This paper reviews the article "Voluntary Death: A Comparison of Terminal Dehydration and Physician-Assisted Suicide" by Franklin G. Miller and Diane E. Meier.
Abstract This paper presents the pro's and con's of terminal dehydration, the total withdrawal of food, water and treatment methods from the patient that hastens his death. The author points out that terminal dehydration may prove to be a stressful and excruciating experience for the patient as well as the caregivers because death by terminal dehydration can take as much as 3 to 4 weeks and is crueler than physician-assisted suicide. The author believes that whatever the reasoning we still cannot justify terminal dehydration or any other form of foregoing life as an acceptable clinical practice and stresses the importance of palliative care based on love and a sense of collective responsibility of taking care of the incapacitated elders.
From the Paper "Since it is within the legitimate rights of the patient to either refuse or accept treatment, terminal dehydration is legally admissible. Hence, there are no real legal conflicts or controversies involved in terminal dehydration. On the other hand, it is a breach of the fundamental rights of the patient and a compromise on his autonomy to coerce him to undergo painful, restrictive and intrusive treatment methods. However, we have to understand that the absence of legal restrictions does not suggest an automatic approval of terminal dehydration as an acceptable clinical practice. In other words, terminal dehydration is not absolved of the ethical and moral controversies which surround other active forms of euthanasia."
Tags: palliative, justification, withdraw, legal, right
Abstract This paper examines the effects of dehydration by looking at why water is essential to health maintenance, the functions of water in the body and what happens to the body when it does not get the water it needs. It further compares and contrasts how different electrolytes including sodium, potassium and chloride function in the body. In addition, the paper examines the effects of alcohol and caffeine on hydration levels in the body and what steps people can take to ensure they do not become dehydrated.
Outline:
Introduction
Water and the Body
Water's Role
The Body's Shifting Need For Water
Salt and Water for Proper Hydration
Signs of Dehydration Effects of Alcohol on Body's Hydration
Summary & Conclusion
From the Paper "As the body ages and particularly in the twenties when there is a decrease in growth hormone production the body's perception of thirst decreases. Growth hormones "regulate water in conjunction with histamine." (Klotter, 2001) Aging of the body results in a lesser awareness of thirst and resulting is a lessening in water consumption and the water content "within cell decreases so that cellular water can be redistributed to the brain and other vital functions" of the body. When the body does not intake enough water the body's neurotransmitter "histamine is activated" which in turn "activates prostaglandins, kinins, and vasopressin, in an effort to redistribute water according to priority." (Klotter, 2001) When the body doesn't receive enough water, resulting can be problems that include damage to the DNA as well as "reduced efficiency of DNA repair system, immune suppression, and irregular protein production in cells, which encourages cancer cell formation." (Klotter, 2001) "
Abstract This paper discusses an article in which the author exhorts terminal dehydration as an alternative and legal form of assisting death. The advantages of terminal dehydration over other direct forms of physician-assisted suicide are carefully compared. There is also a discussion of the potential for abuse of euthanasia, especially in view of the ever- increasing and unmanageable costs involved in palliative care.
From the Paper "The author encourages the medical community to consider terminal dehydration, with the voluntary consent of the patient, as a suitable alternative method. However the author cautions that as with legalizing other forms of euthanasia, integrating terminal dehydration as a clinical practice to alleviate the sufferings of terminally ill patients involves a careful consideration of the patients ability to make the decision and to make sure that it does not become a forced or involuntary decision. The author also points out a further justification that favors terminal dehydration."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses the hydration of elderly patients. Attention is given to problems, programming, and evaluation in this paper. The issue of artificial nutrition and hydration is also presented. The paper offers an in-depth study as to the problems encountered when preventing dehydration of elderly patients and ways to prevent dehydration.
From the Paper "Growing old in any country, albeit America, Europe or the Far East, is not a cultural or medical factor that can be explained simply on the basis of one's chronological age. To ignore that which afflicts the elderly as simply a result of age evidences disrespect for those who have helped to enrich our very lives. Untreated illness in the elderly prevents the individual from enjoying the quality of life that younger people themselves take for granted. Avoiding care regimens for our elderly population, especially those confined to nursing homes or those who are remiss and unable to fully take care of themselves, is a mark against civility. The elderly who are forced to live a life unprotected and untreated with respect to basic wellness needs leave us an empty legacy."
Abstract This research paper takes a look at a special type of dehydration known as dessication, where drying takes place in air. The paper is concerned with responses to water stress at a cellular level and is dedicated to exploring the current research being done in explicating the idea of desiccation tolerance in prokaryotes, namely, bacteria and archaea.
From the Paper "Bacteria are critical to most molecular biology research. If a DNA sample is to be studied or created in large quantities for expression purposes for (for instance) protein synthesis, researchers make use of Escherichia coli. The DNA is inserted into the E. coli chromosomal plasmid. The bacteria are then spotted on a plate that contains nutrients and moisture that allows the bacteria to grow and reproduce. Each spot is then allowed to multiply (almost exponentially) in a medium rich for bacterial growth. This medium is aqueous. It is kept at a temperature of 37 ?C"the ideal temperature for bacterial growth. E. coli then multiplies by the typical bacterial reproductive process of geometric cell division, thus creating large quantities of the DNA to be studied. The point for using, what is called as recombinant DNA techniques, is not only to illustrate that bacteria drive research, but that bacteria thrive under moist conditions at the right (and mild) temperature. The operative terms being"moist and mild. As such, E. coli, despite its abundance is not a good candidate for desiccation tolerance and research has shown that this is indeed true."
Abstract This paper begins by illustrating the process most commonly used to remove hydrogen sulfide from natural gas. The paper then goes on to describe an alternative method used for the removal of hydrogen sulfide and describes the benefits of this method, as well as some of the problems associated with it. Additionally, the paper points out that the water content of natural gas is an important engineering consideration concerning the sweetening process and presents an overview of the properties of pure acid gases and water and hydrogen sulfide. The paper then goes on to outline and explain additional processes and engineering considerations concerning the removal of hydrogen sulfide and includes some cost estimates and comparisons of the processes.
Properties of H2S and CO2
Vapor / Liquid Properties of Pure Compounds
Vapor / Liquid Phase Behavior
Acid Gas Compression and Dehydration Metallurgy
Acid Gas Dehydration Acid Gas Injection Facilities
Cost Comparisons with Small Scale Sulfur Recovery Options
Operating Costs
From the Paper "Sour natural gas contains hydrogen sulfide (H2S), which has to be removed to meet specifications for sales gas. Sour natural gas also contains carbon dioxide (CO2). The removal of CO2 and H2S, usually called acid gases, from sour natural gas is generally accomplished by means of a regenerative solvent. There are several amine solvents used for this purpose. Upon regeneration of the solvent, the acid gases are liberated, and are usually sent to a modified Claus plant, where the H2S is converted to elemental sulfur (Canjar & Manning 1967). The acid gas stream to the modified Claus plant consists of H2S, CO2, water vapor and minor amounts of hydrocarbon gas."
Abstract This paper paper explores toxins and how they can affect the human body and looks at the benefits of drinking water. The paper talks about the increased exposure to toxins, some of the causes of this increase, where toxins come from, and the need for and process of detoxification. The paper also talks about the importance of drinking water and how it aids in the detoxification process. Included are a variety of charts and graphs about water.
From the Paper "Humans today are finding their bodies barraged with many more substances than ever before. There is an increase in use of ?pesticides, additives and chemicals, as well as the amount of steroids, hormones and antibiotics fed to animals readied for human consumption (unknown, Toronto Star).? The number of "smog alert" days during the summer continue to increase and there is concern about how safe chlorinated water really is. All of this provides proof that humans are eating, drinking and breathing more toxins than ever before."
Abstract Historically, the availability of water in South Africa has always been a problem, and this problem is mainly attributed to its geographical and climatic conditions. This paper explains that, out of the 40 million people of South Africa, 40% are deprived of the appropriate supplies of drinking water. Both urban and rural settlements are dependent on the scarce distribution of water resources by the state. It discusses how the state, on the other hand, has granted the distribution of the water supplies to a foreign company and has led to an increasing, ultimate deprivation of the water supplies for the poor, who had to choose between bread and water. It explains how this selection led to the outburst of cholera back in the year 2000, killing 300 people and infecting more than a quarter of million people.
From the Paper "In the year 2000, Suez Lyonnaise Des Eaux, a French company, took over the majority of the water supplies in South Africa, and with this French company many other multinationals have also flown in to reap the profits like Vivendi, Saur and Biwater. It is a norm with privatization that state subsidies are reduced and the prices of the utilities goes up. The majority to suffer from the privatization reform is the general public and the poor. This is because the private companies operate under the motive of profit generation rather than the welfare of the public. This profit motive has resulted, in this case, in a four hundred percent increase in the prices of water in South Africa. Where the people who could not afford to "buy" the water were dumped in to intense levels of poverty and the ones who could afford had to tolerate a more expensive standard of living. Poor, for whom it was even hard to live under a tin roof, were the majority of the sufferers. There were many incidents of aggression against the privatization policy and many incidents of breaking the water pipe lines for search of water. However, such aggression was conveniently dealt with force (Gleick et al., 2002)."
Abstract This paper describes the physiological process that takes place when an athlete experiences serious heat-related illness, such as heatstroke, dehydration, etc. The paper also describes the emergency measures that must be taken to treat any of these conditions.
From the Paper "Although people exercise more than ever, many do not realize the toll such strenuous behavior can have on their bodies. This holds especially for joggers who enter races on weekends and are not used to pushing themselves to such an extreme. Runners and individuals involved with similar sports can become ill from several related diseases including exercise associated collapse, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and hyponatremia."
This paper discusses, in detail, that, in some sports, especially wrestling, the consequences of over-training can be devastating and can lead to permanent injuries and even death.
14,905 words (approx. 59.6 pages), 85 sources, MLA, $ 249.95
Abstract This paper explains that the quest for the gold medal and the residual fame and fortune forces younger athletes from college and high school to over-train, especially in wresting where there is a motivation to reduce weight and perform at a lower weight category to have a superior strength advantage. The author points out some of the symptoms of over-training are the decreased ability to perform in terms of strength, power, muscle endurance, cardiovascular endurance and flexibility, a decreased in tolerance to training, prolonged recovery times, altered resting heart rate, chronic fatigue, involuntary eating disorders, disruptions in menstrual cycles, and psychological problems. The paper proposes that IgA, a protein of the family of immunoglobulins found in the mucus membrane of the mouth, be used as a marker of over-training.
Table of Contents
Preamble
The Problems
Dehydration Over-Training
Symptoms of Over-Training
Injuries from Over-Training
Physiological Markers
Guidelines to Avoid Over-Training
Over-Training and A Weakening Immune System
Supporting Evidence for Proposal
Conclusion
From the Paper "The Profile of Mood States is an important psychological marker that can be used to create an emotional profile of an athlete. This is a high profile often used questionnaire than is extensible to different surroundings. The original questionnaire contained sixty-five questions. Later the questions were reduced to thirty. Test subjects often have to rate different psychological parameters on a scale of one to five. One being "no influence;: five being "completely affected." The questionnaire is subdivided into six subheadings: Tension-anxiety, Depression-dejection Anger-hostility, Vigor-activity (physical or mental strength), Fatigue-inertia (Remaining inactive) and Confusion-bewilderment. In order to avoid confusion with the answers of athletes who might not be completely forthcoming Morgan and co-workers developed graphical representations of the Profile of Mood States. This is called the Morgan Iceberg profile."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses the well-established use for medical marijuana in order to reduce the nausea associated with chemotherapy used in treating cancer. The writer demonstrates why nausea and the resulting dehydration and weakness can be extremely serious for cancer patients. The writer looks at the psychological effects of nausea, that increase the stress on cancer patients. The writer contends that marijuana has been proven to be beneficial to a number of patients for whom the first line of anti-emetic drugs prescribed by their physicians proved to be ineffective.
From the Paper "One of the most well-established uses for medical marijuana has been to reduce the nausea associated with chemotherapy used in treating cancer. Nausea and the resulting dehydration and weakness as well as malnutrition in severe cases can be extremely serious for cancer patients given the already weakened nature of their immune systems. Moreover, the psychological effects of nausea which many patients experience as far more debilitating and difficult to handle than pain, can significantly increase the stress on cancer patients at a point in their lives when ... "
Abstract The paper reveals the early symptoms of alcohol abuse and the short term effects of alcohol abuse, which include dehydration, a loss of short term memory and poor coordination. The paper discusses how drinking too much can cause serious physical damage and even cause death. The paper also looks at the emotional consequences that include addiction, depression and anxiety.
From the Paper "Alcohol is everywhere in today's society. People stop by for a drink, drink to get drunk, college students binge drink, and for many people it is a disease and an addiction. But alcohol has lasting consequences on one's mind and the body, and these consequences are overwhelmingly bad. Alcohol damages the brain, the body, and one's mind to the point that someone can be addicted. The causes of alcohol damage are often medical certainties, and the extended abuse of alcohol can lead to further psychological problem."
Tags: addiction, damage, depression, death, brain, body
Abstract This case study presents a meal and exercise routine based on the recommended amounts of food per group by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). It discusses the advantages and disadvantages of adherence to this diet. The paper then discusses the changes noted after adherence to the diet. The paper also looks at the difficulties encountered with keeping to the exercise routine.
From the Paper "There were a few difficulties encountered, however. Since the pre-sent menu consisted of dishes that needed to be prepared, coupled with time constraints on some days, there was the temptation to resort to prepared meals. This was encountered on more than one occasion. Another was the setting aside of time for physical activities. While 30 minutes was relatively little time demanded from a typical day, implementing it during days with a tight schedule resulted in skipping the routine or truncating time for it. Finally, there was a slight increase in expenditures related to the ingredients needed to make the dishes in the menu. Among the more expensive additions were fish, fruits and vegetables. Although the increase in expenditures did not seem significantly large for the week, one may infer that a long-term diet plan can be personally more expensive."
