Tag Archives: Cdc

Proper use Opioids to Curb Addiction and Dependence

 

Better Use of Opioids to Curb Addiction and Dependence

opioidsThe opioid drugs have brought relief to many people that were suffering severe pain enough to even disable them. The use of these drugs however should be done with extreme caution as this is like a double aged knife. We talk of collateral damage here with this I mean that these drugs should be used in a manner that they are safe enough not to cause myriad problem such as addiction and dependence on these records.  Today there are millions of Americans who depend on these opioid drugs to overcome what might otherwise be agonizing, crippling pain. However, each year, the numbers of people who have become addicted to these drugs rise. The very same drugs that help them to overcome the pain are poising a great danger in their lives needless to mention the use of these drugs has led to death of many Americans. The main cause of these deaths is overdose. Prescription opioid overdoses caused more than 16,000 deaths in the United States in the year 2010 alone. This is for times the number of deaths that were recorded in 1999 to have been caused by prescription opioid overdose. In the past it was not  easy for both private and public health facilities to act on these unpleasant statistics but slowly they seem to lay strategies to curb the use of these opioid drugs and so far these strategies have shown positive results as very many lives have been saved not only in America but also in other continents.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has cited Florida as one of the cities where the deaths have dropped owing to these strategies that have been employed by the health sector. The deaths dropped from 3201 as was in 2010 to 2666 in 2012. The report clarifies that most of these deaths were reduced due to reduction in prescription of these drugs to pain patients. There were fewer prescriptions to these opioid drugs as a result of in the policy that regulated the flow of these drugs. These policy changes led to a close of 250 of the state’s pill mills that were considered high volume pain medication dispensaries.

The United States remains far and away the world’s largest user of prescription opioids, with 259 million prescriptions written in 2012, according to the CDC — twice as many, per capita, as the next-largest consumer, Canada. A separate CDC report issued the same day as the Florida update showed that prescription rates vary widely among states. Now, when we take America out of the picture and we begin to find reasons why there are problems with the opioid medications we learn that one of the causes of these problems is;

Irresponsible prescription

Every patient entrusts his with the doctor, however in some situations this dependence may be abused either intentionally or unintentionally. Some doctors are opiophobiac and hence reluctant to give right doses to the patients while in some scenarios a patient may be handled by a doctor who is not experienced in pain treatment hence may either overdose or under dose the patient. Cases of overdose are a major cause of deaths from use of these pain drugs.

Another source of complication is, the patient may be afraid of these drugs as they are often portrayed negatively by the media. The fear of addiction and dependence may make a patient not to use the drugs as prescribed.

Due to the problems that were faced by both doctors and patients in dealing with the opioid medications, the universal precautions were developed to offer a structured rational approach to pain patients and serve “as a guide to start a discussion within the pain management and addictions communities. They are not promoted as complete precautionary measures but as a guide to opioid medications.

The difference between physical dependence, addiction and PSEUDO-ADDICTION

These three have different meanings. However they have always been confused causing fear among patients using these drugs. Physical dependence is the case that arises when a person has been using these drugs for some time. The body physically becomes dependent on these drugs so much that when you stop using them you will show signs of withdrawal. This is normal and happens with other medications not only with opiates.

Addiction on the other hand is a case when a person losses control of the drugs. He no longer can maintain the doses as prescribed but begins to take much more than the prescribed doses. In most cases those addicted to a drug will not accept that they are but will go through all hustles to satisfy their craving for the drug.

 What is pseudo-addiction?

opioidsWhen a pain patient on opioids begins behaving in a manner that most addicts do but in real sense he is not addicted, this is called pseudo-addiction. The patient will demand for more drugs because the doses he got have not settled the pain. They will even use more than the prescribed doses in a bid to cool the pain and are often early to request for more drugs since they overused the ones they were given to cool the pain . The difference between pseudo-addiction and addiction is the reason behind the need for more drugs; an addict needs more drugs to satisfy his craving while in pseudo-addiction a patient needs more drugs because of the pain.

You need more information to stay away from dependence on alcohol and drugs as these have crippled societies and that is why here at AWAREmed we are dedicated to finding the best solutions to addiction and dependence on substances. Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) is always in the mood of helping any patient to be addiction free. Do not hesitate to call on her for help in managing any sort of chronic pain or any type of addiction as well as other diseases.

Better Use of Opioids to Curb Addiction and Dependence

Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin

Influenza, Conquer naturally, Dr. Akoury

  Conquering the Influenza

 AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center – Influenza Season is Serious Business – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Conquering the Flu

Conquering the Flu

Influenza season is serious, particularly this year as the H1N1 (“swine”)

Influenza reached pandemic status throughout the world as of July, according to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

An average of 36,000 people die every year from seasonal flu, and 200,000 are hospitalized with serious complications. The H1N1 virus seems to impact a greater diversity of ages and has been of particular concern among pregnant women. Though not considered a high-risk group, H1N1 seems to prefer the under-25 generation. The CDC believes the elder generation may have developed a persistent immunity years ago to a similar viral strain, which still protects them and has rendered much of that age group immune to the current infection.

Like many viral infections, influenza is spread by touch, so easily and quickly runs through a population – be that a household or a schoolroom, a town or a cruise ship. A person is contagious from the day they become infected, before they are even sick, and up to a week or more afterward. Symptoms of this year’s H1N1 virus are similar to those of past years, and include fever and chills, cough, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, head and body aches, chills, and fatigue. Many have also reported diarrhea and vomiting. For most people, H1N1 causes mild symptoms, and they recover in a few days, though respiratory symptoms tend to linger. For some, however, significant illness – requiring hospitalization – and even death has occurred. It is definitely best to avoid becoming infected.

Dr. Dalal Akoury the Founder of  AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center  explains–  The InfluenzaVirus Remains Active –

Did you know that the Influenza virus can remain alive and active for up to eight hours on a doorknob or tabletop? Did you also know that the most natural cleaners (soap, hydrogen peroxide) are equally effective as the more toxic commercial cleaners? Do yourself a favor and use the mildest method possible – your immune system will thank you in the long run – and use it often on bedside tables, lamps, doorknobs, and bathroom areas. Wash dishes and linins daily while people in your home are ill as well.

As with other infections, many of the best ways to avoid getting sick are the easiest to do, and most are common sense. These include:

  • Cover nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze – and then throw the tissue away immediately.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, as these areas are most susceptible to germs.
  • Wash your hands often, especially after you cough/sneeze, touch someone (e.g., handshakes, hugs, etc), or visit public areas. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if washing is not available (rub until hands are dry).
    • Remember, effective hand washing requires soap, the friction of vigorously rubbing hands together for 20 seconds (that’s singing Happy Birthday twice), and running water to rinse it all away. Wash both sides of hands, between fingers, and up past the wrist.
  • Stay away from close contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, wait until your fever has been gone for 24 hours (without fever-reducing medication) before you go out or are around others.
  • Follow the advice of public health workers regarding school closures, and avoiding crowds as much as possible.

Dr. Dalal Akoury the Founder of  AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center  recommends – Know Your Risk Potential to get the Flu – 

The groups generally considered high-risk during Influenza season are the very young, very old, and those whose immune systems aren’t

Conquering the Flu

Conquering the Flu

working properly. As mentioned, this year’s H1N1 seems to be affecting those between 5 and 25 and pregnant women, and SC is just now seeing rising cases of Influenza. Though usually a mild illness, there are warning signs that indicate a need for immediate medical attention. In children, very fast or difficult breathing, a bluish or gray cast to the skin, and not waking up or interacting with others are trouble signs, as are a general refusal to drink fluids, or being uncharacteristically irritable. If adults begin to suffer difficulty in breathing, shortness of breath, pain or pressure in chest or abdomen, dizziness, or confusion, they should seek immediate medical attention. Severe or persistent vomiting or symptoms that are gone only to come back worse than they were before are indications that medical care is needed no matter the age.

It is also important to be prepared in case you do get sick, when you will have to stay home for a week or so. Stock up on tissues, food, and liquids like tea and Emergen-C. If you need medical attention, be sure to tell the office that you have the Influenza, so you can be brought in the back door and avoid infecting others.

Dr. Dalal Akoury the Founder of  AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center  stresses that you should Enhance Your Immune System overcome the Influenza

Remember, an influenza infection typically lasts 5 to 7 days. The treatment at AWAREmed can substantially decrease this time, and make sufferers feel better as they recover. Among the modalities used at AWAREmed are those specifically targeted toward enhancing the immune system, and when the immune system is functioning at an optimal level, it is easier for the body to either fight off an infection altogether, or to get it under control more quickly. Argentyn 23TM is one such agent, one that uses modern scientific methods to deliver silver hydrosols in a sub-nanometer size. Homeopathy may also be used, which works much like a vaccine in a “like cures like” sort of way, as well as hydrotherapy, which calms the spirit as it enhances the immune system. IV nutrition can be an amazing treatment, whether to deliver much needed fluids or to administer disease-busting nutrients and the antioxidants to clean up the mess left behind. AWAREmed’s new  state of the art IV Meditation room offers a soothing atmosphere where patients can relax, be nurtured, and receive the treatments designed especially for the Influenza

 AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center -Influenza Season Is Upon Us – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

 Influenza SEASON SPECIAL: Natural Influenza Season Combating for only $150/visit

Tuesdays and Thursdays through November

 Conquering the Influenza

 

Enhanced by Zemanta
Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin