Category Archives: addiction

Alcoholism malnutrition effect

Alcoholism malnutrition effect

Alcoholism malnutrition effect are real and can knock on your doorstep at any time if you don’t stop using alcohol

Alcoholism malnutrition effect: Liver toxicity: Liver toxicity

Being malnourished deprives the body of essential nutrients for health and body comfort. We must ensure that the body gets all the food nutrients it needs. In doing so, we’ll meet some obstacle along the way one of them being the element of substance abuse. For a better understanding, we want to focus on the topic alcoholism malnutrition effects progressively. We are doing this as a way of supporting the noble assignment of defeating the scourge of addiction from our societies. In that respect doctor, Dalal Akoury who is also the founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center is going to take us through the discussion and we want to appeal to you to keep on the link and invite a friend so that we can have a healthy learning experience together. Meanwhile, if this is causing you any problem, you can always consult with the experts from AWAREmed Health Center for further professional direction.

Alcoholism malnutrition effect: Why does alcohol addiction cause malnutrition?

By all standards, alcohol is the world’s most abused substance. Ironically, it is also the biggest revenue earner to the authorities in terms of tax levies. In other words am simply saying that despite the serious health consequences, it is legally allowed for consumption. I have always appreciated that most authorities have put certain restrictions as controlling measures to minimize its consumption, but the truth is, these has not yielded any positive result. This is because the effects of alcohol consumption can be felt in all our families whether directly or indirectly.

Our learning institutions are not spared either. Young boys and girls are drinking disorderly to the amazement and deterioration of our morals. Now to the question “why do we say that alcohol addiction causes malnutrition”? It will surprise you to note that in this generation many alcoholics across the globe are malnourished for various reasons.

Take, for example, victims of alcohol abuse suffers high risk of being malnourished either because they take in very little of essential nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, and vitamins, or because alcohol and its metabolism inhibit their body from performing its duty of properly absorbing, digesting and using those nutrients as effective as it should. This, therefore, brings in the significance of alcohol addiction in malnutrition in the picture. It is no wonder majority of alcohol consumers and particularly the alcoholics frequently experience deficiencies in vital food nutrients including proteins and vitamins, particularly vitamin A. the danger of these deficiencies is that if not addressed in good time, the victims risk being affected by serious and chronic liver disease and other serious alcohol–related disorders.

A complex relationship exists between a person’s alcohol consumption and nutritional status. Many people, including light to moderate drinkers who consume one to two glasses or less of alcoholic beverage per day, consider those beverages a part of their normal diet and acquire a certain number of calories from them. When consumed in excess, alcohol can cause diseases by interfering with the nutritional status of the drinker. For example, alcohol can alter the intake, absorption into the body, and utilization of various nutrients. In addition, alcohol exerts some harmful effects through its breakdown (i.e., metabolism) and the resulting toxic compounds, particularly in the liver, where most of the alcohol metabolism occurs. This explains why you need to schedule an appointment with doctor Akoury now for help.

Alcoholism malnutrition effect: Liver toxicity

http://www.integrativeaddictionconference.com/wp-admin

 

Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin
neurotransmitters-and-mood-symptoms

Mesolimbic pathways and drug seeking

Mesolimbic pathways

Mesolimbic pathways and drug seeking. We’ve got to clean our mind from all intoxication of drug addiction

Mesolimbic pathways and drug seeking: Drug cravings to the brain

From our basic understanding of the purpose and functioning of the brain’s reward system in the previous postings, we can interrogate it a little bit further in several ways. The circuit most associated with pleasure and reward is the mesolimbic pathways which are located in the brainstem. The objective of this area of the brain is primarily concerned with basic survival. Within the mesolimbic pathways is an area called the ventral tegmental area (VTA). The VTA projects to the nucleus accumbens (thought to be the reward center). The neurotransmitter most commonly linked with the mesolimbic system is dopamine. Many people consider dopamine to be the driving force behind the human pursuit of pleasure. The release of dopamine is a pleasurable sensation. The release of dopamine motivates us to repeat behaviors or activities that prompted this release. This system’s purpose was to promote survival by rewarding life-sustaining behaviors such eating and procreation.

All addictive drugs and activities release varying amounts of dopamine into the nucleus accumbens with stimulant drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine releasing the most. However, when it comes to drugs like alcohol or heroin, the brain’s own opiate system (endorphins) also gets involved. Doctor Akoury further says that even though different forms of addictions have different effects in the nucleus accumbens, they share one common denominator that they all activate the reward system which in turn motivates us to repeat those behaviors, even though they may be harmful. Besides what we have discussed about the concepts of reward, pleasure, and craving together, it is however very important to appreciate that there is a distinction between pleasure-seeking and drug seeking. Note that pleasure-seeking is all about the pleasurable, rewarding aspect of addiction while drug-seeking refer to the craving aspect of addiction. Dopamine may be more involved in drug-seeking (craving) component of addiction. The opiate (endorphin), GABA, or glutamatergic systems may be more involved in a pleasure-seeking aspect of addiction too.

Mesolimbic pathways and drug seeking: Keeping the brain free from all attacks

Pleasure-seeking and drug-seeking (cravings) are interrelated, yet distinct. Research has established that natural rewards (food, water, sex) typically lessen their influence on the reward system over time. As a behavior occurs more often, dopamine levels tend to decrease in the process. Psychologists call this habituation. This makes sense. Once you’ve eaten enough food, you don’t need to be rewarded for eating more food. Then you would be eating too much, or too much of one type of food. Therefore everyone needs to take heed of keeping the brain free from all attacks be it from substances or otherwise. Talking to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury should be your starting point. Call and make that appointment today for the commencement of your journey to full recovery from your addiction.

Mesolimbic pathways and drug seeking: Drug cravings to the brain

http://www.integrativeaddictionconference.com/wp-admin

 

 

 

 

Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin
Behavioral Addiction and Brain Function

Neurons signals and addiction

Neurons signals

Neurons signals and addiction. In fact, neurons are the primary communication unit of the brain and must not be contaminated with drugs

Neurons signals and addiction: The brain chemistry

The neuron is the primary unit of communication within the brain. A single neuron is extremely tiny. Experts are estimating that there are over 100 billion neurons in the human brain. With that, you can imagine just how complex and distinct your brain is from the person next to you. And because good communication is of two ways where we both listen (receive information) and at the same time we also speak (send information). The same is applicable to the brain’s communication system with the neurons having the ability to both send and receive communication signals. The dendrite is the portion of neuron signals that typically receives information (listens) while the axon is a portion of the neuron signals that sends out information (speaks).

Neurons signals and addiction: Neurotransmitters

When humans communicate with each other, we typically use words and gestures. The different parts of the brain communicate with each other using electrical signals. Neurons use electrical pulses to send their communication signals. These electrical impulses are called action potentials. When neuron fire, the action potential travels down the neuron’s axon where it ends. At the end of the axon is the axon terminal or pre-synapse. In this area, special chemical messengers called neurotransmitters and neuromodulators lay in wait. These are stored in specialized capsules called vesicles. The action potential causes the release of these chemical messengers into an open space between one neuron’s axon and the next neurons’ dendrites. This open space is the synaptic cleft. At the other side of the synaptic cleft is the post-synapse that is formed by the dendrites of connecting neurons. In the post-synapse, there are special receptors that receive the neurotransmitters.

Receptors and neurotransmitters function in a way that is similar to a keyhole and key. Receptors are like keyholes and neurotransmitters are like the keys. When neurotransmitters fit into the receptors it is called binding. Once a neurotransmitter is bound to a receptor, the key turns the lock. Once the lock opens, it communicates with the receiving neuron’s dendrites. In the post-synapse, there may be many different receptors (many different shaped keyholes). However, a particular neurotransmitter may be able to fit into (bind to) several different receptors types. This is similar to the way a single key can open several different locks. The particular receptor type determines the type of signal that is transmitted. Thus, the receptor type is often more critical to the communication than the particular neurotransmitter.

It may be easiest to visualize this communication as a single chain of events: First, a neuron sends an electrical impulse (action potential) down the axon. Next, the electrical impulse causes chemicals (neurotransmitters and neuromodulators) to be released into space between two neurons. Then these chemicals can signal the next neuron to send an electrical impulse and so on. This electrochemical process forms the brain’s communication system. In conclusion, it is evident that the functions of the brain in communication are very sensitive and any alteration caused by drugs addiction can have far-reaching effects. Therefore before we get there, we must do all it takes to prevent or correct as soon as it is necessary. For this reason, it will be prudent that you schedule an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury MD a veteran addiction expert who is also the founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center for the commencement of your addiction recovery process.

Neurons signals and addiction: The brain chemistry

http://regenerativepotential.com/wp-admin

 

 

Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin
sex-addiction1

Overweight obstructs sex drive

Overweight obstructs sex drive

Overweight obstructs sex drive and the sooner you get into a weight loss program the better

Overweight obstructs sex drive: Better sex with healthy weight

Sex is a good thing in any relationship and needs to be enjoyable. However, many things are coming on the way of this enjoyment. We’re talking about how being overweight obstructs sex drive in many unions. If this is affecting your relationship? We have good news for you. You can schedule an appointment with experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury MD for a solution. Doctor Akoury agrees with the research findings has since established that up to 30% of obese people seeking help controlling their weight sighted problems with sex drive, desire, performance, or all three.

Other studies have also shown that these problems can be traced to physical conditions that co-exist with obesity. Remember that medical conditions high cholesterol and insulin resistance have the ability to impact negatively on sexual performance particularly in men. And because both conditions can cause the tiny arteries in the penis to shut down when vessel-clogging fatty deposits begin to form impotence or erectile dysfunction is often the result.

A man who has problems having an erection is going to lose his desire for sex in not too long time. Men aren’t alone with sex problems caused by poor blood flow. Research shows overweight women’s sex drive and desire is affected by the same problem. We are beginning to see that the width of the blood vessels leading to the clitoris which is the area of the vagina most closely related to sexual response in women are affected by the same kind of blockages that impact blood flow to the penis. When this happens, a woman’s body is far less responsive, and a drop in desire is not far behind.

Complicating matters further for both sexes: The more body fat you have, the higher your levels of a natural chemical known as SHBG (short for sex hormone binding globulin). It’s aptly named because it binds to the sex hormone testosterone. Doctors theorize that the more testosterone that is bound to SHBG, the less there is available to stimulate desire.

Overweight obstructs sex drive: Think sexy and you’ll be sexy

Finally, what goes on in your mind can be the reason why you have inabilities to deliver sexually like for instance, for some people, getting physical problems under control is all they need to trigger up the flames of desire. Yet for others, it’s still not quite enough. Experts believe that one of the biggest obstacles to enjoying sex at any size is poor body image. They caution that the inability to accept your weight and your size can leave you sleeping single in a double bed. There is this idea out there that if you accept your body and your weight that it’s somehow going to take away your motivation to change the way you look in a way, society almost tells us that you have to hate your body before you can improve it.

Overweight obstructs sex drive: Better sex with healthy weight

http://www.awaremednetwork.com/

 

 

 

Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin
Tools of addiction

Drug use cravings and the brain

Drug use cravings

Drug use cravings and the brain have nothing in common

Drug use cravings and the brain: Addictions effect on the brain’s reward system

The delicate functions of the brain demand that at no given time must we have an unhealthy brain. The problem of drug use cravings will, however, not allow this to be. And because the brain is the brain’s reward system which is part of the survival system, in many instances we often experience an urgent need for food whenever we are starving and generally have a powerful desire for sex too. According to doctor Dalal Akoury, MD President and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, the brain’s reward system rewards food and sex because they ensure our survival. Unfortunately, drugs of abuse operate within these reward systems which leads people to experience an urgent need or powerful desire for drugs or addictive activities.

The brain’s reward system has ensured our species survival. You may not have known but food, water, and sex are some of the elements that activate the reward system. Therefore when the brain’s reward center is activated, it releases dopamine which then creates a pleasing, enjoyable sensation to motivate us into repeating these behaviors necessary for our survival. That is happening because dopamine has rewarded us with a pleasurable feeling. Doctor Akoury recommends that from an evolutionary standpoint, it is helpful to have a reward system that works.

For example, when there is very little food and you’re wandering around looking for food, and when you finally find something to eat, this triggers your reward system. This pleasing feeling (dopamine “reward”) will become associated with whatever behavior that led you to that food. This causes you to want to repeat that behavior. Moreover, the reward system is closely tied to emotional and subjective memories. If you were successful and found food in a particular place for instance, in the future you will want to look for food in the same location. This reward system increases the likelihood that you will be successful in finding food there the next time. This is because your brain chemicals are rewarding you with a pleasing sensation. It also helps you to remember how and where this pleasant feeling occurred.

Drug use cravings and the brain: Negative dopamine reward sensation

It will come to you as a surprise that the element that motives your survival is the very same reward system that ensures your survival and also rewards drug use. Doctor Akoury reiterates that all addictive substances and activities will trigger the release of dopamine which rewards us with a pleasant sensation thereby succeeding in motivating us to continuously indulge in these harmful behaviors. It is nowadays common knowledge that peoples with addiction problems will all it takes to get their drug of choice and in the same way, they continue with their addiction despite the harm it causes to themselves or their loved ones. It is therefore very important to note that all these characteristic of addictive behaviors arise from the brain’s pleasure and rewards centers. Therefore seeking for lasting solutions becomes a must to do for all victims. This may not be a very popular thing owing to the addictiveness of some of these drugs, but nonetheless, it is the best option if you want to have a healthy life that is free from all sorts of addiction. You can schedule an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury for the commencement of your journey to recovery.

Drug use cravings and the brain: Addictions effect on the brain’s reward system

http://regenerativepotential.com/wp-admin

 

Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin