How much impact does sleep deprivation make on a person’s mind and body? A little drowsiness at the office…a millisecond of mental shut-down as you drive down the highway? The facts glaringly bear out the dangers of losing sleep. Some of the worst industrial disasters recorded in history — the Chernoby Nuclear Disaster and the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill — all happened because someone who was supposed to be wide awake and alert allegedly fell asleep on the job. In 1986, a flawed nuclear reactor design led to a stem explosion and fire that released at least five percent of the radioactive reactor core. The radioactive fumes flowed into the atmosphere and left a total of 54 fatalities, almost 20 years after the incident. The radioactivity caused people to get sick and die painfully slow from the effects of exposure to the nuclear fumes. While officially, the records show that it was a mechanical failure that caused the steam explosion, many attribute the tragedy to poor training, lack of safety measures, and the poor concetration of a sleepy worker at the nuclear plant. Three years after Chernobyl, another major disaster occurred that has again put the lack of sleep as center of the blame. In 1989, the oil tanker Exxon Valdez struck a reef and spilled approximately 11 million gallons of oil into the sea. At the time of the accident, the captain of the ship was in his stateroom — leaving a ship officer and a seaman on the control. According to reports, the two men on the bridge were apparently tired and sleepy and, thus, momentarily lost their concentration while maneuvering the tanker. Exxon,the company that owned the tanker, spent around $3 Billion to finance the oil clean-up operations and to settle damages incurred by fishing companies that operated in the site of the accident. Sleep deprivation also causes other relatively smaller scale incidents, like a car accident, which is, by no means, less tragic. Sleeping while behind the wheel is the culprit for the 13 percent rise in highway road accidents in the United States. According to studies made on road accidents, one in thirteen drivers regularly felt drowsy while driving a car on a busy highway. It does not take much to be in a road mishap. Even if a driver closes his eyes for a millisecond, that is enough for him to unintentionally swerve the vehicle to the opposite lane and cause a head-on collission. Based on records by the World Health Organization, at least 1.2 million people die each year on the road due to a car accident. So, how can we prevent accidents due to sleep deprivation? The answer is as simple as this: people should get enough sleep. Studies show that the amount of sleep needed by an individual is influenced by genetics. While some people feel fine with just five hours of sleep a night, most doctors and health experts prescribe at least eight hours of sleep. While the number of hours of sleep time somehow decreases with age, it is clear that lack of sleep makes a person lose concentration which could have disastrous consequences. People who are under extreme stress or those who suffer from insomnia need additional help in getting sleep. For many years, millions of people have turned to the sleeping pill to find quick relief from sleeping disorders like insomnia. Over the counter sleeping pills are among the most bought pharmaceutical products today, especially in highly industrialized Western countries. These sedatives help a person experience relaxation which eventually leads to sleep. Still, users of the drug are strongly cautioned about the side effects of sleeping pill use which include slurred speech, slow reflexes, and poor judgment. Accidents happen unexpectedly, without any warning. Perhaps, there is close to nothing that we can do to totally prevent minor mishaps and large-scale tragedies from happening. Still, ensuring that we get enough sleep may be a good start. Failing to get enough rest at night not only disrupts our body processes and reduces our mental capabilities, it can even lead to the fatal incidents that could possibly lead to the sleep of death.
Archive for ◊ September, 2010 ◊
The recent steroid statistics are really frightening. The steroid statistics revealing immense use of steroids in sports have been greatly frustrating the professional sports industry, but the most frightening are the steroid statistics of teenagers and young students using steroids for performance enhancing and various cosmetic reasons. The steroid statistics reveal the teenagers are often using steroids to become faster, stronger, or better at performing, and to look good. Teenager students are widely using steroids in football, baseball, swimming, wrestling, weight lifting, running, and other sports. The steroid statistics of some surveys suggest that 2.5% of high school pupils in the US have taken illegal steroids at some time. The most frightening the high risks of steroid abuse in those under the age of 18. The steroid statistics of the study conducted from 1999 to 2001 reveal that the use of steroids among teenagers has been rising. In 1999, 2.7% of X grade and 2.9% of XII grade students reported having used steroids at least one time in their lives. The steroid statistics showed rise in steroid use in 2001, in which 3.5% of X grade and 4% of XII grade students reported having used steroids at least one time in their lives. The racial and cultural steroid statistics reveal that Caucasian students are more likely to use steroids than African Americans, Hispanics, or those of other races. The gender based steroid statistics reveal that men use steroids overwhelmingly more than women. Monitoring the Future (MTF) is an annual survey to determine the trends and patterns of drug use among the Nation’s 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students in the United States. According to the MTF steroid statistics, significant reductions were noted in steroid use since 2001. The MTF’s steroid statistics for 2006 reveal that steroid use among all three grades assessed remained almost unchanged as compared to 2005. According to MTF’s steroid statistics for 2006, 0.9 percent of 8th-graders, 1.2 percent of 10th-graders, and 1.8 percent of 12th-graders in the United States were reported using steroids. The MTF’s steroid statistics however reveal that the perceived risk of steroid use, which is collected only for seniors, increased significantly, from 56.8 % in 2005 to 60.2 % in 2006. The disapproval of steroid use, also collected only for seniors, did not change significantly from 2005 to 2006.
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Buying Generic Cialis is not as easy as it sounds. You need accurate information that is not only precise but also easy to read and understand. Whether you are buying generic Viagra, or any other erectile dysfunction product, you need information you can trust in a way that you can understand it and use it when it comes time to make your buying decision. That is where we come in. Our website offers volumes of up to date, and accurate, information that is important when you are buying generic Cialis and we will help you to avoid any of the common mistakes people make and even to avoid some of the lesser known pitfalls that have occurred to many people just like you. Our site is set up to be easy to use, our information is fact checked to assure accuracy, and our staff is willing to help you with any questions or issues you may have. Getting the right information about buying generic Cialis is important and getting that information in a precise and professional manner is just as important. We invite you to put our site to the test and you will agree that we offer the most helpful information on the internet presented in an easy to read style that allows you to get what you need, when you need it, and make that important buying decision.
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Despite their superstar status and larger-than-life personalities, the rich and famous are not immune to phobias or having intense fear. By being as prone to fear and anxiety as the rest of us, they reveal how normal they can be. These celebrities have fears that hound millions of other non-celebrities. What do these celebrities fear the most? Michael Jackson, Whoopi Goldberg, and Jennifer Aniston share the same fear of flying. Orlando Bloom is scared of pigs and Johnny Depp is afraid of clowns. Nicole Kidman is afraid of butterflies. And would you believe that Pamela Anderson is afraid of mirrors? Celebrities and non-celebrities can break out into panic attacks whenever they encounter that which they fear the most. While it is common to be just uncomfortable about facing a certain fear or scary situation, there are some cases when the fear can be so overwhelming that it causes total panic. What is a panic attack? A panic attack is a sudden intense fear followed by an overwhelming feeling of danger. It is often accompanied by anxiety, sweating, rapid breathing, and rapid heart beat. Panic attacks are sudden and unprovoked. It can even worsen into a debilitating condition that pose a devastating impact on a person’s family, work, and social life. An attack can occur at anytime and it can interfere with day-to-day activities. An untreated panic disorder can possibly lead to substance abuse, depression and, in rare cases, even suicide. Panic disorders can develop during the teen years or early adulthood. People with panic disorder have this dreaded fear of danger or terror and it could repeat without warning. It is far more intense than the feeling of simply being ’stressed out’. A panic attack includes: l trembling l shaking l sweating l chest pains l hot flashes l racing heartbeat l light-headedness l Fear that you are going crazy or about to die People who have full-blown, repeated attacks can be psychologically disabled by their condition and should seek treatment. They should also avoid places or objects that could trigger another panic attack. A panic attack is not dangerous, but it can be terrifying, largely because it creates a feeling of being ‘out of control’ on the part of the person who is suffering from it. Only a licensed therapist can diagnose a panic disorder. Occasional bouts with worry and moderate levels of anxiety are still considered normal. However, panic attacks that occur more than four times in a row is a sign that a person is under extreme psychological stress. Persons who experience frequent, debilitating panic attacks should immediately seek the assistance of a mental heath professional. Most insurance plans and health management organizations (HMOs) provide coverage that includes treatment for anxiety disorders. To make treatment more effective, people with panic disorders are advised to join a support group or undergo sessions with a psychiatrist. Even something as simple as talking to a trusted friend, a loved one, or a church counselor can do wonders. Stress management techniques and meditation can help people with such disorders. Regular exercise can also have some calming effect on a person saddled with worries.
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Strep throat is inflammation and swelling of the throat, tonsils and lymph nodes. Unlike sore throat, which is caused by infection with viruses, strep throat is caused by infection with bacteria. While most sore throats generate mild symptoms and clear naturally, without the aid of medical treatments, strep throat generally requires a course of antibiotics. Untreated strep throat can lead to serious complications such as otitis, heart problems, renal problems and even rheumatic fever. On the premises of a weak immune system, strep throat can be very severe, in which case doctors recommend prompt medical treatment with antibiotics. Strep throat is caused by infection with group A streptococcus bacterium, a strong and very contagious infectious agent. Strep throat is very widespread in the flu seasons and it can be easily acquired by entering in contact with people who carry the bacteria responsible for causing the illness. Streptococcus bacteria are airborne and they can be contracted simply by breathing the same air with an infected person. Lots of people believe that strep throat only affects children. This idea is unfunded, as strep throat can be acquired by anyone, regardless of age. Although strep throat has the highest incidence in very young children and teenagers, it can also occur in adults. In fact, strep throat is more likely to generate complications when it is acquired by adults. Adults who suffer from strep throat usually have more intense symptoms and they need a longer period of recovery from illness. When it occurs in the elderly, strep throat is more difficult to overcome and the infection with streptococcus bacteria is very likely to become systemic. When suffering from strep throat, it is recommended to pay a visit to your physician as soon as possible. The doctor will perform an overall physical examination, in order to reveal any clinical signs of bacterial infection. Unlike viral forms of the illness, strep throat usually causes enlargement of the tonsils and lymph nodes, symptoms that are very suggestive for infection with bacteria. Fever is also a very revealing sign of strep throat. The presence of these common symptoms of strep throat is usually sufficient for diagnosing the illness. In order to confirm the clinical diagnosis, doctors may also take samples of the inflamed tissues for laboratory analysis. If the cause of illness proves to be infection with group A streptococcus bacteria, the doctor will prescribe you an appropriate treatment with antibiotics. In spite of their side-effects, medical treatments with antibiotics are the most effective means of curing strep throat in present. Doctors strongly recommend a 10-day course of penicillin or amoxicillin to all people affected by strep throat. New generation antibiotics such as cephalosporins can overcome the illness in an even shorter amount of time, curing bacterial infections within 4-5 days of treatment. Prescribed in the incipient stages of the illness, an appropriate medical treatment with antibiotics can provide a quick symptomatic relief for people who suffer from strep throat. Furthermore, antibiotics can prevent the occurrence of serious complications such as rheumatic fever, kidney infections and heart disease.
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Everyday, the human mouth produces three pints of saliva that are used for a number of reasons. It is the saliva that prevents tooth decay and cleans plaque and excess food from the teeth. Apart from neutralizing acids inside the mouth, saliva also amplifies one’s sense of taste and it makes swallowing food easier. One of the common mouth complications is the dry mouth or xerostomia. Some people think that having a dry mouth is just a very common problem. However, an extreme case of dry mouth can already be a symptom of a more serious bodily complication. This condition is caused by the lack of saliva in the mouth due to aging as well as side effects of medication intake. Drugs that are likely to cause dry mouth are anxiety and stress medications and muscle relaxants. Ignoring a dry mouth can greatly affect one’s dental health and enjoyment of food. A person will know that he has a dry mouth through the following symptoms: 1. Sensation of dryness in the mouth 2. Split or sore skin at the corners of the mouth 3. Bad breath 4. Stringy or thick saliva 5. Sore throat 6. Gum diseases, tooth decay, and plaque 7. Cracked lips 8. Disrupted sense of taste 9. Hard time swallowing and speaking Aside from being a side effect of medication intake, a dry mouth can also be due to nerve damage, wherein a person’s neck and head incur nerve damages from surgery or injury; tobacco chewing and smoking; as well as breathing and snoring with mouth open. Xerostomia is also an indication that a person has other health complications like diabetes, Alzheimer’s, or depression. Tests, diagnosis, and treatments If an individual is believed to have a dry mouth condition, it is highly recommended to immediately consult a doctor to confirm a diagnosis. The doctor will then review the patient’s medical records and conduct mouth examinations. Identifying the cause of dry mouth is done by means of imaging scans and blood tests. Moreover, treatment for dry mouth varies according to the specified cause of the doctor. If medication intake is the cause, then the doctor will most likely recommend another medication or adjust the dosage intake. In most cases, good oral hygiene is the best treatment for this type of condition. In some cases when the main cause of the condition cannot be determined or named by a doctor, there are a number of ways to alleviate dry mouth. A person diagnosed to have a dry mouth can try sucking and chewing on sugar-free candies or gums in order to improve saliva flow. It is also recommended not to eat or drink sugary goodies for these can result to tooth decay. Other ways to treat a dry mouth condition include: 1. Using a room humidifier to add moisture in the air during night time. 2. Regular water intake. 3. Breathing through the nose and not through the mouth. 4. Visit the dentist regularly 5. Brush teeth regularly with fluoride toothpaste