Inflation & The rise of cost Essay Example for Free

Inflation The rise of cost Essay Inflation can be defined as the rise of cost of goods and services in a country; and therefore the cost of living. Inflation can be measured when the cost of a product/service increases over a period of time and therefore decreases the value of money in an economy. Inflation is bad for the economy because of many reasons. One of the reasons is because inflation can decrease the value of money over time and therefore decrease the purchasing power for common people. Apart from that, it tends to create a lot of uncertainty in the economy for producers and buyers. When there is uncertainty in the economy, this leads to a lower level of investment as people are not confident enough to invest, and as a result this leads to a lower economic growth. Inflation also tends to discourage entrepreneurs to expand their businesses or to start a new business because of the high cost of goods and services. This therefore reduces competitiveness in the market which also affects international trades. When there are fewer businesses expanding or opening up, employment rate reduces which increases the level of unemployment rate. When unemployment rates are high, the crime rates increases as people find ways to survive and this affects the safety of the society. On the other hand, a lot of resources are wasted during inflation. For example, during the inflation period, people tend to save their money and spend less; therefore companies have a lower demand rate and have a high wastage on raw materials that were purchased earlier. High inflation rates also make the economy unsustainable as it’s not strong. Source from the US Inflation Calculator, 2009. The graph above shows the inflation rates from the year 2000-2009 in the US. As shown, there was a 3. 8% inflation rate in the year 2008, and has gone down to 0. 2% in 2009. References: US Inflation Calculator (2009) Retrieved on 28th March 2009. http://www. usinflationcalculator. com/inflation/current-inflation-rates/ Inflation fact sheet (2009) Why is Inflation Bad? Retrieved on 28th March 2009. www. reservebank. co. za/internet/Publication. nsf/LADV/C1E04C14CD41930A42257037003E1C24/$File/Factsheet2. pdf

The First Outbreak of the Illness :: Medicine Medical Influenza Essays

The First Outbreak of the Illness It was a quietly dull afternoon when they brought the first victim into the Emergency Room. He was a boyish 15 year-old, an adolescent sheep herder who appeared to be suffering from an unusually high fever accompanied by delirium. His uncle, the only relative to accompany the boy, said that his nephew was in good spirits until a few days prior when his health quickly deteriorated. [I was] a visiting doctor from Peru [and] the boy reminded me of home, where a majority of my childhood neighbors raised sheep upon the Altiplano. The hospital in which the boy was received was King Fahad Central Hospital in the town of Jazan, a small city in southwest Saudi Arabia near the Yemen border. It was early August 2000, and I was in Jazan as a participating physician in the first physician exchange program between the Saudi and Peruvian governments. My admission into this program was due to my youth, my specialization in pediatrics, and my familiarity with livestock culture. Though this are a of Saudi Arabia was similar to home in climate, it didn't help ... that the language of these indigenous people was so difficult to interpret. Thank Allah that I was surrounded by a sympathetic hospital staff. After administering fluids to relieve his dehydration, I had the boy x-rayed to see if I could find anything beyond the surface of his quickly-failing, physical condition. Upon review of the patient's cranial x-rays, it was found that there was swelling of the brain (encephalitis) along with kidney damage. Sadly, the boy was pronounced dead two days later, and with my inability to find a cure for him, the hospital was suddenly facing an exponential amount of patients suffering from the same condition. Desperate to find a clue, my fellow doctors and I spent whatever time available studying the cause for this mysterious illness. The most common factors between these patients were that all of them were herdsmen who happened to graze their sheep near a wadi (seasonal watercourse) a few miles north of Jazan. Instantly we assumed that this was a new, aggressive form of malaria with the vector being a mosquito. However, another colleague, Dr. Muhammad Almaradni, concluded another diag nosis--Rift Valley Fever. According to the World Health Organization, Rift Valley Fever (RVF) was isolated in 1930 during an

Diabetes And Periodontal Disease

INTRODUCTIONDiabetes and periodontal disease are both highly prevalent in the general population. A disease of the metabolism, diabetes has far reaching effects in the body. It affects the body’s capacity to fight infections and regenerate. Periodontal disease, though limited to the oral cavity, can influence systemic health. The effect of diabetes on periodontal disease has been studied extensively in the past. Now, with the advent of periodontal medicine, the effects of periodontal disease on development and control of diabetes are under scrutiny. We shall be seeing the cyclic relationship of these two diseases, and how control of one can lead to improved control of the other.DIABETESDiabetes mellitus is a systemic disease with several major complications affecting both the quality and length of life. It is an endocrine disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia. Diminished insulin production, impaired action of insulin or both, lead to decreased transport of glucose to the tissues. This leads to an elevated blood sugar level.There are two types of diabetes, depending on the cause:Type 1 (insulin dependant diabetes mellitus) It is caused due to autoimmune destruction of the ÃŽ ² cells of the pancreatic Islets of Langerhans.Type 2 (non insulin dependant diabetes mellitus)It is caused by resistance of peripheral receptors to the action of insulin.Both types of diabetes are associated with many long term complications. These include nephropathy, retinopathy, and neuropathy, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications. Periodontitis is now considered to be the sixth complication of diabetes.It is also associated with poor wound healing and susceptibility to infections.PERIODONTAL DISEASEPeriodontal disease can be defined as ‘An inflammatory disease of the supporting tissues of the teeth caused by specific microorganisms or groups of specific microorganisms, in a susceptible host, resulting in progressive destruction of the periodontal ligam ent and alveolar bone with pocket formation, recession or both.’Periodontitis is an ongoing process characterized by phases of destruction and quiescence. The destruction is influenced by many systemic factors like dietary deficiencies, hormonal balance and host defense. Condition like vitamin c deficiency, pregnancy, immune deficiency and diabetes affect periodontal disease.DIABETES AS AN AGGRAVATING FACTOR OF PERIODONTAL DISEASEThe oral manifestations of diabetes include mucositis, burning mouth, candidiasis, abscesses, gingival polyps and periodontal disease. Diabetes, when a complication of Periodontitis, acts as a modifying and aggravating factor in the severity of periodontal infection. Diabetics with periodontitis demonstrate more attachment loss, bone loss, and deeper probing pocket depths than non-diabetic individuals. The earlier the onset of diabetes, and the poorer the control, more is the susceptibility to periodontal disease. Also, when a diabetic individual con tracts periodontal disease, it is of a greater severity than in non-diabetic individuals.Change in the MicrofloraDiabetic individuals show elevated levels of glucose in the blood. This leads to elevated glucose levels in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). This changes the environment of the periodontal microflora. There is a qualitative change of micro-organisms between non-diabetic and diabetic individuals. Studies have shown an increase in the number of Capnocytophaga and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcometans subgingivally in diabetic individuals.Microvascular Angiopathy:Diabetes leads to microvascular angiopathy, causing a compromised delivery of blood and nutrients to the periodontal tissues. There is a decrease in the removal of toxic metabolites from the tissues. There is a constant release of toxins from the plaque. Thus microangiopathy can cause tissue destruction.Collagen Turnover:Collagen metabolism is defective in diabetics. Hyperglycemia is associated with an increase in protease and collagenase activity. There is an increase in Accumulated Glycation End-products (AGEs). These AGEs cause cross-linkage of collagen fibers. These fibers, then, are not repaired or replaced. This causes decreased wound healing.Immune Response:Diabetes also leads to a diminished immune response. Diabetic abnormalities in immune response include impaired neutrophil chemotaxis, phagocytosis and adhesion. Certain protein factors in diabetic serum competitively bind neutrophil receptors, thereby preventing complement-mediated phagocytosis. The body’s defense system is thus undermined, predisposing to infections.Cytokine Regulation:Diabetics show an increase of inflammatory cytokines from monocytes/ polymorphonuclear leukocytes and reduction in growth factors from macrophages. This predisposes to chronic inflammation, tissue breakdown and diminished repair capacity. There is an increase in Interleukin1 (IL1) and Tumor necrosis factor ÃŽ ± (TNFÃŽ ±). These, in turn in crease the release of enzymes that destroy gingival connective tissue, and promote the formation of osteoclasts.Bone FormationDiabetes has also been found to impair the ability of new bone formation. It interferes with the process of coupling. This diminished capacity of new bone formation interferes with the ability of a diabetic individual to repair the loss of tissue that occurs in periodontal disease.Bacterial plaque is the primary etiologic factor of periodontal disease, but diabetes complicates periodontal disease by altering host response to plaque and reducing the ability to heal following surgery.PERIODONTAL DISEASE AS A MODIFYING FACTOR FOR DIABETESThe interrelationship between Periodontitis and diabetes provides an example of systemic disease predisposing to oral infection, and once that infection is established, the oral infection exacerbates systemic disease.Effects of Infection on Glycemic ControlGlycemic control is affected by all kinds of infections. Systemic bacteri al and viral infections cause a resistance in the peripheral tissue receptors to insulin.In case of periodontal disease, there is a persistent bacterial infection which acts in a manner similar to other systemic infections. The presence of severe periodontal disease worsens glycemic control. This effect is more pronounced in Gram negative infections.Insulin ResistancePeriodontal infection causes an increase in the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, like interleukin1 (IL1) and tumor necrosis factor ÃŽ ± (TNFÃŽ ±). Studies have demonstrated that TNFÃŽ ± suppresses insulin action via its specific receptor; hence, it exacerbates insulin resistance, producing an insulin resistance syndrome similar to that observed in diabetes. It initiates destruction of pancreatic beta cells leading to development of diabetes.Insulin resistance prevents glucose uptake into the tissues and increases the blood glucose level. The pancreas, thus, have to step up the production of insulin. This effect is s een in normal individuals as well as diabetics.Periodontitis, Diabetes and PregnancyPeriodontitis is particularly a problem in pregnant, diabetic women. Periodontitis causes an increase in biologic fluids, inducing labor. In this manner, it is associated with pre term, low birth weight babies. Diabetic women are more prone to Periodontitis than non diabetic women. They also tend to have more bone loss, more attachment loss and deeper pockets than non diabetic women. Diabetes, independently, also causes complications during childbearing.The effect of Periodontitis on the duration of pregnancy is exacerbated in diabetics.Periodontitis can also cause a loss of glycemic control in this crucial time. Thus, it is important that the periodontal health of pregnant, diabetic women be evaluated. Proper treatment modalities should be undertaken to avoid an unfavorable outcome.Treatment of Periodontitis in DiabeticsRecent evidence suggests that Periodontitis should be treated differently in dia betic individuals. Periodontal surgery and the resultant transient bacteremia can cause an up regulation of TNFÃŽ ±. This aggravates insulin resistance and upsets glycemic control. Thus Periodontitis in diabetic individuals should be treated non-surgically. The treatment of Periodontitis causes elimination of the bacterial challenge. This leads to a better tissue response to insulin. Normal tissue response is restored over time. Treatment of Periodontitis, thus, improves glycemic control. This is more apparent in patients with severe Periodontitis.CONCLUSIONPeriodontal disease is the result of a complex interplay of bacterial infection and host responses, and is often modified by various systemic diseases such as diabetes mellitus. Such diseases are capable of affecting the periodontium and/or the treatment of periodontal disease.On the other hand, recent research indicated that periodontitis too can influence the course of a systemic disease like diabetes.In order to understand the cellular/molecular mechanisms responsible for such a cyclical association, one must identify common physiological changes associated with diabetes and periodontitis that produce a synergy when the conditions coexist. When one of the diseases is under control, control of the other disease is facilitated.Not only is periodontal disease thereby affected by systemic diseases, but carefully managed periodontal therapy may also have a positive effect on the general health of patients with systemic diseases. Â  

Motives for British Imperialism in Africa - 5664 Words

Motives for British Imperialism in Africa Before the Europeans began the New Imperialism in Africa, very little was known about the inner parts of the continent. However, after some explorers delved deeper into the heart of Africa, the Europeans soon realized how economically important this area was, and how much they could profit from it. At the time, Britain had only small occupations of land in Africa, but after they realized that they could make money from the rich resources from the inner regions of Africa, they wanted to invade the African countries and take over. This led to the scramble and ultimately, the partition of Africa. During the Age of Imperialism, from 1870-1914, Britain was a major country, which proved to be true in†¦show more content†¦They took up the scientific ideas of natural selection and the survival of the fittest and applied the concepts to the human social world. However, some westerners actually genuinely thought that they should help and westernize the inferior countries of the world . The British went into Africa, thinking that it was their duty to spread their advances of medicine, law, western civilization, and the Christian religion. This was proved to be embraced in the anthem of imperialism, called the White Mans Burden by Rudyard Kipling. He expressed in the poem that the duty of the white man was to teach and help the people who they cast the inferior rank to. However, it is hard to believe that this was Britains most important goal in their imperialism. Finally, the most important reason to British imperialism was their desire to advance economically. Their economy was primarily based on trade, and because colonies could be added as a form of imperial control, it only furthered and expanded trade. Because such countries as Germany and France began to rise to power, Britain was confronted with competition, so they felt that they had to take the African land first. The British feared that as the other countries began to become stronger and more stab le, they would steal their markets, so that is how the scramble for Africa starts. As for the Suez Canal, it became extremely important for money making TheShow MoreRelated Motives for British Imperialism in Africa Essay5613 Words   |  23 PagesMotives for British Imperialism in Africa Before the Europeans began the New Imperialism in Africa, very little was known about the inner parts of the continent. However, after some explorers delved deeper into the heart of Africa, the Europeans soon realized how economically important this area was, and how much they could profit from it. At the time, Britain had only small occupations of land in Africa, but after they realized that they could make money from the rich resources from the innerRead MoreMotives That Contributed to Imperialism732 Words   |  3 PagesMOTIVES THAT CONTRIBUTED TO IMPERIALISM Imperialism is defined in the dictionary as being a The policy of extending a nations authority by territorial acquisition or by establishing economic and political hegemony over other nations (p 681 American Heritage college Dictionary). Usually people associate imperialism as being the domination of a small country by a larger, more powerful country, usually to the advantage of the larger country. At the beginning of the nineteenth century most of theRead MoreHow Did Imperialism Effect The Areas Of Africa, China, And India?1615 Words   |  7 PagesEffects of Imperialism How did imperialism effect the areas of Africa, China, and India? Imperialism is the act of a strong nation overtaking a smaller, weaker nation. There are many reasons why imperialism occurs, including motives from an economic standpoint, as well as just a way to show and achieve power. There were both positive and negative effects to imperialism, with the loss of many original citizens, but gaining different ways of life through cultural diffusion. For instance, many EuropeanRead MoreImperialism And Its Impact On The Domestic Institutions Of Africa Essay1525 Words   |  7 PagesImperialism, when one country dominates another for its own benefit, is an expansion policy that has reigned for centuries. Over time, imperialism has drastically changed in its magnitude and severity. At the turn of the nineteenth century, a â€Å"new,† more aggressive and competitive form of imperialism emerged and completely dismantled the domestic institutions of various developing countries. Africa in the nineteenth century is a prime example of the â€Å"ne w† imperialism in effect. 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Fabri states in his article, â€Å"Many things in the new nation are already made bitter through unproductive political quarreling, soured and poisoned, so that the notification of a new promising course of national development will produce a liberating effect, as the nationalRead MoreA New Concept Of Foreign Affairs1477 Words   |  6 Pagescentury a new concept of foreign affairs was introduced to Asia and Africa: New Imperialism. New Imperialism began in the 19th century when Europeans, mainly Great Britain, began colonizing Asia and Africa. Europeans used military, political, and economic power to take over weaker countries. I mperialism had an overall negative effect on the indigenous people of Asia and Africa. Economic motives were a major cause of New Imperialism. By the late 1870’s countries were industrializing rapidly. GreatRead MoreThe Colonization Of Africa During The Late Nineteenth Century936 Words   |  4 PagesImperialism occurs when a strong nation takes over a weaker nation or region for economic, political, or social reasons. This type of foreign policy was practiced by European nations throughout the 1800s and early 1900s. Began in 1870s, Europeans started to colonize Asia and Africa by using military force to take control of local governments and exploited local economies for raw materials required by Europe’s growing industry. The takeover of Africa during the late nineteenth century has been knownRead MoreThe Heart Of Darkness By Joseph Conrad1305 Words   |  6 PagesKashif Qureshi Western Civilization II 4/18/2016 Question #1 Imperialism is when a country is extending it’s influence by acquiring other governments or territories through diplomacy or military force.There are many motives for imperialism attributed to the different characters in â€Å"The Heart of Darkness† by Joseph Conrad. For example the men who work for the Company describe what they do as trade, and their treatment of native Africans is part of a humane project of civilization. But what theseRead MoreImperialism in South Africa1078 Words   |  5 PagesDuring Imperialistic times South Africa was a region of great resources that was greatly disputed over (Ellis). Europe’s main goal during these times was to compete against each other and played a â€Å"game† of which country can imperialize more African countries than the other. Imperialism was a curse to South Africa, because many wars, laws, and deaths were not necessary and would not have happened if South Africa were not imperialized. Imperialism is the domination by one country of political, economic