Personal care products: harm or benefit

Every girl desires to be beautiful. And that is where the personal care products play a significant role. Mascaras, lipsticks, blushes, eye shadows, creams, shampoos – they all help to “hide” flaws and to focus on the merits.

Unfortunately, not all of us are given a healthy and beautiful skin by nature. Causes of this can be both improper care of skin and internal problems of the body (for instance many diseases of the internal organs are reflected in the appearance of a person).

According to statistics an average woman in a developed country uses 12 personal care products a day, while an average man applies only 6. An average person uses 2 litres of shampoo a year plus 1 litre of conditioner for woman. A woman applies 11 mm of polish on her nails and eats 100 grams of lipstick a year while a man pours a 2 metre layer of shaving foam over his face. And this is not the end of the list.
Personal care products are believed to be beneficial and hence became utilities of an everyday life. For example, tone cream and face powder can make the skin shade even and beautiful. Mascara, eyeliner and eye shadow make eyes expressive and deep. In addition, they reflect unique style and mood. With these tools, you can create any desired impression: passion, femininity, modesty… Lipsticks, glosses, lip liners also reflect personality and mood. Fragrances, fake tans and hair products allow you to complete that image.

Despite the obvious benefit of personal hygiene products and cosmetics, there are many opponents of their use. The reason is simple – their negative influence on the skin. The most discussed problems are allergic reactions and adverse effects on the skin. Many women believe that they are allergic to personal care products where, in fact, they suffer from irritation caused by one or a whole group of substances in a certain product. Of course, cosmetics contain not only natural elements, but also many chemical compounds and ingredients that may affect the skin. Swelling, rash, redness, – these are all signs of allergic reactions. If the skin reacts quickly to the use of products that contain irritating ingredients, it is safe to say this is a sensitive skin. Often, such manifestations quickly disappear when the affected area is rinsed with water or soothing lotion is applied. Typically, the most damaging compounds for the sensitive skin are flavouring and colouring chemicals, preservatives , sunscreens and many others, both of natural and synthetic origin. If they take you there – you should stop using products causing the skin problems. But the reasons may be not only in poor quality : idiosyncrasy can play a cruel joke, and even high-quality personal care products may cause reactions and irritations. As a result, you will have to give up and look for other means suitable for your skin. The best action in this case is a visit to a doctor and conduction of tests to identify allergens. However, if the cause is not an allergic reaction but a poor-quality cosmetics, the consequences can be serious. Therefore, experts advise not to use manufacturers of cosmetics that are unknown to you, if possible of course, otherwise, do it with extreme caution.
Notoriously, poor-quality cosmetics is distinguished from the cosmetics that has expired. Many girls do not pay attention to the expiration date or believe that using outdated products will not bring about any harm. Meanwhile, such cosmetics can cause significant damage to health. For example, expired ink may result in eye diseases. Especially damaging are products from natural resources, although they are considered to be the most harmless. The shelf life of natural personal care products is very small, and women do not pay attention to it , resulting in the unsafe use of expired cosmetics. If the reason for the negative effects of personal hygiene products and cosmetics is the use of products after their use-by date, customers have no right to blame the manufacturer.

In addition to complaints about the composition and quality of products, personal care products opponents have another argument: it prematurely ages the skin. Instead of improving its condition and prolonging youth, in fact, it turns out to have an opposite effect such as a premature aging of the skin while all women expect the opposite. A woman may harm herself even more when completely eliminates washing with water, replacing it with a variety of lotions and foams. These substances accumulate on skin, resulting in clogging of pores and leads to skin aging .Doctors-dermatologists advise to use cosmetic products only when needed, to make sure to wash them off daily with water and do not apply a lot of makeup on the face. Thus, the damage from cosmetics can be reduced to a minimum.

Of course, the arguments of opponents and supporters of the use of these products have a right to exist; each of them has their own truth.

However, every year, after the application of harmful cosmetics, many people around the world confront problems such as burns, rashes, allergies, and even the loss of hair, not to mention possible carcinogenic effects, which occur with prolonged use of these chemicals.

Once choosing a cosmetic product, people must know the harmful and dangerous cosmetic ingredients. This article does not serve as a call to abandon a number of comforts of civilization. You just need to be informed and to give up the goods which include hazardous, poisonous ingredients.

Why do the manufacturers of these products include dangerous substances while there are safer counterparts?

The first reason -they use the ingredients that are cheaper. And when some of the developed and consumer-conscious countries prohibit the utilisation of cheap and dangerous constituents, there still remain many countries where this is allowed. Thus even “serious” and “respectful” producers do not hesitate to use cheap components. The second reason – often manufacturers use untested ingredients, without spending time and money on a thorough research of newly created substances. Moreover, producers do not rush to give them up even if they have side effects.

Have you ever noticed how advertising affects the price and quality of the products? When a new product appears in the market, no matter what it is – chocolate, sausage or cosmetics, it usually satisfies you in terms of price and quality. But then, when the item of interest begins to be constantly advertised on television, it either becomes expensive or starts to deteriorate in quality, and often, unfortunately, both happens. Usually, the quality of the world’s widely advertised brands is low – the bulk of the cost of production goes to advertising and expansion of the corporation.

List of hazardous substances in personal hygiene products and cosmetics (for more detailed descriptions refer to related articles) :

1. Sodium lauryl sulfate(SLS) or Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) or Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) – found in shampoos and other cosmetics. Should not be contained in children’s cosmetics! Particularly dangerous for children!

2 . Phosphates – anionic surfactant, used in washing powders or other detergents. Avoid detergents containing these substances , as well as those containing chlorine.

3 . Phthalates. Abbreviations : BBP – phenyl butyl phthalate , DBP – di ( n-butyl) phthalate , DEHP – di (2 – ethylhexyl) phthalate, DEP – diethyl phthalate , DHP – di-n -hexyl phthalate. Phthalates are often a part of perfumery and hair lotions, antiperspirants . According to CDC – American Center for Disease Control and Prevention , they are carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for posterity. Particularly dangerous for children, pregnant and nursing mothers.

4 . Fluoride and sodium fluoride -found in toothpastes . Should not be contained in children’s toothpaste ! Particularly dangerous for children.

5 . Propylene glycol , ethylene glycol – found in creams , lotions and other humidifiers , decorative cosmetics liquids . If it is listed as one of the first [ingredients] in a cosmetic composition, it indicates a high concentration of substance!

6 . Lanolin – ingredient of various cosmetics , usually creams ( may cause skin sensitization ) .

7. Triclosan chlorophenol – as an antibacterial substance that is a part of antibacterial soaps, toothpastes , shaving creams and other cosmetics and detergents. One of its “advantages” is destroying harmful and beneficial bacteria, however the side effects are not less dangerous.

8. Parabens the collective name for methylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparabenparabeny – in cosmetic products, they are used as preservatives . In antiperspirants, they used as antimicrobials against perspiration and may cause dermatitis , allergies and other skin effects.

9 . Aluminum salts – are a part of deodorants and antiperspirants (can cause breast cancer).

10. Methyldibromglutaronitrile (MDGN) – as a preservative is a part of gels, masks, creams, tanning, shampoos (often causes allergic reactions, skin diseases).

11. Loramid D – this is a semi-synthetic chemical used for foaming and thickening of various cosmetic products. In addition, it is used in detergents for washing dishes because of its ability to remove fat (can dry the hair and the skin, causing itching, and allergic reactions) .

The debate about the dangers and benefits of cosmetics continues for years. One group of people is in favour of the use of cosmetics, the other – against. Each leads the arguments, and almost all of them are right because it can be both damaging and beneficial. The main point is: it is necessary to select cosmetics very carefully. Then your skin will say “Thank you”

Media – Harm or benefit : Part 4.TV

TV has become an inherent part of any home, as well as the main means to reduce tension, mood, to get information, to keep abreast of events. It is so entrenched in the pattern of modern life, that its temporary absence lead to depression and nervous breakdowns. Watching television is a great way to escape from loneliness and many programs and reality shows in general create the illusion of communication. Television has become widespread addiction. TV can be turned on all day and work only as a background noise. Someone cannot sleep without it, another become accustomed to eating, looking at the screen.

TV is not only in each apartment. Director’s office, hospital room, halls and corridors of many enterprises are equipped with these devices. All the information, presented via TV, is seen as an undeniable fact, television is unquestionable authority. A projection of beautiful life on the blue screen, the dream of a bright future and the ideal relationship literally creates a vacuum or vice versa, a fluffy pink cloud in which a person feels happy and free.

Unfortunately, the dependence on a blue screen covered not only adults but also children. Doing household chores adults not suffer from the noise of the TV, they are used to filter the information, where a child is extremely hard to tear away from the screen. They are trying to see and hear everything that is broadcasted. As we know, the child absorbs everything like a “sponge”. Parents should not think that their baby, which is less than one year of age, playing nearby the working TV is completely oblivious to it. Always working TV in a room where there is a small child, is harmful to health. Ceaseless background noise leads to irritability of the child and is the main cause of poor sleep and the vagaries of small children.

The familiar phenomenon of our time is the child, frozen at the TV screen, looking keen onto the flashing images. TV becomes a usual pastime in the first place for our children, which before was used for its rightful outdoor games near home and on the street.Children have become hosts of many physical and psychological problems. Today many of them have no knowledge of children’s amusements, like the classics, flying kites, playing in the sandbox, etc.Not to mention the fact that the offer to buy tickets to the theatre nowadays usually is perceived by children with surprise. Why to travel somewhere else when there is a TV! Television effectively isolates children from the outside world.

Many parents are familiar with this situation very well, hence most moms and dads believe that a child should be protected from the TV. Some people even use the TV as a means of influence on the child, “Do lessons – Look cartoons.” At the same time, almost all parents, as children themselves stuck to a blue screen, trying not to miss their favourite cartoons and programs. Hence there is a question: Is desire for TV so ingrained in our lives that is passed from generation to generation?

Of course not. Times change, so the TV contents change. But the specifics of the child’s perception remain unchanged. So, undoubtedly, the duty of the parents is to approach this problem sensibly and not shy away from it.

Here are some details of the impact of television on the child and man as a whole. The beneficial effect of the TV is the pleasant pastime for the child shared with other family members.

Television informs children about different cultural events. Watching educational programs on television helps children complete their schooling, which affects the learning process extremely efficient. Quality television programs have a positive impact on the process of bringing up children – provide knowledge about important spiritual values, the lessons of history, etc. Watching programs helps children learn to understand the different genres of art. Especially in small towns television is the only way for children to see the best performances, see a concert of world celebrities. Documentary film, especially for kids, opens the world for a child.

But modern TV – it’s not only beautiful and funny melodrama concerts. Abundance of criminal transmissions, thieves and rapists make some confusion in the viewer consciousness. Many crime reports are seen as the next blockbuster and a person stops to think about the real danger to society. Ruthless and merciless stories do not disturb. People are used to all this, and have not notice that as resigned to the lawlessness.TV – is force! And any force can have both positive and negative effects.

Negative impact is that TV atrophies people creativity and increases passivity. The person does not want any mental and physical activities .Excessive pastime watching TV causes aggression and sudden violence in a person.

Watching movies and programs with the scenes of cruelty and violence have the most negative impact on the psyche of children and their future development. Constant watching TV significantly reduces motor activity of children and, therefore, causes obesity. Television is often the cause of children’s addiction to junk food – fast food. Moreover, this “food for snacking” actively advertised and promoted by many commercials.

The abundance of programs about sex and with sex scenes too early introduces children to the adult life. Such early practice adversely affects the mental development of children. Prolonged sitting in front of TV is often the cause of poor performance of the child in school. The kid just did not have time to teach and prepare their homework. Negative impact on children affected by a number of programs and commercials that focus on physical beauty is that this leads to the formation of abnormal values ​​in the child. In some cases, a feeling of inferiority and depression.

The child may develop a psychological dependence on television. To evoke or prolong a sense of relaxation that he feels while watching television, the child will seek more and more time in front of the TV.

Bright flashing cartoon characters facilitate the work of a child’s brain in thinking about the world. The same can be said about the commercials and TV shows, which are very concise and simplified idea. Children do not even have to absorb – it’s obvious and children choose and learn the easiest way. As the result – the child does not want to read, does not know how to occupy themselves and want nothing but watching TV.

On average, our children spend at the screen for 10-14 hours a week. This is the time which could be spent on full of motion games, reading, walking in the fresh air. The result of “sticking” to the screen is changing the child’s health for the worse. Nervous system of children suffer, eyes ruin, even metabolism worsen. The child becomes tearful, naughty, with bad eating and sleeping problems.

Professor of neurology at a university in Germany, Manfred Spitzer conducted statistical analyzes, which resulted in found a direct correlation between time spent watching television, and deaths due to obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol. According to Spitzer, every year diseases acquired from overuse TV, kill about 20,000 Germans. And this is among one of the most tolerant nation in the developed world in term of television.

“As it turns out – the TV must be eliminated?” – A concerned mother would wonder on reading the text above. Ideally – yes, eliminate. However, one cannot deny that absolutely refuse to TV – too extreme. Also it is clear that this step requires some changes in the life course and not everybody is ready for this or even the modern man would never go to such extremes. Therefore, the best option will be to find a compromise solution.

Meanwhile, according to experts of the National Institute of Health (St. Petersburg), a few simple rules will significantly reduce the possibility of health problems.

1. Do not allow your children to sit up at the screen more time than allotted by you. Cartoon ended – means it is over for watching TV.

The appearance of the bad habit in the child sit all the free time in front of TV depends on the attitude of the parents to watching of television. If the family are serious about the health of family members and watch a TV only when necessary, the problem of weaning the child away from continuous view TV will disappear by itself. To educate a child of a right attitude to television from a very early age, we should set up a particular rules in term of TV and not allow the child to be in the room where the TV works longer than the time set by experts.

This is the following: children under 2 years of age are allowed to watch TV no ​​more than 15 minutes, from 3 to 6 years old to 40 minutes, from 7 years and on – to 90 minutes a day with a break for 5-10 minutes.

2. Notice how far away is a baby from the monitor – ideally it should be no closer than five feet and no more than five when it comes to old TV with cathode-ray tube. And another rule acceptable for TV with LCD monitors says the safest distance for watching TV is 3-4 diagonals of TV. Otherwise, the children’s eyes is at a real risk of visual impairment, and most of all – forever.

3. Never let your child watch TV in the dark or even in the dim light! The high contrast between the bright screen and the lack of light around causes a noticeable eye tension, even in adults. Leave any lighting – top or side that will not interfere with your eyes and reflect on the screen.

4. Modern LCD monitors emit electromagnetic radiation to a much lesser degree than the old cathode-ray tubes. Therefore, if your TV is out of date, keep the baby from harmful radiation. This screen TV should be at eye level or slightly lower.

5. A place to sit in front of the TV should be comfortable. It is not difficult to put a chair with a back or a cosy armchair. If the child is uncomfortable, it will take the most unimaginable poses. However, the main thing is not to sit at too acute angle to the screen.

6. But the most unacceptable – is to watch a movie or program while eating. Distracted by what is happening on the screen, experiencing different emotions caused by what is seen, you deprive yourself of proper digestion and stand on a direct path to a stomach ulcer.

To be easier for baby to accept the rules of communication with the TV, give them a good example. After all, these rules apply not only to the children. Accustomed to limit TV for themselves, too, you agree to show your children that life cannot be less interesting than viewing a movie. And after watching a hilarious comedy, turn off the TV and go for a walk as a family.

This, of course, is not about not to watch TV. In fact, to eliminate from the most popular media, we cease to be in the thick of things and we risk being marginalized in the social, political and cultural life. And as well, coming home at night to relieve stress by watching a favourite TV show or interesting movie. The main thing – it is not to forget the old immutable truth that everything is good in moderation.

Media – Harm or benefit : Part 2 Books Section3

Section III: Audio books

Unfortunately, many children do not like to read: reading for them is not fun, and on a contrary is a very unpleasant task. But it is difficult to find a child who does not like to be read aloud. However, the parents do not always have the opportunity to read to a child as much as the kid wants. And then audio books for children come to an aid.

In fact, audio books are not an invention of recent years. Many of us and our parents heard tales recorded on vinyl in childhood. As it appears these stories are not much different from the audio books. There are only some modifications about it, for instance a changed way of the media carrier and playback. Also nowadays Mp3 files and players became a replacement to vinyl plates and players.

Audio books for children are not only convenient (in the first place for the parents), but also are useful. Firstly, an important natural developed skill for children is the ability to receive the information by listening and concentration. This skill will be useful for them, not only in their studies, but also at the later stage in a life. Children's audio books help to develop this skill further.

Secondly, audio books for children help in the development of speech. Actors, reading children's audio books, have a proper and well-delivered speech articulation. Imitating them, the child learns to speak correctly. In addition, audio books increase mental vocabulary.

Thirdly, audio books reduce the pressure onto the eyes. Now people spend much time at the computer or watching TV. Increased (teaching) workload make children spend a lot of time over textbooks and notebooks. And if they read a lot of literature for pleasure - they should say goodbye to the good eyesight. Hence, audio books help not only to learn the literature but also to save the sight.

In addition, audio books for children help spend time if you have to stand in a queue with the child or go somewhere. It is very difficult to read, holding the book on weight or in shaking train or bus, people can listen anywhere at anytime though. Most importantly in this case is to get a headset, in order not to disturb others.

Unfortunately, nothing is perfect, and audio books can be harmful. First, audio books can completely discourage the child reading. Having got used to listen "without straining," they almost stop reading. Hence the ability to receive the information hearing will be well developed, but with visual perception person may have problem. Together with this comes also a difficulty for a child to spell the word right, which means the grammar skills remain undeveloped. 

Second, some parents mistakenly believe that audio books are able to compensate the lack of attention from parents. Of course, the work takes a lot of time and effort, but is it really hard to carve out a half hour a day and read aloud to your child sleep? If the child will have to choose between the voice of dictor and the voice of the mother - we can be sure they will choose their mother.

Third, the abuse of headphones can cause hearing loss. The best option - output sound to the speakers, but then others will have to listen to audio book with you. With moderate use of headphones any harm can be prevented from it, but if person will listen too much using headphones at high volume, a visit to the audiologist cannot be avoided.

So should people listen to children's audio books or not?

Of course, it is necessary, however it should be done in moderation. People should not replace the audio book reading, but to complement it. The audio books should not be used as a way to get rid of the child. If people listen to audio books they should do it the most of time through the speakers or if it is impossible through headphones of high quality.

We can probably try to kill two birds with one stone and combine listening to an audio book with reading the printed version. So the person will perceive information aurally and visually. This is especially useful when people have difficulty with one of the types of perception. Hence it can be helpful in studying foreign languages.

Read - or not read? Simple question. But, what, how and what for - you decide!

Related articles:


Section 2.E-books.

Media – Harm or benefit : Part 2 Books Section2

Section II: E-books

People read, did so, and will continue reading. And just like any other items, books have also undergone modifications. First, they were on a bark and papyrus, then - on the skin and paper, and now we are in a hold of such unique feature as electronic book.

What brought us another cycle of books?

On the one hand, a positive moment of transition to the e-book is clear. If you look at the students, the first thing that catches your eye - it's a little kid with a huge backpack full of books. PocketBook device can replace almost all the tutorials that are in the backpack, and weighs only up to 0.5 kg. All course materials, including reference books and dictionaries are now always at hand.

However with an arrival of this new technology, a debate had also come. We have become accustomed to trust marketing claims about the safety of their products. So many parents who are concerned about the health of their children, care about one of the important questions - What the impact screen reading of these electronic devices makes on the human body?

Scientists in Germany have found that reading through a variety of gadgets allows a person to absorb more readable information. Also the process of reading, according to researchers, appears to be faster. But U.S. scientists have come to the conclusion that in order for a student to concentrate better on reading, it is best to use most simple readers. These gadgets do not get a student distracted by pictures and allow focusing on the content of the book.

As a result of research carried out by scientists it was found that convenience and simplicity of e-books have led to the fact that today in the U.S. and Europe readers are gradually being introduced to a school life. Some educational institutions have begun experiments to replace old textbooks with electronic format.

From a medical point of view, it is certain that it is best to read the paper editions - books, newspapers, magazines. The human eye is more receptive to the information printed on paper than the one that shines on a computer monitor or laptop. Speed of ​​reading paper carrier higher and the eyes do not get tired as quickly. Except the strong physiological reasons, there are many other factors that favour a reading of printed material. Particularly, it is a worth of the book, which some call a "source of knowledge". Everyone knows that the best gift is a book. As a rule, in books is printed a serious, necessary and a "smart" work. Before the book is bound, a manuscript is checked by editors after which the experts write their reviews. All this minimizes the risk of getting "rubbish and nonsense" in a book turnover.

As for the Internet, here anyone can publish their work and their thoughts on the vast World Wide Web. The adequacy and competence of these no one checks, so there is no benefit in this. Books, especially classical literature, written by a beautiful, interesting, competent and rich language, they create and carry smart appropriate thoughts. In addition, the book can be read at home and at work, in transport and at rest, sitting, standing, lying down.

Similar experiments horrified ophthalmologists who claim there is a need to conduct research aimed at the identification and assessment of the negative effects of e-book reader for a child. But is there really a harm from reading electronic versions? The below are presented its pros and cons of e-books over a printed version.

In favour:

1.      Environmentalists assert louder and louder about the tremendous amount of trees cut down every year for us to enjoy publications where E- books do not require the destruction of forests.

2.      We do not need to go to the bookstore or the library, which works according to schedule. We can buy, download, and start reading electronic texts within minutes, without leaving the comfortable chair.

3.      Ebooks take a little space hence we do not need the space for the ample library. An e-book can store hundreds and thousands of books.

4.      An e-book is portable and compact so we can carry an entire library with us, for example maps, guides and other useful information that we need on holidays.

5.      An e-book has an interactive table of contents or search feature that allows you instantly jump to a chapter of interest.

6.      Fonts in Ebooks can be changed, which makes it more comfortable for people with sight implications.

7.      With additional software, you can convert the text material in an audio book.

8.      Depending on the device, some books can be read in low light or even in complete darkness.

9.      A large share of e-books is available online for free.

Against:

1.      Manufacturing, operation and recycling Ebooks also negatively affect the environment.

2.      Not all books are available in electronic form.

3.      E-books over the time should be copied or converted, because the format is not universal, and printed books remain readable for many years.

4.      Ebooks cannot provide visual appeal. They do not provide the physical sensation of covers, paper, rustling pages.

5.      toy-books for babies, which are given at the early stage of childhood, cannot be presented in  electronic form.

6.      Printed book does not require recharging, and the battery powered electronic needs.

7.      E-book is more susceptible to damage from a fall or impact than printed one.

8.      The cost of e-book far exceeds the cost of printing, however electronic book will pay for itself quickly as printed books nowadays have become not a cheap pleasure too.

9.      An old book has a great historical significance; it may be in one piece.

Related articles:

Books.Part1
Section 3.Audiobooks.

Media – Harm or benefit : Part 3.Radio,internet radio.

Radio is an integral part of our daily life. As alarm clock it  wakes us in the morning. At breakfast, we hear the morning news. Radio entertains and informs us when we go to work or school or when we are engaged in gardening. Even sitting in an office or working at a factory, we always listen to music, broadcasted on local radio stations. Featuring a unique combination of skills, radio has become an indispensable companion to a life of millions of people.

Traditional radio audience is teenagers. In an average week, 90% of people all around the world listen to the radio at least once, more than 80% - every  day. The average adult listens to the radio for 3 hours every day.

Listeners of the radio are divided into four main segments: radio fans of specific stations, fans of radio as a whole , music fans and listeners of the news. Fans of specific radio stations are the largest segment (46%). They prefer one or two stations, and spend up to 8 hours a day or more listening to those. Most of the fans of the radio stations are women aged 25 to 44 years. Fans of the radio as a whole make 34% of listeners. They listen to four or five different radio stations a week, with no specific preference. Most of them are under the age of 35, although this segment includes a large number of women aged 55 and older. 11% of people listen to only music on the radio and they mostly are men aged 25 - 45 years old and people who are establishing relationships. Finally, a part of the radio station is chosen by group of people who manage its need for news and information. They are almost always more than 35 years old and  prefer one or two stations, listening to which for short periods of time.

The most important advantage is the flexibility of radio coverage. The same radio station may be listened in different parts of the country and speak to people at any time of day. People do not need any cutting-edge technologies for that purpose, but only radio receiver, which currently is a part of the majority of the advanced gadgets. Especially that radio receiver itself is very small in shape. Hence radio is an ideal means of entertaining people while travelling to or from work. The negative side of this may be that the excessive use of headphones can cause hearing loss. The best option - output sound to the speakers, but then others will have to listen to radio with you. Hence the only way to get off this situation is a moderate use of headsets. 

The next advantage is that it creates musical background and usually does not distracts from work. However, this mainly depends on type of the radio station and genres of songs. The stations broadcasting, for example, rock music may be quite disturbing, especially if they are listened to in a high tone. In addition scientists do not recommend listening to radio while performing highly exact jobs, such as operations, or studying for exams. They explain that in these cases a brain needs all its capacity for work, and music alternating with dj's talks may exploit part of it, that in turn leads to decreasing in speed and accuracy of performing.

For long time one of the most popular advantages, after informational, was educational. Even now there are many radio stations which broadcast educational programs in physics, biology, medicine etc. Chiefly, they are student or university radio stations which introduce people with the basics and advances in sciences. Others carry the weight of culture, not only in a form of concerts, literary programs, performances of radio theatre(radio  plays and operas), but also in the form of lectures, special programs about the history of culture, the arts, the science and literature, biographies of great scientists, the history of scientific discovery, the life of the great scientists, engineers, inventors. Also there are radio programs for students about astronomy, the study of the universe, about space and space exploration. Young students learn the skills of observation of celestial bodies and constellations, became acquainted with the achievements of science in the study of the universe. Programs for young nature lovers tell about the habits of animals, wild plants, and learn to recognize them.

Now radio stations of children's topics become more and more popular, because they take into account age-specific and routine of small listeners. For example, "The Kids radio" in Russia broadcasts for all age categories: morning block is addressed to preschool, day programs - for children older than seven years, late at night - the block for both parents and children over 10 years old, at night - music for sleep.

Another advantage as for education as for entertainment is space of coverage. People in the different parts of the world can listen to the same radio station. Hence, this may be very helpful for language learners, who might get a possibility to improve their listening skills from native carrier of language. Moreover, people can easy get access to different culture through the radio, listening to the local news, types of songs, directions of music of another country. However, for this purpose you need more powerful radio receiver, than we usually have on hand.

Despite its huge advantages, radio traditionally had a number of serious drawbacks: it is only the audio. You can listen to the radio, but you cannot see it. This fact limits the effectiveness of perception of information and particularly remembering it. It is well known fact that people more rely on their sight than on hearing and vision memory of an ordinary person is better developed evolutionary.

Internet radio.

With development of technologies it has long been possible to listen to radio on the Internet. The minimum speed of the network, which does not occur stops and crash is about 64 kbit / s, which was available even in provincial towns 5-6 years ago in a mode without limit. Advantages of Internet broadcasting is that the user can select from the mass of radio stations, including foreign ones. For each musical direction, there are a variety of radio stations, and their number far exceeds even the number of television channels of satellite TV. And internet radio allows you to put in a free broadcast songs little known but talented musicians. The user can listen to music that never will be scrolled to the telephone - is an important factor for lovers of exotic melodies.

 If we compare the number of available stations in some provincial town, where it at best is a little more than a dozen, and the number of them on the Internet, then the comparison is not in favour of the first. Hundreds and thousands of stations broadcast around the world managed from small amateurs by a single person, to the numbers of the domestic and international broadcasting, such as the "Russian Radio" and "Europe +". 

However, there are a few drawbacks of internet radio. For example, to listen to radio stations from around the world a person will need to download and install on a computer  one of the specific programs, the best and most of which are paid. They are inexpensive, only 10-20 euro per year, but these costs seem too high at a time when conventional radio is free at all. To find a good program that would allow listening to the radio for free via the Internet is problematic, though possible. Free programs usually contain advertising.

 Advantage of Internet radio is also the fact that there is no need to download the favourite songs to your computer and the interface of this programs itself allows you to see song titles, artists.

 Now on the Internet you can find hundreds of free Internet radio channels and in different languages. Hence, internet users have virtually unlimited opportunities to listen to radio programs from around the world.

Botox and Pregnancy: is it possible to make “beauty shots” to expectant mothers?

A pregnant woman, like anyone else, wants to look beautiful, young and fresh. However, in preparation for motherhood, expectant mothers in the first place do not worry about their appearance, but the proper development of the child, so they avoid negative effects of nicotine, alcohol and all kinds of drugs. For this reason, many women are thinking about the safety of modern cosmetic procedures – in particular, injections of Botox.


    So are these two concepts compatible : Botox and pregnancy?

How do Botox injections “work”? The effectiveness of such popular procedure today, as injections of Botox, is extremely high. The principle of the injection is that the administration of botulinum toxin into the skin in a low concentration blocks the nerve endings of muscles, thus achieving the effect of non-surgical smoothing facial wrinkles and skin tightening, which persists for about 3-4 months.

Botox: pros and cons

If, under normal circumstances, an injection of Botox is made at a specialist clinic, there will be no complications after the procedure. However, Botox during pregnancy may have a greater impact on a woman’s body and cause significant weakness, digestive problems, allergic reactions, dizziness, shortness of breath and other rarely seen side effects of the drug under normal circumstances. That’s why beauticians and Gynaecologists do not recommend the injection even for women who have repeatedly done it before pregnancy. The future mother should worry not about how much is a shot of Botox, but whether it is safe for her and her baby.

If a woman decides at any cost to fight wrinkles during pregnancy and make botulinum toxin therapy it is highly recommended to consult a doctor – obstetrician-gynaecologist and beautician.

Botox during pregnancy: research

Despite a passion for “beauty injections”, which is noticeable all over the world, the effect of Botox on the body of a pregnant woman and the developing foetus is still unknown.

On this issue, opinions of experts differ. Some believe that to compare the pros and cons of Botox is impractical, because the risk of side effects persist, and this can adversely affect foetal development. Other experts believe that Botox and pregnancy are quite compatible, because the dose of the botulinum toxin injection is so small that it could not have a systemic impact on the body of a pregnant woman.

However, the results of medical studies, conducted on rats and rabbits at the Italian National Institute of Neuroscience, showed that high doses of Botox during pregnancy can cause : spontaneous abortions, malformations, development delays, insufficient weight gain of the foetus.

Of course, these results are not direct evidence of potential harm of Botox to the foetus. However, at this stage, the developers of the drug do not wish to risk by women’s health, hence they do not target them with similar studies on Botox and pregnancy. And this is clear. Because in the course of studying the pros and cons of Botox injections should not be made to the pregnant woman, that may endanger the life of her child. And this is an inadequate payment for momentary beauty.

According to physicians, greater responsibility for the health of the child lies with women themselves, so they, like anyone else, need to understand that we should be careful about the Botox injections during the pregnancy( if we want it to be successful).

But when women are only planning pregnancy, Botox injections can be made safely up to pregnancy.

Media – Harm or benefit : Part 2 Books Section1

Printed books

One of the most important communication channels of man is speech. Most people enjoy communicating and often use this in a form of spoken word. But there is another kind of communication, not less important and valuable – writing, which is a spoken language, imprinted on the media. Until recently, the main carrier was paper such as books, newspapers, magazines. Reading – it’s the same dialogue, but it can be said through an intermediary. And if the interpersonal communication is beneficial, hence there are no doubts about benefits of reading.

What could be harmful in reading books? It is best if the question is put in this way. But there may be negatively focused people who ask: “And what is useful in this?” To answer these questions , in my opinion, we should answer the next ones: – What do we read? – How do we read? – Why do we read at all?

We read good and bad books, artistic, scientific and technical literature, detective stories and comics, love stories and masterpieces of world classics. Let’s start with the harm as it is not so obvious.

First, a poorly written book spoils the taste. Person, who never independently chooses literature and reads everything that have been advised him by “creators of the book fashion”, will call Paulo Coelho and Dan Brown as genius, while native classic literature collects dust on their bookcases, being abandoned in the high school after receiving “unsatisfactory” for the composition. Qualitatively written text, on the contrary, cultivates an aesthetic sense, develops the idea of ​​the frontiers of the art, promotes creating own style of speech and thought in the reader. Upon reading, the person learns something new, interesting (he would never read uninteresting), broadens mind, enriches vocabulary. Reading brings people aesthetic satisfaction, it is perhaps the most versatile and easy way of entertainment, as well as the most important part of the cultural and spiritual self improvement.


Second, the harm may be brought by addiction to one particular kind or genre of literature. Thus, the madness about fantasy, adding unreality to our already unstable world, turns the quite normal people in elves and goblins, who know the way to the Avalon much better than the way home. In other words people forget about the reality. They completely dive into the inner virtual world with the same forgetting about problem they have to deal in a real life.

Mind of intelligent people, with sharp perception of the world, smoothes book extremity, but cannot protect them from the romantic exaggeration and, as a result, frustration. This “syndrome” is still observed in philology students who are raised on the classics.

But I would like to talk about “book children” – those that grew up in a fantasy world. Sometimes I think that these children will be more difficult to live when they grow up. On the one hand, they know more than their peers, and somewhere it might help. But on the other hand, the child, cut off from the real life world by reading, is no better than a child addicted to video games.

World of “Book child” is ideal – it has noble heroes; it is always clear where is the good and the evil. Reading adult books, where the characters are displayed often very ambiguously, the child does not understand all tones, simply because many of his read experiences are not familiar for him, or because this historical novel is read before studying historical outline, within which everything happens.

And what happens? Faced with the daily reality of the world, the child is on the edge of destruction. And then collapses completely. Because there is no black and white, and generosity towards one person can easily be vile in relation to another. So extremely romantic teens, after reading romance novels, idealize their “love”, and they may face a serious problem.

On the other hand, a person brought up on books, has a clear understanding of the words “dignity” and “justice” than those who did not read at all.

However ,more often life brings some corrections to dreams that were retrieved from books and upon thinking the reader is not angry with the writer for the fact that he “tricked reader”. On the contrary he gratefully acknowledges that the book has launched in his mind the perpetual motion of inner work.

Now ,how do we read? In the train or bus, standing or lying, under the desk or on the desk, before sleep at home or in a hospital.

Since childhood, each of us has heard from adults the tips on how to maintain a perfect vision, but are these statements true of what is good and what is bad for our eyes, especially in term of reading. However, U.S. scientists have refuted the statement about the dangers of reading in low light. The findings, published in British Medical Journal, suggests that the vision does not suffer because of this. But we should not forget about things that may assist to faster tiredness of eyes such as long looking at the shiny objects, excessive reading of small written letters or while being on the move. Although, once again referring to the problem of ruined sight, I will recall the rules articulated at school. It is not recommended to read lying down, in the dark, on the run, in the car (especially if you’re driving).

It is much better if you:
- sit quietly in a chair
- the light falls on the left side, and
- the book is at a distance of at least 30 cm away from your eyes, and
- you will take a break from exercise or reading for the eyes every half an hour.

There is harm in the so-called “fluent” reading, “diagonal” reading, “backwards” reading, reading “from last page”, reading with missing descriptions and lyrical digressions. The simple example is when you are talking about your life, but a person who listens to you, from time to time, says: “Come on. Uninteresting. Next, come on! “. Insulting?

Once the author (it is better to deal with certified authors who know exactly how to write a good book) has found it necessary to include in the story or the song a particular scene or episode, we should comprehend the meaning of art and author’s concept. Otherwise (if the scenes and episodes are too nasty for you), it is better not to read this book.

In addition, fragmentary reading violates the logic of perception, puts the reader off the path that author led him carefully along and takes him away into very different distances, sometimes far from the meaning of the work. On the contrary, the ability to maintain attention to every detail of the work is beginning to bring great pleasure to read the text. A close reading reveals for the reader a “writer’s workshop”, from which he can learn and understand a true master himself.

In addition, the attention to detail brings to us behavioural culture .Typically, a thoughtful reader is attentive to everything in life. Gradually he learns to read not only books, but also the faces of people, the souls of trees, colours of the earth, views of cities.

And, Why do we read? There is only one rule: it is useful to read, for it is aimed onto education of the soul. All the rest are a tribute to our vanity, our little weaknesses, or just boredom. And, of course, the benefits can be brought only by those books, which are read with pleasure, as this is the case when the reader should not be forced.

Psychologists say that reading – an essential process in all stages of identity formation. From childhood, when parents read to the child, and to old age, when a person is going through personal crises and growing spiritually. Reading is invaluable in adolescence. Reading, teens not only train their memory, reasoning and other cognitive processes, they also develop emotionally and volitionally, learn to love, to forgive, to empathize, to assess and analyze the actions, to trace cause and effect relationships between events. It is therefore obvious benefit of books that can bring up and educate a coherent, harmonious personality.

In the process of reading a person uses both hemispheres of the brain. Reading (the work of the left hemisphere), people constantly envisions images and pictures of what is happening in the story (this is the work of the right hemisphere). Thus a man reads not only for fun but also trains and develops the ability of the brain.

Related articles :

Media – Harm or benefit : Part 2 Books Section 2 E-books

Media – Harm or benefit : Part 2 Books Section 3 Audio-books