Optical Illusions and the Brain

An optical illusion is an illusion caused by the visual system and created by visually perceived images that are not reality. The information gathered by the eye is processed in the brain and the brain is "fooled", giving a perception of something that does not exist by adding and filtering what isn't real. There are three main types of optical illusions: literal optical illusions which create images that different from the objects that make them, physiological illusions which are the effects of a stimulation of a specific type such as brightness, color, size, position, tilt, movement, and cognitive illusions which is the result of unconscious inferences. Visual illusions occur from an exaggeration in the visual perception causing these types of illusions.

BMI/BMR

Body mass index (BMI) and basal metabolic rate (BMR) are similar. Body mass index (BMI) is a value gained from the weight and its correlation to height. This is used to determine an individual's value determining their composition if they are obese, normal, or under. The formula is mass(kg)/height^2(m). Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the minimal rate of energy expenditure per unit time of an organism at rest and has multiple equations to find. For men, . For women, . 

        Body mass index and basal metabolic rate are similar in determining the fitness of an individual. Generally people should seek to be within average rate as both being over and under would seem to be unhealthy. My BMI is 22.6 and my BMR in calories is 1607.7788 calories. I am average at the moment but hope to become like Arnold Schwarzenegger to get that awesome body. Therefore I think BMI and BMR are similar to determine one's fitness.

Lung Breathing

Lung Breathing

This bottle has balloons inside that symbolize a pair of functional lungs. When people take breaths, their lungs expand. Therefore, in the model that I made, when I "breathed in" air (pulling the balloon on the bottom of the bottle), the lungs (balloons inside the bottle) expanded. This clearly shows the connection of breaths and the expansion of the lungs, so my model successfully symbolized a pair of working lungs.

Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers that lead to death in both females and males. There are two types of lung cancer. First, there is the small cell lung cancer, also known as SCLC. Then, there is the non-small cell lung cancer, otherwise known as NSCLC.

The causes of lung cancer include smoking, second-hand smoking, and being exposed to asbestos and radon.

Lung cancer can be treated through surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.

The prognosis of lung cancer is very poor because the tumor is often not found or missed by doctors. Approximately 40-50% of patients live for five years after diagnosis for early stages, but only 1-5% survive if it's in advance stage.

Reference: http://www.medicinenet.com/lung_cancer/article.htm

Muscle Related Disease

Muscle Disease

Name of Disease: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Symptoms: Severe pain in the hand, forearm, and wrist, occasional tingling or numbness in the hand, stiffness in fingers
Prognosis: It is a very soluble problem and many doctors are able to provide with the needs of carpal tunnel.
Treatments: Using a hand splint, medications, physical therapy, and surgery

 

Reference:

• Home treatment, such as changing or avoiding activities that may be causing symptoms and wearing a wrist splint.
• Physical therapy or occupational therapy. This includes ultrasound, stretching, and range-of-motion exercises.
• Medicines, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. In some cases, oral corticosteroids or corticosteroid injections into the carpal tunnel may be considered.
• Surgery. Surgery is sometimes recommended when other treatment hasn't helped, if you've had carpal tunnel syndrome for a long time, or if there is nerve damage or the risk of nerve damage.

Muscle Related Career

Muscle Career

Name of career: Physical Therapist

Daily Life: Every day, they test patients of their muscle function, strength, joint, flexibility, etc. They help in the patient's rehabilitation regarding injuries or diseases.

Training / Education required: Physical therapists need a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. All states require physical therapists to be licensed.

Average Salary: The average annual wage for physical therapists is $84,020.

Reference: 

Physical therapists, sometimes called PTs, help injured or ill people improve their movement and manage their pain. These therapists are often an important part of rehabilitation, treatment, and prevention of patients with chronic conditions, illnesses, or injuries.

Home healthcare services	$91,400
Nursing and residential care facilities	91,140
Hospitals; state, local, and private	85,360
Offices of physicians	83,240
Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists	80,000