Treating sexual addiction and substance abuse concurrently

September 23, 2015

Treating sexual addiction and substance abuse concurrently: Treating multiple addictions

Treating sexual addiction and substance abuse concurrently will help you remove the element of shame that is always associated with sex and besides it will give you the new lease of life full of comfort and fulfillment.

Talking of addiction, people often associate addiction only with drugs and other substance of abuse. We have actually been brought up knowing that drugs both illicit and prescription drugs are the elements that qualify for abuse and so many people have narrowed their minds in that school of thought. But is it really the true position of the understanding of what addiction is all about? We spoke with the experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the leadership of a renowned addiction expert doctor Dalal Akoury about this subject and we want to share with you some of the outcome of that discussion particularly on the significance of treating sexual addiction and substance abuse concurrently. From the discussion we were able to establish that there are different kinds of addictions. One could be addicted to drugs and alcohol, or to certain behaviors or even both. Doctor Akoury explains that behavioral addiction may include addiction to sexual activities, gaming from the computer devices, gambling and many others. And like we had stated before that, one could be addiction to either one or both. Therefore take for example sexual addiction can be accompanied by other addictions or other substances of abuse. She continues to states that while on the surface, different addictions seem to be associated with their own unique set of behaviors they are often fueled by the same underlying feelings of guilt, shame, avoidance and trauma. Addictions interact within the individual making it difficult to tease them apart.

Treating sexual addiction and substance abuse concurrently: Patterns of problematic substances

When examining patterns of problematic substance use in individuals seeking help for a sexual addiction, it becomes clear that the two are indistinguishably linked together. It is estimated from the various studies that between 40-60% of individuals struggling with sexual addiction also meet the criteria for alcohol or drug addiction. And according to the experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center it is evident that many individuals with sexual addiction problems have actually admitted to using substances in order to deal with, or escape from, the pain that is caused by their sexual behavior. Besides that it is also very common that many people are currently using substances to get over their inhibitions in order to engage in sexual behaviors that might be uncharacteristic for them if they were not drunk or high further explaining the significance of multi addiction. We must therefore seek for information by way of investigating how multiple addictions can feed into one another. This is very important because it is possible that individuals may use one of their addictions to mask or dismiss the other addiction and this could be influenced by various reasons including fear and shames especially those elements that are considered shameful addiction. Like for instance take for example, an individual may deny having a problem with sexual addiction and insist completely that their problematic sexual behavior is only caused by intoxication. However, the truth of the matter in this case may be that the drugs or alcohol are merely concealing the pain and shameful acts that are associated with the sexual addiction thereby helping the person to be spared from the emotional consequences of his or her actions. By the same token, both addictions may work on intensifying one another in such a way that the person only engages in their sexual addiction under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These rituals then serve to protect the addiction and ensure that patterns of use are stable and predictable and this can be very dangerous if not dealt with expeditiously.

A major concern with treatment of substance use disorder alone is that untreated sexual addiction often precipitates a relapse of substance use. Dealing with one addiction while ignoring the other may end up intensifying the problem that has not been addressed. A good example would be when a person in early recovery from a substance addiction turns to sexual performance enhancers in order to continue the ritualized sexual behavior that was previously enhanced by the substance use. This sexual behavior can continue to be problematic for the individual. The individual may continue to feel a sense of shame and pain. Therefore recovery is about addressing the entire addictive process, not just those associated with a particular substance or behavior. The addictive process, whether it be related to sexual behavior or substances is often characterized by a pattern of secrecy, cognitive distortions and rituals. Therefore recovery from addiction regardless of type, would involve embracing and attempting to live a life of honesty, authenticity and emotional growth.

Fortunately, many underlying similarities between multiple addictions mean that the underlying framework for concurrent treatment is quite effective. According to a recent study conducted at Bellwood Health Services confirms that individuals with a comorbid sexual addiction and substance use disorder attending the same treatment centre as those with only sexual addiction, have comparable treatment outcomes at six months follow-up. Both groups demonstrated substantial improvement not only on measures of substance use and sexual impulse control but also on self-reported measures of well-being and quality of life.

Treating sexual addiction and substance abuse concurrently: Replacing the maladaptive coping strategies

Finally and looking at some of the past psychological trauma, sexual abuse, abandonment and neglect, doctor Akoury reiterates that these are some of the very important issues that need to be addressed in treatment. Therefore any recovering addict must endeavor to learn on how to recognize the signs of being actively involved in the addictive process and work hard primarily at replacing all the maladaptive coping strategies with positive and affirming ones. Moreover the individual addict needs to be empowered and be given the necessary tools to be able to function effectively in their environment and successfully meet all life’s challenges without turning to substance use or problematic sexual behavior. We know that this can be very difficult to some of you and if you’re that person, then you need not to give up because there is help on the way upon calling doctor Dalal Akoury today to schedule for a one on one meeting with her and your life will never be the same again thereafter.

Treating sexual addiction and substance abuse concurrently: Treating multiple addictions

Timely treatment for multiple addiction complications

September 23, 2015

Timely treatment for multiple addiction complications: The depressive effects of alcohol

Timely treatment for multiple addiction complications is a must for all addicts if health restoration is to be guaranteed

Where there is a problem there must be the spirit of seeking for solution to the problem at hand. Without solutions being found the problem may escalate into even much more bigger problems further complicating the initial problem that could have been dealt with easily if somebody cared to seek for the solution. Therefore when the problem at hand is about multiple substance abuse life can be very frustrating and that is why seeking for timely treatment for multiple addiction complications is the focus of our discussion in this article. As experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury (MD) and also the founder of the facility we appreciate that sometimes treatment of multiple drug and alcohol addiction can be too complicated for many treatment facilities to adequately manage. Ordinarily the instinct of many is to treat the problem as two addictions instead of approaching it as a complex, interwoven, mental disorder. However when you visit us, be rest assured that our team of professional medical expert together with other professional support staff in different respective professions, we will and very quickly get to the heart of the problem of our patients’ simultaneous dependency issues. Upon evaluation we will professionally administer the correct detoxification procedure based on your individual multiple addictions. Doctor Akoury reiterates that on successfully completing the detox process is only then can we officially begin the behavioral health phase of treatment. We want to encourage you not to suffer in silence because help is available with us and treatment is guaranteed irrespective of how messy you may think your situation is, we will sort it out because that is the passion we have in delivering quality treatment to all our clients. We would be very glad to be part of your recovery and celebrate with you as you re possess your health and life back.

Timely treatment for multiple addiction complications: The depressive effects of drugs

As it has always been the case, there is nothing good about drugs no matter the justifications users may have. All we get from drugs is problems and problems all through. Alcohol consumption for example has serious depressive effect on it individual’s users more so when it is mixed with other substances like amphetamines. The consequences of such combinations are never good and users may experience reduced symptoms from both substances thereby causing them to continue their habit of abuse. Besides that the combination can lead to an irregular heartbeat, spasms, headaches, kidney disease and much more. That is why working with the addiction therapists and other experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center to get help is highly recommended. Nonetheless what many people and particularly non-addicts often struggle to understand is that addiction is never about the drug of choice itself. On the surface it would appear that alcoholism or sex addiction stemmed from an intense love of alcohol or sex. Professionally this is hardly the case. Doctor Akoury explains that addiction represents a deep and unattainable craving-a mental, physical, and spiritual longing. It is however very important to appreciate that the item or behavior being craved is never the issue because the problem is the insatiable need.

Timely treatment for multiple addiction complications: The outward manifestation of addiction

The complexity of addiction is one that will continue to be a subject of discussion for sometimes. We actually need to understand that addicts are people who live with a craving they cannot meet on their own. They feel out of place in the world, and they are uncomfortable in their own life. Besides that as they seek for solutions of their frustrations they are likely at some point find that a particular substance or behavior gives them the release they’ve been looking for. This often offers to them temporary solution and many at time the elements that does this may include elements like alcohol, food, drugs, sex, gambling, or codependent relationships. The craving therefore encompasses their life and to them there is no life without fulfillment of the urge. Doctor Akoury confirms that given that addiction is the outward manifestation of this internal need, it is not uncommon for addicts to suffer from multiple addictions. Drugs and alcohol are a common combination just in the same way alcohol and food. Once addicts get into recovery, they often find a host of other addictions they never realized they had. They begin to see that they’ve spent most of their lives trying to escape from life and that anything that promised to help them cope with life (no matter how destructive) was worth a try.
Naturally this would be the source of great angst for the addict. Admitting alcoholism was hard enough, now there’s the food addiction and the promiscuity and the inability to stay away from the casino. The individual is left feeling helpless in the face of so many debilitating conditions. It therefore seems as if a normal, functional life is impossible.

Timely treatment for multiple addiction complications: Willingness, hope and honesty

As experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center would put it, the timely treatment for multiple addiction complications is possible to every willing, hopeful and honest people. One must first be willing and kick out the element of denial in his/her mind, they must also be very hopeful since this will keep them going even when challenges come their way. With the two practiced the individual must also be very honest with himself or herself during treatment. And like we have already mentioned for an addict suffering from multiple addictions to get well, the first step is to realize that there is hope. If you can recover from one addiction, you can recover from several. Note that there are no special powers required beyond willingness and honesty. When addicts relapse, the common cause is a failure to be honest with themselves and others. We appreciate that it may be hard to attack several conditions at once. In fact most addictions will require the help and from support groups and professionals. Suffering from multiple addictions could mean several programs and multiple meetings each week. However this may not be the only approach. It is important for the addict to be well connected to his support network, but it is also important for him to begin reentering his life. He will need to establish a work life and he will need to work on restoring relationships.

Doctor Akoury says that being honest and with the help of professionals from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, the addict can begin to categorize his addictions. It may interest you to note that many addicts find that despite suffering multiple addictions, there is usually a primary offender. Take for example, one addict may realize that he had a problem with alcohol but besides that, he was also grossly obese due to compulsive overeating. When he began to get help for his food addiction and he dealt with the issues underlying his insatiable urge to eat, his compulsion to drink vanished. He realized that he drank as a part of his addiction, but that food was the true offender. When he got clean around food, alcohol ceased to be an issue. There are so many other examples we can give and this will be very helpful for you. Therefore if you need to know more for your own good, seek audience with doctor Dalal Akoury today and your life will never be the same again.

Timely treatment for multiple addiction complications: The depressive effects of alcohol

The consequences of drug addiction on immunity

September 19, 2015

The consequences of drug addiction on immunity: How drugs and alcohol affects immune system

The consequences of drug addiction on immunity are very realistic and not fiction and must be dealt with expeditiously

The body of any human being can be vulnerable to the various health complications at any given time in life. Normally when we fall sick we seek for immediate medication and some of us will get better very first while others suffering from the same illness may take a little bit longer time to recover from their illnesses. You may wonder why this is so and the explanation is very straight and simple. It is all about the variance strength every person’s immune system. And like we had said before immune system is a network of cells, tissues and organs working in solidarity to defend the body against disease, infection and viruses. Any harm to this introduces us to the focus of our discussion which is the consequences of drug addiction on immunity. Drugs are substances that demoralize our health and impact on us very negatively causing us to be vulnerable to all manner of infections. Doctor Dalal Akoury a veteran addiction expert explains that anyone using drugs or alcohol is significantly reducing the strength of their immunity greatly. It may not matter the intensity of your consumption to your substance, because research has established that any abuse of drugs can only lead to destruction of health and life in general.

As professional from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury, we post blogs that are very informative about health related issues so that we can have a very healthy society free from all kinds of addictions. Therefore it will interest you to note that doctor Akoury made a decision to create a medical center (AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center) whose main objective is to transform each individual’s life through increasing awareness about health and wellness and by empowering individuals to find their own inner healing power. Dr. Akoury’s practice focuses on personalized medicine through healthy lifestyle choices that deal with primary prevention and underlying causes instead of patching up symptoms. Therefore if you want to keep healthy your immunity must be strong enough to defend you from vulnerabilities that come with lose of immunity. You can therefore schedule for an appointment with doctor Akoury on telephone number 843 213 1480 for the commencement of your addiction recovery treatment and live your life thereafter comfortably and happily.

The consequences of drug addiction on immunity: Methamphetamine

It is no secrete that the dangers of methamphetamine are well known to everyone, however the drug potentially impact on the effectiveness of the immune system quite negatively in very many ways. Professional studies have suggesting that the drug may increase an individual’s susceptibility to infection by crippling his or her immune function. This can further be more complicated in situations where the individual is already struggling with some of the life threatening disease like hepatitis or HIV. These can really cause complications like cancers to spread quicker in the body. Doctor Akoury registers that besides the aforementioned concerns, methamphetamine is also known to dry out mucus membranes, particularly in the mouth and rectum thereby which when not dealt with expeditiously is likely to increase a persons’ exposure to infection and disease. The drug can cause people to have significant weight loss, chronic insomnia and respiratory problems which all expose a person’s immune system to deficiency and attack by disease.

The consequences of drug addiction on immunity: MDMA and Club Drugs

MDMA use has long been anecdotally linked to infection of influenza and bacterial infections. There is, however, no scientific evidence to support that the use of MDMA or other club drugs cause these infections or suppress the immune system. What is known, however, is that exhaustion and dehydration associated with the use of these drugs in nightclubs, at festivals and other music events does increase the risk of being infected with influenza or developing a cold. This is because these side effects lower the body’s ability to fight infection until normal energy and water levels of the body are returned.

The consequences of drug addiction on immunity: HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis

Illicit drug use has inherent risks that include serious health problems such as hepatitis, HIV and AIDS. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). There is no cure for the disease AIDS but there are some treatments available for the virus HIV. Individuals infected with HIV are at risk of contracting other, life threatening diseases because the virus weakens a person’s immune system.

Hepatitis on the other hand is an inflammation of the liver, most commonly caused by a viral infection that lead to chronic disease including liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Drug users are at higher risks of contracting HIV and AIDS due to a lowered immune system and because some users share drug injection equipment that may be infected with the disease. The reason that these diseases can be so easily spread is because infected blood is drawn into the syringe and then injected along with the drug by the next user of the same syringe. And once a person is infected with HIV/AIDS or hepatitis, they are at risk of developing further complications because of the effects of the disease on their immune system. Cancer, pneumonia, tuberculosis, gastrointestinal problems, neurological conditions and tumors are some of the known linked diseases. Besides these we also have skin infections, ulcers, tetanus, septicemia, thrombosis and respiratory diseases as some of the most common symptoms of a lowered immune system because of these diseases and infections.

Finally the consequences of drug addiction on immunity is no longer a small thing that can be wished a way easily. For a good health we need a very strong and stable immune system which we can’t get with the consistent use of drugs. Therefore if you are struggling with any kind of substance abuse this is your perfect opportunity of redeeming yourself from the scourge of addiction that weakens your immunity. You can call doctor Dalal Akoury today to schedule for an appointment with her and she will be able to help you regain your life back in the most professional way.

The consequences of drug addiction on immunity: How drugs and alcohol affects immune system

How drugs and alcohol affects immune system

September 19, 2015

How drugs and alcohol affects immune system: The dangers of having a weak immune system

How drugs and alcohol affects immune system is very diverse and and complicated but all the same we must do all it takes to eliminate all kinds of addiction to drugs.

Have you ever asked yourself of how drugs and alcohol affects immune system in people’s lives? Do you have any idea how this can be dangerous for your own life? These are some of the concerns we want to address in this discussion and because it involves the soldiers who protects you from attacks of diseases, be my guest as we unlock the potential truth about the benefits of keeping a strong immune system. Now to set the ball rolling, let us find out the professional definition of immune system. Doctor Dalal Akoury (MD) and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center gives the definition of the immune system as a network of cells, tissues and organs working in solidarity to defend the body against disease, infection and viruses. It therefore means that the immune system is one of the strong pillars that work in defense of our health and the general wellbeing of our lives. Meaning that if this system is damaged or reduced or incapacitated and does not work as efficiently as it should, a person will become vulnerable to attacks by various sicknesses or illness from infections or viruses. Experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center while carrying out research has established that drugs and alcohol are some of the well-known inhibitors of the immune system. And the consequences of that can only mean that those who abuse substances of whatever kind will lose their foot soldiers that defend then to the various attacks and therefore when they are attacked and fall sick, they are likely to take longer period of time to heal from their infections in relation to other people with stronger immune system.

Doctor Akoury reiterates that the implications can be very disturbing when the immune system is deficient in anyone’s life. Under this circumstances if a person abuses drugs or alcohol, such persons shall be subjecting their health to increased risk of contracting certain diseases including pneumonia, respiratory infections, blood-borne viruses such as HIV or Hepatitis and sexually transmitted diseases. Besides that, if they have a predisposition to cancer, heart disease or kidney disease, these conditions are more likely to occur. The list of substances that are likely to be abused by people is endless and the following are just but a few for the purpose of this discussion:

Alcohol
Marijuana
Methamphetamine
MDMA and Club drugs
HIV/AIDA and Hepatitis

And as we have already mentioned the list is endless and for the purpose of this discussion we are going to focus on alcohol and marijuana and the remaining three we will handle in our next article, but before we get to that let us first familiarize ourselves with the effects of binging on drugs and other substances.

How drugs and alcohol affects immune system: Effect of binging on drugs

Exhaustion as a result of binging on drugs or alcohol can be a significant cause of illness. When a person binge drinks, they may cause their body to go into toxic shock from the large amount of alcohol in their bloodstream. Secondary infections or damage to the liver can have life-long consequences. Doctor Akoury says that binging on drugs like for instance methamphetamine, cocaine or heroin can cause people to become dehydrated and seriously ill. The impact of dehydration, mental and physical exhaustion, sleeplessness and lack of food can have a long term impact on a persons’ health more so if the individual is of weak immunity. And with such implications the immune system will be at a high risk of being overrun with infection and disease and anecdotal evidence suggests that many people will have flu-like symptoms after a binge.

How drugs and alcohol affects immune system: Alcohol

Alcohol is one of the most abused substances and it is well known to cause long-term and serious consequences for a person’s body and mind. There are many diseases that are known to be caused by alcohol consumption which are chronic and dangerous. Alcohol also impedes the ability of the immune system to fight infection and disease. Excessive alcohol consumption or long term alcohol abuse can lead to immune deficiency in two ways:

Nutritional deficiency and
Reducing white blood cells

Alcohol impairs the normal digestion of nutrients due to damage caused to the cells in the digestive tract and by interfering with the secretion of enzymes needed for digestion. Alcohol can also impede the ability of the liver to store important vitamins. It has also been shown that drinking too much can prevent the body from absorbing enough protein. Therefore when consumed in excess, alcohol can reduce the ability of white cells to kill germs. High doses of alcohol suppress the ability of the white blood cells to multiply and inhibit the action of killer white cells on cancer cells. This can lead to the development of life threatening conditions such as liver cancer or liver disease.

How drugs and alcohol affects immune system: Marijuana

Smoking marijuana, or any substance, can have a negative effect on the immune system. Various studies have established that smoking marijuana causes damage to very sensitive cells in the lungs and increases the risk of contracting diseases and bacterial infections. Marijuana is known to contain more carcinogenic chemicals than tobacco smoke and because of the way the drug is inhaled deeply and held for longer than cigarette smoke these chemicals can cause severe respiratory damage. Some research has suggested that the active chemical in marijuana, THC, impairs the immune system from fighting disease. However, this research is not conclusive and further testing is required. The inhaled smoke from marijuana is often combined with tobacco which is known to cause significant damage to lungs, including the leading cause of lung cancer and emphysema. Pulmonary infections, pneumonia, respiratory infections and cancer are all real risks associated with smoking marijuana. Chronic bronchitis, impairment of air passages, inflammation of lungs and development of abnormalities in the bronchial lining and lungs are also commonly associated issues.

Finally knowing how drugs and alcohol affects immune system is not just important but should be a must for all concern people. This will not only help as an individual to take precaution in your own situations, but also to be of help to other people who may be struggling with addiction. Therefore if you or any one you know is struggling with addiction you can help them by scheduling for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury today for a more professional touch that will resuscitate their immunity to normalcy.

How drugs and alcohol affects immune system: The dangers of having a weak immune system

The application of Cortisol in weight management

September 18, 2015

The application of Cortisol in weight management: Why stress must be defeated?

The application of Cortisol in weight management is one of the most efficient ways of weight management you can use to keep fit

In our previous article we dwelt much on the significance of cortisol in stress management and now we want to focus our discussion on the application of cortisol in weight management and why stress must be defeated so that we may come close to realizing our dream of keeping fit and with the help of experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center a facility which was founded by doctor Dalal Akoury (MD) we are going to put all the facts straight, therefore this is a discussion you don’t want to miss and we want to invite you to be part of us specifically to eliminate any ignorance that is likely to cause us to lose the focus of eliminating all the complications that are associated with weight complications in our lives. Doctor Akoury from her over two decades of professional practice is looking at the happenings of today’s society and she is very much concern with the kind of commercials that tout the effectiveness of supplements like Cortislim ™ and Relacore ™ that propose to help people lose weight and feel less stressed by inhibiting the effects of cortisol. Some of these commercials do not fully inform the general public effectively about some of the following:

The function and importance of cortisol for bodily function.
The potential link between cortisol and obesity.
The potential link between stress, cortisol, and appetite.
The harmful health effects of stress-induced obesity.

Therefore to bridge the gap, we want to shade more light on the above omissions so that together we can walk along in this worthy course of proper weight management.

The application of Cortisol in weight management: Where does cortisol come from and what is its purpose in the body?

Cortisol has become a ‘prime’ hormone of fascination, discussion and confusion within the consumer and fitness industry, due to misleading television commercials and advertisements. It is a steroid (compound based from a steroid nucleus) hormone that is produced in the cortex of the adrenal glands located on top of each kidney. Fasting, food intake, exercising, awakening, and psychosocial stressors cause the body to release cortisol. Cortisol is released in a highly irregular manner with peak secretion in the early morning, which then tapers out in the late afternoon and evening. Energy regulation and mobilization are two critical functions of cortisol. Cortisol regulates energy by selecting the right type and amount of substrate (carbohydrate, fat or protein) that is needed by the body to meet the physiological demands that is placed upon it. Cortisol mobilizes energy by tapping into the body’s fat stores and moving it from one location to another, or delivering it to hungry tissues such as working muscle. Under stressful conditions, cortisol can provide the body with protein for energy production through gluconeogenesis, the process of converting amino acids into useable carbohydrate (glucose) in the liver. Additionally, it can move fat from storage depots and relocate it to fat cell deposits deep in the abdomen. Cortisol also aids adipocytes (baby fat cells) to grow up into mature fat cells. Finally, cortisol may act as an anti-inflammatory agent, suppressing the immune system during times of physical and psychological stress.

The application of Cortisol in weight management: The potential link between cortisol and visceral obesity

Cortisol directly effects fat storage and weight gain in stressed individuals. Tissue cortisol concentrations are controlled by a specific enzyme that converts inactive cortisone to active cortisol. This particular enzyme is located in adipose (fat) tissues. Studies with human visceral (fat surrounding the stomach and intestines) and subcutaneous fat tissue have demonstrated that the gene for this enzyme is expressed more by obese conditions. It has also been demonstrated in research that human visceral fat cells have more of these enzymes compared to subcutaneous fat cells. Thus, higher levels of these enzymes in these deep fat cells surrounding the abdomen may lead to obesity due to greater amounts of cortisol being produced at the tissue level. As well, deep abdominal fat has greater blood flow and four times more cortisol receptors compared to subcutaneous fat. This may also increase cortisol’s fat accumulating and fat cell size enlarging effect.

The application of Cortisol in weight management: What is the potential link between stress, cortisol, and appetite?

Animal and human studies have demonstrated that cortisol injections are associated with increased appetite, cravings for sugar, and weight gain. Epel et al. demonstrated that premenopausal women who secreted more cortisol during and after novel laboratory stressors chose to consume more foods high in sugar and fat. It has been thought that cortisol directly influences food consumption by binding to receptors in the brain (specifically, the hypothalamus). This can stimulate an individual to eat food that is high in fat and/or sugar. Cortisol also indirectly influences appetite by regulating other chemicals that are released during stress such as CRH (corticotrophin releasing hormone), leptin, and neuropeptide Y (NPY). High levels of NPY and CRH and reduced levels of leptin have been shown to stimulate appetite.

The application of Cortisol in weight management: Harmful health effects associated with stress-induced obesity

Chronic stress can contribute to several harmful physiological events. When body tissues are exposed to high levels of cortisol for extended periods of time, some cellular and tissue alterations may occur. High levels of cortisol cause fat stores and excess circulating fat to be relocated and deposited deep in the abdomen, which left unchecked can develop into or enhance obesity. In addition, hypertension (high blood pressure), hyperlipidemia (elevated lipids), and hyperglycemia (elevated glucose) have been linked to elevated cortisol levels. Individuals with a high waist-to-hip ratio (which identifies visceral obesity) are at a greater risk for developing cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes mellitus, and cerebrovascular disease. Are there any practical assessment tips for the fitness professional to utilize?

To help identify clients with a potential risk for the diseases described above (which are associated to stress-induced obesity) and distinguish any patterns of fat distribution, fitness professionals can utilize a waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) measurement or waist circumference measurement. The WHR is the circumference of the waist divided by the circumference of the hips. The waist measurement is at the narrowest part of the torso between the ribs and iliac crest. The hip measurement is around the buttocks at its maximum posterior extension.

The application of Cortisol in weight management: The significance of cortisol in stress management

Finally professionals should ensure that their clients are aware of the links between stress and abdominal obesity. Cortisol is a necessary hormone that is responsible for fuel regulation and is released while exercising, eating, awakening, and psychosocial stress. However, if there is too much cortisol in circulation, abdominal obesity can develop. This type of central obesity is linked to developing cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes mellitus, and cerebrovascular disease. An effective and regular exercise and stress management program may be a key to reducing and or preventing stress-induced obesity.

The application of Cortisol in weight management: Why stress must be defeated?

Tag Archives: Awaremed Health