ITE THE NAME OF THE DOCTOR FOR THESE DEFINITIONS

1. A doctor who studies disorders of the endocrine system and their glands, like
thyroid problems and other such hormonal imbalances and the specific
secretions of hormones is what entails an endocrinologist job description.
2. A life science doctor who specializes in physiology.
3. Specialist treats the Ear, the Nose and the Throat, as well as to some extent
some ailments of the head and the neck. This field is also known as
4. Studies the skin, its structure, functions, and diseases, as well as its appendages
(nails, hair, sweat glands) and treats the related ailments.
5. Study and treat diseases of the liver.
6. The doctor that takes care of eyes and treats various eye problems and performs
different eye surgeries.
7. The doctor who studies and treats diseases of the female reproductive system.
8. The doctor who studies and treats medical problems of infants, children, and
adolescents.
9. The doctor who treats kidney diseases and problems.
10. These are doctors of the heart that diagnose and treat heart diseases and
cardiovascular diseases.
11. These are doctors who treat one of the most delicate and important organs of the
body, the brain. They treat conditions like seizures, strokes, Parkinsons,
Alzheimers, etc.
12. This is a part of gynecology and the doctors are experts with childbirth, Csections, gynecological surgeries like hysterectomy, surgical removal of ovarian
tumors, examination of the pelvic region, PAP smears, prenatal care, etc.
13. Treats cancer patients.

http://www.michellehenry.fr/sante2.htm
http://www.hospitalenglish.com/procedures/givingmedication.php

ORGAN DONATION
Sometimes people get sick. Sometimes a part of their body is not working right.
Sometimes these parts or organs stop working. These organs might be the heart, the
liver, or the kidneys. Some sick people need a new organ to take the place of the one
that is not working right.
When a person dies, some of their organs can be used in other people. The family of the
dead person can choose to give the working organs to people who need them.
A senator wants to make a law that will help keep records of people who want to give
their organs. He thinks it will be easier for the relatives of a person who dies to make
the decision. The relatives would still have the choice whether or not to give the organs.
Good organs are needed everywhere. There are not enough organs in California.
More people need to know about the need for organs. Many of the people who need
them are not white. But people from other races are not giving enough of their organs.
Without enough organs from people of all races, it is hard to find organs for all people
who need one.
Answer these questions
1.
2.
3.
4.

Who can give permission to donate the organs?

Where arent there enough organs?
What kind of people needs organs?
What does a senator want to do?

SKIN CANCER
In California about 9,000 people will die this year because of skin cancer.
There are two types of skin cancer. One type is caused by the sun. The second type of
skin cancer happens when the skin cells are turned into cancer cells.
Your risk for getting skin cancer depends on a number of things. Your chances are
higher if you have light-colored skin, have blue eyes, are getting older, or are in the sun
a lot.
The survival rate for skin cancer is 80% when found and treated early. Depending on
how deep the skin tumors are, different therapies can be tried. They are surgery,
chemotherapy, and radiation.
2

Skin cancer can be prevented by staying out of the sun during the hottest part of the day.
Using sun block with a protective factor of at least 15 will also help. Other ways of
protecting yourself would be to wear hats and long-sleeve shirts. It is also good to look
at your skin each month to find any skin cancers early.
Watching for any changes in your skin and staying out of the sun during peak hours are
the two best ways to prevent skin cancer.
Answer these questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

How many people will die of skin cancer?

How many types of skin cancer are there?
What kind of people is more likely to get skin cancer?
How can be skin cancer prevented?
Can skin cancer be cured?

SMOKING
Smoking kills more Americans than AIDS, drug abuse, car accidents and crime.
Did you know that 390,000 Americans die each year from cigarette smoking?
Smoking tobacco causes 1 out of 6 deaths. Smoking can also cause some very
serious diseases. Some people become addicted to smoking. Lung cancer has caused
more deaths in women than breast cancer. If a pregnant woman smokes, she has a
greater chance of medical problems with her baby.
Cigarette smoking is the number one cause of cancer death in men. Male smokers
over the age of 35 are more likely to die from smoking-related diseases like lung
cancer.
Many children start smoking before they reach high school. They run the risk of
smoking most of their lives. They could die of smoking-related diseases.
Answer the following questions
1.
2.
3.
4.

How many American people die from smoking?

What could happen to a pregnant woman if she smokes?
What diseases can smoking cause?
Which is the first cause of death among men?

HEALTH PROBLEMS AND

TREATMENTS
1.- Write the correct word inside the
box.
FEVER
COLD

COLIC
HEADACHE

BACKACHE
SORE THROAT

STOMACH-ACHE

TOOTHACHE

EARACHE

COUGH

1.A respiratory disorder characterized by

sneezing, sore throat, coughing, etc.
2.An illness characterized by frequent coughing.
3.Scratchiness in the throat, painful and
sensitive condition.
4.A pain located in the head as over the eyes,
at the temples or at the base of the skull.
5.Severe abdominal pain caused by spasm.
6.Abnormally high body temperature.
7.Pain in the ear.
8.A pain or discomfort in the region of the
back or spine.
9.Pain in or about a tooth.
10. Pain in the stomach or abdomen.
WRITE THE NAME OF THE DOCTOR

1. Treats any problem dealing with heart diseases and cardiovascular diseases.
2. Any dental problem from tooth decay to dentures to retainers are handled by them.
They also treat any gum diseases and oral defects.
3. This is a doctor that treats any ailment related to the skin and its appendages such as
hair, nails etc.
4. Any problems with the female reproductive system is referred to and treated by them.
5. Person with mental illnesses such as, schizophrenia, depression and anxiety problems
is treated by them
6. This doctor is responsible for diagnosing and treating diseases of the liver.

7. This is a specialist doctor that treats kidney diseases and renal problems with
treatments such as dialysis.
8. This doctor studies various brain disorders, such as, Parkinson's disease and
Alzheimer's disease.
9. This is a sub specialization in the gynecological field of study and handles various
aspects of the female reproductive system, such as, childbirth, caesareans etc.
10. A specialist physician that diagnose and treat cancer patients with drugs,
chemotherapy, radiation and where needed, surgical interventions.
11. Broken bones from falls or osteoporosis is treated by them.
12. This is a doctor who treats children for any illness from birth to adolescent.
13. A life science doctor who specializes in physiology and help rehabilitate.
14. These doctors specialize in mental illnesses and will study, diagnoses and counsel and
treat mental illnesses such as Bipolar, dementia, depression, Alzheimer's etc.
15. A doctor who specializes in use of X-rays or other imaging technologies in order to
diagnose various illnesses.
16. A doctor that specializes in surgical operations and will have their own specialties such
as orthopedic, ENT, brain, nuro, cardiovascular, maxillo-facial surgery, plastic surgery,
and transplant surgery.
17. Any urinary problems and urinary tract infections are treated by them

For each illness/ailment, write either: "legs and arms", "head" or "body".

1. migraine

2. colour blindness

3. dizziness

4. heart attack

5. hangover

6. menstruation

7. headache

8. asthma

9. a stitch

10. nose bleed

11. pins and needles

13. tooth decay

14. appendicitis

15. sore throat

16. varicose veins

17. slipped disc

18. arthritis
World Hepatitis Day is observed on May the 19th. It aims to increase awareness
worldwide of the diseases hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Its hope is to encourage the
prevention and diagnosis of these two diseases, and increase the number of people
who receive treatment. The day is organized by the World Hepatitis Alliance. This
is a group that consists of over 200 different patients groups around the world. It
represents around 500 million people globally who suffer from hepatitis. Its aim is
to provide global leadership and support to halt the death toll and improve the
lives of people living with hepatitis B and C. Its ultimate goal is to work with
governments to eradicate these diseases from the planet.
6

Hepatitis is a disease that causes injury to the liver and can result in death. The
disease causes tissue in the liver to become inflamed. Most cases of hepatitis are
caused by a group of viruses. In other cases, things like alcohol or infections can
cause the disease. The disease can make it impossible for the liver to function
properly. This means the liver will not be able to remove harmful substances from
our body, or make sure our blood is healthy. Symptoms include tiredness, muscle
and joint aches, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and headache. In serious cases, people
lose their appetite, lose weight and have severe stomach pain. There is a vaccine
against hepatitis B but scientists are still working on one for hepatitis C.

ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS

1.
2.
3.
4.

When is the Hepatitis day?

Who organizes this day?
What are the symptoms of hepatitis?
How many people suffer from hepatitis nowadays?

911 Calls
People can call 911 when they need help. The police will come quickly. This phone
number should be used only in an emergency.
There have been some problems with people using the 911 phone number. More than
half of the calls made to it are accidental. These accidental calls are not real
emergencies.
Calling 911 when you do not need it can be very bad. It wastes the time of the people
answering the calls. It can even force someone who has a real emergency to wait before
getting the help they need.
Many accidental 911 calls come from cell phones. Keys are sometimes pushed and the
call goes through without the owner of the phone knowing that he has called in an
emergency. A group of people is trying to find a way to fix this problem.
7

One area is trying a new program that might help solve the problem of accidental 911
calls. This program will make callers of 911 calls push another key on the phone if it is
a real emergency. People hope that change will reduce the number of accidental 911
calls going through.

ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS

1.
2.
3.
4.

When can you use the 911 number?

Why can it be very bad calling 911 if you dont need it?
Where do most accidental calls come from?
What can be done to solve this problem?

ALZHEIMER
Diseases can cause many problems. Alzheimer's disease makes people have problems
with their thinking. Even easy tasks are hard to do.
A German doctor discovered the disease in 1907. Back then, it was considered a rare
disease. Today, it is known to be more common.
Alzheimer's disease attacks the brain. It slowly destroys a person's memory. It changes
their thinking and the way they act. About 4 million American adults have this disease.
At times, a person with this disease can become confused. They can have a hard time
trying to talk. Sometimes they forget where they are. Sometimes they do not remember
their own family. Eventually, people who have this disease can no longer take care of
themselves.

Alzheimer's disease cannot be cured, but it can get better with treatment. It is important
to see a special doctor if you have this disease.
ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS
1.
2.
3.
4.

What problems do people with Alzheimer have?

When was Alzheimer discovered?
What are the symptoms of Alzheimer?
Can Alzheimer be cured?

http://www.ielts-useful-tips.com/reading-exercises.html

Millions of people are alive today because they received the blood given by another
person. June 14 is World Blood Donor Day. This is the day on which we can say
thank you to those who give blood. Every country raises awareness of the
importance of giving blood. Most blood donors give blood voluntarily, but some
countries pay for people to give blood. Doctors say the blood from unpaid donors
is generally safer. The blood donation system is pretty much the same all around
the world. You give blood and then get a free cup of tea, and perhaps a biscuit.
There is a greater need for blood in developing countries. Under 40% of the
worlds blood supply comes from the developing world, where 82% of the worlds
population live.
Blood is, of course, the red liquid that makes some of us faint when we see it. It
delivers oxygen and vital nutrients, such as glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids, to
our body's cells. It also carries away waste products, like carbon dioxide, from our
cells to keep our body clean. Seven per cent of our body weight is blood. The
average adult has about five litres of blood. Our heart pumps blood around our
body at high speed. It travels through a system of arteries and veins, that reach
every part of our body. Our blood is made up of red blood cells, white blood cells
and platelets. When we cut ourselves, it is the job of platelets to clot the blood to
stop us bleeding. We all have one of four different blood types. If we are given a
different blood type, well die.
ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS
1. Whats the World Blood Donor Day?
2. How is the blood donation system?
3. Whats the function of the blood?
9

4. How much of our body is blood?

5. What is blood made of?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that a new coronavirus strain
could be passed from human to human. The virus, called nCoV-EMC, looks like an
offshoot of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which killed 775
people and infected 8,273 between 2002-03. However, the WHO was quick to
point out that the new strain isn't as virulent as SARS. The warning came after the
34th case worldwide came to light on Sunday. A man is in a "very serious but
stable" condition in an intensive care unit in France. It is believed he contracted the
virus while vacationing in Dubai in April. The new coronavirus has already claimed
the lives of 18 people, 15 of the fatalities being in Saudi Arabia.
Coronavirus causes respiratory illnesses in both humans and animals. Unlike SARS,
which spread from birds and animals to humans, the new strain could have
mutated to spread between people. A WHO spokesman, Keiji Fukuda, told
reporters in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Sunday that the new virus posed an
"important and major challenge" for those countries already affected and for the
whole world. He stressed that while the new virus was not SARS, it was very
worrying. He said: "Of most concern is the fact that the different clusters seen in
multiple countries increasingly support the hypothesis that when there is close
contact, this coronavirus can transmit from person to person".
ANSWER THE QUESTIONS
1. What did the WHO warn about?
2. How many people did SARS infect and kill?
3. How is the man in a French hospital doing?
10

4. How did the man in France contract the virus?

5. How many fatalities have there been and where are they?
6. How does the new virus differ from SARS?
7. How could the new strain have arisen?
8. What did Mr Fukuda want to make people aware of?
9. Which countries face a challenge?
10. What hypothesis seems to be supported?

Six of the seven countries with the highest obesity rates are English-speaking
nations. This is according to a new report from the OECD (Organization for
Economic Co-Operation and Development). The country at the top of the list is the
USA. This is followed by Mexico, New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom,
Canada and Ireland. The OECD looked at 33 different countries. The other 26
countries were non-English speaking. The ten slimmest countries included Japan,
Korea, Italy, Switzerland and Sweden. Health experts are now wondering why
English-speaking countries top the worlds obesity league. One theory is that they
are all copying an American lifestyle; people eat a lot of fast food and a lot of it is in
sizes considerably larger than those found in the rest of the world.
The OECD report contains some interesting statistics. Australia has the fastest
growing obesity rates. They are expected to rise by another 15 per cent over the
next decade. This compares to an increase of five per cent in South Korea.
Education makes a big difference to weight in America and Sweden. Poorly
educated women are 30 per cent more likely to be overweight than those who had
a good education. Swedish women with poor educations are more than twice as
overweight as educated women. In the USA and UK, children are particularly
overweight. Around 30 per cent of British kids are overweight, compared with 40
per cent for their American counterparts. In Sweden, one person in ten is obese,
although more than half of adult men and a third of adult women are overweight
there.
ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS
1.
2.
3.
4.

Are English speakers are more likely to be overweight?

What are the Six of the top seven fattest countries?
Which country has the highest obesity rates?
Why are the English speaking countries more obese?
11

5. How many kids are obese in the UK?

The deadly bacteria that has killed 18 people in Europe is a new form of E. coli, the
World Health Organization (WHO) says. Scientists are scrambling to find out more
about the deadly strain behind the European outbreak. As well as the dead, more
than 1,600 people are sick. This new outbreak is the deadliest in modern history
and is the third in terms of the number of people made ill because of it. The source
of the outbreak remains unknown. Germany was quick to blame Spanish
cucumbers but this now appears not to be the case. Most of the sick and dead
either live in Germany or recently travelled there. Authorities believe the bacteria
is on salad vegetables and warned people to avoid eating salad and cook all
vegetables.
The WHO says the new E. coli strain could be from a genetic merger of two
different E. coli bacteria that has resulted in a super-strong bug. E. coli mostly
spreads via food contaminated with human or animal feces. It leads to diarrhoea
and vomiting, and can lead to kidney failure and death. Doctors say it is essential
for people to wash their hands regularly to avoid contact with the bacteria,
especially before eating. The outbreak is affecting Europes economy. Russia has
banned all fruit and vegetable imports from the European Union, a move that could
cost EU farmers billions. Spains politicians are asking Germany for compensation
for blaming Spanish cucumbers for the outbreak.
ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

What does the WHO say?

How many people has the bacteria killed?
Which is the source of the strain?
How does E. coli spread?
What are the symptoms of the illness?
How can the illness be prevented?

12

A study carried out in Germany has found that chocolate may be good for your
heart. This is fantastic news for all chocolate lovers. The extensive research was
conducted over eight years. The research team followed the chocolate-eating
habits and health of almost 20,000 people. They compared how much chocolate
was in their diet to the number of heart attacks and strokes people had. Lead
researcher Brian Buijsse said: "The good news is that chocolate is not as bad as we
used to think, and may even lower the risk of heart disease and stroke." Mr Buijsse
said his team found that dark chocolate was the healthiest kind to eat: "Dark
chocolate exhibits the greatest effects, milk chocolate fewer, and white chocolate
no effects," he said.
The German study showed that people who ate the most chocolate (at least one bar
per week) reduced their risk of having a heart attack by 27 per cent. The risk of
suffering a stroke was cut by as much as 48 per cent. Nutrition experts believe that
natural compounds in chocolate called flavonols are good for our heart. Flavonols
also help reduce blood pressure. They are found in cocoa beans so dark chocolate
(which has more cocoa) contains more of them than milk chocolate (which has
more fat). Buijsse warns people not to suddenly eat lots of chocolate: "Eating
higher amounts will most likely result in weight gain. If people start eating small
amounts of chocolate, it should replace something else, preferably other highcalorie sweets or snacks."
ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS
What does the study carried out in Germany say?
How long was the research conducted?
13

Which is the healthiest chocolate?

How much does eating chocolate reduce the risk of having a heart attack?
What happens if you suddenly eat a lot of chocolate?

Leaving your children with their grandparents may be bad for the little ones
health. This is according to new research in the International Journal of Obesity.
The British study showed that children who are looked after by their grandparents
tend to me more overweight. Researchers looked at over 12,000 toddlers between
the ages of nine months and three years. Their data showed that grandparents
increased the risk of obesity in the children by as much as 34 per cent. Kids who
are looked after by their parents or who go to nurseries had no similar risk of
weight problems. The research also showed that children of richer parents were
more at risk, especially if the mother had a management position and/or a
university education.
This research could help reduce the rate of obesity in Britain. Almost a quarter of
pre-schoolers are overweight or obese. These new statistics should send an
important message to grandparents stop filling your grandchildren with snacks
and sugary treats. We all know how our grandparents like to spoil us. It is the same
all over the world. The research did not look into why young children are more at
risk of obesity with their grandparents. However, there are several possible
reasons. One is that older people might be less aware of proper nutrition and so
give their grandchildren unhealthy food. Another possible cause is that older
people are less active and might not play with the children. It might also be that
British people in general are becoming less active.
. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

A study says grandparents do all they can to fatten up their grandkids.

Researchers analyzed over 12,000 grandparents over the age of 70.
Grandparents caring for kids can increase the risk of obesity by 34%.
Kids of mothers who went to university are more at risk of obesity.
Nearly 25 per cent of British toddlers have problems with their weight.
14

T/F
T/F
T/F
T/F
T/F

f. Grandparents the world over like to give their grandkids sweet things. T / F
g. The article says older people are more aware of nutrition.
T/F
h. People in Britain are getting more exercise than ever before.
T/F
A Belgian man who was wrongly believed to be in a coma for 23 years has said he
feels reborn. Rom Houben, 46, was badly injured in a car accident in 1983. He was
just 20 years old. The crash left him so paralysed that doctors thought he was in a
coma. For the next 23 years he was trapped inside his own body. He could not tell
doctors that he was able to communicate and he was awake. Mr. Houben could
hear everything that went on around him. He was able to understand that
everyone thought he was in a permanent coma. He said he felt "alone, lonely,
frustrated". A new type of brain scan found Mr. Houben had a condition called
locked-in syndrome. This is where people cannot speak or move but can think
and understand the world around them.
Rom Houben typed his thoughts about the horror of the past two-and-a-half
decades on a special keyboard. "It was especially frustrating when my family
needed me. I could not share in their sorrow, he wrote. He added: "Just imagine.
You hear, see, feel and think but no one can see that...You cannot participate in
life....I will never forget the day they finally discovered what was wrong. It was my
second birth." He described his pain at being unable to communicate: "I would
scream, but no sound would come out. Rom was in good humour in a press
conference. He cracked a joke and explained he looked under the weather because
of a cold: You catch me at a bad moment, I have looked better," he typed. Doctors
now hope that they can find more people like Rom Houben.
1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.

Doctors thought a man was in a coma for 23 years, but he wasnt.

The man (called Rom) wanted to communicate, but couldnt.
Rom could see but he couldnt hear.
Locked-in syndrome is where people can speak but cant think.
Rom typed his thoughts about the 23 years on a keyboard.
Rom remembers the day doctors discovered he wasnt in a coma.
Rom explained in a press conference the weather wasnt so good.
Doctors dont believe there are more people out there like Rom.

15

T/F
T/F
T/F
T/F
T/F
T/F
T/F
T/F

SWINE FLU
Health officials from around the world have warned that swine flu may cause more
deaths. Nearly 150 people have died so far in Mexico. There are fears that this
death toll will rise, and that people will start dying in other countries. There are
already around 2,000 reported cases of the virus in Mexico. Countries as far away
as New Zealand, Spain, Canada and Scotland have also reported outbreaks. U.S.
health officials have warned American citizens that there could be fatalities in the
USA. Dr. Richard Besser of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told
reporters: "From what we understand in Mexico, I think people need to be ready
for the idea that we could see more severe cases in this country and possibly
deaths."
Health organizations everywhere are preparing for a pandemic. Scientists say the
virus has not been seen before. This means there is not yet a vaccine against it. Dr.
Besser warned it was not easy to predict how serious the virus is. He explained:
Outbreaks of infectious diseases are extremely unpredictable and variable, and so
over time, what we say about this and what we learn will change. Many countries
are taking precautions to prevent swine flu crossing their borders. However, it is
almost impossible to stop the virus entering a country via airplane or ship
passengers. The outbreak could be bad for the worlds economy, especially the
airline industry. Many would-be travelers are cancelling their travel plans and
staying at home.
ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

How many people have died?

How many people are infected?
How many countries are affected by the outbrake?
What have the health authorities warned about?
Do the scientists know the virus?
Is there a cure for the virus?
How can it be spread?
How can the virus enter the countries?

16

http://www.michellehenry.fr/sante2.htm
ORGAN DONATION
Sometimes people get sick. Sometimes a part of their body is not working right.
Sometimes these parts or organs stop working. These organs might be the heart, the
liver, or the kidneys. Some sick people need a new organ to take the place of the one
that is not working right.
When a person dies, some of their organs can be used in other people. The family of the
dead person can choose to give the working organs to people who need them.
A senator wants to make a law that will help keep records of people who want to give
their organs. He thinks it will be easier for the relatives of a person who dies to make
the decision. The relatives would still have the choice whether or not to give the organs.
Good organs are needed everywhere. There are not enough organs in California.
More people need to know about the need for organs. Many of the people who need
them are not white. But people from other races are not giving enough of their organs.
Without enough organs from people of all races, it is hard to find organs for all people
who need one.
Answer these questions
5.
6.
7.
8.

Who can give permission to donate the organs?

Where arent there enough organs?
What kind of people needs organs?
What does a senator want to do?

SKIN CANCER
In California about 9,000 people will die this year because of skin cancer.
There are two types of skin cancer. One type is caused by the sun. The second type of
skin cancer happens when the skin cells are turned into cancer cells.
Your risk for getting skin cancer depends on a number of things. Your chances are
higher if you have light-colored skin, have blue eyes, are getting older, or are in the sun
a lot.
The survival rate for skin cancer is 80% when found and treated early. Depending on
how deep the skin tumors are, different therapies can be tried. They are surgery,
chemotherapy, and radiation.
Skin cancer can be prevented by staying out of the sun during the hottest part of the day.
17

Using sun block with a protective factor of at least 15 will also help. Other ways of
protecting yourself would be to wear hats and long-sleeve shirts. It is also good to look
at your skin each month to find any skin cancers early.
Watching for any changes in your skin and staying out of the sun during peak hours are
the two best ways to prevent skin cancer.
Answer these questions
6. How many people will die of skin cancer?
7. How many types of skin cancer are there?
8. What kind of people is more likely to get skin cancer?
9. How can be skin cancer prevented?
10. Can skin cancer be cured?
Smoking kills more Americans than AIDS, drug abuse, car accidents and crime.
Did you know that 390,000 Americans die each year from cigarette smoking?
Smoking tobacco causes 1 out of 6 deaths. Smoking can also cause some very
serious diseases. Some people become addicted to smoking. Lung cancer has caused
more deaths in women than breast cancer. If a pregnant woman smokes, she has a
greater chance of medical problems with her baby.
Cigarette smoking is the number one cause of cancer death in men. Male smokers
over the age of 35 are more likely to die from smoking-related diseases like lung
cancer.
Many children start smoking before they reach high school. They run the risk of
smoking most of their lives. They could die of smoking-related diseases.
Answer the following questions
5.
6.
7.
8.

How many American people die from smoking?

What could happen to a pregnant woman if she smokes?
What diseases can smoking cause?
Which is the first cause of death among men?

18

Join the area to the function

1. cardiology

2. neurology
3. radiology
4. pharmacy

study of the body's movement

study of the foot
study of the female reproductive
system
study of behavior
study of hormones
study of the brain
study of medicine
study of cancer
study of radioactive materials
study of the heart

5. psychiatry
6. oncology
7. gynecology
8. podiatry
9. endocrinology
10. physical therapy

For each question, fill in the space with one of the words from the table below.

stomach

finger

teeth

nose

neck

head

mouth

eyes

back

feet

1. If your

hurt, you should go to the dentist.

2. If you open your

, you will see better!!

3. A wedding ring is worn on the

4. Pinocchio got a very big

.
because he told too many lies.

5. If you are very cold, put a woollen scarf around your

6. Eating is very easy. You just put food into your
7. If you drink too much beer, your

.
!

will hurt the next day.

19

8. Be careful not to injure your

when you lift something heavy.

9. Men who drink a lot of beer often have a large

10. You put socks on your

The Down Side Of Body-Piercing

October 10, 2000

By Quint Miller (Original source: http://wwarog.com/body_piercings_down_side.htm)

As body piercing grows in popularity among both teenagers and their

parents, one in five piercings now leads to infection. Emergency medical
technicians recently wheeled a 19 year-old woman who had stopped
breathing from a drug overdose into a Westchester City hospital. Doctors
tried putting a breathing tube down her throat, but their path was blocked
by three 1-inch-long metal stud barbells running along the length of her
tongue. One doctor got to the point where he said, If you have to rip her
tongue, just do it." Eventually they got the tongue out of the way, but her
body piercing could have cost her life.
Infections and Removal Problems
The popularity of piercing various body parts continues to increase, from
mainstream thirty-somethings to rebellious teenagers, and they are
piercing their bodies in stranger and stranger places - in the mouth, on
their navels, through cheeks and even in the genitals.
But doctors are starting to see more of body piercings disadvantages: oral
piercings are causing swollen tongues, excessive bleeding, infection and
swallowing of small jewelry parts. In fact, infections from moist or unclean
piercing sites now occur in about one out of every five piercings.
Those receiving the piercings are firing back, however, saying that the
majority of people know how to take care of themselves with disinfectants.
But, according to some medical practitioners, many piercers are providing
their services in unsafe environments - no gloves or mask, no sterilization
equipment and unsanitary surroundings.
Other hazards come later when jewelry is removed from the piercing site.
Skin dimpling may appear even though the hole has closed up. A second
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problem is keloids - where scar tissue extends into normal tissue. If a

person receives a paper cut and develops a keloid, they may end up with a
scar the thickness of a pen. A keloid the size of a pea may develop on an
earlobe where an earring once hung. Unfortunately, if you cut out a keloid,
another may develop at the same location.
Caring For Those Little Holes
Each body part presents its own specific danger, such as bleeding, nerve
damage or infection and, therefore, requires special attention. Oral
piercings, for instance, require an alcohol-free, anti-microbial mouth rinse.
Alcohol isn't recommended because it increases the possibility of bleeding.
Topical antibiotic creams should not be used for skin piercings because
they prevent oxygen from reaching the wound to help it heal. In the upper
part of the ear, a serious infection could cause the cartilage to die, leaving
permanent disfigurement. Oozing pus from bellybutton piercings is also
quite common.
Treating an infection can be difficult. For example, if someone receives an
antibiotic to fight the "streptococcus" bacteria, it may be of no help
because they actually need an antibiotic to fight the "gram negative"
bacteria found in the mouth.
The most common piercing problem is ripped skin from the jewelry either
catching on clothing or being pulled off. But maybe the most serious threat
is hepatitis C. Hepatitis C is a blood borne infection that is being seen more
and more in medical rooms, and doctors fear it may just be the tip of the
iceberg. It causes cirrhosis and cancer of the liver and is the most common
reason for liver transplants in the U.S. There is currently no vaccine for
hepatitis C. Unsterile equipment, poor follow-up care or the reuse of
piercing needles all add to the risk of contracting hepatitis C. Only certain
materials should be used in piercing, including titanium, surgical steel, 14karat and 18-karat gold, and a plastic called Tygon or PTFE. Sterling silver
should be avoided because it oxidizes.

READING TASKS
1. Overall, what do you think is the authors purpose? (To
encourage people to get pierced? To warn people about the
dangers of piercing?)
21

2. What percentage of piercings leads to infection?

3. Mention four disadvantages of body piercing.

4. Mention two problems that can occur after a person removes

jewelry from a place that has been pierced.

5. Why is alcohol bad for cleaning piercings?

6. What is the most common piercing problem?

7. Mention three ways that body piercing can lead to hepatitis C

infection.

8. Why is hepatitis C infection especially dangerous?

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