/

Part II

1.What one assignment or activity you performed in this unit are you the most proud of?

Writing my paper on Alzheimer's I am proud of. While doing the research, I found the information very interesting. Although I have known people who have had Alzheimer's, I never looked deeper into what really causes it, so I found this knowledge very fascinating.

2.Why did you enroll in this biology class? 

I took this biology class because it is a requirement for the program that I’m working on getting into.

3.Did you feel prepared for this experience when you registered?

I thought I was prepared but it was a lot more challenging than I expected. I know that science classes alone are a challenge, but online they can a bit tougher for me because I just seem to do better in live classroom classes—but I got through it! I’m proud of myself!

4.How was your experience different from your expectations? I set pretty high expectations for myself and this class and I feel that I met a lot of those goals, but because of that my experience was extremely stressful at times—almost to the point of making me sick literally. I know that I shouldn’t push myself so hard to my best—it’s a flaw within myself, that I need to work on seriously.

5.What can I do to help you? I believe you’ve done all you could. You have been a great help—always answered all my questions promptly via email—Thank you for that—it is very much appreciated. All the videos and slide presentations have been helpful as well.