Monday, July 20, 2015

Understanding Liver Cirrhosis And Cancer


The cases of liver cancer in the world have been on the rise for the last few years. A damaged liver that may be caused by chronic hepatitis B and C or heavy alcohol intake is actually the number one cause of liver cancer. In the US alone, 70% of people who develop liver cancer do so as a result of Liver cirrhosis. In simple terms, cirrhosis is often regarded as an internal scarring of the liver and is caused by a gradual damage of the liver over a certain period of time.

Causes of Liver Cirrhosis

The biggest cause of liver cirrhosis is extensive use of alcohol and in some cases chronic hepatitis. Immediately the liver becomes replaced by scar tissue, reversing cirrhosis is virtually impossible. According to medical research, people who have cirrhosis have a 40x chance of getting liver cancer compared to the ordinary person who has no cirrhosis. Research also shows that out of all the people who have liver cirrhosis, 3 will actually develop cancer each year. 70 -- 90% of all reported case of liver cancer occurs on livers that are already cirrhotic. Based on these statistics, it is clear that the number one cause of liver cancer in the world at the moment is liver cirrhosis.

Cirrhosis Signs and Symptoms

Based on the danger liver cirrhosis can cause, it is important to know some of the symptoms associated with it. Here are some of the major symptoms of cirrhosis:

• Increased fatigue

• Increased bruising and bleeding

• Loss of appetite and nausea

• Massive weight loss

• Decreased mental functions

• Fluid collection in the abdomen and the legs

• Increased yellow discoloration on the eyes and the skin

• Chronic Right side abdominal pain

If you feel you are experiencing some of these symptoms, you may need to go and see a doctor for proper diagnosis.

Liver cancer is becoming a huge concern in the world. However, based on statistics, it is evident that one of the most effective ways of dealing with liver cancer is to prevent liver cirrhosis.

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Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Help To Quit Using Medical Or Recreational Marijuana


Quitting marijuana use is not an easy task for most people. Study shows that 100,000 people living in the U.S. seek help quitting weed and pot every year, and not all of them are successful. In order to properly learn how to stop using pot or weed, professional help is needed.

Medical Help

While treatment from a medical facility isn't always needed in order to quit smoking weed, the evaluation from a professional can be a good first step towards helping break the habit. Long term marijuana use will have both physical and psychological effects on a person. Having a professional doctor look into such cases can help determine whether the patient is having withdrawal symptoms, a mental illness or other medical conditions when trying to quit pot.

Most people abusing more than one type of drug will have more difficulty quitting. A qualified doctor will be able to evaluate issues that exist or those that may arise in the future when a patient is trying to stop substance abuse.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Study shows that not every patient experiences withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit weed. The same also goes for chronic users who have been abusing  for an extended period of time. However, there are those who will experience one or more withdrawal symptoms based on levels of addiction, lifestyle and how their individual bodies react to treatment. Some of these symptoms include; sleep disorders, headaches, sensitivity to light, depression, anxiety, paranoia, aggression and irritability among others. Most of these symptoms will be experienced in one to three days after stopping the substance abuse.

Treatment

While there is currently no medication for marijuana use, aids from a professional doctor can help patients quit smoking. In most cases support groups, drug programs and therapy will be recommended in helping those with substance abuse problems. In order for a patient to successfully quit smoking weed and pot, they will need to be surrounded by people facing the same problems, where they can share their own experiences and eventually come up with a solution to the problem. Support groups will help these patients understand that they are not alone and motivate them to quit using marijuana and other drugs.

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

What To Expect From Cocaine Withdrawal


Suddenly stopping cocaine usage after long-term abuse will usually result in the emergence of acute withdrawal symptoms. Cocaine withdrawal can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Most cases are resolved within 24 hours, although some people experience lingering issues for months afterward. This condition is called post-acute withdrawal syndrome or PAWS. Refraining from the substance causes people to experience the following:

Intense Cocaine Cravings


When the body becomes dependent on a substance, there comes a constant yearning for it until it becomes an all-consuming thought. It is a physical need, a void that begs to be satisfied. Fortunately, this feeling passes and weakens with time as the body adapts to its absence.

Mood Swings During Cocaine Withdrawal


A person on withdrawal will experience mood swings throughout the day. Using cocaine tends to make one hyper and euphoric. This high is part of what makes it so addictive. Once the high subsides, the body crashes into the other extremes, such as depression, irritability and anxiousness. These feelings can be intense. Family and friends must understand why it's happening and stay supportive.


Fatigue While Coming Down From Cocaine


Acute withdrawal is often characterized by an extreme feeling of fatigue. This is probably due to the hyperactivity that comes along with the drug. All of the high-octane activities that were done while cocaine was in effect can lead to weariness. Being tired is natural and will pass as soon as enough sleep has been had and ample food has been consumed.

Sleep Problems During Cocaine Withdrawal


One stumbling block to getting rest is that withdrawal sometimes makes it difficult to fall asleep. People may lie in bed all night trying to doze off, yet their agitated minds are continuing to work overtime. Others are able to sleep for a while, but bad dreams may wake them up prematurely.

Increased Appetite After Quitting Cocaine


Many people have also reported an increase in appetite following their decision to stay away from the drug. This is probably due to the lack of proper nutrition during the course of the addiction. The body is now trying to replenish its store of nutrients after all the abuse.

Friday, May 8, 2015

Is Molly Addictive?



Is The Drug “Molly” Addictive?

First created in a laboratory in Europe in 1912, Molly, also known as MDMA, is a drug popular with the rave and club communities because of its mind-altering properties that give a different view of the world and sense of increased intimacy. Psychotherapists used it in the 1970s for therapeutic purposes.



Derived from methamphetamine, Molly is the pure form of MDMA and is usually seen as a powdered crystal. It is sometimes cut with ketamine, BZP or caffeine. Pure MDMA is thought to be less addictive that other forms of the drug.

Because of its high potential for abuse, Molly is a schedule I substance. Although not everyone develops chemical dependency, psychological cravings, which define addiction, can be high. The drug alters chemical responses of neurotransmitters in the brain, which hinder communications between neurons. It also releases oxytocin, which accounts for the increased feelings of intimacy when taking Molly. People do not, as a rule, die from taking Molly, however is physical effect on the body can be seen on SPECT images of the brain.

As an illegal recreational drug, Molly is not regulated and thus, the level needed to become addicted unknown. Similarly, there is no known taper that helps in withdrawal, making it difficult to determine the speed with which someone can become addicted. Additionally, users react to it in different ways. However, simply using Molly over time can lead to addiction and a negative relationship with the drug, particularly if the user or his or her family has a tendency toward drug or alcohol dependency. Molly addiction can also occur from seeking out the drug to self-medicate and mitigate the lack of pleasure in life.

Signs of Molly Addiction

Chemical dependence and Molly addiction are clinically different conditions although they may seem similar to users. Signs of Molly addiction include:
• Using the drug to maintain normal function
• Seeking out Molly simply to take it
• The drug disrupts your life
• Rationalizing usage

If you have further questions about Molly addiction or are worried about the effects of addiction for yourself or a loved one, contact a certified drug rehabilitation counselor for help.

Saturday, April 18, 2015

Teens Abusing New Drug Opana


Opana abuse is on the rise and the shocking bit is that teenagers are more affected than any other age group. Moreover, it is readily available in our home cabinets and the fact that it's not illegal makes it easily accessible to teens who don't realize its dangers.

Opana is clinically referred to as oxymorphine and it is a drug with intoxicating qualities similar to morphine. Opana abuse among teenagers has become a huge problem largely because of the availability of the drug in our homes. It only takes the prescription note in the medicine cabinet to give a naïve teenager the go ahead. Moreover, the drug has no odor thus is easily concealable and can be smuggled around.

Unsuspecting teenagers continue to abuse Opana together with other intoxicants like beer. Other teens will crush the pills into powder and snort them like cocaine or lick them to deliver an ever greater rush. This is a prerequisite to an overdose disaster and sadly so many young lives have been lost to a problem that could have been corrected earlier.

But there is hope, and it is possible to see the early signs of  Opana abuse in your teenager.  Your teenager will start exhibiting secretive behaviors like not revealing their whereabouts during the day, locking their rooms whenever they are inside, not allowing you go through their school bag or check their room and generally not telling you they have a problem. They will also change their friends, acquiring a new company that will help them abuse the drug together or get their daily supply.

Opana abuse has side effects like any other drug and pretty soon your son or daughter will start dressing shaggily, not comb their hair and generally look like a drug abuser. The language changes as well and pretty soon you will start hearing slang words never heard before, especially those referring to drugs like 'stop signs', the O Bomb, pink ladies or the 'blues'.

Opana abuse is on the rise and it's about time you protected your teenager from this drug net. Follow us for more tips on drug abuse and how to protect your child from it.

Friday, April 3, 2015

Oxycodone And Oxymorphone Addictions - Stop Them This Month

 

Although most people have probably heard about addictions that people have with painkillers, they may not realize how detrimental these can be to the human body. They actually affect the way that your body responds to stimulation, specifically endorphins and serotonin levels, where your body will expect more stimulation. When it does not occur, you can go through what are called withdrawals which can be very painful, similar to what people that experience cocaine and heroin withdrawals will go through. To get help, treatment centers are available, most of which have openings where you can get your addiction taken care of.

Most Addicting Opiates

Probably at the top of the list of all of the opiates that are available are maperidine, oxymorphone, oxycodone HCL and hydrocodone. These are much more addicting than simply taking Vicodin or Norco, but either way, the way that your mu receptors respond in your brain is going to dramatically change. Without having a regular dosage, you can start to sweat profusely, get the shakes, especially in your legs, and feel an unstoppable craving for these narcotics. That's why it is so important to stop using them as soon as possible once you have gone through your recovery for the medical condition you were using them for. If not, treatment centers are available that you can find at locations near you.

Getting Treated For Opiates

The best way to get treated for opiates is to go to a drug rehab center where you can get help right away. You will probably have to check into the treatment center where they will assess your situation and devise a plan of action to help you out. The amount of time that you will have to spend at these centers will depend upon how many months or years you have been taking the drugs. Once you are done, your mu receptors will reset to normal levels, and you can go throughout the day without opiates in your system.

Friday, February 27, 2015

Morphine And Methadone Addictions - Ways To Stop Right Away

 

Opioids or opiates are extremely addicting substances that are prescribed by doctors every single day. They are derived from the poppyseed, and processed into the many medications that we use today including Vicodin, Norco, Percocet and many others. Some of the most addicting ones include Morphine, Methadone and Fentany just to name a few. Regardless of the opioids or morphine derivatives that you are looking at, the addiction is going to be the same for each one, just at different levels. Let's look at why opiates are addicting, and how you can add your addiction to pain meds very quickly.

Why Opiates Are So Addicting For Most People

Opioids are able to affect mu receptors in your brain which are directly connected to your central nervous system. In the same way that many drugs provide euphoria, this also does the same, and also eliminates physical pain. People become addicted because these receptors become used to a certain amount of stimulation. Once done, the only way to reset things back to normal is to stop using them which means you will have to go through withdrawals. This can include sweating, vomiting, shakes, and an overwhelming sense of anxiety and doom. Once done, however, you will be free from opiates in your system, something that is easy to do if you are working with an addiction to pain meds center.

Checking Into A Clinic

To make sure that you have the best possible chance of ending your addiction to opiates, you need to check yourself into a pain medication addiction center. They will stop you from using opiates, help you get through the withdrawals, and over a period of several weeks, you will get back to normal. This is usually reserved for people that have been long-time users, and cannot seem to stop on their own. Go ahead and find one of these clinics today if this is something that you would like to do.