Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) for Men

January 30, 2015

Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) for Men

Are you a man and you are feeling depressed, tired or overweight? You may be a victim of this condition called male hormone imbalance or hormone deficiency. Hormones are an essential part of us that we cannot do without. They play critical roles in the normal functioning of our bodies.

When the hormones are balanced and in the right levels, they are said to be in harmony. This harmony is very critical in maintaining a healthy body, body shape as well as the general well-being.

Aging is a normal physiological process that we cannot evade. As a man continues aging, the effectiveness of the body to produce critical hormones reduces. The hormone levels fall critically creating a situation of hormonal imbalance. In women this drop in hormones is referred to as menopause while in men the same condition is called andropause.

The common hormone deficiency that occurs in men is the decline testosterone hormone, a condition referred to as low T. However, this is not the only hormone that declines as a man ages, other hormones include thyroid hormone, human growth hormone, progesterone, cortisol, estradiol and DHEA. This reduced the effectiveness of the hormones to remain balanced.

Bioidentical-Hormones

Symptoms of hormone deficiency in adult males

Hormone deficiency occurs to almost every man as they start aging. They say that aging is a natural biological process that everybody must go through. Hormone deficiency and hormone imbalances lead to a number of conditions in men as they age. The following symptoms are evident in men experiencing hormone deficiency:

Depression
lower energy levels
weight gain
muscle loss
mood swings
decreased libido
memory loss

inability to focus
low stamina
lack of skin elasticity
poor memory
loss of bone density
low levels of immunity
joint pain

In the past these conditions were considered inevitable since they were seen as part of a normal aging process. Contrary to this belief studies now show that some of these conditions can be treated as they are a result of unbalanced levels of the male hormones. When the male hormones begin to decline, it creates a situation of imbalance.

Medical practitioners have spent years trying to understand the condition of hormonal imbalances. This has led to the development of a therapy that can be used to restore male hormone balance. Referred to as Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy, the treatment has seen a lot of men recover from some of the conditions that arise from unbalanced levels of hormones.

Restoring Male Hormone Harmony with BHRT

Contrary to what people believed that the conditions men experience as they age are normal and inevitable, some of these conditions only arise as a result of imbalance in the levels of hormones in the body. Harmony that exists in the body is very crucial in the normal body functioning. When this harmony is offset conditions such as muscle ache, memory loss, depression, weight gain, impaired memory and reduced concentration arise. This affects not only men but also women.

Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy in men is used to replace hormones that have in the process of aging reduced in levels creating an imbalance. The therapy uses hormones that are similar in molecular properties with the ones that are found naturally in the body. The goal of this procedure is to try restoring the vital balance in hormones that is needed for the body to function well. Hormones such as testosterone, progesterone, cortisol, DHEA among there are supplemented with artificial hormones.

This hormone restoration has been shown to ease some of the conditions that arise with hormonal imbalances such as joint aches, depression among others. The procedure takes about 15 minutes and requires you to do exercises at least three times in a week in order to enhance the process of hormone replacement in the body.

Benefits of BHRT for Men

With Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy some of the conditions associated with aging and hormone imbalances are restored. Men who undergo this therapy benefit from things like, improvements in their moods, improved sex drive, restoration of muscle tone and mass, improvement in memory, reduced depression, high levels of energy, and great stamina among others. This restoration enables a man to go back to their normal life.

Bioidentical-Hormones

Medical treatment

Always Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy must be performed by an experienced doctor. He or she will evaluate your condition and then run tests to determine the levels of hormones in your body. The hormonal levels as are also checked during and also after the treatment so as to ensure that your health is normal and side effects of the therapy are minimal.

Holistic Approach

The hormone replacement therapy should go hand in hand with modifications of your lifestyle. Change your diet and increase your rates of exercises so as not only to improve your life quality but it will help you look better as well as fell young. A medical approach that is comprehensive is always necessary for optimum health and renewed levels of energy. If you want to slow the aging process down, live longer and remain healthy, combine hormone replacement therapy with a holistic approach.

At AwareMed we believe that your healthy is your greatest treasure. Visit www.awaremednetwork.com to learn more about hormone replacement therapy and other wellness and awareness tips. Dr. Akoury has experience in health matters and will provide the necessary assistance to various health issues.

Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) for Men

Alcohol Abuse Linked To Head and Neck Cancer

January 21, 2015

Alcohol Abuse Increases The Risk of Head and Neck Cancer

There are several types of cancers that are not known to many but are just as serious as the other common cancers like the breast cancer, prostate cancer and even the cervical cancer. Head and neck cancers may be new to you but they have been in existence for just as long as the other common types of cancer it’s only that most people refer to this group by the identity of the individual cancers in the group. Today, head and neck cancers account for approximately 3 percent of all cancers in the United States alone. These cancers are nearly twice as common among men as they are among women. Head and neck cancers are also diagnosed more often among people over age 50 than they are among younger people but indulgence in behaviors that might increase your risk of getting head and neck cancers begin earlier.

Causes of the head and neck cancers

There are many causes of head and neck cancer but alcohol and smoking are the biggest culprits. This doesn’t come as a surprise as alcohol and smoking have been known to be carcinogenic. Researchers of the past have long been able to make it known that about 75 percent of head and neck cancers are caused by a combination of alcohol and tobacco use. Not long ago, two large studies have reviewed patterns of alcohol and tobacco use in people with cancer of the mouth, throat, and larynx, the head and neck cancers most likely to be caused by smoking and drinking.

Of these studies, one study was published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, and another was published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Both studies assembled data from previous case-controlled studies and included myriads of cases of laryngeal, pharyngeal, and oral cancers matched against normal controls. The reported findings from these studies shed some light on just how alcohol and tobacco alone or in combination can influence the development of the head and neck cancers. Cancer and smoking to most seem synonymous but lately researchers have been able to establish links between cancers and alcohol drinking too. Here are some of the findings from these two studies findings.

Smoking lightly for many years increases the risk of head and neck cancer more than smoking heavily for only a few years.
Drinking heavily for a few years increases the risk of head and neck cancer more than drinking moderately for many years.
Smoking is most strongly associated with laryngeal cancer.
Just smoking increases the risk of head and neck cancer substantially and the risk goes up with the frequency and duration of smoking.
Just drinking only increases the risk of head and neck cancer if you have three or more drinks a day.

“These studies are interesting but the most important thing for people to know is that smoking and drinking each increase your risk of head and neck cancer and smoking and drinking together multiply your risk. That means that the cumulative effect is worse than just adding the two risk factors together,” warns Tamer Ghanem, MD, PhD, an ear, nose, and throat specialist at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

How alcohol Drinking and tobacco smoking causes cancer

As stated earlier, both alcohol and tobacco are known to be carcinogenic. The most known cause of cancer is DNA alteration which leads to gene mutation. Alcohol is full of these carcinogens that once inside the body triggers changes in the DNA make up. Equally tobacco is made up of a cocktail of many toxins that when consumed causes a series of DNA alterations.

Alcohol alone has been shown to cause changes in the cells of the oral mucosa and may damage head and neck cell DNA. This finding now points out to the reality that alcohol abuse alone even without the combination with cigarette smoking is enough to cause the head and neck cancers.

These reports also showed that in a tobacco smoke there are more than 60 are carcinogenic chemicals that does more harm than good when inhaled.

Alcohol may act as a solvent, making it easier for carcinogens in tobacco to enter head and neck cells. This may explain that in combination the effects of smoking and drinking of alcohol can be adverse and escalate the risk of head and neck cancers catching up with the smoker.

Head and Neck Cancer From these study findings we can say that people who use both tobacco and alcohol are at greater risk of developing these cancers than people who use either tobacco or alcohol alone. However it is safe to quit using alcohol even if you are not a smoker as these two studies plus other earlier ones have been able to establish and cement the fact that alcohol drinking alone is enough to cause DNA alterations which eventually leads to cancers of the Head and neck.

Some common symptoms of Head and neck cancers

Some of these symptoms may include swollen Pharynx, breathing problems, a lump or a sore that does not heal, a sore throat that does not go away, difficulty in swallowing, and a change or hoarseness in the voice. When you find yourself suffering from these symptoms that may also be same as those people suffer when sick of colds and fever it is good to check with a doctor before it’s too late.

Finally, Drug abuse, addiction and independence are problems that people grapple with every day. These problems need to be treated effectively through integrative medicine. Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) is an expert at this. Call her on (843) 213-1480 for help.

Alcohol Abuse and Head and Neck Cancer

Alcohol Abuse and Colorectal Cancer

January 21, 2015

Research Shows Alcohol Abuse Can Cause Colorectal Cancer

colorectal cancer In the past few articles we looked into the effects of alcohol abuse in relation to initiating some cancers. Alcohol abuse has been linked to different cancers and this may be because of alcohol’s general effects on the body which includes the following;

Alcohol generates reactive oxygen species. These are chemically reactive molecules that contain oxygen which can damage DNA, proteins, and lipids through the process known as oxidation.

Alcohol also breaks down ethanol present in alcoholic drinks to acetaldehyde, which is a toxic chemical and a probable human carcinogen. This substance is toxic enough to damage both DNA and the genetic materials that make up the genes and this may cause mutation which causes cancer.

Alcohol also impairs the body’s own ability to metabolize and absorb a variety of nutrients that may be associated with a reduction in cancer risk, including vitamin A; nutrients in the vitamin B complex, such as folate; vitamin C; vitamin D; vitamin E; and carotenoids. Absence of these nutrients escalates the risk of cancer. It is also believed to increase the levels of estrogen hormone which is also associated with increased cancer risks.

Alcoholic drinks are also made up of very harmful contents which are mostly introduced during production. These may include nitrosamines, asbestos fibers, phenols, and hydrocarbons which may increase cancer risks.

Colorectal cancer

As the name suggests, colorectal cancer refers to cancers that affect the colon and the rectum. Colon cancer is cancer of the colon, which is at the lower part of the digestive system. On the other hand, rectal cancer is cancer of the rectum which is part of the last inches of the colon. Together these two cancers can be referred to as colorectal cancers. In the colon cancer may begin as small lumps that are non-cancerous clumps of cells known as adenomatous polyps, however these polyps will grow into cancerous cells. At the beginning these polyps will not show any symptom associated with cancer and this may even pose a greater health challenge, therefore it is important to have yourself screened regularly for colorectal cancer. There are several cancers of the colon and rectum but adenocarcinomas are the dominant cancer type constituting up to 95 percent of colorectal cancer but there are other rare types of tumors that are also equally dangerous.

Signs and symptoms of colon cancer

Just like any other disease there are indicators that you may be suffering from colorectal cancers. These signs and symptoms may include;

Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain
A feeling that your bowel doesn’t empty completely
Weakness or fatigue
Unexplained weight loss
Constipation
Diarrhea
A change in consistency of passing stool
Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool

These symptoms though unpleasant may help you to know your status in relation to colorectal cancers and help you seek treatment in good time. However these symptoms may not show at early stages making it hard for colorectal cancer to be detected early. It is therefore advisable to go for screening to help with early treatment. If you notice any symptoms of colon cancer, such as blood in your stool or a persistent change in bowel habits the best you can do is to seek medical help.

Alcohol linked to colorectal cancer

Excessive alcohol consumption has been regarded as a risk factor for developing colorectal adenomas. In a study aimed to investigate the influence of excessive alcohol consumption on the occurrence of colorectal cancer among patients with at least one colonic adenoma done by M Bardou, S Montembault, V Giraud, A Balian, E Borotto, C Houdayer, F Capron, J-C Chaput and S Naveau it was found that In patients with at least one colorectal adenoma, excessive alcohol consumption increases the likelihood of developing high risk adenomas or colorectal cancer. In this study the participants were divided into three groups. All had at least one colorectal adenoma. The first group consisted of 401 heavy drinkers; the second group consisted of 152 patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) while the third group consisted of 108 patients with a family history (FH) of colorectal adenoma or cancer. For this study exclusive criteria were anemia, haematochezia, personal history of colorectal adenoma or cancer, and for groups heavy drinking and IBS a family history of colorectal adenoma and/or cancer.

This is not the first study to show this relation between alcohol abuse and colorectal cancer. This relation between alcohol consumption and risk of developing colorectal adenomas has been demonstrated previously by several authors. In a research it was found that the risk of polyps was increased three times for drinkers who did not smoke and 12 times for both drinkers and smokers compared with the risk of total abstainers. Naveau et al found that alcoholism and cirrhosis were two independent risk factors for colorectal adenomatous polyps after successive adjustments for sex, age, smoking, and serum cholesterol levels.

Alcohol addiction is a vice that should be fought by all means that is why we at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center are committed to availing help to addicts and offering them a place to call home. We offer NER Treatment and Amino acid therapy that are the most effective approaches to addiction treatment and recovery. You call on Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) today and begin your journey to victory against addiction.

Alcohol Abuse and Colorectal Cancer

Supplements That Replenish Dopamine and Serotonin Levels

January 18, 2015

Supplements That Can Rebuild and Replenish Depleted Dopamine and Serotonin Levels after Opioid Addiction

Supplements The benefits of the brain chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine can never be underestimated. In the previous articles we explored their specific functions and therefore repeating them here will be scratching your ears. However I would like to remind you that the use of opiates has a negative effect on these neurotransmitters and after a person has been using opiates it is important that he find ways to restore the levels of these neurotransmitters failure to which he will suffer undesired consequences related to opiate withdrawal.

Here are some supplements that can be used to restore dopamine and serotonin levels after opiate use

L-Tyrosine– The conditionally essential amino acid tyrosine is a precursor of catecholamine neurotransmitter, dopamine included. L-Tyrosine is available in the foods we eat such as egg, meat and fish. It can also be synthesized in the body. Tyrosine forms DOPA, which is then converted to dopamine, and this, in turn, forms norepinephrine, another neurotransmitter related to mood. By supporting production of neurotransmitters like dopamine, L-tyrosine supplements can enhance mood, sleep, emotional well-being, and mental function, especially under situations involving environmental and emotional stress or when dopamine levels require additional support in most cases after long periods of opiate use resulting in depleted dopamine. As for some people they are born with low levels of dopamine and hence a genetically inherited problem but just like people with depleted dopamine and serotonin from opiates use, they can also eat foods rich L-tyrosine.

Mucuna pruriens– commonly known as velvet bean, murina naturally contains up to 5% L-Dopa often referred to as levodopa. Lovedopa is the same biochemical that is made in humans from the amino acid L-tyrosine and is then synthesized into dopamine. When it is taken as a supplement, the L-DOPA from Mucuna can cross the blood-brain barrier to elevate brain dopamine levels. The Indian traditional medicine champions the use of powdered mucuna seeds in treatment of myriad illnesses including the Parkinson’s disease. Recently, studies utilizing Mucuna supplements have shown promising results not just for Parkinson’s but for other conditions related to dopamine deficiency, including depression and psychological stress. Mucuna extract has been shown to increase not only dopamine concentrations, but also other neurotransmitters that affect mood, such as serotonin and norepinephrine too. Look for an extract of Mucuna pruriens standardized to contain 15% L-DOPA. Take 300 mg twice a day and you will be amazed at how effective this extract can be.

L-theanine- L-theanine is an amino acid uniquely found in green tea that creates an alert state of relaxation without drowsiness. L-theanine is known to be able to cross the blood-brain barrier and increase dopamine levels in the brain. In animal studies it has been shown that L-theanine also increases brain serotonin and GABA. L-theanine has anti-depressant and anti-anxiety effects. It reduces mental and physical stress, and leads to improvements in learning and memory in humans and animals. Even just a single, small dose of L-theanine (100 mg) significantly improves the ability to pay attention and maintain focus compared to placebo. Take 200 mg of L-theanine 2-3 times daily.

Rhodiola– Rhodiola rosea, also known as golden root is a popular plant in traditional medicine in Eastern Europe and Asia, with good reviews for improving depression, enhancing work performance, eliminating fatigue and treating symptoms resulting from intense physical and psychological stress. It exerts its benefits via multiple effects on the central nervous system, including enhancing the stability of dopamine and supporting its reuptake. This leads to notable decreases in depression, anxiety, and fatigue, as well as an increased ability to handle stress. In human studies, rhodiola has been shown to significantly reduce depression, anxiety, and stress-related fatigue compared to placebo. Basing hope in past research findings you are encouraged to find its extract and use it daily to end your troubles with opiate withdrawal effects. For the standardized supplement just use 170mg per day.

Multivitamin- some minerals and B-vitamins are known for their effects on the neurotransmitters. These includes; Zink, folate, Vitamin B6. These are very necessary for dopamine synthesis and neurotransmission. These nutrients are often depleted in individuals due to medications, inadequate diets, excessive stress, and toxic environmental exposures, compromising the ability to properly synthesize neurotransmitters like dopamine. Therefore there is need to supplement these nutrients especially with high-potency, high-quality multivitamin and mineral supplements. This will help in enhancing neurotransmitter function and playing a complementary role in supporting emotional wellness that is required for a recovering addict.

Despite the benefits of having a high level of dopamine, too much of it is dangerous and needs to be avoided. You therefore need to work with the supplements strictly as instructed to avoid any problem that may arise in case of overdose. It is also advisable that you desist from getting and using these supplements without the help of a doctor specialized in the area. For better outcome you should seek the services of an experienced integrative doctor as they are more versed in this kind of treatment. You should not use different supplements at a time without consulting your integrative doctor as some supplements may react and therefore bear even more grave consequences.

Drug addiction is a vice that should be fought by all means that is why we at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center are committed to availing help to addicts and offering them a place to call home. We offer NER Treatment and Amino acid therapy that are the most effective approaches to addiction treatment and recovery. You call on Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) today and begin your journey to victory against addiction.

Supplements That Can Rebuild and Replenish Depleted Dopamine and Serotonin Levels after Opioid Addiction

Progesterone And Nicotine Addiction

January 7, 2015

Research Shows Progesterone Influences Nicotine Addiction in Women

Nicotine is a common substance in certain drugs. In fact we interact with nicotine most of the time without even stopping to think that it is really an addictive substance. Nicotine can be found in tea but again the level of nicotine will be different depending on which drug you are using. However nicotine has always been associated with tobacco and this is because it forms a bigger content of tobacco. Unknown to many, nicotine is the addictive substance in the tobacco and so should be avoided as much as other drug contents that are often considered more dangerous. Today, Nicotine addiction is on the rise and it continues to be the main cause of preventable death in developed countries. Despite of use of tobacco by people of all genders, it has been found that women and teen girls appear to be more vulnerable on certain aspects of nicotine addiction compared with men and boys. While the mechanism of gender differences in nicotine addiction is not yet clear, evidence suggests that while estrogen may underlie enhanced vulnerability in females, progesterone may protect females. Thus, progesterone may have therapeutic use for tobacco addiction, especially in female smokers. Researchers are working to establish the reason for this gender variation in nicotine addiction and the revelation will pose a greater understanding of the role of progesterone in nicotine addiction is important not only from a treatment purposes but also from a prevention perspective. The changes in hormones in the body of women such as those that occur at adolescence and during pregnancy and following birth. The changes in hormones that are also caused by hormonal manipulation like using methods of hormonal birth control may all contribute to changes in vulnerability to nicotine addiction.

In this article we will explore in reference to recent evidences from clinical studies how progesterone affects the health of a woman in relation to nicotine addiction. Depending on the data already availed from past researches we will find out the effects of progesterone during the initiation stage and even during the later stages of nicotine addiction process as a potential relapse prevention treatment.

Several studies have indicated that in spite of the public knowledge that nicotine addiction can be dangerous to one’s health, tobacco use has been on the rise especially on young women and teens. In a 2007 study results on National Survey on Drug Use research done by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration often shortened as SAHMSA found that Females aged 12–17 are also more likely than males initiate smoking. It has also been found out that women take shorter time to develop tobacco dependence syndrome after their initial use of tobacco.

Similar reports of enhanced vulnerability in females versus males have been reported among adult smokers. For example, among adults (18 years and over), although more men than women smoke, women take less time to become dependent after initial use, report shorter and less frequent abstinence periods and smoke for longer periods of time in their lives compared with men with the median cessation age of 33 years for males versus 37 years for females. This finding was reported by a research done by Pierce and Gilpin in 1996 in a study titled: How long will today’s adolescent smoker be addicted to cigarettes?

Of all the studies that have been available on tobacco use it has been found that women are more vulnerable to nicotine addiction as they also appear to respond less favorably to smoking cessation treatments.

Preclinical studies on rats

A preclinical study on rats done by Donny and Clark with other researchers provided information that is Consistent with the above findings. In preclinical studies, adolescent and adult female rats showed faster acquisition of intravenous nicotine self-administration and higher break points on a progressive-ratio schedule compared with adolescent and adult males. Similarly, female mice showed a greater preference for nicotine in a two-bottle choice task compared with male mice indicating greater sensitivity of females to nicotine’s reinforcing effects. These studies point to important gender differences in initiation and maintenance of nicotine use that may contribute to smaller gains in curbing nicotine addiction in women.

Progesterone interacts with GABA receptors

Several research findings point out that Progesterone and its metabolites interact with multiple neurotransmitter receptors including GABA, glycine, sigma1, kainate, serotonin3, and nicotinic cholinergic receptors. However, most relevant for nicotine addiction are interactions with GABA. Progesterone’s active metabolites, pregnanolone and allopregnanolone, have positive modulatory effects on GABA receptors which enhance GABAergic transmission. GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain and has significant influence on multiple central nervous system (CNS) function. The positive modulatory effects of progesterone metabolites on the GABA receptors have been proposed to weaken drug reward. Remarkably, the effects of progesterone and its metabolites on GABAergic signaling vary with menstrual cycle phase and at hormone transition phases including during adolescence and during pregnancy. For instance, during puberty, allopreganolone’s effects on GABAergic transmission are opposite to those seen before and after puberty with results showing a reduction in GABAergic transmission.

It has also been reported that progesterone also affects signaling at nicotinic receptors. Specifically, both progesterone and allopregnanolone are negative modulators of the α4β2 nicotinic receptors. Progesterone has also been reported to increase mRNA expression of α5 nicotinic receptors.

In conclusion

Progesterone may avail a skeleton for nicotine treatment in women but more research need to be done on this issue so as the potential of nicotine addiction with progesterone can be examined. Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Center is an expert in integrative medicine for addiction. Call her on (843) 213-1480 for help.

Research Shows Progesterone Influences Nicotine Addiction in Women

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