Hypothalamic Lesion from the Perspective of Neurologist and Neurosurgeon
The hypothalamus is a substructure of the diencephalon and acts
as one of the most significant control centers of the brain. It
is located inferior to the thalamus, encapsulates the ventral
portion of the third ventricle, and lies just superior to the
pituitary gland, which it has direct regulatory control over
(Gunderson, 1996). Neurosecretory neurons in the hypothalamus
secrete releasing and inhibiting hormones which are carried to
the anterior pituitary where they exert their effects via
hypothalamic-hypophyseal portal veins. Included in the many
functions of the hypothalamus are regulation of food and water
intake, autonomic function, emotions, body temperature, motor
functions, and circadian sleep-wake cycles (Kalat, 2004).
Hormones secreted by the hypothalamus include Thyrotropin-
releasing hormone, Gonadotropin-releasing hormone, Growth-
releasing hormone, Corticotropin-releasing hormone,
Somatostatin, and Dopamine (Klaus,n.d.).
Medically, a lesion is a term referring to abnormal tissue
in the body that can be caused by many factors including
disease, trauma, infection, or neoplasm which is an abnormal
growth of tissue, such as a tumor (Healthopedia.com, n.d.). For
the purpose of this paper tumor and lesion will be used
interchangeably.
As a neurologist I am a medical doctor with specialized
training in diagnosing, treating, and managing disorders of the
brain and nervous system, including diagnosis of brain tumors.
As a professional I act as the primary care provider for
patients with chronic neurological problems and as a consultant
to other physicians who have clients suspected of having a
condition involving the nervous system (Life NPH, n.d.). A
neurological examination allows me to effectively diagnose the
condition of the patient and suggest appropriate treatment
options. I first review the patient's health history with
special attention to the current condition. A patient suspected
of having a disorder of the nervous system will be subjected to
a general neurological examination which includes testing of eye
movement and pupil reaction, hearing, reflexes, balance and
coordination, sense of touch, sense of smell, facial muscle
functioning, gag reflex, head movement, mental status, abstract
thinking, and memory (Malhi, 2000).
A full neurological examination is generally administered,
despite any preconceived opinions of a patient’s potential
ailment, in order to illustrate the condition as clearly as
possible and rule out any alternative diagnosis. An examination
takes 90 minutes or more in most cases and consists of a battery
of tests. A neurological exam tests for a client’s level of
function of the area of the nervous system involved in a given
CAH is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder and males and females are affected in equal numbers. Chromosome 6 is where the group of genes lie that causes the most common forms of CAH. Adrenocorticotropic hormones (ACTH) are released by the anterior lobe in the pituitary gland. Its role is to act on cells of the adrenal cortex which then synthesizes corticosteroids and cortisol. However, those with CAH have insufficient amounts of the enzyme 21-hydroxylase, needed to convert 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) into cortisol.
The human immune system is an amazing system that is constantly on the alert protecting us from
Although the definition of masculinity is very black and white, there is a lot of gray popping up, making the term easy to redefine and for men to leave their marks and create a revolution. (Is it that likely?)
Today, teen curfews are commonplace and supported by voters. Bainbridge observes that according to Jet Magazine’s survey taken in 2011, 75% of the voters were in support of curfew laws (13). Parents arrange for young children to go to bed at an earlier time than teenagers (Psychologytoday.com). Teens receive the privilege to stay up later but this can mean that they will be out on the streets later at night. McKinny indicates that curfews are in place to protect the youth from crimes that may harm them or take the children’s lives (Time.com).
Today law enforcement is criminalizing innocent activity because of curfews placed in their region. Like in Shaina’s case, she had a destination in mind. Many young teens out past 10p.m. are only trying to get home or have a place of interest in mind. There shouldn’t be an automatic negative assumption of a teen that is out past 10pm. Teenagers should not have labels placed upon them when they have not caused any trouble. Curfew laws create these labels on young teens and put down the ones who are innocent. Curfew laws discriminate against young teens who have done nothing wrong and serve no threat to the community.
The Academy Awards have been an event many movie lovers and people a like, look forward to each and every year. It all started with a group of people in the movie business that just wanted to get recognition for being an artist and seeing movies as an art form. Who would have thought it would become one of the biggest events of the year, even eighty-six years from when they started it all.
Early feminist studies of gender often depicted the expression of masculinity as solely meant to subordinate women. Upon further research and understanding of gender and its role in society, gender theorists have realized that masculinity is not only a patriarchal regulation against women, but that it also has negative effects against men. Masculinity has different characteristics in different cultures, but masculinity in general presents a hierarchy of traits, with femininity as the lowest, least desirable trait. In American culture, masculinity is defined within multiple structures, such as race, class, and sexuality, where a man’s masculinity can be lessened by his traits as well as these identities. Often, normative expressions of masculinity
Approximately 20 million Americans are currently suffering from thyroid disease. This common, yet subtle disease can be have an immense impact on one’s health and lifestyle. I chose to research thyroid disease because I have had blood tests done in speculation of this disease because of the similar symptoms I was experiencing. Although I do not have thyroid disease, I am curious about how it affects the body and why this disease often goes undiagnosed. This system involving the thyroid is crucial in regulating the body’s hormones and keeping them.
My objective in the long term is to provide therapeutic and counseling services that assist persons suffering with traumatic brain injury (TBI) or acquired brain injury (ABI) in coping and recovering from the mental illnesses that often accompany such tragedies. TBI/ABI has shown a proven link with “anxiety, depression, personality changes, aggression (National Alliance on Mental Illness Veterans Resource Center May 8, 2009 Traumatic Brain Injury)”, as well as many other issues. As the caregiver for a survivor of a rare and deadly strain of encephalitis, I have a personal perspective that I feel brings much to the discussion. I see the information I am currently gathering at Empire State College as the building blocks that pave the way to a thrilling career in a growing segment of the mental health industry. The CDC claims that approximately 1.4 million Americans suffer TBIs annually (Centers for Disease Control Injury Center May 30, 2007 Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States: Emergency Department Visits, Hospitalizations, and Deaths) and it has been called the “signature injury” of the current wars in Iraq & Afghanistan by the National Alliance on Mental Illness. As such, it is my belief that we need to focus time and energy on developing new programs to help these patients to cope with the new limitations and encourage rehabilitation and restoration.
Men are feeling the malaise and unhappiness frequently, which means that a change will come in which men can feel as they belong to something that defines them as masculine, and are accepted for it. Evidence from our own history in America with both men and women changing the perceptions on the roles of their own gender have proven that in time progression will be made. The real question that is yet to be answered is; what new types of masculinities will arise, and when will they come?
MASCULINITY. In this article Watzlawik (2009) examines what elements go into gender constructs and what factors cause masculinity and femininity within ourselves. Thought the article three definitions are explored and examined for pros and cons. The first definition implies “A feminine woman is one who is, and strives to be, attractive to men, and a masculine man is one who is attractive
However, many cities and states in the US currently enforce curfew laws that deny young teens under the age of 18 their right to be in public places or to drive after certain hours. These laws are punishing minors for exercising their constitutional rights in the same way that adults do without such punishment; they are mostly causing no harm, and do not deserve to be discriminated against by the government in the way they are.
Having a teenage curfew is ineffective and useless. Many people argue that the curfews are necessary because it will keep young people out of trouble. They also say that teenagers are more likely to get in trouble late than they would during daylight. Teens are looked at as the age group that causes the most trouble, and society targets them when it comes to matter for crime, however many people believe that teens are responsible for a large percentage of crimes and that having a curfew in effect will help lower crime rates. I disagree with this because I don't think teenagers should be forced to follow a ridged time schedule because of a curfew.
The intention teenagers are given a curfew of a certain time limit in different states is to limit gang violence and use curfew as a key tool to do so. (Wagner, Matt 2). Curfew is a way to control the teens that have diminutive self control along with little or no parental control. (Hall, Maggie 2). Various amounts of teenagers cannot be confidential to act with such autonomy and accountability. (Love, Dennis 2).
What we do know from each of these statements is that masculinity is a quality or a behavior, what is left up for discussion is if these qualities or behaviors are biologically driven or historically driven. In my opinion there is no right answer to this because it is a belief and we are all entitled to them, right or wrong. What we can do is educate ourselves on both sides of the matter and form our own opinion on the matter with our findings. Take for example essentialism, what does that mean in conjunction with masculinity? This is the way of looking at masculinity as something that is inborn within us, something that would be difficult to alter with just simple interactions. This is something that has been ingrained within this person biologically and is a part of the individual not necessarily by choice but by genetics or nature. Then you have the view of masculinity through the social constructionism, this view based on masculinity through social views and settings. The view that masculinity is something that is every changing throughout an individuals life and that each interaction, both with one’s self or those around them, helps shape this view of