Category Archives: Women Health

Cranial Electrotherapy For Cigarette Smoking

July 26, 2015

Medical Breakthrough: Cranial Electrotherapy Leading Fight against Cigarette Smoking

Of all forms of addiction, tobacco is the most regularly abused. This is majorly because of its addictive content, nicotine. Addiction is majorly characterized by its rewarding and compulsive nature. These two make quitting a difficult process. Addiction has little or no regard to health consequences, however dire. It is said most smokers recognize use of tobacco as harmful and often they express a desire to moderate or desist from using it in vain. Reports indicate close to 35 million tobacco users express willingness to shun however over 85 percent of them who take their own initiatives each year often relapse, mostly within a week. And yet a very small portion of the remaining 15% attains full recovery.

How Cigarette Smokers Get Addicted to Nicotine

The addictive substance nicotine once smoked causes a number of effects in the brain. Nicotine like other addictive substances activates pleasure axes of the brain. It also increases levels of one key pleasure causing chemical component of the brain called dopamine. The brain has a way of developing a pathway of things commonly used through a process neuroplasticity. This way long term exposure to nicotine leads to increased levels of dopamine production. The whole process therefore leads to addiction of nicotine and tobacco for that matter. The addictive substance also has pharmacokinetic properties, which acts to reinforce the addiction. Learn more about nicotine addiction via www.awaremednetwork.com.

Cranial Electrotherapy

The road leading to addiction is as straight as the above explanation. Nicotine addiction is also rewarding and repetitive, literally making smoking fun. But there are consequences, most of the time dreadful. This reminds us the way back to recovery. Unlike the road down to addiction, the one back to sobriety is rough and bumpy. Sometimes it is so rocky we get stuck, other times it’s so muddy and slippery we get back down to nicotine addiction and wait for another season like the 85%. After a few more attempts, we lose hope and let nature take its course. Recovery then seems impossible, however it is within reach. And we can give it one more shot. Only this time differently. How about battling cigarette smoking using the recent medical breakthrough, cranial electrotherapy?

Symptoms of Nicotine Addiction

Symptoms of nicotine withdrawal include anxiety, irritability, increased appetite, craving, depression, short-lived attention spans, and sleep disturbances. There are a number of clinical other methods in use however none comes out a clear cut treatment option. Replacement therapies such as gum, inhalers, and patches may attempt take out the pharmacological characteristics of withdrawal but often cravings never seize. Cranial electrotherapy however is slowly gaining popularity for its convenience, comfort and comparative cost.

New Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES)

Cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) is a type of brain stimulus that passes a small, pulsed electric current from one corner to another of a patient’s head to cure some of the addictive symptoms earlier mentioned including; anxiety, depression, chronic pains and insomnia among others. Cranial electrotherapy involves the use of a small hand-held electric, home based medical device. Even though recently approved, CES has been around for some time, it has been used in our psychiatry clinics for a period many years.

Cranial electrotherapy Simulation devices generate 1/1000, the output of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and connected with sponge conductors on both sides of the head. Patients are required to use the device for about 20 minutes twice every day during the first 6 weeks, then less frequently as recommended by a physician. Actually the device is convenient and more easy to use; this is because it allows the patients go about their morning and evening routines comfortably. The electrical current must be gentle, not greater than 4 mA. They are often these often called electroceuticals; not quite as handy as popping a pill, but a lot more convenient than the trans cranial magnetic stimulation or ECT treatments.

Zero Side Effects of CES

Various medical research studies indicate cranial electrotherapy causes no adverse effects other than headache or dizziness in less than 1 of 250 patients. Cranial therapy is again a cheaper way of treatment compared with others. The cost of the CES ranges from $600 to $800 depending on the features and the place of origin, the manufacturer. Reports also purport cranial electrotherapy increases cognitive abilities of the patients, especially when they are chemically dependent. Also, the use of cranial electrotherapy does not need monitoring hence cutting down on costs.

Cranial Electrotherapy

Despite the benefits mentioned immediately above, many experts discourage use of cranial electrotherapy during pregnancy. Research on effects of CES on milk production is ongoing and until it is considered safe, doctors have warned against its use by expectant mothers. Most of the experts however opine cranial electrotherapy has no effect on milk production and or continued lactation. More research on cranial electrotherapy and its’ safety with the expectant and the unborn is ongoing with further revelations expected in this year’s upcoming August Integrative Addiction Medicine Conference. To learn more about the same and sign up for a chance to participate click on: http://www.integrativeaddiction2015.com.

Medical Breakthrough: Cranial Electrotherapy Leading Fight Against Cigarette Smoking

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PTSD and Addiction Cause-And-Effect!

July 26, 2015

Cause-And-Effect Relationship between PTSD and Addiction

It is a common medical practice addicts are tested for co-occurring physical and mental conditions each time they seek treatment. In many of those occasions they have actually been diagnosed with various forms of the same. Very much common among them is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). There are several accounts as to the connection between these two. One such theory is based on the fact many victims of PTSD have drug addiction or related issues. And there are available data that pretty much supports this.

According to a commonly cited report, an estimated 8% of Americans have suffered PTSD at one point in their lives. Out of them 34% men and 27% women have recorded drug addiction. Again, 52% men and 28% women victims of PTSD tested alcoholics. Given the statistics, PTSD ranks very highly among predisposing factors to drug addiction; that is, when compared with other forms of co-occurring physical and mental medical conditions.

From PTSD to Addiction; Escape Theory

The first explanation, rather one that is considered too obvious is that patients with PTSD related symptoms including: insomnia, pervasiveness, nightmares and mood swings sought escape in drugs. This according to proponents of the theory was one way the patients got reprieve from physical, psychosocial and the emotional pains.

With time more exploratory studies have been done. Some of these opine, suggest the reason many PTSD victims are diagnosed with drug addiction was broader than that. They do not however contradict the fact the paradigm of escape has offered a good part of the reason PTSD and addiction have such a relationship. For instance alcohol is a great depressant, given the statistics above it could as well be true very many resort to drinking the addictive substance in order to discharge their “pains”.

Cause-Effect PTSD Addiction Relationship; Increased-Risk Theory

Other than that the increased-risk philosophy also posits a cause-and-effect kind of relationship between PTSD and drug addiction. Proponents here argue before PTSD can develop a traumatic incident must occur first. They also posit the drug abusers often expose themselves to higher risks of such traumatic events. The point here is in as much as various PTSD symptoms very much pushes victims into drug use and addiction the vice versa is also true; that sometimes those already addicted may as well through their acts develop PTSD.

PTSD AND ADDICTION

From Addiction to PTSD; Vulnerability Theory

Some scientific researchers also argue whether PTSD symptoms come first or last, they have the ability to either cause an addiction or PTSD or make them perennial. Vulnerability theorists do not concern themselves with which causes what between these two, rather they concentrate on effects of PTSD symptoms and experiences of addicts on the functioning of their brains. Intoxicants for instance they argue have damaging effects on the brain that may make it very difficult for an addict to recover in this case therefore making it possible they develop persistent PTSD.

It has been established genetic factors make some people more susceptible to drug and alcohol addiction. In a recent study conducted by UCLA’s Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, it was found there is a link between particular genetic components and symptoms of PTSD. While there are no specific explanations yet as to why PTSD and addiction commonly co-exists, it is anticipated continued research may provide the missing links.

Effects Created by Co-Occurring Drug Addiction and PTSD

Effects of addiction far go beyond influencing a person’s body functions to both their physical and psychosocial lives. They include among others; physical pains, mental and emotional pains, relationship problems, work related problems, anger, memory loss, family quarrels and fits, depression, irritability, and problems falling asleep. PTSD pretty much has similar effects on its victims, which makes people who exhibit both PTSD and Addiction often perennial problems, for them these issues never seize. Such include: They tend to have escalated forms of these symptoms, hence making it much more difficult to get treated from any either drug addiction or PTSD.

Treatment Options for PTSD and Addiction

There are well over 17 medically recognized symptoms linked to PTSD, which clearly indicates just how troublesome it can be in the lives of victims. It is therefore prudent to seek relevant treatment for PTSD while seeking addiction related therapy. On the other hand drug addiction has a tendency to influence recognition of the brain to various drugs and related medical conditions. Drug addiction therefore has the capacity to make healing from PTSD very difficult. Treating both PTSD and addiction therefore requires a simultaneous approach.

PTSD AND ADDICTION

The first stride when for a patient with both conditions is to talk to his/her physician and seek more information about the treatment options. Medical scientific research evidence shows patients with both PTSD and SUD symptoms generally improve when provided with treatment options that addresses both conditions, which may involve among others the following:

 

  1. Behavioral couples therapy
  2. cognitive behavioral treatments (CBT)
  3. Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

For more information on the above, click http://www.integrativeaddiction2015.com. The link will also guide you on how to sign up for an upcoming Integrative Addiction Medicine Conference. You will also find a backgrounder about speakers lined up for the conference. If you need to learn some of the most recent studies on both PTSD, addiction, genetic transfer along generations, their relation, and more treatment options, the event is a must attend.

CAUSE-AND-EFFECT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PTSD AND ADDICTION

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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (Hbot) Helps In Addiction Recovery

July 25, 2015

How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (Hbot) Helps In Addiction Recovery

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) was reportedly used to treat 340 patients with severe cases of alcoholism, drug addiction, and narcomania during the post-intoxication periods. Out of the 340, 223 were alcoholics, 68 were drug addicts, while 49 were hard narcotic users. This is according to various medical reports released a decade after the new millennium. These figures no doubt brought a new sense of hope to many drug users, especially those on various drug addiction recovery programs and their physicians alike about the so called HBOT. Any wild guesses would suggest naturally they did ask the question; so what about it? Well..

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a natural healing process of the body through 100% oxygen inhalation. HBOT involves taking in pure oxygen under increased and controlled atmospheric pressure. It is an established treatment for decompression sickness and hazardous effects of deep-sea diving among others. Most notable of the other medical conditions where HBOT may be recommended include serious infections, air bubbles in the blood vessels, stubborn wounds that come about as a result of diabetes or radiation related injuries as well as long term treatment option for drug addiction.

Brief History of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT); And How it Works

History of hyperbaric oxygen therapy dates back to 350 years ago. The first (HBOT) chamber was erected in the year 1662. Use of HBOT however properly began mid in the 18th C. It was first tested by the military in the 1930s, precisely to find out its significance in deep-sea diving and aeronautics. Serious studies however began later in the 1960s against a number of medical conditions. These activities have continued to date but more important is the fact HBOT has been found to have long term positive effects on addiction recovery. Check out this: www.awaremednetwork.com for the timelines.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Atmospheric pressure at sea level is 1 ATM. People take in approximately 21% oxygen at the sea level. In a hyperbaric chamber however they breathe in 100% oxygen, usually because the pressure is increased to about 3 times that at sea level. Blood vessels therefore carry more oxygen, providing about 15-25 times more oxygen to the rest of the body organs and tissues. Oxygen is said to have abilities to heal naturally. Increasing volume of oxygen supply therefore promotes faster healing of various medical conditions as earlier mentioned. This always comes with a number of health benefits.

Effects of HBOT on Patients’ Health

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment has a positive effect on the patient’s physical and psychological status during treatment sessions and could as well persist for a given period of time after treatment depending on the duration of exposure. Those with co-current symptoms and other initial status often experience sedative and bio-energizing effects. Various psychopathological examinations indicated the patients experienced faster decline of mental disorders, which brought about a further reduction in the duration of time spent while getting relevant treatment. Also, the parameters of central hemodynamics stabilized and myocardial status recorded further improvement. Such favorable attribute of HBOT were largely thought to be as a result of the anti-hypoxic detoxifying and bio-energetic effects of HBOT Treatments.

Normally, oxygen is supplied via red blood cells. Under intense pressure however oxygen dissolves into all other body’s parts and fluids including; the plasma, lymph, and into the bone and transported to areas with low oxygen uptake, normally because of damaged body cells or the blood vessels. This extra oxygen reach to all the body parts, including the damaged parts therefore is essential in aiding enables the body parts to develop its own healing mechanisms. Increased amount of oxygen also greatly boosts the white blood cells to kill bacteria even faster, thereby reducing swellings and rapid formation of new blood vessels in the affected areas.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Addiction Recovery

Increased levels of oxygen supply to the brain can also improve the brain’s ability to function. This is particularly significant in addiction recovery because as indicated hyperbaric oxygen therapy helps in neuroplasticity. This is the brain’s ability to recover from damage. Addiction distorts normal neuron pathways, that is, drugs often lead to formation of new neuron pathways that identifies and recognizes the substance. Since the brain has a natural recovery mechanism, and that HBOT has the ability to increase that mechanism, it is therefore a great way of treating drug addiction.

Other than recovering from brain damage, many addicts on rehabilitation programs where this particular method of treatment is used confess they become more alert and that they are able to think much more clearly during or after treatment. Effect of the same on the patients’ physical strengths is substantial, and also they exhibit healthier skins. In addition, many of these patients claim they feel healthier at the end of their sessions than when they start.

In order to achieve better results, many physicians have also reported combining hyperbaric oxygen therapy with amino acid therapy. While further researching on the possibilities of using HBOT in addiction treatment Dr. Kenneth Blum discovered two amino acid formulations, which were; “Mental Clarity and KB 220Z”. Later he said what he and his colleagues found were that the Mental Clarity component improved rational functions while KB 220Z calmed strong cravings addicts have for drugs.

Finally as mentioned earlier in this article, HBOT has had a long history with addiction treatment. Most of that has been controversial. Please sign up for this year’s August integrative addiction conference to get up to date information about HBOT. Visit http://www.integrativeaddiction2015.com. The link also contains information about how you may sign and participate in the August Integrative Addiction Conference plus a full list of the speakers lined up for the event.

How Oxygen Therapy (Hbot) Helps In Addiction Recovery

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ADDICTION and INTIMACY!

July 24, 2015

 Addiction and Intimacy the Relationships

Isn’t it common knowledge excessive consumption of alcohol has more often than not been a major reason behind many family; scandals, fights, separations, divorce or worse deaths? Well finding the golden balance between drug abuse, addiction and intimacy is tricky. Even though supposed to avoid the prejudice to say it is one of the most difficult things to balance between addiction and intimacy, it is tempting to assert this is the truth. These require commitment that is terms of time and finances. It is more difficult to manage an intimate relationship while deep into addiction. The following is an account of addiction triggers and how they influence intimacy.

Elements of Addiction and Intimacy

Addiction is an intricate condition of the brain, usually categorized as a disease that involves reward and motivation cerebral systems structurally and chemically altered. The condition involves a number of behavioral and substance related things an individual finds difficult to control. It is a chronic brain disorder that despite several attempts to leave, one constantly finds him/herself falling back to. Usually, addiction manifests itself in various forms. This is dependent on a wide range of behavioral and substance related triggers among them: gambling, sex, food, work, alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, bhang, and the latest one, computer and the internet.

Intimacy on the other hand is an interpersonal relationship between two individuals. It involves both emotional and physical engagements. Whereas emotional intimacy refers to how a person’s being feels closer to the other, physical intimacy essentially is about sexual involvement. An intimate relationship requires a good balance of various dear elements among them: trust, care, affection, expectations, beliefs, cognitive perceptions, opinions, experience, and commitment. Intimacy comes along with a number of human benefits that all together show its significance in our lives. These incudes: a deeper understanding of self, spiritual growth, feelings of completion, and sexual reward.

Addiction and Intimacy

Substance Addiction and Intimacy  

Excessive use of drugs often leaves one obsessed. Excessive substance abuse often takes control of one’s body. The result of such addiction literally is little or no space for other commitments. Further drug abuse often drives one into a state of illusion and selfishness. Drug abuse is also said to reduce feelings of true affection and love. With time drug addicts are said to think not beyond their own needs, to satisfy their addiction. Sometimes they spend most if not all their money drinking alcohol and or taking drugs, forgetting the simple things that once mattered in their relationships and the needs of their partners.

Addiction and Intimacy explains that sometimes, drug addicts wake besides strange sexual partners. Often it starts as a simple one time occurrence which the victim feels remorseful but soon it becomes a habit. Of course you can imagine effects of the same including unplanned pregnancies and possible infection with sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) or HIV-AIDS. In extreme situations, substance abuse may generally lead to loss of sexual interest and ability to perform well at it.

 Behavioral Addiction and Intimacy

Relationships bring people of different backgrounds together. It may be difficult to know from the start everything about one’s partner. However at times it is easier. One may not accept some behavior exhibited by the other. But still they agree to get into relationships with expectations to influence one another to change. At times they achieve desired behavioral attributes in the said partners, but at times they seem to do the same things repeatedly it becomes difficult to control. One great hindrance to behavior change is addiction. When a person is addicted to gambling for instance, they will always want to do that. They will do whatever it takes, including keeping it a secret from their partners. In the end the partner who expected change may become wary hence confrontation, separation or divorce. Once a relationship reaches such levels, intimacy is lost.

Intimacy and Addiction Recovery

In order to maintain intimacy, an addict may have to take the bold step of recovery. Once the victim gives up addiction, they begin to restore their life. Intimacy therefore becomes one area they work on seriously. It is actually one of the toughest to fix. However with a good recovery plan coupled with the right forums such as the upcoming August integrative addiction medicine conferences, they may as well be able to meet various professionals who will help them fix their intimacy, their partner’s, or that of their friends or neighbors. One expert sure to attend the conference is Dr Dalal Akoury of Integrative Addiction Institute and International Organization of Integrative Cancer Physicians.

Addiction and Intimacy

Intimacy and Addiction Recovery Tips

Other than recovery, following are tips on addiction and intimacy that would be very useful in learning how to overcome.

  1. Avoid getting into a relationship within the first year of recovery. Simple, you have enough to deal with yet another sexual relationship may do the honors to destroy it all.
  2. It is important to have realistic expectations. During recovery or even immediately after, it is important to know the relation will not be back on its knees in a fortnight.
  3. Effective communication between the partners is essentially also an important part of recovery.
  4. As earlier stated, counseling is a good way to recover. Only this time it is recommended both partners attend the sessions as directed by the doctor.
  5. Loss of sexual libido might as well be caused by another thing all together. It is therefore important talk to a specialist.
  6. In some cases the situation may be so bad, it would be best to end the relationship all together, however caution has to be taken especially if children are involved.

For more information on the above, click http://www.integrativeaddiction2015.com. The link will be your guide to sign up for the conference as well give you a backgrounder about speakers lined up for the mega integrative addiction conference.

Addiction and Intimacy, the Relationship?

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Young U.S. Women Are The New Face Of Heroin Use

July 23, 2015

Young U.S. Women: New Face Of Heroin Use

Heroin use in the United States (U.S) like in other parts of the world has been predominantly men. The few women found in this category have been those in the inner city, rich and spoilt. However this is fast changing. Within this past decade heroin use has hit a staggering 62%. In 2005 heroin use was reportedly slightly over 1.6% in every 1000 Americans, aged 12 and over. In 2015 however the percentage went up somewhere above 2.6% per a similar number in U.S.

The rate of heroin use doubled that of men in a similar period. According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the percentage gradually increased from a mere 0.8% back in the year 2002 to 1.6% women alone. According to the report, the face of heroin use has changed from a stern faced man in the city unexpectedly to a young beautiful woman in the suburb. The report also indicated heroin-related deaths have hit of 300 percent.

heroin-addiction

Increasing Heroin Use in Women a Result of Pain Killer Prescriptions

The report pointed out different groups in the U.S. that have never been known to use heroin have been lured into the same in more recent times. It indicates a leading group of increasingly heroin users are women, those with higher incomes and private insurance. In as much as the net of heroin use reportedly caught indiscriminately across gender and societal status, many experts agree women have become more vulnerable to the increasingly available substance. Dr Dalal Akoury of Integrative Addiction Institute notes there is more than a double increase in number of heroin-related cases of addictions among women than men lately as opposed to some years back.

The increase of heroin use among women has however been attributed to increased pain killer prescriptions for a number of related complicated medical conditions over time. Various experts argue this happened gradually over time. “I suspect it’s been a more of a gradual thing, because more women have been exposed to pain medication for various problems. They have developed first an opiate addiction then have moved on to heroin,” said Onsrud, a consultant on Addiction Services at the Mayo Clinic.

Form Heroin Task Force to Fight Increasing Use

Various authorities argue the war on heroin use has been in existence for some time, with a few successes however it has continued to increase. In La Crosse County, the officials noticed heroin use was getting out of hand and decided to face it head-on. They formed the little known La Crosse County Heroin Task Force.

“We noticed heroin use had increased as early as the year 2010-2011,” said Al Bliss, then the task force coordinator. However he noted even at that, a lot more still has to be done. “I think we’ve made some end roads at decreasing availability of heroin but it still remains a problem,” added Bliss.

The task force coordinator also said in order to curb the menacing heroin problem, communities needed to form programs more or less similar to the Heroin Task Force so as to get like-minded people working together at attaining a single determined goal. “We need to further educate the community in offering help, treatment, and preventive care; and to conduct a lot of awareness in order to address the comprehensive problem of drug abuse,” he said.

Heroin Use

Substance Addiction Increasing Heroin Use

In a separate interview, Dr. Akoury echoed Mr. Bliss’s earlier observations; she said people suffering from substance abuse are more likely to form a habit of popping in pills. She added they are more susceptible to heroin use. A number of studies and medical reports also support this claim. One commonly cited study indicates alcohol and cigarette smokers have a higher chance of about 5 times their fellows who do not. The CDC report actually indicated 96% of heroin users used at least one more addictive drug. Also, that 61% of the heroin users used at least three more addictive substances.

In conclusion Dr. Frieden, director of CDC empathized with the current state of heroin use. He said: “It is heartbreaking to see injection drug use making a comeback in the U.S.” He said solving the heroin issue boils down to preventing addiction in the first place by hunting down the primary cause, which according to him were opioid prescriptions. “It also means; increasing access to rehabilitation including medications such as methadone or suboxone, cracking down on heroin sales, and increasing use of naloxone to reverse overdose. These are the traditional basics to deal with addiction, hence also key in combatting heroin use,” quickly added the CDC director

For the latest about heroin use in the U.S and the rest of the world please sign up for this year’s August Integrative Addiction Medicine Conference. http://www.integrativeaddiction2015.com is the link to catch with speakers lined up for the event among other possible attendants participants

White Young U.S. Women, New Face Of Heroin Use

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