People who are unable to burp due to a condition called retrograde cricopharyngeus dysfunction (R-CPD) experience not only physical pain but also embarrassment, anxiety, and depression, according to researchers. R-CPD causes symptoms such as abdominal bloating, gurgling noises from the chest and neck, and flatulence. The study, conducted by a group of academics from a Texan university, found that many doctors are unfamiliar with the disease, leaving patients underserved. The researchers emphasized the need for more research and awareness of R-CPD, as it can have negative effects on sufferers' quality of life, both mentally and socially.
R-CPD, also known as "no burp syndrome," occurs when the cricopharyngeal muscle in the throat is unable to relax, preventing gas from passing upwards. One treatment option for this condition is Botox injections, which relax the cricopharyngeus muscle. Yakubu Karagama, an ear, nose, and throat consultant at London's Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, has been using this treatment since 2016 and has found it to be life-changing for his patients. However, Botox injections are currently only available as a private treatment due to the lack of awareness among healthcare professionals.
Mr. Karagama highlighted the lack of understanding about burping physiology and the condition itself. He mentioned that many people with R-CPD are unaware that their symptoms are caused by the condition and have been living with it their whole lives. He stressed the need for funding to support clinical research into R-CPD, as many people are suffering unnecessarily.
The study revealed that there is limited awareness of R-CPD among healthcare professionals, leading to inadequate help for patients. The authors emphasized the importance of improving understanding of the disease, as it could lead to increased diagnosis and treatment rates, ultimately improving patients' quality of life. The study also noted the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms in people with difficult-to-diagnose disorders, highlighting the need to explore the mental health implications of R-CPD.
In conclusion, R-CPD can have a significant impact on the quality of life of those affected, causing physical discomfort as well as emotional distress. The lack of awareness among healthcare professionals contributes to the underserving of patients with this condition. Further research and awareness are necessary to improve diagnosis and treatment rates, ultimately leading to better outcomes for individuals with R-CPD.
Original news source: Non-burping can damage quality of life, researchers say (BBC)
π§ Listen:
π Vocabulary:
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Assign each pair a different section of the article to read and summarize. Instruct them to condense the main points of their section into a brief news summary. After a few minutes, have pairs share their summaries with the class.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Ask the class to form small groups. Give each group a few minutes to discuss their opinions on the topic of the article – specifically, the impact of R-CPD on individuals' quality of life and the lack of awareness among healthcare professionals. Then, have each group create a set of survey questions to gauge the opinions of others in the class. Afterward, have groups take turns asking their questions and recording the responses.
– Sketch It
Instructions: Provide each student with a piece of paper and a pen or pencil. Instruct them to read the article and choose one aspect or concept related to R-CPD that they find interesting or significant. Then, have students sketch a visual representation of their chosen aspect or concept. Afterward, have students share their sketches with a partner and explain the meaning behind their drawings.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write a list of key vocabulary words from the article on the board. Divide the class into teams. One student from each team will come to the front of the class and choose a word from the list. Without speaking, they must draw a picture to represent the word while their team tries to guess what it is. The team that guesses correctly earns a point. Rotate players and continue until all the words have been drawn.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: Instruct the class to imagine that it is ten years in the future. Ask them to discuss in pairs or small groups how they think the understanding and treatment of R-CPD may have changed. Encourage them to make predictions based on advancements in medical research and technology. Afterward, have each group share their predictions with the class and facilitate a brief discussion.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
Symptoms include abdominal bloating, gurgling noises from the chest and neck, and flatulence.
R-CPD can cause physical pain, embarrassment, anxiety, and depression, leading to a negative impact on the quality of life of sufferers.
Botox injections can be used to relax the cricopharyngeal muscle and treat R-CPD.
Botox injections are currently only available as a private treatment due to the lack of awareness among healthcare professionals.
Mr. Karagama highlighted the lack of understanding about burping physiology and the condition itself, leading to underdiagnosis and inadequate help for patients.
The study revealed limited awareness of R-CPD among healthcare professionals, leading to inadequate help for patients.
The authors emphasized the importance of improving understanding of R-CPD to increase diagnosis and treatment rates, ultimately improving patients' quality of life.
The article concludes that R-CPD can have a significant impact on the quality of life of those affected, both physically and emotionally. The lack of awareness among healthcare professionals contributes to the underserving of patients with this condition, and further research and awareness are necessary to improve diagnosis and treatment rates.
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
People who are unable to burp due to a condition called retrograde dysfunction (R-CPD) experience not only physical pain but also , , and depression, according to researchers. R-CPD causes symptoms such as abdominal bloating, gurgling noises from the chest and neck, and flatulence. The study, conducted by a group of academics from a Texan university, found that many doctors are unfamiliar with the disease, patients underserved. The researchers emphasized the need for more research and awareness of R-CPD, as it can have negative effects on sufferers' quality of life, both mentally and socially. R-CPD, also known as "no burp syndrome," occurs when the cricopharyngeal in the throat is unable to relax, gas from passing upwards. One treatment option for this condition is Botox , which relax the cricopharyngeus muscle. Yakubu Karagama, an ear, nose, and throat consultant at London's Guy's and St Thomas' , has been using this treatment since 2016 and has found it to be life-changing for his patients. However, Botox injections are currently only available as a private treatment due to the lack of awareness among healthcare professionals. Mr. Karagama highlighted the lack of understanding about burping physiology and the itself. He that many people with R-CPD are unaware that their symptoms are caused by the condition and have been living with it their whole . He stressed the need for funding to support clinical research into R-CPD, as many people are suffering unnecessarily. The study revealed that there is limited of R-CPD among healthcare professionals, leading to inadequate help for patients. The authors emphasized the importance of improving understanding of the disease, as it could lead to increased diagnosis and treatment rates, ultimately improving ' quality of life. The study also noted the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms in people with difficult-to-diagnose disorders, the need to explore the mental health implications of R-CPD. In conclusion, R-CPD can have a significant impact on the quality of life of those affected, causing physical discomfort as well as emotional distress. The lack of awareness among healthcare contributes to the underserving of patients with this condition. Further research and awareness are to improve diagnosis and treatment rates, ultimately leading to better outcomes for individuals with R-CPD.
π¬ Discussion Questions:
1. What is retrograde cricopharyngeus dysfunction (R-CPD) and how does it affect individuals?
2. How would you feel if you were unable to burp? Why?
3. Do you think it is important for healthcare professionals to be aware of conditions like R-CPD? Why or why not?
4. Have you ever experienced a medical condition that was difficult to diagnose? How did it impact your life?
5. What are some potential challenges faced by individuals with R-CPD in their daily lives?
6. How do you think the lack of awareness about R-CPD among healthcare professionals can be addressed?
7. Do you believe that mental health should be a priority when diagnosing and treating difficult-to-diagnose disorders? Why or why not?
8. How do you think the lack of awareness about R-CPD contributes to patients being underserved?
9. Have you ever heard of Botox injections being used as a treatment for medical conditions? What are your thoughts on this?
10. How do you think the lack of understanding about burping physiology impacts individuals with R-CPD?
11. Do you think it is important for individuals with R-CPD to receive funding for clinical research? Why or why not?
12. How do you think increased awareness and understanding of R-CPD could improve diagnosis and treatment rates?
13. Have you ever experienced a medical condition that had negative effects on your mental and social well-being? How did you cope with it?
14. What are some potential ways that individuals with R-CPD can raise awareness about their condition?
15. How do you think improved diagnosis and treatment rates for R-CPD could positively impact the lives of those affected?
Individual Activities
ππ Vocabulary Meanings:
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π‘ Multiple Choice Questions:
π΅οΈ True or False Questions:
π Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
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