writing - essay

Question:

 Student sometimes have problem in deciding which universities they want to apply to. Such as three factors that student should consider in applying to universities. You may include some of the following aspects: should write 350 words.

1.     1. Course offered

2.     2. Facilities

       Many of graduates nowadays are jobless. This may because some of them are unable to make good selection of universities. They simply choose those particular universities because follow their friends. In choosing universities they should consider some factors that might help them apply the correct universities. The following factors are course that have been offered, facilities that being provided and their interest to particular courses.

      One of the first factor that is troublesome to the students is the course that have been offered by the universities. Some courses that have been offered by them are not recognized at the international level. This may cause them difficult to find suitable jobs according to their qualification. In addition some of the courses are not really marketable making them more difficult to find jobs. As we know there are lot of graduates out there everyday chasing for jobs.

     Furthermore students also must consider the facilities that have been provided by the universities. For example, hostel, cafeteria, library, IT laboratory and so on. Students should apply universities that well-equip. This is because they need well-equip universities to do some researches or in getting information for their study. The most important is hostel because they need clean and comfortable place to stay in. If the hostel far away from the campus make sure there is transport being provided.

   Moreover, the student must apply the universities according to their interest in the course, not influence by their friend or being force by their family. They will study well in the universities because they choose the course without force by anyone else. If they follow their friend in applying universities they might unable to cope with the course and eventually drop from the universities.

     In a conclusion the students should think wisely before apply universities. They should consider the following factors such as course that have been offered, facilities that being provided and their interest to particular courses. This is their future so they must take a right choice in applying universities. If not they will have a problem in getting jobs.

                                                    (351 words)

Alzheimer’s disease~

Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder named for German physician Alois Alzheimer, who first described it in 1906. Scientists have learned a great deal about Alzheimer’s disease in the century since Dr. Alzheimer first drew attention to it. Today we know that Alzheimer’s:

• Is a progressive and fatal brain disease. As many as 5.3 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer's destroys brain cells, causingmemory loss and problems with thinking and behavior severe enough to affect work, lifelong hobbies or social life. Alzheimer’s gets worse over time, and it is fatal. 

• Is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 50 to 80 percent of dementia cases. Other types of dementia include vascular dementia, mixed dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies and frontotemporal dementia.
• Has no current cure. But treatments for symptoms, combined with the right services and support, can make life better for the millions of Americans living with Alzheimer’s. There is an accelerating worldwide effort under way to find better ways to treat the disease, delay its onset, or prevent it from developing.

About Dr. Alzheimer

At a scientific meeting in November 1906, German physician Alois Alzheimer presented the case of “Frau Auguste D.,” a 51-year-old woman brought to see him in 1901 by her family. Auguste had developed problems with memory, unfounded suspicions that her husband was unfaithful, and difficulty speaking and understanding what was said to her. Her symptoms rapidly grew worse, and within a few years she was bedridden. She died in Spring 1906.

Dr. Alzheimer had never before seen anyone like Auguste D., and he gained the family’s permission to perform an autopsy. In Auguste’s brain, he saw dramatic shrinkage, especially of the cortex, the outer layer involved in memory, thinking, judgment and speech. Under the microscope, he also saw widespread fatty deposits in small blood vessels, dead and dying brain cells, and abnormal deposits in and around cells.

The condition entered the medical literature in 1907, when Alzheimer published his observations about Auguste D. In 1910, Emil Kraepelin, a psychiatrist noted for his work in naming and classifying brain disorders, proposed that the disease be named after Alzheimer.

Alzheimer's and the brain

Just like the rest of our bodies, our brains change as we age. Most of us notice some slowed thinking and occasional problems with remembering certain things. However, serious memory loss, confusion and other major changes in the way our minds work are not a normal part of aging. They may be a sign that brain cells are failing. 

The brain has 100 billion nerve cells (neurons). Each nerve cell communicates with many others to form networks. Nerve cell networks have special jobs. Some are involved in thinking, learning and remembering. Others help us see, hear and smell. Still others tell our muscles when to move. In Alzheimer’s disease, as in other types of dementia, increasing numbers of brain cells deteriorate and die.  

Early-stage and younger-onset Alzheimer's disease

Early-stage is the early part of Alzheimer’s disease when problems with memory, thinking and concentration may begin to appear in a doctor’s interview or medical tests. Individuals in the early-stage typically need minimal assistance with simple daily routines. At the time of a diagnosis, an individual is not necessarily in the early stage of the disease; he or she may have progressed beyond the early stage.  

The term younger-onset refers to Alzheimer's that occurs in a person under age 65. Younger-onset individuals may be employed or have children still living at home. Issues facing families include ensuring financial security, obtaining benefits and helping children cope with the disease. People who have younger-onset dementia may be in any stage of dementia – early, middle or late. Experts estimate that some 500,000 people in their 30s, 40s and 50s have Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia.

The difference between Alzheimer's and typical age-related changes

Signs of Alzheimer's	Typical age-related changes
Poor judgment and decision making	Making a bad decision once in a while
Inability to manage a budget	Missing a monthly payment
Losing track of the date or the season	Forgetting which day it is and remembering later
Difficulty having a conversation	Sometimes forgetting which word to use
Misplacing things and being unable to retrace steps to find them	Losing things from time to time

Risk factors

Age
The greatest known risk factor for Alzheimer’s is increasing age. Most individuals with the disease are 65 or older. The likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s doubles about every five years after age 65. After age 85, the risk reaches nearly 50 percent.  
Family history
Another risk factor is family history. Research has shown that those who have a parent, brother or sister, or child with Alzheimer’s are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s. The risk increases if more than one family member has the illness. When diseases tend to run in families, either heredity (genetics) or environmental factors or both may play a role.   
Genetics (heredity)
Scientists know genes are involved in Alzheimer’s. There are two categories of genes that can play a role in determining whether a person develops a disease. Alzheimer genes have been found in both categories:

1)  Risk genes increase the likelihood of developing a disease, but do not guarantee it will happen. 

2)  Deterministic genes directly cause a disease, guaranteeing that anyone who inherits them will develop the disorder.

Treatments for behavioral and psychiatric symptoms

For many individuals, Alzheimer's disease affects the way they feel and act in addition to its impact on memory and other thought processes. As with cognitive symptoms, the chief underlying cause is progressive destruction of brain cells. In different stages of Alzheimer's, people may experience:

• Physical or verbal outbursts
• General emotional distress
• Restlessness, pacing, shredding paper or tissues and yelling
• Hallucinations (seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not really there)
• Delusions (firmly held belief in things that are not real)

Many diagnosed individuals and their families find these symptoms the most challenging and distressing effects of the disease. For more information about behaviors in Alzheimer's disease, please see the Behaviors section.

There are two approaches to managing behavioral symptoms: using medications specifically to control the symptoms or non-drug strategies. Non-drug approaches should always be tried first.

Non-drug approaches

Steps to developing successful non-drug treatments include:

• Recognizing that the person is not just "acting mean or ornery," but is having further symptoms of the disease
• Understanding the cause and how the symptom may relate to the experience of the person with Alzheimer's
• Changing the person's environment to resolve challenges and obstacles to comfort, security and ease of mind

Everyone who develops behavioral symptoms should receive a thorough medical exam, especially if symptoms appear suddenly. Even though the chief cause of behavioral symptoms is the effect of Alzheimer's disease on the brain, an exam may reveal treatable conditions that are contributing to the behavior.

Treatable conditions may include:

• Drug side effects. Many people with Alzheimer's take prescription medications for other health problems. Drug side effects or interactions between drugs can sometimes affect behavior.
• Physical discomfort. As the disease gets worse, those with Alzheimer's have more and more difficulty communicating about their experience. As a result, symptoms of common illnesses may sometimes go undetected. Pain from infections of the urinary tract, ear or sinuses may lead to restlessness or agitation. Discomfort from a full bladder, constipation, or feeling too hot or too cold may also be expressed through behavior.
• Uncorrected problems with hearing or vision. These can contribute to confusion and frustration and foster a sense of isolation.

Factors in the environment may also trigger behaviors. Events or changes in a person's surroundings may contribute to a sense of uneasiness, or increase fear or confusion.

Situations affecting behavior may include:

• Moving to a new residence or nursing home
• Changes in the environment or caregiver arrangements
• Misperceived threats
• Admission to a hospital
• Being asked to bathe or change clothes
• Fear and fatigue resulting from trying to make sense out of an increasingly confusing world

Potential solutions

• Monitor personal comfort. Check for pain, hunger, thirst, constipation, full bladder, fatigue, infections and skin irritation. Maintain a comfortable room temperature.
• Avoid being confrontational or arguing about facts; instead, respond to the feeling behind what is being expressed. For example, if a person expresses a wish to go visit a parent who died years ago, don't point out that the parent is dead. Instead, say, "Your mother is a wonderful person. I would like to see her too."
• Redirect the person's attention. Try to remain flexible, patient and supportive.
• Create a calm environment. Avoid noise, glare, insecure space, and too much background distraction, including television.
• Simplify the environment, tasks and solutions.
• Allow adequate rest between stimulating events.
• Provide a security object or privacy.
• Equip doors and gates with safety locks.
• Remove guns.

Caring for someone who has Alzheimer’s disease can be overwhelming, exhausting and stressful. A family caregiver may feel loss over changes in relationships with a loved one with Alzheimer’s, other family members and friends. During this time, it is critical that caregivers look after their own physical and mental health.

$TReS$

Stress is a feeling that's created when we react to particular events. It's the body's way of rising to a challenge and preparing to meet a tough situation with focus, strength, stamina, and heightened alertness.

The events that provoke stress are called stressors, and they cover a whole range of situations — everything from outright physical danger to making a class presentation or taking a semester's worth of your toughest subject.

Good Stress and Bad Stress

The stress response (also called the fight or flight response) is critical during emergency situations, such as when a driver has to slam on the brakes to avoid an accident. It can also be activated in a milder form at a time when the pressure's on but there's no actual danger — like stepping up to take the foul shot that could win the game, getting ready to go to a big dance, or sitting down for a final exam. A little of this stress can help keep you on your toes, ready to rise to a challenge. And the nervous system quickly returns to its normal state, standing by to respond again when needed.

But stress doesn't always happen in response to things that are immediate or that are over quickly. Ongoing or long-term events, like coping with a divorce or moving to a new neighborhood or school, can cause stress, too.

Long-term stressful situations can produce a lasting, low-level stress that's hard on people. The nervous system senses continued pressure and may remain slightly activated and continue to pump out extra stress hormones over an extended period. This can wear out the body's reserves, leave a person feeling depleted or overwhelmed, weaken the body's immune system, and cause other problems.

What are the signs and symptoms of poorly managed stress?

Excess stress can manifest itself in a variety of emotional, behavioral, and even physical symptoms, and the symptoms of stress vary enormously among different individuals. Common somatic (physical) symptoms often reported by those experiencing excess stress include:

Ø  sleep disturbances

Ø  muscle tension

Ø  headache

Ø  gastrointestinal disturbances

Ø  fatigue

Ø  anxiety

Ø  changes in eating habits including overeating, loss of enthusiasm or energy, and mood changes.

Of course, none of these signs or symptoms means for certain that there is an elevated stress level since all of these symptoms can be caused by other medical and/or psychological conditions.

How can we manage stress?

-       If we think about the causes of stress, the nature of the stress response, and the negative effects of some types of stress (prolonged, unexpected, or unmanageable stress), several healthy management strategies become clear. A first step in stress management is exercise. Since the stress response prepares us to fight or flee, our bodies are primed for action. Unfortunately, however, we usually handle our stresses while sitting at our desk, standing at the watercooler, or behind the wheel stuck in traffic. Exercise on a regular basis helps to turn down the production of stress hormones and associated neurochemicals. Thus, exercise can help avoid the damage to our health that prolonged stress can cause. In fact, studies have found that exercise is a potent antidepressant, anxiolytic (combats anxiety), and sleeping aid for many people.

-       Now, Western medicine and psychology have rediscovered that particular wisdom, translated it into simple nonspiritual methods and scientifically verified its effectiveness. Thus, one or two 20-30 minute meditation sessions a day can have lasting beneficial effects on health. Indeed, advanced meditators can even significantly control their blood pressure and heart rate as well.

-       Elimination of drug use and no more than moderate alcohol use are important for the successful management of stress. We know that people, when stressed, seek these outlets, but we also know that many of these substances sensitize (make even more responsive) the stress response. As a result, small problems produce big surges of stress chemicals. What's more, these attempts with drugs and alcohol to mask stress often prevent the person from facing the problem directly. Consequently, they are not able to develop effective ways to cope with or eliminate the stress.

-       prescription drugs for anxiety, such as diazepam (Valium), lorazepam(Ativan), or alprazolam (Xanax), can be counterproductive in the same way. Therefore, these medications should only be used cautiously under the strict guidance of a physician. If, however, stress produces a full-blown psychiatric problem, like posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), clinical depression, or anxiety disorders, then psychotropic medications, particularly the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are extremely useful. Examples of SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine(Paxil), or fluoxetine (Prozac).

-       We know that chronic or uninterrupted stress is very harmful. It is important, therefore, to take breaks and decompress. Take a lunch break and don't talk about work. Take a walk instead of a coffee break. Use weekends to relax, and don't schedule so many events that Monday morning will seem like a relief. Learn your stress signals. Take regular vacations or even long weekends or mental-health days at intervals that you have learned are right for you.

Complications of Stress  

For many individuals, stress is a term with which they may be all too familiar. Some people experience stress on an occasional basis whereas others may find that their stress is a chronic problem. Too often individuals dismiss stress as being something which will come and go. Unfortunately, there are various complications of stress which can become serious problems if they are not taken care of.

High Blood Pressure

Ø  A common complication of stress is high blood pressure. High blood pressure can be serious for some and may future heart problems.

Sleep Disorders

Ø  Another type of complication which may result from stress is sleep disorders. When individuals are dealing with stressful situations they may find that their sleep habits are disturbed. Some individuals may find that they are unable to sleep (insomnia) due to the stressful situation while others may find that they sleep large amounts of hours (hypersomnia) in order to avoid the stressful situation.

Ø  For those who do not get enough sleep they may find that they are more accident prone and less productive during the day. As for the individual who sleeps many hours throughout the day, they may find thatdepression is an issue because in some cases oversleeping and depression may be related. The best way to help rid oneself of these sleep disorders is by eliminating or alleviating the stress through either natural or medical remedies.

Eating Disorders

Ø  Individuals who experience stress may also find themselves turning to food or away from food as a coping mechanism. Some people who are stressed out try to reduce their stress by eating whereas others feel that they are so stressed out they couldn’t possibly eat a thing. Both of these situations can be detrimental if taken to the extreme. Individuals should be sure to eat healthy meals each and every day regardless of the stress. Eating healthy meals may help to alleviate the stress.

Mental problem

-       Over stress can lead to mental problem

-       Person that having stress can act uncontrolled.

-       Sometimes, stress can make them become crazy.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

What is HIV?

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus that leads to AIDS. HIV belongs to a subset of retroviruses called lentiviruses (or slow viruses), which means that there is an interval -- sometimes years -- between the initial infection and the onset of symptoms. Upon entering the bloodstream -- through mucous membranes or blood-to-blood contact -- HIV infects the CD4+T cells and begins to replicate rapidly.
Scientists believe that when the virus enters the body, HIV begins to disable the body's immune system by using the body's aggressive immune responses to the virus to infect, replicate and kill immune system cells. Gradual deterioration of immune function and eventual destruction of lymphoid and immunologic organs is central to triggering the immunosuppression that leads to AIDS. 

What is the distinction between HIV and AIDS?

AIDS is a disease developed by a person living with HIV, which is a viral organism. The term AIDS applies to the most advanced stages of HIV infection. Although an HIV-positive test result does not mean that a person has AIDS, most people will develop AIDS as a result of their HIV infection.
There are four main stages in the progression of an HIV infected person developing AIDS. The period following the initial HIV infection is called the window period. It is called this because this period reflects the window of time between infection with the virus and when HIV antibodies develop in the bloodstream. An HIV test that looks for antibodies taken during this time can result in a false negative, though antibodies usually appear within six months of the initial infection.
Seroconversion refers to the period of time during which your body is busy producing HIV antibodies, trying to protect itself against the virus. This is the period after the initial infection when many people experience flu-like symptoms and swollen lymph nodes � this is a highly infectious stage.
After most people seroconvert, they usually experience a symptom-free period or asymptomatic period. This stage can last anywhere from 6 months to over 10 years, varying from person to person. Although the person with HIV is experiencing no symptoms, the virus is still replicating inside the body and weakening the immune system.
After this period, severe CD4+T cell loss leads to the symptomatic period, in which the body experiences the symptoms associated with HIV. This is the final stage before developing AIDS. 

How is HIV transmitted?

HIV infection most commonly occurs through sexual contact. However, the virus can also be spread through blood-to-blood contact -- such as sharing needles or blood transfusions involving unscreened blood. Studies have shown that HIV is not transmitted through casual contact such as touching or sharing towels, bedding, utensils, telephones, swimming pools, or toilet seats. Scientists have also found no evidence of transmission through kissing, sweat, tears, urine or feces. It is important to acknowledge that it is not sex that transmits HIV, but certain bodily fluids: blood, semen (including "pre-cum"), vaginal secretions and breast milk. High-risk behaviors that can result in HIV transmission are sharing needles for drugs, tattoos, body piercing, vitamins or steroids with an HIV-infected person and/or engaging in unprotected anal, vaginal or oral sex with a person who is HIV infected. The virus also can be transmitted from an HIV-infected mother to her child through pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding.
It does appear that persons already infected with a sexually transmitted disease are more susceptible to acquiring HIV during sex with an infected partner. Mucous membranes, a weak point in the skin, include the lips, mouth, vagina, vulva, penis or rectum. Because mucous membranes are porous and viruses and other pathogens are able to pass through, these areas are rich in immune cells. When a person already has a sexually transmitted disease, sex organs may be flooded with CD4+T cells, making it much easier for HIV to infect.
The only way to determine HIV infection is to be tested for the virus. It is not unusual for HIV-infected persons to experience symptoms years after the initial infection; some may be symptom free for over 10 years. However, during the asymptomatic period, the virus is actively multiplying and destroying cells in the immune system, weakening the body's ability to fight infection. The effect is most keenly observed in the decline of the immune system's key infection fighters in the blood, the CD4+T cells. There are medical treatments that can reduce the rate at which HIV disables the immune system; early detection offers more options for treatment and preventative care. As a matter of safety, people who engage in high-risk behaviors -- such as intravenous drug use or having unprotected sex with multiple partners -- should be tested regularly. 

How can I lower my risk of HIV infection?

Practicing safe sex and avoiding high-risk behaviors are the keys to protecting yourself from HIV. This begins with understanding that there is a risk of transmission any time infected blood, semen, vaginal secretions or breast milk are exchanged. By limiting the possibility of these fluids entering your bloodstream, you are lowering the possibility of HIV infection. You can achieve this by limiting the number of people you have sex with, never sharing needles with anyone at any time and avoiding the use of alcohol or drugs before having sex. Drugs and alcohol may influence your decision and may reduce your ability to practice safer sex.
Safe sex involves using a latex condom or latex square (dental dam) for sexual activities -- when used properly, latex is an effective barrier against the spread of HIV. In addition, the use of lubricants should be limited to water-based only, as oil-based lubricants can break down latex condoms within seconds of use. 

Where can I get tested?

There are a number of resources available in determining where and how to get tested. There are two ways to get tested for HIV -- you can visit a place that provides HIV testing such as a local health department, your family doctor, a hospital or an HIV testing center, or you can purchase a home test kit. However, the FDA currently approves only the Home Access brand test kit.

What are the symptoms of HIV?

The only way to determine HIV infection is to be tested, as symptoms and latent periods vary from person to person. It is common during the first two to four weeks of infection that people experience flu-like symptoms and enlarged lymph nodes. This is because the virus migrates to various organs in the body, particularly the lymphoid organs. During this stage people are highly infectious and HIV is present in large quantities in genital secretions.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the following are symptoms that may be warning signs of HIV infections:

• Rapid weight loss
• Dry cough
• Recurring fever or profuse night sweats
• Profound and unexplained fatigue
• Swollen lymph glands in the armpits, groin or neck
• Diarrhea that lasts for more than a week
• White spots or unusual blemishes on the tongue, in the mouth or in the throat
• Pneumonia
• Red, brown, pink or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose or eyelids
• Memory loss, depression and other neurological disorders

Remember that the only way to determine HIV infection is to be tested for the virus. No one should assume they are HIV positive or negative based on the presence or absence of any of the above symptoms. Each symptom can be related to other illnesses; similarly, other symptoms or the absence of symptoms cannot assure that someone is HIV negative. To be certain, get tested. 

I just found out I am HIV positive -- what should I do?

The most effective weapon you have against HIV is knowledge -- understanding how the virus progresses and operates, learning how to monitor your health and staying informed of your treatment options. An important step is finding a doctor that specializes in HIV treatment. There are a number of resources available to you; you can ask your family doctor, request information from a government agency (such as your local department of health), or contact a regional or national HIV/AIDS service organization.
Your doctor can be a good source of information, but you should be proactive in staying up to date on drug therapies and treatment options. Don't be afraid to ask questions and discuss treatment strategies with your physician-- this is an important step in taking charge of your own health.
Equally as important is emotional support -- from friends, family or a group. There are a number of HIV/AIDS support groups, both locally and nationally, which can offer assistance in dealing with the many new aspects of life after you have tested positive. An opportunity to interact with people who are going through or have been through a similar experience is invaluable.
Many people continue to live healthy, happy lives more than 10 years after testing positive for HIV. The bottom line is that testing positive for HIV is not a death sentence. Treating your body well, following your doctor's instructions and maintaining good mental health are simple steps you can take to manage your health. Different things work for different people -- find out what works for you and do it.