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Essay On Bioelectricity

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Introduction: From the first discovery of bioelectricity by Luigi Galvani, whose assistant touched the sciatic nerve of a frog with a charged scalpel, causing movement of the frog’s leg (Orjan & Sverre 2008), to the use of Electrocardiography (ECG) and defibrillators to detect and cure abnormalities in heart rhythm, the significance of bioelectricity is escalating in the medical field. This essay first explores the theories involved in bioelectricity, followed by investigation of its medical application to demonstrate its significance in enhancing human well-being.

Definition of Bioelectricity: Everything we do is controlled and enabled by electrical signals around our bodies. It allows instantaneous response to the control messages from the brain. Michelle (2013, p.442) defines bioelectricity as “electric potentials and currents occurring within or produced by living organisms”. She further elucidates that bioelectricity refers to ion influx and outflux, whereas standard electricity refers to electron flow, which is different.

Concept of Bioelectricity: The source of bioelectricity inside human body is from electrochemical gradient. In the nervous system, the chemical …show more content…

In conclusion, use of bioelectricity in healthcare industry can be used to improve the well-being, and hence the quality of life of patients, while prolonging the lives of patients, and even save the lives of patient in critical condition. The use of bioelectricity can then “add patients’ lives to days” instead of “adding patients’ days to lives”. However, the mechanism of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) in alleviating symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease and Tourette Syndrome is still unclear. It is hoped that the mechanisms can be fully understood in the foreseeable future, with a wider application of bioelectricity in elevating patients’ quality, and quantity of

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