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Health 5

Antidepressants and Phototherapy

Antidepressants are used commonly in medical and psychiatric practice. As a class, antidepressants have in common their ability to treat major depressive illness. Most antidepressants are also effective in the treatment of panic disorder and other anxiety disorders. Some antidepressants effectively treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and a variety of other conditions (see indications below).
The most commonly prescribed antidepressants are listed in Table 12-1. Antidepressants are subdivided into groups based on structure or prominent functional activity: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRls), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOls), and other antidepressant compounds with a variety of mechanisms of action. Antidepressants are typically thought to act on either the serotonin or norepinephrine systems, or both. Choice of medications typically depends on diagnosis, history of response (in patient or relative), and the side-effect profile of the medication. Antidepressant effects are typically not seen until 2 to 4 weeks into treatment. Side effects must be carefully monitored, especially for TCAs and MAOls.
Indications
Table 12-2 lists the indications for antidepressants.
The main indication for antidepressant medications is major depressive disorder as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV). Antidepressants are used in the treatment of all subtypes of depression, including depressed phase of bipolar disorder, psychotic depression (in combination with an antipsychotic medication), atypical depression, and seasonal depression. Antidepressants also are indicated for the prevention of recurrent depressive episodes.
Antidepressant medications may be effective in the treatment of patients with dysthymic disorder, especially when there are clear neurovegetative signs or a history of response to antidepressants.
Panic disorder with or without agoraphobia has been shown to respond to SSRls, MAOls, TCAs, and high-potency benzodiazepines (alprazolam and clonazepam).
OCD has been shown to respond to the serotonin-selective tricyclic clomipramine (Anafranil) and to SSRIs at high doses (e.g., fluoxetine at 60-80mg/ day). Obsessions tend to be more responsive to pharmacotherapy than compulsions. Symptoms of OCD respond more slowly than symptoms of major depression. Trials of 12 weeks or more are needed before a medication can be ruled a failure for an OCD patient.
Click here for more information on The Best Ways to Delete WhatsApp Images on the Laptop 2022. Or click here if you’re looking for information on What Does a Chest Compression Feedback Device Monitor 2022Mechanisms of Action
Antidepressants are thought to exert their effects at particular subsets of neuronal synapses throughout the brain. Their major interaction is with the monoamine neurotransmitter systems (dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin). Dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin are released throughout the brain by neurons that originate in the ventral brainstem, locus ceruleus and the raphe nuclei, respectively. These neurotransmitters interact with numerous receptor subtypes in the brain that are associated with the regulation of global state functions including appetite, mood states, arousal, vigilance, attention, and sensory processing.
SSRls act by binding to presynaptic serotonin reuptake proteins, thereby inhibiting reuptake and increasing the levels of serotonin in the synaptic cleft.
TCAs act by blocking presynaptic reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine. MAOls act by inhibiting the presynaptic enzyme (monoamine oxidase) that catabolizes norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin, thereby increasing the levels of these neurotransmitters presynaptically.
These immediate mechanisms of action are not sufficient to explain the delayed antidepressant effects (typically 2 to 4 weeks). Other unknown mechanisms must play a role in the successful psychopharmacologic treatment of depression.
Full article: http://www.health.am/psy/more/antidepressants_ect_and_phototherapy/
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Health 5

An Insight Into PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)

I was cruising the “net” just recently, when I came across “PCOS”. I had never heard of this but I found it very interesting because for years I have suffered with blood sugar problems. So as soon as I come across an article that relates to blood sugar, I research it further. This is very interesting because so many women suffer with this condition. And, like many blood sugar conditions, it also can go undiagnosed.
What you’re about to read will give you a greater understanding of PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) and how to reverse its underlying condition, Insulin Resistance. This information is not about fad diets, magic pills or fantasy claims to transform the way you look and feel overnight. It is about accurate scientific information that can help you to effectively change the way your body responds to food and help reverse your PCOS.
INSULIN RESISTANCE IS THE ROOT CAUSE OF PCOS http://syndromex.stanford.edu/InsulinResistance.htm The above is a link to more detailed information from the stanford.edu website. Are you one of the millions of women with PCOS who have failed to reverse the symptoms of this condition no matter what you’ve tried? It may not be due to lack of willpower. Instead, you could be Insulin Resistant, the root cause of PCOS.
Scientists at the National Institutes of Health, Stanford University and other research centers have clearly identified the existence and effects of Insulin Resistance, a biochemical condition that causes excessive weight gain and PCOS, which is also known as polycystic ovaries. If you are among the 65% of the overweight population with Insulin Resistance, your ability to reverse your PCOS and lose weight may not have been within your control – until now.
This breakthrough in understanding the body’s biochemistry remains relatively unknown, even though Insulin Resistance has reached epidemic proportions. Your doctor may not have explained the crucial link between Insulin Resistance and PCOS. You need to understand this link in order to reverse your condition.
The Insulite PCOS System is the first scientifically-designed method that restores your body’s ability to conquer PCOS by reversing Insulin Resistance. You can also read more here: http://www.pcosupport.org/living/nutrition/insulinre.php PCOS AND INSULIN RESISTANCE PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) is a hormonal imbalance linked to the way the body processes insulin after it has been produced by the pancreas to regulate blood sugar (glucose).
The underlying cause of PCOS, Insulin Resistance, has many factors that contribute to its presence in the body. In essence, our environment and lifestyles have evolved too rapidly for our bodies to keep pace. We are still genetically “wired” to thrive on the entrenched habits of our ancestors, who consumed different, nutrient-rich foods, a diet low in carbohydrates and who sustained greater levels of movement and exercise. Some people may also have a genetic predisposition to Insulin Resistance, while others develop the condition through high stress and unhealthy lifestyles. Also check Dr. Barry Sears Books on Hormonal Balance. INSULIN RESISTANCE NEGATIVELY AFFECTS GLUCOSE AND INSULIN LEVELS SYMPTOMS OF PCOS Doctors very often misdiagnose PCOS. This became an issue of critical concern after a study in 2000 found that women suffering from PCOS have a higher risk of coronary heart disease.
Researchers found a link between PCOS and other metabolic conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure and high levels of LDL “bad” cholesterol, all of which are risk factors for coronary heart disease.
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Please take note: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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Health 5

An Apple a Day, Does Keep the Doctor Away

Increasing the fiber in your diet has been shown to: reduce your cholesterol, reduce your hunger, lower your fat absorption, reduce surges in insulin levels, help with weight loss, lower the risk of colon cancer, and lower your risk of heart disease. WOW! Sounds like a miracle cure – where can I get this stuff? The answer: At your grocery store.
Old Ben Franklin, citing in Poor Richard’s Almanac 250 years ago stated “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Well he was right. Not only because the apple contains vitamins and minerals, but also because it is a major source of fiber. Maybe three apples a day keeps three doctors away!
What is fiber? Well, it is basically indigestible complex carbo-hydrates that come from plant foods. What your Grandma called “roughage” is called fiber by scientists. When you look at some food labels, fiber is often listed under carbohydrates – but it is not a single food or substance and by itself has no calories because your body cannot absorb it.
There are actually two types of fiber and they have different health benefits. The two types are “water soluble” and “water insoluble”. Soluble fibers include the skins of fruits such as apples, oranges (not the orange peel, but the white material after you peel it), pears, peaches and grapes; the skins of vegetables, seeds; oat bran, dried beans, oatmeal, barley, rye, and prunes. Insoluble fibers include the meat of fruits and vegetables, dried beans, wheat bran, seeds, popcorn, brown rice, and whole grain products such as breads, cereals, and pasta.
Bran of course does bulk up the diet and results in larger, softer stools. But it actually does more than prevent constipation – there are clear data showing that fiber also reduces the risk of colon cancers. The “stickiest” kinds of fiber are the gums and pectins (soluble fiber) and they help keep cholesterol under control by removing bile acids that digest fat. Bile acids, which promote better digestion, unfortunately also contribute much to the “reabsorption” from the bowel wall of our bodies own “home-made” cholesterol. Every gram of fiber intake per day reduces your total blood cholesterol by approximately one point. The same class of fibers may help regulate blood sugar as well. This latter feat is accomplished by coating the bowel’s lining and delaying stomach emptying. As a result, fiber can slow sugar absorption after a meal and may reduce the amount of insulin needed to keep blood sugar at the right levels. Reducing the over-production of insulin is a major factor in reducing obesity.
Insulin “resistance” (abnormally high insulin levels) is common in very obese patients and may be a factor in “obesity begets obesity”. Fiber is also a weight watchers dream since fibers called cellulose and hemicelluloses take up space in the stomach, making us feel full; thus lowering total caloric intake at meal time. Popular agents such as Metamucil are actually an important part of many weight reduction diets as they slow down absorption of sugars taken in as part of most meals – promoting further weight loss.
The average American gets only 14 grams of fiber per day in their diet. Most scientists agree that the optimal amount is closer to 35 grams per day. Increasing the consumption of “complex” carbo-hydrates is the best way to increase fiber intake. Fiber supplements are also available at the grocery. However, be aware that a large increase in your fiber intake over a short period of time may result in bloating, diarrhea, gas and general discomfort. It is important then to increase the fiber amount in your diet gradually over a period of time (up to three weeks) to allow your “gut” to acclimated and avoid abdominal side-effects.
Disclaimer: If you are under 18, pregnant, nursing or have health problems, consult your physician before starting any weight loss plan. The information here is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your physician before beginning any course of treatment.
Click here for more information on The Best Ways to Delete WhatsApp Images on the Laptop 2022. Or click here if you’re looking for information on What Does a Chest Compression Feedback Device Monitor 2022Dr. John Rumberger is the Author of The WAY Diet, The complete lifestyle plan to live longer, reduce stress, and lose weight the healthy way. To purchase The Way Diet simply go to http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?path=ASIN/0974993387&link_code=as2&camp=1789&tag=icobweb-20&creative=9325 or go to Empty Canoe Publishing http://www.emptycanoe.com and order your copy of The Way.
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Health 5

An ADD Case Study: When the Pace Picks Up, Learn to Slow Down

The fall season signals a shift in most people’s minds. The summer is coming to a close, and it’s back to school, work, and the other things that we haven’t put as much effort into since Memorial Day. Many ADDers welcome this shift, as boredom sets in around August and we long for something bigger to keep us occupied. But while the opportunity to dive into new projects and situations is exciting, it can also become quickly overwhelming.
One way to avoid becoming overwhelmed by all the extra activities that September brings is by remembering to schedule in personal “down time.” This means taking a chunk of time for yourself each and every day to relax, unwind, and plan.
“Anna” is a client of mine who has given me permission to share her story. I’ve been coaching Anna for a while, and we just resumed our work together after a month off. Anna owns a business selling her own artwork. She also has a husband, two kids, a dog, a cat, and a parrot. Her business, like many, is slow in the summer months, which works out well for her because she can spend extra time with her kids. Just two weeks ago, though, she started to see more orders coming in from her website for custom-made designs, and she panicked.
“All of a sudden, I realized that I had just one week to take my kids school clothes shopping AND school supply shopping, get Butter [the dog] to the vet because he can’t seem to stop scratching his ear, meet with the new web designer and get him the materials he’s going to need, and find the time to make and ship two products which I wasn’t expecting orders for. This is in addition to all the OTHER stuff I have to do, like grocery shop, cook, clean up, and spend time with my family.
So what did I do? I freaked out. Instead of getting to work, I sat on the couch and watched talk shows.”
Although the details and tasks will be different for everyone, this is a familiar tale for ADDers. Life seems to be rolling along fine and then, out of nowhere, the to-do list seems too big to handle. Overwhelm sets in, and it’s easy to shut down under the weight of the pressure.
Anna and I discussed this challenge, and the fact that she’s dealt with it before. In fact, every year at this time, she finds herself even more overwhelmed than usual. When I reminded her of this, she responded with amazement. “You know, you’re right! And when this happened last year, what helped was taking time out for myself.”
It did help. I remember talking with Anna and encouraging her to slow down and take care of herself. She protested, like many ADDers do, “How can I possibly slow down when I have so much to do?”
Click here for more information on The Best Ways to Delete WhatsApp Images on the Laptop 2022. Or click here if you’re looking for information on What Does a Chest Compression Feedback Device Monitor 2022Go to the gym in the morning, because she likes to work out and she finds it helps keep her stress levels down
Find a babysitter and go on a “date” with her husband one night a week, because she likes to spend quality time with her husband
Take 15 minutes every evening before bed to plan out the tasks that she can reasonably accomplish the next day, because she likes to feel in control of her time
“It really helped,” Anna said as she remembered her life at this time last year. “I was having fun so I wasn’t so stressed all the time, and so all the things I had to do seemed more manageable. And once I established a planning routine, I didn’t feel frustrated or surprised by new things when they came up.”
Anna decided that she needed to implement this “slow-down” time once again. It’s only been a day, but she went back to the gym, scheduled lunch and a movie with her husband for Sunday, the kids have their school supplies, and Butter’s itchy ear has been treated!
When I asked permission to share her story, Anna offered this tip: “Tell your readers that planning is the thing that really makes all the difference! Sometimes I need to slow down in order to speed up.”
© Copyright 2004
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Health 5

America Health Watch

America loves fast food. Last year, consumers spent billions of dollars on the hamburger industry alone. Corporate giants such as McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Burger King all boast of multi-million dollar incomes each year.
Why?
Because their foods are delicious! Americans everywhere love the rich flavors of gigantic Big Macs and king-sized Whoppers. Our mouths water and noses flare at the enticing smell of a Bacon Double Burger Classic- a popular burger layered with melted cheese and tender bacon strips. Add a large batch of hot, sizzling French fries, and you have a combo meal worth billions of dollars to the American public. Indeed many of us love fast food!
But what has our country gained from its huge appetite for greasy foods? I can think of three problems-three problems that have stood coldly on America’s doorstep. These problems have destroyed the lives of millions of Americans over the past decade. They are: 1) Obesity 2) High Blood Pressure and 3) Heart Disease. Strangely enough, American consumers will continue to satisfy their appetites for greasy chicken dinners, colossal burgers, salty French fries, and dozens of other fast foods. But the biggest threat is that these three health problems, if left unchecked, will bring more pain, more suffering, and higher death rates to the American population.
Obesity: Numerous studies have pointed to what causes obesity (condition of being overweight). Two major causes are: 1) over eating of high-fat foods, and 2) lack of exercise. With our country’s yearly spending on fast food, it is no surprise that more than 60% of Americans aged 20 years and older are overweight. Obesity has also been found to cause diabetes. Though the condition has been proven a hereditary disease, physicians agree that diabetes is often triggered by the patient’s choice of foods. In 2002, treatment of diabetes totaled 23.2 billion U.S. dollars. But being overweight can cause more health problems than just diabetes. Obesity is also a leading cause of high blood pressure.
High Blood Pressure (HBP): Over the years, tests have shown that most diets high in salt lead to cases of high blood pressure. At the turn of this century,this condition was listed as the main cause of death in 227,000 cases. Extra salt on our fries may seem tempting. But a less tempting thought is that high blood pressure contributes to 75% of all strokes and heart attacks. The danger with this condition is that many Americans are unaware that they have high blood pressure. Still, HBP is lethally harmful to anyone who has it. If left untreated, the condition may lead to heart disease.
Heart Disease: This disease is currently the single leading cause of death in America. Years of study have shown obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels as causes of heart disease. Freshly fried chicken, large hamburger meals, hot bags of salted fries-all of these menu items pull at the wallets and purses of American consumers. But what does it cost to satisfy our appetites again and again? In 2001 heart disease was responsible for over half a million deaths in the U.S. It accounted for over 17.6 billion U.S. dollars-in medical treatment- in 2002.
Is the cost really worth it?
Click here for more information on The Best Ways to Delete WhatsApp Images on the Laptop 2022. Or click here if you’re looking for information on What Does a Chest Compression Feedback Device Monitor 2022There are many alternatives to eating fast food. For example, delicious fruits such as apples, oranges, pears, grapes, and grapefruits, are all low in cholesterol and high in nutritional value. They also help the body fight cancer. Meats such as grilled shrimp, baked chicken, and broiled fish are low in cholesterol but high in proteins and other useful nutrients for the body. Finally, garden peas, collard greens, lima beans, and baked potatoes, are all excellent substitutes for a greasy bag of salted fries. You can find additional information on foods and food servings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The information can be found at your local library, bookstores, online, and a variety of other sources.
Indeed America has many opportunities to grow as a healthy nation. It is time to address the health problems that lie at our country’s doorstep. It is our time-America’s time to eat smart.
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Health 5

All About Plantar Warts

Some of us still believe with the old folk tale, that you will get some warts when you touched a toad. Don’t you know that when you take a public shower or simply when you just walk around bare footed will possibly increase the plantar warts in your feet? When your feet perspire and the moisture is trapped, the plantar warts spread out in the area of the foot, in which they increase in size and have their babies. These could be some of the possible reasons why some of us have plantar warts.
Well, some of us are not aware of these plantar warts. Plantar warts are just the common skin infection on the bottom side of our foot. Most teenagers have warts and these plantar warts are cause by the virus that usually enters the body through a break in the skin. The virus of the plantar warts often grows in warm, moist environments. It could be difficult for you to determine the plantar warts from the calluses, in which plantar warts can erupt anywhere on a particular foot. Anyhow, the plantar warts have tiny black dots on the surface layer, where these are the ends of the capillary blood vessels. While the calluses have no blood vessels and usually resemble a yellow candle, wax and are located only over the weight bearing areas of the foot which are perpetually irritated. Since plantar warts are soft tissue condition of the foot, they can too be painful. Since the virus can interfere the skin through those small and invisible cuts and scuff, the warts can appear anywhere on the skin, but those who are on the sole are only suitably called as plantar warts.
The plantar warts appear to be hard, flat, with its rough surface, and well-defined boundaries. They warts are commonly raised and fleshier every time they appear on the top of the foot or on the toes. The color of the plantar warts sometimes varies. They are often gray or brown, with a center that appears as one or more pinpoints of black. Some people used to walk barefoot on dirty surfaces or littered ground, which they don’t even think that those viruses are waylaying. If the plantar warts are not treated well, the warts can possibly spread out to an inch or more in circumference and can multiply into clusters of several warts, often called the mosaic warts. Plantar warts are a kind of infectious lesions, where it can be spread through scratching, touching, or even by having contact with skin shed from another wart. The bleeding of the warts may cause another plot to create other warts.
Even though warts are harmless, they too are painful. However, the first thing that you should do if they are painful is to seek treatment. You should consult for the best physician that carefully will trim the warts, and will apply a chemically treated dressing. Usually, the physician gives the patient of the plantar warts some information for him to follow for a self-care. The salicylic acid patches are required to be applied on a daily basis, and having proper foot hygiene includes the regular use of the burnish stone so to free your feet from the plantar warts. Nevertheless, sometimes, it may take a few weeks for the entire plantar warts to disappear. There are some instances that the plantar warts are develop on the weight bearing of the foot, particularly on the ball of the foot, or the heel, which sometimes causes to be the source of a sharp and burning pain. The pain usually occurs when the weight is brought directly on the wart. If possible, the treatment is required to be repeated regularly until the plantar warts are impaired. Though plantar warts disappear after a short time, they can recur too in the same location, frequently.
Everyone must take some prevention to avoid having the warts on our body, or having the plantar warts on our feet. You should prevent walking barefooted, but except on sandy beaches. It is required to change your shoes or your socks everyday, and must keep your feet clean and dry always. Checking the feet of your children habitually is one way of practicing their personal hygiene too. If possible, you should avoid having a direct contact with warts, or from other persons who have warts on the body, so to assure of having a hygienic body. Growths on, or some changes in your skin should not be ignored. Have some time to visit your podiatric physician.
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Health 5

Alcohol as a Key Ingredient to a Healthy Diet

Evidence suggesting that alcohol is “cardio-protective” first appeared in the literature about 30 years ago. The Framingham Heart Study [the longest running population study of heart disease which began in 1948] provided the first solid evidence of this association. The relationship has now been confirmed by dozens of large population [“epidemiological”] studies. However, physicians have been reluctant to recommend alcohol consumption to patients because of the well-known health consequences of excessive drinking [hypertension, liver disease, increased rates of cancer, violent or accidental death] and the horrors that are associated with “drinking and driving”.
Moderation is the key. Many large studies have found that men and women who consume light to moderate amounts of alcohol per day live longer than those who abstain completely. The Physicians’ Health Study involved long term follow-up of 89,300 men. The study found that men who drank five or six alcoholic drinks per week had a 20% lower risk of all-cause mortality than those who drank no alcohol. On the other hand, the same study showed that men who had more than two alcoholic drinks per day had a higher risk of death than nondrinkers. That means that, when drinking moderately, it appears to be quite beneficial; however, higher alcohol intake increases the risks of cancer and motor vehicle accidents so much as to overwhelm any cardiovascular benefits.
How does alcohol protect the heart? A large portion of the benefit may be attributable to increased levels of HDL [“good] cholesterol. Alcohol also has “antiplatelet” effects [making these natural blood elements less sticky and then less likely to clog arteries during plaque rupture] in much the same way as aspirin.
Moderate alcohol consumption may also help improve insulin resistance, which is just about one step below true diabetes and recognized as another independent predictor for cardiac risk. The Physicians’ Health Study also showed that in subjects who consumed alcohol daily, the risk for heart disease was reduced by 60% in diabetic patients, compared to a 40% decrease in persons who did not have diabetes. Moderate alcohol intake also decreases blood values for CRP [C-reactive protein], a metabolic marker for inflammation (elevated when you are in an increased state of oxidative stress).
The jury is still out as to whether or not wine provides a better protective effect compared to other forms of alcohol. Red wine is rich in flavonoids, which slow down oxidation of LDL [“bad”] cholesterol [which is one of the last steps before it is deposited in your artery wall]. One recent study suggested that light drinkers who avoided wine reduce their risk of all-cause mortality by 10%, while light drinkers who preferred wine had more than a 30% decrease in this risk. However, other studies have found that all forms of alcohol [beer, whiskey, etc.] were equally protective.
It is important to emphasize that alcohol [of ANY kind!] should be limited to one drink daily for women and at most two drinks daily for men [this is based merely on general body size and nothing else]. One drink is defined as 1.5 oz of distilled spirits (such as whisky, gin, and vodka), 5 oz of wine, or 12 oz of beer. Patients who have liver disease, who have a personal or family history of alcohol abuse, or who cannot limit their intake in a responsible manner should NOT start! However, since “all things in moderation” is a good adage for much of life, others can enjoy a daily alcoholic drink as part of a generally healthy diet.
Disclaimer: If you are under 18, pregnant, nursing or have health problems, consult your physician before starting any weight loss plan. The information here is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your physician before beginning any course of treatment.

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Health 5

Alcohol : How Badly Can It Affect CFS Sufferers?

The wonders of alcohol.
The achilles heel for many people. The ‘norm’ for some others. And poison if you have CFS/PVFS/M.E….
I remember when I first got Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome/CFS back in 1995, I thought that having a drink or two wouldn’t affect me any differently to my PRE-CFS days.
Unfortunately I didn’t realise what I was doing to myself.I didn’t know how badly alcohol can affect the severity of CFS…
Nowadays I don’t touch alcohol at all, and haven’t done so for a few years now. I’d rather see at least a few hours in the day instead of being bedridden for weeks on end because of one alcoholic drink!
Because when you have CFS/M.E., you might as well be pouring arsenic down your throat…
——SIDE NOTE——-
Okay – so that comparison might be a little ‘dramatic’, but you get what I mean right?
Click here for more information on The Best Ways to Delete WhatsApp Images on the Laptop 2022. Or click here if you’re looking for information on What Does a Chest Compression Feedback Device Monitor 2022You see when you have CFS/M.E., you are likely to develop **alcohol intolerance**…
The smallest alcoholic drink – even a tiny bit, can send you into a relapse – as I learnt the hard way many years ago.
Having an alcoholic drink now and again was enough to tip the severity of my CFS over the edge and put me in bed indefinitely.
When a **normal** person gets drunk they may feel a bit bad for a day or so, after which, they’re back to ‘normal’, bouncing back and raring to go.
But when a person with M.E./CFS gets drunk – or even has just one drink, they’re likely to feel like ‘death warmed up’ for what seems like an eternity!!!
Personally, I don’t actually like alcohol much so I don’t miss it. But even if I did, I have realised that alcohol no longer makes me feel the way it used to before I had CFS…
Drinking alcohol now feels like I’m feeding myself poison, and my body reacts accordingly – i.e. a relapse – and I suffer the consequences for a long, long time afterwards.
Unfortunately, us CFS sufferers are just not strong enough to resist the poisons of alcohol. So it’s unfortunately a case of accepting it, or getting much, much worse.
As Dr Shepherd writes in his book ‘Living With M.E.’:
“Some people who previously enjoyed and tolerated regular consumption of alcohol without any adverse effects, now find that even small amounts make them extremely unwell.”
— p214, Dr Shepherd, ‘Living With M.E.’ —
So if you have M.E./CFS, it is likely that you may have developed an intolerance to alcohol.
And that’s not forgetting that alcohol also affects the effects of antidepressants (often prescribed to CFS sufferers to treat their fatigue and to help sufferers sleep)! So if you’re taking antidepressants, it’s definitely something to bear in mind.
Having CFS/FM can be a very lonely and devastating experience and depression can be a very real and serious symptom for many CFS/FM sufferers.
So the last thing you need is to take substances that make you feel worse.
And guess what?
Yep, you’ve guess it, alcohol is also a depressant. So it’s not a great thing to drink if you’re depressed! And according to Dr Shepherd, many sufferers sadly do turn to alcohol…
But alcohol is no answer.
Apart from probably making you feel depressed, you could also develop an alcohol dependency!
What’s more, if you **are** alcohol intolerant, then it would make it much harder for yourself to recover from M.E./CFS (pretty much impossible even), while you keep putting alcohol in your body.
And here’s some more ‘food for thought’…
When you think about how badly a CFS sufferer can be affected by **one** alcoholic drink, then how badly could alcohol be affecting you if you’re drinking more???
So there you go – a whole list of reasons why you might think twice about drinking anything remotely alcoholic while you have CFS/M.E.
While you may no longer be alcohol intolerant once you have recovered from CFS/M.E., it may well be a major culprit for preventing you from **recovering** from your CFS/M.E while you still have it.
I didn’t know about the possible effects of alcohol when I first had CFS/M.E…
… and I suffered the consequences. My M.E./CFS got worse. A lot worse. And I was only having a couple of drinks now and again!
So I hope this article arms you with enough info for you to make an educated decision about alcohol either way.
You never know – it may well make the difference…
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Health 5

AIDS/HIV Information

AIDS is an acronym for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome it causes a destruction of the immune system. It is the most advanced stage of the HIV virus (HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus). AIDS is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as the presence of a positive HIV antibody test and one or more of the illnesses known as opportunistic infections.
The HIV virus, type 1 or 2 is widely known to be the cause of AIDS. HIV breaks down and attacks your T cells so your body is unable to defend itself against different infections. The HIV virus also attacks your peripheral nervous system, this causes nerve and muscle pain, especially in the feet, legs, and hands.
HIV is spread through direct contact with semen or blood of an individual that is infected. This can be transferred in many ways the most common is unprotected sexual intercourse. Other means of infection are infected blood transfusions, mother to infant (at time of birth, or through breast milk), sharing needles with an infected person, and rarely a healthcare worker that gets pricked with an infected needle.
Often people who are infected with HIV have few symptoms and in some cases there are none. Other times, symptoms of HIV are confused with other illnesses such as the flu. This may be severe, with swollen glands in the neck and armpits, tiredness, fever and night sweats. This is where as much as 9 out of 10 of the infected individuals will develop AIDS. At this point the person may feel completely healthy and not even know that he/she has the virus. The next stage begins when the immune system starts to break down and the virus becomes more aggressive in damaging white cells. Several glands in the neck and armpits may swell and stay swollen for an extended period of time without any explanation. As this disease progresses boils or warts may spread over the body. They may also feel tremendously tired, night sweats, high fevers, chronic diarrhea, and they may lose a considerable amount of their body weight. Most cases have shown thrush as a symptom as well. At this point the person is in the final stages of HIV–AIDS. Severe chest infections with high fever are common and survival rate is above 70% but decrease with each recurrence.
A person is diagnosed with AIDS when he/she has one or more positive HIV screening and the presence of an AIDS defining condition. Some of the common conditions include but are not limited to: Meningitis, Encephalitis, Dementia, Pneumonia, Kaposi sarcoma, and Lymphoma. There is also a blood test called an Immune Profile that can be done. This test is used to measure the loss of immunity and help decide on the best treatment. There is a test that is rarely used due to its high cost, it is known as a Viral Load: This test detects the virus itself, and also measures the amount of HIV in the blood. It shows how quickly the HIV infection is likely to advance. A high viral load suggests that the person may progress rapidly to AIDS.
Although there is no cure for AIDS there are medical treatments that aide in prolonging, and maintaining the best quality of life possible. These include two nucleoside inhibitors, lamivudine and zidovudine. Actual treatment plans will vary with each patient, along with the physical aspect of this disease. The psychological side has to be addressed in order for a treatment plan to be effective.
The easiest way to escape contracting this disease is to avoid the risk factors that you are in control of. Such as: unprotected sex, not sharing a needle, and if you are in the healthcare field be sure to use all precautions necessary to avoid an accidental prick from a possible infected needle (remember that in this diseases early stages it is common for the person not to even know they are infected). Today AIDS is the fifth leading cause of death among all adults aged 25 to 44 in the United States. Among African-Americans in the 25 to 44 age group, AIDS is the leading cause of death for men and the second leading cause of death for women. Our society needs to become aware that by not protecting ourselves we are killing ourselves and that this has to stop.
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Health 5

ACTION OF ALCOHOL ON INTERNAL ORGANS.

How the liver gets affected.
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The organic deteriorations caused by the continued use of alcohol are often of a fatal character. The organ which most frequently undergoes structural changes from alcohol, is the liver. Normally, the liver has the capacity to hold active substances in its cellular parts. In instances of poisoning by various poisonous compounds, we analyse liver as if it were the central depot of the foreign matter. It is practically the same in respect to alcohol. The liver of an alcoholic is never free from the influence of alcohol and it is too often saturated with it. The minute membranous or capsular structure of the liver gets affected, preventing proper dialysis and free secretion. The liver becomes large due to the dilatation of its vessels, the surcharge of fluid matter and the thickening of tissue. This follows contraction of membrane and shrinking of the whole organ in its cellular parts. Then the lower parts of the alcoholic becomes dropsical owing to the obstruction offered to the returning blood by the veins. The structure of the liver may be charged with fatty cells and undergo what is technically designated ‘fatty liver’.

How the Kidneys deteriorate.
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Congestion of the lungs.
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Alcohol relaxes the vessels of the lungs easily as they are most exposed to the fluctuations of heat and cold. When subjected to the effects of a rapid variation in atmospheric temperature, they get readily congested. During severe winter seasons, the suddenly fatal congestions of lungs easily affects an alcoholic.

Alcohol weakens the heart.
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Consumption of alcohol greatly affects the heart. The quality of the membraneous structures which cover and line the heart changes and are thickened, become cartilaginous or calcareous. Then the valves lose their suppleness and what is termed valvular disorder becomes permanent. The structure of the the coats of the great blood-vessel leading from the heart share in the same changes of structure so that the vessel loses its elasticity and its power to feed the heart by the recoil from its distention, after the heart, by its stroke, has filled it with blood.

Again, the muscular structure of the heart fails owing to degenerative changes in its tissue. The elements of the muscular fibre are replaced by fatty cells or, if not so replaced, are themselves transferred into a modified muscular texture in which the power of contraction is greatly reduced.

Those who suffer from these organic deteriorations of the central and governing organ of the circulation of the blood learn the fact so insidiously, it hardly breaks upon them until the mischief is far advanced. They are conscious of a central failure of power from slight causes such as overexertion, trouble, broken rest or too long abstinence from food. They feel what they call a ‘sinking’ but they know that wine or some other stimulant will at once relieve the sensation. Thus they seek to relieve it until at last they discover that the remedy fails. The jaded, overworked, faithful heart will bear no more. it has run its course and the governor of the blood-streams broken. The current either overflows into the tissues gradually damming up the courses or under some slight shock or excess of motion ceases wholly at the centre.