A teacher wrote this note in one of her students’ records; “Always late in class. Seems inattentive during discussions. To inquire regarding his situation.” One day after class, the teacher met with this student to ask regarding his condition. She was expecting that her student might relate some problems with his family or financially that interferes with his academic performance. She was surprised, however, to learn that the reason for her student’s constant tardiness and poor performance in school is lack of sleep and difficulty in sleeping. She thought that her student was just making up a lame excuse and reprimanded him severely. Later that week, when she casually related this to her friend who happens to be a doctor, he told her that her student may actually have a serious medical problem called insomnia. Insomnia is defined as a sleeping disorder where a person has difficulty sleeping or remaining asleep, thus, lacking a high-quality of sleep. The length of time that this condition persists may vary; from a single night to possibly a week or more. This condition may be caused by different factors such as physical illness or psychological problems. Moreover, its effects may largely impair a person’s life which is why this condition must be regarded seriously. However, like most health problems, insomnia is manageable or cured given proper treatment. The length of time that the sleep problem is experienced serves as basis for classification of the different types of insomnia. The first type which is called transient insomnia or short-term insomnia may last one night, a few nights or a few weeks. Another type of insomnia which persists for a longer period of time, a few months or even years, is termed as chronic insomnia or long-term insomnia. Another classification of the condition depends on the factors or causes related to it. If the problem exists without any underlying condition and is mainly caused by harmful sleeping habits, it is considered as primary insomnia. On the other hand, when sleeping disorders arise as a symptom of another preexisting condition it is then classified as secondary insomnia. The latter method of classification helps a lot in determining what form of management or treatment should be applied to cure the problem. As mentioned earlier, insomnia may be brought about by different factors or causes. It can be triggered by mental conditions, food or drugs, sleeping behaviors or habits, sleeping environment and medical or health condition. When a person is under stress, anxiety or fear, this may have an effect in his or her quality of sleep. Some medications, caffeine, nicotine and some herbal supplements may also affect sleep. Sleeping can be hindered or interfered by events such as a change in time zone or work shifts and by activities such as napping during the day, exercising before bedtime and eating or drinking too much before sleeping. A noisy environment, disruptive sleep partner, uncomfortable type of bed and unwanted room temperature can also make it difficult for a person to fall asleep. Lastly, trouble in sleeping may also be experienced when a person has any illness or pain, undergoes hormonal changes or has medical conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Having this condition can greatly disturb or trouble a person’s sleeping and waking hours. Usually, people with insomnia will undergo undesirable changes in their mood and daily activities. They may feel irritable and impatient most of the time and experience difficulty in concentrating and focusing on tasks. This condition may also lead them to often feel depressed and anxious. As a result, they exhibit poor performance in school and at work, and somehow become more accident-prone. Those who are diagnosed to have insomnia, however, should not panic or feel hopeless because of their condition. Fortunately, various treatments or solutions are already available to address this problem. Medications such as hypnotics and sedatives such as benzodiazepines, ramelteon and anti-depressants can be prescribed by sleep doctors to help decrease or eliminate difficulty in sleeping. Another therapy available is called cognitive-behavior therapy where a person is advised to modify his or her daily activities towards having better sleeping habits. Alternative and traditional Chinese medicine such as acupuncture and aromatherapy as well as other substances like herbal supplements can also be used to treat sleeping disorders. These treatments, however, should not be taken or undergone without proper prescription or advice from medical professionals. Inappropriate use or application of these may cause untoward reactions and side effects such as nausea, dizziness and diarrhea, cognitive and memory disturbance, substance abuse and even death. It is therefore necessary to always seek professional advice regarding matters of treatment. Insomnia is probably one of those unfamiliar or misunderstood health problems. This does not mean, however, that the condition is uncommon. Everyone probably has experienced or knows someone who had experienced one or more causes of insomnia. Everyone is also vulnerable to having it. Therefore, it is important to be knowledgeable of this condition to be able to address it properly. Had the teacher in the situation stated earlier known what insomnia is, what causes it, how it affects one’s life and what treatments or solutions are available, she may have appropriately done something to make her student’s life better.
Tag-Archive for ◊ side effects ◊
Some guys have all the luck, Some guys have all the pain Some guys get all the breaks Some guys do nothing but complain – Rod Stewart There may be some truths in the lyrics of Rod Stewart’s hit song “Some Guys Have All The Luck”. Whether they admit it or not, guys sometimes compare themselves with other guys especially in certain settings, such as the locker room. Time in a locker room can be challenging. It is a place where you can actually separate the boys from the men, at least, in terms of their physical development. Guys are stereotyped to be tough and shouldn’t place much concern with their appearance. Vanity is a girl’s issue. But it’s natural to observe friends and classmates, and notice the different ways they’re growing and developing. And the reality is that a lot of guys do spend plenty of time surveying themselves in front of the mirror. It doesn’t matter whether they have reed thin bodies, or buffed like Clark Kent. The truth is, some guys care just as much as girls do about their appearance. But unlike girls, most guys are less likely to talk to their friends or relatives about how their bodies are developing. A guy may suddenly develop a negative self-image when he sees that all his friends have already matured physically, are taller, and more muscular. Guys who feel that they don’t measure up with their peers as far as body image is concerned may feel pressured and may resort to using steroids to speed up the development of their physique without taking into consideration its side effects. The human body produces natural steroids to fight stress and promote growth and development. However, there are some people, mostly athletes, who use steroid pills, gels, creams, or injections to improve their physique or their performance. Steroids, sometimes referred to as ‘roids, juice, hype, weight trainers, gym candy, arnolds, stackers, or pumpers, are the same as, or similar to, certain hormones in the body. Anabolic steroids are artificially produced hormones similar to androgens, the male-type sex hormones in the body. The most powerful androgen is testosterone. Testosterone is mainly a mature male hormone which promotes the masculine traits that develop during puberty, such as deepening of the voice and growth of body hair. Testosterone levels has an effect in the aggressiveness of a person. This is the reason why some athletes take anabolic steroids because of their testosterone-like effects. They stimulate muscle tissue to grow and “bulk up” in response to training by mimicking the effect of naturally produced testosterone on the body. Anabolic steroids can remain in the body anywhere from a couple of days to about a year. The popularity of this substance is due to the improved endurance, strength, and muscle mass for its users. However, there is no research study to substantiate these claims. Another group of steroids called steroidal supplements contains dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and/or androstenedione (also known as andro). They used to be found at health food stores or gyms but are now considered controlled substance and require a prescription. However, DHEA is one of the few exceptions and can still be bought over the counter. The effects of steroid supplements are not well known. They are considered weaker forms of androgen but when taken in large doses, they cause effects similar to other androgens like testosterone. However, it’s been known that companies manufacturing steroids supplements often use false claims with very little known long-term effects on the body. For this reason, the government passed laws controlling steroid distribution to protect the general public. Anabolic steroids cause many different types of problems. Some of the more serious or long-lasting side effects are: l premature balding or hair loss l dizziness l mood swings, including anger, aggression, and depression l seeing or hearing things that aren’t there (hallucinations) l extreme feelings of mistrust or fear (paranoia) l problems sleeping l nausea and vomiting l trembling l high blood pressure that can damage the heart or blood vessels over time l aching joints l greater chance of injuring muscles and tendons l jaundice or yellowing of the skin; liver damage l urinary problems l shortening of final adult height l increased risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancer Specific risks for girls associated with anabolic steroids include: l increased facial hair growth l development of masculine traits, such as deepening of the voice, and loss of feminine body characteristics, such as shrinking of the breasts l enlargement of the clitoris l menstrual cycle changes Specific risks for guys include: l testicular shrinkage l pain when urinating l breast development l impotence l sterility Serious psychological side effects of steroids may result to aggressiveness or combative attitude, extreme, uncontrolled bouts of anger caused by long-term steroid use. Steroids injections can place the person at risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS, if they share needles with other users. Dirty needles pose greater risk for contracting hepatitis or bacterial endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of the heart. So, do not envy other guys whose muscles are well-developed than yours. Not everyone’s body changes at the same time or even at the same pace. Working out in a gym is still the best way to pump up those muscles without the possible risks steroids may bring. Most guys will eventually catch up in terms of physique development. However, some guys will remain to be taller or well-built. It could be in the genes.
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Smoking is generally one of the known forms of recreational drug use in today’s society. According to statistics, millions of people worldwide are addicted to tobacco smoking. While there are less-used drugs for smoking like opium and cannabis, there are also different types of hard drugs and substances that are patronized by some individuals such as crack cocaine and heroin. Due to the fact that smoking is one of the most famous and earliest forms of vice, it somehow established symbolisms in the society. For instance, some people associate smoking to insensitivity and individuality characteristics. Smoking also somewhat portrays social structure, for it has long been part of the cultural ways and rituals of various social groups. Another known effect of smoking in the society is the formed connotation that it is the first step of an adolescent to adulthood. Some people even see smoking as a form of rebellion among teenagers who smoke. Moreover, as the number of smokers continues to grow each year, so does the number of people who died because of smoking. With this, medical experts and concerned organizations around the world are now recommending smokers to quit the said vice. The following are some of the most notable reasons why one should quit smoking: 1. Smoking gravely affects a smoker’s health. The health is absolutely the top concern of medical experts among smokers. Yes, smoking is addictive, and yes it is a perfect tool of becoming “in” in today’s very cliquey society. But one should never ignore the fact that smoking can cause detrimental side effects to the body. As far as health is concerned, extreme smokers have higher risk of acquiring diseases caused by too much smoking. Among these diseases and ailments are lung cancer, pneumonia, stroke, blindness, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, blindness, and heart attack. 2. Smoking also affects the health of those who do not smoke. Probably the most distressing thing about smoking is that it does not only aggravates smokers’ health, but the health of non-smokers as well. Even though an individual does not smoke, he or she is not safe from inhaling second-hand smoke. Juts like the chain smokers, second-hand smokers or passive smokers absorb toxic chemicals and nicotine in their bodies, thus, making them susceptible from acquiring smoking-related illnesses. 3. Smoking can shorten years of life. According to studies, the lifespan of a smoker is shorter compared to a person who does not smoke. Based on the studies’ estimations, adult male smokers have an average loss of 13.2 years of life. On the other hand, adult female smokers have an estimated average loss of 14.5 years. 4. Smoking is, indeed, costly. A smoker may not realize it, but smoking is quite expensive. If a smoker adds up the amount of cigarettes and tobaccos he consumed in a year and multiply it to the number of years he has been smoking, the total is definitely surprising. In addition to this, the cost for medical treatment and health care will be most likely astounding if a chain smoker does not quit smoking.
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Fear and Halloween are probably going to be forever intertwined. After all, a holiday that celebrates “the ghastlier aspects of death and beyond” has to conjure up images of fear in some minds. However, fear and anxiety associated with the holiday aside, observing people’s behavior around Halloween can often show an interesting dichotomy to how people handle fear. The same concept also applies whenever most people are presented with an option to voluntarily view something they know is designed to scare them, such as a horror movie. Proper observation can often make it apparent that far is not quite as simple to understand as most folks would like to assume. Fear is a negative emotional response. This has been what each and every one of us has been told since we were children. Recognizing fear and anxiety as negative factors is also deeply ingrained into the basic human psyche, with people instinctively associated fear with a variety of undesirable personality traits. The avoidance of fear, or at least controlling one’s self to the point that one’s fear and anxiety is not readily apparent to casual observers, can sometimes have side effects when a person’s mental health is considered. This is particularly true if the unwillingness to show fear has become a fear in and of itself, which is both psychologically dangerous and rather ironic. However, that does not seem to coincide very well with how much people want to be scared. While it is unlikely that a random person off the street is going to readily admit to the inclination, most psychologists believe that people want to be frightened. Ghost stories around the campfire, horror movies that have ample amounts of tension and anxiety, and roller coasters with obscenely risky loops are all taken as factors. Each of the above can be used to scare people and, according to some mental health experts, it is the fact that things like the above scare us that cause us to frequent them so much. However, it isn’t so much the fear itself that the brain and the body draws pleasure from, but the hormonal reaction to that fear. Most psychologists and doctors believe that the body and mind comes to enjoy the sensations brought about by the various chemicals the body produces when it is in an excited state. The most commonly known of these substances would be adrenaline, but there are other hormones and biochemicals that come into play. The easiest way to get the body to increase the flow of these substances is to feel fear, which would explain why people are sometimes to eager to put themselves in situations where they can be scared. The adrenaline “rush” caused by fear and taking risks can also account for people’s enjoyment of extreme sports, even if they are not the sole factor. The fact that things like horror movies and roller coasters are, to an extent, controlled environments also makes it easier for people to go into them. The sense of control over the situation that induces the fear is often enough to keep the survival instinct from overriding the desire to be scared.
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Menopausal women searching for new ways to cool down hot flashes have found a new prescription: antidepressants. Although this does not mean that all menopausal women are going through depression, none of these drugs are specifically approved for the condition, yet the number of doctors giving “off label” prescriptions is on the rise. Hot flashes are characterized by the sudden, intense, hot feeling on your face and upper body, and can be preceded or accompanied by a rapid heartbeat and sweating, nausea, dizziness, anxiety, headache, weakness, or a feeling of suffocation. According to research, the use of antidepressants for menopausal women has become increasingly common due to the fact that women and doctors alike are seeking alternatives to menopause hormones. It has been observed that the use of hormone drugs for menopause has decreased significantly since 2002, after a government study that linked hormone use in older women may result to stroke and breast cancer. There is no clear evidence why antidepressants seem to have a cooling down effect in the hot flashes of some women. The connection was made only by chance in the studies of women with breast cancer. There are some cancer drugs that can set off hot flashes, and researchers noticed that women who were also taking the antidepressants known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors had fewer flashes. There are studies which showed that the use of these and other serotonin-altering drugs to treat hot flashes in healthy menopausal women have shown disappointing results. On the other hand, Wyeth’s Effexor and GlaxoSmithKline’s Paxil, have shown a meaningful benefit in high-quality controlled studies, as per a review published last year in The Journal of the American Medical Association. Most women welcome the idea of relief more than they would receive from drugs. In one Effexor trial, the antidepressant users reported about 60 percent fewer hot flashes. By comparison, studies of hormones show estrogen reduces the frequency of hot flashes 80 percent. However, some women also complained of numerous side effects, such as constipation, dry mouth and nausea. According to Cynthia Pearson, Executive Director of the National Women’s health, some women are fine with antidepressants and say, “It helps and it makes a difference,” while others say, “Forget it. I don’t feel like myself.” Different studies produce a variation of results in connection with the drug responses. A study of the antidepressant Zoloft which was sponsored by its maker, Pfizer, and published this month in the journal “Menopause,” has reported that one-third of the subjects actually had more hot flashes while taking the drug, a third stayed about the same or experienced just a slight benefit, and another third reported far fewer hot flashes. Such finding is similar to trends shown in other studies of antidepressants for hot flashes, which include Prozac and Paxil. Figuring out which type of women have the most to gain from taking antidepressant drugs is the real challenge but the number of women to be studied should increase in order to come up with significant conclusions. In the Zoloft trial, only 27 women were in the high-benefit group. A very interesting trend emerged among women who were recently menopausal. These women who had just stopped having their periods turned out to receive the most benefits from antidepressant treatment. However, women who had been menopausal for a year and those who were just starting to experience the effects of hormonal fluctuations fared worse on the drug. The biggest concern about antidepressant use for menopause is that the drugs may worsen some symptoms already common during menopause — things like anxiety, sleep problems and loss of libido. And while the drugs have been used safely for years in people with depression, there’s no long-term data on their use in healthy women with healthy brains. Women who will opt to try antidepressant treatment for the relief of hot flashes should first consult professional medical advise. Regular follow-up is also necessary in the first weeks after starting the drug.
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Today we are all aware that some diseases and medications can have adverse effects during pregnancy both for the mother and the unborn child. Unfortunately, this knowledge comes with a tragically high price, having come from one of the most horrific medical accidents in history.
In the late 1950s to the early 1960s, a drug called thalidomide was put on the market by the German pharmaceutical company Chemie Grьnenthal, who discovered the chemical accidentally while attempting to find an inexpensive way to manufacture antibiotics. After some testing on animals, who were subjected to extremely high doses of the drug, the company concluded that the drug was harmless and had no side effects. They were wrong.
Chemie Grьnenthal began distributing free samples of the drug in 1955 without further research or clinical trials done on the drug. Epilepsy patients began taking thalidomide to prevent seizures, and they reported experiencing deep sleep and calming and soothing effects after taking the drug. Other side effects were reported but these were dismissed as negligible. On October 1, 1957, doctors in West Germany began prescribing thalidomide user the brand name of Contergan to their female patients to combat the nausea and vomiting coupled with insomnia associated with morning sickness during pregnancy. Its use gradually spread worldwide, selling under a variety of brand names such as Distaval Asmaval, Distaval Forte, Tensival, Valgis, Valgraine and others. Thalidomide was also marketed as a powerful hypnotic sedative.
Pregnant women began reporting certain side effects while taking the drug, such as sleepiness, drowsiness, constipation, skin rash, severe headaches, stomach aches, peripheral neuropathy (numbness and pain in your arms, hands, legs and feet), nausea and vomiting, giddiness or nervousness at higher doses, shivering, buzzing in the ears, depression or mood-swings, and a general sense of illness. Within a year, women who had taken the drug during pregnancy began reporting the births of babies with a myriad of birth defects, more commonly phocomelia, which presents itself in short, malformed, flipper-like arms and legs. Other birth defects include missing limbs, incomplete fingers or toes, fused appendages, deafness, blindness, disfigurement, cleft palate,and malformations of the eyes and ears, heart, genitals, kidneys, digestive tract (including the lips and mouth), and nervous system. In some cases the mothers had only taken one thalidomide tablet; it was later determined that a single dose can have disastrous side effects on a fetus especially when taken at a critical point within the first trimester of pregnancy. This is because the drug is a teratogen, causing congenital deformities as it passes through the placental barrier between mother and fetus.
Initially, Chemie Grьnenthal refused to acknowledge the growing number of cases of thalidomide deformities and deaths in newborn babies; however, its disastrous side effects were gaining widespread media attention. Articles in several highly regarded medical journals began detailing the drug’s numerous side effects. In the United States, the drug had been repeatedly denied approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The officer in charge of the application, Frances Kelsey, felt that there was not enough data on thalidomide’s teratogenic effects based on her earlier work on the effects of a drug called quinine. Kelsey wanted more extensive studies on its effects on human metabolism especially during pregnancy, as well as the drug’s chemistry, pharmacology and stability from Richardson-Merrell, the pharmaceutical company waiting for FDA approval for the sale of thalidomide under the name Kevadon.
By the time thalidomide was withdrawn from markets worldwide, it was too late for the victims and families affected by this medical disaster. It has been estimated that some 10,000 infants were born with deformities as a side effect of the drug, with about half of that number or less surviving into adulthood because of the high mortality rate among victims.