http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/21/health/research/21alcohol.html?ref=science
It seems like these days, EVERYTHING causes cancer. Cell phones, hair dye, now red cheeks? The article discussed how flushed cheeks can symbolize an increased risk for esophageal cancer, caused a deficiency in the ALDH2 enzyme. Some people have two copies of the gene which prevents the individual from consuming too much alcohol. But those who flush sometimes are have an unusually high tolerance for alcohol because they have only one copy of the gene. This is a pretty relevant issue to college kids, especially at Lehigh, where the drinking culture is all above over-drinking. Maybe some Lehigh students, who we cheer for shot-gunning 10 beers in a row, or for "heroically" chugging a 40oz in 40 seconds, or for taking a series of shots in a row...maybe these students are putting themselves at high risk for cancer later in life!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Religious Belief Linked to Desire for Aggressive Treatment in Terminal Patients
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/18/health/research/18faith.html?ref=health
I find it very interesting that those patients who are more religious are also more likely to seek "aggressive, life-prolonging care in the week before they died." Such aggressive care is analogous to ventilators and other life-prolonging techniques.
I have to say that I'm extremely suprised. Like the article mentioned, one would think that those who are religious place higher faith in God and are less scared to die. Because, what we do in the moments, or the week before death is all about fear. Almost everyone fears dying. And I guess it's been the stereotype that "good Christians" don't fear death. They shouldn't because death means the start of a new life with God in Heaven (unless they are destined for hell). Perhaps THAT is why religious people are more likely to use life-prolonguing care in the week before their death. Because, as they are laying in the hospital bed, anticipating their own death, all they have to think about is what they did during life. And when these people go back and look at their lives, I'm sure they're nervous about if they'll wind up in heaven or not. Maybe that's why religious people opt for life-prolonguing techniques more than non-religious people.
Either way, I think it's suprising and interesting. What also suprises me is that religious people place faith over the opinions of their family, friends, known medical information and sometimes even doctors. At what point does being religious become detrimental to your health? At what point can religion become a negative thing?
I find it very interesting that those patients who are more religious are also more likely to seek "aggressive, life-prolonging care in the week before they died." Such aggressive care is analogous to ventilators and other life-prolonging techniques.
I have to say that I'm extremely suprised. Like the article mentioned, one would think that those who are religious place higher faith in God and are less scared to die. Because, what we do in the moments, or the week before death is all about fear. Almost everyone fears dying. And I guess it's been the stereotype that "good Christians" don't fear death. They shouldn't because death means the start of a new life with God in Heaven (unless they are destined for hell). Perhaps THAT is why religious people are more likely to use life-prolonguing care in the week before their death. Because, as they are laying in the hospital bed, anticipating their own death, all they have to think about is what they did during life. And when these people go back and look at their lives, I'm sure they're nervous about if they'll wind up in heaven or not. Maybe that's why religious people opt for life-prolonguing techniques more than non-religious people.
Either way, I think it's suprising and interesting. What also suprises me is that religious people place faith over the opinions of their family, friends, known medical information and sometimes even doctors. At what point does being religious become detrimental to your health? At what point can religion become a negative thing?
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Candy Girls
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/07/arts/television/07cand.html?ref=television
Great! All we need is one more reality television show! As if we don't have enough of drunk, barely clothed girls on Rock of Love, or of blubbering, cheating idiot boyfriend on The Tool Academy. Now E! has presented us with a new show about four African American women who present themselves as beautiful women used to drape over men at music and entertainment parties. They fly on the most expensive jets, demand the nicest clothes and occasionally, or maybe more than occasionally, get into ridiculous catfights. Sound familiar? Well, probably because Candy Girls seems to be exactly like every single other reality show on TV now-a-days. Half-naked, poorly educated, alcohol and men-driven sexy women. How many of these women can we see? When will this fascination end?
Great! All we need is one more reality television show! As if we don't have enough of drunk, barely clothed girls on Rock of Love, or of blubbering, cheating idiot boyfriend on The Tool Academy. Now E! has presented us with a new show about four African American women who present themselves as beautiful women used to drape over men at music and entertainment parties. They fly on the most expensive jets, demand the nicest clothes and occasionally, or maybe more than occasionally, get into ridiculous catfights. Sound familiar? Well, probably because Candy Girls seems to be exactly like every single other reality show on TV now-a-days. Half-naked, poorly educated, alcohol and men-driven sexy women. How many of these women can we see? When will this fascination end?
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