Saturday, December 28, 2019

UK and the European Union - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 10 Words: 2971 Downloads: 1 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Politics Essay Type Compare and contrast essay Did you like this example? BTEC Level 4 Professional Diploma in International Trade UNIT NO: 5UNIT TITLE: International Business ASSIGNMENT NO: 1 ASSIGNMENT TITLE: GB International UNIT OUTCOMES COVERED: 5.1 Understand how the UK is affected by being a member of the European Union. 5.2 Understand the international business environment and how cultural differences affect international trade. GRADING OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE Outcomes/ Grade Descriptors P5.1 P5.2 P5.3 P5.4 M1 M2 M3 D1 D2 D3 Æ’- Æ’- Æ’- Æ’- DATE SET: 29/04/14DUE DATE: 18/07/14 STUDENT: ___________________________________________ Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "UK and the European Union" essay for you Create order OUTCOMES/GRADE DESCRIPTORS ACHIEVED (please tick) Outcomes/ Grade Descriptors P5.1 P5.2 P5.3 P5.4 M1 M2 M3 D1 D2 D3 Declaration of Authenticity Hand-in policy: You must present this assessment on or before the specified date. If you experience difficulties you must inform your unit tutor. Late work policy: Due consideration will be given to students who have good reason for late submission due to illness or other causes. The unit tutor has the right to examine students assignments by viva voce in addition to the assessments specified. Plagiarism: The college takes a very serious view of the use of unfair means to enhance performance. All sources used must be properly referenced in the text and listed in the bibliography. You must declare that this assessment is your own work when you submit by signing the statement below: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“I declare that this assignment is my own work. I am aware that plagiarism is a serious offence and the penalties severe.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Learnerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s name and signature:à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. Date:à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Assignment Brief Scenario Countries throughout the world have become increasingly aware of the need to trade internationally. With such a global platform, it is important for businesses to take full advantage of the opportunities available. The enlargement of the European Union (EU) has enabled more countries to carry out trade. The BRICS (Brasil, Russia, India,China and South Africa) countries have added a new dimension to global trading. UK and most of the countries throughout the world have fully embraced this new international trading environment. However, businesses organisations in respective countries need to fully understand the benefits and problems that may arise as a result of international trading. Setting up a foreign office means expenses for staff, business taxes, utility bills and many other expenses, including travel. These costs can be avoided by if one exports without leaving home. Distributors and Partners handle the essentials in the destination markets and are offered all the help via telephone, internet, Skype and email without the need to travel and spend cash on staff in an overseas office. Sales can increase when not encumbered by high fixed cost expenses. This à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"armà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s lengthà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ business model can work very well with enthusiastic distributors. Whatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s the secret of exporting without a foreign office? Your product needs to secure a 40 per cent price premium to cover third party distributor and shipping costs and the rest covers your UK based costs and profit. What if you donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t have a distributor yet? Go on the Internet, find someone in the trade and send them a link to your YouTube channel which explains your product. No bricks and mortar so this approach to exporting costs nothing but your time. Distributors will also want exclusivity but donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t give it formally. You should work on order per order basis and both parties can walk away. So there are à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å" no stringsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ attached. Your local Chamber of Commerce branch has contacted you (as someone who is currently carrying out extensive studies in international trade) and asked you to produce a comprehensive document titled à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"GB Internationalà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢. You will carry out research into UK and foreign businesses and analyse how these trade internationally. Note : This assignment covers Unit 5 Learning Outcomes 5.1 and 5.2 Tutor Notes Your assignment should be handed in by the deadline. This assignment must be your own work and original. You confirm that no part of this assignment has been plagiarised in any way. All sources of reference must be included using the Harvard System You will be expected to check spelling mistakes and grammar Tasks Task 1 Your first task is to provide the members of the Chamber with up to date information on EU and its impact on countries which are part of the Union. Carry out research into the past and current state of the EU. Describe the nature and purpose of the EU. Produce a presentation on this subject, which will be delivered to the members of the Chamber. The EU has in the past and is constantly bringing new à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"directivesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢. Produce an up-to-date mini guide on EU directives which impact on UK domestic and international trade. Since its creation, the EU has seen a gradual expansion in its composition. Several East European countries have become members. Other countries such as Turkey are aiming to become part of the EU community. The expansion has various consequences on the member states. Write a report exploring the consequences of the expansion of the EU on the UK and other member countries. In your report, ensure you take into consideration the special interests of your local Chamber of Commerce members with regard to the EU. Task 1 covers assessment criteria 5.1.1, 5.1.2 and 5.1.3 Task 2 International trading has led to different ways of carrying out business. The UK and countries around the world have embraced the new à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"globalisationà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ phenomenon. However, since countries have their own identities, it is not always easy to carry out business on an international level. Members of your local Chamber of Commerce have however, shown an interest in subscribing to à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"globalisationà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢. Create a series of posters that could be used during an open evening with a theme of à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"International trading, globalisation and emergence of multinational corporationsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢. Carry out research into countries which are currently carrying out business internationally. Using illustrations and facts from your report, write a report on cultural differences and barriers to international trade. Task 2 covers assessment criteria 5.2.1, 5.2.2 and 5.2.3 Task 3 Refer to the report that you produce in task 1c. Following new member states joining the EU, European companies hope to benefit from this. Carry out further research exploring the opportunities of European companies. a) Amend your report from task 1c and add extra sections to describe the opportunities that you have identified for European companies. Ensure that members of your local Chamber of Commerce are able to understand the possible benefits of these opportunities. Task 3 covers assessment criteria 5.2.4 Translation of the general grading criteria to this assignment Outcomes 5.1 5.2 Pass 5.1 Understand how the UK is affected by being a member of the European Union 5.2 Understand the international business environment and how cultural differences affect international trade. Describe the nature and purpose of the EU Identify EU directives that impact on UK domestic and international trade Explore potential consequences (for the UK and other EU members) of the expansion of the EU Explore changes in the nature of international trading companies including globalisation and the emergence of multinational corporations Investigate the effect of cultural differences on international trade Identify the main barriers to international trade Explore how opportunities for European companies are increased as a result of the EU Merit Present and communicate appropriate findings M3 Information about EU and international business environment has been analysed and presented to members of the Chamber of Commerce in different formats. The style of presentation must suit different needs and audience. Analysed Information including facts and figures are clear, concise and coherent and address the needs of members. Distinction Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusions D1 Careful evaluation and justification of information collected on EU and international business. An evaluation of EUà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s directives and cultural differences and how these impact on organizations planning to trade internationally. This must lead to accurate decisions made by members of the Chamber of Commerce. COLLEGE OF CENTRAL LONDON BTEC Level 4 Professional Diploma in International Trade UNIT NO: 4 UNIT TITLE: International Business ASSIGNMENT NO: 1 WILAWAN MCALLISTER ASSIGNMENT TITLE: GB International CONTENT TASK 1C Since its creation, the EU has seen a gradual expansion in its composition. Several East European countries have become members. Other countries such as Turkey are aiming to become part of the EU community. The expansion has various consequences on the member states. Write a report exploring the consequences of the expansion of the EU on the UK and other member countries. In your report, ensure you take into consideration the needs of your local Chamber of Commerce members with regards to the EU. Task 1 C) Write a report exploring the consequences of the expansion of the EU on the UK and other member countries. In your report, ensure you take into consideration the needs of your local Chamber of Commerce members with regards to the EU. REPORT To: Chamber of Commerce Members From: Wilawan McAllister Subject:The Expansion/Enlargement Of the European Union This report sets out the examine the history of European Union enlargement and the consequences of continued EU enlargement to the UK and other EU meneber states. European Union Enlargements The European Union (EU) was formed through the inclusion of member states, which began with the Inner Six, who formed the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in 1952. Recently, the EUs membership has grown twenty-eight and completed with Croatia who joined the EU in 2013. The EU has the potential to expand further with other countries interested in membership such as the Turkey, Kosovo and other former soviet union states. The map below shows the enlargements and potential future enlargements of the EU. Map of EU Member states and Potential Enlargement Member states Candidates: Albania, Macedonia (formal candidates), Iceland; Montenegr o, Turkey, Serbia, (EU entry negotiations) Potential candidates who did not apply for membership: Bosnia, Kosovo* (status disputed) and Herzegovina European Union Neighbouring Countries EU neighbouring countries including North Africa countries through their historic ties to European countries may in the future wish to have closer ties to the EU. The Treaty of Maastricht (Article 49), prescribes that any European country that respects the principles of the European Union has the possibility to request consideration for membership. Extending membership to non European countries is not mentioned, though an exception has already been made for Cyprus and has been seen by some for states as setting a precedent. EU Neighbouring contries are shown on the map below. Map of EU Neighbouring Countries European Union Official candidates European Neighbouring Countries Some non-European countries have different qualifications of integration with the EU specified by ag reements, which allow a certain amount of trade with the EU but do provide membership to the EU. Membership of the European Union To obtain membership to the EU, the country needs to follow economic and political condition which refered to as the Copenhagen criteria, that require stable political under democratic government and respect to rule of law, its corresponding freedom and institutions. Regarding to the Maastricht Treaty, each current EU member and the European Parliament must concur to any expansion. Regarding to the EU treaties, the EUs membership is open to any European State which respects its values and is committed to promoting them. The values include respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights, equality, which include the rights of persons belonging to minorities. The Madrid European Council has revise the membership criteria and included a condition for the member country integration to appropriate of its a dministrative structures in December 1995. It is significant that European Community legislation is reflex in nation legislation, it is important that the revise is implement effective through appropriate administrative and juridical structures. Given the conditions setforth for membership of the EU it is unlikely that the majority of non-european countries would be able to meet the requirements and therefore it is probable that the majority of EU neighbouring countries would not qualifiy for EU membership if this option existed. Continued Enlargement of the EU Enlargement of the EU has been one of the its most successful foreign policies, providing economic streght to the union and allowing political influence in countries whishing to obtain membership. However enlargement has been the subject of opposition from its inception with French President Charles de Gaulle opposed to British membership fearing that this would lead to influence from the USA. French President Franco is Mitterand was initially unsupportive of the Greek, Spanish and Portuguese applications for consideration for membership, fearing that the countries would not be able to meet the membership criterea and he feared that the EU would just become a free trade area. The pemise for establishment of the EEC and its initial expansion was generally considered to be soley economic. The second and subsequent enlargements were more political as well as economical and included inclusion of the southern mediterranean countries and former soviet bloc countries which had adopted demoracy which the EU whished to encourage. Due to the recent large enlargements to the EU, the general public sentiment of a number of EU countries including the UK has turned against further expansion. Consequences of EU Enlargement The world is increasingly and dividing into trade blocs. Economic powerhouses such as the European Union, and the United States, have each established trade blocs with neighbouring countries and deny trade access to rivals. Exporting countries in Asia Pacific have also established trading blocs which prodiminatley concentrate on agricultural products. Free trade zones and trade blocs have the potential to create increased trade between the member countries and this may be seen as a positive. Trade blocs however may create protectionist markets and may actually hinder international trade. The main reason for increasing the number of member states of the EU is to establish a larger market combined with economic stability. This will offer companies the opportunity to trade in a larger market and reduce the trade barriers currently faced between EU and non EU members by increasing the number of EU members. Currently, EU is considered to be the most powerful global trading union. The creation of the European single currency adopted by the majority of EU member states has led to closer economic links. Not all member states have signed upto the single curren cy such as the UK which does not see the benefit of the single currency. The EU has demonstrated protectionist policies with regards to agriculture, as it appears to hold the ideal that the EU should remain self-sufficient in agriculture and therefore imposes limits on agricultural imports from non-EU countries. The European Union Trade Flow:exports $813bn, imports $801bn.The potential to trade with increased number countries with trade barriers removed, may result in increased trade for the current EU member states with positive economic affects. The inclusion of further states in European single currency, which removes the risk of exchange rate fluctuation for the member states which adopt the single currency, may either stabilise or destabilise the EU single currency. In the current world financial situation destabilsation is probably more likely. Enlargement of the EU to neighbouring countries may encourage democracy and adherence to EU legislation in the neighbouring coun tries, which inturn may improve security within the EU. Enlargement of the EU to neighbouring countries would increase the number of migrant workers able to travel to the existing EU member states. This may enhance the skill pool within the EU or could potentially swamp existing labour markets. Given the current security concerns the enlargement of the EU and the free travel of it members may increase insecurity with the EU countries. The need for international trade: 1. The need for exchange of capital, goods and services. 2. Import and exports a significant share of GDP. 3. Industrialisation, advanced transportation, globalisation, multinational organisations and outsourcing influence international trade. 4. Importing and exporting goods from factors of production. 5. The effects of comparative advantage. 6. The effects of absolute advantage e.g. crude oil not available except by import. 7. Supply and demand factors. 8. Cheaper Imports Benefits to companies within the EU 1. The free movement of goods 2. The free movement of persons 3. The free movement of services 4. The free movement of capital. CONCLUSION Enlargement of the EU would potentially bring economic benefits to the UK and the current other EU member states. However enlargement may bring further immigration, instability to the EU single currency and potentially further insecurity to the EU. If the EU does not consider further enlargent then competing trading blocs will continue to be formed which may encourage protectionism and may result in a negative impact on international trade. To negate this the EU or individual member states may have to adopt individual free trade agreements with competing trade blocs. The findings of a British Chamber of Commerce survey of over 7500 companies concluded that UK businesses value free trade with other EU states. They are however likely to be sceptical or unsure about the current level of integration in the EU and if it is beneficial to their prospects. The BCC survey covered small, medium and large companies relating to their type of trading relationship with other EU member states. The companies surveyed when questioned on the type of trading relationship they would like with Europe, over 50% of the companies surveyed expressed no opinion. The companies which did respond, 51% of the exporting companies favour a à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"free trade areaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢. Only 31% supported an à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"economic unionà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢. Over half (55%) of all companies which responded to the survey were unsure which trading relationship with Europe would be of most benefit to them. In summary it would appear that further enlargement of the EU would not appear to be favourable with British companies and free trade agreements with non EU countries would appear to be the preferred option. REFERENCE https://www.britishchambers.org.uk/press-office/press-releases/uk-businesses-wan t-more-free-trade-in-europe,-but-less-integration.html [accessed 4.1.15] https://www.revisionguru.co.uk/economics/blocsex.htm [accessed 3.1.15] https://www.revisionguru.co.uk/economics/blocsex.htm [accessed 3.1.15] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enlargement_of_the_European_Union [accessed 9.1.15] created/updated by: Raouf Nobeebux MSc MBCS CertED DipRSA

Friday, December 20, 2019

The Struggle of Divorce - 1040 Words

The Struggle of Divorce By definition, divorce is to break the marriage contract between oneself and one’s spouse by a judicial declaration dissolving a marriage in whole or in part. This is a result of tension which is a mental or emotional strain of a relationship between individuals. When going through the process of divorce, most of children’s opinions are left out of the process. This causes a great deal of tension for the children. Many children become very stressed during this process because they do not want their parents to separate (â€Å"The Truth About Children and Divorce†). The tension of divorce negatively affects children’s everyday life because the parents are not taking the child’s opinions into consideration leaving the children feeling left out and rejected. The decision of whether to stay together or divorce should be difficult. Children should have the opportunity to express their concerns on the matter. Most parents feel that staying is the best thing for the children but this is not true in all cases (â€Å"Contemplating Divorce†). It doesn’t matter if you as a parent remain in the marriage or not, if you and your spouse are fighting, then the child will suffer in some way (â€Å"Contemplating Divorce†). Being left out of the process has many effects on children. Many children â€Å"may become depressed, anxious, or become perhaps overly responsible kids who end up taking care of the parent instead of getting cared for by them† (â€Å"The Truth†). Many problems can ariseShow MoreRelatedStruggling with the Idea of Divorce in Constance Matthiessens Article, Harry Potter and Divorce Among the Muggles747 Words   |  3 Pages Divorce it may be an Option! New research into the effects of divorce is slowly bringing around a more common belief that with the appropriate actions the effects divorce has on children can be minimized. Constance Matthiessen writes the article Harry Potter and Divorce Among the Muggles which helps to give a more personal view point into some of the thought processes and ways a parent may struggle with the idea of a divorce. The desire to shield children fromRead MoreCounseling Should Make A Difference994 Words   |  4 PagesFall, 2014 Counseling Would Make a Difference According to Huff Post Divorce, Divorce Rate by State, per 1000 residents in America 12.3 of them get divorced. (Huff Post)With the divorce rate steadily climbing, I believe that every state should enact a divorce counseling law that requires married couples to go through counseling before being granted a divorce. This law can help married couples on the verge of divorce resolve their issues and build happier, more successful relationships. MarriageRead MoreThe Negative Effects of Divorce689 Words   |  3 PagesWith approximately 876,000 divorces per year in the United States alone, many people today are bringing up the controversial topic: should divorces be made harder to obtain? Many people think that it would be best if families stayed together, while others believe that an unhappy marriage is useless, and the dissolution of the marriage is the best choice. However, with current laws being the way they are, the process of getting a divorce is too simple, which is why people ten d to opt out of theirRead MoreDivorce and Well-Being: An Annotated Bibliography1528 Words   |  6 PagesAnnotated Bibliography Amato, Paul R. The Consequences of Divorce for Adults and Children. Journal of Marriage and the Family 62.4 (2000): 1269-87. This article talks about divorce-stress-adjustment perspective. The article review draws on research that goes all the way back to the 1990s and it basically answers the following questions: What factors mediate the effects of divorce on individual adjustment? Are these differences due to divorce or to selection? How do individuals from married and divorcedRead MoreThe Affects Of Divorce On Children887 Words   |  4 PagesWhat Are The Affects of Divorce on Children Divorce is a serious matter in this time and day. To children, divorce is their world shattering before their eyes. Some children try to see the positive aspects of divorce such as more family gatherings and more Christmas gifts, but most children seem to look at the negative aspects. Divorce affects children differently and they have their own way of coping with it. When divorce becomes an idea in a marriage, parents start to think aboutRead MoreWhy Divorce Is Not Be So Permanent? Divorce1590 Words   |  7 Pagespermanent? Divorce use to seem to be the absolute worst thing in the world but now unfortunately has taken the title of a â€Å"new norm.† According to the authors of Should I Keep Trying to Work It Out?: A Guidebook for Individuals and Couples at the Crossroads for Divorce (and Before), â€Å"In the United States, researchers estimate that 40%–50% of all first marriages, and 60% of second marriages, will end in divorce† (Hawkins). Every day in the media we hear new scandalous stories about divorce in HollywoodRead MoreEffects Of Divorce On Children And The Parents929 Words   |  4 Pageslives together. The decision to divorce was created to be able to release on spouse out of the relationship when the other broke their vows at a high enough offense. After the laws of divorce became much easier, the rates o f divorce became a lot higher as well. If the laws to divorce became more difficult, the levels of divorce wouldn t be as high and many would think a more before entering into marriage so quickly. In this paper, the affects of children in divorce vs two parent relationships willRead MoreThe Dissolution Of Marriage Is Often An Emotionally Draining1624 Words   |  7 Pagesparties involved. It is the demise of hopes and dreams that the couple once shared together. Divorce brings several changes to a once unified family. Additionally, the financial and legal disputes are extensive, along with mediation and custody schedules if children are involved. Divorce forces people into a new way of life, with the brokenness of the marriage that lingers on, long after it is dissolved. Divorce is not an easy decision to make, but many couples believe it is the only answer to get awayRead MoreMy Family As A Social And Cultural Construct963 Words   |  4 Pagesit seems. Sociologically analyzing m y family through the divorces that have occurred in my life makes it clear that divorce can have an impact on a variety of family dynamics, such as my parents and their jobs and domestic duties, the amount of involvement they have with their friends and family, as well as my financial dependence on my parents. Divorce is typically a very painful and emotional experience for all parties involved. Two divorces have occurred in my life, only one of which was recentRead MoreEffects Of Divorce On Children1106 Words   |  5 PagesDivorce incidents have jumped over 127% in the last sixteen years according to the article â€Å"Which Aspects of Divorce Affect Children† (Luepnitz 1). With the number increasing each year, over a million American children suffer the divorce of their parents. Divorce causes irreparable harm to all involved, but most especially to the children. Though it might be shown to benefit individuals, it causes a decrease in an individual’s quality of life and puts some on a downward trajectory from which they

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Self Esteem free essay sample

Cocker, who has worked on a series of self-esteem studies, found in her latest research that college students who based their self-worth on external sourcesincluding appearance, approval from others and even their academic performance?reported more stress, anger, academic problems, relationship conflicts, and had higher levels of drug and alcohol use and symptoms of eating disorders. For the study, Cocker surveyed more than 600 college freshmen three times during the yearbefore they left for college and at the end of the fall and spring semesters.Overall, students were found to have a high level of self-esteem. When students were asked about what they base their self-worth on, more than 80 percent said academic competence, 77 percent said their familys purport, 66 percent said doing better than others, and 65 percent?70 percent of which were womensaid their appearance. College students who based their self-worth on academic performance did not receive higher grades despite being highly motivated and studying more hours each week than students who did not rate academic performance as important to their self- esteem, Cocker found. We will write a custom essay sample on Self Esteem or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Students who based their self-worth on academic outcomes also were more likely to report conflicts with professors and rater stress. They feel motivated to do well in academics, but having their self-worth on the line doesnt help their performance, Cocker says. She speculates that students who base their self-worth on academic performance might become anxious and distracted and threatened by feelings of failure, and, as such, their anxiety might then interfere with their memory. Students who based their self-esteem on internal sourcessuch as being a virtuous errors or adhering to moral standardswere found to receive higher grades and less likely to use alcohol and drugs or to develop eating disorders. We really think that if people could adopt goals not focused on their own self- esteem but on something larger than their selfsuch as what they can create or contribute to othersthan they would be less susceptible to some of the negative effects of pursuing self-esteem, Cocker says. Its about having a goal that is bigger than the self.

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Osteoporosis Case Study free essay sample

She enjoys spending her time knitting, reading books, watching old movies, and writing letters to her grandchildren. She recently fell while stepping out of the bathtub. Although she did not fall very far or land very hard, she broke her femur. The doctor in the emergency room placed her leg in a cast and tested her bone mass density, finding that it was low. He told Ann that she might have osteoporosis, a disorder that makes the individual more susceptible to bone fractures. Upon hearing this, Ann replies that she is not surprised because her mother and aunt easily fractured their bones as they aged. She was surprised, however, that the hospital had recorded her height as 5’2† because she had always been 5’4† her whole life. 1. Based on this case study, what are four risk factors that are associated with osteoporosis? Based on this case study, the four risk factors are her gender, females are more likely to develop osteoporosis than men. We will write a custom essay sample on Osteoporosis Case Study or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The second risk factor is her age, she is 82 years old, as you get older the higher your chances are of getting this disease. The third risk factor is her race, caucasians are more likely to get this disease than asians or african americans. The last risk factor that she has is her family history, the fact that her mother and aunt both have osteoporosis makes her much more likely to get this disease. 2. Pretending that you are a doctor or nurse in the emergency room treating Ann, explain osteoporosis in terms that she would be able to easily understand. Include a brief description of bone breakdown and bone reformation, as well as how these rates are unequal in osteoporosis. (A few sentences will suffice. ) Osteoporosis is a bone disorder where your bones are breaking down faster than they are regenerating, this is making them very weak and brittle. It causes you to break or fracture a bone easily even with the slightest fall or pressure to a bone. It also takes more time for them to heal. Osteoclasts are breaking done down faster than the osteoblasts are forming it, in osteoporosis these rates are unequal. 3. How does estrogen affect bone formation and bone breakdown? Does this make Ann more or less susceptible to osteoporosis? Ann is 82 years old, meaning that she already experienced menopause, once a woman goes through menopause her estrogen levels drop. Estrogen helps maintain bone health meaning that Ann is more susceptible to osteoporosis since she does not have as much estrogen. 4. Which mineral is important for bone strength? What happens to bone density as a result of a deficiency in this mineral? How can Ann make sure she has enough of this mineral in her diet to help strengthen her bones and prevent another fracture? Calcium is an important mineral for bone strength. Bone density becomes brittle and easier to break. To make sure she has enough of this mineral in her diet she can take vitamins that contain calcium, drink milk or even eat yogurt. 5. How is it possible that Ann is shorter now that she was earlier in life? Do you think that regular height measurements could be used as a way to watch for early signs of osteoporosis? Ann is shorter now than she was earlier in life because she has osteoporosis. The bone is being broken down faster than it is able to regenerate it, this causes bones to become smaller and weaker, causing her to lose height. I think that regular height measurements could be used to watch out for early signs of osteoporosis because they can monitor height change.