Introduction

Have you ever wondered why we have stomach cramps? The causes behind cramps vary from as simple as dehydration, to bacteria in your intestines that result in diverse levels of pain. How is one to distinguish a diagnosis, when pain develops in that area?

The Task 

In order to be able to differentiate between different cramps, you need to understand the different types and symptoms of cramps. By learning about some types of cramps, you will be able to determine the differences and hopefully find a diagnosis for each of the examples.

Using the websites listed below, you will match each of the examples with a different diagnosis.

The Process 

To accomplish the task, follow these steps:

1. First you will follow each link to learn more about different types of cramps.
2. Then you will read about each of your friends.
3. Once you have read everything, use the information from the links to make a diagnosis for each of your friends.
4. Present your answer in the form of a report. Your answer should include: Each persons' name, the name of the type of cramps they each have, and what caused the cramps, and why you believe it is that certain type of cramp.
5. You will work alone.

Jacob

Jonas

Karen

On the night before her big Math test, Karen was having trouble falling asleep. She tossed and turned all night, felt constant discomfort in her stomach and she was consistently going to the bathroom. the pain in her stomach would not go away and she felt nauseous and very sweaty.

Matt

For Matt's birthday, his mother decided to cook him his favorite dish, chili con carne and cheesecake for dessert. After supper, Matt felt very full and tired, so he decided to lie down on the couch. Not too long after, he felt like his stomach was on fire and every time he burped he could smell the chili from his breath. His burning stomach was starting to make him sweat and he felt like he was going to vomit.

Sara

It’s the 15th of the month, and Sara is aggressively rocking herself in the kitchen with a sadistic look in her eyes.  Her husband tells her that he was called into work because of an emergency, but he’s really gone as far as he can from her.  He’s afraid…really afraid. Do you think it’s a bad case of gas…or something far worse? 

	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4	Score
Students can make a diagnosis	5 or more wrong diagnosis	3 or 4 wrong diagnosis	1 or 2 wrong diagnosis	All diagnosis are correct
Students can explain the reason behind each diagnosis	No causes or reasons for the diagnosis are included or they are not related to it at all.	Some causes and reasons for the diagnosis are included and/or are related to it.	Most causes and reasons for the diagnosis are included and related to it.	All causes and reasons for the diagnosis are included and related to it.
Students present their report in an organized manner	No report was done or most information is missing and no orgaiztaion is evident.	Some needed information is missing from the report and it is not presented in an organized manner.	Identification, diagnosis and reasons are included in the report but not presented in an organized manner.	Identification, diagnosis and reasons are included in the report and presented in an organized manner.
Timeliness	More than 5 days late	3 to 5 days late	One or two days late	Report handied in on time

Now that you have completed this work you know a lot more about the different types of cramps, their symptoms and the reasons behind them. Next time you feel some pain in your stomach you may be able to do yuor own diagnosis, or find out that you have other things yet to learn about cramps!

Background:

http://www.webmaster-tool.co.uk/ 

Images:

http://www.reneelevy.com/Dessins/DejaPasseAng/anxiety.jpg

http://www.seykota.com/tribe/FAQ/2003_Aug/Aug_20-31/anxiety.jpg

http://www.panicbuster.com/grfx/anxiety.gif 

http://www.jwolfe.clara.net/Humour/NonMedPicts/Stress-ConfusionChoke.gif 

http://www.sla.purdue.edu/medical/diarrhea.gif 

http://www.petscorner.com.my/images/diarrhea.gif 

http://www.fewings.ca/2004/hires/040512Gas.jpg

http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/swi0024l.jpg 

http://kidshealth.org/kid/index.jsp