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Natural Remedies for Insomnia Caused By Addiction

March 18, 2015

Use of Chamomile, HOPS, Passion Flower, Valerian Roots, Californian Poppy for Insomnia Caused By Addiction

According to National Sleep Foundation, insomnia is difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, even when a person has the chance to do so. People with insomnia can feel dissatisfied with their sleep and usually experience the symptoms of poor sleep that may deter them from enjoying healthy lifestyles. This disease can affect people of all ages but adults are the major victims.

This foundation further stresses that, sleep is essential for a person’s health and wellbeing. But still there are millions of people who do not get enough sleep and many suffer from lack of sleep. NSF conducted survey between 1999-2004 that revealed that at least 40 million Americans suffer from over 70 different sleep disorders and 60 percent of adults report having sleep problems a few nights a week or more. Most of those with these problems go undiagnosed and untreated. In addition, more than 40 percent of adults experience daytime sleepiness severe enough to interfere with their daily activities at least a few days each month – with 20 percent reporting problem sleepiness a few days a week or more. Furthermore, 69 percent of children experience one or more sleep problems a few nights or more during a week.

insomnia

However insomnia can also be caused by addiction. And so far it is one of the serious symptoms of addiction. Drugs of abuse for example alcohol has been shown to interfere with normal sleep patterns since they disrupt particular neurotransmitters in the brain which control or regulate sleep. When these neurotransmitters are disrupted, disturbances can result. Small amounts of alcohol can cause early sedation or sleepiness, and is often used as a sedative. However, the use of alcohol as an effective sedative can be extremely misleading because the side effects that can result are usually even more harmful and detrimental to the natural sleep cycle. For instance, due to the natural elimination of alcohol from the body, arousal and sleep fragmentation can occur and the second half of the sleep period can be drastically interrupted. This is due to the fact that, although alcohol will cause sedation, it will also decrease rapid eye movement sleep in the first half of the night resulting in the rebound of rapid eye movement sleep later in the night.  Here are some of the natural ways through which addiction induced insomnia can be treated.

Passion flower

Passion flower is a good remedy for sleep disorders that had been previously got approved in the U.S as an over the counter sedative and sleep aid. However by this time its safety and effectiveness had not been approved and it was consequentially taken off market. This product can be used alone or in combination with other herbs to help cure insomnia that is induced by drug addiction. Some researchers opined that when passion flower tea is taken an hour before going to bed it may help to improve the quality of sleep. However there is still need for evidence to show it does all these effectively.

California poppy- also known as Eschscholzia californica, California poppy is a good remedy for sleep disorders. It works as a sedative and is known to promote sleep. Currently it can be found in different herbal remedies sold in the U.S for cure of insomnia, as relaxants and therapies for anxiety. Owing to its mild sedative and analgesic properties, it can be given safely to children. Clinical and laboratory work on California poppy has clearly demonstrated the plant’s sedative and anti-anxiety properties.  It has also been shown to improve both sleep latency and quality. You can use it solely or in combination with other herbs to help cure insomnia.

Hops – scientifically its known as Humulus lupulus

insomniaThe use of Hops dates back to early 1900s when Eclectic physicians used it as a sedative specifically for insomnia due to worry or nerve. This herb that is used as a major flavoring component of beer has been used for a long time to cure insomnia, nervousness, and restlessness. Hops pillows are sometimes used for mild insomnia. Having been used successfully in the past, trying it won’t hurt you.

Chamomile:  is scientifically known as Anthemis nobilis. This herb has been used as sedative for a long time and can be safely used with children as well as adults. In South America, Europe and Mexico chamomile tea is a common beverage that is honored for its effectiveness in curing such conditions as irritability, restlessness and insomnia both in children and adults. What’s more? Its oil can also be used in bathing waters to help soothe nerves. Its oil can also be used for massage. Chamomile is still one of the sought after sedatives with proven effectiveness.

 

Valerian: is scientifically known as Valeriana officinalis.  This is a common herb in the U.S where it is used widely for cure of insomnia restlessness and nervousness. This herb can reduce the time people take before falling asleep and is known to shorten sleep latency. When used it reduces chances of a person waking up in the night. As a herbal sedative, valerian has many benefits yet no known side effects that synthetic sedatives are loathed for. It can be used in combination with Hops, California poppy and chamomile among others.

These herbs are an excellent way to help you fight insomnia naturally. We at AWAREmed health and wellness center are dedicated to finding the best natural solutions to health problems. You can visit us at Myrtle Beach South Carolina where you will be attended to by Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) who has vast experience in integrative medicine for lifestyle diseases.

Use of Chamomile, HOPS, Passion Flower, Valerian Roots, Californian Poppy for Insomnia Caused By Addiction

 

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The Benefits of Stem Cell and PRP for Facial Rejuvenation

March 8, 2015

When women begin aging lots of things change about them. it is natural that these changes happen as some of the bodily processes also comes to a halt for example production of crucial hormones that make women be what they are stops. these hormones estrogen and progesterone are known to play very crucial roles in the general wellbeing of women but there production will stop during menopause, however I dint mention these hormones to highlight the effects of hormones on the appearance of the skin, no, just highlighted them to give examples of what happens before aging and what stops during aging. The body has its own mechanism of keeping itself young and rejuvenated. the stem cells has a crucial purpose in ensuring that the skin is in good health but as aging sets in the body will not have enough of these stem cells to help in keeping the skin younger and beautiful. Therefore it is necessary to supplement the amounts of the stem cells to ensure that the skin maintains its aesthetic properties even during aging. The supplementation of the stem cells in the body to help in facial rejuvenation can be done through platelet Rich Plasma therapy.

Platelet Rich Plasma for facial rejuvenation

Platelet Rich Plasma therapy is a safe and effective strategy of facial rejuvenation. It is safe since PRP is produced from your own blood; therefore there is no risk of an allergic reaction. In addition, PRP contains concentrated amount of white blood cells, your natural defenders against infections. As a result, infection is extremely rare with PRP treatment. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is an extract of your own blood that contains three to five times more platelets, growth factors, and active proteins for tissue and injury healing. It has been used medically for years to accelerate wound healing; repair tendon, ligament and joint damage; heal diabetic ulcers; and help regrow muscle and bone. for facial rejuvenation, when PRP is injected beneath the skin it will cause a localized stem cell response, over a time the stem cell response recruits collagen-producing cells called fibroblasts. The fibroblasts replace tissue that has been damaged or lost through the aging process with healthy skin that looks refreshed, rejuvenated and aesthetic. PRP owes its effectiveness to the medicinal properties of blood platelets. Platelets are important for clotting our blood and repairing our body. They also release ‘growth factor’ which stimulates stem cells to repair and produce new healthy tissue. Platelet rich plasma is obtained by separating it from your blood with a centrifuge. Because your own blood is used there is no danger of disease transmission or allergies.

PRP

Benefits of Platelet Rich Plasma therapy

Platelet Rich Plasma has several medicinal qualities and has been used for quite a long time in healing certain diseases and it is these healing properties of PRP that has made it a target for healing degenerative diseases. Its properties as anti-aging agent have made it a target by cosmeticians. PRP has can be used in treating the following;

  • Reducing fine lines and wrinkles
  • Tightening and toning skin
  • Mild collagen and volume loss
  • Crow’s feet and dark under eye circles
  • Acne scarring
  • Dull dry skin
  • Creepy neck
  • Back of hands

Advantages of Using Platelet Rich Plasma in facial Rejuvenation

  • Low risk of disease transmission and allergic reactions because your own blood is used
  • Non-surgical with minimal side effects (bruising is really the only side effect)
  • Natural: uses your own platelet cells with high concentration of growth factor
  • Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections are “bioactive” stimulators and not fillers and it will increase collagen providing a gradual increase in skin thickness.
  • The impact of treatment is seen within a short time i.e. visible results appear the first treatment session.

PRP facial rejuvenation therapy procedure

stem cellsPrior to your PRP treatment, your blood will be drawn, like taking a standard blood test, causing minimal pain and thereafter the blood will be separated into its ingredients. With advanced technology separation of platelet rich plasma can be easily done through a process of centrifugation. After separation of PRP from blood, the degree of skin aging will assessed. The doctor will perform a simple skin analysis, and recommend a sensible treatment with a reasonable outcome. After your skin is cleansed and prepared, local anesthetic cream may be applied. If the entire face is to be treated, PRP will be injected via a syringe and applied topically to the skin with a dermaroller. For treating specific areas such as around the eyes and laugh lines, PRP is carefully injected to the targeted area.

Possible side effects of PRP

PRP therapy for facial rejuvenation is an extremely safe procedure owing to the fact that nothing foreign that may cause an allergic or unfavorable immune response is not used.  The blood used in PRP is from the patient’s body and hence safe. However some of the side effects of PRP include; mild swelling and bruising. These can last only for a week and then everything is back to normal. Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD), founder of the AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center Located at Myrtle Beach, North Caroline is an expert in the treatment of degenerative diseases. Call on her for help.

 The Benefits of Stem Cell and PRP for Facial Rejuvenation

 

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St. John’s Wort Helps in Depression and Insomnia Treatement

March 4, 2015

St. John’s Wort Powers: The Treatment of Depression and Insomnia during Addiction Withdrawals

St. John’s Wort is a wonder plant that has been used in treatment of many conditions for quite a long time. The most used part of this herb is the flowers and the leaves. This herb has many medically active components but its known most active components are two; hypericin and hyperforin. Although hypericin was formerly thought to be the component of St. John’s wort principally responsible for its action, it is now understood that hyperforin, adhyperforin, and several other related compounds are the primary active constituents. Both hyperforin and adhyperforin appear to modulate the effects of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine and may inhibit reuptake of these neurotransmitters. This herb has been found to be very useful in treatment of conditions that are caused as a result of imbalances in the neurotransmitters.

St. John’s Wort for Depression during addiction withdrawals

Imbalances in the neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine cause depression. This imbalance may be caused by use of drugs of pleasure or by other diseases. Apart from these two causes, a person may also have a family history of depression and so predisposed to depression a case which makes it rather complicated for the brain to produce the neurotransmitters in required amounts. The brain has a great role to play in inhibiting depression; it has to produce the millions of chemicals it produces in the right amounts everyday failure to which you will be depressed. It’s that complicated.

In the long-term, all drugs and alcohol are brain depressants. In moderate amounts, alcohol does not lead to depression, but abusing drugs or alcohol will definitely lead to depression. This is because they deplete your brain of serotonin and dopamine. Researchers warn that it may take quite a long time for depleted dopamine to be restored and so it is important to avoid abusing drugs.

Alcohol abuse almost doubles the risk of depression. In one study that looked at 2,945 alcoholics. Fifteen percent were depressed before they began abusing alcohol, and that number jumped to 26 percent after they started abusing alcohol. Once they stopped drinking for an extended period, 15 percent remained depressed. This study showed that alcohol almost doubles the risk of depression.

St. John’s Wort

Marijuana has also been linked to depression. It is reported that marijuana users are four times more likely to develop depression. In one study which monitored a large group of people for 16 years, it was discovered that people who smoked marijuana were four times more likely to develop depression.  Another study followed later with 1601 students and confirmed the findings. Depression is a serious illness that may make it hard for an addict to stop taking the drugs of pleasure to boost the dopamine levels for a moment. Fortunately this can be helped by use of St. John’s Wort. Taking St. John’s wort extracts improves mood, and decreases anxiety and insomnia related to depression.  This herb seems to be effective in treatment of mild depression than some of prescription drugs.  According to the American College of Physicians–American Society of Internal Medicine, St. John’s wort can be considered an option along with antidepressant medications for short-term treatment of mild depression.

St. John’s Wort for Insomnia during addiction withdrawals

According to National Sleep Foundation, insomnia is difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, even when a person has the chance to do so. People with insomnia can feel dissatisfied with their sleep and usually experience the symptoms of poor sleep that may deter them from enjoying healthy lifestyles. This disease can affect people of all ages but adults are the major victims.

A person suffering from insomnia may show the following symptoms

  • Irritability, depression or anxiety
  • Difficulty paying attention, focusing on tasks or remembering
  • Increased errors or accidents
  • Tension headaches
  • Distress in the stomach and intestines (gastrointestinal tract)
  • Ongoing worries about sleep
  • Difficulty falling asleep at night
  • Awakening during the night
  • Awakening too early
  • Not feeling well rested after a night’s sleep
  • Daytime tiredness or sleepiness

insomnia

Insomnia may be caused by depression and stress but it may also be caused by the imbalances in the neurotransmitters as a result of long term use of drugs of pleasure.  Some other causes of insomnia include;

Anxiety– Anxiety is a common everyday problem. However there are more serious anxiety disorders like PTSD which will never give your brain a rest. Anxiety beckons insomnia and so should be avoided to help you sleep soundly and reap huge health benefits from it.

Medical conditions-there are conditions that cause insomnia. These conditions may include; chronic pain, chest problems and even frequent urination. These conditions may cause difficulty in sleep. Diseases like cancer, arthritis, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease and even Parkinson’s disease have been linked to insomnia.

St. John’s wort has been found to be very effective in treatment of depression that might cause difficulty in sleep and this is owed to its effects on serotonin may be primarily responsible for its antidepressant activity. Apart from being an anti-depressant this herb works on the neurotransmitters in unlimited ways it affects many neurotransmitters that are key to good sleep health.

Drug induced Insomnia may not be easy to treat. However there are also medical approaches to treating drug induced Insomnia but of all these going the natural way is much better since it has less side effects and is more effective.  We at AWAREmed health and wellness center are dedicated to finding the best natural solutions to health problems. You can visit us at Myrtle Beach South Carolina where you will be attended to by Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) who has vast experience in integrative medicine for lifestyle diseases.

St. John’s Wort and treatment of depression and insomnia during addiction withdrawals

 

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Kynurenine Tryptophan Cycle in Addiction

February 16, 2015

Kynurenine Tryptophan Cycle in Addiction

The immune system is an important part of normal body functioning. It is constantly modulating a balance between tolerance to non-harmful antigens and responsiveness to some pathogens. The process that facilitates tolerance is not known. However, recent studies show that this tolerance is due to tryptophan catabolism via the kynurenine metabolic pathway. The breakdown of tryptophan requires several enzymes which. These enzymes are found in various cells which includes those of the immune system.

Some of these enzymes involved in the breakdown of tryptophan produced through activation of the immune system. This process involves among others limitation of enzymes that are present in the dendritic cells and macrophages, 3-dioxygenase and indoleamine 2. Recent studies have shown that inhibition of these enzymes can result in the body rejecting allogeneic fetuses. This means that breakdown of tryptophan is necessary in immune tolerance aspects.

Some theories have been invented to try and explain how catabolism of tryptophan facilitates tolerance to drugs like alcohol. One such theory holds it that breakdown of tryptophan ends up suppressing proliferation of T cells by greatly reducing the supply of this amino acid that is critical in body processes. The other theory states that the down streaming of the metabolites involved in catabolism of tryptophan act as suppressors of some immune cells mainly through mechanisms of pro-apoptotic processes.

Kynurenine Tryptophan Cycle

What is tryptophan?

It is an amino acid that is required by all processes of the body for the synthesis of proteins and other body metabolic functions. Tryptophan is synthesized mainly from molecules like phosphoenolpyruvate that are present in bacteria, plants and fungi. Such organisms activate the tryptophan throughout the food chain. Animals are incapable of synthesizing this amino acid and because of this it must be taken in the diet in form of proteins which are then broken down into the respective amino acids in the digestive tract. The tryptophan that results from diet is deposited in the liver via the hepatic portal system. The protein that is not broken down in the liver enters into any of the two metabolic processes.

Because animals are incapable of synthesizing tryptophan, they must take it in the form of proteins, which are then hydrolyzed into the constituent amino acids in the digestive system. Dietary tryptophan is delivered to the liver through the hepatic portal system, and that portion which is not used for protein synthesis in the liver can then follow one of two basic metabolic fates.

In the first place, the protein that does not undergo synthesis can enter into the blood stream to later be used for synthesis of proteins and other cell functions in the body. Secondly, it can undergo degradation in the liver via a number of steps of metabolism which is basically referred to as the kynurenine pathway. Besides being a building block for proteins in the body, tryptophan also acts as the only source of substrate used for the production of important molecules in the body. Tryptophan is used in the gut and nervous system for serotonin synthesis and on the other hand pineal gland is useful in melatonin synthesis.  In case the content of niacin in the body is not enough to carry out metabolic processes, tryptophan come in to facilitate cellular cofactor synthesis and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD +) synthesis. NAD + synthesis as research shows take place mostly in the liver.

The kynurenine pathway

The kynurenine pathway results from proteins that are not synthesized in the liver. The enzymatic reactions take place proceeding from tryptophan. The main intermediates of the metabolic system include quinolinate, 3-hydroxyanthranilate and kynurenine. A catabolic reaction is completed in the liver and this result in the total oxidation of the amino acid tryptophan and in the process carbon dioxide and adenosine triphosphate are produced.

Tryptophan metabolism and addiction

Tryptophan metabolism and addiction

 

The three stages that take place in the kynurenine pathway include an intial stage that involves tryptophan being broken down into kynurenine. The second stage starts from the produced kynurenine all the way to production of quinolinate. The final stage of the process involves enzymes that translate into total oxidation. The other processes that occurs within the three major processes picolinate production, kynuretic acid synthesis and synthesis of NAD +.

Most cells in the body have some of the enzymes that are involved in the kynurenine pathway. However, only hepatocytes have been shown to contain each and every enzyme that is used in every stage of the kynurenine pathway.  Since the liver is the only tissue in the body that contains all thes enzymes of the pathway, the liver then acts as the major site in which NAD + is synthesized from tryptophan. Diet and intake of certain substances like alcohol can affect the flow of metabolisms in the kynurenine pathway. For more information about this topic visit www.awaremednetwork.com. At AwareMed you will also find other health and awareness tips that will benefit you.

Kynurenine Tryptophan Cycle in Addiction

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Chronic Fatigue and NAD Treatment

February 7, 2015

Chronic Fatigue and NAD Treatment

Chronic fatigue is very common among modern population. Studies have shown that over 9 million Americans today suffer from chronic fatigue. It affects people differently in that some may have a mild form of chronic fatigue while in others it may be severe. The severe form of chronic fatigue leads to a condition called chronic fatigue syndrome.

So what is chronic fatigue syndrome?

It is a debilitating disorder that affects a number of organs and is characterized by intense fatigue. This kind of fatigue worsens with mental or physical activity and does not go away easily even with bed rest. The symptoms of chronic fatigue include general body weakness, impaired memory, muscle pains, depression, anxiety and insomnia. Because chronic fatigue affects more than one body system, it ends up affecting the quality of your life.

People who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome end up spending most of their time in bed due to the pains that accompany the condition. The condition is not easily diagnosed and some patient who exhibit similar symptoms end up being diagnosed with other conditions. Fibromyalgia (FMG) is one condition that tends to be every similar with chronic fatigues syndrome.

Fibromyalgia is characterized by symptoms such as prolonged muscle pains and tenderness. Fatigue, sleep disorders and impaired memory are also conditions that accompany FMG. The two conditions are however treated along the same line. The only difference is that in case of FMG, muscle pains prevail over other symptoms.

Chronic Fatigue

Causes of Chronic Fatigue

The official cause of the condition is still unknown. However, several studies point to certain factors that may indeed cause the symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Hormonal Imbalances: most patients with chronic fatigue syndrome in one way or another suffer from hypothyroidism and adrenal fatigue. The thyroid and adrenal hormone are responsible metabolism regulation. In this case, low levels of these hormones in the body cause energy levels to decline thus causing fatigue.

Toxics: compounds such as pesticides, herbicides contain toxics that poison the mitochondria and thereby affecting the production of energy that leads to symptoms of fatigue.

Mitochondrial dysfunction: the mitochondria are very vital in the body for the production of energy. When the mitochondria are not functioning as they should, energy production for the cells is affected. The body thereby ends up exhibiting symptoms of fatigue.

Food allergies: food allergens cause several symptoms one of them including fatigue. Some allergies manifest physically e.g. through swelling while others do no show. Most patients with chronic fatigue may not realize that it is being caused by the foods they eat because the allergies are not physically manifested.

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD) Treatment

The fatigue experienced in chronic fatigue syndrome is as a result of declined energy levels in the body. NAD treatment is one the several ways of treating chronic fatigue as it is shown to boost energy levels in an individual. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is usually a molecule whose work is to react with the mitochondrial oxygen in order to produce energy required for body functions such as breathing, digestion and blood circulation among others. When the body lacks this essential energy, it means that energy production is affected leading to fatigue, anxiety, depression, muscle pains, memory impairment, insomnia, decreased concentration levels as well as other chronic conditions.

NAD is usually an active form of the B3 vitamin. When combined with hydrogen it becomes a coenzyme called NADH. The body uses hydrogen in combination with oxygen to generate energy. The carbohydrates, fats and proteins we take in our diets, have chemicals that are necessary for energy production. The NAD is then loaded with hydrogen and when it enters the mitochondria, it reacts with the oxygen present producing energy. Conditions such as stress and toxins end up inhibiting this process and energy is not produced resulting in fatigue.

Patients with chronic fatigue syndrome undergo NAD therapy in order for the body to actively generate energy. Research studies show that NAD is present in almost every type of food we consume. However, most of it is lost during preparation and cooking of food. The little that is left is broken down in the digestive system by acids present. The body therefore ends up not having enough of the molecule which is why a large number of the population suffers from chronic fatigue.

To learn more about chronic fatigue and its treatment, just visit www.awaremednetwork.com. Dr. Dalal Akoury will also provide you with more health and awareness tips. She has treated many patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome by use of NAD Therapy. You too can be part of this healing at AwareMed.

Chronic Fatigue and NAD Treatment

 

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