Biofeedback. The name alone sounds like something from a science fiction novel, but in reality, biofeedback is a practical alternative medicine used to treat several diseases.
According to Nicole Nisly, MD, head of UI Hospitals and Clinics Complementary and Alternative Medicine Clinic, biofeedback teaches you to control a function of the body that is normally automatically regulated. This includes functions such as blood pressure, heart rate, and skin temperature.
Why would you want to control these functions if the body already does? "The purpose of learning biofeedback is to improve the balance of your nervous system, with increased relaxation and a decrease in blood pressure and heart rate," Nisly says. "By doing so, you can treat certain ailments by learning to control certain parts of the nervous system, which may have suffered an imbalance caused by stress."
When you are learning biofeedback, therapists attach sensors to your body providing instant feedback on a body function using a monitoring device. Your therapist will then help you to control the function by teaching you physical and mental exercises related to the feedback.
Using these techniques, some patients have lowered their blood pressure, gotten rid of headaches, and helped control certain forms of mental illness, all without using medications. Biofeedback also has been useful in treating disorders of the digestive system. Physical therapists use biofeedback to help stoke victims regain muscle strength from paralysis and other movement disorders. Others use biofeedback to regain control of a poorly functioning bladder or bowel.
Most people need several sessions to learn the techniques of biofeedback and are usually successful by the time they complete 12 sessions. Contact your physician for more information about biofeedback and to recommend a therapist trained in the technique.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Aromas Can Be Therapy
Does the smell of pumpkin pie make you think of crisp autumn days? Does the smell of peppermint bring back pleasant childhood memories of the holidays? If so, then you already know a bit about the world of aromatherapy.
Aromatherapy uses essential oils, extracted from plants, flowers, herbs, and trees, to stimulate the sense of smell. "As one of the strongest senses we have, smell has the power to activate nerve cells that send impulses to the area of the brain associated with emotions and memory," says Nicole Nisly, MD, who heads the UI Hospitals and Clinics Complementary and Alternative Medicine Clinic.
According to Nisly, the oils may be used in different combinations to enhance healing on several levels. "Mentally and emotionally, the scents may evoke a pleasant memory," she says. "Physically, they may help to relieve certain conditions by stimulating the nervous, circulatory, or immune systems." The technique also helps in relaxation because the scents produced can give a feeling of peace and calm."
Aromatherapy has been found helpful in relieving stress, energizing the body, and promoting general well being. Recently, aromatherapy also has been found to ease the symptoms of dementia without the negative side effects of some medications.
It is believed that each oil has its own fragrance and personality, giving it its own unique healing action. The oils can be inhaled with a diffuser or added to bathwater, or they can be used in conjunction with massage to stimulate the mind and body simultaneously.
The oils used in aromatherapy are usually found in health-food stores or pharmacies, and the techniques of aromatherapy may be performed in your home. You also may chose to visit a trained aromatherapist who will help develop a mixture of oils specifically for you. If you are pregnant, an aromatherapist can help determine which oils you should avoid.
Aromatherapy uses essential oils, extracted from plants, flowers, herbs, and trees, to stimulate the sense of smell. "As one of the strongest senses we have, smell has the power to activate nerve cells that send impulses to the area of the brain associated with emotions and memory," says Nicole Nisly, MD, who heads the UI Hospitals and Clinics Complementary and Alternative Medicine Clinic.
According to Nisly, the oils may be used in different combinations to enhance healing on several levels. "Mentally and emotionally, the scents may evoke a pleasant memory," she says. "Physically, they may help to relieve certain conditions by stimulating the nervous, circulatory, or immune systems." The technique also helps in relaxation because the scents produced can give a feeling of peace and calm."
Aromatherapy has been found helpful in relieving stress, energizing the body, and promoting general well being. Recently, aromatherapy also has been found to ease the symptoms of dementia without the negative side effects of some medications.
It is believed that each oil has its own fragrance and personality, giving it its own unique healing action. The oils can be inhaled with a diffuser or added to bathwater, or they can be used in conjunction with massage to stimulate the mind and body simultaneously.
The oils used in aromatherapy are usually found in health-food stores or pharmacies, and the techniques of aromatherapy may be performed in your home. You also may chose to visit a trained aromatherapist who will help develop a mixture of oils specifically for you. If you are pregnant, an aromatherapist can help determine which oils you should avoid.
Alternative Medicine: The Powers of Garlic
Some of us ignore the smell and some of us even ignore the taste, but people can’t ignore the benefits of garlic. The herb has long been used to flavor our favorite foods, but research also suggests that garlic can decrease the risk of heart disease and may help prevent cancer.
According to Nicole Nisly, MD, associate professor of Internal Medicine, garlic has been associated with preventing colon, stomach, throat and prostate cancers. Nisly suggests a few possible reasons why garlic is thought to be a cancer-preventing herb: it increases natural killer cells that fight cancers, and it works as an antioxidant that protects cells and rids the body of cancer-causing agents.
Besides preventing cancer, garlic has been known to decrease fungal infections and bacteria in the body, lower cholesterol, and decrease risk of heart disease.
While the exact role of garlic in the preventive process is undetermined, it is believed that when garlic is crushed it forms allicin, which gives garlic its smell. When allicin is formed, it then breaks down further and, depending on how it is prepared, can increase the body’s resistance to cancer. So in order to reap the benefits of garlic, it must be used correctly. Allicin is destroyed by heat and age, so it's best to cook garlic at the lowest temperature possible with a brief cooking time.
How much garlic should you consume each day? This varies by how it is prepared. Nisly suggests taking a dose of 0.4-1.2 grams in a powder or supplement form. If you are using fresh garlic, prepare 1 clove twice a day or 4 grams once a day.
There are some side effects of garlic besides the strong taste and smell. Some people experience indigestion, intestinal or stomach discomfort (such as bloating or pain), sweating, light headaches, and other allergic reactions.
There are also some drug interactions people must be aware of before taking garlic. Garlic is actually a blood thinner, so it shouldn’t be taken if you are already on blood-thinning medications. As a result, patients who are about to undergo or have just finished surgery should not take garlic. Garlic has also been known to decrease the effectiveness of protease inhibitors, so individuals taking HIV drugs should not take garlic.
Supplements can be a beneficial way to maintain a healthy body, but Nisly emphasizes that it is important to remember that dietary supplements do have an effect on your body and that by taking them you run the risk of interactions.
Dietary supplements are not regulated or restricted by the Food and Drug Administration, so different brands may contain different amounts of the product. Therefore, Nisly recommends always using the same brand of supplements. It is important to research the brand you are taking to make sure what you get in the bottle is the real thing. Many companies have toll free numbers and Web sites that can help answer any questions. If you are still unsure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
According to Nicole Nisly, MD, associate professor of Internal Medicine, garlic has been associated with preventing colon, stomach, throat and prostate cancers. Nisly suggests a few possible reasons why garlic is thought to be a cancer-preventing herb: it increases natural killer cells that fight cancers, and it works as an antioxidant that protects cells and rids the body of cancer-causing agents.
Besides preventing cancer, garlic has been known to decrease fungal infections and bacteria in the body, lower cholesterol, and decrease risk of heart disease.
While the exact role of garlic in the preventive process is undetermined, it is believed that when garlic is crushed it forms allicin, which gives garlic its smell. When allicin is formed, it then breaks down further and, depending on how it is prepared, can increase the body’s resistance to cancer. So in order to reap the benefits of garlic, it must be used correctly. Allicin is destroyed by heat and age, so it's best to cook garlic at the lowest temperature possible with a brief cooking time.
How much garlic should you consume each day? This varies by how it is prepared. Nisly suggests taking a dose of 0.4-1.2 grams in a powder or supplement form. If you are using fresh garlic, prepare 1 clove twice a day or 4 grams once a day.
There are some side effects of garlic besides the strong taste and smell. Some people experience indigestion, intestinal or stomach discomfort (such as bloating or pain), sweating, light headaches, and other allergic reactions.
There are also some drug interactions people must be aware of before taking garlic. Garlic is actually a blood thinner, so it shouldn’t be taken if you are already on blood-thinning medications. As a result, patients who are about to undergo or have just finished surgery should not take garlic. Garlic has also been known to decrease the effectiveness of protease inhibitors, so individuals taking HIV drugs should not take garlic.
Supplements can be a beneficial way to maintain a healthy body, but Nisly emphasizes that it is important to remember that dietary supplements do have an effect on your body and that by taking them you run the risk of interactions.
Dietary supplements are not regulated or restricted by the Food and Drug Administration, so different brands may contain different amounts of the product. Therefore, Nisly recommends always using the same brand of supplements. It is important to research the brand you are taking to make sure what you get in the bottle is the real thing. Many companies have toll free numbers and Web sites that can help answer any questions. If you are still unsure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Weight loss myths
Myth: Fad diets work for permanent weight loss.
Fact: Fad diets are not the best option to loss weight. Fad diets may sometime help in weight loss and may also ask you to cut down certain foods from your diet. You might loss weight at first due to fad diets. But diets that strictly limit calories and food choices are hard to follow. People might find it difficult and often regain any lost weight.
Fad diets may not be healthy because they may not provide all the nutrients for your body. Also, losing weight at a very fast rate can increase the risk of developing gallstones – the cluster of solid material in the gallbladder that can be painful. Diets that provide less than 800 calories per day also could result in heart rhythm abnormalities which can be fatal.
Tips: Research has suggested that losing certain pounds (1 to 2) a week by eating healthy food choices eating lesser portions and including physical activity into your daily life is the best alternative to lose weight. By adopting healthy eating and physical activity habits you can lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.
Myth: High-protein/low-carbohydrate diets are a healthy way to lose weight
Fact: The higher risks of health effects of a high-protein/low-carbohydrate diet are still not known. Eating foods such as meat, eggs and cheese is not termed as a balanced diet. You may eat too much of fat and cholesterol which may increase the chance of heart disease risk and other blood pressure problem. You may include fruits and vegetable as your daily diet, which may lead to constipation due to lack of dietary fiber.
Eating less than 130 grams of carbohydrate in a day can lead to ketones (partially broken-down fats) in your blood. A buildup of ketones in your blood (called ketosis) can cause your body to produce high levels of uric acid, which is a risk factor for gout (a painful swelling of the joints) and kidney stones. Ketosis can be risky for pregnant women and people with diabetes and kidney disease.
Tips: High-protein/low-carbohydrate diets can sometime be low in calories because food choices are strictly limited so they may cause short-term weight loss. But eating reduced-calorie which includes recommended amounts of carbohydrate, protein and fat will also allow you to lose weight. Following a balanced diet, will help you to lose weight. You may also find it easier to stick with a diet or eating plan that includes a numerous variety of foods.
Myth: Starches are fattening and should be limited when trying to lose weight
Fact: Foods that are high in starch includes bread, rice, pasta, cereals, beans, fruits, and some vegetables such as potatoes and yams are low in fat and calories. They can be high in fat and calories when they are eaten in large portion or when topped with other high-fat toppings like butter, sour cream or mayonnaise. Foods high in starch are the vital source of energy for your body.
Tips: All you need is to pay attention to serving sizes that you eat. Try to avoid high-fat such as whole grains like whole wheat bread, brown rice and oatmeal. Include other starchy foods that are high in dietary and fiber like beans, peas and vegetables.
Myth: Certain foods, like grapefruit, celery, or cabbage soup, can burn fat and make you lose weight
Fact: There are no foods which can help burn fat. Foods with caffeine can speed up the metabolism (the way body uses energy) for certain time, but they do not lead to weight loss.
Tips: The best alterative to reduce your weight is to cut down the amount of fat and calories.
Meal Myths
Myth: "I can lose weight while eating whatever I want."
Fact: In order to loss weight you need to burn your calories, than you eat. It is possible to eat food you want and loss weight. All you need is to limit the amount of calories you eat and increase your daily physical activity. Cutting down the portion is the key to loss your weight. Eat small amounts of food and choosing foods that are low in calories.
Tips: When you are in the process to lose weight you can still eat your favorite foods as long as you pay attention to the amounts of calories.
Myth: Skipping meals is a good way to lose weight.
Fact: Studies have shown that people who skip their breakfast and eat few times during the day tend to be heavier than people who eat a healthy breakfast and eat good food a day. Because people who skip meals they feel hungrier and eat more than they normally eat. It should be noted that eating many small meals throughout the day helps people control their appetites.
Tips: Eat small amount of meals that include low-fat and low-calories.
Myth: Eating after 8 p.m. causes weight gain.
Fact: It really does not matter what time of day you normally eat your meal. What matter is how much you eat and how much physical activity you do during the entire day which helps to determines whether you gain, lose or maintain your weight.
Tips: All you need is to control the amounts of fat and calories and increase the physical activity to loss weight, the time you eat is really doesn’t matter .
Physical Activity Myth
Myth: Lifting weights is not good to do if you want to lose weight, because it will make you "bulk up."
Fact: Doing regular exercise which includes weight lifting activities like push-ups and crunches on a regular basis can actually help you maintain or lose weight. These activities can help you build and burn muscle and also more calories than body fat. Doing strengthening activities 2 or 3 days a week will not bulk you up.
Tips: Doing regular exercise is good for your health other than moderate-exercise you must include walking or jogging 2 to 3 times in a week.
Food Myths
Myth: Nuts are fattening and you should not eat them if you want to lose weight.
Fact: Nuts can be part of a healthy weight-loss program. They are high in calories and fat. However, most nuts contain healthy fats that do not clog arteries. Nuts are also good sources of protein, dietary fiber and minerals including magnesium and copper. It can help you to reduce the chances of getting heart related problems.
Tips: Eating small portions of nuts can be very fruitful.
Fact: Fad diets are not the best option to loss weight. Fad diets may sometime help in weight loss and may also ask you to cut down certain foods from your diet. You might loss weight at first due to fad diets. But diets that strictly limit calories and food choices are hard to follow. People might find it difficult and often regain any lost weight.
Fad diets may not be healthy because they may not provide all the nutrients for your body. Also, losing weight at a very fast rate can increase the risk of developing gallstones – the cluster of solid material in the gallbladder that can be painful. Diets that provide less than 800 calories per day also could result in heart rhythm abnormalities which can be fatal.
Tips: Research has suggested that losing certain pounds (1 to 2) a week by eating healthy food choices eating lesser portions and including physical activity into your daily life is the best alternative to lose weight. By adopting healthy eating and physical activity habits you can lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.
Myth: High-protein/low-carbohydrate diets are a healthy way to lose weight
Fact: The higher risks of health effects of a high-protein/low-carbohydrate diet are still not known. Eating foods such as meat, eggs and cheese is not termed as a balanced diet. You may eat too much of fat and cholesterol which may increase the chance of heart disease risk and other blood pressure problem. You may include fruits and vegetable as your daily diet, which may lead to constipation due to lack of dietary fiber.
Eating less than 130 grams of carbohydrate in a day can lead to ketones (partially broken-down fats) in your blood. A buildup of ketones in your blood (called ketosis) can cause your body to produce high levels of uric acid, which is a risk factor for gout (a painful swelling of the joints) and kidney stones. Ketosis can be risky for pregnant women and people with diabetes and kidney disease.
Tips: High-protein/low-carbohydrate diets can sometime be low in calories because food choices are strictly limited so they may cause short-term weight loss. But eating reduced-calorie which includes recommended amounts of carbohydrate, protein and fat will also allow you to lose weight. Following a balanced diet, will help you to lose weight. You may also find it easier to stick with a diet or eating plan that includes a numerous variety of foods.
Myth: Starches are fattening and should be limited when trying to lose weight
Fact: Foods that are high in starch includes bread, rice, pasta, cereals, beans, fruits, and some vegetables such as potatoes and yams are low in fat and calories. They can be high in fat and calories when they are eaten in large portion or when topped with other high-fat toppings like butter, sour cream or mayonnaise. Foods high in starch are the vital source of energy for your body.
Tips: All you need is to pay attention to serving sizes that you eat. Try to avoid high-fat such as whole grains like whole wheat bread, brown rice and oatmeal. Include other starchy foods that are high in dietary and fiber like beans, peas and vegetables.
Myth: Certain foods, like grapefruit, celery, or cabbage soup, can burn fat and make you lose weight
Fact: There are no foods which can help burn fat. Foods with caffeine can speed up the metabolism (the way body uses energy) for certain time, but they do not lead to weight loss.
Tips: The best alterative to reduce your weight is to cut down the amount of fat and calories.
Meal Myths
Myth: "I can lose weight while eating whatever I want."
Fact: In order to loss weight you need to burn your calories, than you eat. It is possible to eat food you want and loss weight. All you need is to limit the amount of calories you eat and increase your daily physical activity. Cutting down the portion is the key to loss your weight. Eat small amounts of food and choosing foods that are low in calories.
Tips: When you are in the process to lose weight you can still eat your favorite foods as long as you pay attention to the amounts of calories.
Myth: Skipping meals is a good way to lose weight.
Fact: Studies have shown that people who skip their breakfast and eat few times during the day tend to be heavier than people who eat a healthy breakfast and eat good food a day. Because people who skip meals they feel hungrier and eat more than they normally eat. It should be noted that eating many small meals throughout the day helps people control their appetites.
Tips: Eat small amount of meals that include low-fat and low-calories.
Myth: Eating after 8 p.m. causes weight gain.
Fact: It really does not matter what time of day you normally eat your meal. What matter is how much you eat and how much physical activity you do during the entire day which helps to determines whether you gain, lose or maintain your weight.
Tips: All you need is to control the amounts of fat and calories and increase the physical activity to loss weight, the time you eat is really doesn’t matter .
Physical Activity Myth
Myth: Lifting weights is not good to do if you want to lose weight, because it will make you "bulk up."
Fact: Doing regular exercise which includes weight lifting activities like push-ups and crunches on a regular basis can actually help you maintain or lose weight. These activities can help you build and burn muscle and also more calories than body fat. Doing strengthening activities 2 or 3 days a week will not bulk you up.
Tips: Doing regular exercise is good for your health other than moderate-exercise you must include walking or jogging 2 to 3 times in a week.
Food Myths
Myth: Nuts are fattening and you should not eat them if you want to lose weight.
Fact: Nuts can be part of a healthy weight-loss program. They are high in calories and fat. However, most nuts contain healthy fats that do not clog arteries. Nuts are also good sources of protein, dietary fiber and minerals including magnesium and copper. It can help you to reduce the chances of getting heart related problems.
Tips: Eating small portions of nuts can be very fruitful.
Weight Cycling
What Is Weight Cycling?
Weight cycling can be defined as the repeated loss and regain of body weight. Weight cycling is the result of dieting; and is often called "yo-yo" dieting. A weight cycle can range from small weight losses and gains to large changes in weight.
Experts are not sure whether weight cycling can leads to health problems. Studies suggest that the possible health problems such as blood pressure, high cholesterol, and gallbladder disease.
Weight cycling may affect your mental health, due to the reason that it can make a person feel depressed about their weight.
If I regain lost weight, won't losing it again be even harder?
For the person who has been repeatedly loses and gain weight over a period of time shouldn’t have problem as against the person who is losing weight for the first time. Studies have shown that weight cycling does not affect metabolic rate – the rate at which the body burns food to generate energy. Based on these, weight cycling should not affect the weight loss program of an individual. Metabolism slows down as the person ages. In order, to improve the overall process of weight loss the person should be involves in regular physical activity as well as healthy eating habits can be a part of your life and improves the health.
Will weight cycling leave me with more fat and less muscle than if I had not dieted at all?
Weight cycling has not been blamed to increase the amount of fat tissue in people who are in process of lose and gain weight. Studies have found that after weight cycle, those return to normal weights have same amount of fat tissue as they did before starting weight cycling.
People are more worried that weight cycling can put-up some more fat around their stomach area. People who tend to carry excess fat in the stomach area, instead of in the hips, thighs, and buttocks, are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
Is weight cycling harmful to my health?
Research on weight cycling has suggested that it may involve the risk of health problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and gallbladder disease.
Losing and gaining weight can have a negative psychological effect, which can lead to depression of gaining weight. Weight cycling should not be taken up seriously. Instead it is a way to focus on making long-term changes in your diet and level of physical activity to help you keep healthy.
Is staying overweight healthier than weight cycling?
The diseases associated with being obese are well known. These include:
* High blood pressure
* Heart disease
* Stroke
* Type 2 diabetes
* Certain types of cancer
* Arthritis
* Gallbladder disease.
Not every person who is overweight has the same of disease. Either you are a man or woman the amount and location of your fat, or your family history of disease all plays a vital role in determining your disease risk.
Weight cycling can be defined as the repeated loss and regain of body weight. Weight cycling is the result of dieting; and is often called "yo-yo" dieting. A weight cycle can range from small weight losses and gains to large changes in weight.
Experts are not sure whether weight cycling can leads to health problems. Studies suggest that the possible health problems such as blood pressure, high cholesterol, and gallbladder disease.
Weight cycling may affect your mental health, due to the reason that it can make a person feel depressed about their weight.
If I regain lost weight, won't losing it again be even harder?
For the person who has been repeatedly loses and gain weight over a period of time shouldn’t have problem as against the person who is losing weight for the first time. Studies have shown that weight cycling does not affect metabolic rate – the rate at which the body burns food to generate energy. Based on these, weight cycling should not affect the weight loss program of an individual. Metabolism slows down as the person ages. In order, to improve the overall process of weight loss the person should be involves in regular physical activity as well as healthy eating habits can be a part of your life and improves the health.
Will weight cycling leave me with more fat and less muscle than if I had not dieted at all?
Weight cycling has not been blamed to increase the amount of fat tissue in people who are in process of lose and gain weight. Studies have found that after weight cycle, those return to normal weights have same amount of fat tissue as they did before starting weight cycling.
People are more worried that weight cycling can put-up some more fat around their stomach area. People who tend to carry excess fat in the stomach area, instead of in the hips, thighs, and buttocks, are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
Is weight cycling harmful to my health?
Research on weight cycling has suggested that it may involve the risk of health problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and gallbladder disease.
Losing and gaining weight can have a negative psychological effect, which can lead to depression of gaining weight. Weight cycling should not be taken up seriously. Instead it is a way to focus on making long-term changes in your diet and level of physical activity to help you keep healthy.
Is staying overweight healthier than weight cycling?
The diseases associated with being obese are well known. These include:
* High blood pressure
* Heart disease
* Stroke
* Type 2 diabetes
* Certain types of cancer
* Arthritis
* Gallbladder disease.
Not every person who is overweight has the same of disease. Either you are a man or woman the amount and location of your fat, or your family history of disease all plays a vital role in determining your disease risk.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
alcoholism -- Causes
Alcoholism is a chronic illness characterized by the habitual consumption of alcohol. Some alcoholics drink daily. Others drink less often, but the drinking becomes out of control. Alcohol use is to the degree that it interferes with physical or mental health or with normal social or work behavior.
Alcohol produces both physical and psychological addiction. It is a central nervous system depressant that reduces anxiety, inhibition, and feelings of guilt. It lowers alertness and impairs perception, judgment, and motor coordination. In high doses, it can cause loss of consciousness and even death. Chronic alcoholism damages the brain, liver, heart, and other organs.
Many people wonder what causes alcoholism. No one can become an alcoholic if they do not drink alcohol. For people who do choose to drink alcohol, some seem to be able to drink without problems, while others do not. Nonetheless:
* There are certain signs and symptoms that are the same for every alcoholic.
* There are certain "stages" that each alcoholic will go through if the disease is not treated.
* Alcoholism is chronic, and the disease won't go away on its own.
* Without treatment, alcoholism can cause death.
* Alcoholism can be treated.
We can think of alcoholism like we think of other diseases. Some people are more at risk for the disease. They can learn ways to live with the disease and take care of themselves. As in other diseases, if the person refuses treatment, the disease will get worse, and the person may even die.
Risk factors for alcoholism in people who drink alcohol include:
* a family member who is alcoholic,
* a history of other substance abuse,
* depression, or
* post-traumatic stress syndrome.
Research has shown that alcoholics may not be able to metabolize alcohol in the way other people can. It may never be completely understood what causes alcoholism, but there is treatment for alcoholism. If an alcoholic decides to get treatment, he or she has a very good chance of living a long and healthy life.
To find out more about alcoholism and treatment, contact the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence at (800) NCA-CALL, your school nurse or counselor, worksite nurse, Employee Assistance Program, or Alcoholics Anonymous in the white pages of your phone book.
Alcohol produces both physical and psychological addiction. It is a central nervous system depressant that reduces anxiety, inhibition, and feelings of guilt. It lowers alertness and impairs perception, judgment, and motor coordination. In high doses, it can cause loss of consciousness and even death. Chronic alcoholism damages the brain, liver, heart, and other organs.
Many people wonder what causes alcoholism. No one can become an alcoholic if they do not drink alcohol. For people who do choose to drink alcohol, some seem to be able to drink without problems, while others do not. Nonetheless:
* There are certain signs and symptoms that are the same for every alcoholic.
* There are certain "stages" that each alcoholic will go through if the disease is not treated.
* Alcoholism is chronic, and the disease won't go away on its own.
* Without treatment, alcoholism can cause death.
* Alcoholism can be treated.
We can think of alcoholism like we think of other diseases. Some people are more at risk for the disease. They can learn ways to live with the disease and take care of themselves. As in other diseases, if the person refuses treatment, the disease will get worse, and the person may even die.
Risk factors for alcoholism in people who drink alcohol include:
* a family member who is alcoholic,
* a history of other substance abuse,
* depression, or
* post-traumatic stress syndrome.
Research has shown that alcoholics may not be able to metabolize alcohol in the way other people can. It may never be completely understood what causes alcoholism, but there is treatment for alcoholism. If an alcoholic decides to get treatment, he or she has a very good chance of living a long and healthy life.
To find out more about alcoholism and treatment, contact the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence at (800) NCA-CALL, your school nurse or counselor, worksite nurse, Employee Assistance Program, or Alcoholics Anonymous in the white pages of your phone book.
Alcohol and drugs may be quite a trip
If alcohol and drugs have been your tour guide, maybe it is time for a change.
Alcohol or drug addiction are life threatening diseases. Alcohol related crashes killed 17,013 Americans in 2003. An additional 600,000 were seriously injured. Alcohol related crashes in the United States cost the public an estimated $114.3 billion in 2000.
Alcoholism and drug addiction are chronic, progressive illnesses displaying certain symptoms in the early, middle and late stages of addiction. Alcoholism and drug addiction are treatable.
If you think alcohol or drug use is one of the causes of your stay here in the hospital, we encourage you to answer the following questions:
* Have you ever decided to stop drinking (using drugs) for a week or so but only lasted for a couple of days?
* Do you wish people would mind their own business about your drinking (use of drugs) - stop telling you what to do?
* Have you ever switched from one kind of drink (drug) in the hope that this would keep you from getting drunk?
* Have you ever had an "eye-opener" upon awakening during the past year?
* Do you envy people who can drink (use drugs) without getting into trouble?
* Have you had problems connected with drinking (using drugs) during the past year? Be honest! Experts say that if you have a problem with alcohol or drugs and continue using, it will get worse - never better. Eventually, death or institutionalization may result. The only hope is to stop!
* Has your drinking (drug use) caused trouble at home?
* Do you ever try to get "extra" drinks (drugs) at a party because you do not get enough?
* Do you tell yourself you can stop drinking (using drugs) any time you want to, even though you keep getting drunk (high) when you don't mean to?
* Have you missed days of work or school because of drinking (using drugs)?
* Do you have "blackouts?" A blackout is when a person loses a period of time while drinking or using drugs.
* Have you ever felt that your life would be better if you did not drink (use drugs)?
Many people who answer yes to four or more of these questions realize they have a problem. There is no cure for alcoholism (addiction). It is treatable. If drinking (drug use) continues, the results are accurately predictable.
Treatment options include:
* Inpatient treatment at a hospital or treatment center. This may include a 30-day stay.
* Outpatient treatment. This can be arranged around work hours if needed. Length of treatment varies with individual.
* Attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings. This is most often effective if in combination with one of the first two options. Local AA Intergroup can be reached at 338-9111 for a meeting schedule. This hospital offers an open AA meeting on Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday evenings at 7 p.m.
* Iowa Substance Abuse Information Center can give you information on assistance in your local area. Call 1-800-247-0614 for information for your area. Hours are Monday- Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* A professional addiction counselor can help plan the treatment best for you.
* Al-Anon is a support group for family and friends. Check with your local AA chapter for further information. 319-341-7068 for Iowa City area.
* An RN and/or counselor from The Chemical Dependency Center or 5BT is available to talk with you about options and give you information for outpatient treatment here at UIHC.
Alcoholism is considered a disease. It has a pattern of identifiable symptoms that will gradually get worse and will lead to an early death unless treated.
Alcoholism is thought of as a family disease because it affects everyone in the family. Treatment centers often request that the family participate in counseling to help themselves and provide support for their recovering family member.
Treatment is only a beginning. Recovery is a lifelong process characterized by periods of growth and sometimes relapse. It is not a sign of failure on the part of the client or counselor if relapse occurs. It is not unusual for people to require treatment more than once in their lifetime.
We hope you have learned more about alcohol/drug addiction. If you're looking for a change and think alcohol (drugs) is a problem, we will assist you in getting the right help.
Alcohol or drug addiction are life threatening diseases. Alcohol related crashes killed 17,013 Americans in 2003. An additional 600,000 were seriously injured. Alcohol related crashes in the United States cost the public an estimated $114.3 billion in 2000.
Alcoholism and drug addiction are chronic, progressive illnesses displaying certain symptoms in the early, middle and late stages of addiction. Alcoholism and drug addiction are treatable.
If you think alcohol or drug use is one of the causes of your stay here in the hospital, we encourage you to answer the following questions:
* Have you ever decided to stop drinking (using drugs) for a week or so but only lasted for a couple of days?
* Do you wish people would mind their own business about your drinking (use of drugs) - stop telling you what to do?
* Have you ever switched from one kind of drink (drug) in the hope that this would keep you from getting drunk?
* Have you ever had an "eye-opener" upon awakening during the past year?
* Do you envy people who can drink (use drugs) without getting into trouble?
* Have you had problems connected with drinking (using drugs) during the past year? Be honest! Experts say that if you have a problem with alcohol or drugs and continue using, it will get worse - never better. Eventually, death or institutionalization may result. The only hope is to stop!
* Has your drinking (drug use) caused trouble at home?
* Do you ever try to get "extra" drinks (drugs) at a party because you do not get enough?
* Do you tell yourself you can stop drinking (using drugs) any time you want to, even though you keep getting drunk (high) when you don't mean to?
* Have you missed days of work or school because of drinking (using drugs)?
* Do you have "blackouts?" A blackout is when a person loses a period of time while drinking or using drugs.
* Have you ever felt that your life would be better if you did not drink (use drugs)?
Many people who answer yes to four or more of these questions realize they have a problem. There is no cure for alcoholism (addiction). It is treatable. If drinking (drug use) continues, the results are accurately predictable.
Treatment options include:
* Inpatient treatment at a hospital or treatment center. This may include a 30-day stay.
* Outpatient treatment. This can be arranged around work hours if needed. Length of treatment varies with individual.
* Attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings. This is most often effective if in combination with one of the first two options. Local AA Intergroup can be reached at 338-9111 for a meeting schedule. This hospital offers an open AA meeting on Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday evenings at 7 p.m.
* Iowa Substance Abuse Information Center can give you information on assistance in your local area. Call 1-800-247-0614 for information for your area. Hours are Monday- Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* A professional addiction counselor can help plan the treatment best for you.
* Al-Anon is a support group for family and friends. Check with your local AA chapter for further information. 319-341-7068 for Iowa City area.
* An RN and/or counselor from The Chemical Dependency Center or 5BT is available to talk with you about options and give you information for outpatient treatment here at UIHC.
Alcoholism is considered a disease. It has a pattern of identifiable symptoms that will gradually get worse and will lead to an early death unless treated.
Alcoholism is thought of as a family disease because it affects everyone in the family. Treatment centers often request that the family participate in counseling to help themselves and provide support for their recovering family member.
Treatment is only a beginning. Recovery is a lifelong process characterized by periods of growth and sometimes relapse. It is not a sign of failure on the part of the client or counselor if relapse occurs. It is not unusual for people to require treatment more than once in their lifetime.
We hope you have learned more about alcohol/drug addiction. If you're looking for a change and think alcohol (drugs) is a problem, we will assist you in getting the right help.
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