Ticks’ meat allergy spreads in US, CDC warns

admin 2023年12月4日

Health & Lifestyle, Health & Lifestyle - Expert

Vocabulary:

I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.

tragically /TRA-ji-klee/

[adverb] – in a way that is very sad, and often involving death and suffering
The young woman’s life was tragically cut short by a rare and aggressive disease, leaving her loved ones in grief.

diagnosis /dahy-uhg-NOH-sis/

[noun] – a judgment about what a particular illness or problem is, made after examining it
The doctor provided a diagnosis of pneumonia after conducting various tests and analyzing the patient’s symptoms.

practitioner /prak-TISH-uh-ner/

[noun] – someone involved in a skilled job or activity
The yoga practitioner guided the class through a series of poses and breathing exercises.

attribute /uh-TRIB-yoot/

[verb] – to say or think that something is the result of a particular thing
The team attributed their success to effective communication and collaboration.

cholesterol /kuh-LES-tuh-rohl/

[noun] – a substance containing a lot of fat that is found in the body tissue and blood of all animals, thought to be part of the cause of heart disease if there is too much of it
High cholesterol levels can increase the risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular problems.

Article reading:

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On August 12, 2021, musician Ken McCullick tragically died in an emergency room after receiving the blood thinner heparin, to which he was unknowingly deathly allergic. Heparin contains alpha-gal, a sugar found in red meat and dairy products, and is transmitted through the bite of a lone star tick. Alpha-gal syndrome, affecting up to 450,000 Americans, is a relatively unrecognized food allergy. Research on alpha-gal syndrome has been limited, and its delayed symptoms make diagnosis challenging. A recent CDC study revealed that 42% of surveyed doctors and nurse practitioners were unaware of the allergy, while another third lacked confidence in managing it. McCullick, who experienced symptoms as late as four to six hours after consuming red meat or dairy, suffered from severe reactions, including anaphylaxis.

Recent testing data suggests there may have been as many as 450,000 cases of alpha-gal syndrome in the US since 2010. The numbers are surprisingly high, and researchers attribute this to a lack of awareness among healthcare providers. The syndrome’s prevalence is concentrated in states with lone star ticks, spanning the South, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic regions. McCullick’s journey towards diagnosis was arduous and involved repeated visits to the emergency room. His allergic reactions to alpha-gal affected his heart and cholesterol levels, and he experienced distressing symptoms even from inhaling meat cooking. Fortunately, through research and assistance from friends, McCullick eventually received the diagnosis, emphasizing the importance of spreading awareness about alpha-gal syndrome to save lives.

Discussion Questions:

I will read each question. Then, please answer them.

Have you ever encountered or known someone with a food allergy that was initially challenging to diagnose? How did the process of finding the correct diagnosis unfold, and what impact did it have on the affected person’s life?
Have you ever participated in or supported any initiatives or organizations dedicated to raising awareness about lesser-known health conditions or rare diseases? If so, what motivated you to get involved? If not, would you consider supporting such initiatives in the future?
Were you aware of alpha-gal syndrome and its link to lone star ticks before reading this information?
How can medical education and training be improved to include a broader understanding of various allergies and rare diseases?
Given the increasing prevalence of alpha-gal syndrome and the challenges in diagnosing it, how can public health initiatives and patient advocacy groups work together to raise awareness, promote early detection, and support affected individuals in managing their allergies effectively?

Summarization

Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.

Describe:

Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.

syndrome
awareness
provider
transmit
survey