Category Archives: best-addiction-treatment-education

Hippocampus and addiction

January 3, 2015

The Hippocampus Is Central To Many Aspects of Addictive Process

HippocampusDuring childhood the brain will naturally produce the adequate amounts of nerve cells known as neurons which work to power the main coordination and control functions of the central nervous system. In medical terms, the process of neuron production is known as neurogenesis. During adulthood, neurogenesis essentially comes to a halt in almost all areas of the brain except for a region called the hippocampus, which plays a primary role in certain functions related to memory and learning. According to findings reported in 2011 by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, use or abuse of the illegal stimulants cocaine and methamphetamine can interfere with adult neuron growth inside the hippocampus. In turn, disruption of neuron production in this brain region can increase overall risks for the onset of a stimulant addiction.

Neurogenesis is a crucial process in the brain as it helps to populate or re-populate the brain with neurons. These neurons form the core of the communications network that makes the brain the center of all nervous system activity within the rest of the body. The primary period of neuron production occurs before birth during the process of fetal growth and development. The process of neurogenesis also continues during childhood and adolescence in a less extensive form. However, by the time an individual reaches adulthood, the production of new neurons comes to a halt except inside the hippocampus and in a region called the subventricular zone, which is located near fluid-filled chambers in the brain known as the lateral ventricles.

Getting to know hippocampus

Hippocampus belongs to a pathway called the limbic system together with other crucial structures in the brain. The hippocampus is a paired structure that assumes a resemblance of bananas. The whole of the limbic system plays a prime role in the human ability to experience rewarding or pleasurable sensations. However, as a distinct structure, the hippocampus functions largely as the brain’s center for taking in new memories, arranging those memories and creating an index that makes the newly arranged memories easy to find in the future. Other vital tasks carried out by this brain region include coordinating emotion-based responses to internal or external situations, helping the body orient itself spatially to its surroundings and providing the ability to remember and navigate the details of previously encountered physical environments.

This part of the brain plays very important roles but it can be adversely affected by the use of stimulants and other drugs of leisure. Substances such as cocaine and methamphetamine produce their primary effects inside the brain by boosting the presence of dopamine which is a neurotransmitting chemical that activates the pleasure-producing neurons contained within the limbic system. As stated above the limbic system includes the hippocampus, along with several other brain structures. According to the results of two separate studies published in 2008 in the Journal of Neuroscience and Biological Psychiatry, the presence of either cocaine or methamphetamine alters normal adult neurogenesis inside the hippocampus and damages this region’s ability replenish its neuron supply. It has been found that stimulants as well as other drugs of pleasure interfere with the basic processes of neurogenesis at an early, critical stage known as proliferation. In particular cocaine also interferes with the ability of existing immature neurons to grow into their normal mature forms.

Owing to its vital roles, the hippocampus has since become an area of particular interest, as it is central to many aspects of the addictive process, including relapse to drug taking. A recently appreciated hippocampal neuro-adaptation produced by drugs as diverse as opiates and psycho-stimulants is decreased neurogenesis in the sub-granular zone (SGZ). Stem cell Adult-generated neurons and drug-induced alterations of adult neurogenesis advance our understanding of the complex mechanisms by which opiates and psycho-stimulants affect brain function.

How drugs addiction affects Hippocampus

In a research that was done by researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in 2011, the results of this study that examined the addiction risks related to the disruption of normal neurogenesis inside the hippocampus indicated that cocaine abuse led to decreased production of neurons in the hippocampus. During this study, adult rat were deprived of their normal ability to produce new hippocampal neurons. These rats were then given free access to cocaine for four hours a day. When compared to adults rats not robbed of their ability to produce new neurons in the hippocampus, these neurogenesis-impaired rats consistently increased their cocaine intake by 60 percent. The neurogenesis-impaired rats also had a much greater tendency to seek out cocaine between the sanctioned periods of drug access; substance abuse specialists typically view this type of drug-seeking behavior as a critical indicator of a developing drug addiction.

HippocampusThese researchers also measured neurogenesis-impaired rats’ susceptibility to a drug relapse. During the first phase of this stage of testing, the rats were removed from the cages where drug use had taken place, blocked all drug access for a month, and let the rats go through withdrawal. At the end of the month, the rats were returned to their old cages but still received no access to cocaine. Compared to rats with normal rates of neurogenesis which also went through the same process, the neurogenesis-impaired rats showed more prominent signs of drug craving and a desire to continue drug use as often the case in relapse.

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.

The Hippocampus Is Central To Many Aspects of Addictive Process

 

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Stem Cell for Neurodegenerative Disorders

January 3, 2015

Stem Cell for Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders

Stem cellThe field of stem cell biology is mushrooming with many investigations centered on a multitude of prospective applications in regenerative medicine including Stem cell therapy for neurodegenerative disorders. Recent advances in stem cell research have highlighted the role played by such cells and their environment; the stem cell niche in tissue renewal and homeostasis. The control and regulation of stem cells and their niche are remaining challenges for cell therapy and regenerative medicine on several tissues and organs. These recent advances are important for both, the basic knowledge of stem cell regulation, and their practical applications into clinical medicine to aid in effective treatment of certain diseases that have maimed the human population worldwide for all the past years. researchers having found how important the stem cells are in controlling diseases are still working to find out other clinical applications of the stem cell therapy so as to avail better alternative to treatment of these diseases. The researchers are discussing on the need for a deeper understanding of the identity of this stem cells and its microenvironment in order to improve the effectiveness of any cell therapy for regenerative medicine.

The greatest area at which the researchers have done lots of work and held many discussions is whether the stem cell therapy can be effective in regenerative therapy by replacing and repairing damaged cells and tissues by diseases. with the latest on this subject, it can be believed that this is a challenge that is already won as researchers have now certified that the stem cell therapy helps in replacing and repairing the damaged cells therefore a clever way of fighting diseases in a less risky manner since there are few (if any) side effects that are associated with the stem cell therapy.

The stem cell therapy as used in regenerative medicine

The stem cells have been noted for their unique features. The stem cells unlike other cells are capable of dividing and renewing themselves for long periods. They are unspecialized and they can give rise to specialized cell types. Stem cells are capable of dividing and renewing themselves for long periods. Unlike muscle cells, blood cells, or nerve cells which do not normally replicate themselves, stem cells may replicate many times, or proliferate. A starting population of stem cells that proliferates for many months in the laboratory can yield millions of cells. If the resulting cells continue to be unspecialized, like the parent stem cells, the cells are said to be capable of long-term self-renewal. Due to these distinct scientists are involved in many investigations centered on a multitude of prospective applications of the stem cell therapy in regenerative medicine including Stem cell therapy for neurodegenerative disorders.

Stem cell therapy basically refers to the use of the stem cell to treat certain conditions. Stem cell therapy has become a vital part of regenerative medicine. Regenerative medicine is an emerging branch of medicine with the goal of restoring organ and tissue function for patients with serious injuries or chronic disease in which the body’s own responses are not sufficient enough to restore functional tissue. A growing crisis in organ transplantation and an aging population have driven a search for new and alternative therapies. In regenerative medicine the stem cells can be used to create living and functional tissues to regenerate and repair tissue and organs in the body that are damaged due to age, disease and congenital defects. Stem cells have the power to go to these damaged areas and regenerate new cells and tissues by performing a repair and a renewal process, restoring functionality. The use of the stem cells in the regenerative medicine will help in treating diseases that result in degeneration of cells and tissues.

Stem CellThe stem cell therapy involves transplanting healthy stem cells into the parts of the body that are adversely affected by diseases. These stem cells will then replace the damaged cells and give rise to millions of healthy cells hence hastening the process of recovery. The stem cell therapy is so far the best treatment in this century for neurodegenerative disorders.

Some of the diseases that can be treated by the stem cell therapy

In conclusion

With the breakthrough in this of study we will expect that treatment of diseases will be more convenient, effective and even affordable. This new intervention in the regenerative medicine is light at the end of the tunnel to patients suffering from neurodegenerative disorders. It is a treatment that tackles diseases at their roots and it also has no side effects. Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Center is an experienced doctor in the use of integrative medicine in healing diseases. Call her on (843) 213-1480 for help.

Stem Cell for Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders

 

 

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Entertainment Industry and Relationship to Alcohol Addiction

December 18, 2014

People Employed In the Arts, In the Leisure and Hospitality Prone To Drinking

Many people indulge in drinking of alcohol as leisure. Most people have only evenings and weekends to grab their bottles of alcohol and feel the fun. However there are other people who have all the time they want and can engage in alcohol drinking at any time of the day without this affecting their work relationships or at least they will not face such stiff penalties for drinking alcohol during working hours such as suspension and loss of job. This group that enjoys the freedom to drink alcohol whenever they want and as much as they want are those employed in the arts, in the leisure and hospitality.

George Washington University Medical Center researchers compared the alcoholism rates of various professions. It was found that people who are employed in Arts, leisure and hospitality tops the chart at 15 percent. This group is followed closely by construction and mining at 14.7, retail at 9.7, finance and real estate tied at 9.2, and transportation at 8.2. At only 7.2 percent, professional hunters and fishermen are less than half as likely as artists to be alcoholics. For education, health, social services, it’s 5.4 percent. Public administrators trail the pack at 5.3 percent.

Alcohol addiction

This research however did not give reasons why people employed as artists, in leisure and hospitality engaged more in drinking alcohol than all the other work groups. It is therefore safe to give personal opinion to why these people drink more than any other work group. Here are some of the reasons why those who are employed in art, leisure and hospitality drink alcohol more than those who are employed as teachers, health workers and even those who offer social services.

Most of them own their Jobs

The reason why teachers, health workers and other public servants do not engage more in drinking is because they do not own their jobs and have to abide with certain stipulated codes of conduct failure to which they will lose their jobs. Public servants have nothing special  that can make them not drink as much as artists but the fact that they are employed and must please their employers at all times leaves them with only weekends and evenings to drink and revel.

Public servants are also expected to be the eyes of their profession. In that they ought to paint their profession in a manner that it will be respected by the society. School teachers bear this pressure that they have to be seen as role models by the students they teach and no student will have a drunkard scholar as a role model.

Artists are generally rich

Artists are known to earn much out of their little effort. Take for example an athlete like Usain Bolt who will run few seconds yet earn millions from it. He therefore has too much to spend as compared to a teacher who will work an entire month and still will be left with very little to spare. I am not trying to say that the rich generally drinks more than the poor but the nature of an athlete’s profession leaves him with all the reasons to celebrate as compared to other professional who have nothing to celebrate about their jobs but are merely glued to their jobs just because they need to earn a living from it.

Nature of their work

Where do musicians perform? In offices where only water can be drawn from a dispenser? No most artistes work in places where alcohol is the most available beverage. They perform in bars and clubs where alcohol is just meters away. He lives with the alcohol as he is working but the social workers and other civil servants do not have that immediate access to alcohol as much as the artistes and those working in hospitality. There are people who began working in the hospitality industry when they were not taking alcohol but due to the exposure they got they began indulging in alcohol. You may think it is a choice you make irrespective of where you are but the exposure to alcohol may have a great influence on you.

Addiction

Merrymaking Culture

The salient characteristic of hospitality industry is the merrymaking culture. Drinking alcohol and merrymaking are identical twins therefore it only suits the situation that people working in these areas embrace the culture. You will always be attracted to work where you feel you will enjoy the benefits of such work and that is why most people working in hospitality industry are heavy drinkers. Another reason for their drinking is that they have flexible working time that allows them to create time for their bottle.

Peer influence

In the entertainment industry is where you will find varied trends ranging from hairstyle to dressing code. This influence does not only end in dressing code and appearance of an artist but also in their behaviors. You will find that most upcoming musicians will ape the way of life their roles models live and since most of the artists are drinkers these upcoming artistes grow up knowing that as the norm and embracing it.

Alcoholism 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. It does not matter what kind of addiction you are wrestling with right now, just call on Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) today and begin your journey to victory against addiction.

People Employed In the Arts, In the Leisure and Hospitality Prone To Drinking

 

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Alcoholism Increases the Risk to Diabetes

December 18, 2014

 Alcoholism Increases the Risk to Diabetes

Alcoholism is a vice that ought to be fought at all costs. This is because apart from the health risks and diseases associated with it, it also affects the economy of a nation. Today there are very many people who have been rendered liabilities to their families as a result of their addiction to alcohol. Most people who have become dependent on alcohol have no places to work. Even if they were employed they will lose their jobs as no organization is interested in employing a person who can’t control his craving for alcohol. Being drunk and disorderly is a common recipe for arrests and so it is not strange to hear men who have been jailed for assaulting their wives when under the influence of alcohol. These are the heavy penalties that our societies suffer as a result of alcoholism. However there are some problems that will affect the individual health wise and this includes diabetes.

Alcohol and Diabetes

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a lifelong condition that is associated with high blood sugar levels.  The term  describes a group of metabolic diseases in which the person has high blood sugar level which is either caused by deficiency in  insulin production is  or failure of  the body’s cells do not respond appropriately to insulin, or both. Common symptoms associated with high blood sugar level are that the patients will typically experience frequent urination, they will become increasingly thirsty and hungry at the same time.

Diabetes is a serious disease that has disabled many people around the globe and so anything that may heighten the risk of getting this disease should be avoided. In 2013 alone it was estimated that over 382 people in the world had diabetes. That just shows how serious problem diabetes really is. The most common diabetes symptoms include frequent urination, intense thirst and hunger, weight gain, unusual weight loss, fatigue, cuts and bruises that do not heal male sexual dysfunction, numbness and tingling in hands and feet.

What is the relationship between diabetes and alcoholism?

Through numerous research studies scientists have been able to establish the fact that alcoholism can increase a person’s chances of getting diabetes. As known to many, diabetes type 2 is caused when there is insulin resistance. In an experiment done on rats it was found that binge drinking directly caused insulin resistance. In the past it was the link between binge drinking and diabetes had not been established but now scientist have proved that binge drinking alone aside from other factors as overeating can directly cause insulin resistance thereby leading to type 2 diabetes. People with a history of binge drinking have a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.

A group of Researchers at the Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, in New York, published their findings in the 30 January issue of the journal Science Translational Medicine.  The scientists report that alcohol appears to disrupt insulin-receptor signaling by causing inflammation in the hypothalamus, an area of the brain that among other things is important for metabolic processes.

Alcoholism induces Insulin Resistance

Typically, the main role of the insulin receptor is to control the uptake of glucose. When there is a decrease in signaling of this receptor the cells will not be able to take up glucose, and this will result in too high sugar level in the blood a condition known as hyperglycemia among other consequences of type 2 diabetes.

Insulin resistance refers to a condition in which insulin does not bind properly to the receptor, thus hindering its ability to send the right signals to cells so they can use glucose for energy. This can happen even when the pancreas is producing enough insulin to keep glucose levels under control. One major symptom of insulin resistance is high levels of insulin in the bloodstream. This is a major component of metabolic syndrome, a group of risk factors that together increase the risk for type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, and stroke.

Senior author Christoph Buettner, an Associate Professor of Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Bone Disease, at the Icahn School of Medicine, is quoted in a research report saying; “Insulin resistance has emerged as a key metabolic defect leading to type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD).” This statement shows the link between insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

“Someone who regularly binge drinks even once a week, over many years, may remain in an insulin resistant state for an extended period of time, potentially years,” he adds.

In their study, the researchers replicated human binge drinking by giving rats alcohol for three days while keeping another group of rats as controls. Both the groups had the same calorie intake but the control group was not fed alcohol. After the three days the researchers then ran a series of tests to check glucose metabolism. They found that even when there was no trace of alcohol left in their bloodstream, the binge drinking rats had higher levels of circulating insulin than the control rats this was a proof of insulin resistance in the drinking rats. This increase in circulating insulin hormone in the blood of drinking rats was induced by the alcohol.

Alcohol and Diabetes

Another author Claudia Lindtner, an Associate Researcher of Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Bone Disease at the Icahn School of Medicine, is quoted in the report saying; “Previously it was unclear whether binge drinking was associated with an increased risk for diabetes, since a person who binge drinks may also tend to binge eat, or at least eat too much.”

“Our data show for the first time that binge drinking induces insulin resistance directly and can occur independent of differences in caloric intake,” she concludes.

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. It does not matter what kind of addiction you are wrestling with right now, just call on Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) today and begin your journey to victory against addiction.

Alcoholism Increases the Risk to Diabetes

 

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Alcohol Addiction among Executives and Professionals In Dubai

December 16, 2014

Alcohol Addiction among Executives and Professionals Is a Growing Problem in Dubai

Dubai is a country where Islamic religion dominates and as known alcohol consumption is prohibited among Muslims. However there has been an increase in the number of people consuming alcohol in Dubai as well as other countries within the United Arabs Emirates such as Abu Dhabi among others. Recently the alarming rate of alcohol consumption in the entire United Arabs Emirates has compelled the concerned authorities to come up with measures to help this huge population wasting their lives away in drinking alcohol without any control. This includes setting up a national rehab center at Abu Dhabi to help cater for the needs of addicts in the UAE.

The biggest in fighting alcohol addiction in Dubai is that most of the people affected are professionals which means that at the time of their addiction they might not be able to offer the services that are needed by the citizens however the NRC is doing as much to save the situation as possible to ensure that the growing numbers of executives and professionals consuming alcohol is reduced.

Alcohol Addiction in Dubai

in Dubai alcohol is frequently used socially, however as a person continues to use alcohol he will fail to notice in good time if his drinking is becoming a problem and by the time he realizes that the habit is becoming a problem it will probably too late. This is the problem that has faced professionals in Dubai and the fact that a person is often surrounded by people drinking the same amount, and as frequently as he does. It may be that he has always used alcohol and never thought of it as causing him problems. Professionals with family members who consume alcohol seem it normal to indulge in drinking and at some point maintaining a low risk level of drinking becomes a problem and eventually they become dependent on alcohol and dependence on alcohol and any drug of abuse is not safe for any professional as it may hurt his career.

In Dubai just like any other part of the world professional will turn to alcohol because of work related stress or a lack of knowledge about ways to manage difficult or painful emotions. With alcohol, frequent use can cause a physical dependence that needs to be assessed to be treated.

The extent to which alcohol abuse has increased in the UAE is revealed in an exclusive interview with XPRESS, in which Hesham Farouk Al Arabi, NRC head of health, training and education, revealed details of plans to treat alcohol abuse among the expat community. It includes opening a 200-bed facility by 2014 and setting up satellite services throughout the country as part of a “washing machine” model where getting clean on a detox is just the start. In the interview he pointed out that the number of expats who are drowning in booze has increased and the evidence is in the calls of inquiry made to NRC by the expats which has increased from 35 last year to 150 this year. He however admits that little is known about the size or needs of the booze-fuelled problem in the UAE expat community.

Counselors and recovering alcoholics describe the scenario as an expat social scene saturated with alcohol, topped up at the weekend with Friday brunches. A social activity unique to the UAE, these brunches offer unlimited food and alcohol for prices ranging between Dh200 and Dh1,000.

“A number of Dubai residents are drowning in booze, unable to keep their heads above the surface,” says a counselor.

Interviews of expatriates on Dubai’s drinking scene showed the call for last drinks was much in demand. However, plenty of expats are enjoying a taste of the tipple on offer without going overboard.

The scenario in Dubai

Dubai being a country where Islamic religion is dominant, alcohol laws just like in any other country in the Middle East are quite strict. There are designated areas for drinking and when a person is found drunk in public that might attract a hefty fine or even a jail term. This I believe is done with an intention to reduce the rate of drinking but on a close look it does more harm to those who are already addicted to alcohol as they find it hard to seek help openly.

alcohol-addiction

Dubai has strict alcohol laws, only allowing drinking in designated areas. Getting caught drunk in public can lead to a fine and even a jail term. Over the past years alcoholism has been a growing problem in the UAE and reports from the National Rehabilitation Centre states that 5.3% of deaths are alcohol or drug related, with a considerable amount of hidden users. The setting up of the National rehab Centre may help some people to get help mostly the local Emiratis may benefit from the NRC but to save the executives and the professionals there is much to demand that cannot be offered by the NRC due to the fact that most professionals seek help in anonymity that can’t be offered by the same government that is their employer and that is where private rehabs come in. the private rehabs will not only offer anonymity but will also personalize treatment to suit every professional enhancing effectiveness.

Alcoholism 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 Addiction among Executives and Professionals Is a Growing Problem in Dubai

 

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