Informative essay on obesity and weight loss surgery Essay

Weight loss surgery or ‘bariatric surgery’ are procedures which change the manner in which the digestive system functions, helping to limit the food consumed and in this way lower the weight of the individual along with lowering the risk of associated medical problems (NIDDK 2009). In certain cases, bariatric surgery also interferes with the manner in which nutrition is absorbed into the body. Individuals who undergo bariatric surgery may also have to ensure certain changes in their lifestyle such as regular exercise, dietary changes and avoiding certain other risks. One of the most frequently performed bariatric surgeries is gastric bypass in the US. Compared to other bariatric surgeries, gastric bypass is much safer, has lesser complications and can provide long-term results. However, there are also certain risks associated with the procedure, along with changes in diet, lifestyle and behavior. A lot depends on the patient for the success of the treatment (Mayo Clinic Staff 2009). Indication Gastric bypass surgery is required in obese and overweight individuals who are unable to reduce their weight through diet and physical activities. As the BMI ratio is between 35 and 39 (obesity) and above 40 (severe obesity), the health related risks are higher and the individual can be affected with diabetes, hypertension, heart disorders, etc. However, gastric bypass surgery may not only be required alone, but along with it, exercise, dietary changes and lifestyle changes to ensure that the results of the gastric bypass are satisfactory (Mayo Clinic Staff 2009). Bariatric surgery can also be performed if other methods of conservative treatment fail for obesity. The patient has to be properly informed about the details of the procedure, along with the benefits, risks and alternatives, so that an informed decision can be made (Medline Plus, 2010). The patient would have to give an informed consent for the procedure. The patient should also be committed to lifelong changes with diet, physical activity, behavior, medical monitoring and medication therapy. Insurance would be applicable for Bariatric surgery only if it has been medically indicated due to an obesity related cause, rather than cosmetic. Bariatric surgery may be indicated for adolescents only if other conventional methods have failed for about 6 months. Newer studies have demonstrated that gastric bypass may actually be ideal for adolescent obesity (NIDDK 2010). Procedure The entire procedure is done under general anesthesia, and the patient would require preparing for tests, dietary changes, X-rays (for planning the surgery), medications and hospitalization (Mayo Clinic Staff 2009). In the US, 4 types gastric bypass are performed. These include biliopancreatic diversion with a duodenal switch (BPD-DS), Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), adjustable gastric band (AGB), and vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG). AGB involves placing a band around the top portion of the stomach to reduce the size of the stomach pouch to ensure that the food intake is reduced. In RGYB, involves placing a gastric band and also by bypassing the food directly from the pouch to the small intestine. In BPD-DS, a large portion of the stomach is removed, bypassing the food from the stomach to the small intestine and re-routing the bile and digestive tract juices, so that food is not absorbed and digested properly. In VSG, a portion of the stomach is reduced to ensure that the quantity of food consumed is reduced (NIDDK 2009). After the procedure, the individual should not consume anything for the next 24 hours. Following this, a special diet needs to be consumed, which includes liquids, soft foods and slow progress towards solid food. Following this, the indvidiaul needs to consume reduced quantity of food. There may be certain side-effects of the procedure (Mayo Clinic Staff 2009). Results Weight loss surgeries basically work by reducing the amount of food being consumed or the amount of food being digested. Some surgeries bypass a majority of the food consumed resulting in reduced amount of absorption of nutrients. Along with dietary and lifestyle changes, loss of body weight can be achieved. However, there are also a few risks associated with weight loss surgeries. The individual may lose about 50 to 60 % of the excess body weight within 2 years of the surgery. However, exercises, lifestyle changes and diet need to be included in the plan (Mayo Clinic Staff 2009). The risk of several health disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, heart disease, infections, and cancer can be reduced (Daniel Jones, 2010). Complications In recent years with improvement in the surgical technique, there has been a reduction in the rate of complications from the year 2006, by about 21%. The rate of readmissions has also been under a decrease (NIDDK 2009). Some of the early complications related to gastric bypass include bleeding, infection, leakage of intestine, damage to the intestines, heart attacks, blood clots in the legs, emboli, etc. The other complications that can develop include malnutrition, (such as beri beri, pellagra, etc), strictures, hernias (includes internal hernias and intestinal hernias), pneumonia, nausea, vomiting, hypoglycemia, gallstones, kidney stones, dehydration, etc. If the contents from the stomach move very quickly, it can result in dumping syndrome causing nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. In patients with poor general health and with serious medical conditions, fatal outcomes may be a risk, but very rare (Mayo Clinic Staff 2009). In some patients further surgery may be required (Daniel Jones, 2010).

The Morality Of Science Essays - English-language Films, Free Essays

The Morality Of Science Essays - English-language Films, Free Essays The Morality Of Science The Morality of Science Lesley Hubbard June 14, 2000 There are two parallel stories in Mary Shelleys Frankenstein, one of attempting to discover the secret of life and the other of forcing nature to open her secrets to man (Neal). This novel can be looked by combining those two stories into a theme of the scientist who seeks to play God and what happens to him in his quest to create life from death. When looking at the book in this regard, the reader discovers the dangers inherent in defying the natural order, (Neal) and the potential consequences of scientific discovery. Victor Frankenstein, fascinated with scientific exploration in the physical world, embarked upon an experiment that forever changed his life and that of his family and friends. During his studies away from home, Victor foolishly decides that he will play God. I will pioneer anew way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation (Shelly p. 47). What lies behind Frankensteins scientific projects is obviously an attempt to gain power (Damyanov). Victor devotes himself to his task of creating life from death for a period of two years without once considering the implications of the result of his experiment. Thoughtless Victor built in no safety controls, no device to assure that only good actions would be performed (Neal). Shelley warns us of the dangerous division between the power-seeking practices of science and the concerns of humanists with moral responsibility, emotional communion, and spiritual values (Damyanov). Victor invested so much selfish care and time into his creation and never thought of the implications of his success. As if almost seeing into the future, Shelly gives us a warning to consider the final effects of scientific exploration and experiment (Neal). Neglecting all moral implications of his creation, Victor completes his work. Victor never imagined that his success would create horror instead of joy and immortality. It was a dreary night in November that I beheld the accomplishment of my toils (Shelley p. 56). How can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe, or how delineate the wretch whom with such infinite pains and care I had endeavored to form (Shelley p. 56)? Even when Victor came to the realization that his success in creating his being had become an abhorrence, he took no responsibility in trying to remedy his actions or take care of the creature. Victor emulated Gods actions when he created the being (Neal). He had hoped a new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me (Shelly p. 52). Unfortunately for Victor, the exact opposite resulted. Victor was responsible to his creation as a father is to a child, but only tried to escape the creatures wretchedness. The creature has been left to his own devices to either become part of society, or to live alone in hiding, suffering, and pain. Victor awoke the day after witnessing his creature come to life in a horrifying form and in finding the creature had disappeared, basically goes on with his life. Frankenstein does not take on the moral responsibility of remedying his disastrous creation until years later when it returned to him. Years after the creatures birth, he has learned to speak and write, and sets out in search of Frankenstein; his creator, his father. He has discovered that no man will treat him with any dignity or compassion or love and desires to find this from his creator. After realizing that he cannot recover these feelings from Frankenstein, the creature requests that Victor create another being; a female form of himself, a true companion. When confronted by the creature, Victor seems to realize for the first time the moral implications of what he has done. Wretched devil! You reproach me with your creation; con, then, that I may extinguish the spark which I so negligently bestowed (Shelley p. 96). The creature, also realizing how wrong Frankenstein had been in his attempt to become God, exclaims to him, How dare you sport thus with life? (Shelley p.96)? Victor eventually agrees to create a female companion for his creature. While working on her creation, Victor becomes more acquainted with

The Beasties essays

The Beasties essays William Sleater, Author, writes a chilling science fiction tale about a brother and sister, Doug, 14, and Colette, 10. Doug and Colette get themselves into a thrilling adventure involving friendship, suspense, and horror. Dougs family is forced to move to a mysterious forest so that his father can pursue his studies as a Botanist. Dougs crazy friend Al has warned him about disgusting creatures called Beasties that live in underground tunnels behind old houses in the woods. The Beasties are ugly creatures with stitched body parts, sharp teeth, missing limbs, white hair and very skinny. On their first full day they discover a trapdoor and go in. In the trap door they discover these tunnels filled with the Beasties. A Beastie named fingers catches them. Fingers, makes a deal with Doug and Colette that they must come back at night or never be safe again. That night Colette goes to the tunnels but Doug stays home because he thinks something bad will happen to him if he goes back to the tunnel. The next day, Colette comes back very weird and is mad at Doug for not going with her. The next night Colette goes back to the tunnels, but Doug lies in bed and gets caught by a Beastie and carried to the tunnels. Doug is now left to side with the Beasties against the humans, or die. What waits Doug and his family....well, youll just have to read it. I can relate to Doug and Colettes feelings about their family moving to the forest from the city. Doug and Colette are uncomfortable in their new home. Whenever my parents talk about moving to another state, I get very uncomfortable about leaving my friends and my surroundings. I am sure that it must be a difficult transition for anyone. I enjoyed the details of certain parts in the book, even though some were gruesome. The author did a great job describing the creatures since they are very complicated beings and only a great ...

My Experience Scoring a Kindle Scout Book Deal Keith Yocum

My Experience Scoring a Kindle Scout Book Deal Keith Yocum My Experience Scoring a Kindle Scout Book Deal In 2016, Keith Yocum entered his latest novel into the Kindle Scout program. His novel was selected for the 30-day campaign, and then picked for publication by Kindle Press - all to Keith's own surprise. In this guest post, Keith tells us about his Kindle Scout experience, and the not-so-secret recipe to his success with the program.I am a writer who has toiled for many years in journalism. During this time, I did everything from starting a newspaper from scratch, writing a weekly column for four years straight, to working for a major daily newspaper. It’s been a terrific career and I’ve enjoyed all of it, even the late nights and crushing deadlines. Well, maybe not the deadlines. Still, after the thousands - millions? - of words I’d written and edited, there was one driving passion that went unfulfilled. I wanted to write a novel. Or two.Thirteen years later, I have self-published two novels and last year landed a publishing deal with Amazon after entering my third book, Color of Blood, into the Kindle Scout program.What is Kindle Scout?Kindle Scout is a program for unpublished manuscripts that combines crowdsourcing with editorial curation. It's fairly simple: you need an unpublished manuscript, a completed book cover, a brief "one-liner" about the book, and a book description of 500 characters or less.After submitting to Kindle Scout you wait to see if your manuscript will be selected for the program. This process is a little mysterious, as writers don't precisely know what criteria are used to gauge whether a title is worthy of inclusion. If picked for the program, your book is given exposure for 30 days on the Kindle Scout homepage. Writers are then responsible for reaching out to their networks and requesting they vote for their book.However, I had something different in mind for Color of Blood. Together, we went back to the drawing board and decided the cover should incorporate a type of Australian Aboriginal hand art - as this r eflects a key scene in the novel. Stewart found the art and created a cover I was very pleased with, making tweaks and changes I requested up until the last minute. In the end, he was able to design a cover that stood out, but still grabbed the attention of readers looking to read a thriller.Working with copy editor Jessica PeriniDue to the fact that half of my novel is set in Australia, I was excited to see Australian copyeditors on the Reedsy marketplace. While my mother was Australian,  and I had visited many times, it was important to me that a local ensure the descriptions and language were authentic. I chose Jessica Perini and we worked well together; her copyediting was quick, professional and helpful. I did not expect to sell many copies in Australia, but if someone Down Under did read it, I wanted the manuscript to hold up - and I’m confident now that it will.How being picked for Kindle Scout affected the sales and success of my bookThe speed of reviews and sales for Color of Blood has been pretty amazing with Scout backing it. To put it into perspective: I published my debut indie novel Daniel in 2009. Eight years later, Daniel has 107 Amazon verified reviews and a 4.3 average star rating.After only one year since Amazon published Color of Blood, it has 91 verified reviews and a 4.1 average star rating. I earned back my advance from Kindle Press in just three months, and have sold thousands of copies. In general, the Scout experience has been terrific.In terms of whether I will continue entering my novels into the Scout Program: I’m on the fence. Color of Blood is a trilogy and other authors have said that it’s often quite difficult to have a series of books selected for the program. And since  self-publishing on Amazon  is such a simple process, I may just go that route instead. That being said, if I do submit another book to Kindle Scout, I will put the valuable learnings this first experience has taught me to use.Tips f or authors entering the Kindle Scout programBook covers are absolutely critical to marketing your title in a very crowded marketplace. So make sure you hire a professional to design yours. This isn’t a tip, it’s a must. Also spend time working on your book descriptions and marketing summaries - working with a professional here doesn’t hurt either. I’m reluctant to admit it, but publishing is a business with clear methods of success, including genre-specific narrative structure and clean, purposeful writing. There were reportedly half-a-million self-published books last year, so standing out from the crowd is key for any writer, and that means using professionals to help. Hiring a professional cover designer isn’t a tip, it’s a must. In this respect, I have to take my hat off to the folks at Reedsy for making my work more marketable and collaborative. There are some great professionals there ready to be found.Color of Blood is available in paperback and on Amazon Kindle.For more information, visit Keith Yocum's website.Please  share your thoughts, experiences, or any questions for Keith Yocum, in the comments below!

The Marxist theory Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Marxist theory - Research Paper Example The Marxist theory According to Bechmann (143), the media institution must be considered to be a part of the economic system with close links to the political system. The consequence of this can be seen through the reduction of independent media sources, the concentration of the news on large markets, the avoidance of risks by media houses, and the reduction of investment in less profitable media tasks such as investigative reporting and documentary film making. There is also a neglect of the poorer sectors of the potential audience and the range of news media is often politically unbalanced. The Frankfurt School is a neo-Marxist thought which rebelled against modern society and media as creators and bearers of contemporary culture and ideology. Their criticism of mass communication media was that they hamper the road to a utopian society which is free from class and domination, and that media also stands in the way of change. Negt (61) states that by selectively presenting reality, including aspects o f culture, education, and entertainment (in which the bourgeois values enjoy priority) the media confirms and supports the dominant capitalist ideologies and thus maintains the status quo at the cost of the working class, which is represented by the masses. This school is therefore concerned about the ideological manipulation and exploitation of the mass media by capitalist considerations. The media dependency theory, which is also known as the media system dependency theory, has often been explored as an expansion of the gratification approach although here are some slight differences between the two theories, that is, media dependency looks to the viewers goal as the origin of the dependency while the gratification theory emphasizes on the needs of the audience. Both the dependency theory and the gratification theory are, however, in agreement that media use may lead to reliance and according to the media dependency theory, the more reliant a person is on the medium for having his or her requirements satisfied, the more significant the medium will be to that individual. According to Einwiller et al. (305), the individual’s reliance on a particular medium is influenced by the amount of media sources available to that individual because a person should become more reliant on a particular available media if his access to alternative media is inadequate. The more alternatives there are for a person, the less dependent will he be on only one specific medium. There are, in my opinion, more similarities than differences between the theories of Marxists and that of the media dependency concerning the media. Both are concerned about the effect of media on the society, especially more about the use of the elite within such a society of the media to further their own ends, namely, the maintenance of their status. Media is used to control the masses so that they do not rise in rebellion against the oppressive upper classes of their society. It is not used for the purpose of social progress, as is claimed by the heads of media corporations, but for the purpose of maintaining the status quo so that the lower classes can continue to render their services to the elite and in the process making the elite richer, while the working classes remain poor. By limiting the content and quality of the media that the masses can access, the elite are able to perpetuate and justify its reasons for dominating the society as well as why they oppress the working classes for their own benefit. A very good example is when one

Green Technology Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Green Technology - Case Study Example Ensuring a Strong, Healthy and Just Society- meeting the diverse needs of all people in existing and future communities, promoting personal well-being, social cohesion and inclusion, and creating equal opportunity for all. Achieving a Sustainable Economy- Building a strong, stable and sustainable economy which provides prosperity and opportunities for all, and in which environmental and social costs fall on those who impose them (polluter pays). And efficient resource use is incentivised. Using Sound Science Responsibility - Ensuring policy is developed and implemented on the basis of strong scientific evidence, whilst taking into account scientific uncertainty (through the Precautionary Principle) as well as public attitudes and values. Sustainable design balances human needs with the carrying capacity of the natural and cultural environments. It minimizes environmental impacts; it minimizes importation of goods and energy as well as generation of waste. Sustainable design is an ecosystematic approach that demands an understanding of the consequences of our actions. One of the best ways to describe sustainable building is to compare it with other forms of resource based development. As an example in the creation of resort, only few of them can provide or can sustain a harmonious relationship with the environment. The long term objective of sustainable design is to minimize resource degradation and consumption on a global scale. They should to example to heighten environmental awareness. Sustainable design must seek to use the building or non building as an educational tool to demonstrate the importance of the environment in sustaining human life. It should connect humans with their environment for the spiritual, emotional and therapeutic benefits that nature provides. Sustainable building design must promote new human values and lifestyles to achieve a more harmonious relationship with local, regional, and global resources and environments. The design increases public awareness about the appropriate technologies and the cradle to grave energy and waste implications of various building and consumer materials. The sustainable building design nurture living cultures to perpetuate indigenous responsiveness to and harmony with, local environmental factors. It can relay cultural and historical und erstanding of the site with local, regional and global relationships. Sustainable Planning Sustainable planning for the development of an outdoor recreation entails the: community participation, environmental protection, natural resource conservation and local economic development. Community participation includes the following plans a) Reflects the values of the surrounding community by harmonizing with existing buildings in materials, design and density. b) Ensures that infrastructure will exist to serve neighborhood needs. c) Should have adequate public transportation, public restrooms, bicycle parking, drinking fountains, and

Critical Reflections Paper Examining Social Justice and Equality Essay

Critical Reflections Paper Examining Social Justice and Equality - Essay Example This system punishes the poor by keeping them continually dependent on the system and not encouraging them to become independent. According to Hick (2002), "Income security programs are at the center of the welfare state in Canada. These programs do much more than protect the poor from destitution; income security programs are used by all sectors of society" (pp. 1-2). In Roman times, according to Myers-Lipton (2006), "with the increase in poverty in the early republic, elite society began to argue that outdoor relief was financially inefficient at best and inhumane at worst, since poor people were shuffled around from community to community" (pp. 35). Instead of shuffling the poor around, some suggestions include making the poor an integrated part of the community, giving them work through a WPA-style program that would focus on giving the homeless jobs. This would be one way of promoting a healthier and happier community. It is in this paradigm that one realizes that something must be done to arrive at a more socially just society. ... The homeless themselves feel powerless and as though they do not have choices in life. It is in this paradigm that one realizes that something must be done to arrive at a more socially just society. This includes taxing the rich at 90% as used to be the case, and requiring less from those who cannot afford to pay. Most welfare systems nowadays depend on the dependency of the person receiving welfare in order to keep afloat as a program. When welfare programs stop preying on people, there will be more just societies. Until that day of welfare reform comes to all nations, one whose focus is achieving social justice for all cannot rest. After all, how can the economically well-off person sleep at night knowing there are others out in the world who have nothing or next to nothing The simple fact is that they cannot. Once people realize their greed and heartlessness is causing them lack of sleep, they will realize they have to get out in the world and give back. Charities and other goodwill foundations need to capitalize on the fact that there are many guilty people out there. People who feel guilty about having more should feel badly about the fact that society is unjust to the poor and this should serve as a motivator to help urge people to give more to charitable programs. 3. What is the relationship between social justice, equality and human rights Social justice is the assurance that everyone in a society is receiving fair treatment. Equality is the assurance that everyone is being treated with the same measure of justice as everyone else. Human rights are those inalienable rights guaranteed to persons of governments that are based upon the British system. The relation between these three