4^th Grade and Up

You Wouldn’t Want to Live Without Pain!

A pain-free world may sound wonderful, but if pain did not exist, our lives would be very dangerous.

Learn about the science behind how our bodies are able to experience pain, the ways pain helps us to stay safe, and the harsh reality of life before modern painkillers.

A life without pain seems great; no headaches, no stomachaches, or toothaches. But not feeling pain and not getting injured are two different things. Even if you couldn’t feel the pain, it doesn’t mean you’re not injured. Example: leaving your hand on a hot stove, you might not feel the pain, but your skin is still being burnt.

Pain is necessary. Pain is our body’s way to telling us something’s wrong, it teaches us to be careful and keeps us from doing dangerous things.

I already suspected that this next fact is true, and this book confirms it. Studies show that men and women experience pain differently. On average, women cope better with extreme pain than men do. This makes sense when you really think about it. Women are the ones who give birth after all.

You Wouldn’t Want to Live Without Vaccinations!

Sticking sharp needles into small children doesn’t sound like a nice thing to do – but sometimes you have to “be cruel to be kind”. Since the 18^thcentury, vaccinations have saved millions of people from deadly diseases.

Don’t refuse to get a vaccination – it’s one of the greatest benefits of the modern world.

With a simplistic explanation of what vaccines are and how they protect us, this is a book everyone needs to read, and I mean everyone.

I can understand being wary when the process was just starting out (when it was just blowing powdered scabs up your nose), but after years of research and testing today’s scientists have developed vaccines for 25 deadly diseases that are safe and work.

I never had a problem with what was/is in the vaccine, my problem was/is with the needle. As a kid I would throw complete fits anytime I had to get a shot. I only recently found a way to deal with the fear. I stick in my ear buds and listen to soothing music at a high volume. For anyone out there with a fear of needles, I highly recommend doing this. It doesn’t help with the pain, but it distracts your mind just enough to get you through it.

You Wouldn’t Want to Live Without Dentists!

Nowadays, going to the dentist is a safe and usually painless experience. But that wasn’t always the case. In past centuries, the only cure for a decayed tooth was to yank it out – without anesthetic, and with only the beating of a drum to numb your senses and drown out your screams.

Read on, if you dare – and learn how lucky we are to live in modern times.

I still don’t partically enjoy going to the dentist, but after reading this book, I appreciate modern dentistry a lot more. Thousands of years ago, dental ‘remedies’ fell into two categories: painful and ‘ummm…what?’. Painful treatments included drilling hole, using red-hot wire to cut away infected gums, and metal gripping tools to rip out rotten teeth. The ‘ummm…what?’ remedies included putting a dead mouse in your mouth, spitting into a frog’s mouth, and sucking on a caterpillar.

This book includes top tips on keeping your teeth healthy and I found two that are really helpful.

This weeks’ Weird but True Fact about Pain, Vaccinations and an Odd Toothache Remedy

A study found that saying “ow” can help you tolerate pain better.

Coughing while you get a shot can make it hurt less.

Some people used to believe kissing a donkey could relieve a toothache.