Homework

9/08/07 Help With Psychological Addiction
For many smokers it is hard to quit smoking because of the social and emotional ties that they have with smoking. Most states have and offer a free telephone -based program to help people quit. These people help you develop a program that is for you to quit. People who use this program stop smoking at twice the rate of those whom dont. Telephone counceling is easier for people because they can do it at any time. Most of the time it is easier for people to quit if they have help from family and friends. Here are three things that that youe should look for in a non smokers support group.

1. Session length – at least 20 to 30 minutes per session

2. Number of sessions – at least 4 to 7 sessions

3. Number of weeks – at least 2 weeks

There are some programs to watch out for as well.Not all programs are ethical. You should be concerned about programs that do the following:
1. Promise instant, easy success with no effort on your part.
2. Use injections or pills, especially "secret" ingredients.
3. Charge a very high fee.
4. They are not willing to provide references from people who have taken the class.




9/02/07 Sexually Transmitted Infections:1.

Chlamydia It is an infection caused by bacteria.-You can get it by having sexual contact with another person who has the infection.Some symptoms for females may be pelvic pain, painful/frequent urination, vaginal discharge, bleeding after intercourse or there may not be any symptoms at all.Some symptoms for males may be painful urination, discharge from penis or there may not be any at all.The only way to know you have the infection for sure is to get a urine or discharge sample sent to a lab.It is treated with an antibiotic.If you don't take care of it then it may cause severe infections of the reproductive organs, you can spread it to other sex partners. You can also pass this infection from mother to infant during child birth.

Gonorrhea It is an infection caused by bacteria.-How can get it by having sexual contact with someone who has the infection.Some symptoms for females may be pelvic pain, painful urination, vaginal discharge, fever, blood/pus from anus, sore throat or they may be none.Some symptoms for males may be painful urination, discharge from penis, blood/pus from anus, sore throat or there may be none.The only way to know for sure that you have this infection is to get a urine or discharge sample sent to a lab.This infection is treated with antibiotics.If you neglect to take care of this the it may cause PID mand/or infertility, heart trouble, skin issues and/or arthritis, you can spread it to partners and a mother can pass it to her child during birth.

Syphilis It's a bacterial infection-The only way to get it is to have sexual contact with someone who has it.-Some symptoms during the early stages are painful sores on mouth, penis, vagina, anus, or elsewhere on the body.-You can find out if you have it by getting a medical examination of the sores or a blood test.-It may be treated with antibiotics but may need hospitalization.-If you neglect to treat this is may get as far as the second or even third stage. Syptims of the second stae are rash, fever, hair loss, body aches, sore throat, swollen glands and/or new sores. If it gets as far as the thrid stage it may get as severe as heart damage, brain damage, can cause PID, severe damage to fetus and it may even go as far as death

HIV/AIDS-It is a virus that damages the immune system which decreases the bodies ability to fight infections.-You are able to get this infection by having sexual contact with someone who has it, blood to blood contact with someone who has it, sharing contaminated needles or breast milk.-Some symptoms are fever, chillsm drenching night sweats, weaight loss, constant diarrhea, drycough with shortness of breath, constant fatigue, swollen glands, pink/purple raised blotches on/under the skin, white spots in mouth or there may be no symptoms at all.-You can know for sure by getting a blood test or an orasure test done.-Even though there is still no cure for this infection there's a mixture medications that can be taken to boost the immune system and fight the spread of infection and accompanying illnesses.-If you neglect this you may develop a/some life threatening illness/illnesses, can be passed from mother to child during birth, sex partners and needle sharing partners.

Genital Herpes-This is an infection caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus.-How can get this infection by having sexual contact or skin to skin contact with someone who has it. This virus may be passed weather there are sores present or not.-You may get painful blisters that will break into open sores and swollen glands. The sores will dry up and dissapear within 5-21 days.-You should get a medical examination, fluid form sores sent to a lab and/or a blood test to know for sure.-The infection will never leave your body however there are medications or cream that you can use to speed up the healing process and prevent future outbreaks. -The sores come and go with stress and/or illnesses, you can spread this to your sex partners, and can be passed from mother to child during birth which may cause sickness and maybe even death.

Genital Warts-This infection is cause by HPV (Human Papilloma Virus).-Can be passed by having sexual or skin to skin contact with someone who has HPV and it can be passes even if warts arent visible.-Small painless bumps which grows in/around genitals, may have slight itching or irritation or there may not be any symptoms. -To know for sure you should get either a medical exam or a pap test.-Once you are infected with this it stays in yoru body however you can get the warts burned, froze or cut off. May require surgery.-Can be passed from mother to child during birth, can be passed to sex partners and the warts can grow, spread, and become harder to remove.

Pubic Lice/Crabs-It's a parasite that lives in the hair around genitals.-This is mostly passed by sexual or skin to skin contact but can be passed through infested towels, clothing and/or bedding.-Some symptoms may be severe itching, lice or eggs in pubic hair and small dots of blood ion panties.-The only way to know for sure it to get a visual examination.-This can be treated by using a special shampoo/lotion, wash all bedding/clothing, have others who may also have it checked and treated.-If you don't take care of this the symptoms can get worse, may lead to bacterial infection and can spread to others.

October 2, 2007 Contraceptives

The Birth Control Pill:-This pill is 92-99% effective if taken correctly. You should take one pill everyday. Taking this can make periods more regular, less painful, improve acne, it cna lower the riskk of ovarian cancer and the ablility to get prgnant returns quicky after stopping. Some side effacts could be weight gain, spotting, headaches, and possibly nausea. These side effects vary between the different pills and the person.

The Progestin-Only Pill:-This pill is also 92-99% effective and one pill must be taken at the same time everyday. Your ability to get pregnant returns quickly after stopping and can be used while breastfeeding. Some side effects may be spotting.

The patch (Ortho Evra):-Like the others so far it is 92-99% effective. You put on a new patch once a week for 3 weeks and then on the 4th week you dont wear one. This can make periods more regular and less painful, there is no pill to take daily and your ablility to get pregnant returns quickly after stopping. Wearing a patch for 3 weeks out of the month can irritate the skin underneath and/or around it.

The Ring (Nuvaring):-92-99% effective. A small ring is inserted into the vagina and a you insert a new one each month. This does not require any fitting done by a doctor or any spermicide. This method liek many others can make your period more regular and less painful. There is no pill to take daily and the your ablility to get pregnant returns quickly after stopping. however, this can cause vaginal discharge.

IUD Intrauterine Device (ParaFard, Mirena):-This method is 98-99% effective. This must be placed in the uterus by a doctor or health care provider must be removed also by a doctor or health care provider. Some good things about this method is that there is nothing to put in place before having sexual intercourse, the ParaGard may be in place for up to 12 years, Mirena may be left in place for up to 5 years. There is no pill to take daily and your ablility to get pregnant returns quickly after removal. May reduce period cramps, bleeding and cn be used while breastfeeding. Some negative things about this method may be that ParaGard may cause an increase in cramps and heavier and longer periods but it may also cause lighter or fewer periods. Spotting may occur and very rarely the uterus can be injured during placement.

Male Latex Condoms can be 85-98% effective (depending on if it was used correctly or not). You need to use a new condom everytime you have sex. Condoms are easy to buy, there is no prescription needed. It can beput on as part of sex play. It can help relieve early ejaculation and it protects against many infections including HIV

Female Condom:-79-75% effective and you need to use a new one everytime you have sex. It is easy to buy, no prescription needed. Canbe put in as part of sex play. This method is good for people with latex allergy and protects you form many infections including HIV. Some side effects may be that it can slip out of place during sex and sometimes it may be hard to insert. It may also be noisy and it can irritate teh vagina and/or penis.

Spermicide (cream, gel, foam, inserts)-This is 71-82% effective. It must be ised everytime you have sex. It's easy to buy, no prescription needed. Cna be put in as a part of sex play and it comes in many different forms: cream, gel, foam, inserts. Using spermicide nonoxynol-9 may increase your risk of getting the HIV infection. You may have an allergy to latex or spemicide. This method should not be used during vaginal bleeding or infection and it also increases your risk of getting a bladder infection.

Diaphragm:-This can be from 80-94% effective. This must be used everytime you have sex and must be used with spermicide each time. It must must also be fitted be a health care provider. It can last several years adn costs very little to use. It can pritect you from some infections (NOT HIV). Using spermicide may increase your risk of getting the HIV infection. Allergy to latex or spermicide. This method should not be used during vaginal bleeding or infection and by using this method you increase your risk of getting a bladder infection.

The implant (Implanon):-This method is over 99% effective. A doctor must place this under the skin of the upper arm and it must also be removed by a doctor. This may be left in place for up to 3 years. Your ability to get pregnant returns quickly after removal. There is no daily medicine and can be used while breastfeeding. This may cause changes in your period. (spotting, heavier periods or no period at all) After 1 year many women dont have a period at all.

The Shot (Depo-Provera):-This shot is 97% effective. Every 3 months you go to your doctor and get another shot. Each shot works for 12 years and helps prevent cancer of the uterus (womb). There is no pill to take every day and can be used while breastfeeding. This may cause changes in your period. (spotting, heavier periods or no period at all). May cause weight gain, depression, hair loss, skin rash and change sex drive. This method may cause a delay in getting pregnant after shots are stopped and some women may have side effects for upto 6 months after stopping.

Emergency Contraception (Plan B):-This is 75-89% effective depending on how long you wait after having unprotected sex to take the pill. You take 2 pills together as soon as you can after having unprotected sex. Women and men 18 and older do not need a prescription. This can lower the risk of getting oregnant if taken within 5 days of unprotected sex and can be used while breatfeeding. Side effects other than nausea are not frequent, (vomiting, fatigue, headache, dizziness and breast pain). The next period sometimes comes a few days early or a few days late.




12/14/07
Testicular CancerTesticular cancer is only in men. It is a rare cancer that is starting to become very common. There are about 9,000 cases per year reported in the US. It is affects many been between 15 and 45. It is a very treatable cancer and is easily detected. There are a few symptoms that can help detect it. The symptoms are if there is a bump in a testicle, pain in the abs, swelling of the breasts, and being tired a lot. The causes of the cancer are unknown. Most of the time it starts when there is a germ in your ball sack.
Some things that increase your risk of testicular cancer. It is a a problem that is passed down from generation to generation. It is also common mostly in white men versus other races. The cancer can be detected by using ultra sound or by getting a blood work.There are two ways to treat testicular cancer. The cancer is removed by surgery. This has no ill side effects and doesn't result in sterilization. Radiation therapy is another form of treating the cancer. This can have a few side effects. There is no way to prevent testicular cancer but it can be easily detected. Many doctors recommend a self exam once a month

Cervical Cancer
HPV stands for human papilloma virus. There are over 100 types of this virus but only about 40 are sex related Some types produce warts — plantar warts on the feet and common hand warts. Some affect the genital sex organs.
HPV can cause Cervical Cancer. HPV is a common virus. There are 40 types of it that are sexually transmitted. A few types of HPV can cause cervical cancer. There is a vaccine to prevent two of the types that cause 70 percent of the cases of cervical cancer. Many people say that it is important to get a Pap test even for women who have been vaccinated against it. How many people are affected by this at any time about 20 million people in the U.S. have them. Between 10 and 15 million have high-risk that are cervical cancer.