Posts Tagged prescription
Prescription Drug Abuse and Its Harmful Consequences
Posted on June 1, 2011 | Drug Abuse.
A growing problem in the recent years is the prescription drug abuse where in the beginning the people do not take the problem seriously, but gradually they realize the harmful effects of the drugs. Sometimes the process of addiction starts with a general curiosity and later that takes the shape of habit and finally the person suffers from drug addiction.
It is very important to remember that the prescription drug abuse is different from the use of the illegal drugs. It is different from the other drugs in a way that the individual takes the drugs to feel better. At times it has also been found that the victim develops cravings that may affect the health continuously. To have a feel good factor lurking within, the person takes resort to the drugs. Even though the victim might have negative consequences from his family or relationships at work place, yet it has been found that he cannot leave the habit of drugs addictions.
Some of the most common characteristics of the prescription drug abuse are restlessness, feeling of irritation, anger and frustration as the most common symptoms. Some of the other effects of drug abuse are unnecessary complaints of the vague symptoms, lack of interest in the proper medication and also frequent mood swings. The addict develops so much cravings for the drugs that daily drug use becomes almost a compulsion. For the treatment of the drug addict it is very necessary to know the past history of the drug addict. This helps in the proper treatment of the victim and it also helps in curing him properly within a very short period of time.
Moreover the addict develops frequent cravings for the drugs and he visits the doctor and the pharmacies quite often to get more doses of drugs. It has been found that the prescription drug abuse works on the user’s brain and releases certain chemicals. These chemicals act as neurotransmitters which alter the normal functioning of the brain. As a result, an insatiable craving develops within and at times he cannot live without taking even a single dosage.
Some of the effects of drug abuse are anxiety, depression, insomnia, loss of interest in social communication, frustration, getting irritated frequently and lack of interest in the daily activities. It might also happen that the victim will suffer from withdrawal symptoms once he stops using the medication. If you can realize that you are suffering from drug abuse, it is always better to consult the doctor. He will tell you what are the precautions that you need to take in order to stay away from the harmful effects of drugs. In fact, there are various side effects of the drugs.
If you are a victim of prescription drug abuse along with alcoholism, which is a deadly combination, it is very obvious that the victim might suffer from central nervous system problem, respiratory distress and also kidney related disorders. In the most severe cases, the patient might also die. So be very careful while taking any kind of basic medication.
Wonderful Health Benefits of Bananas
Posted on May 15, 2011 | Nutrition.
Health benefits of bananas are numerous making the banana to be the almost perfect food. A number of these health benefits of bananas make them a wonderful source of energy whether prolonged or immediate.
One of the health benefits of bananas is an amino acid which is called tryptophan which gets converted into serotonin that helps fight depression. A high content of iron helps the hemoglobin perform properly to combat anemia. High fiber content will help restore our bowel function to a normal condition. A soluble fiber called pectin helps the bowl movement pass through the digestive tract. When we have a case of diarrhea it depletes our body’s electrolytes, potassium being of most importance; fortunately bananas are very high in potassium.
Research that was published in “Archives of Ophthalmology” showed that if adults consume 3 helpings of fruit every day have a much lower risk, close to thirty-six percent, of getting macular degeneration, one of the main cause for vision loss in older people, compared to consuming only 1-1/2 servings a day. One of the nutritional benefits of eating bananas is a rich source of fructooligosaccharide, a compound that nourishes friendly bacteria in our colon. These probiotic bacteria produce enzymes that will increase the ability of our digestive system to help protect us from unhealthy bacteria infections. Thanks to fructooligosaccharide, the good bacteria increases in number and increases our body’s ability to absorb calcium.
The level of potassium in the banana is very high, approximately 4,673 mg, but is quite low in sodium, roughly 1 mg; therefore containing a perfect ratio for maintaining normal levels of blood pressure. Because of this, the US Food and Drug Administration have allowed the banana industry to formally claim the ability of the fruit to reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke. If you suffer from heartburn occasionally try eating a banana for a soothing relief. Eating a banana between meals helps to keep blood-sugar levels up and it will also help prevent morning sickness in pregnant women. Another health benefit of the banana is to help the person trying to stop smoking. They contain magnesium and potassium but also vitamin B 6 and B 12 which helps our body recover from the withdrawal symptoms of nicotine.
Bananas are considered to be the only fruit that when eaten raw will not cause any distress with a case of ulcers. It helps in reducing acidity and alleviates irritation. Bananas will arouse the cells of the inner lining of the stomach in producing thicker mucus which will help to protect against acid. This fruit also has protease inhibitors which help to eliminate bacteria that usually are the cause of stomach ulcers. Our nerve function will also improve with the high amount of B vitamins. It has been reported that rubbing the inside part of the banana peel on a bite from a mosquito it will reduce the itching and swelling.
The high levels of potassium are also good for stress relief. By doing this it brings the heartbeat down to a normal level and regulates the balance of water in our body. It happens that during periods of high stress our body’s potassium levels deplete very fast but eating a banana will help re-balance those levels without having to use prescription drugs. According to a study found in The New England Journal of Medicine, if bananas are a part of a regular diet you just might reduce your risk of a stroke and dying by about forty percent. If you happen to suffer from leg cramps in the middle of the night you may want to eat two bananas during the course of the day, one mid-morning and another at a mid-evening snack. This is much cheaper than filling a prescription for a potassium supplement.
A good way to cure a hangover would be to drink a banana milk shake sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and the honey helps to build up blood-sugar levels that were depleted from the body; the milk in the shake soothes and re-hydrates the body. To preserve bananas you can put them in the refrigerator; the outside peel gets dark but the banana itself remains firm and delicious. These are just a few health benefits of bananas.