What Happens When You Get Addicted?

Everybody thinks they know what addiction is or what it probably feels like. This is because addiction is typically described in language that is deceptively simple sounding. Everybody knows what it feels like to “need” something that isn’t good for them.

For example, people who decide to quit eating sugar often feel that need for sugar even though they know it isn’t good for them.
What many do not realize however, is that where science is concerned: the need of addiction isn’t just a metaphorical or existential need. It is literally a physical need. Here’s why.

What Do Drugs Do?

Everybody knows that drugs can wreak havoc on our bodies. Everybody knows that if you drink too much you’ll damage your liver and that if you smoke you increase your chances of developing lung cancer. What not everybody knows is that most of the changes that occur in our bodies when we are drinking or on drugs originate in our brains. Drug use inhibits our brains' control of our moods, mental functioning, communication ability and even our motor skills. All of those things change because drugs and alcohol change the way our brain processes stimuli. Specifically, taking drugs causes the brain stem, the cerebral cortex, and the limbic system to behave differently and, often, erratically.

A Normal Brain

A brain functions by sending and receiving millions of chemical and electrical signals. Those signals are passed from neuron to neuron in the brain with the aid of chemicals called neurotransmitters. A neurotransmitter carries a signal into a neuron’s receptor and, for lack of better term, plants it there for the neuron to process. Imagine that spark that happens when you put a plug very close to an outlet. There is a great breakdown of how signals are transmitted between neurons here.

A Brain on Drugs

Most drugs (and alcohol) have chemical components that cause the different parts of the brain to “misfire.” For example, marijuana has a chemical structure that is similar to that of a neurotransmitter. So, when those chemicals enter the brain, the brain thinks that it is receiving more signals than it actually is and because a drug’s chemical makeup does not behave in the same fashion as a neurotransmitter when it enters a neuron’s receptors, the brain can’t figure out how to process it. This is why drugs like marijuana and heroin have a slowing effect on the brain.

Other drugs, like cocaine, cause the brain to release more natural neurotransmitters while also preventing those neurotransmitters from being sent back to receive more messages (or being “recycled”) so the brain is constantly bombarded with more messages than it can process, which causes it to speed up--which is why drugs like cocaine or meth have a “hyping” effect.

Great So How Does Addiction Work

Our brains’ primary goal is to keep all of the chemicals flying around within it balanced out. So, as you keep sending manufactured neurotransmitters (and chemicals that act like neurotransmitters) to it, it will slow its own production of those neurotransmitters to keep everything even and balanced.

This is why, if you have been using drugs for a while and you suddenly stop, you have a hard time feeling normal. Your brain literally isn’t getting the chemicals it needs to function normally and it takes time for your brain to adjust to the change and re-start its own natural production. So, in this sense, your brain literally needs your drug of choice for you to continue functioning like a normal person. This is particularly problematic in adolescents. According to a blog post from hotelcaliforniabythesea.com, adolescents’ brains are still forming and introducing an addictive substance can cause irreparable damage.

Suddenly the character House seems a lot more sympathetic, doesn’t he?

What to do About Addiction

Many people, even the addicts themselves, assume that the best method for dealing with an addiction is to simply quit their drug of choice “cold turkey.”

Almost all of the time, this is a bad idea--especially when attempted alone. Because of how dependent upon a drug a person becomes, the detoxification process can be quite dangerous. It is always better to go through detox and withdrawal with the help of a trained professional. This is why so many people check into rehabilitation facilities to detox; rehab centers have trained medical professionals who can watch for and treat any detox side effects or problems.

It is important to seek treatment sooner rather than later. The sooner you can admit you have a problem the better chance you have of lasting recovery. And though it will take time for your brain to start functioning normally again, it is important to understand that it is possible.

This is a blog post by Nancy Evans.

Varicose Vein Treatment

Many people are aware of what varicose veins look like due to their swollen, squiggly, and sometimes discolored appearance, typically on the legs, making self-diagnosis easy. Here are a few other lesser known facts about varicose veins:

Cause: Varicose veins are caused when valves in the veins do not work properly, causing them to become swollen and distorted. Normally, blood travels up the veins to the heart but when the valves malfunction the blood falls down the vein instead. As a result, the veins become enlarged and twisted, the skin can become discolored and thickened, and this can cause significant pain. The condition is most common in the legs due to high pressure in the lower limbs when standing. There is a strong genetic component to most cases of varicose veins. Risk factors for developing varicose veins includes obesity, pregnancy, prolonged standing, menopause, abdominal strain, injury to the legs, and aging. However, it is a myth that varicose veins only occur in the elderly because many young people (including teenagers) develop them as well.

Prevention: Although there is no guaranteed way to prevent varicose veins, the chances of developing them can be reduced through exercise, weight loss, proper diet (high fiber, low salt), keeping the legs elevated (e.g., on a recliner chair), regularly changing sitting or standing positions (e.g., avoid prolonged standing), and (for women), avoiding high heels and tight fitting stockings. These prevention strategies improve blood flow and muscle tone and are also used as a form of treatment once varicose veins have emerged to prevent additional ones from developing. When too many varicose veins have appeared, however, more intensive treatments may be needed.

Treatment: One traditional treatment for varicose veins is known as “venous stripping.” This involves removing all or part of the sapheous vein, which is the large superficial vein of the leg. It is a myth that this is the best treatment for varicose veins because the vein can regrow in the future leading to recurrence, there are numerous potential complications (e.g., blood clots), and the vein will not available in the future if a bypass graft is needed. Another important point is that venous stripping techniques treats the problem at the surface only. Thus, it is important to contact a varicose veins treatment specialist who will identify and correct the underlying problem and restore venous blood flow. An alternative non-surgical treatment for varicose veins is foam sclerotherapy, in which a medicine is injected into varicose veins to make them shrink.

It is a myth that insurance will not pay for treatment of varicose veins. In reality, insurance companies will pay for treatment in most cases of varicose veins because it is a medical problem in addition to a cosmetic problem. People should not wait for pain to occur or all pregnancies to end before seeking treatment for varicose veins because the dysfunctional blood flow pattern needs to be corrected to prevent additional medical complications. The best news of all is that varicose veins will usually not recur if treated properly.

Young People Are Drinking Less

The ancient Greek philosophers, such as Plato, used to write about the benefits of doing things in moderation. For example, drinking too little water can lead to dehydration while drinking too much water can lead to water intoxication.

Not exercising can lead to obesity and heart disease whereas excessive exercise can lead to injuries. There are some instances, however, where there are no benefits of moderation. For example, even a moderate amount of tobacco or asbestos exposure can be deadly whereas no exposure to these substances is the healthiest option.

What about alcohol, however, which is one of the most frequently abused substances throughout the world? It is true that some people cause great harm (e.g., liver damage, financial ruin, relationship breakups) to themselves through alcohol abuse and binge drinking (episodic excessive drinking) and need to dry out now. Others avoid alcohol completely, which is known as teetotalism.

While complete avoidance of alcohol is not harmful, some people may be surprised to discover that there can be benefits to moderate alcohol consumption such as a lower risk of heart disease, greater longevity, improved libido, protections against the common cold, decreasing chances of dementia, decreasing chances of diabetes, and decreasing chances of gallstones. Thus, even with alcohol, a moderate level of consumption can be helpful. Moderate alcohol consumption is defined by up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men,

There is evidence that young people are drinking less alcohol than in the past, at least when it comes to binge drinking. For example, research in England through the Office of National Statistics shows that binge drinking at least once a week decreased from 29% in 2005 to 18% in 2013. The same study showed that when young adults did chose to drink alcohol that they chose to drink less and more than a fifth of those surveyed denied drinking any alcohol at all. The latter is also a slight increase over time. The reasons for this trend are likely cultural such as the effects of public health campaigns, increased use of social media, and religious beliefs. Whatever the explanation, the ancient Greek philosophers would surely approve.

States With Best Healthcare Offers and Services

Image via Flickr by Official U.S. Navy Page

When assessing the best healthcare systems across the United States, analysts look at a variety of factors. They start by comparing hospitals in the area, then they look at patient accessibility to the healthcare facilities and outcomes of treatment of various diagnoses. Which states are the some of the best places for healthcare?

Best Overall Healthcare

Hawaii

Hawaii ranks highly on most lists of best states for healthcare. As of a recent study conducted by Commonwealth Fund, less than four percent of the population couldn’t see a doctor for a health condition due to the cost of the medical visit. More than 80 percent of the state’s population has a primary care provider, or someone whom they can trust to care for them when a problem arises.

Iowa

Iowa comes in next, with rates that almost match Hawaii’s. More than 84 percent of the population has a primary care provider, while just over eight percent avoided going to the doctor because of cost. When new nursing and other healthcare field graduates of Maryville University Online look for job opportunities throughout the country, they are often seeking positions in some of the most prestigious and awarded facilities. The clinics and hospitals in the top states are great places to start work in the field.

Best Places for Cancer Treatment

U.S. News & World Report conducts an annual study of hospitals and medical centers throughout the United States that have the best facilities for treatment of specific medical conditions. Cancer treatment is always something that many patients have an interest in since the number of diagnoses continues to rise. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, NY, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN rank as the top three places to go for cancer treatment.

When analyzing healthcare systems, there are a number of different aspects that can make or break an organization. With so many different healthcare providers and medical facilities providing excellent care, there are certainly options for all patients to find appropriate treatment for their conditions throughout the country.

The above entry is a guest blog entry.

Medical History: Replacing a Lost Cheek with a Shoulder Flap

Dr. Edmund Andrews

In 1882, Dr. Edmund Andrews (a surgeon from Chicago) had a serious problem to deal with. One of his patients, a young woman of about 22 years of age, had been shot in the face at close range with a shot gun one year prior. The bullet entered from front to back on a diagonal angle, tearing away her right cheek and stripping the skin off her jaws. The woman was horribly scarred and the deformity from the injury caused the opening of her mouth to appear triangular in shape. Without a cheek, one could see the woman’s molars through the side of her face.

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Dr. Andrews tried to figure out if there was a way to remove skin from one part of her body and transplant it to the cheek area. He looked at her forearm and neck for spare tissue but this was to no avail because she was too thin. What he needed was not only skin but fat in order to provide a thick cushion in the cheek area.  He found that her deltoid muscle (shoulder muscle) served this need quite well.  He therefore anesthetized the patient and cut an oval flap of tissue from the front of the deltoid (2 inches wide by 2.5 inches long) and left it attached to her collar bone. He then washed the flap and wrapped it in the tissue of the gutta-percha tree for about a week. This tree tissue was used by surgeons at the time for the repair and preservation of body tissue. In this case, it helped the body tissue recover its circulation.

The surgeon’s next step was to anesthetize the patient again and use a scalpel on the scarred area of the cheek to make the hole match the size of the should tissue flap. The patient bent her neck towards the flap and raised her shoulder to meet it. The flap was then stitched into the open cheek area.  The head and shoulder area were then plastered together with adhesive straps and bandages. The patient had to stay like this for a week. This must have been quite uncomfortable but it was needed at the time to allow the shoulder tissue to form a viable union in the cheek area.  After a week, when the union was established, Dr. Andrews separated the tissue flap from the shoulder and the patient’s head was released from confinement.

Over time, most of the transplanted tissue remained but one part near the mouth sloughed off.  Three weeks after the shoulder flap was separated, Dr. Andrews filled in the gap with other tissue. Due to this pioneering procedure at the time, the patient developed a reasonably full and rounded cheek. The full reference for more detailed documentation of this historical surgical procedure is:  Andrews, E. (1883). Restoration of a lost cheek by a flap from the shoulder. Journal of the American Medical Association, 1, 20-21.

If You Qualify, Don’t Wait to Apply for Disability Benefits

Have you looked into Social Security Disability Insurance? The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers these benefits to any American suffering a severe, long-term medical condition that prevents them from working. Although the disability program has a few requirements you must meet, if you think you qualify, you shouldn’t wait to apply.

Many people mistakenly believe that you have to be disabled for at least one year before you’re eligible to apply. This is simply not true. You’re eligible for benefits starting the day your condition prevents you from going to work, and there are several reasons why you’ll want to apply today.

Long Wait Periods

Because a Social Security Disability claim can take up to two years to receive an approval, it’s important to apply for benefits as soon as you qualify. Even if your case progresses fairly quickly, Social Security Disability Insurance benefits do not begin until five months after the date you are approved.

You’ll need all the financial resources you have just to get through this waiting period. After all, since you’re not working or receiving benefits, your income will more than likely be limited.

Also don’t feel as if you’re “burdening the government,” either. Social Security Disability is not welfare; it’s an insurance program that you pay into through your Social Security taxes. You contributed to the fund in case you needed to use it, and now you do.

Work Credit Requirements

Social Security Disability Insurance does have a work credit requirement, meaning you need to have worked a certain number of years to be eligible for benefits. The general rule is at least five out of the past 10 years. If you wait too long to apply for benefits, you may wait yourself out of eligibility.

Back Pay

Finally, the SSA awards back pay for up to 12 months before your application date (until the day you became disabled). They do this to compensate for the long application process. If you wait too long to file, you could miss out on thousands of dollars of back pay.

Overall, waiting to file for benefits doesn’t make sense. Given the long wait times and work credit requirements, you don’t want to jeopardize your financial future over pride or procrastination. If you qualify, don’t put it off any longer—apply for disability benefits now.

This is a blog post by Nancy Evans.

6 Ways to Enjoy the Beach With Diabetes

With summer upon us it’s important to remember that a diabetes diagnosis doesn’t have to stand between you and fun in the sun! With a little planning and preparation, your day at the beach can be relaxing, enjoyable, and stress-free.

1) Pack the necessary supplies

Once you’ve made it to the beach and found the perfect spot, the last thing you want to do is go back because you don’t have the supplies you need. Be sure to pack enough diabetic supplies such as insulin to last you your entire beach day, and pack more than you think you will use. It’s usually a good idea to plan for an outing that’s twice as long as you think it will be, in case of the unexpected. You should also ensure that the supplies you pack are kept cool and out of the direct sun, as sun and heat can damage sensitive supplies.

2) Bring snacks that won’t melt in the summer sun. Low glucose at the beach can be a bummer if the snacks you brought haven’t survived the heat. To avoid a wipe out, make sure you bring a quick-acting source of glucose that won’t melt or spoil, such as glucose tablets. Other good choices for beach snacks include dried or fresh fruit, trail mix, and popcorn.

3) Keep an eye on blood sugar levels while having fun

Walking on sand, swimming, and a friendly game of beach volleyball can all take a lot out of you, and that means energy expenditure will be high. Make sure you’re compensating properly for all the blood sugar you are burning with healthy snacks and proper insulin dosing. Remember to consult your doctor before engaging in activities that are particularly strenuous, especially if these types of activities are unusual for you.

Also beware of heat possibly compromising your insulin. If you plan on spending a lot of time in the sun, consider investing in a Tandem insulin pump. They are the only pumps with a temperature alarm, which will let you know if the temperature of the pump got high enough to compromise the insulin inside.

4) Wear clothing that will be comfortable for you and keep you safe

Some people prefer more revealing swimwear, while others enjoy a more modest look. Ultimately your choice in swim and beachwear is up to you. Whatever clothing you choose, make sure that it breathes well and that it is UV-treated to protect you from the harsh rays of the sun. If you do plan on getting in the water make sure you keep your glucose monitor and other devices safe from water damage.

5) Protect your feet

The summer sun can heat surfaces such as sand and pavement to a burning temperature. Beaches are also be strewn with sharp ocean debris, seashells, and other objects that can damage or puncture the skin. Make sure to wear shoes or sandals and inspect and wash your feet carefully after enjoying time outdoors.

6) Monitor yourself carefully and stick to your routine

It’s easy to lose track of time while enjoying your day at the ocean’s side. Make sure you eat on a regular meal schedule, test your blood sugar levels frequently enough, and stay hydrated. Remember that sweating and increased thirst can be evidence of changes in blood sugar levels, not just summer heat. As always, don’t stay in the sun too long without reapplying sunscreen. Keep these in tips in mind and your beach day will be a breeze!

This is a blog post by Nancy Evans.