Friday, October 16, 2015

Everything You Need To Know About Nicotine Withdrawal

 

Majority of individuals who smoke know the problems which come with quitting tobacco use. If you are one of them, nicotine is the problem. Nicotine drug is responsible for up to 90% of addiction among cigarette smokers. It makes your brain and body to be dependent on it making quitting nearly impossible. If you attempt to quit, you will experience adverse effects of nicotine withdrawal. After quitting, the symptoms starts to worsen and gets unbearable after only a week or two. To feel better, most smokers slip up and start smoking again.

There are many common symptoms of nicotine withdrawal among tobacco users. They normally show up at different times after quitting cigarette use but they vary with each smoker. For instance, be sure to experience nausea, headache, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, drowsiness, sleeplessness, lack of concentration, anxiety as well as depression. Nicotine withdrawal also causes, a slower heart rate, restlessness, hunger, weight gain, high level of irritation and anger. These symptoms normally start showing up immediately after quitting and as days progress, the effects gets brutal. With proper adherence to a particular quit smoking program, the symptoms may be easy to manage.

Although you might have managed to quit smoking and the common withdrawal effects have ceased, there are other symptoms that may still cause cigarette cravings. These are the triggers, which are caused by certain reminders like people, places, adverts and items which only make your mind think more about taking a few sticks of cigarettes. The process of quitting smoking is very uncomfortable but not dangerous. The danger part is the sadness and depression symptoms of withdrawal which may need serious professional and medical assistance. To manage the triggers, be sure to be busy and stay away from smoking peers and smoking zones.

Medication and therapies are possible for curbing nicotine withdrawal effects. Different types of prescriptions may help you stay smoke-free for good but it needs other quitting methods and personal effort. For instance, Bupropion SR and Varenicline pills are prescription medications with no nicotine on them. They help lessen the effects of withdrawal as well as the cravings to smoke. Nicotine Replacement Therapies may also assist to stop smoking. Using nicotine patches, gum, spray, lozenge and inhalers, serves to replace nicotine from cigarettes. Pregnant women and individuals with health conditions and diseases need thorough consultation or prescription from an expert doctor.

Friday, September 4, 2015

Causes Of Depression In Women


Depression is a mental health disorder affecting both men and women. However, cases of depression in women and men differ throughout the different stages of development. Before the onset of adolescence, there's virtually no difference between the rate of depression cases in boys and girls. However, things start to change at the onset of adolescence.

Depression in Adolescence

Between age 11 to 13 years, depression cases in girls increase significantly. By the time a girl is 15 years old, she is twice as likely to have experienced more cases of depression than her male counterparts. This can be blamed on the changes in roles and expectations, which may occur at adolescence. Some of the stresses adolescents may face include; emerging sexuality, forming an identity, separating from parents, hormonal, intellectual and physical changes along with the responsibility of making decisions for the first time. These stresses are not the same for males and females but they are often associated with depression in girls. Studies have shown that female students in high school have higher rates of anxiety disorder, depression, adjustment disorders and eating disorders than male students, who are much more likely to develop disruptive behavior disorder than girls.

Depression in Adulthood

It is widely known that a lot of stress can cause depression. Unfortunately, stress increases with age. Adults face different types of stresses, which may differ in severity from one person to another. Studies have shown that the highest rates of depression are experienced by both men and women who are either separated or divorced, and lowest among married couples, but it's still higher in women than in men. Overt marital disputes and lack of intimacy are also known to affect the level of depression in women and men. On the other hand, the ability of a married couple to confide in each other can help to reduce depression.

Depression During Pregnancy, Menstrual Cycle and Menopause

Depression in women may also be caused by women's reproductive events, such as menstrual cycle, infertility, post-pregnancy period and menopause. This can be blamed on hormonal changes, which may alter the brain's chemistry and affect mood.

Depression is a serious mental health issue that needs to be dealt with the moment signs and symptoms are noticed.

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Monday, July 20, 2015

Understanding Liver Cirrhosis And Cancer


The cases of liver cancer in the world have been on the rise for the last few years. A damaged liver that may be caused by chronic hepatitis B and C or heavy alcohol intake is actually the number one cause of liver cancer. In the US alone, 70% of people who develop liver cancer do so as a result of Liver cirrhosis. In simple terms, cirrhosis is often regarded as an internal scarring of the liver and is caused by a gradual damage of the liver over a certain period of time.

Causes of Liver Cirrhosis

The biggest cause of liver cirrhosis is extensive use of alcohol and in some cases chronic hepatitis. Immediately the liver becomes replaced by scar tissue, reversing cirrhosis is virtually impossible. According to medical research, people who have cirrhosis have a 40x chance of getting liver cancer compared to the ordinary person who has no cirrhosis. Research also shows that out of all the people who have liver cirrhosis, 3 will actually develop cancer each year. 70 -- 90% of all reported case of liver cancer occurs on livers that are already cirrhotic. Based on these statistics, it is clear that the number one cause of liver cancer in the world at the moment is liver cirrhosis.

Cirrhosis Signs and Symptoms

Based on the danger liver cirrhosis can cause, it is important to know some of the symptoms associated with it. Here are some of the major symptoms of cirrhosis:

• Increased fatigue

• Increased bruising and bleeding

• Loss of appetite and nausea

• Massive weight loss

• Decreased mental functions

• Fluid collection in the abdomen and the legs

• Increased yellow discoloration on the eyes and the skin

• Chronic Right side abdominal pain

If you feel you are experiencing some of these symptoms, you may need to go and see a doctor for proper diagnosis.

Liver cancer is becoming a huge concern in the world. However, based on statistics, it is evident that one of the most effective ways of dealing with liver cancer is to prevent liver cirrhosis.

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Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Help To Quit Using Medical Or Recreational Marijuana


Quitting marijuana use is not an easy task for most people. Study shows that 100,000 people living in the U.S. seek help quitting weed and pot every year, and not all of them are successful. In order to properly learn how to stop using pot or weed, professional help is needed.

Medical Help

While treatment from a medical facility isn't always needed in order to quit smoking weed, the evaluation from a professional can be a good first step towards helping break the habit. Long term marijuana use will have both physical and psychological effects on a person. Having a professional doctor look into such cases can help determine whether the patient is having withdrawal symptoms, a mental illness or other medical conditions when trying to quit pot.

Most people abusing more than one type of drug will have more difficulty quitting. A qualified doctor will be able to evaluate issues that exist or those that may arise in the future when a patient is trying to stop substance abuse.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Study shows that not every patient experiences withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit weed. The same also goes for chronic users who have been abusing  for an extended period of time. However, there are those who will experience one or more withdrawal symptoms based on levels of addiction, lifestyle and how their individual bodies react to treatment. Some of these symptoms include; sleep disorders, headaches, sensitivity to light, depression, anxiety, paranoia, aggression and irritability among others. Most of these symptoms will be experienced in one to three days after stopping the substance abuse.

Treatment

While there is currently no medication for marijuana use, aids from a professional doctor can help patients quit smoking. In most cases support groups, drug programs and therapy will be recommended in helping those with substance abuse problems. In order for a patient to successfully quit smoking weed and pot, they will need to be surrounded by people facing the same problems, where they can share their own experiences and eventually come up with a solution to the problem. Support groups will help these patients understand that they are not alone and motivate them to quit using marijuana and other drugs.

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

What To Expect From Cocaine Withdrawal


Suddenly stopping cocaine usage after long-term abuse will usually result in the emergence of acute withdrawal symptoms. Cocaine withdrawal can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Most cases are resolved within 24 hours, although some people experience lingering issues for months afterward. This condition is called post-acute withdrawal syndrome or PAWS. Refraining from the substance causes people to experience the following:

Intense Cocaine Cravings


When the body becomes dependent on a substance, there comes a constant yearning for it until it becomes an all-consuming thought. It is a physical need, a void that begs to be satisfied. Fortunately, this feeling passes and weakens with time as the body adapts to its absence.

Mood Swings During Cocaine Withdrawal


A person on withdrawal will experience mood swings throughout the day. Using cocaine tends to make one hyper and euphoric. This high is part of what makes it so addictive. Once the high subsides, the body crashes into the other extremes, such as depression, irritability and anxiousness. These feelings can be intense. Family and friends must understand why it's happening and stay supportive.


Fatigue While Coming Down From Cocaine


Acute withdrawal is often characterized by an extreme feeling of fatigue. This is probably due to the hyperactivity that comes along with the drug. All of the high-octane activities that were done while cocaine was in effect can lead to weariness. Being tired is natural and will pass as soon as enough sleep has been had and ample food has been consumed.

Sleep Problems During Cocaine Withdrawal


One stumbling block to getting rest is that withdrawal sometimes makes it difficult to fall asleep. People may lie in bed all night trying to doze off, yet their agitated minds are continuing to work overtime. Others are able to sleep for a while, but bad dreams may wake them up prematurely.

Increased Appetite After Quitting Cocaine


Many people have also reported an increase in appetite following their decision to stay away from the drug. This is probably due to the lack of proper nutrition during the course of the addiction. The body is now trying to replenish its store of nutrients after all the abuse.

Friday, May 8, 2015

Is Molly Addictive?



Is The Drug “Molly” Addictive?

First created in a laboratory in Europe in 1912, Molly, also known as MDMA, is a drug popular with the rave and club communities because of its mind-altering properties that give a different view of the world and sense of increased intimacy. Psychotherapists used it in the 1970s for therapeutic purposes.



Derived from methamphetamine, Molly is the pure form of MDMA and is usually seen as a powdered crystal. It is sometimes cut with ketamine, BZP or caffeine. Pure MDMA is thought to be less addictive that other forms of the drug.

Because of its high potential for abuse, Molly is a schedule I substance. Although not everyone develops chemical dependency, psychological cravings, which define addiction, can be high. The drug alters chemical responses of neurotransmitters in the brain, which hinder communications between neurons. It also releases oxytocin, which accounts for the increased feelings of intimacy when taking Molly. People do not, as a rule, die from taking Molly, however is physical effect on the body can be seen on SPECT images of the brain.

As an illegal recreational drug, Molly is not regulated and thus, the level needed to become addicted unknown. Similarly, there is no known taper that helps in withdrawal, making it difficult to determine the speed with which someone can become addicted. Additionally, users react to it in different ways. However, simply using Molly over time can lead to addiction and a negative relationship with the drug, particularly if the user or his or her family has a tendency toward drug or alcohol dependency. Molly addiction can also occur from seeking out the drug to self-medicate and mitigate the lack of pleasure in life.

Signs of Molly Addiction

Chemical dependence and Molly addiction are clinically different conditions although they may seem similar to users. Signs of Molly addiction include:
• Using the drug to maintain normal function
• Seeking out Molly simply to take it
• The drug disrupts your life
• Rationalizing usage

If you have further questions about Molly addiction or are worried about the effects of addiction for yourself or a loved one, contact a certified drug rehabilitation counselor for help.

Saturday, April 18, 2015

Teens Abusing New Drug Opana


Opana abuse is on the rise and the shocking bit is that teenagers are more affected than any other age group. Moreover, it is readily available in our home cabinets and the fact that it's not illegal makes it easily accessible to teens who don't realize its dangers.

Opana is clinically referred to as oxymorphine and it is a drug with intoxicating qualities similar to morphine. Opana abuse among teenagers has become a huge problem largely because of the availability of the drug in our homes. It only takes the prescription note in the medicine cabinet to give a naïve teenager the go ahead. Moreover, the drug has no odor thus is easily concealable and can be smuggled around.

Unsuspecting teenagers continue to abuse Opana together with other intoxicants like beer. Other teens will crush the pills into powder and snort them like cocaine or lick them to deliver an ever greater rush. This is a prerequisite to an overdose disaster and sadly so many young lives have been lost to a problem that could have been corrected earlier.

But there is hope, and it is possible to see the early signs of  Opana abuse in your teenager.  Your teenager will start exhibiting secretive behaviors like not revealing their whereabouts during the day, locking their rooms whenever they are inside, not allowing you go through their school bag or check their room and generally not telling you they have a problem. They will also change their friends, acquiring a new company that will help them abuse the drug together or get their daily supply.

Opana abuse has side effects like any other drug and pretty soon your son or daughter will start dressing shaggily, not comb their hair and generally look like a drug abuser. The language changes as well and pretty soon you will start hearing slang words never heard before, especially those referring to drugs like 'stop signs', the O Bomb, pink ladies or the 'blues'.

Opana abuse is on the rise and it's about time you protected your teenager from this drug net. Follow us for more tips on drug abuse and how to protect your child from it.