about addictions, opiates and drugs addiction, change addiction, addiction magazine, about health and aging, aging familiar symptoms and facts, longevity, dementia.

health about addictions and aging

addictions

About addictions

Addiction is an uncontrollable compulsion to repeat a behavior regardless of its negative consequences. A person who is addicted is sometimes called an addict.

Many drugs or behaviors can precipitate a pattern of conditions recognized as addiction, which include a craving for more of the drug or behavior, increased physiological tolerance to exposure, and withdrawal symptoms in the absence of the stimulus. Most drugs and behaviors that directly provide either pleasure or relief from pain pose a risk of dependency. Addictions can also be formed due to opponent process reactions.

Tobacco Addiction | Gambling Addiction | Internet Addiction | Food Addiction | Alcohol Addiction | Sex Addiction | Drugs Addiction

Dependence on Opiates addiction

Opiate addiction and / or dependency, an ever increasing worldwide health problem, impacts all of our lives with enormous economic, personal and public health consequences; transcending gender, socio-economic status, race, and age. Whether it is heroin, methadone, pain pills or other opiate-based drugs and medications, the illness and its symptoms are very similar.

Opiate production has doubled in the last decade, flooding world markets at remarkably low and competitive prices. The more accessible the drug, the higher the cost to society: disability, unemployment, welfare, public assistance, the courts and prison system, and countless other indirect losses. The bill comes to billions of dollars in health-related costs.

Dependency to legally prescribed narcotic/opiate based pain relievers is at an all time high. The incidence of dependency to these type of medications is staggering. Moreover, opiate addiction destroys a person's sense of self. It causes decay, both mentally and physically, bringing on depression, anger and despair. Addiction devastates home life, terminates careers, and threatens health, safety and neighborhoods. Addiction is about denial, isolation, neglected families, abandoned friendships, betrayal, fear and broken promises.

Continue to read more about health, please visit Detox Services.

Six Principles of Change Addictions

One-The belief that you can change is the key to change. This is not the powerlessness message of the 12 steps but rather the belief in self-efficacy. Addictions are really no different than other behaviors—believing you can change encourages commitment to the process and enhances the likelihood of success.

Two- The type o treatment is less critical than the individual’s commitment to change. People can select how they want to pursue change in line with their own values and preferences. They don’t need to be told how to change.

Three- Brief treatments can change longstanding habits. It is not the intensity of the treatment that allows people to change but rather its ability to inspire continued efforts in that direction.

Four- Life skills can be the key to licking addiction. All addictions may not be equal; the community reinforcement approach, with its emphasis on developing life skills, might be needed for those more severely debilitated by drugs and alcohol.

Five- Repeated efforts are critical in change. People do not often get better instantly—it usually takes multiple efforts. Providing follow-up allows people to maintain focus on their change goals. Eventually, they stand a good chance of achieving them.

Six- Improvement, without abstinence, counts. People do not usually succeed all at once. But they can show significant improvements; and all improvement should be accepted and rewarded. It is counterproductive to kick people out of therapy for failing to abstain. The therapeutic approach of recognizing improvement in the absence of abstinence is called harm reduction.

Need more info about health, please visit Peele.net.

The Addiction Recovery Foundation-Addiction at Today

In 1989, the Rev Dr Leslie Griffiths supported recovering alcoholics and people with drug problems at the Methodist Church in central London. Some of those recovering from addictions met with the Rev Griffiths to discuss their concern at the lack of information available to people seeking to stop using drugs and alcohol, and from their enthusiasm ARF was born. Now in its 15th year, ARF continues to strive to ensure that information, advice and support are available to those seeking to recover from addictions, their families, friends, colleagues and professionals working in this field.

PURPOSES :

• To provide advice, support and guidance to anyone suffering from addictions or dependencies and to those involved in their care
• To educate health professionals and others working with people with drug and alcohol problems in the methods and practices for the prevention of, and recovery from, addictions and dependencies on alcohol and other drugs, both legal and illegal
• To promote or assisting in the teaching or training of anyone engaged in the care or treatment of people with addiction or dependency problems
• To conduct and promote research into the care and treatment of people with addiction or dependency problems and disseminating these findings.

Want to read more article about health, please visit Addiction Today.

"Addiction" -The Society for the Study of Addiction

Addiction is a prestigious monthly international peer-reviewed journal, publishing nearly 1250 pages every year. It is read in over 60 countries and has been in continuous publication since the Society for the Study of Addiction was founded in 1884.

Addiction publishes peer-reviewed research reports on alcohol, illicit drugs and tobacco bringing together research conducted within many different disciplines.

Indexed/Abstracted in

• Addiction Abstracts
• Applied Social Science Index and Abstracts (ASSIA)
• Combined Health Information Database (CHID)
• Index Medicus/Medline
• Current Contents/Substance Abuse, Psychiatry
• EMBASE/Excerpta Medica
• Current Contents/Substance Abuse, Psychiatry
• Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Literature
• International Bibliography of the Social Sciences
• Psychological Abstracts
• Science Citation Index
• Medical Documentation Service
• Social SciSearchSocial Services Abstracts (NISC)
• Etc

If you want to know more about health, please visit Black Well Publishing.

Symptoms include:

• Refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for height, body type, age, and activity level
• Intense fear of weight gain or being at
• Feeling at or overweight despite dramatic weight loss
• Loss of menstrual periods
• Extreme concern with body weight and shape

Food Addiction

WHAT IS FOOD ADDICTION ?

Food addiction is a disease characterized by obsession with weight and body image.
Food addiction is similar to drug and alcohol addiction. Very often for a food addict, refined sugar, flour and fats become what alcohol is to the alcoholic, or cocaine to the cocaine addict.

When eating food in this group, the addict sets the phenomenon of "craving" into motion. Like the drug addict, the food addict experiences withdrawal when attempting to cut down on foods that trigger cravings. They can experience both physical and emotional withdrawal such as tremors, cramps, depression, teary periods and self-hatred which leads to self abuse.

TYPES OF FOOD ADDICTION

• Binge Eating Disorder
  Binge eaters are part of the eating disorders continuum. They are unable to control their food intake and repeatedly attempt to lose weight by dieting. While there may be some initial success at weight loss, the weight is ultimately gained back, plus additional pounds. Fluctuations in weight and medical complications, such characteristics of this disease.
• Bulimia Nervosa
  Bulimia Nervosa is a potentially devastating disease which is characterized by periods of binge eating followed by attempts to prevent weight gain through purging behaviors.
• Anorexia Nervosa
  Anorexia Nervosa is a progressive and potentially fatal disease that is characterized by a 15% below normal body weight, an intense fear of fat and repeated claims of feeling fat even when obviously underweight.

Read more article about health, contact Realization Center.

Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive, and often fatal disease. It is a primary disorder and not a symptom of other diseases or emotional problems. The chemistry of alcohol allows it to affect nearly every type of cell in the body, including those in the central nervous system. After prolonged exposure to alcohol, the brain becomes dependent on it. The severity of this disease is influenced by factors such as genetics, psychology, culture, and response to physical pain.

Alcoholism or alcohol dependence is associated with the following:

* The only indication of early alcoholism may be the unpleasant physical responses to withdrawal that occur during even brief periods of abstinence.
* Alcoholics have little or no control over the quantity they drink or the duration or frequency of their drinking.
* Alcoholics are preoccupied with drinking, deny their own addiction, and continue to drink even though they are aware of the dangers.
* Over time, some alcoholics become tolerant to the effects of drinking and require more alcohol to become intoxicated, creating the illusion that they can "hold their liquor." * Alcoholics may have blackouts after drinking and have frequent hangovers that cause them to miss work and other normal activities.
* Alcoholics might drink alone and start their drinking early in the day.
* Alcoholics periodically quit drinking or switch from hard liquor to beer or wine, but these periods rarely last.
* Severe alcoholics often have a history of accidents, marital and work instability, and alcohol-related health problems.
* Episodic violent and abusive incidents involving spouses and children and a history of unexplained or frequent accidents are often signs of drug or alcohol abuse.

In addition to alcohol dependence, experts are now defining alcohol use by levels of harm that it may be causing. This information is useful to determine possible interventions at earlier stages. The following categories of alcohol use and abuse use a definition of one drink as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces (a jigger) of 90-proof liquor.

Moderate Drinking. Moderate drinking, particularly red wine, appears to offer health benefits. Moderate drinking is defined as equal to or less than two drinks a day for men and equal to or less than one drink a day for women.

Continue to read more about health, please visit Adam About.

Diet Food

What should Americans eat to stay healthy?

These guidelines are designed to help answer this question. They provide advice for healthy Americans age 2 years and over about food choices that promote health and prevent disease. To meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, choose a diet with most of the calories from grain products, vegetables, fruits, lowfat milk products, lean meats, fish, poultry, and dry beans. Choose fewer calories from fats and sweets.

Foods contain energy, nutrients, and other components that affect health

People require energy and certain other essential nutrients. These nutrients are essential because the body cannot make them and must obtain them from food. Essential nutrients include vitamins, minerals, certain amino acids, and certain fatty acids. Foods also contain other components such as fiber that are important for health. Although each of these food components has a specific function in the body, all of them together are required for overall health. People need calcium to build and maintain strong bones, for example, but many other nutrients also are involved.

The carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in food supply energy, which is measured in calories. Carbohydrates and proteins provide about 4 calories per gram. Fat contributes more than twice as much -- about 9 calories per gram. Alcohol, although not a nutrient, also supplies energy -- about 7 calories per gram. Foods that are high in fat are also high in calories. However, many lowfat or nonfat foods can also be high in calories.

Physical activity fosters a healthful diet

Calorie needs vary by age and level of activity. Many older adults need less food, in part due to decreased activity, relative to younger, more active individuals. People who are trying to lose weight and eating little food may need to select more nutrient-dense foods in order to meet their nutrient needs in a satisfying diet. Nearly all Americans need to be more active, because a sedentary lifestyle is unhealthful. Increasing the calories spent in daily activities helps to maintain health and allows people to eat a nutritious and enjoyable diet.

Need more info about health, please visit Nal.usda.gov.

Diabetic Diet Food Pyramid

If you have diabetes, base your diet on the following Food Pyramid guidelines.
THE FOOD PYRAMID

1. Fats, Oils, Sweets
(Eat sparingly)
2. Milk, Yogurt, Cheese Group
(Eat 2-3 Servings/day)
3. Meat, Poultry, Fish, Beans, Eggs & Nuts Group
(Eat 2-3 Servings/day) 4. Vegetable Group
(Eat 3-5 Servings/day)
5. Fruit Group
(Eat 2-4 Servings/day)
6. Bread, Cereal, Rice & Pasta Group
(Eat 6-11 Servings/day)

Eat a variety of food to get the vitamins and minerals you need.

Substance abuse

Physicians in the emergency department (ED) regularly encounter patients seeking treatment for alcohol or substance abuse problems. The initial evaluation may seem routine, yet these patients have multiple physical and emotional issues that should be addressed. The emergency physician (EP) should strive to identify patients who might benefit from appropriate referrals for drug and alcohol problems. The ED may be the initial or only point of contact with the health care system for these patients.

Substances of abuse include alcohol, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, and hallucinogens. This chapter provides a brief review of the physiologic effects of these substances as well as the signs and physiologic effects of withdrawal with which the caregiver should be familiar. More detailed information can be obtained from the specific chapters on each substance (see Toxicity, Alcohols; Toxicity, Cocaine; Toxicity, Amphetamine; Toxicity, Hallucinogen; Toxicity, Narcotics).

Want to read more article about health, please visit Emedicine.com.

^ TOP

aging

Causes of Aging

Cause details for Aging:

One longstanding theory of aging suggests that the buildup of damage from oxidative processes in neurons causes a loss of function. Scientists believe that free radicals produced through oxidative mechanisms play a role in several diseases, including cancer and AD.

Bureau Of Primary Health Care -Healthy Aging Initiative

In 1999, Bureau-supported programs served 642,609 clients who were 65 and older, 7.1 percent of health center users. Among all health center patients, the most frequent health related encounters were: hypertension, diabetes, mental health conditions, asthma, heart disease, and bronchial emphysema. Mental health and substance abuse problems included: depression, anxiety, alcohol dependency, and drug dependency. While older persons age 65+ in the United States represent 13 percent of the total population in the year 2000, national projections indicate that this age cohort will grow to 70 million or 20 percent by the year 2030, with racial/ethnic minorities representing 25 percent of the older population. Living longer and healthier is a major concern for the Department expressed as one of two goals for Healthy People 2010.

So, the Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC) will to increase access to comprehensive primary health care for underserved persons age 50+ using innovative outreach enrollment strategies, by increasing reimbursement, and raising the quality of geriatric care in community-based sites supported.

The Healthy Aging Initiative will focus initially on:

• Reimbursement (Dual Medicare and Medicaid coverage)
• Outreach (Improved methods to bring older persons into care)
• Quality (Appropriate health care specific to client needs)
• Modeling of effective approaches for adaptation in other communities

If you want to know more about health, please visit Bphc.hrsa.gov.

The Tough Decisions Behind Hormone Therapy

Women have relied on hormone therapy for decades to relieve symptoms of menopause. But with last year's dramatic announcement about the risks of hormone therapy, women suddenly faced an agonizing choice: Was relief from hot flashes really worth the increased risk of heart disease or breast cancer?

The National Institutes of Health study, known as the Women's Health Initiative, found that the most common form of hormone therapy, estrogen-progestin pills, significantly increased the risk of stroke, heart disease, and breast cancer.

NIH researchers concluded that these risks far outweighed the pills' benefits of preventing hip fractures and colorectal cancer, especially since other non-hormone treatments are available to safely fight bone loss and colon cancer.

Specifically, researchers found that women taking the estrogen-progestin combination are at much higher risk of cancer and heart disease than previously thought. However, on the positive side, the same group of 10,000 women will have six fewer cases of colon cancer and five fewer hip fractures.

"The cardiovascular and cancer risks of estrogen plus progestin outweigh any benefits, and a 26 percent increase in breast cancer risk is too high a price to pay, even if there were a heart benefit," said Dr. Claude Lenfant, director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, which ran the study.

Familiar aging symptoms: Menopause | Depression | Allergies | Diabetes | Dementia | High Cholesterol | Prostate | Sexual Dysfunction

Read more article about health, contact Aging Research.

The Facts with American alcohol, medications and other drugs

With older adults, substance abuse is frequently an invisible problem. Substance abuse may be masked and complicated by lack of awareness, provider behavior, other health problems and ageism. Often the signs of substance abuse may be mistaken for common signs of aging or dementia. These challenges can be successfully addressed.

Among the over 60-population, as many as 17% misuse alcohol or medications.

Among older people, alcohol-related hospitalization rates are similar to those for heart attacks.

Only 13% of the population, older people consume 25-30% of all prescription drugs.

Older people consume at least 25% of all the over-the-counter (OTC) medications available without prescription.

Older adults are more compliant with treatment and have treatment outcomes as good as or better than younger people.

Some evidence suggests that age-specific treatment improves older adult compliance outcomes.

Continue to read more about health, please visit ASA Aging.

Longevity

What Is Longevity?

Webster’s defines "longevity" as "long life; the great duration of individual life," and, "research in longevity." It is this last phrase that is the very heart of this book. In a profound way, this book is not at all about aging, although we must take a look at the way in which most of us age, and the biological processes that begin to decline in middle age with the ticking of the clock, in order to truly understand this. Rather, this is a book about longevity. It is about the research into the process of aging that is now offering millions of people the world over the option of living a longer, healthier life.

life extension

In order to be in good health, every system in the body (including the systems we haven't discovered yet) must be functioning well. Furthermore, the states of each system must be in sync with each other so that they will keep functioning well for a reasonable period of time. If the lungs are working faster than the muscles, the blood will gain too much oxygen and lose too much carbon dioxide, which will soon throw several systems off balance. But if all your systems are working well, and working together well, then your health will be good.

In fact, the body's ability to keep itself on track is quite powerful. Alcohol in large doses is a poison, but in slightly smaller quantities it causes only temporary and relatively mild effects. A person's blood sugar can vary by a factor of two or three without them even being aware of it. In rare cases, people have drowned for half an hour and been restored to life. People can be kept alive for hours with their heart and lungs disconnected during open-heart surgery, and if their kidneys fail, dialysis will work for years. Furthermore, the body constantly encounters and compensates for a wide variety of perturbations--depending on the physical demands a person faces, their food intake can vary from 1000 to 8000 calories per day.

Need more info about health, please visit Cphoenix.best.vwh.net.

Growth hormone

Anti-aging medicine has arrived! Thousands of doctors are now treating middle aged and senior patients whose only concern is their desire to age more slowly, to stay vigorous and active while keeping their body strong and healthy.

The M.D.'s secret weapon? They replace their patients' hormonal levels back to the levels they enjoyed during their mid-20's when their health was at its most vibrant. You may have heard of DHEA and testosterone and estrogen supplements, but the key hormone for these anti-aging doctors is human growth hormone (HGH).

Want to read more article about health, please visit Hgh Info.

Dr. Weeks' Secrets of Anti-Aging Medicine

1) Drink enough water. If one wants to remain youthful and vital, one needs to drink ?one's weight in ounces of good pure water a day.

2) Eat real food. What is real food? It is stuff that you see growing in nature. It is food that is un-pesticided, un-refined, un-preserved, ripened in the field or on the vine and eaten as fresh as possible.

3) Exercise daily. We are all given talents for this life and the way that we express appreciation for those gifts is quite simply to use them.

4) Enjoy, appreciate and celebrate life. This state of mind and soul enhances the immune system and fills up your life with a sense of joy that makes it seem timeless.

5) Sleep like a baby. "The rest of your days depend upon the rest of your nights." Life plays out in rhythms and the regeneration that happens during deep and restorative sleep is required for health and vitality.

6) Stack the cards in favor of youth and vitality. In the accompanying pages you can learn about other anti-aging protocols including specific diets, formulae to rejuvenate stores of youthful hormones (amino acid cocktails), formulae to get the most out of your existing reserves of youthful hormones (secretagogues) and most powerful off all, the restocking of your inventory by using RHT (real hormone therapy) as opposed to synthetic HRT.

7) The "WHY" Finally, when the question of anti-aging options is introduced by patients, I like to remind us all of the real reason for living as long and as fruitful as life as possible.

If you want to know more about health, please visit Weeksmd.com.

^ TOP

Previous Page | Next Page