Category Archives: Addiction Courses

Addiction causes Hypothyroidism

November 17, 2014

Addiction causes Hypothyroidism

Addiction is a host of many disease, in itself it is a vice, no a jail that, many people find too hard escaping from.  Addiction can host many diseases because it debilitates the neurotransmitters or in the affects how they work one of the diseases that can be caused by addiction is hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism- this is a condition in which the thyroid glands fail to produce certain crucial hormones or produces the hormones but in limited quantity. Hypothyroidism is a disease that commonly affect Women who are 60 years and above of age. At an early stage it may not show any symptom but when it stays for a long time without getting treating then such symptoms as joint pain, heart disease and obesity may occur.  Hypothyroidism affects the chemical balances in the body.

The thyroid gland is located at the base of the neck just over the collarbone and is responsible for producing hormones which manage protein production and oxygen use by the body cells. The most important role of the thyroid gland is that they help in metabolism in the body.  It also serves another purpose which is to distribute calcium in the body.

Hypothyroidism

Addiction causes hypothyroidism

Several studies have linked addiction to hypothyroidism. These studies have found out that consumption of opium derivatives can affect the function of hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Even though some studies have rejected the effect of alcohol and heroine consumption on hypothalamic-pituitary axis or on T3 and T4 levels some other studies have reported different results and showed decreased rate of hypothalamic-pituitary axis function in alcohol and heroin addicts. A scientist Pfeiffer showed that endogenous opioids including β-endorphin, enkephalins and dynorphins and also opiate receptors have an important role in regulation of several neuroendocrine functions. It is a known fact that opioids inhibit luteinizing hormone (LH) and thyrotropin secretion in rats. Opioids control neuroendocrine processes in hypothalamic level through releasing hypothalamic releasing or inhibiting factors.

Addiction to drugs of abuse affects hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and body hormonal system. Morphine particularly increases hormones such as adrenalin, noradrenaline, corticosterone and glucagon and can reduce the activity of hypothalamic-pituitary axis, however in relation to alterations of T3, T4 and especially TSH levels following morphine consumption, different and sometimes controversial results have been reported. In some research study reports it has been reported decrease of TSH level but no alterations in T3 and T4 levels during morphine consumption. In other researches there has been reported decrease of TSH, T3 and T4 levels following short-term consumption of morphine. One particular study that was done in Pakistan has it that opium consumption leads to total T3 increase and total T4 decrease.

The controversies that are around opium effect on hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis left a gap that a more recent study strived to fill. The most recent study sought to investigate alterations of thyroid function hormones among opium addicts compared with non-addicts.

Consuming different types of opiates will lead to different effect on hypothalamic-pituitary axis and thyroid functions. For example, it has been reported that when a person consumes buprenorphine and heroin consumption it will lead to increased thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). In a study, no difference in TBG level has been observed between heroin- dependents and normal subjects. According to another study, those who received methadone maintenance therapy showed normal level of TSH and T3 responses to thyrotropin-releasing hormone administration. This present study emphasizes the places a particular emphasis on the effects of drugs of abuse on the thyroid and encourages doctors to pay attention to the thyroids as they take care of the entire endocrine system.

This is how addiction causes hypothyroidism. Drugs of abuse such as Opiates exert their effects on hypothalamic-pituitary axis through K-receptors located in hypothalamus and their peripheral effect on liver leads to increase in production of TBG and decrease of thyroid hormones metabolism. However, the involved mechanism causing such alterations in liver has not been known.

Addiction induced depression causes hypothyroidism

It has also been noted that depression has a link to hypothyroidism, depression and addiction are more of synonyms, and depression can either be a cause or a result of addiction and vice versa. When you have a mild depression, it is better to seek medical advice as the problem may affect your thyroid. Hypothyroidism may not have very severe effects on a person but when coupled with depression then all may be very difficult to deal with.

When it comes to depression then all substances of addiction come to mind, the fact is that when a person is addicted to any substance one of the side effects of addiction is depression and that isn’t safe for thyroid health and may lead to hypothyroidism.

However there are still some controversies on this topic and therefore further studies with more general evaluation of endocrine system and hypothalamic-pituitary axis and TBG are recommended to recognize the effects of opium and other substances abuse. The subject of addiction is not a light matter, many people are suffering from irreversible effects of this vice and so whenever possible its effects should be tamed for better health.

Finally, Here at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center we are committed to availing help to addicts by availing some of the most integrative approaches to healing an addict. We advocate for natural healing to all kinds of addiction. In case you are struggling with addiction just call on Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for help.

Addiction causes Hypothyroidism

 

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Healing Addictions, Depression, Anxiety and Insomnia with Nervine Herbs

November 17, 2014

Healing Addictions, Depression, Anxiety and Insomnia with Nervine Herbs

Some of the ills that have hurt society for a long time are addiction, depression, anxiety and insomnia. Today these ills have crippled our society and endangered people’s lives and to be honest these are diseases that many are struggling with even now but have proved to be a hard nut to crack. Even the standard pharmaceutical drugs have not been very successful in dealing with all these ills. Despite the gap that exists many people are still stuck in the use of standard medications that do not offer much relief in the end of it all. I have written a lot about addiction and so most of my readers are well aware of what it entails but the rest of these ills on our topic today need a definition so we may begin on right foot.

Definition of terms

Nervine Depression- This is a mood disorder that causes endless feelings of sadness and loss of interest in any kind of activity. This disorder affects how you relate to everything around you and in the end of it all you will fail to attend to your normal duties as it causes emotional and physical problems, it will control your thoughts and your behavior. It’s accompanied by a feeling of worthlessness and this explains why most people who commit suicide do so because of depression. Contrary to what people think depression is more than just a feeling of ‘lows’ that you can easily escape from. It requires long term treatment to be fought effectively.

Anxiety- this is an emotional disorder that is characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure. People who suffer anxiety do have intrusive thoughts, nagging thoughts that may lead them to avoid accomplishing other things because of worry. They will also show physical symptoms that may include but not limited to rapid heartbeat, trembling and even sweating. Just like depression it needs to be attended to medically failure to which it may culminate into other more severe health problems.

Insomnia- this is a sleeping disorder that is characterized by difficulty in falling asleep and maintaining a sound sleep long enough to refresh a person’s mind. The body and mind needs a rest from all activities and sleep is the perfect avenue for that to be achieved without which may lead to variety of health problems. Chronic insomnia needs medical intervention to be cured.

These three disorders closely related to addiction since most people in their bid to self-medicate turn to drugs of abuse that eventually they become addicted to. An addict will also suffer from these disorders, depression, anxiety and insomnia are either a cause or an effect of addiction and it is continuous cycle that needs healing to be broken.

What are Nervine herbs?

Nervine herbs are herbs for the nervous system. The nervous system is composed of all nerve tissues in the body.  The nerve tissues are responsible for receipt and transmission of stimuli to nerves centers to initiate specific responses. The central nervous system (CNS) is composed of the brain and the spinal cord serves a great role coordination of all the nerve impulses unfortunately use of certain drugs of addiction may interfere with the way the nervous system works hence maim the receipt and transmission of nerve signals to initiate desired responses.

The nervine herbs can be divided into three categories: nervine relaxants, nervine stimulants, and nervine tonics. Each of these categories serves a crucial purpose as they facilitate whole person healing and not just treating the symptoms. The nervine tonics serve to strengthen and feed the nervous system. In case of any debility it corrects and restores the normal functioning of the nervous system. The nervine relaxants work as the natural nerve tranquilizers and be used instead of the orthodox tranquilizers while the nervine stimulants work as direct stimulants to the nervous system and they unlike the common stimulants are free from any side effects and offer longer lasting effects. They can be very effective in managing stress, depression and fatigue.

Nervine herbs effective in treating addiction, insomnia, anxiety and depression

Nervine The nervine herbs have been used for a long time in healing of addiction, insomnia, anxiety and depression traditionally and are safe and effective. Despite their effectiveness there is little scientific literature about the nervine herbs and hence of scientific research ought to be done to verify how effective they really are. Few researches have been done but in most of them the findings were very positive. In one research that was done by the French the effectiveness of the nervine herbs in healing conditions that affect the nervous system was applauded. In the French study where 264 patients suffering from either of the above disorders participated 50% showed positive results on the Hamilton anxiety scale. The reduction shown on the HAM-A scale showed how these herbs are effective. The study used a nervine herb known as hawthorn scientifically known as crataegus oxyacantha.

The problem that most people suffering from these disorders face with the standard pharmaceutical products is that none of the pharmaceutical products focus on repairing and restoring the functions of the damaged nervous system. When the nervous system has become dependent on drugs of addiction to be able to send signals and initiate responses any treatment that fails to rectify this will fail in healing the person. The nervine herbs therefore work as a whole person healing approach that uproots the disorder from its roots. Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center is committed to availing integrative care to all addicts and victims of nervous system debility disorders call on her at Myrtle beach, South Carolina for help.

Healing Addictions, Depression, Anxiety and Insomnia with Nervine Herbs

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Addiction and metabolic Disorders

November 16, 2014

Addiction and metabolic Disorders

Remedies-For-ThyroidMost of the time when a person becomes addicted to a drug he will begin to feel sick, generally an addict is never in good health and that is why most of them may have certain strange behaviors such as irritability and even slurred speech. The reason for this is that when a person takes drugs that are rewarding in nature he will be compelled to increase the doses day by day so as to get the euphoric feeling they seek in drugs. Even the drugs that are used in pain management like the opiates have specified dosages beyond the patient will not only get addicted to the drug but will suffer other diseases that come with overdose of such drugs. Drugs of abuse majorly affect the neurotransmitter and this will be extended to the central nervous system (CNS) which is composed of the brain and the spinal cord. The brain is the engine that drives all the activities in the body of every human being but these drugs will interfere with chemical balances in the brain making it unable to perform normally. In some instance even the neurotransmitters that work to transmit signals so as to provoke certain necessary responses may get debilitated hence everything will be messed up.

Researchers have shown that substance addiction may be linked to metabolic disorders. Individuals with substance addictions may very likely be suffering from an assortment of one or more metabolic disorders such as hypoglycemia, hypoadrenia, hypothyroidism, Vitamin B deficiency, mineral deficiencies, liver malfunction, and depression.

Serious maladaptive patterns, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, hypoglycemia, and candida albicans, have always been common among drug addicts and alcoholics.

Addiction and hypothyroidism

It has been established that hypothyroidism and addiction are linked. Addiction to drugs of abuse affects hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and body hormonal system. Morphine particularly increases hormones such as adrenalin, noradrenaline, corticosterone and glucagon and can reduce the activity of hypothalamic-pituitary axis, however in relation to alterations of T3, T4 and especially TSH levels following morphine consumption, different and sometimes controversial results have been reported. In some research study reports it has been reported decrease of TSH level but no alterations in T3 and T4 levels during morphine consumption. In other researches there has been reported decrease of TSH, T3 and T4 levels following short-term consumption of morphine. One particular study that was done in Pakistan has it that opium consumption leads to total T3 increase and total T4 decrease. Several studies that have been done on this topic make us certain to say the link between these two exist.

Addiction and hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is a condition in which the blood sugar level becomes low. This condition is mostly caused by insulin resistance and is termed a pre-diabetes condition. However it may take twenty years and above for a pre diabetes to be full blown diabetes. Drug addiction has been linked to hypoglycemia .Alcohol consumption and addiction goes hand in hand with hypoglycemia. And scientists opine that it is this condition that is often responsible for many of the debilitating symptoms that recovering alcoholics, and other addicts experience, like anxiety, depression, shaking and nervousness, crankiness, irritability, mental confusion, uncontrollable hunger, weakness, impaired concentration, mood swings, fatigue and more. Hypoglycemia can even trigger relapse in a recovering addict since  as the blood sugar level floors so do the neurotransmitters and this will cause even more craving for a substance of abuse that maybe rewarding. Addiction basically is caused by imbalances in the neurotransmitters and therefore if there is to be a recovery then the neurotransmitters must be restored.

Alcohol is sugar, the most refined form of sugar when you are addicted to alcohol you will be eating more refined sugar that will increase the blood sugar level to abnormal highs, this will trigger production of more insulin to restore the normal blood sugar level, when this happens the insulin will work on the high sugar content reducing its level plus the level of neurotransmitters and this causes hypoglycemia.

Addiction and liver malfunctions

The liver is a vital organ in the body since it is the sieve through which all that gets in the body is filtered. It is charged with the responsibility of detoxification. The liver removes chemicals from the blood turning them into harmless chemicals and then either secretes them with the bile for elimination in the stool, or secretes them back into the blood where they then are removed by the kidneys and eliminated in the urine. Drug addiction will result in a burdened liver since drugs of abuse are highly toxic especially they have to be taken in higher doses for the feelings of euphoria to be reached.

Hypothyroidism

The drugs have chemicals that may be dangerous to the liver itself causing harm to the crucial organ. Drugs may induce liver hepatitis a disease characterized by swelling of the liver. Long-term consumption of alcohol also causes liver cirrhosis.

Addiction and mineral deficiency

Addiction to drugs also causes depletion of crucial minerals in the body. Some of the crucial minerals that are depleted by long-term use of drugs and alcohol include magnesium. Magnesium deficiency is mostly caused by long-term use of alcohol. Alcohol causes wastage of magnesium through urination. Other ways through which alcohol contributes to magnesium deficiency include malnutrition, gastrointestinal losses, phosphate deficiency, acidosis and/or alkalosis, vitamin D deficiency and free fatty acidemia associated with alcohol withdrawal.

Finally, Here at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center we are committed to availing help to addicts by availing some of the most integrative approaches to healing an addict. We advocate for natural healing to all kinds of addiction. Call on Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for help.

Addiction and metabolic Disorders

 

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Low Estrogen and Progesterone Causes Sugar Craving and Addiction

November 16, 2014

Low Estrogen and Progesterone Causes Sugar Craving and Addiction

Estrogens are hormones that play important roles in matters of sexual and l and reproductive development in women. In most cases they are referred to as female sex hormones. Estrogen refers to all of the chemically similar hormones in the women which are estrone, estradiol and estriol. Contrary to what many people think estrogen and progesterone hormones play other crucial roles other than the sexual purpose that they are well known for. Apart from their sexual purpose they can also be useful in performing the following purposes that are equally crucial.

The estrogen hormone helps in fighting depression in women by boosting the levels of serotonin, a boost in the levels of serotonin improves the quality of sleep. Estrogen also increases GABA which are crucial as they help in calming the neurotransmitters.

Another crucial function of the estrogen hormones is that they responsible for good mood in women. They increase the levels of endorphins that help women to feel good. When the levels of estrogen go down the feelings of sadness and hopelessness will find their way in a woman and therefore it is necessary for a woman to stress free.

Estrogen hormone is also very important in bone formation and strengthening, it works with vitamin D and other mineral calcium in developing bones that are strong enough. As the level of estrogen declines women will begin to have weak bones and that explains why women in menopause are most likely to suffer osteoporosis.

Estrogen hormone also plays a role in blood clotting, maintaining the strength and thickness of the vaginal wall and the urethral lining, vaginal lubrication and a host of other bodily functions. It affects skin, hair, mucous membranes and the pelvic muscles. The hormone also affects the brain and literally estrogen rules a woman’s life.

Estrogen

Just like estrogen Progesterone also plays very crucial roles in our lives. This hormone is present in both men and women but it is more dominant in women than in men. This hormone helps in promoting healthy sleep, it also balances the levels of estrogen in the body. Progesterone has a natural calming effect and is a natural diuretic and antidepressant. When the levels of progesterone drop it will cause insomnia and lead to bad moods as well.

These hormones are produced in the ovaries and are available in the highest levels in women at puberty but may also be produced in lower levels in fat cells and the adrenal glands.  During menopause the production of these hormones stops and that explains why women in menopause have lower levels of estrogen.

A fall in levels of these hormones Causes sugar cravings

Some women will feel sugar cravings escalating in perimenopause periods in their forties, this may be caused by a fall in the levels of estrogen and progesterone and estrogen levels. On DR. Oz show Jacob Teitelbaum, MD opines that earlier in a woman’s life the cravings for sugar are likely to manifest as premenstrual syndrome. This is often associated with lower levels of progesterone and estrogen in them that may be accompanied by severe irritability that happens in during the periods. In his article he explains that when a woman hits mid-forties the levels of estrogen will drop. The drop in estrogen and progesterone causes deficiency of the hormones in the body and this causes increased craving for sugar. Other symptoms of low progesterone and estrogen fatigue, moodiness and insomnia as well as decreased vaginal lubrication.

According to Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, it is not only progesterone and estrogen deficiency that causes increased craving for sugar but  testosterone deficiency associated with andropause can also cause sugar craving along with other severe problems in men. Depression, decreased libido, decreased erectile function, high blood pressure, weight gain, diabetes or high cholesterol can suggest testosterone deficiency. This problem can be solved by supplementing testosterone.

He reveals that blood testing for hormonal deficiency may not reveal the problem when still mild and manageable, it can only work in severe conditions that will leave a person debilitated for long time. He advises that it is very essential to eliminate sugar addiction that is caused by estrogen, progesterone or testosterone.

Treatment

EstrogenThere are natural therapies that can be used in restoring the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body and calm the sugar craving and break the addiction. These natural therapies may include edamane and black cohosh also known as remifemin, they are very effective in treating estrogen deficiency syndrome more effectively and naturally. In case the drop in level is more severe then prescription of natural bioidentical hormones can help.

Dr. Teitelbaum advices that using non-bioidentical hormones may not to be so safe and therefore encourages the use of the natural bioidentical hormones to help patients with low estrogen and progesterone levels hence  break their sugar addiction and stop the craving. He advises that post menstrual syndromes characterized by increased sugar craving can be greatly reduced by taking vitamin B6 200 mg a day, magnesium 200 mg a day, and Evening Primrose oil 3,000 mg a day for 3 months. Then the dose can often be lowered. Bioidentical progesterone can also help in severe cases that persist after three months of the nutritional treatments above.

When you use the natural bioidentical hormones, your metabolism will be improved and your cravings for sugar will stop. With improved metabolism you will reap additional benefits like loss of weight hence a more satisfying life. Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center is committed to availing integrative care to all addicts call on her at Myrtle beach, South Carolina for help.

Low Estrogen and Progesterone Causes Sugar Craving and Addiction

 

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Testosterone Replacement Therapy as Part of Addiction Recovery

November 15, 2014

Testosterone Replacement Therapy as Part of Addiction Recovery

TestosteroneTestosterone replacement therapy involves supplementation of testosterone inform of injections, pellets, patches or gel in order to treat conditions in which the testes do not produce enough testosterone. It is also available in IV forms. Just like the estrogen replacement therapy in women, this ought to be done by an expert as the dosage is important for better results and to mitigate on the side effects. This therefore cannot be done without the help of an expert. This therapy has been found to be effective in fighting hypogonadism. It is also good in improves energy levels, perfect body mass, sex functions and muscle strength among other benefits.

Testosterone replacement therapy has been used for a long time in treatment of men with erectile problems. Hypogonadism is a problem that most men go through and seek treatment from every day. The use of testosterone replacement therapy in hypogonadism is not news, however there is little known about the connection of testosterone replacement therapy and addiction recovery. To any layman there seems to be no connection between these two phenomena. Maybe it is better to know what roles the testosterone hormone plays in the bodies of human beings.

Roles of testosterone hormone

Contrary to what many people think, testosterone plays many roles in our bodies and not only sex roles. Many people think that deficiency in testosterone hormone can only affect your sexual life but the reality is that this hormone very many roles beyond ensuring a healthy sex life. Apart from production of sperms, the testosterone hormone is also crucial in production of red blood cells. This hormone also helps in distribution of fats in the body parts, increasing muscle mass, improving bone mineral density and even regulation of moods in a person. A person with low testosterone levels is often very moody, this explains why men with hypogonadal testosterone levels are mostly in bad moods. It is also this hormone that gives men the physique of man- masculinity.

Several studies have also found out that high levels of testosterone in a person reduce their risks of developing depression. Many researchers have proved that many men who suffer from depression are of low testosterone levels and therefore testosterone replacement therapy may help them to fight depression. After testosterone replacement therapy most depression patients break free from the bonds of depression. Depression is a major problem that men deal with today.

Today, in the United States alone, the number of men who have fallen victims to depression have doubled the number of women suffering from the same. This is because of the many roles that this hormone plays in men. Scientists have proved that maintaining an optimum level of testosterone hormone is an effective way of fighting depression. In a study that was published in 2005 in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, a team of researchers from the US Department of Veterans Affairs examined the connection between low testosterone levels and future depression risks in more than 700 men who were at least 50 years old. The report concluded that men aged below 50 years with low testosterone level were more likely to become depressed than men within the same age but have optimum level of testosterone hormone.

This is not the only study that established the connection between testosterone and depression. Another study that was published in 2003 in the American Journal of Psychiatry also examined the connection between these two phenomena.  The research done by Harvard University worked with 56 men who had developed major depression but had failed to respond to antidepressant treatments. The researchers found that 40 percent of the men had low testosterone levels. It is therefore safe to conclude that testosterone replacement therapy can help fight depression.

Depression and Addiction Recovery

TestosteroneDepression seems to be the major link between testosterone replacement therapy and addiction recovery. Addicts have to fight depression even during addiction recovery. Depression should not be mistaken for a mere feeling of being down. Depression takes longer and even drains a person’s energy, in fact it because of depression that addicts are trapped in their use of substances. They take drugs to help them escape depression but use of these drugs will also result in depression as a side effect and so it is a continuous cycle. Depression may cause addiction or exacerbate it. There are also cases where there may be a dual diagnosis of addiction and depression in a patient. Each of these conditions can be cause and result as to some addiction comes first while to others depression is the original disease. It is therefore necessary to fight depression during addiction recovery as it may force the addict to use the drug in a bid to escape the symptoms of depression. Due to poor management of depression addicts have committed suicide as a result of depression. Therefore using testosterone replacement therapy which is known to not only fight addiction but also improving cognitive functions of the brain can help a great deal in fighting addiction.

Here at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center we encourage addicts to go for addiction recovery in rehabs we have qualified doctors who will see to it that every addict is helped to break the bond of addiction and enjoy life of freedom. Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) is committed to availing help to every patient. Call on her at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for help.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy as Part of Addiction Recovery

 

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