Home Diagnostics Online Class
August 6th, 2009 lvs
It has been said that the best way to defeat your enemy is to study it thoroughly. In my opinion, the worst enemy to any human being is a disease of any kind. Once you become familiar with the different diseases of this century, it becomes easier to prevent it from happening. However, if it does find you, instead of panicking, you would be able to know how to deal with it properly. Basically, how to become your own diagnostic monitor is the main goal of this Home Diagnostics online course.
The Home Diagnostics online class familiarizes students with the symptoms and treatments of the common diseases of the twenty-first century; starting with flu and ending with cancer. First, students will be briefly introduced to how the body naturally works to fight diseases. Then, students will be introduced to the causes ands symptoms of each ailment and the possible treatments available; whether it is medication or surgery. Students will also be taught how to prevent the occurrence of each disease altogether. This course is intended to teach students how to become their own doctors, at least temporarily.
The end of the course will cover home diagnostic products available in the market nowadays such as the glucose test kit or the ovulation kit. It will also introduce the concept of telemedicine and how some day in the near future hospitals will be just a click away.
LESSON 1 Excerpt:
What is the function of the immune system?
I would like to think of the immune system of the human body as the army of defense that is always ready to protect the body from any harmful invaders whether it is a pathogenic microorganism, a virus, abnormal cells (such as cancer cells) or any other foreign substance that may try to enter the body.What is the immune system composed of?
There are two main pathways in which the immune system performs its job:(1) Natural or Nonspecific Immunity; which is the general pathway taken when a pathogen such as a microorganism try to enter the body.
(2) Acquired or Specific Immunity; which is taken when a specific pathogen or substance attacks the body.Before the activation of the specific immunity pathway, the nonspecific immunity usually starts to fight off pathogens in a general but rapid way. It usually begins to act within the first few hours of the invasion. The first line of defense the nonspecific immunity uses includes the physical barriers of the body. First, the skin and the mucous membrane of the body are very effective barriers that prevent the entry of pathogens and viruses into the body tissue or the circulatory system. Second, the cell walls of bacteria can be destroyed by an enzyme called lysozyme, which exists in the perspiration from the sweat glands, the saliva from the salivary glands and the tears from the ducts near the eyes. Moreover, the acidity of perspiration and that of the stomach and intestines prevents the growth of many pathogens. Third, the mucous in the respiratory tract traps many of the many microorganisms that are part of the air we breathe in. Then, the cilia lining the respiratory tract would move these microorganisms to the mouth where they are destroyed. Fourth, the flushing effect of tears, urination and diarrhea also helps get rid of any pathogenic microorganisms. Finally, usually there will be harmless bacteria that reside on the body surfaces, which fight off foreign bodies.
Continued…
Niveen Fahmy is the instructor of the Home Diagnostics online course. Niveen has a B.S. and Masters in Biomedical Engineering. She also has a 2-year teaching experience in a private high school and currently work as a private tutor. Niveen teaches high school and college students Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics.
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