The Relationship between Heroin Abuse and Depression

April 5, 2015

The Relationship between Heroin Abuse and Depression: Exposing the Health complication they represent

The Relationship between Heroin Abuse and Depression is very evident with various kinds of addiction like heroin and other drugs

It is without any doubt that all drug users and not necessarily heroin addicts are all suffering from depression and addiction. These two elements are of the same characteristic when it comes to substance abuse. Our focus in this article is going to be looking at the relationship between heroin abuse and depression. This drug heroin is a very powerful opiate capable of making alterations to the user’s brain chemistry and thereby causing mood changes, suicidal behavior, psychological dependence and addiction. It is currently estimated that up to half of all opiate users have at one time experienced depression in their lives. Anyone suffering from any kind of addiction heroin included will be going through what is known as dual diagnosis should it be discovered that they are also suffering from depression. With this condition, doctor Akoury says that chances of long term recovery would be very slim.

From her over two decades of experience doctor Akoury says that not unless the user is treated for both conditions, it is likely that he or she will relapse soon after rehab. It is important to note that in numerous instances, majority of depressed heroin user fail to get treatment. Nonetheless, according to findings from the clinical studies depression and substance abuse are treated simultaneously and when this is done, the depressive symptoms often improve. This has further been confirmed by Biological Psychiatry registering that opiate addicts who go through residential rehab or methadone maintenance treatment have significant improvement in their depression.

Therefore the key to treating heroin abuse and depression successfully is to identify both conditions early in the recovery process. Intensive neuropsychological assessment can reveal the signs of co-occurring psychiatric disorders like depression. Once mental illness has been identified, treatment must address both depression and heroin addiction to be successful.

The Relationship between Heroin Abuse and Depression: How Heroin Affects the Psyche

You must have known that heroin is a synthetic drug produced from morphine, a potent analgesic that comes from the opium poppy. Heroin exerts its effects by binding with receptor cells in the brain that respond to opiates. When injected, snorted or smoked heroin can converts into morphine in the brain, where it slows down neurological activity and induces a state of sedation.

For many users, a heroin high produces a rush of euphoria and a sense of profound relaxation. But the National Alliance on Mental Illness states that in people with psychiatric disorders, the side effects of heroin are more likely to be negative. For someone with depression, heroin may seem like an antidote to hopelessness, sadness and guilt.

The psychosocial effects of heroin can also contribute to depression. Heroin is highly debilitating, and users often experience job loss, relationship conflicts, legal problems and financial troubles.

The physical consequences of heroin use including respiratory illness, blood-borne diseases, muscular weakness and vascular damage can also cause severe emotional distress.

Because the brain adjusts quickly to the effects of heroin, physical and psychological dependence develop rapidly. The National Institute on Drug Abuse states that nearly one-fourth (23 percent) of individuals who use heroin will eventually reach the point of addiction. Once addiction sets in, use of the drug becomes compulsive and uncontrollable in spite of the devastating effects of abuse. All of these factors can intensify feelings of hopelessness, despair and self-loathing: the hallmarks of depression.

The Relationship between Heroin Abuse and Depression: Factors Associated with Depression

Uncovering the causes of depression is one of the most challenging aspects of recovery for heroin users. Depression is much more than a low mood. It is a incapacitating mental illness that can lead to isolation, job loss, broken relationships, poor physical health and an increased risk of suicide. Depression can arise from a number of sources, including:

Genetic factors
Imbalances in brain chemistry
A stressful social environment
Psychological trauma
Physical disability
Drug or alcohol abuse

Treating a Dual Diagnosis of heroin addiction and depression is especially difficult if the individual is still under the influence of the drug. Many of the symptoms of opiate addiction fatigue, self-isolation, poor concentration and weight loss can resemble the symptoms of major depressive disorder.

According to a study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence followed 615 heroin users in various stages of treatment or non-treatment. In the study it was established that a quarter of the subjects were currently experiencing a major depressive episode. While about twenty-six percent of the individuals in treatment had a lifetime history of depression and 16 percent of those who weren’t in treatment had been depressed. In the treatment group, a significant number of clients were also diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. Others were living with a life-altering physical disability. In many of these cases, heroin was used as a maladaptive way to numb physical or psychological pain.

In long-term heroin users, it can be nearly impossible to determine whether depression led to addiction or the other way round. A comprehensive treatment plan must give equal attention to both conditions.

The Relationship between Heroin Abuse and Depression: Depression and Heroin Withdrawal

In the journey to recovery among many addicts, relapse is often very common among many heroin users who try to quit this highly addictive drug. The unpleasant side effects of heroin withdrawal can drive even the most determined individuals back to the drug. Heroin withdrawal usually isn’t life-threatening, however, heavy users may have dangerous seizures if they try to quit without medical supervision.

Finally physical symptoms of heroin withdrawal can feel like a severe case of the flu, but for many users, the psychological side effects are even harder to tolerate. In the first few days, weeks or even months after quitting heroin, users may feel extremely depressed. Once the brain comes to rely on the euphoric rush of a heroin high, the pleasures of everyday life may seem meaningless in comparison. A condition called anhedonia, or lack of pleasure, often develops in recovering heroin addicts. One of the primary goals of treatment is to help the addict find peace, hope and joy in a drug-free life.

The Relationship between Heroin Abuse and Depression: Exposing the Health complication they represent

Effects of Acne to the health of the skin

January 17, 2015

Effects of Acne to the health of the skin – Known signs and Symptoms

Effects of Acne to the health of the skin

Being the largest body organ and very exposed to the surrounding, the skin is under high risks of various attacks and infections. Acne is just one of the many and it is an inflammatory skin disease affecting the pilosebaceous units (skin structures consisting of a hair follicle and its associated sebaceous gland). In this article, we are going to introduce the overview of the effects of acne to the health of the skin and latter progress with the discussion into the pigmentation disorders and treatment. On completion you will be well informed of all the effects of acne to the health of the skin so that you can take precaution in good time. In the meantime, the most common inflammatory manifestations of acne are pimples. No one would want to down the face infested by pimples and yet pimples are real and they our great concern. To deal with is problem (acne) among other skin health conditions, doctor Dalal Akoury formed AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center where focus is on transforming each individual’s life through increasing awareness about health and wellness and by empowering individuals to find their own inner healing power. Her practice focuses on personalized medicine through healthy lifestyle choices that deal with primary prevention and underlying causes instead of patching up symptoms. This is what doctor Akoury wants to see happen in the lives of people concern of the good health of their skin.

Before we get into the symptoms, it is important to note that acne usually develops in puberty due to the flow of testosterone, which is a necessary (but not sufficient) causative factor in acne. Genetic predisposition is an important determinant of who develops acne and who doesn’t. In many people, acne disappears by early to mid-twenties. Others continue to experience it throughout adult life, even though adult acne tends to be milder. Acne is very common and this is what we want to reduce if not to eradicate. To help us start off, the knowledge of acne is very important, therefore the following are some of the signs and symptoms for acne

Effects of Acne to the health of the skin – Signs and Symptoms

Comedone /Microcomedone – Comedone is enlarged hair follicle plugged with oil and bacteria and it’s the first and smallest type of lesion. It is also called microcomendone since it is not visible by the naked eye.
Open comedone /blackhead – This is a plugged follicle that reaches the surface of the skin. Take note that even though dark in appearance, this doesn’t insinuate the presence of dirt. The dark color comes from chemically altered oils and bacteria.
Closed comedone/whitehead – Ordinarily, this is a clogged follicle which stays beneath the skin. Whiteheads usually appear on the skin as round, white bumps 1-2 mm wide.
Papules – These are inflamed lesions that appear as small, pink bumps on the skin. They do not contain any visible puss.
Pustules/pimples – Pustules or pimples are inflamed pus-filled lesions red at the base
Cysts and nodules – These are large, inflamed, pus-filled lesions that are lodged deep and can drain, causing pain and scarring.
Scars – As they heal, acne lesions, particularly cysts and nodules and, less frequently, pistules may cause scars of various shape and size.

Effects of Acne to the health of the skin – How acne lesions develop

To understand the effects of acne to the health of the skin better, it will be important that we know how acne lesions are formed. For instance, excessive secretion of oils from the sebaceous glands combines with naturally occurring dead skin cells to block the hair follicles. Sometimes, excessive or altered keratinization (hardening and death of epithelial cells) leads to abnormal shedding of the skin lining of the pores. Oil secretions build up beneath the blocked pore, forming a comedone, which is a perfect anaerobic environment for the growth of the skin bacterium Propionibacterium acnes. Bacterial growth triggers inflammatory response, producing an inflamed lesion, such as a pustule or a nodule. After an inflamed lesion heals, a scar may develop.

Effects of Acne to the health of the skin – Causes of acne

The formation of acne is a joint force of various factors in line with genetics, age and gender. Also applicable is the lifestyle factors like diet or trainings which are also significant though in minimal portions. Some known factors which contribute to the development of acne may include:

Hormonal levels – Certain hormones, particularly androgens, such as testosterone and dihydro-testosterone (DHT), promote acne. Of importance are not only absolute levels of these hormones but also the levels relative to other hormones, such as estrogens and progestin’s. Acne tends to sparkle up when levels of androgens grow either absolutely or relatively to other hormones. This is one of the main reasons why acne sparkle-ups are linked to puberty and menstrual cycles.
Excessive sebum production – Excess sebum from overactive sebaceous glands is an important factor in acne. Excess sebum is most often caused by increase in absolute or relative levels of androgenic hormones. Remember that sebum production may also be increased by stress and heat.
Accumulation of dead skin cells – Excessive shedding of dead skin cells can plug the pore, creating a nutrient-rich anaerobic (oxygen-free) environment conducive to overgrowth of acne-causing bacteria.
Bacteria – Bacteria are part of the normal micro flora residing in pores. Under normal circumstances, the micro flora is in balance with the environment of the pore and does not cause any problems. However, various factors can tip the balance and cause bacteria to grow excessively. This triggers inflammatory response leading the acne lesions.
Skin irritation – Skin irritation does not generally cause acne by itself, but may induce a flare-up or exacerbate existing lesions.
Drugs, pollutants – Certain drugs and environmental pollutants have been linked to acne with varying degree of certainty like anabolic steroids, lithium, and barbiturates. Also remember that exposure to high levels of chlorine compounds, such as chlorinated dioxins, can cause severe, long-lasting acne, known as Chloracne.

Finally now that we have introduced the effects of acne to the health of the skin, I want to request you to stay on the link because we are going to discuss in the next article the treatment of acne. This is very crucial and you don’t want to miss it. In the meantime if you have any skin related problem and you are wondering how to go about it, worry no more. A phone call to doctor Akoury is all you need to schedule for that very important appointment of solutions.

Effects of Acne to the health of the skin – Known signs and Symptoms

Holiday Skin Stress the enemy of beauty

December 24, 2014

Holiday Skin Stress the enemy of beauty – How to get the Glomar Back

Holiday Skin Stress the enemy of beauty and surely it is. Stress can really frustrate your holiday and cause more harm to your skin. take time and relax its holiday time.

We are at it again the ups of holiday season. Look around you when a big event like the Christmas things literally changes like the city human population swells suddenly and all the shopping malls are parked to capacity, food joints are full, a lot of home cleaning takes place and everyone is in the celebration mood. Why? It is Christmas time or it is holiday and marry making moments. In many occasions like these there will plenty of food and drinks and as plenty as they are so is the plenty or big appetite. A lot of time is therefore taken in eating and drinking to the disadvantage of sleep. Because a lot of time is spent drinking and eating, little time is left for sleeping. The consequence of this is that, when you want to look sparkly and terrific, your skin gets the holiday blues. Did I get your attention? The holiday skin stress is the enemy of beauty.

Now that I have your attention, let me share with you some insight about the holiday skin stress being the enemy of beauty or do I say your beauty? Take a look at yourself from the dark circles under the eyes to an unquestionably green in the gills complexion to bloated, puffy, swollen eyes and zits when you least expect it, for many women seasonal skin problems can be plentiful. Have you noticed that? I’ am not trying to make you worry but I want to offer you working solutions offered by the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under Doctor Akoury’s care. This should be the good news to you as is explained by doctor Akoury the C.E.O of this facility. She says “not only are there things you can do right now to ensure your angelic glamorous during this season, but there are also some cosmetic tricks and tips to keep your holiday glowing into the New Year”.

Holiday Skin Stress the enemy of beauty – How to start protecting your skin

The best place to begin she says, is with some preventive care, starting as soon as may be conceivable. For instance, If you’re contemplate that you’re going to be partying a lot, it would be important that you start early ahead of time to make your skin look healthier. Remember that the laser treatments can be very essential in this process alongside the topical creams, particularly serums containing vitamin C or creams containing retinol. Remember that a good beginning or shape of your skin complexion as the holiday starts, will translate into that desired look throughout the season.

Besides that increasing the moisture level in your skin should also starting as early as possible in the holiday season. Our focus is still on the holiday skin stress being the enemy of beauty. Therefore a lot of the skin stress that appears during the holidays, including some dark circles, can be as a result of lack of moisture, particularly if you live in a cooler climate and again if you’re exposed to indoor heating, you’re likely to add to the dryness, and even that extra glass or two of wine could push you over into another skin type. Therefore the best solution to the problem is to trade up to a wealthier, more palliative moisturizer, beginning right at the start of the holiday season.

If you’ve been using a gel product for example, I will suggest that switching to a cream or lotion would be advisable. However if you’ve been using a cream or lotion, switch to a richer version and try using a night cream during the day. Or try a rich skin balm rather than a cream. Balms are products designed to offer optimum moisture, and they are excellent for buffering the skin against extreme dryness.

We appreciate that for many women, the biggest holiday skin problem is not just dryness but breakouts, even if they don’t normally suffer from acne. The reason for this is simply that stress causes women to produce more of that traditionally male hormone testosterone, and it’s those surges that give us the holiday zits. Therefore for those who are prone to acne it could happen more frequently, but even if you have great skin, holiday stress or any stress other stress for that matter can cause your skin to break out. The solution may be there in the over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid treatments, placed directly on the pimple but I want to recommend that you schedule for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury for more professional treatment.

Holiday Skin Stress the enemy of beauty – Curing Skin Hangover

Ordinarily you may be able to stop those holiday breakouts before they start if you exfoliate your skin regularly and use an alcohol-free toner to totally remove all traces of make-up and keep pores open. However a combination treatment of Kiehls blue astringent plus azaleic acid prescription cream, or go over-the-counter with benzoyl peroxide used preventatively will also be helpful upon consultation with your skincare professional. Nonetheless in the event that all your effort fails and a breakout still occurs hitting the pimple with a few drops of Visine to constrict blood vessels then pat lightly with a concealer matched to your skin tone.

Press the concealer into the blemish and feather around it. Add a bit of powder on cotton ball and press it on as well, because it’s that layering process that works best to hide a blemish. Using a heavy blob of concealer will make your blemish look more obvious, as will choosing a shade too light.

Holiday Skin Stress the enemy of beauty – After Curing a Skin Hangover

Though preventive measures can help, the inevitable “skin hangover” is still bound to occur. More alcohol, combined with richer, usually saltier foods, plus a lot less sleep, can come together to give you a bloated, puffy look, particularly the day after a night of holiday cheer. But experts say you can still face that 9 a.m. staff meeting looking bright eyed and bushy tailed if you simply play it cool. When it comes to holiday skin stress puffiness, particularly puffy eyes cold is the answer to it all, and cold packs may be the best of treatment available. Another way around the bloat is to spend the night after the party sleeping with your head elevated, the higher the elevation the better as this will make you wake up less puffy. Alcohol enlarges your blood vessels, and that is what allows the fluid to leave the vessels and enter the tissues, which in turn is what causes the puffiness. Therefore sleeping with your head elevated can help the fluids to drain from your puffy cheeks and eyes.

Finally the discussion about holiday Skin Stress being the enemy of beauty can only be concluded sufficiently in the doctor’s office. The welfare of your skin should be prioritize as number one by calling doctor Akoury today for further treatment for a more rejuvenated and glamorous appearance.

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