It is impossible to turn on the television without hearing about the recent passing of Michael Jackson. The official autopsy results are being released later this week and news outlets are reporting various causes of death. The most reported cause is Michael Jackson’s ALLEGED addiction to pain killers which led to his death at such a young age.  However, people have abused pain pills long before Michael!

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, while most people do not abuse their prescription drugs when prescribed, an estimated 20 percent of the American population (ages 12 and older) has used prescription drugs for nonmedical uses in their lifetimes. In 2004, a survey revealed that 9.3 percent of 12^th graders had used Vicodin and 5 percent had used Oxy-Contin without a prescription in the past year.  These are clear examples of drug abuse.  

People tend to abuse prescription drugs more easily than street drugs because they believe the myth that they are achieving a medically-safe high. Prescription drugs are often attained easily from friends or relatives making it an easy to attain and less threatening than street drugs.

Prescription drugs such as opioids, depressants, and stimulants which alter brain activity and therefore lead to addiction.  

Opioids: Codeine, Oxy-Contin, Vicodin, Percocet- prescribed for moderate to severe pain. Opioids attach to opioid receptors in the brain, spinal cord and the gastrointestinal tract to block the perception of pain. They are abused because of their euphoric, sedating and numbing effects.  Long term effects include tolerance and adaptation to the drug. Over time, a single large dose of an opioid could lead to severe respiratory depression which causes death.

CNS Depressants: Xanax, Valium, Librium- used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders.  These sedatives and tranquilizers slow brain activity to make the person drowsy or more calm. A tolerance to the drugs becomes a result and higher doses are necessary to achieve the initial effects.

Stimulants: Ritalin, Dexedrine, Meridia, Adderall, Concerta-used to treat ADD/ADHD and other conditions such as narcolepsy. These drugs increase alertness, attention and energy, as well as elevate blood pressure and increase heart rate and respiration. Stimulants enhance the effects of dopamine and norepinephrine chemicals found in the brain often causing a sense of euphoria. Long term effects of abusing these drugs include dangerously high blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat and even at times cardiovascular failure leading to life threatening seizures.

A person becomes addicted to prescription drugs when they begin to use the drugs in ways other than those prescribed. Ways to treat addiction include behavioral and pharmacological. Behavioral treatment, such as counseling, teaches the patient how to function without the drug in their life, how to avoid situations with drugs, how to handle cravings and to even cope with a relapse.  Pharmacological treatment, used to treat opioid addictions, requires the use of a different drug to help with withdrawal symptoms, treat an overdose or help overcome drug cravings.

 If you even think you  or someone you love MAY have a problem with prescription or non- prescription drugs, GET HELP!  Many times this is a problem that requires the help of many… Your primary care physician is a good place to start!

Call 504-363-4711 if you do not already have a primary care doc.  You can even make an appointment online at www.valentinemedcenter.com.

Experience is not the only teacher!  Share your story so others may learn… 

Heart attacks are the #1 killer of both men and women. It occurs when there is a blockage in the heart, generally caused from a buildup of plaque lining the coronary artery. The blood cannot flow through the heart while there is a blockage. That means that oxygen is not getting to the heart and the heart muscle becomes damaged and then begins to die.

Causes of Heart Attacks

There are multiple causes of heart attacks.

Coronary Artery Disease is the number one cause. It is the buildup of plaque along the inner wall of the coronary artery. The plaque consists of fat and cholesterol as well as other items found in your blood.  Once the plaque builds up enough to block the blood flow, a heart attack occurs.

Another cause is a severe spasm of the coronary artery. This can occur from drug usage, emotional stress or pain and smoking cigarettes. The spasm closes up the artery and induces a heart attack.

Symptoms/Signs of a Heart Attack

Heart attacks can either come suddenly or build up slowly in a person. That is why it is important to get help immediately. Every second that a heart attack is occurring more and more of the heart muscle is being destroyed.

Chest Pain or discomfort

Shortness of breath

Pain in the arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach

Fainting

Nausea/vomiting

Cold sweats

Lightheadedness

When experiencing these symptoms, you or someone else needs to call 9-1-1 immediately to get medical attention as fast as possible.

Tips for a Healthy Heart

The best way to start preventing a heart attack is to begin eating a low fat diet. You need to increase your fruit and vegetable intake and reduce your salt intake. This eating pattern will help reduce your blood pressure and cholesterol level. It will also help you lose weight, which also benefits your heart.

Quitting smoking is also a great idea. It will not only help your heart, but your lungs as well.

Finally, take time to work out. Exercise strengthens all of your muscles, including your heart.

In what ways are you working on your heart health? Have you or someone you know survived a heart attack? If so, tell us about your/their recovery and lifestyle changes.

There is a lot of speculation about the harmful effects of energy drinks.  Much of this has to do with the lack of FDA regulations.  Soft drinks containing more than 71 milligrams (mg) of caffeine per 12-oz. must label the amount of caffeine on their can or bottle—this is not the case for energy drinks.

A recent study from the John Hopkins University School of Medicine indicated that most energy drinks on the market do in fact contain less caffeine than a cup of brewed coffee (which contains about 200 mg per 12-oz. serving).

Before you go crack open a Red Bull, there are some other issues to consider.  Energy drinks may not have a whopping amount of caffeine, but it does contain a huge amount of sugar—about 14 teaspoons for 16-oz.  They are also pretty high in calories.  A 16-oz. Rock Star contains 260 calories, the same as a candy bar.  The truth is if you were to take in an equal amount of calories, but did it with something healthful like chicken breast, wheat bread or milk, you would enjoy the same energy boost and increase your health at the same time.

Frequent energy drinkers also run the risk of becoming addicted to the caffeine.  Symptoms of caffeine withdrawal include headaches, shaking, nausea and fatigue. 

As with anything, discuss this with your doctor if you have a question or concern about what is BEST FOR YOU!  This is especially important if you have a chronic condition like diabetes or high blood pressure! 

Do you have any tips or suggestions for boosting energy naturally?