Tag Archives: Substance dependence

IV NAD: The Best Addiction Treatment

March 1, 2015

IV NAD Is the Best Addiction Treatment

After a long term use of drugs of abuse as a result of addiction to the drugs, the body’s cells, tissues, organs and neurotransmitters will be affected adversely by the drugs. It is therefore important to correct this during treatment therapy. NAD IV therapy can be used to replenish the drained enzymes and target brain restoration

What is IV  NAD?

NAD is an abbreviation of Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. It is a coenzyme that is present in all living cells. The compound is a dinucleotide, this simply means that it consists of two nucleotides joined through their phosphate groups. One nucleotide contains an adenine base and the other nicotinamide. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide exists in two forms, an oxidized and reduced form abbreviated as NAD+ and NADH respectively. It is therefore safe for us to say that NADH is a reduced form of NAD. IV NAD is a crucial coenzyme in metabolism.  In metabolism, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide is involved in redox reactions, carrying electrons from one reaction to another. The coenzyme is, therefore, found in two forms in cells: NAD+ is an oxidizing agent – it accepts electrons from other molecules and becomes reduced. This reaction forms NADH, which can then be used as a reducing agent to donate electrons. These electron transfer reactions are the main function of NAD. Therefore there is need for a balance between the NADH and the NAD to maintain a favorable environment for homeostasis. Apart from its functions in electron transfer, the NAD has other functions in the body such as being a substrate of enzymes that add or remove chemical groups from proteins, in posttranslational modifications.  Owing to its importance on performing these functions, the enzymes involved in IV NAD metabolism have been targeted to help come up with drugs that could heal different complications.

IV NAD

The IV NAD and the NADH are crucial in the production of energy in the mitochondria. What happens after eating is that the vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins and fats from our diet provide the building blocks to our bodies. Energy that is produced from citric acid cycle makes NAD and links it to hydrogen forming NADH which enters the electron transport chain in the mitochondria and is sparked with oxygen which breaks the nutrients to give energy through oxidation. This energy enables the heart to beat sufficiently and enable muscle contraction providing cellular energy that is required by the body cells to function. The energy that is produced is also used by the brain therefore if the level of NADH is low then the brain will not function well at the same time if NAD level is low then production of energy will be low. There is need to establish a favorable ratio between the NAD and NADH since without a good balance of the two then there will be fatigue and depression which are factors that mostly deter addicts from quitting using their substances of abuse.

In most cases IV NAD deficiency is first evident in brain-related symptoms of poor concentration, difficulty focusing, and attention deficit disorders. If the energy shortage lasts long enough, brain neurons cannot synthesize neurotransmitters. When this occurs, the molecules of consciousness such as serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline are affected. Anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance and other mood changes can then arise. These are not good for addicts as they may trigger them to use drugs as escapade. Many addicts got trapped after trying using drugs as self-medication against fatigue and depression. This even lowers NAD level even further and it is a continuous vicious cycle. It is also important to note that the crucial enzymes that catalyze the Citric Acid Cycle are inhibited and may get destroyed by chemical toxins that create oxidative or free radical damage. The sources of this damage are substances of abuse like cigarette smoke, drugs, and chronic stress. This problem may also be caused by exposure to myriads of toxins.

IV NAD the best therapy for addiction

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide often abbreviated as NAD is a metabolic co-enzyme and is charged with the important job of structuring, repairing, and remodeling every cell in the body. Drug use often leads to destruction of many cells and nerves in the body and therefore any addiction treatment therapy must seek to restore the health of the damaged tissues in order to give a lasting healing effect on the client. It is therefore important that there are adequate levels of NAD in the body.

IV NAD

IV NAD deficiency in the body can be corrected by having an IV NAD therapy. This will not only increase the production of energy but will also increase the level of NADH which is critical for enzymatic action. The IV NAD goes straight to receptors in the brain and so is not digested in the stomach. Another reason for ensuring balance between NAD/NADH is that the correct ratios will help in restoring damaged neurotransmitters by drugs. It is a detoxifier that works faster as it takes only few days rather than weeks or months to flush out stored drugs from the body and its organs, replenish balance in the brain, and reverse damage. Results can be mental clarity, cognitive function increase, focus and concentration returns, more energy, better mood, positive outlook.

And finally, AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center  encourages addicts to come for addiction recovery .We have qualified doctors who will see to it that every addict is helped to break the bond of addiction and enjoy life of freedom. Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) is committed to availing help to every patient. Call on her at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for help.

IV NAD Is the Best Addiction Treatment

 

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Safe Autologous Stem Cell Transplant for Diabetes

March 1, 2015

According to a recent WHO report, diabetes is one of the top ten leading causes of death worldwide; in 2012 the global prevalence of diabetes was estimated to be more than 10% among adults. The most prevalent type of diabetes is the type 2 and it is rampant in adult population. It is reported that diabetes is the leading cause of renal failure and blindness in developed countries, a person suffering from diabetes also has high chances of having a limb amputated. The risk of limb amputation is 10 times higher in diabetic patients. It is also known that most diabetic patients develop hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, which account for high rates of morbidity and mortality among adult patients. Most patients receive treatment through oral medication but this is also dangerous since after sometime they become insulin dependent. Oral insulin medication is also not so effective since exogenous insulin cannot provide the tight glycemic control exerted by the pancreas-derived insulin secretion. Due to these myriad problems stem cell therapy can be very useful in replacing the affected cells and restore normal cell function normalizing insulin levels in the long run.

What is autologous stem cell transplant?

The body has stem cells in the bone marrow, in muscle tissues and also in the adipose tissues.  These stem cells turn into red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets to help your body stay healthy. However there are situations when the amount of stem cells in the body is not enough to keep you healthy. This may be caused by some diseases like multiple myeloma or by aging. When this happens there will be need for supplementing the amounts of the stem cells so that they can be able to offer protection to your body. This calls for stem cell transplant which may be done by placing healthy stem cells in your body through an IV to restore the normal functions of the stem cells. at times the stem cells may be harvested from outside the body especially from placentas after successful normal delivery, however when this stem cells are sourced from within the body of the patient then it is referred to as autologous stem cell transplant. Autologous stem cell transplant is safer since the cells are from the body and therefore there is no risk of them getting rejected neither to induce unpleasant allergic reaction.

autologous stem cell transplant

How stem cells collected

In autologous stem cell transplants, the doctors use peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. With peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, the stem cells are taken from blood. The growth factor G-CSF may be used to stimulate the growth of new stem cells so they spill over into the blood. G-CSF is a protein that is produced naturally in the body. The blood is removed from a vein and passed through a machine that separates the stem cells. The machine then returns the remaining blood through a needle in the person’s arm or through a central venous catheter. This way of collecting stem cells is called apheresis. In adults, most autologous transplants use stem cells from blood. In a child, the decision whether to use cells from the bone marrow or the blood depends on the size of the child.

Mesenchymal stem cells work best for diabetes

In the past cell based therapy as used in treatment of diabetes began by use of islet transplantation have been successful in providing a source for insulin secreting cells. However this method has had its share of failures and disadvantages that created a vacuum that doctors hoped to be filled by a better cell based therapy. Some of the downs of the islet transplantations included; limited donors, graft rejection, the need for continued immune suppression and exhaustion of the donor cell pool. the search for a more reliable and sustainable source of insulin secreting cells made stem cell therapy a target as a promising alternative for islet transplantation in  diabetic patients who fail to control hyperglycemia even with insulin injection. Autologous stem cell transplantation may provide the best outcome for those patients, since autologous cells are readily available and do not entail prolonged hospital stays or sustained immunotoxic therapy. Among autologous adult stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells therapy has been applied with varying degrees of success in both animal models and in clinical trials.

autologous stem cell transplantCell-based therapies for diabetes mellitus had achieved lots of success with the application of islet transplantation from cadaveric donors, and the success of the Edmonton protocol back in 1999. Despite the success of islet transplantation in fighting diabetes more so for type 1, there were some drawbacks for example there was need to use immunosuppressive regime so as to favor graft acceptance and prevent rejection. It is with these loopholes that researchers sought to find better treatment with mesenchymal stem cells. Stem cell therapy is a solution to some of the drawbacks of islet transplantation especially the shortage of donors. Autologous stem cell therapy allows for a person’s on organs to be used in the transplant.

In autologous stem cell transplant the most effective mesenchymal stem cells are used to differentiate into insulin producing cells. The mesenchymal stem cells can be harvested in the bone marrows or in the adipose tissues where they are found in plenty. The mesenchymal stem cells have very many advantages when used as they have a high capacity to self-replicate and differentiate to bone and fat-forming cells and other tissue cells. They maintain the capacity of multilineage differentiation potential, both within and across lineage barriers. They are easy to cultivate and expand, and maintain pluripotentiality after prolonged culture conditions. For more information on diabetes, Visit us at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Centre at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) an expert in integrative and regenerative medicine will be able to help.

Safe Autologous Stem Cell Transplant for Diabetes

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Heroin Use on the Rise despite Its High Cost of Treatment

February 28, 2015

 Heroin on the Rise despite its High Cost of Treatment

Contrary to the common rule of demand and supply that the use of a product will be high when its price is at the lowest, heroin use has been on the rise in spite of the rise in its cost as well as the cost of treating those who are addicted to the drug.

To begin with, heroin is a highly addictive drug which is also illegal. Heroine is one of the drugs that are not very easy to stop using, thanks to its highly addictive nature and to its adverse withdrawal symptoms. Millions of those using heroine are too scared of its withdrawal effects to even attempt quitting it.  Heroin is made from the resin of poppy plants. Milky, sap-like opium is first removed from the pod of the poppy flower. This opium is refined to make morphine after further refined into different forms of heroin.

Being that the drug is mostly injected; those using this drug do not face its withdrawal side effects but also has high risks of acquiring other diseases that can be transmitted through sharing needles like HIV/AIDS.

How much do Heroin addicts spend on it heroin?

Heroine is one of the rare commodities whose increase in price do not interfere with its consumption. This drug is just as expensive as cocaine as or even slightly more than cocaine in other places but still people use it more in some places than even cocaine. Therefore, there must be some other reasons why people are turning to the use of heroine as opposed to other drugs. The factors that drive people to use of cocaine may not be new and we will explore them in this article. However, there is more than one way to look at the cost of heroine. Some people opine that the cost of heroine just like other goods and services depends on demand and supply and this may be true so it is better to stay away from using this drug even when it is being sold at a throw away price since you may not afford it later when you are now dependent on it. It is quite funny that when it comes to addictive drugs you will be able to access them for free from addicts who are ready to share them with you but when you have become dependent you shall have to find your own ways of getting your daily heroin.

Heroin

There are some hidden costs of using heroin that most people do not even think of. Most people will only be wary of the price of acquiring their daily heroin dosages for their recreational use but they give a blind eye to the real cost that arises when you need to be cured from the side effects of this drug.  A 2000 survey by the U.S. Government found that the cost of heroin addiction to our country may be anywhere from $15 billion to $20 billion dollars per year. Most of this tremendous figure is due to the price tag on treating medical conditions associated with IV heroin use – specifically, HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. The use of heroin has another hidden cost– the societal ills cost. This is the cost that you and I pay when these addicts turn to crime just in a bid to find   money to buy their much needed heroine doses daily.

The cost of getting your daily dosage of heroin to fulfill your craving cannot be compared to the cost of treating all the ills that come with using the drug. The sad truth however is, most people who are using heroin cannot afford to cater for the cost to treat the side effects that come with it. The cost of treating a heroin addict is too expensive to be compared to the mere cost of obtaining a daily dosage no matter how long you are top use the drug before you seek medical attention.

Some of the side effects of heroin

Heroine is often used mainly because of the euphoria that sets in immediately it is used but afterwards a feeling of drowsiness sets in. Just like other drugs of abuse, heroin has myriads of side effects. These may include;

  • Shortness of breath
  • Dry mouth
  • Constricted (small) pupils
  • Sudden changes in behavior or actions
  • Disorientation
  • Cycles of hyper alertness followed by suddenly nodding off
  • Droopy appearance, as if extremities are heavy

Another serious problem with heroine is because of the way it is taken. Mostly heroin is injected. Unfortunately these needles are often shared increasing the spread of such diseases as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis among other diseases. Dependence on heroin is also dangerous.

Heroin overdose is dangerous

heroinOne of the serious problems that will arise in case of heroin overdose is death. Does that sound scary? Even as scary as it sounds many people still indulge in using heroin for mere recreational purposes. However there are measures that are put in place to treat heroin overdose.  Methadone (Dolophine, Methadose) and buprenorphine among other drugs are today used for treatment of heroin overdose. These drugs block the opioid receptors in the brain hence stops the effects of the heroin. However the use of these drugs is highly regulated in different states and hence may not be very accessible to a street user of heroin.

Finally, you need more information to stay away from dependence on heroin and other 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.

 Heroin on the Rise despite its High Cost of Treatment

 

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Substance Use Disorder Treatment with Nervine Herbs

February 27, 2015

Substance Use Disorder Treatment with Nervine Herbs

The basic knowledge of drugs is that they are substances that interfere with the normal functioning of the body. This therefore means that after using some drugs and substances a person’s behavior will be altered by the substances he has used. However it should be known that there are far more damages that drug and substances use cause to an individual health wise. Substance use disorder, also known as drug use disorder, is a condition in which the use of one or more substances leads to a clinically significant impairment or distress. In this context contrary to common knowledge that substance can mean any physical matter, the term substance here is used to mean drugs. Substance Use Disorder refers to the overuse of, or dependence on, a drug leading to effects that are detrimental to the individual’s physical and mental health as well as the effect on other people’s welfare.

The diagnosis of substance abuse disorder has improved treatment of patients. Before his approach to treatment of addiction related cases, doctors used to treat addiction and other clinically significant abuse as separate issues but with substance use disorder diagnosis, doctors can simultaneously treat both addiction and non-addiction related dysfunctional substance abuse in patients. the rule of this approach of treatment is that the doctor will identify the specific cause of problems to an individual for example if a person is alcohol-related issues then he Is termed to suffer alcohol use disorder  while a person suffering from cocaine is termed to be suffering from stimulant use disorder.

Nervine Herbs

a person suffering from any substance use disorder will exhibit at least three and at most eleven specific symptoms related to the use of the substance with the most prominent examples of these symptoms being substance cravings, an inability to curb substance intake, the development of tolerance to a substance’s effects, serious life disruptions that stem from substance use, use of substances in clearly dangerous circumstances and devotion of significant time or resources to either using a substance or recovering from substance intake. However, people affected by the minimum number of symptoms have mild substance use disorder, while people affected with many or most of the required symptoms have major or severe substance use disorder but all of these people need substance use disorder treatment in order to be free from the effects of the drugs they are using.

Treatment of substance use disorder with nervine herbs

What are Nervine Herbs?

The Nervines are herbs that are very essential in supporting the nervous system. The nervines may work as tonics and to create a mild calming effect. The tonic nervines may include the Skullcap and the oat tops while Catnip and chamomile can be used for mild calming of the nervous system. Apart from these two categories there are also nervines that work as strong sedatives on the nervous system, they may include the Hops and the Valerian among others. Generally the nervine herbs are used to relieve nagging muscle tension and spasms, circular thoughts, insomnia, and the occasional worry that has become a part of day to day life. Some of these herbs provide multiple nervine actions, such as Skullcap which relaxes the muscles, helps calm worried thoughts, and nourishes the nervous system. Others such as Oat Tops, are not necessarily relaxing to the physical body, but help restore and support healthy nerve functioning when taken on a regular basis.

The nervous system is Composed of the all the nerve tissues in the body and plays very critical roles in the body. They are composed of the nerve tissues that receive stimuli and transmit stimuli to the nervous systems and to initiate responses. The central nervous system consists of the brain and the spinal cord and functions as the points of collection of all the nerve impulses. This is how the nervous system works; the sensory nervous system receives the stimuli, the central nervous system interprets them while the motor nervous system initiates responses.

The nervous system are very vital in the body and so they ought to be performing at optimum always, however due to some of the substances that a person may use such as drugs and alcohol the communication between these nerve tissues may be tampered with leading to rise of some complications in a person . Therefore there is need for the entire nervous system to replenished, relaxed and strengthened and nothing does that better than the nervines. The nervines are herbs that are specifically for the nervous system. They correct all the defects in the nervous system as well as strengthening the nervous system.

Nervine Herbs

Here are some of the useful Nervine Herbs

Catnip – this nervine is a very gentle sedative that is used in solving insomnia related problems. Some drugs may often leave the user with sleeplessness after along use. Catnip could be the answer. It’s also good for headaches.

California poppy – this herb has anti-anxiety, sedative, and analgesic properties. It’s used to promote relaxation in those seeking rest from nerve pain.

Passion flower – This stunning plant offers anti-spasmodic power and is helpful with tension headaches, occasional nerve pain, nervous restlessness, and restful sleep. Good for many symptoms of substance use disorder.

Lavender – Calming herb that is often used in aromatherapy applications for its mild calming action. This herb is uplifting hence good for low moods. It is good for mild anxiety and improves sleep quality.  For persistent depression use lavender with holy basil and damiana.

Finally, Here at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center we are committed to availing help to addicts by availing some of the most integrative approaches to healing an addict. We advocate for natural healing to all kinds of addiction. In case you are struggling with addiction just call on Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for help.

Substance Use Disorder Treatment with Nervine Herbs

 

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Herbs That Increase Dopamine Level

February 25, 2015

Herbs That Increase Dopamine Level

Popularly known as the brain’s feel good hormone, dopamine is responsible for sending feelings of well-being and pleasure into the body.  Apart from this known function, other functions of dopamine include; control weight, energy levels, and supports brain and heart health. Without it, we would be more fat, unhappy, and tired. Dopamine is one of the most crucial neurotransmitters in the body. Dopamine has very many functions in the body but to many people it is famous for its good feeling effects that it is always identified with but this should not be the case as it has functions beyond the mesolimbic pathway. In the brain dopamine plays such roles as: It plays a big role in starting movement, and the destruction of dopamine neurons in an area of the brain called the substantia nigra is what produces the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Dopamine also plays an important role as a hormone acting to inhibit prolactin to stop the release of breast milk. Back in the mesolimbic pathway, dopamine can play a role in psychosis, and many antipsychotics for treatment of schizophrenia target dopamine. Dopamine is involved in the frontal cortex in executive functions like attention. In the rest of the body, dopamine is involved in nausea, in kidney function, and in heart function. Owing to its many functions that are all crucial, it is important that dopamine be in good levels for the optimal performance of the body.

Ginseng

Dopamine is crucial in our bodies but the use of drugs of abuse will lead to depletion of dopamine giving rise to some diseases like depression among others. Some drugs of leisure are loved for their euphoric feelings; they affect the normal production of brain chemicals. At the beginning they may induce a sudden surge in the production of feel good brain chemicals, however when you have used the drugs for some time they will lead to depletion in the levels of the brain chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine. In the brain the production of neurotransmitter happens naturally without intervention of any other drug. These basic neurotransmitters include; dopamine, serotonin, GABA, acetylcholine. The body also produces other chemicals known as endorphins which work as the body’s own opiates functioning to fight pain naturally.

These neurotransmitters have specific functions that they accomplish in the body. Each function is important and works in conjunction with the functions of the other neurotransmitters to make life what it ought to be. These functions are; Serotonin regulates sleep and appetite, Acetylcholine for processing information and memory, GABA acts as your calming neurotransmitter while dopamine is the feel good chemical, plays an important role in mood, energy, attitude, motivation.

When you use these drugs of pleasure thy hike the levels of dopamine in the brain beyond the accepted levels. This will force the brain to find a means by which to suppress the production of the neurotransmitter that has been hiked by drug use. naturally, the production of dopamine will be reduced by the brain after sensing that the hike in the levels of dopamine is caused by factors out of the body, therefore when a person who has been using drugs stops using them, the levels of dopamine and serotonin will be too low below the normal levels and this beckons such feelings of depression, anxiety, nervousness and lack of interest in everything. The level of dopamine in the body can however be restored naturally by use of herbs. Here are some of the herbs that are effective in restoring levels of dopamine even after drug use.

The Dopamine Boosters

St. John’s wort Ginseng– ginseng does not only increase the level of dopamine in the body but also works in rejuvenating, restorative, boosts energy and vitality and is tonic to the brain. Ginseng is often prescribed for patients fighting depression which is a common symptom of withdrawal from drug use. This herb is a better therapy for those who are under physical, emotional, mental or spiritual stress as it is a very strong antidepressant and adaptogenic. Ginseng promotes strong nerves, sound sleep, improves memory, clear thinking and enhances concentration.

Red clover -Red clover not only increases the dopamine levels in the brain but also nourishes the entire body, provides plenty of protein, B vitamins, and calcium, all essential brain nourishing nutrients.

St. John’s wort -St. John’s wort is effective against mild to moderate depression, alleviates anxiety, insomnia, and irritability and eases pain. It increases the level of dopamine in the brain as well.

Peppermint– contrary to what many people believe, peppermint is not psychoactive but is rather sedating, stimulating and pain relieving. Peppermint is one of the many herbs that can be used to restore the level of dopamine in the brain and restore the normal bodily functions.

Fenugreek -Fenugreek is a herb and a spice commonly eaten in many parts of the world, and has been used for centuries by practitioners of Ayurvedic Herb medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine. It also increases the levels of dopamine and so can be used by patients whose dopamine level have floored as a result of drug use.

Today the patients have varied options when it comes to restoring the levels of testosterone in the body, however going the natural way is more beneficial as it is safe and inexpensive as well. It is good to note that by increasing the level of dopamine in your body, you are setting good grounds for addiction treatment and recovery. However, 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.

Herbs That Increase Dopamine Level

 

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