Like dogs and fine wine, cars age differently than humans, giving us a skewed perception of car age. But now there's a formula to tell us how old your car is in people-years.
We have to tip our hat to the folks at Blue Donut for putting together this interesting formula for determining age:
There's a simple formula for calculating this (a formula I invented). Take the mileage on the car's odometer and divide by the model year. The result is your car's age if it were a person.
Example: a 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier with 131,824 miles on it. Do the math:
131824/1994 = 66.1.
That car would be a 66 year old person.
In the case of our low-mileage Volvo from 1986 with 14,000 miles. That equates to just a touch over seven years, meaning there's a lot of life left in those wheels. What about you — how old is your car?
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Friday, January 2, 2009
Prolonged Opioid Use May Induced Constipation
Constipation is one of the most commonly reported side effects by opiate users. Whether taking opiates at therapeutic levels or abusing them, many users report sluggish bowel movements. For many, constipation is a relatively mild and temporary condition easily treated with laxatives and changes in diet, exercise and water consumption.
Prolonged use of opiates including Fentanyl, OxyContin, Methadone and Suboxone can lead to serious blockages, that can lead to serious illness or death if not addressed. Harvard Health Publications say opiates don’t have serious side effects when used correctly, as prescribed by a doctor. However, they are expected to cause constipation.
That expectation of painful symptoms is one of the top reasons people avoid or abandon opioid use. For normal bowel function, doctors recommend exercise, increased fluids and dietary modifications, including more fiber. This, however, may not be enough for opiate users and addicts.
PROLONGED CONSTIPATION CAN BE FATAL
Opiates can interfere with normal elimination by relaxing the smooth muscle in intestines and preventing them from contracting and expelling waste. With regular use of opiates, stools can become rock hard, blocking the bowels. In severe cases, bowels can rupture, leading to sepsis or death.
Blockage can cause toxins to get trapped in the body, stressing the immune system and other functions. In “The Selfish Brain,” a book by Dr. Robert L. DuPont (with contributions by Betty Ford), DuPont says opiates are sometimes used to treat diarrhea because of their propensity to slow bowel function.
Symptoms of constipation include: abdominal bloating, swelling and cramping; straining to pass stool; pain, discomfort or blood with a bowel movement; nausea; weight loss; and decreased appetite.
What to look for with bowel obstructions:
* Severe abdominal pain
* Vomiting
* Vomiting fecal matter
* Fever/chills
* Reluctance to eat
* Changes in responsiveness
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a new drug in April to help restore bowel function in those on long-term opiates. Relistor (methylnaltrexone bromide) is an injectable medication for opioid induced constipation.
Prolonged use of opiates including Fentanyl, OxyContin, Methadone and Suboxone can lead to serious blockages, that can lead to serious illness or death if not addressed. Harvard Health Publications say opiates don’t have serious side effects when used correctly, as prescribed by a doctor. However, they are expected to cause constipation.
That expectation of painful symptoms is one of the top reasons people avoid or abandon opioid use. For normal bowel function, doctors recommend exercise, increased fluids and dietary modifications, including more fiber. This, however, may not be enough for opiate users and addicts.
PROLONGED CONSTIPATION CAN BE FATAL
Opiates can interfere with normal elimination by relaxing the smooth muscle in intestines and preventing them from contracting and expelling waste. With regular use of opiates, stools can become rock hard, blocking the bowels. In severe cases, bowels can rupture, leading to sepsis or death.
Blockage can cause toxins to get trapped in the body, stressing the immune system and other functions. In “The Selfish Brain,” a book by Dr. Robert L. DuPont (with contributions by Betty Ford), DuPont says opiates are sometimes used to treat diarrhea because of their propensity to slow bowel function.
Symptoms of constipation include: abdominal bloating, swelling and cramping; straining to pass stool; pain, discomfort or blood with a bowel movement; nausea; weight loss; and decreased appetite.
What to look for with bowel obstructions:
* Severe abdominal pain
* Vomiting
* Vomiting fecal matter
* Fever/chills
* Reluctance to eat
* Changes in responsiveness
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a new drug in April to help restore bowel function in those on long-term opiates. Relistor (methylnaltrexone bromide) is an injectable medication for opioid induced constipation.
ABUSE RESISTANT PAINKILLERS ON THE HORIZON
Several pharmaceutical companies are looking to corner the market on pain medication by developing tamper resistant products to treat chronic pain. On Nov. 13, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration panel reviewed the proposed Remoxy, a narcotic pain reliever that contains oxycodone. The Bloomberg news agency reports a majority of the panel of independent advisors to the FDA said Remoxy is less susceptible to abuse than Purdue Pharma LP’s Oxycontin. Remoxy, developed by Pain Therapeutics Inc. and King Pharmaceuticals Inc., is a capsule meant to be taken twice a day. Bloomberg said six companies are moving quickly to develop painkillers that can’t be crushed, snorted or injected by users seeking to get high. The advisory panel didn’t take a formal vote, Bloomberg reports, saying the FDA usually follows the panel’s recommendations but isn’t required to. The FDA is expected to decide if it will approve Remoxy by Dec. 10.
ABUSE OF PRESCRIPTION PAINKILLERS ON THE RISE
The need for tamper resistant painkillers is evidenced by the soaring number of people abusing prescription opioids like Oxycontin, Percocet and Fentanyl. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that in 2006, 16.2 million Americans 12 years of age and older had taken a prescription painkiller, tranquilizer or sedative for non-medical purposes at least once in the previous year.
Many experts say the abuse of prescription drugs is quickly overtaking that of illegal “street” drugs. The black market for diverted prescription drugs is big business. Headlines in newspapers across the country are reflective of that. Young people are getting their hands on adults’ prescriptions and communities are trying to figure out how to curb abuse.
The growing problem of prescription drug abuse has kept law enforcement officials busy, as related crimes have soared. In several communities across the country, doctors and nurses have been charged with writing fraudulent prescriptions. Pharmacy diversion is also a problem, as prescriptions for pills – often painkillers – have in some cases been filled fraudulently.
Oftentimes, people develop an opiate dependency after taking legitimately prescribed medication for an injury, serious illness or after surgery. In other cases, people begin taking pills that have not been prescribed because of the belief they are safe because they came from a doctor. Those who abuse opiates and other drugs sometimes crush, dissolve or inject it to obtain a quick high. This practice could be fatal, leading to overdose or death.
THE FUTURE OF PRESCRIPTION PAINKILLERS
Opiate abusers are looking for a great high. Some pharmaceutical companies are looking to prevent that. There’s no doubt huge markets exist for both. But the Bloomberg agency said almost half of panelists expressed concerns that evidence fails to show Remoxy will live up to its claims. If one or more painkillers are eventually developed and prove to be truly tamper resistant, it’s fair to say the manufacturers will capture a very large portion of the market.
ABUSE OF PRESCRIPTION PAINKILLERS ON THE RISE
The need for tamper resistant painkillers is evidenced by the soaring number of people abusing prescription opioids like Oxycontin, Percocet and Fentanyl. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that in 2006, 16.2 million Americans 12 years of age and older had taken a prescription painkiller, tranquilizer or sedative for non-medical purposes at least once in the previous year.
Many experts say the abuse of prescription drugs is quickly overtaking that of illegal “street” drugs. The black market for diverted prescription drugs is big business. Headlines in newspapers across the country are reflective of that. Young people are getting their hands on adults’ prescriptions and communities are trying to figure out how to curb abuse.
The growing problem of prescription drug abuse has kept law enforcement officials busy, as related crimes have soared. In several communities across the country, doctors and nurses have been charged with writing fraudulent prescriptions. Pharmacy diversion is also a problem, as prescriptions for pills – often painkillers – have in some cases been filled fraudulently.
Oftentimes, people develop an opiate dependency after taking legitimately prescribed medication for an injury, serious illness or after surgery. In other cases, people begin taking pills that have not been prescribed because of the belief they are safe because they came from a doctor. Those who abuse opiates and other drugs sometimes crush, dissolve or inject it to obtain a quick high. This practice could be fatal, leading to overdose or death.
THE FUTURE OF PRESCRIPTION PAINKILLERS
Opiate abusers are looking for a great high. Some pharmaceutical companies are looking to prevent that. There’s no doubt huge markets exist for both. But the Bloomberg agency said almost half of panelists expressed concerns that evidence fails to show Remoxy will live up to its claims. If one or more painkillers are eventually developed and prove to be truly tamper resistant, it’s fair to say the manufacturers will capture a very large portion of the market.
DRUG ADDICTS WAIT FOR ROCK BOTTOM
Many people believe that drug and alcohol addicts must hit “rock bottom” before seeking help to detox. You can’t get any lower than death, so why is it so many family members and friends wait to intervene? The truth is, every person addicted to alcohol, street drugs or prescribed opiates is already a step away from death.
The ultimate bottom for addicts is always within reach. Whether it’s intentional overdose, accidental death, an allergic reaction or a result of risky behavior, addictions are by nature destructive and often lead to tragedy. The concept of a “bottom” is subjective at best. To one person, the bottom could be overdose.
To another, it could be arrest. No one ever knows what someone else’s bottom is, oftentimes until it is too late. Once a pattern of abuse is established, loved ones should intervene. An addict who is forced to acknowledge the consequences of his or her actions early on may be motivated to seek help. Too often, loved ones step in to save the day but do so in the wrong way.
ADDICTS NEED HELP, NOT ENABLING
Helping addicts cover bills or giving them a place to stay while actively using is enabling them to stay sick. While it is often done out of love, it helps to keep them in denial about their addiction. This can cause them to delay treatment. Drug and alcohol addiction is a progressive disease and can be fatal.
Addiction can ruin lives, derail careers and destroy relationships. It can lead to homelessness, arrest, legal trouble, divorce, estrangement among family members, depression, physical problems and death. Abuse and addiction is soaring among prescription drug users. Whether obtained legally or not, many drugs such as opiates are highly addictive and easily lead to tolerance and dependence.
An opiate addict can have unpredictable mood swings, neglect responsibilities and relationships, lie and be manipulative and unreliable. Caught in a cycle of highs and lows, opiate addicts often try to recapture the euphoria they experienced when first using. This leads to tolerance, which cause them to take more to feel normal, and for many, ends in addiction.
EARLY INTERVENTION MAY GIVE ADDICTS A BETTER CHANCE
The fear of experiencing withdrawal from opiates may keep some addicts using. Defense mechanisms they employ include denial and rationalization of their use and its resulting behavior. When it comes to going “cold turkey,” for many addicts, the success rates aren’t encouraging. But no one is ever too far gone. Many addiction experts say there is a better chance at long-term recovery if treatment is sought early. It makes for an easier transition into sober living, they say. For those addicted to alcohol, street drugs and opiates like Percocet, OxyContin and Vicodin, medically supervised detox may be necessary.
The ultimate bottom for addicts is always within reach. Whether it’s intentional overdose, accidental death, an allergic reaction or a result of risky behavior, addictions are by nature destructive and often lead to tragedy. The concept of a “bottom” is subjective at best. To one person, the bottom could be overdose.
To another, it could be arrest. No one ever knows what someone else’s bottom is, oftentimes until it is too late. Once a pattern of abuse is established, loved ones should intervene. An addict who is forced to acknowledge the consequences of his or her actions early on may be motivated to seek help. Too often, loved ones step in to save the day but do so in the wrong way.
ADDICTS NEED HELP, NOT ENABLING
Helping addicts cover bills or giving them a place to stay while actively using is enabling them to stay sick. While it is often done out of love, it helps to keep them in denial about their addiction. This can cause them to delay treatment. Drug and alcohol addiction is a progressive disease and can be fatal.
Addiction can ruin lives, derail careers and destroy relationships. It can lead to homelessness, arrest, legal trouble, divorce, estrangement among family members, depression, physical problems and death. Abuse and addiction is soaring among prescription drug users. Whether obtained legally or not, many drugs such as opiates are highly addictive and easily lead to tolerance and dependence.
An opiate addict can have unpredictable mood swings, neglect responsibilities and relationships, lie and be manipulative and unreliable. Caught in a cycle of highs and lows, opiate addicts often try to recapture the euphoria they experienced when first using. This leads to tolerance, which cause them to take more to feel normal, and for many, ends in addiction.
EARLY INTERVENTION MAY GIVE ADDICTS A BETTER CHANCE
The fear of experiencing withdrawal from opiates may keep some addicts using. Defense mechanisms they employ include denial and rationalization of their use and its resulting behavior. When it comes to going “cold turkey,” for many addicts, the success rates aren’t encouraging. But no one is ever too far gone. Many addiction experts say there is a better chance at long-term recovery if treatment is sought early. It makes for an easier transition into sober living, they say. For those addicted to alcohol, street drugs and opiates like Percocet, OxyContin and Vicodin, medically supervised detox may be necessary.
BUPRENORPHINE/Suboxone REQUIRE OPIATE DETOX
Sometimes, drugs prescribed to help you have the opposite effect. Opiate narcotics such as buprenorphine are typically prescribed to treat opiate dependence.
The problem is, buprenorphine can be habit-forming as well, to the point where detox may be necessary. Buprenorphine works by attaching to the receptors in the brain and nervous system.
It helps prevent withdrawal symptoms in those who have stopped taking other narcotics like OxyContin or heroin. The analgesic comes in two forms – tablets and a transdermal patch. Those who misuse the drug often inject it intravenously or inhale the crushed tablets through the nose. Strong warnings urge users not to crush or chew the sublingual tablets.
STUDY SHOWS MANY PATIENTS NOT WARNED ABOUT DANGERS
The Waismann Method, a world-renowned opiate dependency treatment, released a survey on buprenorphine, showing that 70% of responders taking the drug to treat an opiate dependency reported they became dependent on it and needed treatment to stop.
The study was undertaken after reports surfaced, saying buprenorphine is effective in treating addictions to prescription painkillers. Dr. Van Helsing, the who invented Rapid Opiate Detoxification, says he’s noticed an increase in patients needing to detox from buprenorphine, which had been prescribed to help them. Results also show that 53% of responders were told by their doctors that buprenorphine would cure their opiate addiction. On top of that, 50% reported they were never told by doctors that it could also be habit-forming.
PAINKILLER OVERDOSES ON THE RISE
The National Safety Council reported earlier this year that deaths from accidental drug overdoses are on the rise and that prescription painkillers can be blamed for many of the cases.
According to WebMD, the biggest rise in these accidental deaths is among men and women between the ages of 20 and 64. And many of these cases have been attributed to overdoses of prescriptions including buprenorphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, methadone and fentanyl.
Buprenorphine is currently prescribed under the names Suboxone and Subutex. Because it can be prescribed in pill form in the privacy of a doctor’s office, it doesn’t carry the same stigma that standing in line at a methadone clinic does. Doctors must receive special certification to prescribe buprenorphine for opiate dependency.
They should be obligated to be up front with patients about its potential to lead to addiction. Otherwise, many of them will have false hope that their opiate addiction will be cured.
As a result of the study, Doctors need to educate patients that buprenorphine is a replacement therapy for opiate addiction and is 50% opiate in composition.
“Buprenorphine is being sold as a miracle cure that will put an end to opiate dependency, and it has been embraced as a social cure for reducing crime and for preventing the spread of disease.”
Lets all give Thanks to the Pharmaceutical Companies that make Billions at our Expense and Life!
The problem is, buprenorphine can be habit-forming as well, to the point where detox may be necessary. Buprenorphine works by attaching to the receptors in the brain and nervous system.
It helps prevent withdrawal symptoms in those who have stopped taking other narcotics like OxyContin or heroin. The analgesic comes in two forms – tablets and a transdermal patch. Those who misuse the drug often inject it intravenously or inhale the crushed tablets through the nose. Strong warnings urge users not to crush or chew the sublingual tablets.
STUDY SHOWS MANY PATIENTS NOT WARNED ABOUT DANGERS
The Waismann Method, a world-renowned opiate dependency treatment, released a survey on buprenorphine, showing that 70% of responders taking the drug to treat an opiate dependency reported they became dependent on it and needed treatment to stop.
The study was undertaken after reports surfaced, saying buprenorphine is effective in treating addictions to prescription painkillers. Dr. Van Helsing, the who invented Rapid Opiate Detoxification, says he’s noticed an increase in patients needing to detox from buprenorphine, which had been prescribed to help them. Results also show that 53% of responders were told by their doctors that buprenorphine would cure their opiate addiction. On top of that, 50% reported they were never told by doctors that it could also be habit-forming.
PAINKILLER OVERDOSES ON THE RISE
The National Safety Council reported earlier this year that deaths from accidental drug overdoses are on the rise and that prescription painkillers can be blamed for many of the cases.
According to WebMD, the biggest rise in these accidental deaths is among men and women between the ages of 20 and 64. And many of these cases have been attributed to overdoses of prescriptions including buprenorphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, methadone and fentanyl.
Buprenorphine is currently prescribed under the names Suboxone and Subutex. Because it can be prescribed in pill form in the privacy of a doctor’s office, it doesn’t carry the same stigma that standing in line at a methadone clinic does. Doctors must receive special certification to prescribe buprenorphine for opiate dependency.
They should be obligated to be up front with patients about its potential to lead to addiction. Otherwise, many of them will have false hope that their opiate addiction will be cured.
As a result of the study, Doctors need to educate patients that buprenorphine is a replacement therapy for opiate addiction and is 50% opiate in composition.
“Buprenorphine is being sold as a miracle cure that will put an end to opiate dependency, and it has been embraced as a social cure for reducing crime and for preventing the spread of disease.”
Lets all give Thanks to the Pharmaceutical Companies that make Billions at our Expense and Life!
What about our VETERANS?
November 11, 2008 was Veterans Day in the United States, and as a nation honored the men and women who’ve served, there are countless others often forgotten: the homeless, addicted and mentally scarred veterans who’ve had trouble reintegrating back into society.
Celebrated in other parts of the country as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day, the holiday was established to celebrate the military service of dedicated men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms. It is both a state and federal holiday in the U.S., and President George W. Bush has declared (Nov. 9-15 2008) as National Veterans Awareness Week.
There are an estimated 24.9 million veterans in the U.S. The National Coalition for the Homeless in Washington, D.C. says there are 200,000 homeless vets on the streets on any given night. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs said in 2006, more than 354,000 vets received care in clinics for substance abuse disorders.
WOUNDS OF BATTLE TAKE THEIR TOLL
Alcohol and drug addiction is a serious problem for veterans and those on active duty. The stress of being away from family, combined with the mental and physical scars of battle, can take a toll on the strongest of soldiers. Many return home so psychologically scarred, they are unable to find employment and wind up homeless. The damage can lead to poverty, social isolation, broken marriages and alcohol and drug dependence.
For others, it’s the physical scars that lead veterans and active duty personnel to pain medication. Managing pain from combat wounds can also lead to addiction to opiate painkillers.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) says studies have shown that people who experience stressful or traumatic events are more likely to abuse drugs or relapse into addiction. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that is common among service men and women who see combat. PTSD is said to be a major risk factor for substance abuse and addiction. The high rate of PTSD and substance abuse was first reported in war-related studies where as many as 75% of combat vets with lifetime PTSD also have alcohol or drug addiction.
DRUG ABUSE AMONG SOLDIERS DATES TO CIVIL WAR
Historically, there is some evidence that drug abuse among military men and women dates back to the Civil War. Though it has been controversial and is disputed to some degree, there are stories of “Soldier’s Disease” from the 1800s. Some say the earliest example of opiate addiction as a social problem came during the Civil War. Though documentation is sketchy, some historians believe widespread addiction resulted from widespread use of opiates to treat pain from war injuries. Some say soldiers were injected daily with morphine and by 1865, some 400,000 young war vets were addicted to it.
WHAT BECOMES OF ADDICTED VETS
The government has veteran’s programs in place to help those addicted to alcohol and drugs. But drug treatment for individuals who return home damaged often comes too late – once depression, isolation and addiction have taken their hold. Every Veteran’s Day, make sure to remember not only those who have served, but also those who’ve died on the battlefields and those who’ve returned home but managed to slip through the cracks.
Celebrated in other parts of the country as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day, the holiday was established to celebrate the military service of dedicated men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms. It is both a state and federal holiday in the U.S., and President George W. Bush has declared (Nov. 9-15 2008) as National Veterans Awareness Week.
There are an estimated 24.9 million veterans in the U.S. The National Coalition for the Homeless in Washington, D.C. says there are 200,000 homeless vets on the streets on any given night. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs said in 2006, more than 354,000 vets received care in clinics for substance abuse disorders.
WOUNDS OF BATTLE TAKE THEIR TOLL
Alcohol and drug addiction is a serious problem for veterans and those on active duty. The stress of being away from family, combined with the mental and physical scars of battle, can take a toll on the strongest of soldiers. Many return home so psychologically scarred, they are unable to find employment and wind up homeless. The damage can lead to poverty, social isolation, broken marriages and alcohol and drug dependence.
For others, it’s the physical scars that lead veterans and active duty personnel to pain medication. Managing pain from combat wounds can also lead to addiction to opiate painkillers.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) says studies have shown that people who experience stressful or traumatic events are more likely to abuse drugs or relapse into addiction. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that is common among service men and women who see combat. PTSD is said to be a major risk factor for substance abuse and addiction. The high rate of PTSD and substance abuse was first reported in war-related studies where as many as 75% of combat vets with lifetime PTSD also have alcohol or drug addiction.
DRUG ABUSE AMONG SOLDIERS DATES TO CIVIL WAR
Historically, there is some evidence that drug abuse among military men and women dates back to the Civil War. Though it has been controversial and is disputed to some degree, there are stories of “Soldier’s Disease” from the 1800s. Some say the earliest example of opiate addiction as a social problem came during the Civil War. Though documentation is sketchy, some historians believe widespread addiction resulted from widespread use of opiates to treat pain from war injuries. Some say soldiers were injected daily with morphine and by 1865, some 400,000 young war vets were addicted to it.
WHAT BECOMES OF ADDICTED VETS
The government has veteran’s programs in place to help those addicted to alcohol and drugs. But drug treatment for individuals who return home damaged often comes too late – once depression, isolation and addiction have taken their hold. Every Veteran’s Day, make sure to remember not only those who have served, but also those who’ve died on the battlefields and those who’ve returned home but managed to slip through the cracks.
Alternative Medical Treatments
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
ONLINE PRESCRIPTIONS: DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU’RE GETTING?
These are the kind of headlines you’ll find when trolling the Internet for prescription drugs. A few clicks of the mouse and you can get virtually anything you want – powerful narcotic painkillers, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, uppers, weight management drugs and more.
While there are some sites that legitimately dispense drugs for patients who need them, the validity of others is questionable. The Internet has become a virtual marketplace for just about everything.
The convenience of buying from home appeals to many. But when it comes to prescription drugs, the government is concerned that many consumers aren’t getting what they’re paying for. And worse, some could be receiving potentially dangerous drugs in their place.
BE WARY: NO PRESCRIPTION NECESSARY
In June 2004, the Government Accountability Office found during an investigation that agents were able to get most of the drugs they tried to get online, without a prescription. Some of these drugs even had special safety restrictions or were addictive, narcotic painkillers.
A report released this year by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University says
"85% of web sites selling prescription drugs like OxyContin, Valium and Ritalin don’t ask for a prescription."
A major problem is that some of these sites dispense drugs to anyone, of any age. Also, addiction to prescription painkillers is on the rise, making it easy for addicts to get powerful controlled substances like oxycodone, hydrocodone, Suboxone and Fentanyl.
The broad reach of the Internet makes it difficult to police. There are also jurisdictional issues for law enforcement, making it difficult to enforce state and federal laws. In order to be a valid prescription in the U.S., it must address a legitimate medical need, be written by a physician or other health care provider and be based on an actual doctor-patient relationship.
DANGER OF THE UNKNOWN
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that drugs bought on the Internet can be outdated, contaminated, too potent, not strong enough, counterfeit or the wrong prescription altogether. The agency has dealt with customers who reported paying for drugs online and never receiving them, people who received the wrong prescription and others who took what they received and experienced worsening symptoms.
Some illegal sites dispensing drugs do so after requiring nothing more than for customers to fill out an online questionnaire. Some say they offer online “doctor consultations.” The FDA says drugs imported from outside the U.S. cannot be guaranteed for safety or validity.
In July 2004, the FDA said investigators bought Viagra, Lipitor and Ambien from a site called “Canadian generics,” and that all were fake and potentially dangerous. The FDA recommends buying only from state licensed online pharmacies in the U.S. When shopping for drugs online.
While there are some sites that legitimately dispense drugs for patients who need them, the validity of others is questionable. The Internet has become a virtual marketplace for just about everything.
The convenience of buying from home appeals to many. But when it comes to prescription drugs, the government is concerned that many consumers aren’t getting what they’re paying for. And worse, some could be receiving potentially dangerous drugs in their place.
BE WARY: NO PRESCRIPTION NECESSARY
In June 2004, the Government Accountability Office found during an investigation that agents were able to get most of the drugs they tried to get online, without a prescription. Some of these drugs even had special safety restrictions or were addictive, narcotic painkillers.
A report released this year by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University says
"85% of web sites selling prescription drugs like OxyContin, Valium and Ritalin don’t ask for a prescription."
A major problem is that some of these sites dispense drugs to anyone, of any age. Also, addiction to prescription painkillers is on the rise, making it easy for addicts to get powerful controlled substances like oxycodone, hydrocodone, Suboxone and Fentanyl.
The broad reach of the Internet makes it difficult to police. There are also jurisdictional issues for law enforcement, making it difficult to enforce state and federal laws. In order to be a valid prescription in the U.S., it must address a legitimate medical need, be written by a physician or other health care provider and be based on an actual doctor-patient relationship.
DANGER OF THE UNKNOWN
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that drugs bought on the Internet can be outdated, contaminated, too potent, not strong enough, counterfeit or the wrong prescription altogether. The agency has dealt with customers who reported paying for drugs online and never receiving them, people who received the wrong prescription and others who took what they received and experienced worsening symptoms.
Some illegal sites dispensing drugs do so after requiring nothing more than for customers to fill out an online questionnaire. Some say they offer online “doctor consultations.” The FDA says drugs imported from outside the U.S. cannot be guaranteed for safety or validity.
In July 2004, the FDA said investigators bought Viagra, Lipitor and Ambien from a site called “Canadian generics,” and that all were fake and potentially dangerous. The FDA recommends buying only from state licensed online pharmacies in the U.S. When shopping for drugs online.
WOMEN AND DRUGS: A DIFFERENT SET OF NEEDS
The women we love are at risk. To be specific, several million of them. The very real threat they face is substance abuse and addiction. This demographic has been largely overlooked in the past when it comes to research and education. But as more women fall into the trap of addiction, researchers have had no choice but to sit up and listen.
Most drug abuse research has revolved around men, but in recent years the National Institute on Drug Abuse(NIDA) and other agencies have made women’s research a priority. What they are finding from lab, field and clinical research is that women have a different set of risk factors and often need different services while in drug treatment.
NIDA says women have different biological factors that play into use, abuse and addiction. Their progression toward addiction, and consequences they face are different. This means that prevention education and treatment options need to be more tailored to women.
TROUBLED LIVES AND BIOLOGY PLAY A ROLE
NIDA’s research shows women who use drugs or alcohol often have other serious health problems, such as sexually transmitted diseases. Other problems include depression, making the need for women’s mental health initiatives imperative.
Many women who abuse drugs and/or alcohol have had troubled lives. According to NIDA, studies show that at least 70% of women users have been sexually abused by the age of 16. Most have had at least one parent who abused alcohol or drugs, the agency found. Other common traits in women users include low self-esteem, feelings of powerlessness, social isolation and little self-confidence.
An interesting finding by NIDA shows the biological differences between men and women extend to drug use. Women can develop substance abuse problems quicker than men, according to the report. Also, many treatment programs have been historically aimed at men. Women face a different set of challenges and needs.
NIDA says women’s programs need to offer food, shelter, clothing, childcare, transportation, parenting courses, medical and mental health services, therapy, legal assistance, education and job skills.
PREGNANCY AND HIV COMPOUND THE RISK
NIDA estimates that 4 million U.S. women, from all age groups, races and cultures, currently use drugs. Nine million have used illegal drugs in the past year, the study shows, and 3.7 million have used prescription drugs for non-medical reasons in the past year. Most female drug abusers tend to use more than one drug, it says.
The agency is putting considerable effort behind research devoted to treatment and services for pregnant women and those with children. HIV/AIDS research is also needed for women because of health risks posed to them and their children. Women who share needles to inject drugs intravenously risk their health and can contract HIV or hepatitis.
NIDA said more than 28,000, or 70%, of AIDS cases among women are drug related. Fetuses, newborns and older children can unwittingly suffer the consequences of their mothers’ choices. Pregnant women who use drugs are at risk of having children who suffer from the following health problems:
* HIV
* AIDS
* SIDS
* Prematurity
* Low birth weight
* Stunted growth
* Behavioral problems
* Poor motor skills
* Increased risk of becoming users
Most drug abuse research has revolved around men, but in recent years the National Institute on Drug Abuse(NIDA) and other agencies have made women’s research a priority. What they are finding from lab, field and clinical research is that women have a different set of risk factors and often need different services while in drug treatment.
NIDA says women have different biological factors that play into use, abuse and addiction. Their progression toward addiction, and consequences they face are different. This means that prevention education and treatment options need to be more tailored to women.
TROUBLED LIVES AND BIOLOGY PLAY A ROLE
NIDA’s research shows women who use drugs or alcohol often have other serious health problems, such as sexually transmitted diseases. Other problems include depression, making the need for women’s mental health initiatives imperative.
Many women who abuse drugs and/or alcohol have had troubled lives. According to NIDA, studies show that at least 70% of women users have been sexually abused by the age of 16. Most have had at least one parent who abused alcohol or drugs, the agency found. Other common traits in women users include low self-esteem, feelings of powerlessness, social isolation and little self-confidence.
An interesting finding by NIDA shows the biological differences between men and women extend to drug use. Women can develop substance abuse problems quicker than men, according to the report. Also, many treatment programs have been historically aimed at men. Women face a different set of challenges and needs.
NIDA says women’s programs need to offer food, shelter, clothing, childcare, transportation, parenting courses, medical and mental health services, therapy, legal assistance, education and job skills.
PREGNANCY AND HIV COMPOUND THE RISK
NIDA estimates that 4 million U.S. women, from all age groups, races and cultures, currently use drugs. Nine million have used illegal drugs in the past year, the study shows, and 3.7 million have used prescription drugs for non-medical reasons in the past year. Most female drug abusers tend to use more than one drug, it says.
The agency is putting considerable effort behind research devoted to treatment and services for pregnant women and those with children. HIV/AIDS research is also needed for women because of health risks posed to them and their children. Women who share needles to inject drugs intravenously risk their health and can contract HIV or hepatitis.
NIDA said more than 28,000, or 70%, of AIDS cases among women are drug related. Fetuses, newborns and older children can unwittingly suffer the consequences of their mothers’ choices. Pregnant women who use drugs are at risk of having children who suffer from the following health problems:
* HIV
* AIDS
* SIDS
* Prematurity
* Low birth weight
* Stunted growth
* Behavioral problems
* Poor motor skills
* Increased risk of becoming users
SWISS VOTERS SAY “YES” TO HEROIN
An overwhelming majority of voters in Switzerland approved a measure Nov. 30, making a government-run heroin program permanent. In the same election, voters said “no” to legalizing marijuana. The European country adopted its heroin program in 1994 in an effort to cut down on crime and give addicts a safe way to get high. Prior to that, scores of addicts could be seen openly shooting up in public parks and other spaces. Heroin, an opiate synthesized from morphine, is doled out in 23 centers across Switzerland where 1,300 addicts visit twice a day to receive controlled doses of heroin.
The drug is manufactured in a government-approved laboratory. The 1,300 people selected for the program shoot up under the supervision of nurses who offer clean syringes and paraphernalia to cut down on the spread of diseases including HIV and hepatitis.
Counseling from social workers and psychiatrists is also offered to users in the program. Approximately 2.6 million Swiss voters cast their ballots, with 68% in favor of the program. A citizens’ initiative to decriminalize marijuana failed after 63% of voters said “no.”
WORLD VIEWS ON LEGALIZED HEROIN
The program has received sharp criticism from countries including the United States, where legalizing such a powerful narcotic drug is thought of as promoting drug use. Other countries see the benefit in such a program. Australian and Canadian governments are considering similar programs based on the Swiss model, and the Netherlands has had a heroin program in place since 2006. The Associated Press reports that Britain has allowed individual doctors to prescribe heroin since the 1920s but is running a trial based on the Swiss program. Other countries running trials include Belgium, Germany and Spain, according to the AP.
THE GREAT HEROIN DEBATE
Addiction happens quickly for many when it comes to heroin and other opiates including OxyContin, Vicodin, Fentanyl and morphine. As addiction rates climb around the world, governments are scrambling to figure out how to cut down on associated crime, overpopulated prisons and disease. Social implications of addiction are costly for everyone.
The prospect of a free market for heroin is frightening for many who believe it will compound the problems associated with it. But many argue the problem with illegal drugs isn’t the drugs themselves, but rather the black market created to support them.
Many criticize the war on drugs, saying the criminalization of heroin and other substances takes the focus off what they consider a medical problem. Some say the billions of dollars spent on the legal, criminal and medical costs of drugs would be better spent on education, prevention and treatment.
The drug is manufactured in a government-approved laboratory. The 1,300 people selected for the program shoot up under the supervision of nurses who offer clean syringes and paraphernalia to cut down on the spread of diseases including HIV and hepatitis.
Counseling from social workers and psychiatrists is also offered to users in the program. Approximately 2.6 million Swiss voters cast their ballots, with 68% in favor of the program. A citizens’ initiative to decriminalize marijuana failed after 63% of voters said “no.”
WORLD VIEWS ON LEGALIZED HEROIN
The program has received sharp criticism from countries including the United States, where legalizing such a powerful narcotic drug is thought of as promoting drug use. Other countries see the benefit in such a program. Australian and Canadian governments are considering similar programs based on the Swiss model, and the Netherlands has had a heroin program in place since 2006. The Associated Press reports that Britain has allowed individual doctors to prescribe heroin since the 1920s but is running a trial based on the Swiss program. Other countries running trials include Belgium, Germany and Spain, according to the AP.
THE GREAT HEROIN DEBATE
Addiction happens quickly for many when it comes to heroin and other opiates including OxyContin, Vicodin, Fentanyl and morphine. As addiction rates climb around the world, governments are scrambling to figure out how to cut down on associated crime, overpopulated prisons and disease. Social implications of addiction are costly for everyone.
The prospect of a free market for heroin is frightening for many who believe it will compound the problems associated with it. But many argue the problem with illegal drugs isn’t the drugs themselves, but rather the black market created to support them.
Many criticize the war on drugs, saying the criminalization of heroin and other substances takes the focus off what they consider a medical problem. Some say the billions of dollars spent on the legal, criminal and medical costs of drugs would be better spent on education, prevention and treatment.
REGULATIONS AIM TO CUT DRUG CRIME
Drug addiction is a serious global problem. Millions of people are hooked on illicit street drugs, over-the-counter remedies and prescription drugs including OxyContin, Hydrocodone, Lortab and Vicodin.
Addiction and crime go hand-in-hand. The scrap metal business is attractive to users who rely on quick cash to fuel their habits. Because of this, many dealers have switched to paying by check. Many states and local governments have legislation in place or under consideration to regulate scrap metal sales. Some require dealers to wait a few days before selling purchased scrap metal, and some are required to keep detailed logs on the seller and the metals being bought.
In 2007, the Washington state governor signed a bill into law to regulate scrap metal sales to cut down on drug-related theft. Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Bellevue, who sponsored the bill, said “This new law creates standards for exchanging scrap metal for cash, and will help cut down on drug crime.”
Addiction and crime go hand-in-hand. The scrap metal business is attractive to users who rely on quick cash to fuel their habits. Because of this, many dealers have switched to paying by check. Many states and local governments have legislation in place or under consideration to regulate scrap metal sales. Some require dealers to wait a few days before selling purchased scrap metal, and some are required to keep detailed logs on the seller and the metals being bought.
In 2007, the Washington state governor signed a bill into law to regulate scrap metal sales to cut down on drug-related theft. Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Bellevue, who sponsored the bill, said “This new law creates standards for exchanging scrap metal for cash, and will help cut down on drug crime.”
ON THE PROWL FOR SCRAPS
Homeowners beware: Thieves may be after more than your precious jewels and the money stashed under your bed. A wave of crime affecting cities across the country is theft of scrap metal.
The price of metals including copper and aluminum fluctuates, and when it’s high, people looking to fund drug use and other crimes risk their lives to get it. Headlines and police logs in many countries report thefts of aluminum siding, copper wire, metal grave markers, guard rails, downspouts, catalytic converters, gutters, radiators, AC coils and piping. While such theft is hardly new, the demand for scrap metal has driven prices up in recent years, making it a sought-after commodity.
And homeowners aren’t the only ones who need to be on the look-out. Construction sites, schools, churches and other buildings are also reporting such thefts.
RISK IMPLIES DESPERATION OF DRUG USERS
Drug users are always looking for new ways to fund their habit. Law enforcement authorities have long blamed a good deal of the scrap metal theft on drug users. And as the economy continues its down slope, they’re expecting such crime to multiply. Because stealing metals is risky, it often implies the kind of desperation that’s at the core of drug addiction.
A home in Girard, Oh. exploded earlier this year, ripping apart a neighborhood and injuring several people. Officials determined that gas was released when copper pipes were taken from the house. A man died last year in Pasadena, Md. after being electrocuted while cutting through a high-voltage line in an old store building on a quest for scrap metal.
A Cincinnati woman was arrested in November after trying to steal a vehicle to transport stolen scrap metal. She admitted being drunk and high on drugs. These stories represent only a minor fraction of the crimes taking place.
The price of metals including copper and aluminum fluctuates, and when it’s high, people looking to fund drug use and other crimes risk their lives to get it. Headlines and police logs in many countries report thefts of aluminum siding, copper wire, metal grave markers, guard rails, downspouts, catalytic converters, gutters, radiators, AC coils and piping. While such theft is hardly new, the demand for scrap metal has driven prices up in recent years, making it a sought-after commodity.
And homeowners aren’t the only ones who need to be on the look-out. Construction sites, schools, churches and other buildings are also reporting such thefts.
RISK IMPLIES DESPERATION OF DRUG USERS
Drug users are always looking for new ways to fund their habit. Law enforcement authorities have long blamed a good deal of the scrap metal theft on drug users. And as the economy continues its down slope, they’re expecting such crime to multiply. Because stealing metals is risky, it often implies the kind of desperation that’s at the core of drug addiction.
A home in Girard, Oh. exploded earlier this year, ripping apart a neighborhood and injuring several people. Officials determined that gas was released when copper pipes were taken from the house. A man died last year in Pasadena, Md. after being electrocuted while cutting through a high-voltage line in an old store building on a quest for scrap metal.
A Cincinnati woman was arrested in November after trying to steal a vehicle to transport stolen scrap metal. She admitted being drunk and high on drugs. These stories represent only a minor fraction of the crimes taking place.
Prescription Painkiller Addiction
1.
You suffered traumatic, acute, or chronic pain.
Dependency on prescription painkillers often starts with a common injury, surgery or condition:
* You experience frequent pain or discomfort.
* You were in a car accident.
* You slipped and fell.
* You lifted a heavy box at work.
* You pulled a muscle while playing golf or tennis.
* You strained yourself working out at the gym.
* You had back surgery.
* You have fibromyalgia or severe arthritis.
* You are recovering from an operation or cancer treatment.
2.
You started pain medication for discomfort
Your physician prescribed a painkiller to help you manage the pain. Weeks or months after the initial injury has healed, you still take opioid painkillers like Vicodin®, OxyContin®, or Percocet®. Perhaps in an even higher dosage than at first.
3.
You realize now that you cannot do without the prescription painkiller.
The drug meant to help you now hurts you. In addition to your pain from the initial injury or a fear of medical treatment, you now experience the painful discomfort of withdrawal. Your pain has not eased, but intensified. We see patients who had treated a level-2 or 3 pain, after one year using painkillers, jump to level 8 or 9.
4.
Know that you are not the only one.
Approximately 75% of our patients suffer from a dependency on painkillers like OxyContin®. We recognize that patients became physically dependent on prescription painkillers, or other opiates, through no fault of their own. We help you change the story. This chemical imbalance requires expert medical treatment in a safe, humane and effective environment.
Pain Management Traps that Make You Drug Dependent
Addicted to Prescription Painkillers
1. The underlying problem with painkillers:
Besides the drug, pain management specialists often indiscriminately prescribe painkillers. Focused on eliminating pain, physicians can overlook the long-term consequences of dependency.
2.
The research behind prescription addiction:
* Two million Americans use prescription opioid painkillers every year
* In some communities, abuse of prescription painkillers has overtaken that of cocaine and marijuana.
* About 9% of the U.S. population has used pain relievers illegally in their lifetime (according to the 2002 NHSDA--National Household Survey on Drug Abuse).
* Misuse has increase since the 1980s, from fewer than 500,000 new users per year.
* An estimated 1.6 million Americans used prescription-type pain relievers non-medically for the first time in 1998.
* Among youths age 12-17, the incidence rate increased from 6.3 to 32.4 per 1,000 new users from 1990 to 1998.
* Young adults age 18-25 increased in first use from 7.7 to 20.3 per 1,000 new users between 1990 and 1998.
The painkiller solution: Advanced Treatment for Opiate Dependency
The Waismann Methodsm offers a highly successful rapid detox procedure for the treatment of OxyContin® and opiate dependency. This procedure: . Reverses opiate dependency and prescription drug addiction. . Eliminates cravings that often accompany traditional detoxification treatments for prescription addiction. . Has been clinically proven to be effective for a wide range of opiates including OxyContin ®, Vicodin ®, Norco, Methadone, Heroin, Hydrocodone, LAAM, Lortab, Percocet ®, Dilaudid, Darvocet ®, Percodan, Lorcet, MS Contin ®, Stadol, Suboxone ® (Buprenorphine), Tramadol and others.
You suffered traumatic, acute, or chronic pain.
Dependency on prescription painkillers often starts with a common injury, surgery or condition:
* You experience frequent pain or discomfort.
* You were in a car accident.
* You slipped and fell.
* You lifted a heavy box at work.
* You pulled a muscle while playing golf or tennis.
* You strained yourself working out at the gym.
* You had back surgery.
* You have fibromyalgia or severe arthritis.
* You are recovering from an operation or cancer treatment.
2.
You started pain medication for discomfort
Your physician prescribed a painkiller to help you manage the pain. Weeks or months after the initial injury has healed, you still take opioid painkillers like Vicodin®, OxyContin®, or Percocet®. Perhaps in an even higher dosage than at first.
3.
You realize now that you cannot do without the prescription painkiller.
The drug meant to help you now hurts you. In addition to your pain from the initial injury or a fear of medical treatment, you now experience the painful discomfort of withdrawal. Your pain has not eased, but intensified. We see patients who had treated a level-2 or 3 pain, after one year using painkillers, jump to level 8 or 9.
4.
Know that you are not the only one.
Approximately 75% of our patients suffer from a dependency on painkillers like OxyContin®. We recognize that patients became physically dependent on prescription painkillers, or other opiates, through no fault of their own. We help you change the story. This chemical imbalance requires expert medical treatment in a safe, humane and effective environment.
Pain Management Traps that Make You Drug Dependent
Addicted to Prescription Painkillers
1. The underlying problem with painkillers:
Besides the drug, pain management specialists often indiscriminately prescribe painkillers. Focused on eliminating pain, physicians can overlook the long-term consequences of dependency.
2.
The research behind prescription addiction:
* Two million Americans use prescription opioid painkillers every year
* In some communities, abuse of prescription painkillers has overtaken that of cocaine and marijuana.
* About 9% of the U.S. population has used pain relievers illegally in their lifetime (according to the 2002 NHSDA--National Household Survey on Drug Abuse).
* Misuse has increase since the 1980s, from fewer than 500,000 new users per year.
* An estimated 1.6 million Americans used prescription-type pain relievers non-medically for the first time in 1998.
* Among youths age 12-17, the incidence rate increased from 6.3 to 32.4 per 1,000 new users from 1990 to 1998.
* Young adults age 18-25 increased in first use from 7.7 to 20.3 per 1,000 new users between 1990 and 1998.
The painkiller solution: Advanced Treatment for Opiate Dependency
The Waismann Methodsm offers a highly successful rapid detox procedure for the treatment of OxyContin® and opiate dependency. This procedure: . Reverses opiate dependency and prescription drug addiction. . Eliminates cravings that often accompany traditional detoxification treatments for prescription addiction. . Has been clinically proven to be effective for a wide range of opiates including OxyContin ®, Vicodin ®, Norco, Methadone, Heroin, Hydrocodone, LAAM, Lortab, Percocet ®, Dilaudid, Darvocet ®, Percodan, Lorcet, MS Contin ®, Stadol, Suboxone ® (Buprenorphine), Tramadol and others.
Opiates in the Human Body
Opiates elicit their powerful effects by activating opiate receptors that are widely distributed throughout the brain and body. Once an opiate reaches the brain, it quickly activates the opiate receptors that are found in many brain regions and produces an effect that correlates with the area of the brain involved.
Two important effects produced by opiates, such as morphine, are pleasure (or reward) and pain relief. The brain itself also produces substances known as endorphins that activate the opiate receptors. Research indicates that endorphins are involved in many things, including respiration, nausea, vomiting, pain modulation, and hormonal regulation.
When opiates are prescribed by a physician for the treatment of pain and are taken in the prescribed dosage, they are safe and there is little chance of addiction.
However, when opiates are abused and taken in excessive doses, addiction can result.
Opiate: Reward System
Findings from animal research indicate that, like cocaine and other abused drugs, opiates can also activate the brain's reward system. When a person injects, sniffs, or orally ingests heroin (or morphine), the drug travels quickly to the brain through the bloodstream.
Once in the brain, the heroin is rapidly converted to morphine, which then activates opiate receptors located throughout the brain, including within the reward system.
Because of its chemical structure, heroin penetrates the brain more quickly than other opiates, which is probably why many addicts prefer heroin.
Within the reward system, the morphine activates opiate receptors in the VTA, nucleus accumbens, and cerebral cortex (refer to the Introduction for information on the reward system). Research suggests that stimulation of opiate receptors by morphine results in feelings of reward and activates the pleasure circuit by causing greater amounts of dopamine to be released within the nucleus accumbens. This causes an intense euphoria, or rush, that lasts only briefly and is followed by a few hours of a relaxed, contented state. This excessive release of dopamine and stimulation of the reward system can lead to addiction.
Opiates also act directly on the respiratory center in the brainstem, where they cause a slowdown in activity. This results in a decrease in breathing rate. Excessive amounts of an opiate, like heroin, can cause the respiratory centers to shut down breathing altogether. When someone overdoses on heroin, it is the action of heroin in the brainstem respiratory centers that can cause the person to stop breathing and die.
Opiate, Brain and Endorphin
As mentioned earlier, the brain itself produces endorphins that have an important role in the relief or modulation of pain. Sometimes, though, particularly when pain is severe, the brain does not produce enough endorphins to provide pain relief. Fortunately, opiates, such as morphine are very powerful pain relieving medications. When used properly under the care of a physician, opiates can relieve severe pain without causing addiction.
Although endorphins are not always adequate to relieve pain, they are very important for survival. If an animal or person is injured and needs to escape a harmful situation, it would be difficult to do so while experiencing severe pain. However, endorphins that are released immediately following an injury can provide enough pain relief to allow escape from a harmful situation. Later, when it is safe, the endorphin levels decrease and intense pain may be felt. This also is important for survival. If the endorphins continued to blunt the pain, it would be easy to ignore an injury and then not seek medical care.
There are several types of opiate receptors, including the delta, mu, and kappa receptors. Each of these three receptors is involved in controlling different brain functions. For example, opiates and endorphins are able to block pain signals by binding to the mu receptor site. The powerful new technology of cloning has enabled scientists to copy the genes that make each of these receptors. This in turn is allowing researchers to conduct laboratory studies to better understand how opiates act in the brain and, more specifically, how opiates interact with each opiate receptor to produce their effects. This information may eventually lead to more effective treatments for pain and opiate addiction.
Opiates: Pain Relief
Feelings of pain are produced when specialized nerves are activated by trauma to some part of the body, either through injury or illness. These specialized nerves, which are located throughout the body, carry the pain message to the spinal cord. After reaching the spinal cord, the message is relayed to other neurons, some of which carry it to the brain. Opiates help to relieve pain by acting in both the spinal cord and brain. At the level of the spinal cord, opiates interfere with the transmission of the pain messages between neurons and therefore prevent them from reaching the brain. This blockade of pain messages protects a person from experiencing too much pain. This is known as analgesia.
Opiates also act in the brain to help relieve pain, but the way in which they accomplish this is different than in the spinal cord.
There are several areas in the brain that are involved in interpreting pain messages and in subjective responses to pain. These brain regions are what allow a person to know he or she is experiencing pain and that it is unpleasant. Opiates also act in these brain regions, but they don't block the pain messages themselves. Rather, they change the subjective experience of the pain. This is why a person receiving morphine for pain may say that they still feel the pain but that it doesn't bother them anymore.
Two important effects produced by opiates, such as morphine, are pleasure (or reward) and pain relief. The brain itself also produces substances known as endorphins that activate the opiate receptors. Research indicates that endorphins are involved in many things, including respiration, nausea, vomiting, pain modulation, and hormonal regulation.
When opiates are prescribed by a physician for the treatment of pain and are taken in the prescribed dosage, they are safe and there is little chance of addiction.
However, when opiates are abused and taken in excessive doses, addiction can result.
Opiate: Reward System
Findings from animal research indicate that, like cocaine and other abused drugs, opiates can also activate the brain's reward system. When a person injects, sniffs, or orally ingests heroin (or morphine), the drug travels quickly to the brain through the bloodstream.
Once in the brain, the heroin is rapidly converted to morphine, which then activates opiate receptors located throughout the brain, including within the reward system.
Because of its chemical structure, heroin penetrates the brain more quickly than other opiates, which is probably why many addicts prefer heroin.
Within the reward system, the morphine activates opiate receptors in the VTA, nucleus accumbens, and cerebral cortex (refer to the Introduction for information on the reward system). Research suggests that stimulation of opiate receptors by morphine results in feelings of reward and activates the pleasure circuit by causing greater amounts of dopamine to be released within the nucleus accumbens. This causes an intense euphoria, or rush, that lasts only briefly and is followed by a few hours of a relaxed, contented state. This excessive release of dopamine and stimulation of the reward system can lead to addiction.
Opiates also act directly on the respiratory center in the brainstem, where they cause a slowdown in activity. This results in a decrease in breathing rate. Excessive amounts of an opiate, like heroin, can cause the respiratory centers to shut down breathing altogether. When someone overdoses on heroin, it is the action of heroin in the brainstem respiratory centers that can cause the person to stop breathing and die.
Opiate, Brain and Endorphin
As mentioned earlier, the brain itself produces endorphins that have an important role in the relief or modulation of pain. Sometimes, though, particularly when pain is severe, the brain does not produce enough endorphins to provide pain relief. Fortunately, opiates, such as morphine are very powerful pain relieving medications. When used properly under the care of a physician, opiates can relieve severe pain without causing addiction.
Although endorphins are not always adequate to relieve pain, they are very important for survival. If an animal or person is injured and needs to escape a harmful situation, it would be difficult to do so while experiencing severe pain. However, endorphins that are released immediately following an injury can provide enough pain relief to allow escape from a harmful situation. Later, when it is safe, the endorphin levels decrease and intense pain may be felt. This also is important for survival. If the endorphins continued to blunt the pain, it would be easy to ignore an injury and then not seek medical care.
There are several types of opiate receptors, including the delta, mu, and kappa receptors. Each of these three receptors is involved in controlling different brain functions. For example, opiates and endorphins are able to block pain signals by binding to the mu receptor site. The powerful new technology of cloning has enabled scientists to copy the genes that make each of these receptors. This in turn is allowing researchers to conduct laboratory studies to better understand how opiates act in the brain and, more specifically, how opiates interact with each opiate receptor to produce their effects. This information may eventually lead to more effective treatments for pain and opiate addiction.
Opiates: Pain Relief
Feelings of pain are produced when specialized nerves are activated by trauma to some part of the body, either through injury or illness. These specialized nerves, which are located throughout the body, carry the pain message to the spinal cord. After reaching the spinal cord, the message is relayed to other neurons, some of which carry it to the brain. Opiates help to relieve pain by acting in both the spinal cord and brain. At the level of the spinal cord, opiates interfere with the transmission of the pain messages between neurons and therefore prevent them from reaching the brain. This blockade of pain messages protects a person from experiencing too much pain. This is known as analgesia.
Opiates also act in the brain to help relieve pain, but the way in which they accomplish this is different than in the spinal cord.
There are several areas in the brain that are involved in interpreting pain messages and in subjective responses to pain. These brain regions are what allow a person to know he or she is experiencing pain and that it is unpleasant. Opiates also act in these brain regions, but they don't block the pain messages themselves. Rather, they change the subjective experience of the pain. This is why a person receiving morphine for pain may say that they still feel the pain but that it doesn't bother them anymore.
Prescription Painkiller Addiction
1.
You suffered traumatic, acute, or chronic pain.
Dependency on prescription painkillers often starts with a common injury, surgery or condition:
* You experience frequent pain or discomfort.
* You were in a car accident.
* You slipped and fell.
* You lifted a heavy box at work.
* You pulled a muscle while playing golf or tennis.
* You strained yourself working out at the gym.
* You had back surgery.
* You have fibromyalgia or severe arthritis.
* You are recovering from an operation or cancer treatment.
2.
You started pain medication for discomfort
Your physician prescribed a painkiller to help you manage the pain. Weeks or months after the initial injury has healed, you still take opioid painkillers like Vicodin®, OxyContin®, or Percocet®. Perhaps in an even higher dosage than at first.
3.
You realize now that you cannot do without the prescription painkiller.
The drug meant to help you now hurts you. In addition to your pain from the initial injury or a fear of medical treatment, you now experience the painful discomfort of withdrawal. Your pain has not eased, but intensified. We see patients who had treated a level-2 or 3 pain, after one year using painkillers, jump to level 8 or 9.
4.
Know that you are not the only one.
Approximately 75% of our patients suffer from a dependency on painkillers like OxyContin®. We recognize that patients became physically dependent on prescription painkillers, or other opiates, through no fault of their own. We help you change the story. This chemical imbalance requires expert medical treatment in a safe, humane and effective environment.
Pain Management Traps that Make You Drug Dependent
Addicted to Prescription Painkillers
1. The underlying problem with painkillers:
Besides the drug, pain management specialists often indiscriminately prescribe painkillers. Focused on eliminating pain, physicians can overlook the long-term consequences of dependency.
2.
The research behind prescription addiction:
* Two million Americans use prescription opioid painkillers every year
* In some communities, abuse of prescription painkillers has overtaken that of cocaine and marijuana.
* About 9% of the U.S. population has used pain relievers illegally in their lifetime (according to the 2002 NHSDA--National Household Survey on Drug Abuse).
* Misuse has increase since the 1980s, from fewer than 500,000 new users per year.
* An estimated 1.6 million Americans used prescription-type pain relievers non-medically for the first time in 1998.
* Among youths age 12-17, the incidence rate increased from 6.3 to 32.4 per 1,000 new users from 1990 to 1998.
* Young adults age 18-25 increased in first use from 7.7 to 20.3 per 1,000 new users between 1990 and 1998.
The painkiller solution: Advanced Treatment for Opiate Dependency
The V.I.P. Way offers a highly successful rapid detox procedure for the treatment of OxyContin® and opiate dependency. This procedure: . Reverses opiate dependency and prescription drug addiction. . Eliminates cravings that often accompany traditional detoxification treatments for prescription addiction. . Has been clinically proven to be effective for a wide range of opiates including OxyContin ®, Vicodin ®, Norco, Methadone, Heroin, Hydrocodone, LAAM, Lortab, Percocet ®, Dilaudid, Darvocet ®, Percodan, Lorcet, MS Contin ®, Stadol, Suboxone ® (Buprenorphine), Tramadol and others.
Call (702) 308-9738 or (800)276-7021 anytime Day or Night about rapid detox for individuals dependent on prescription painkillers--including medications you may be taking. You will be directly connected to Dr Yee.
Or send us a confidential email. After hours and weekends, please call (702) 813-3888.
email to friend email page to friend
Rapid Detox
You suffered traumatic, acute, or chronic pain.
Dependency on prescription painkillers often starts with a common injury, surgery or condition:
* You experience frequent pain or discomfort.
* You were in a car accident.
* You slipped and fell.
* You lifted a heavy box at work.
* You pulled a muscle while playing golf or tennis.
* You strained yourself working out at the gym.
* You had back surgery.
* You have fibromyalgia or severe arthritis.
* You are recovering from an operation or cancer treatment.
2.
You started pain medication for discomfort
Your physician prescribed a painkiller to help you manage the pain. Weeks or months after the initial injury has healed, you still take opioid painkillers like Vicodin®, OxyContin®, or Percocet®. Perhaps in an even higher dosage than at first.
3.
You realize now that you cannot do without the prescription painkiller.
The drug meant to help you now hurts you. In addition to your pain from the initial injury or a fear of medical treatment, you now experience the painful discomfort of withdrawal. Your pain has not eased, but intensified. We see patients who had treated a level-2 or 3 pain, after one year using painkillers, jump to level 8 or 9.
4.
Know that you are not the only one.
Approximately 75% of our patients suffer from a dependency on painkillers like OxyContin®. We recognize that patients became physically dependent on prescription painkillers, or other opiates, through no fault of their own. We help you change the story. This chemical imbalance requires expert medical treatment in a safe, humane and effective environment.
Pain Management Traps that Make You Drug Dependent
Addicted to Prescription Painkillers
1. The underlying problem with painkillers:
Besides the drug, pain management specialists often indiscriminately prescribe painkillers. Focused on eliminating pain, physicians can overlook the long-term consequences of dependency.
2.
The research behind prescription addiction:
* Two million Americans use prescription opioid painkillers every year
* In some communities, abuse of prescription painkillers has overtaken that of cocaine and marijuana.
* About 9% of the U.S. population has used pain relievers illegally in their lifetime (according to the 2002 NHSDA--National Household Survey on Drug Abuse).
* Misuse has increase since the 1980s, from fewer than 500,000 new users per year.
* An estimated 1.6 million Americans used prescription-type pain relievers non-medically for the first time in 1998.
* Among youths age 12-17, the incidence rate increased from 6.3 to 32.4 per 1,000 new users from 1990 to 1998.
* Young adults age 18-25 increased in first use from 7.7 to 20.3 per 1,000 new users between 1990 and 1998.
The painkiller solution: Advanced Treatment for Opiate Dependency
The V.I.P. Way offers a highly successful rapid detox procedure for the treatment of OxyContin® and opiate dependency. This procedure: . Reverses opiate dependency and prescription drug addiction. . Eliminates cravings that often accompany traditional detoxification treatments for prescription addiction. . Has been clinically proven to be effective for a wide range of opiates including OxyContin ®, Vicodin ®, Norco, Methadone, Heroin, Hydrocodone, LAAM, Lortab, Percocet ®, Dilaudid, Darvocet ®, Percodan, Lorcet, MS Contin ®, Stadol, Suboxone ® (Buprenorphine), Tramadol and others.
Call (702) 308-9738 or (800)276-7021 anytime Day or Night about rapid detox for individuals dependent on prescription painkillers--including medications you may be taking. You will be directly connected to Dr Yee.
Or send us a confidential email. After hours and weekends, please call (702) 813-3888.
email to friend email page to friend
Rapid Detox
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Vicodin
Isn't a Physical Exam needed to determine if you would benefit from these Medications? If you have had a Physical Exam recently and consider yourself Healthy, you do not necessarily require another Physical Exam in order for you to obtain the Medications we offer. Thousands of Psychiatrists and General Practitioners throughout the U.S. are Prescribing certain Medications after only reviewing the Patients Medical History, without a Physical Exam. The Medical factors that would prohibit a Physician from Prescribing these Medications are discoverable through a Review of the Patients Medical History. There is no reason to suggest that an In-Person Review of this history is any more Relevant than an Online Consultation.
As one of our Pharmacy Patients, you are able to:
Enjoy complete Privacy, Discretion, and Dignity while Addressing your Condition.
Play an Active Role and participate more fully in your own process of care.
Enjoy your Health Care in an enlightened manner and maintain better health.
Enjoy a Professional Consultation at NO cost!
More and more Individuals have become weary of the Medical Professions Attitude toward Patient Care. Patients are often left with little or No Choice as to their Course of Treatment or what Medications they are permitted to take.
Best Energy Drinks
Best-tasting and most effective energy drinks
The real test of what constitutes the "best" energy drink is whether the drink delivers the energy boost it promises with few side effects. Taste also matters. If the drink is considered good value and it's healthy, that makes it an even better pick.
Red Bull info (*Est. $2.20 for 8.3 oz.) introduced the energy drink craze to the United States; it's still the best-selling energy drink in America, and the energy drink by which all others are measured. Interestingly enough, Red Bull is made in Austria and then shipped around the world. Red Bull contains sugars, 80 mg of caffeine (for the 8.3-oz. size), taurine and B vitamins, but no added herbal stimulants. It receives middle-range to high reviews from the websites that specialize in energy drink reviews, with some reviewers expressing hesitancy to criticize the energy drink that created a whole category of drinks. Red Bull also makes Red Bull Sugar Freeinfo (*Est. $2.20 for 8.3 oz.) . Taste test results are also lackluster. William Grimes, in his review for The New York Times, writes: "The drink looks like weak beer and has a lemony flavor, pleasant enough but not very distinctive."
Energy Drink
Energy Speaker
Lemon Drink
Monster Energy info (*Est. $2 for 16 oz.) is one of the best-selling energy drinks in the U.S. Several reviewers mention it as the energy drink to try after Red Bull because the taste and energy boost are similar to Red Bull, yet it comes in a can that is twice the size for about the same price. Monster Energy has 54 grams of sugars, 160 mg of caffeine and 2,000 mg of taurine. The Energy Drink Ratings blog says that this sweet-tasting citrus drink has a good kick and gives you good taste for the money. Monster also makes a variety of other flavors including Monster Energy Lo-Carbinfo (*Est. $2 for 16 oz.) which reviews say provides a decent energy kick.
Another best-selling energy drink, SoBe No Fear (*est. $2.30 for 16 oz.), gets mixed reviews for taste and energy. Jason Hargett at ScreamingEnergy.com feels the taste is too fruit flavored, while the Energy Drink Ratings blog thinks it tastes very good and has a nice kick with no jitter effects. SoBe No Fear contains 66 grams of sugars, 174 mg of caffeine and 2,000 mg of taurine per 16-ounce can. SoBe makes several additional flavors of energy drinks, including SoBe Adrenaline Rush, the best-tasting energy drink in William Grimes' roundup of thirteen drinks.
5-Hour Energy info (*Est. $2.50 for 2 ounces) ( scores well with reviewers for energy kick. The Energy Drink Ratings blog and RateItAll rank 5-Hour Energy highly, and it has the most user ratings (over 1,400) of any energy drink at Screaming Energy. 5-Hour Energy is packaged in 2-ounce shots, packing in an estimated 100 mg of caffeine per shot, or the equivalent of a cup of coffee, plus 2,000% of the daily value for vitamin B6 and 8,333% of the daily value of vitamin B12. 5-Hour Energy is sweetened with sucralose and contains zero net carbohydrates. 5-Hour Energy is not made with additional herbal stimulants, but it does contain amino acids, and includes taurine. One reviewer calls 5-Hour Energy "little more than a shot of vitamins B6 and B12, amino acids, with a caffeine chaser." But unlike most energy drinks, 5-Hour Energy is a low-calorie drink (4 calories). The company now produces 5-Hour Energy Decaf (*est. $2.50 per 2-oz. container), which contains a gentler blend of B vitamins and only 6 mg of caffeine; about as much as half a cup of decaffeinated coffee. The company makes much of the fact that 5-Hour Energy doesn't need to be refrigerated in order to taste good, unlike most conventional brands of energy drinks.
Among the top-selling brands, Rockstar info (*Est. $2.20 for 16 oz.) performs best on the blogs, slightly outperforming best-selling Red Bullinfo (*Est. $2.20 for 8.3 oz.) and SoBe No Fear (*est. $2.30 for 16 oz.). One 16-ounce can contains 160 mg of caffeine and 1,000 milligrams of taurine, as well as 62 grams of sugars, with guarana, ginseng and other herbal extracts as stimulants. The company has expanded from the original formula to offer other energy drinks including Rockstar Sugar Free (originally called Rockstar Diet info ($2.30 for 16 ounces), , Rockstar Zero Carb several flavors of Rockstar Juiced info (*Est. $2 for 16 ounces) (*est. $2 for 16 ounces) and Rockstar Punched (*est. $2 for 16 ounces). Rockstar Punched is particularly well-regarded by reviewers. Drink Addict rates it in its top five, and Energy Drink Guru says "this stuff rocks." Rockstar Punched contains 240 mg of caffeine and 2,000 milligrams of taurine along with 62 grams of sugars and herbal extracts. Many of the different flavors of Rockstar are also available in 8-ounce and 24-ounce cans.
In his review for Slate, Sam Eifling likes Rockstar Cola (discontinued) best: "Out of the dozens of cans I mowed through, Rockstar Cola is the only drink that offers that feeling of physical exuberance you expect from an energy drink. And it's the only one I'd actually want to consume again anytime soon." William Grimes samples the regular Rockstar flavor. He writes, "It's a middling sort of drink, with a bubble gum aroma and a pleasant enough, bland citrus flavor."
Another well-liked, punch-style energy drink is BooKoo Energy Punch info (*Est. $2.10 for 16 ounces) . Jason Hargett of Screaming Energy likes its lightly carbonated taste and gives it the 2007 Screaming Energy award for most original. The Taurine Rules blog says that BooKoo Energy Punch is the fruit punch energy drink "by which all others are measured against." On the other hand, the Energy Drink Guru gives it a thumbs-down, saying it tastes metallic and left his mouth feeling dry. BooKoo Energy Punch contains 58 grams of sugars, 2,060 milligrams of taurine, ginseng, B vitamins and 240 mg of caffeine in a 16-ounce can.
Sugar-free energy drinks are a growing part of the energy drink market, with many drink companies introducing sugar-free or zero-carb versions of their energy drinks. Rockstar Zero Carb is well-reviewed by the specialized energy drink websites. Jason Hargett at Screaming Energy says that as of the time of his review, "this may be the best overall single energy drink on the market." The Taurine Rules blog says, "this is the go to, easy to find, sugar free, no carbs energy drink." Rockstar Zero Carb has no sugars, but it does have 240 mg of caffeine; 50% more than the original Rockstar formula. An added-energy blend has 2,000 mg of taurine per can, plus green tea.
Dan Mayer, on his energy drink blog, lists Go Girl Sugar Free (*est. $1.70 for a 12-ounce can) at the very top of his list of all-time best energy drinks. This energy drink has no sugar, but does contain taurine and B vitamins. A portion of all Go Girl proceeds go toward breast cancer research. Go Girl Sugar Free is mainly distributed in California at this time, and may be hard to find in other parts of the U.S.
The thing that separates Guru Lite info (*Est. $2 for an 8.3-oz. can) from other sugar-free energy drinks is that it uses several all natural low-calorie sweeteners -- cane and luo han guo juice concentrates along with stevia -- in place of sugar or artificial sweeteners. The Taurine Rules blog also notes that Guru Lite does not contain sodium benzoate, a preservative found in almost all energy drinks and sodas. Guru Lite has ten calories per can. Interestingly, the Canadian version of Guru Lite is sweetened with sucralose.
In the last year, a number of all-natural energy drinks have come onto the marketplace. The Taurine Rules blog profiles close to a hundred such drinks. Most of these drinks are juices first and foremost, with a few all-natural forms of caffeine thrown in. Kaboominfo (*Est. $2.50 for an 8-oz. can) is, according to their website, the first USDA-certified organic energy juice. Steaz Energy Fuel (*est. $1.20 for a 12-oz. can) is sweetened with cane juice, contains no taurine and is certified organic. BevNET named Steaz Energy as co-winner of its Best Energy Drink Award of 2007. Big drink maker SoBe comes in with SoBe Essential Energy Orange (*est. $2.30 for a 16-oz. can). PepsiCo-owned Naked Juice All Natural Energy 100% Juice Fruit Smoothies (*est. $2.50 for a 15.2-oz. bottle) comes in Strawberry Kiwi Kick and Orange Mango Motion flavors. Each contains 42 grams of sugars from the juice itself, and guarana and green tea for the 81.7 mg of caffeine in every square plastic bottle.
Syzmo Prickly Pear Energy Drink info (*Est. $2.80 for 12 ounces) is another award-winning, all-natural energy drink. Syzmo energy drinks are co-winners with Steaz as winner of the BevNET 2007 Best Energy Drink Award. The Taurine Rules blog calls this a "great organic energy drink that will not disappoint." Syzmo Prickly Pear contains 30 grams of sugars and 120 mg of caffeine in a 12-oz. can. Other ingredients include B vitamins, coffee, fruit, guarana, green tea and yerba mate. In general, reviewers seem to prefer the Syzmo drinks slightly more than those from Steaz.
The real test of what constitutes the "best" energy drink is whether the drink delivers the energy boost it promises with few side effects. Taste also matters. If the drink is considered good value and it's healthy, that makes it an even better pick.
Red Bull info (*Est. $2.20 for 8.3 oz.) introduced the energy drink craze to the United States; it's still the best-selling energy drink in America, and the energy drink by which all others are measured. Interestingly enough, Red Bull is made in Austria and then shipped around the world. Red Bull contains sugars, 80 mg of caffeine (for the 8.3-oz. size), taurine and B vitamins, but no added herbal stimulants. It receives middle-range to high reviews from the websites that specialize in energy drink reviews, with some reviewers expressing hesitancy to criticize the energy drink that created a whole category of drinks. Red Bull also makes Red Bull Sugar Freeinfo (*Est. $2.20 for 8.3 oz.) . Taste test results are also lackluster. William Grimes, in his review for The New York Times, writes: "The drink looks like weak beer and has a lemony flavor, pleasant enough but not very distinctive."
Energy Drink
Energy Speaker
Lemon Drink
Monster Energy info (*Est. $2 for 16 oz.) is one of the best-selling energy drinks in the U.S. Several reviewers mention it as the energy drink to try after Red Bull because the taste and energy boost are similar to Red Bull, yet it comes in a can that is twice the size for about the same price. Monster Energy has 54 grams of sugars, 160 mg of caffeine and 2,000 mg of taurine. The Energy Drink Ratings blog says that this sweet-tasting citrus drink has a good kick and gives you good taste for the money. Monster also makes a variety of other flavors including Monster Energy Lo-Carbinfo (*Est. $2 for 16 oz.) which reviews say provides a decent energy kick.
Another best-selling energy drink, SoBe No Fear (*est. $2.30 for 16 oz.), gets mixed reviews for taste and energy. Jason Hargett at ScreamingEnergy.com feels the taste is too fruit flavored, while the Energy Drink Ratings blog thinks it tastes very good and has a nice kick with no jitter effects. SoBe No Fear contains 66 grams of sugars, 174 mg of caffeine and 2,000 mg of taurine per 16-ounce can. SoBe makes several additional flavors of energy drinks, including SoBe Adrenaline Rush, the best-tasting energy drink in William Grimes' roundup of thirteen drinks.
5-Hour Energy info (*Est. $2.50 for 2 ounces) ( scores well with reviewers for energy kick. The Energy Drink Ratings blog and RateItAll rank 5-Hour Energy highly, and it has the most user ratings (over 1,400) of any energy drink at Screaming Energy. 5-Hour Energy is packaged in 2-ounce shots, packing in an estimated 100 mg of caffeine per shot, or the equivalent of a cup of coffee, plus 2,000% of the daily value for vitamin B6 and 8,333% of the daily value of vitamin B12. 5-Hour Energy is sweetened with sucralose and contains zero net carbohydrates. 5-Hour Energy is not made with additional herbal stimulants, but it does contain amino acids, and includes taurine. One reviewer calls 5-Hour Energy "little more than a shot of vitamins B6 and B12, amino acids, with a caffeine chaser." But unlike most energy drinks, 5-Hour Energy is a low-calorie drink (4 calories). The company now produces 5-Hour Energy Decaf (*est. $2.50 per 2-oz. container), which contains a gentler blend of B vitamins and only 6 mg of caffeine; about as much as half a cup of decaffeinated coffee. The company makes much of the fact that 5-Hour Energy doesn't need to be refrigerated in order to taste good, unlike most conventional brands of energy drinks.
Among the top-selling brands, Rockstar info (*Est. $2.20 for 16 oz.) performs best on the blogs, slightly outperforming best-selling Red Bullinfo (*Est. $2.20 for 8.3 oz.) and SoBe No Fear (*est. $2.30 for 16 oz.). One 16-ounce can contains 160 mg of caffeine and 1,000 milligrams of taurine, as well as 62 grams of sugars, with guarana, ginseng and other herbal extracts as stimulants. The company has expanded from the original formula to offer other energy drinks including Rockstar Sugar Free (originally called Rockstar Diet info ($2.30 for 16 ounces), , Rockstar Zero Carb several flavors of Rockstar Juiced info (*Est. $2 for 16 ounces) (*est. $2 for 16 ounces) and Rockstar Punched (*est. $2 for 16 ounces). Rockstar Punched is particularly well-regarded by reviewers. Drink Addict rates it in its top five, and Energy Drink Guru says "this stuff rocks." Rockstar Punched contains 240 mg of caffeine and 2,000 milligrams of taurine along with 62 grams of sugars and herbal extracts. Many of the different flavors of Rockstar are also available in 8-ounce and 24-ounce cans.
In his review for Slate, Sam Eifling likes Rockstar Cola (discontinued) best: "Out of the dozens of cans I mowed through, Rockstar Cola is the only drink that offers that feeling of physical exuberance you expect from an energy drink. And it's the only one I'd actually want to consume again anytime soon." William Grimes samples the regular Rockstar flavor. He writes, "It's a middling sort of drink, with a bubble gum aroma and a pleasant enough, bland citrus flavor."
Another well-liked, punch-style energy drink is BooKoo Energy Punch info (*Est. $2.10 for 16 ounces) . Jason Hargett of Screaming Energy likes its lightly carbonated taste and gives it the 2007 Screaming Energy award for most original. The Taurine Rules blog says that BooKoo Energy Punch is the fruit punch energy drink "by which all others are measured against." On the other hand, the Energy Drink Guru gives it a thumbs-down, saying it tastes metallic and left his mouth feeling dry. BooKoo Energy Punch contains 58 grams of sugars, 2,060 milligrams of taurine, ginseng, B vitamins and 240 mg of caffeine in a 16-ounce can.
Sugar-free energy drinks are a growing part of the energy drink market, with many drink companies introducing sugar-free or zero-carb versions of their energy drinks. Rockstar Zero Carb is well-reviewed by the specialized energy drink websites. Jason Hargett at Screaming Energy says that as of the time of his review, "this may be the best overall single energy drink on the market." The Taurine Rules blog says, "this is the go to, easy to find, sugar free, no carbs energy drink." Rockstar Zero Carb has no sugars, but it does have 240 mg of caffeine; 50% more than the original Rockstar formula. An added-energy blend has 2,000 mg of taurine per can, plus green tea.
Dan Mayer, on his energy drink blog, lists Go Girl Sugar Free (*est. $1.70 for a 12-ounce can) at the very top of his list of all-time best energy drinks. This energy drink has no sugar, but does contain taurine and B vitamins. A portion of all Go Girl proceeds go toward breast cancer research. Go Girl Sugar Free is mainly distributed in California at this time, and may be hard to find in other parts of the U.S.
The thing that separates Guru Lite info (*Est. $2 for an 8.3-oz. can) from other sugar-free energy drinks is that it uses several all natural low-calorie sweeteners -- cane and luo han guo juice concentrates along with stevia -- in place of sugar or artificial sweeteners. The Taurine Rules blog also notes that Guru Lite does not contain sodium benzoate, a preservative found in almost all energy drinks and sodas. Guru Lite has ten calories per can. Interestingly, the Canadian version of Guru Lite is sweetened with sucralose.
In the last year, a number of all-natural energy drinks have come onto the marketplace. The Taurine Rules blog profiles close to a hundred such drinks. Most of these drinks are juices first and foremost, with a few all-natural forms of caffeine thrown in. Kaboominfo (*Est. $2.50 for an 8-oz. can) is, according to their website, the first USDA-certified organic energy juice. Steaz Energy Fuel (*est. $1.20 for a 12-oz. can) is sweetened with cane juice, contains no taurine and is certified organic. BevNET named Steaz Energy as co-winner of its Best Energy Drink Award of 2007. Big drink maker SoBe comes in with SoBe Essential Energy Orange (*est. $2.30 for a 16-oz. can). PepsiCo-owned Naked Juice All Natural Energy 100% Juice Fruit Smoothies (*est. $2.50 for a 15.2-oz. bottle) comes in Strawberry Kiwi Kick and Orange Mango Motion flavors. Each contains 42 grams of sugars from the juice itself, and guarana and green tea for the 81.7 mg of caffeine in every square plastic bottle.
Syzmo Prickly Pear Energy Drink info (*Est. $2.80 for 12 ounces) is another award-winning, all-natural energy drink. Syzmo energy drinks are co-winners with Steaz as winner of the BevNET 2007 Best Energy Drink Award. The Taurine Rules blog calls this a "great organic energy drink that will not disappoint." Syzmo Prickly Pear contains 30 grams of sugars and 120 mg of caffeine in a 12-oz. can. Other ingredients include B vitamins, coffee, fruit, guarana, green tea and yerba mate. In general, reviewers seem to prefer the Syzmo drinks slightly more than those from Steaz.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Rapid Opiate Detoxification
We perform Medical Rapid Detoxification, using medications including Clonidine and Naloxone. The withdrawal process is accelerated, under anesthesia, to help people addicted to opiates/narcotics and overcome most of the bulk of physical addiction. The procedure lasts 8 hours under anesthesia and 28 hours of immediate recovery.
Safety: Treatment is administered one-on-one by a Board-Certified Anesthesiologist.
Experience: Rapid Detox Medical Director, 18 year experience in Cardiac Surgery Anesthesia, Intensive Care Unit & 13 years experience in Pain Management.
Facility: Our Clinic is located on Campus across the parking lot Emergency Entrance of the Hospital.
Hospital: State of the Art and Accredited by the Joint Commission of Accreditation.
Our Las Vegas location: Offers convenience, security from paparazzi and discretion. No one back home needs to know what you actually did in Vegas. What Happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.
Cost: Is $12,000 and not covered by most insurance companies.
Post Operation Care: Patients have the Choice.
Affiliates: Rehabilitation centers and staying there might be covered by some insurance companies or our Affiliate Hotel.
Most cases: Patients rather be at the hotel, recovering with our Nurse.
Chief Nurse: 13 years of experience, has patience, with Patients in hospital, medical surgical unit, emergency room, intensive care unit, triage, mental, psychiatric health, medical clinics, convalescent, assisted living homes, retirement homes, private duty, sports medicine, case management, celebrities, and Home Health.
V.I.P Care: one-on-one with the Chief Nurse, on-call 24/7 close will be adjacent to your room, and will be very happy to assist you, by re-assurance, empathy, post-operation instructions/questions/answers, and anything you need to feel safe, secure, and provide medications, as needed.
Priority: We treat you like Family, because you're a Very Important Patient. Maintenance follow-up call made after a month, to hear about any changes in condition.
Transportation: available to Airport. Then patients go home for out-patient services in their area for follow-up.
Call today: (800)276-7021 or (702)308-6353
Email: info@rapiddetoxlasvegas.com
Medical Director: Board-Certified by American Board of Anesthesiology 1994, former chief of cardiac anesthesia, University of Nevada School of Medicine.
Board-Certified by American Board of Pain Medicine 1997, Clinical Assistant Professor University Nevada School of Medicine.
Safety: Treatment is administered one-on-one by a Board-Certified Anesthesiologist.
Experience: Rapid Detox Medical Director, 18 year experience in Cardiac Surgery Anesthesia, Intensive Care Unit & 13 years experience in Pain Management.
Facility: Our Clinic is located on Campus across the parking lot Emergency Entrance of the Hospital.
Hospital: State of the Art and Accredited by the Joint Commission of Accreditation.
Our Las Vegas location: Offers convenience, security from paparazzi and discretion. No one back home needs to know what you actually did in Vegas. What Happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.
Cost: Is $12,000 and not covered by most insurance companies.
Post Operation Care: Patients have the Choice.
Affiliates: Rehabilitation centers and staying there might be covered by some insurance companies or our Affiliate Hotel.
Most cases: Patients rather be at the hotel, recovering with our Nurse.
Chief Nurse: 13 years of experience, has patience, with Patients in hospital, medical surgical unit, emergency room, intensive care unit, triage, mental, psychiatric health, medical clinics, convalescent, assisted living homes, retirement homes, private duty, sports medicine, case management, celebrities, and Home Health.
V.I.P Care: one-on-one with the Chief Nurse, on-call 24/7 close will be adjacent to your room, and will be very happy to assist you, by re-assurance, empathy, post-operation instructions/questions/answers, and anything you need to feel safe, secure, and provide medications, as needed.
Priority: We treat you like Family, because you're a Very Important Patient. Maintenance follow-up call made after a month, to hear about any changes in condition.
Transportation: available to Airport. Then patients go home for out-patient services in their area for follow-up.
Call today: (800)276-7021 or (702)308-6353
Email: info@rapiddetoxlasvegas.com
Medical Director: Board-Certified by American Board of Anesthesiology 1994, former chief of cardiac anesthesia, University of Nevada School of Medicine.
Board-Certified by American Board of Pain Medicine 1997, Clinical Assistant Professor University Nevada School of Medicine.
Health Tip: Finding a Family Physician
If you're trying to find a new family doctor, the American Academy of Family Physicians offers these suggestions to help you choose the right one:
* Make sure you're comfortable around the doctor, and that you can speak with him or her freely.
* Look for a doctor who answers your questions thoroughly and clearly.
* Choose a doctor who spends time with you and doesn't make you feel rushed.
* Evaluate factors such as office hours, insurance, affiliated hospital, and office location. Do all of these things work with your schedule and lifestyle?
* Make sure you're comfortable around the doctor, and that you can speak with him or her freely.
* Look for a doctor who answers your questions thoroughly and clearly.
* Choose a doctor who spends time with you and doesn't make you feel rushed.
* Evaluate factors such as office hours, insurance, affiliated hospital, and office location. Do all of these things work with your schedule and lifestyle?
Sunday, December 28, 2008
A to Zzzzs
Ingredients for Slumber: How Food and Beverages May Affect Your Sleep
Have you ever wondered why some foods make you feel sleepy while others give you a lift? Do you sometimes find yourself dozing off after a big meal or reaching for a sugary snack when you’re tired? In addition to giving us nourishment, the things we eat and drink can pick us up or slow us down. Knowing how food and beverages affect the body can help keep you alert during the day and avoid the agony of sleeplessness at night.
Snooze Foods and Pick-Me-Ups
Certain foods contain an amino acid called tryptophan that causes sleepiness. Carbohydrates make tryptophan more available to the brain, which is why carbohydrate-heavy meals can make you drowsy. Proteins from the food we eat are the building blocks of tryptophan, which is why the best bedtime snack is one that contains both a carbohydrate and protein, such as cereal with milk, peanut butter on toast, or cheese and crackers.
Nature’s Sleeping Pill
Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that regulates sleepiness. It is made in the brain by converting tryptophan first to serotonin and then to melatonin, which is secreted at night by the pineal gland in the brain to induce and maintain sleep. Scientific evidence shows little or no benefit of melatonin in improving sleep. Still, melatonin supplements are widely used as sleep aids.
The Post-Lunch Dip
Some people experience a temporary lull in alertness in the afternoon. This is known as the post-lunch dip. A large meal can make a person feel sleepy, especially if it’s rich in carbohydrates, but the post-lunch dip is a function of our biological clocks. We naturally feel tired at two different times of the day: about 2:00 AM and 2:00 PM. It is this natural dip in alertness that is primarily responsible for the post-lunch dip.
Caffeine
Four out of five adults in America consume at least one serving of coffee, tea, soda or other caffeinated beverage each day, according to NSF’s 2005 Sleep in America poll. Caffeine is a stimulant that works by blocking the action of hormones in the brain that makes us feel sleepy. A strong dose of caffeine can stimulate the mind for a short time, and then cause an alertness crash as the effect wears off. The best way to benefit from the stimulating effect of caffeine is to consume small amounts frequently throughout the day. Be careful not to consume caffeine too close to bedtime as its effect may persist for several hours.
Energy Drinks: Help or Hype?
Based solely on the advertising campaigns, you would think that energy drinks have the power to turn mortal men into superheroes. In reality, most energy drinks are made with caffeine, essential amino acids, and loads of sugar. Rather than give you wings, these ingredients may increase sleepiness after an initial short-lived alerting affect. There is no magic drink on the market that will allow you to safely skimp on sleep. The only effective way to combat fatigue is to get adequate sleep on a regular basis.
Alcohol: Sedative or Sleep Thief?
Many people use beer, wine, or other alcoholic beverages at bedtime to help them fall asleep. This is unfortunate considering that alcohol is a poor sleep aid. Alcohol may help you to relax and fall asleep in the short term, but it can disrupt sleep over the course of the night. It also keeps you from entering the deeper stages of sleep, which may cause you to wake up still feeling tired despite having spent an adequate amount of time in bed.
The Word on GERD
Gastrointestinal reflux (GERD) is a common ailment that can cause sleep disruptions. According to NSF’s 2001 Sleep in America poll, people who experience nighttime GERD are more likely to have sleep problems such as insomnia, sleep apnea, daytime sleepiness, and restless legs syndrome than those who do not have nighttime GERD. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to minimize GERD and the sleep problems associated with it:
* Avoid fats, onions, chocolate and spicy foods
* Eat your largest meal at lunch instead of dinner
* Finish eating 2-3 hours before lying down
* Sleep with your held and shoulders elevated
Sleep on your left side
* Avoid alcohol
* Don’t smoke
Sleep and Hunger: What’s the Connection?
Several recent studies suggest that too little sleep may disrupt the balance of hormones that regulate hunger and appetite and increase the risk of weight gain. Researchers found that sleep deprivation in healthy adults caused an increase in a hormone responsible for feelings of hunger and a decrease in a hormone that suppresses hunger. These findings have lead to new investigations about the role of sleep in the epidemic of obesity and have reaffirmed the notion that sleep is as important to good health as diet and exercise.
What It All Means
The difference between a restless and a restful night has a lot to do with the quality and quality of your diet. When considering the best menu for sleep, keep in mind that the goal of eating is to provide the body with energy and that the time of day when energy is needed most is the morning. So remember to eat a nutritious breakfast and have no more than a light snack before bed in order to sleep well and feel your best each day.
Have you ever wondered why some foods make you feel sleepy while others give you a lift? Do you sometimes find yourself dozing off after a big meal or reaching for a sugary snack when you’re tired? In addition to giving us nourishment, the things we eat and drink can pick us up or slow us down. Knowing how food and beverages affect the body can help keep you alert during the day and avoid the agony of sleeplessness at night.
Snooze Foods and Pick-Me-Ups
Certain foods contain an amino acid called tryptophan that causes sleepiness. Carbohydrates make tryptophan more available to the brain, which is why carbohydrate-heavy meals can make you drowsy. Proteins from the food we eat are the building blocks of tryptophan, which is why the best bedtime snack is one that contains both a carbohydrate and protein, such as cereal with milk, peanut butter on toast, or cheese and crackers.
Nature’s Sleeping Pill
Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that regulates sleepiness. It is made in the brain by converting tryptophan first to serotonin and then to melatonin, which is secreted at night by the pineal gland in the brain to induce and maintain sleep. Scientific evidence shows little or no benefit of melatonin in improving sleep. Still, melatonin supplements are widely used as sleep aids.
The Post-Lunch Dip
Some people experience a temporary lull in alertness in the afternoon. This is known as the post-lunch dip. A large meal can make a person feel sleepy, especially if it’s rich in carbohydrates, but the post-lunch dip is a function of our biological clocks. We naturally feel tired at two different times of the day: about 2:00 AM and 2:00 PM. It is this natural dip in alertness that is primarily responsible for the post-lunch dip.
Caffeine
Four out of five adults in America consume at least one serving of coffee, tea, soda or other caffeinated beverage each day, according to NSF’s 2005 Sleep in America poll. Caffeine is a stimulant that works by blocking the action of hormones in the brain that makes us feel sleepy. A strong dose of caffeine can stimulate the mind for a short time, and then cause an alertness crash as the effect wears off. The best way to benefit from the stimulating effect of caffeine is to consume small amounts frequently throughout the day. Be careful not to consume caffeine too close to bedtime as its effect may persist for several hours.
Energy Drinks: Help or Hype?
Based solely on the advertising campaigns, you would think that energy drinks have the power to turn mortal men into superheroes. In reality, most energy drinks are made with caffeine, essential amino acids, and loads of sugar. Rather than give you wings, these ingredients may increase sleepiness after an initial short-lived alerting affect. There is no magic drink on the market that will allow you to safely skimp on sleep. The only effective way to combat fatigue is to get adequate sleep on a regular basis.
Alcohol: Sedative or Sleep Thief?
Many people use beer, wine, or other alcoholic beverages at bedtime to help them fall asleep. This is unfortunate considering that alcohol is a poor sleep aid. Alcohol may help you to relax and fall asleep in the short term, but it can disrupt sleep over the course of the night. It also keeps you from entering the deeper stages of sleep, which may cause you to wake up still feeling tired despite having spent an adequate amount of time in bed.
The Word on GERD
Gastrointestinal reflux (GERD) is a common ailment that can cause sleep disruptions. According to NSF’s 2001 Sleep in America poll, people who experience nighttime GERD are more likely to have sleep problems such as insomnia, sleep apnea, daytime sleepiness, and restless legs syndrome than those who do not have nighttime GERD. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to minimize GERD and the sleep problems associated with it:
* Avoid fats, onions, chocolate and spicy foods
* Eat your largest meal at lunch instead of dinner
* Finish eating 2-3 hours before lying down
* Sleep with your held and shoulders elevated
Sleep on your left side
* Avoid alcohol
* Don’t smoke
Sleep and Hunger: What’s the Connection?
Several recent studies suggest that too little sleep may disrupt the balance of hormones that regulate hunger and appetite and increase the risk of weight gain. Researchers found that sleep deprivation in healthy adults caused an increase in a hormone responsible for feelings of hunger and a decrease in a hormone that suppresses hunger. These findings have lead to new investigations about the role of sleep in the epidemic of obesity and have reaffirmed the notion that sleep is as important to good health as diet and exercise.
What It All Means
The difference between a restless and a restful night has a lot to do with the quality and quality of your diet. When considering the best menu for sleep, keep in mind that the goal of eating is to provide the body with energy and that the time of day when energy is needed most is the morning. So remember to eat a nutritious breakfast and have no more than a light snack before bed in order to sleep well and feel your best each day.
Animals' Sleep: Is There a Human Connection?
Giraffes can go without sleep for weeks, while brown bats sleep for nearly the entire day. The golden dormouse carefully balances itself on the branch of a tree to sleep, and any quiver of the twig wakes it up immediately.
From the miniscule tree shrew to the most physically imposing of mammals, animals have varying sleep patterns and habits. Rats have similar sleep needs to humans, requiring rest to become alert and learn new tasks for the upcoming day. Certain canines have even helped scientists in treating serious sleep disorders.
"The only way to understand human sleep is to study animals," says Jerome Siegel, PhD, professor of Psychiatry at the UCLA Center for Sleep Research. "If we could better understand animal sleep, we could better understand the core aspects of sleep."
The common denominator of both (non-human) mammals and humans is the existence of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, the sleep state that is associated with dreams. Both humans and all other mammals display the same level of brain activity and increased heart rate variability during REM sleep. For example: dogs often bark or twitch their legs during REM sleep; platypuses make movements imitating the process where they kill crustacean prey before eating it; and humans often talk in their sleep.
"[Mammals] all have the same fundamental sleep cycle," says Adrian Morrison, DVM, PhD, professor of Behavior Neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Center. "During REM sleep, you see the same kind of eye movement, paralysis and twitching across species."
Scientists still don't know—and probably never will—if animals dream during REM sleep, as humans do. "How can you prove that another person has dreams? You ask them," says Siegel.
Scientists do know, however, that the brain wave pattern during REM sleep among animals is similar to humans.
How Much Sleep Is Enough—For the Elephant?
Sleep schedules also greatly vary from animal to animal. Siegel proposes that these differences are based on the brain metabolism rate of the animal. Smaller animals, who often have higher rates of brain metabolism, tend to require more sleep, while larger animals generally get less sleep.
All the animals that sleep less than four hours on average are large land mammals, such as the elephant, cow, and giraffe. Land-grazing animals also use so much time eating, they don't have much time left for sleep.
Horses stand 98% of the time, making it difficult to find a time to obtain REM sleep.
Other experts, like Morrison, believe sleep schedules are often set based on the danger each animal faces. Some birds sleep with one eye open, with the open eye keeping track of potential predators in its midst. REM sleep is deliberately short in birds, lasting only seconds, so they can reduce the risk of being attacked when they are stationary.
"Birds primarily sleep from an anti-predator point of view. Birds do sleep in vulnerable areas. If birds had a lot of REM sleep, they'd be putting themselves in danger," says Charles Amlaner, Jr., PhD, Director of Animal Research at Indiana State University. Dr. Amlaner also notes that birds exposed on the edge of a group are much more likely to keep one eye open when sleeping than birds protected by the flock.
Mammals also factor danger in their sleep patterns. To avoid predators, the African Papio papio baboon sleeps on its heels at the tops of trees in an awkward position that makes it difficult to get a sound sleep.
Other animals prefer safer spots so they can get more sleep. Marine mammals have unique sleep habits. When most species of marine mammals are asleep, there is always one hemisphere of their brain that is awake. This allows dolphins, for example, to swim and surface to breathe when they are sleeping. They enjoy the benefits of sleep but still perform many of the same processes done when awake. Experts believe that understanding marine mammals' sleep is a key to understanding sleep in humans. "What are the functions that the dolphin needs to do to become well-rested?" asks Siegel. "That's the mystery."
Man's Best Friend in Treating Sleep Disorders
For many years, scientists struggled to identify the brain abnormality in humans that causes narcolepsy. Little did they know that the dog would become invaluable in helping treat the disease. Major advances in treating narcolepsy were made in the 1970s, when William Dement, MD, PhD, of the Stanford University Sleep Research Center learned that certain dogs displayed similar symptoms of narcolepsy as manifested in humans: sudden collapse and muscle weakness leading to near-paralysis.
These initial observations led to the identification over 20 years later of the narcolepsy-causing gene in dogs, hypocretin receptor 2, by Emmanuel Mignot, MD, PhD, at Stanford University. Further studies by Siegel and Mignot showed that humans who suffer from narcolepsy had a severely reduced amount of the narcolepsy-preventing chemical hypocretin in their brains. Siegel also discovered that injecting hypocretin in dogs reduces the degree of some symptoms. These findings suggest that it may be possible to design drugs that replace the missing hypocretin molecules in patients with the disorder. "You are happy when you make a discovery, but you are really, really happy when you make a discovery with therapeutic possibilities," says Mignot.
Studying animals' sleep patterns and sleep habits carries the potential to benefit other brain disorders in humans. Uni-hemispheral sleep in birds and dolphins—where one side of the brain remains awake in sleep—may provide new clues into the human brain. According to Amlaner, the bird's sleeping brain could be used in the future as the model to help treat debilitating brain illnesses in humans.
From the miniscule tree shrew to the most physically imposing of mammals, animals have varying sleep patterns and habits. Rats have similar sleep needs to humans, requiring rest to become alert and learn new tasks for the upcoming day. Certain canines have even helped scientists in treating serious sleep disorders.
"The only way to understand human sleep is to study animals," says Jerome Siegel, PhD, professor of Psychiatry at the UCLA Center for Sleep Research. "If we could better understand animal sleep, we could better understand the core aspects of sleep."
The common denominator of both (non-human) mammals and humans is the existence of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, the sleep state that is associated with dreams. Both humans and all other mammals display the same level of brain activity and increased heart rate variability during REM sleep. For example: dogs often bark or twitch their legs during REM sleep; platypuses make movements imitating the process where they kill crustacean prey before eating it; and humans often talk in their sleep.
"[Mammals] all have the same fundamental sleep cycle," says Adrian Morrison, DVM, PhD, professor of Behavior Neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Center. "During REM sleep, you see the same kind of eye movement, paralysis and twitching across species."
Scientists still don't know—and probably never will—if animals dream during REM sleep, as humans do. "How can you prove that another person has dreams? You ask them," says Siegel.
Scientists do know, however, that the brain wave pattern during REM sleep among animals is similar to humans.
How Much Sleep Is Enough—For the Elephant?
Sleep schedules also greatly vary from animal to animal. Siegel proposes that these differences are based on the brain metabolism rate of the animal. Smaller animals, who often have higher rates of brain metabolism, tend to require more sleep, while larger animals generally get less sleep.
All the animals that sleep less than four hours on average are large land mammals, such as the elephant, cow, and giraffe. Land-grazing animals also use so much time eating, they don't have much time left for sleep.
Horses stand 98% of the time, making it difficult to find a time to obtain REM sleep.
Other experts, like Morrison, believe sleep schedules are often set based on the danger each animal faces. Some birds sleep with one eye open, with the open eye keeping track of potential predators in its midst. REM sleep is deliberately short in birds, lasting only seconds, so they can reduce the risk of being attacked when they are stationary.
"Birds primarily sleep from an anti-predator point of view. Birds do sleep in vulnerable areas. If birds had a lot of REM sleep, they'd be putting themselves in danger," says Charles Amlaner, Jr., PhD, Director of Animal Research at Indiana State University. Dr. Amlaner also notes that birds exposed on the edge of a group are much more likely to keep one eye open when sleeping than birds protected by the flock.
Mammals also factor danger in their sleep patterns. To avoid predators, the African Papio papio baboon sleeps on its heels at the tops of trees in an awkward position that makes it difficult to get a sound sleep.
Other animals prefer safer spots so they can get more sleep. Marine mammals have unique sleep habits. When most species of marine mammals are asleep, there is always one hemisphere of their brain that is awake. This allows dolphins, for example, to swim and surface to breathe when they are sleeping. They enjoy the benefits of sleep but still perform many of the same processes done when awake. Experts believe that understanding marine mammals' sleep is a key to understanding sleep in humans. "What are the functions that the dolphin needs to do to become well-rested?" asks Siegel. "That's the mystery."
Man's Best Friend in Treating Sleep Disorders
For many years, scientists struggled to identify the brain abnormality in humans that causes narcolepsy. Little did they know that the dog would become invaluable in helping treat the disease. Major advances in treating narcolepsy were made in the 1970s, when William Dement, MD, PhD, of the Stanford University Sleep Research Center learned that certain dogs displayed similar symptoms of narcolepsy as manifested in humans: sudden collapse and muscle weakness leading to near-paralysis.
These initial observations led to the identification over 20 years later of the narcolepsy-causing gene in dogs, hypocretin receptor 2, by Emmanuel Mignot, MD, PhD, at Stanford University. Further studies by Siegel and Mignot showed that humans who suffer from narcolepsy had a severely reduced amount of the narcolepsy-preventing chemical hypocretin in their brains. Siegel also discovered that injecting hypocretin in dogs reduces the degree of some symptoms. These findings suggest that it may be possible to design drugs that replace the missing hypocretin molecules in patients with the disorder. "You are happy when you make a discovery, but you are really, really happy when you make a discovery with therapeutic possibilities," says Mignot.
Studying animals' sleep patterns and sleep habits carries the potential to benefit other brain disorders in humans. Uni-hemispheral sleep in birds and dolphins—where one side of the brain remains awake in sleep—may provide new clues into the human brain. According to Amlaner, the bird's sleeping brain could be used in the future as the model to help treat debilitating brain illnesses in humans.
Myths -- and Facts -- About Sleep
There are many common myths about sleep. We hear them frequently, and may even experience them far too often. Sometimes they can be characterized as "old wives tales," but there are other times the incorrect information can be serious and even dangerous. The National Sleep Foundation has compiled this list of common myths about sleep, and the facts that dispel them.
1. Snoring is a common problem, especially among men, but it isn’t harmful.
Although snoring may be harmless for most people, it can be a symptom of a life threatening sleep disorder called sleep apnea, especially if it is accompanied by severe daytime sleepiness. Sleep apnea is characterized by pauses in breathing that prevent air from flowing into or out of a sleeping person’s airways. People with sleep apnea awaken frequently during the night gasping for breath. The breathing pauses reduce blood oxygen levels, can strain the heart and cardiovascular system, and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Snoring on a frequent or regular basis has been directly associated with hypertension. Obesity and a large neck can contribute to sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can be treated; men and women who snore loudly, especially if pauses in the snoring are noted, should consult a physician.
2. You can "cheat" on the amount of sleep you get.
Sleep experts say most adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep each night for optimum performance, health and safety. When we don't get adequate sleep, we accumulate a sleep debt that can be difficult to "pay back" if it becomes too big. The resulting sleep deprivation has been linked to health problems such as obesity and high blood pressure, negative mood and behavior, decreased productivity, and safety issues in the home, on the job, and on the road.
3. Turning up the radio, opening the window, or turning on the air conditioner are effective ways to stay awake when driving.
These "aids" are ineffective and can be dangerous to the person who is driving while feeling drowsy or sleepy. If you're feeling tired while driving, the best thing to do is to pull off the road in a safe rest area and take a nap for 15-45 minutes. Caffeinated beverages can help overcome drowsiness for a short period of time. However, it takes about 30 minutes before the effects are felt. The best prevention for drowsy driving is a good night’s sleep the night before your trip.
4. Teens who fall asleep in class have bad habits and/or are lazy.
According to sleep experts, teens need at least 8.5 – 9.25 hours of sleep each night, compared to an average of seven to nine hours each night for most adults. Their internal biological clocks also keep them awake later in the evening and keep them sleeping later in the morning. However, many schools begin classes early in the morning, when a teenager's body wants to be asleep. As a result, many teens come to school too sleepy to learn, through no fault of their own.
5. Insomnia is characterized by difficulty falling asleep.
Difficulty falling asleep is but one of four symptoms generally associated with insomnia. The others include waking up too early and not being able to fall back asleep, frequent awakenings, and waking up feeling unrefreshed. Insomnia can be a symptom of a sleep disorder or other medical or psychological/psychiatric problem, and can often be treated. According to the National Sleep Foundation's 2002 Sleep in America poll, 58 percent of adults in this country reported at least one symptom of insomnia in the past year. When insomnia symptoms occur more than a few times a week and impact a person’s daytime functions, the symptoms should be discussed with a doctor or other health care provider.
6. Daytime sleepiness always means a person isn't getting enough sleep.
Excessive daytime sleepiness is a condition in which an individual feels very drowsy during the day and has an urge to fall asleep when he/she should be fully alert and awake. The condition, which can occur even after getting enough nighttime sleep, can be a sign of an underlying medical condition or sleep disorder such as narcolepsy or sleep apnea. These problems can often be treated, and symptoms should be discussed with a physician. Daytime sleepiness can be dangerous and puts a person at risk for drowsy driving, injury, and illness and can impair mental abilities, emotions, and performance.
7. Health problems such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and depression are unrelated to the amount and quality of a person's sleep.
Studies have found a relationship between the quantity and quality of one's sleep and many health problems. For example, insufficient sleep affects growth hormone secretion that is linked to obesity; as the amount of hormone secretion decreases, the chance for weight gain increases. Blood pressure usually falls during the sleep cycle, however, interrupted sleep can adversely affect this normal decline, leading to hypertension and cardiovascular problems. Research has also shown that insufficient sleep impairs the body's ability to use insulin, which can lead to the onset of diabetes. More and more scientific studies are showing correlations between poor and insufficient sleep and disease.
8. The older you get, the fewer hours of sleep you need.
Sleep experts recommend a range of seven to nine hours of sleep for the average adult. While sleep patterns change as we age, the amount of sleep we need generally does not. Older people may wake more frequently through the night and may actually get less nighttime sleep, but their sleep need is no less than younger adults. Because they may sleep less during the night, older people tend to sleep more during the day. Naps planned as part of a regular daily routine can be useful in promoting wakefulness after the person awakens.
9. During sleep, your brain rests.
The body rests during sleep, however, the brain remains active, gets "recharged," and still controls many body functions including breathing. When we sleep, we typically drift between two sleep states, REM (rapid eye movement) and non-REM, in 90-minute cycles. Non-REM sleep has four stages with distinct features, ranging from stage one drowsiness, when one can be easily awakened, to "deep sleep" stages three and four, when awakenings are more difficult and where the most positive and restorative effects of sleep occur. However, even in the deepest non-REM sleep, our minds can still process information. REM sleep is an active sleep where dreams occur, breathing and heart rate increase and become irregular, muscles relax and eyes move back and forth under the eyelids.
10. If you wake up in the middle of the night, it is best to lie in bed, count sheep, or toss and turn until you eventually fall back asleep.
Waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to go back to sleep is a symptom of insomnia. Relaxing imagery or thoughts may help to induce sleep more than counting sheep, which some research suggests may be more distracting than relaxing. Whichever technique is used, most experts agree that if you do not fall back asleep within 15-20 minutes, you should get out of bed, go to another room and engage in a relaxing activity such as listening to music or reading. Return to bed when you feel sleepy. Avoid watching the clock.
1. Snoring is a common problem, especially among men, but it isn’t harmful.
Although snoring may be harmless for most people, it can be a symptom of a life threatening sleep disorder called sleep apnea, especially if it is accompanied by severe daytime sleepiness. Sleep apnea is characterized by pauses in breathing that prevent air from flowing into or out of a sleeping person’s airways. People with sleep apnea awaken frequently during the night gasping for breath. The breathing pauses reduce blood oxygen levels, can strain the heart and cardiovascular system, and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Snoring on a frequent or regular basis has been directly associated with hypertension. Obesity and a large neck can contribute to sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can be treated; men and women who snore loudly, especially if pauses in the snoring are noted, should consult a physician.
2. You can "cheat" on the amount of sleep you get.
Sleep experts say most adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep each night for optimum performance, health and safety. When we don't get adequate sleep, we accumulate a sleep debt that can be difficult to "pay back" if it becomes too big. The resulting sleep deprivation has been linked to health problems such as obesity and high blood pressure, negative mood and behavior, decreased productivity, and safety issues in the home, on the job, and on the road.
3. Turning up the radio, opening the window, or turning on the air conditioner are effective ways to stay awake when driving.
These "aids" are ineffective and can be dangerous to the person who is driving while feeling drowsy or sleepy. If you're feeling tired while driving, the best thing to do is to pull off the road in a safe rest area and take a nap for 15-45 minutes. Caffeinated beverages can help overcome drowsiness for a short period of time. However, it takes about 30 minutes before the effects are felt. The best prevention for drowsy driving is a good night’s sleep the night before your trip.
4. Teens who fall asleep in class have bad habits and/or are lazy.
According to sleep experts, teens need at least 8.5 – 9.25 hours of sleep each night, compared to an average of seven to nine hours each night for most adults. Their internal biological clocks also keep them awake later in the evening and keep them sleeping later in the morning. However, many schools begin classes early in the morning, when a teenager's body wants to be asleep. As a result, many teens come to school too sleepy to learn, through no fault of their own.
5. Insomnia is characterized by difficulty falling asleep.
Difficulty falling asleep is but one of four symptoms generally associated with insomnia. The others include waking up too early and not being able to fall back asleep, frequent awakenings, and waking up feeling unrefreshed. Insomnia can be a symptom of a sleep disorder or other medical or psychological/psychiatric problem, and can often be treated. According to the National Sleep Foundation's 2002 Sleep in America poll, 58 percent of adults in this country reported at least one symptom of insomnia in the past year. When insomnia symptoms occur more than a few times a week and impact a person’s daytime functions, the symptoms should be discussed with a doctor or other health care provider.
6. Daytime sleepiness always means a person isn't getting enough sleep.
Excessive daytime sleepiness is a condition in which an individual feels very drowsy during the day and has an urge to fall asleep when he/she should be fully alert and awake. The condition, which can occur even after getting enough nighttime sleep, can be a sign of an underlying medical condition or sleep disorder such as narcolepsy or sleep apnea. These problems can often be treated, and symptoms should be discussed with a physician. Daytime sleepiness can be dangerous and puts a person at risk for drowsy driving, injury, and illness and can impair mental abilities, emotions, and performance.
7. Health problems such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and depression are unrelated to the amount and quality of a person's sleep.
Studies have found a relationship between the quantity and quality of one's sleep and many health problems. For example, insufficient sleep affects growth hormone secretion that is linked to obesity; as the amount of hormone secretion decreases, the chance for weight gain increases. Blood pressure usually falls during the sleep cycle, however, interrupted sleep can adversely affect this normal decline, leading to hypertension and cardiovascular problems. Research has also shown that insufficient sleep impairs the body's ability to use insulin, which can lead to the onset of diabetes. More and more scientific studies are showing correlations between poor and insufficient sleep and disease.
8. The older you get, the fewer hours of sleep you need.
Sleep experts recommend a range of seven to nine hours of sleep for the average adult. While sleep patterns change as we age, the amount of sleep we need generally does not. Older people may wake more frequently through the night and may actually get less nighttime sleep, but their sleep need is no less than younger adults. Because they may sleep less during the night, older people tend to sleep more during the day. Naps planned as part of a regular daily routine can be useful in promoting wakefulness after the person awakens.
9. During sleep, your brain rests.
The body rests during sleep, however, the brain remains active, gets "recharged," and still controls many body functions including breathing. When we sleep, we typically drift between two sleep states, REM (rapid eye movement) and non-REM, in 90-minute cycles. Non-REM sleep has four stages with distinct features, ranging from stage one drowsiness, when one can be easily awakened, to "deep sleep" stages three and four, when awakenings are more difficult and where the most positive and restorative effects of sleep occur. However, even in the deepest non-REM sleep, our minds can still process information. REM sleep is an active sleep where dreams occur, breathing and heart rate increase and become irregular, muscles relax and eyes move back and forth under the eyelids.
10. If you wake up in the middle of the night, it is best to lie in bed, count sheep, or toss and turn until you eventually fall back asleep.
Waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to go back to sleep is a symptom of insomnia. Relaxing imagery or thoughts may help to induce sleep more than counting sheep, which some research suggests may be more distracting than relaxing. Whichever technique is used, most experts agree that if you do not fall back asleep within 15-20 minutes, you should get out of bed, go to another room and engage in a relaxing activity such as listening to music or reading. Return to bed when you feel sleepy. Avoid watching the clock.
How Much Sleep Do We Really Need?
You hear the advice that people need eight hours of sleep, but does that apply to every person? What about children, teens and older people? Many people seem to get by on less than eight so...
How Much Sleep Do We Really Need?
Ellen Caroll has often asked herself this exact question – especially when it comes to helping her family members get the amount of sleep they need. With a son in preschool and a daughter in high school, a husband who works over 50 hours a week and aging parents, one with Parkinson's disease, Ellen's family runs the gamut when it comes to age and sleep needs. Because all of Ellen's family members have busy schedules, they often forget to put their sleep needs ahead of their other priorities. Not only does Ellen need to convince her family that getting the right amount of sleep is important, but she also needs to figure out how much sleep they really need!
If you're like Ellen and her family, you're probably also confused about how to know when "enough is enough" in regards to your sleep. While news media and health organizations are regularly saying to get more sleep, it might be unclear to you how many hours of sleep you should be getting and how to tell if you are adequately rested. Keep reading and we’ll explore how you can make educated decisions about your sleep and that of your family members'.
What the Research Says About Sleep Duration
The first thing experts will tell you about sleep is that there is no "magic number." Not only do different age groups need different amounts of sleep, but sleep needs are also individual. Just like any other characteristics you are born with, the amount of sleep you need to function best may be different for you than for someone who is of the same age and gender. While you may be at your absolute best sleeping seven hours a night, someone else may clearly need nine hours to have a happy, productive life. In fact, a 2005 study confirmed the fact that sleep needs vary across populations, and the study calls for further research to identify traits within genes that may provide a "map" to explain how sleep needs differ among individuals.
Another reason there is "no magic number" for your sleep results from two different factors that researchers are learning about: a person’s basal sleep need – the amount of sleep our bodies need on a regular basis for optimal performance – and sleep debt, the accumulated sleep that is lost to poor sleep habits, sickness, awakenings due to environmental factors or other causes. Two studies suggest that healthy adults have a basal sleep need of seven to eight hours every night, but where things get complicated is the interaction between the basal need and sleep debt. For instance, you might meet your basal sleep need on any single night or a few nights in a row, but still have an unresolved sleep debt that may make you feel more sleepy and less alert at times, particularly in conjunction with circadian dips, those times in the 24-hour cycle when we are biologically programmed to be more sleepy and less alert, such as overnight hours and mid-afternoon. You may feel overwhelmingly sleepy quite suddenly at these times, shortly before bedtime or feel sleepy upon awakening. The good news is that some research suggests that the accumulated sleep debt can be worked down or "paid off."
How Much Sleep Do We Really Need?
Ellen Caroll has often asked herself this exact question – especially when it comes to helping her family members get the amount of sleep they need. With a son in preschool and a daughter in high school, a husband who works over 50 hours a week and aging parents, one with Parkinson's disease, Ellen's family runs the gamut when it comes to age and sleep needs. Because all of Ellen's family members have busy schedules, they often forget to put their sleep needs ahead of their other priorities. Not only does Ellen need to convince her family that getting the right amount of sleep is important, but she also needs to figure out how much sleep they really need!
If you're like Ellen and her family, you're probably also confused about how to know when "enough is enough" in regards to your sleep. While news media and health organizations are regularly saying to get more sleep, it might be unclear to you how many hours of sleep you should be getting and how to tell if you are adequately rested. Keep reading and we’ll explore how you can make educated decisions about your sleep and that of your family members'.
What the Research Says About Sleep Duration
The first thing experts will tell you about sleep is that there is no "magic number." Not only do different age groups need different amounts of sleep, but sleep needs are also individual. Just like any other characteristics you are born with, the amount of sleep you need to function best may be different for you than for someone who is of the same age and gender. While you may be at your absolute best sleeping seven hours a night, someone else may clearly need nine hours to have a happy, productive life. In fact, a 2005 study confirmed the fact that sleep needs vary across populations, and the study calls for further research to identify traits within genes that may provide a "map" to explain how sleep needs differ among individuals.
Another reason there is "no magic number" for your sleep results from two different factors that researchers are learning about: a person’s basal sleep need – the amount of sleep our bodies need on a regular basis for optimal performance – and sleep debt, the accumulated sleep that is lost to poor sleep habits, sickness, awakenings due to environmental factors or other causes. Two studies suggest that healthy adults have a basal sleep need of seven to eight hours every night, but where things get complicated is the interaction between the basal need and sleep debt. For instance, you might meet your basal sleep need on any single night or a few nights in a row, but still have an unresolved sleep debt that may make you feel more sleepy and less alert at times, particularly in conjunction with circadian dips, those times in the 24-hour cycle when we are biologically programmed to be more sleepy and less alert, such as overnight hours and mid-afternoon. You may feel overwhelmingly sleepy quite suddenly at these times, shortly before bedtime or feel sleepy upon awakening. The good news is that some research suggests that the accumulated sleep debt can be worked down or "paid off."
Healthy Sleep Tips
The following ten tips can help you achieve sleep and the benefits it provides. These tips are intended for "typical" adults, but not necessarily for children or persons experiencing medical problems.
You can find information on this site about children and sleep and NSF recommends that persons treated for medical conditions consult their doctor – check our resource, "Sleep Talk with Your Doctor."
Finally, if you have trouble falling asleep, maintaining sleep, awaken earlier than you wish, feel unrefreshed after sleep or suffer from excessive sleepiness during the day or when you wish to be alert, you should also consult your physician. Be sure to tell him/her if you have already tried these tips and for how long. To check for possible sleep problems, go to our checklist, "How's Your Sleep?"
1. Maintain a regular bed and wake time schedule including weekends.
Our sleep-wake cycle is regulated by a "circadian clock" in our brain and the body's need to balance both sleep time and wake time. A regular waking time in the morning strengthens the circadian function and can help with sleep onset at night. That is also why it is important to keep a regular bedtime and wake-time, even on the weekends when there is the temptation to sleep-in.
2. Establish a regular, relaxing bedtime routine such as soaking in a hot bath or hot tub and then reading a book or listening to soothing music.
A relaxing, routine activity right before bedtime conducted away from bright lights helps separate your sleep time from activities that can cause excitement, stress or anxiety which can make it more difficult to fall asleep, get sound and deep sleep or remain asleep. Avoid arousing activities before bedtime like working, paying bills, engaging in competitive games or family problem-solving. Some studies suggest that soaking in hot water (such as a hot tub or bath) before retiring to bed can ease the transition into deeper sleep, but it should be done early enough that you are no longer sweating or over-heated. If you are unable to avoid tension and stress, it may be helpful to learn relaxation therapy from a trained professional. Finally, avoid exposure to bright before bedtime because it signals the neurons that help control the sleep-wake cycle that it is time to awaken, not to sleep.
3. Create a sleep-conducive environment that is dark, quiet, comfortable and cool.
Design your sleep environment to establish the conditions you need for sleep – cool, quiet, dark, comfortable and free of interruptions. Also make your bedroom reflective of the value you place on sleep. Check your room for noise or other distractions, including a bed partner's sleep disruptions such as snoring, light, and a dry or hot environment. Consider using blackout curtains, eye shades, ear plugs, "white noise," humidifiers, fans and other devices.
4. Sleep on a comfortable mattress and pillows.
Make sure your mattress is comfortable and supportive. The one you have been using for years may have exceeded its life expectancy – about 9 or 10 years for most good quality mattresses. Have comfortable pillows and make the room attractive and inviting for sleep but also free of allergens that might affect you and objects that might cause you to slip or fall if you have to get up during the night.
5. Use your bedroom only for sleep and sex.
It is best to take work materials, computers and televisions out of the sleeping environment. Use your bed only for sleep and sex to strengthen the association between bed and sleep. If you associate a particular activity or item with anxiety about sleeping, omit it from your bedtime routine. For example, if looking at a bedroom clock makes you anxious about how much time you have before you must get up, move the clock out of sight. Do not engage in activities that cause you anxiety and prevent you from sleeping.
6. Finish eating at least 2-3 hours before your regular bedtime.
Eating or drinking too much may make you less comfortable when settling down for bed. It is best to avoid a heavy meal too close to bedtime. Also, spicy foods may cause heartburn, which leads to difficulty falling asleep and discomfort during the night. Try to restrict fluids close to bedtime to prevent nighttime awakenings to go to the bathroom, though some people find milk or herbal, non-caffeinated teas to be soothing and a helpful part of a bedtime routine.
7. Exercise regularly. It is best to complete your workout at least a few hours before bedtime.
In general, exercising regularly makes it easier to fall asleep and contributes to sounder sleep. However, exercising sporadically or right before going to bed will make falling asleep more difficult. In addition to making us more alert, our body temperature rises during exercise, and takes as much as 6 hours to begin to drop. A cooler body temperature is associated with sleep onset... Finish your exercise at least 3 hours before bedtime. Late afternoon exercise is the perfect way to help you fall asleep at night.
8. Avoid caffeine (e.g. coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate) close to bedtime. It can keep you awake.
Caffeine is a stimulant, which means it can produce an alerting effect. Caffeine products, such as coffee, tea, colas and chocolate, remain in the body on average from 3 to 5 hours, but they can affect some people up to 12 hours later. Even if you do not think caffeine affects you, it may be disrupting and changing the quality of your sleep. Avoiding caffeine within 6-8 hours of going to bed can help improve sleep quality.
9. Avoid nicotine (e.g. cigarettes, tobacco products). Used close to bedtime, it can lead to poor sleep.
Nicotine is also a stimulant. Smoking before bed makes it more difficult to fall asleep. When smokers go to sleep, they experience withdrawal symptoms from nicotine, which also cause sleep problems. Nicotine can cause difficulty falling asleep, problems waking in the morning, and may also cause nightmares. Difficulty sleeping is just one more reason to quit smoking. And never smoke in bed or when sleepy!
10. Avoid alcohol close to bedtime.
Although many people think of alcohol as a sedative, it actually disrupts sleep, causing nighttime awakenings. Consuming alcohol leads to a night of less restful sleep.
If you have sleep problems...
Use a sleep diary and talk to your doctor. Note what type of sleep problem is affecting your sleep or if you are sleepy when you wish to be awake and alert. Try these tips and record your sleep and sleep-related activities in a sleep diary. If problems continue, discuss the sleep diary with your doctor. There may be an underlying cause and you will want to be properly diagnosed. Your doctor will help treat the problem or may refer you to a sleep specialist.
You can find information on this site about children and sleep and NSF recommends that persons treated for medical conditions consult their doctor – check our resource, "Sleep Talk with Your Doctor."
Finally, if you have trouble falling asleep, maintaining sleep, awaken earlier than you wish, feel unrefreshed after sleep or suffer from excessive sleepiness during the day or when you wish to be alert, you should also consult your physician. Be sure to tell him/her if you have already tried these tips and for how long. To check for possible sleep problems, go to our checklist, "How's Your Sleep?"
1. Maintain a regular bed and wake time schedule including weekends.
Our sleep-wake cycle is regulated by a "circadian clock" in our brain and the body's need to balance both sleep time and wake time. A regular waking time in the morning strengthens the circadian function and can help with sleep onset at night. That is also why it is important to keep a regular bedtime and wake-time, even on the weekends when there is the temptation to sleep-in.
2. Establish a regular, relaxing bedtime routine such as soaking in a hot bath or hot tub and then reading a book or listening to soothing music.
A relaxing, routine activity right before bedtime conducted away from bright lights helps separate your sleep time from activities that can cause excitement, stress or anxiety which can make it more difficult to fall asleep, get sound and deep sleep or remain asleep. Avoid arousing activities before bedtime like working, paying bills, engaging in competitive games or family problem-solving. Some studies suggest that soaking in hot water (such as a hot tub or bath) before retiring to bed can ease the transition into deeper sleep, but it should be done early enough that you are no longer sweating or over-heated. If you are unable to avoid tension and stress, it may be helpful to learn relaxation therapy from a trained professional. Finally, avoid exposure to bright before bedtime because it signals the neurons that help control the sleep-wake cycle that it is time to awaken, not to sleep.
3. Create a sleep-conducive environment that is dark, quiet, comfortable and cool.
Design your sleep environment to establish the conditions you need for sleep – cool, quiet, dark, comfortable and free of interruptions. Also make your bedroom reflective of the value you place on sleep. Check your room for noise or other distractions, including a bed partner's sleep disruptions such as snoring, light, and a dry or hot environment. Consider using blackout curtains, eye shades, ear plugs, "white noise," humidifiers, fans and other devices.
4. Sleep on a comfortable mattress and pillows.
Make sure your mattress is comfortable and supportive. The one you have been using for years may have exceeded its life expectancy – about 9 or 10 years for most good quality mattresses. Have comfortable pillows and make the room attractive and inviting for sleep but also free of allergens that might affect you and objects that might cause you to slip or fall if you have to get up during the night.
5. Use your bedroom only for sleep and sex.
It is best to take work materials, computers and televisions out of the sleeping environment. Use your bed only for sleep and sex to strengthen the association between bed and sleep. If you associate a particular activity or item with anxiety about sleeping, omit it from your bedtime routine. For example, if looking at a bedroom clock makes you anxious about how much time you have before you must get up, move the clock out of sight. Do not engage in activities that cause you anxiety and prevent you from sleeping.
6. Finish eating at least 2-3 hours before your regular bedtime.
Eating or drinking too much may make you less comfortable when settling down for bed. It is best to avoid a heavy meal too close to bedtime. Also, spicy foods may cause heartburn, which leads to difficulty falling asleep and discomfort during the night. Try to restrict fluids close to bedtime to prevent nighttime awakenings to go to the bathroom, though some people find milk or herbal, non-caffeinated teas to be soothing and a helpful part of a bedtime routine.
7. Exercise regularly. It is best to complete your workout at least a few hours before bedtime.
In general, exercising regularly makes it easier to fall asleep and contributes to sounder sleep. However, exercising sporadically or right before going to bed will make falling asleep more difficult. In addition to making us more alert, our body temperature rises during exercise, and takes as much as 6 hours to begin to drop. A cooler body temperature is associated with sleep onset... Finish your exercise at least 3 hours before bedtime. Late afternoon exercise is the perfect way to help you fall asleep at night.
8. Avoid caffeine (e.g. coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate) close to bedtime. It can keep you awake.
Caffeine is a stimulant, which means it can produce an alerting effect. Caffeine products, such as coffee, tea, colas and chocolate, remain in the body on average from 3 to 5 hours, but they can affect some people up to 12 hours later. Even if you do not think caffeine affects you, it may be disrupting and changing the quality of your sleep. Avoiding caffeine within 6-8 hours of going to bed can help improve sleep quality.
9. Avoid nicotine (e.g. cigarettes, tobacco products). Used close to bedtime, it can lead to poor sleep.
Nicotine is also a stimulant. Smoking before bed makes it more difficult to fall asleep. When smokers go to sleep, they experience withdrawal symptoms from nicotine, which also cause sleep problems. Nicotine can cause difficulty falling asleep, problems waking in the morning, and may also cause nightmares. Difficulty sleeping is just one more reason to quit smoking. And never smoke in bed or when sleepy!
10. Avoid alcohol close to bedtime.
Although many people think of alcohol as a sedative, it actually disrupts sleep, causing nighttime awakenings. Consuming alcohol leads to a night of less restful sleep.
If you have sleep problems...
Use a sleep diary and talk to your doctor. Note what type of sleep problem is affecting your sleep or if you are sleepy when you wish to be awake and alert. Try these tips and record your sleep and sleep-related activities in a sleep diary. If problems continue, discuss the sleep diary with your doctor. There may be an underlying cause and you will want to be properly diagnosed. Your doctor will help treat the problem or may refer you to a sleep specialist.
ABCs of ZZZZs -- When you Can't Sleep
Are You Getting all the ZZZs You Need?
Does it often take you more than 30 minutes to fall asleep at night? Or do you wake up frequently during the night — or too early in the morning — and have a hard time going back to sleep? When you awaken, do you feel groggy and lethargic? Do you feel drowsy during the day particularly during monotonous situations?
If you answered "yes" to any one of these questions, you may have a "sleep debt" that is affecting you in ways you don’t even realize. And, you aren’t alone. A recent NSF Sleep in America poll found that a majority of American adults experience sleep problems. However, few recognize the importance of adequate rest, or are aware that effective methods of preventing and managing sleep problems now exist.
Why Do You Need Sleep?
Sleep is not merely a “time out” from our busy routines; it is essential for good health, mental and emotional functioning and safety. For instance, researchers have found that people with chronic insomnia are more likely than others to develop several kinds of psychiatric problems, and are also likely to make greater use of healthcare services.
People suffering from a sleep disorder called sleep apnea are at risk for high blood pressure, heart attacks, stroke and motor vehicle crashes if left untreated.
Even occasional sleeping problems can make daily life feel more stressful or cause you to be less productive. In the NSF survey, those who said they had trouble getting enough sleep reported a greater difficulty concentrating, accomplishing required tasks and handling minor irritations. Overall, sleep loss has been found to impair the ability to perform tasks involving memory, learning, and logical reasoning. This may contribute to mistakes or unfulfilled potential at school or on the job and strained relationships at home. In fact, sleeplessness has been found to be a significant predictor of absenteeism. The direct and indirect impact of daytime sleepiness and sleep disorders on the national economy is estimated to be $100 billion annually.
Insufficient sleep can also be extremely dangerous, leading to serious or even fatal accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has estimated more than 100,000 auto crashes annually are fatigue related. These drowsy driving crashes cause more than 1,500 deaths and tens of thousands of injuries and lasting disabilities. This problem has been found to affect drivers aged 25 or under more than any other age group.
How Much Sleep Is Enough?
Sleep needs vary. In general, most healthy adults need seven to nine hours of sleep a night. However, some individuals are able to function without sleepiness or drowsiness after as little as six hours of sleep. Others can’t perform at their peak unless they’ve slept ten hours. And, contrary to common myth, the need for sleep doesn’t decline with age(although the ability to get it all at one time may be reduced).
So, how do you measure how much sleep you truly need? If you have trouble staying alert during boring or monotonous situations when fatigue is often "unmasked" you probably aren’t getting enough good-quality sleep. Other signs are a tendency to be unreasonably irritable with co-workers, family or friends, and difficulty concentrating or remembering facts.
Is All Sleep the Same?
It may surprise you to learn that during the hours you seem to be "out cold," a lot is actually happening. Normal sleepers have a relatively predictable "sleep architecture," the term used to describe an alternating pattern of REM (rapid-eye-movement) and non-REM sleep. REM sleep is when you dream, and is characterized by a high level of mental and physical activity. In fact, your heart rate, blood pressure and breathing are similar to what you experience when you are awake.
Scientists define the best sleep as having the right mix of REM and non-REM sleep. Getting enough sleep without interruptions from your environment or from internal factors such as your breathing is more likely to maintain your natural sleep architecture and result in restful and restorative sleep.
Who's At Risk For Poor Sleep?
Virtually everyone suffers at least an occasional night of poor sleep. However, as the list of "sleep stealers" implies, certain individuals may be particularly vulnerable. These include students, shift workers, travelers, and persons suffering from acute stress, depression, or chronic pain. And employees working long hours or multiple jobs may find their sleep less refreshing.
Older adults also have frequent difficulty with sleep problems, but inadequate sleep is not an inevitable part of the aging process. The total amount of sleep needed isn’t reduced. However, many of the sleep stealers can combine in the elderly including impaired health, pain and increased use of medications.
Teenagers can have difficulty falling asleep until late at night and awakening early in the morning.
Many young adults keep relatively irregular hours and as a group they report higher rates of dissatisfaction with the sleep they are getting.
Being overweight increases the risk for sleep apnea.
What are the biggest "Sleep Stealers"?
Psychological Factors
Stress is considered by most sleep experts to be the No. 1 cause of short-term sleeping difficulties. Common triggers include school- or job-related pressures, a family or marriage problem, and a serious illness or death in the family. Usually the sleep problem disappears when the stressful situation passes. However, if shortterm sleep problems such as insomnia aren’t managed properly from the beginning, they can persist long after the original stress has passed.
That’s why it’s a good idea to talk to a physician about any sleeping problem that recurs or persists for longer than one week.
Your doctor can help you take steps early to control or prevent poor sleep. Since insomnia can also be brought on by depression, evaluation by a healthcare professional is essential.
Lifestyle Stressors
Without realizing it, you may be doing things during the day or night that can work against getting a good night’s sleep. These include drinking alcohol or beverages containing caffeine in the afternoon or evening, exercising close to bedtime, following an irregular morning and nighttime schedule, and working or doing other mentally intense activities right before or after getting into bed.
Shift Work
If you are among the 17 percent of employees in the United States who are shift workers, sleep may be particularly elusive. Shift work forces you to try to sleep when activities around you — and your own "biological rhythms" — signal you to be awake. One study shows that shift workers are two to five times more likely than employees with regular, daytime hours to fall asleep on the job.
Jet Lag
Still another sleep stealer is jet lag, an inability to sleep caused when you travel across several time zones and your biological rhythms get "out of sync."
Environmental Interferences
A distracting sleep environment such as a room that's too hot or cold, too noisy or too brightly lit can be a barrier to sound sleep. And interruptions from children or other family members can also disrupt sleep. Other influences to pay attention to are the comfort and size of your bed and the habits of your sleep partner. If you have to lie beside someone who has different sleep preferences, snores, can't fall or stay asleep, or has other sleep difficulties, it often becomes your problem too!
Physical Factors
A number of physical problems can interfere with your ability to fall or stay asleep. For example, arthritis and other conditions that cause pain, backache, or discomfort can make it difficult to sleep well. Sleep apnea, which is recognized by snoring and interrupted breathing, causes brief awakenings (often unnoticed) and excessive daytime sleepiness. If suspected, a person having signs of sleep apnea should see a doctor.
Disorders that cause involuntary limb movements during sleep, such as Restless Legs Syndrome, break up the normal sleep pattern and are also likely to make sleep less refreshing and result in daytime sleepiness.
For women, pregnancy and hormonal shifts including those that cause premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or menopause and its accompanying hot flashes can also intrude on sleep.
Medications
In addition, certain medications such as decongestants, steroids and some medicines for high blood pressure, asthma, or depression can cause sleeping difficulties as a side effect.
So, What's The Secret To Good Sleep?
If you are having a sleep problem or feel sleepy during the day, a visit with your doctor is the best first step. Your doctor will first want to ascertain whether there are any underlying problems that are contributing to or causing your sleep problem.
In many cases, your doctor will be able to recommend lifestyle changes that can help promote sleep. Keep in mind that what works for some individuals may not work for others. So, your best bet is to find out what’s effective for you and stick with it. In general, try to build into your schedule time for eight hours of sleep, and follow this routine as regularly as possible. Even on the weekends. Here are a few tips many people have found to be useful.
* Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol in the late afternoon and evening. Caffeine and nicotine can delay your sleep, and alcohol may interrupt your sleep later in the night.
* Exercise regularly, but do so at least three hours before bedtime. A workout after that time may actually keep you awake because your body has not had a chance to cool down.
* Don't use your bed for anything other than sleep or sex. Your bed should be associated with sleep.
* If you have trouble sleeping when you go to bed, don’t nap during the day, since it affects your ability to sleep at night.
* Don't use your bed for anything other than sleep or sex. Your bed should be associated with sleep.
* Consider your sleep environment. Make it as pleasant, comfortable, dark and quiet as you can.
* Establish a regular, relaxing bedtime routine that will allow you to unwind and send a "signal" to your brain that it’s time to sleep. Avoiding exposure to bright light before bedtime and taking a hot bath may help.
* If you can’t go to sleep after 30 minutes, don’t stay in bed tossing and turning. Get up and involve yourself in a relaxing activity, such as listening to soothing music or reading, until you feel sleepy. Remember: Try to clear your mind; don’t use this time to solve your daily problems.
When Do You Need to Seek Help?
If your sleep problems persist for longer than a week and are bothersome, or if sleepiness interferes with the way you feel or function during the day, a doctor’s help may be needed. To get the most out of your doctor’s visit, you’ll find that it is often helpful to keep a diary of your sleep habits for about ten days to identify just how much sleep you’re getting over a period of time and what you may be doing to interfere with it. It can help you document your problem in a way that your physician can best understand.
If the problem is the time it takes to fall asleep, staying asleep or waking up unrefreshed, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes or behavioral approaches to treating the problem. However, lifestyle changes alone may not be enough. Treating insomnia with medication is the most common treatment for these sleep problems. In most cases, medication is only used until the immediate stressor is under control or lifestyle changes have had a chance to work.
While many individuals will try an over-the-counter medicine to help them sleep, these should be taken with caution. Your physician or pharmacist can help inform you about the different types of medications available and which would be most effective for you. Alcohol should not be used as a sleep aid.
For sleep apnea or other sleep disorders, your doctor may want to do a sleep study that will provide more information about your sleep pattern and whether you are breathing regularly while you sleep.
The bottom line is this: Adequate sleep is as essential to health and peak performance as exercise and good nutrition. If you aren’t getting enough, talk to your physician. You deserve it.
Does it often take you more than 30 minutes to fall asleep at night? Or do you wake up frequently during the night — or too early in the morning — and have a hard time going back to sleep? When you awaken, do you feel groggy and lethargic? Do you feel drowsy during the day particularly during monotonous situations?
If you answered "yes" to any one of these questions, you may have a "sleep debt" that is affecting you in ways you don’t even realize. And, you aren’t alone. A recent NSF Sleep in America poll found that a majority of American adults experience sleep problems. However, few recognize the importance of adequate rest, or are aware that effective methods of preventing and managing sleep problems now exist.
Why Do You Need Sleep?
Sleep is not merely a “time out” from our busy routines; it is essential for good health, mental and emotional functioning and safety. For instance, researchers have found that people with chronic insomnia are more likely than others to develop several kinds of psychiatric problems, and are also likely to make greater use of healthcare services.
People suffering from a sleep disorder called sleep apnea are at risk for high blood pressure, heart attacks, stroke and motor vehicle crashes if left untreated.
Even occasional sleeping problems can make daily life feel more stressful or cause you to be less productive. In the NSF survey, those who said they had trouble getting enough sleep reported a greater difficulty concentrating, accomplishing required tasks and handling minor irritations. Overall, sleep loss has been found to impair the ability to perform tasks involving memory, learning, and logical reasoning. This may contribute to mistakes or unfulfilled potential at school or on the job and strained relationships at home. In fact, sleeplessness has been found to be a significant predictor of absenteeism. The direct and indirect impact of daytime sleepiness and sleep disorders on the national economy is estimated to be $100 billion annually.
Insufficient sleep can also be extremely dangerous, leading to serious or even fatal accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has estimated more than 100,000 auto crashes annually are fatigue related. These drowsy driving crashes cause more than 1,500 deaths and tens of thousands of injuries and lasting disabilities. This problem has been found to affect drivers aged 25 or under more than any other age group.
How Much Sleep Is Enough?
Sleep needs vary. In general, most healthy adults need seven to nine hours of sleep a night. However, some individuals are able to function without sleepiness or drowsiness after as little as six hours of sleep. Others can’t perform at their peak unless they’ve slept ten hours. And, contrary to common myth, the need for sleep doesn’t decline with age(although the ability to get it all at one time may be reduced).
So, how do you measure how much sleep you truly need? If you have trouble staying alert during boring or monotonous situations when fatigue is often "unmasked" you probably aren’t getting enough good-quality sleep. Other signs are a tendency to be unreasonably irritable with co-workers, family or friends, and difficulty concentrating or remembering facts.
Is All Sleep the Same?
It may surprise you to learn that during the hours you seem to be "out cold," a lot is actually happening. Normal sleepers have a relatively predictable "sleep architecture," the term used to describe an alternating pattern of REM (rapid-eye-movement) and non-REM sleep. REM sleep is when you dream, and is characterized by a high level of mental and physical activity. In fact, your heart rate, blood pressure and breathing are similar to what you experience when you are awake.
Scientists define the best sleep as having the right mix of REM and non-REM sleep. Getting enough sleep without interruptions from your environment or from internal factors such as your breathing is more likely to maintain your natural sleep architecture and result in restful and restorative sleep.
Who's At Risk For Poor Sleep?
Virtually everyone suffers at least an occasional night of poor sleep. However, as the list of "sleep stealers" implies, certain individuals may be particularly vulnerable. These include students, shift workers, travelers, and persons suffering from acute stress, depression, or chronic pain. And employees working long hours or multiple jobs may find their sleep less refreshing.
Older adults also have frequent difficulty with sleep problems, but inadequate sleep is not an inevitable part of the aging process. The total amount of sleep needed isn’t reduced. However, many of the sleep stealers can combine in the elderly including impaired health, pain and increased use of medications.
Teenagers can have difficulty falling asleep until late at night and awakening early in the morning.
Many young adults keep relatively irregular hours and as a group they report higher rates of dissatisfaction with the sleep they are getting.
Being overweight increases the risk for sleep apnea.
What are the biggest "Sleep Stealers"?
Psychological Factors
Stress is considered by most sleep experts to be the No. 1 cause of short-term sleeping difficulties. Common triggers include school- or job-related pressures, a family or marriage problem, and a serious illness or death in the family. Usually the sleep problem disappears when the stressful situation passes. However, if shortterm sleep problems such as insomnia aren’t managed properly from the beginning, they can persist long after the original stress has passed.
That’s why it’s a good idea to talk to a physician about any sleeping problem that recurs or persists for longer than one week.
Your doctor can help you take steps early to control or prevent poor sleep. Since insomnia can also be brought on by depression, evaluation by a healthcare professional is essential.
Lifestyle Stressors
Without realizing it, you may be doing things during the day or night that can work against getting a good night’s sleep. These include drinking alcohol or beverages containing caffeine in the afternoon or evening, exercising close to bedtime, following an irregular morning and nighttime schedule, and working or doing other mentally intense activities right before or after getting into bed.
Shift Work
If you are among the 17 percent of employees in the United States who are shift workers, sleep may be particularly elusive. Shift work forces you to try to sleep when activities around you — and your own "biological rhythms" — signal you to be awake. One study shows that shift workers are two to five times more likely than employees with regular, daytime hours to fall asleep on the job.
Jet Lag
Still another sleep stealer is jet lag, an inability to sleep caused when you travel across several time zones and your biological rhythms get "out of sync."
Environmental Interferences
A distracting sleep environment such as a room that's too hot or cold, too noisy or too brightly lit can be a barrier to sound sleep. And interruptions from children or other family members can also disrupt sleep. Other influences to pay attention to are the comfort and size of your bed and the habits of your sleep partner. If you have to lie beside someone who has different sleep preferences, snores, can't fall or stay asleep, or has other sleep difficulties, it often becomes your problem too!
Physical Factors
A number of physical problems can interfere with your ability to fall or stay asleep. For example, arthritis and other conditions that cause pain, backache, or discomfort can make it difficult to sleep well. Sleep apnea, which is recognized by snoring and interrupted breathing, causes brief awakenings (often unnoticed) and excessive daytime sleepiness. If suspected, a person having signs of sleep apnea should see a doctor.
Disorders that cause involuntary limb movements during sleep, such as Restless Legs Syndrome, break up the normal sleep pattern and are also likely to make sleep less refreshing and result in daytime sleepiness.
For women, pregnancy and hormonal shifts including those that cause premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or menopause and its accompanying hot flashes can also intrude on sleep.
Medications
In addition, certain medications such as decongestants, steroids and some medicines for high blood pressure, asthma, or depression can cause sleeping difficulties as a side effect.
So, What's The Secret To Good Sleep?
If you are having a sleep problem or feel sleepy during the day, a visit with your doctor is the best first step. Your doctor will first want to ascertain whether there are any underlying problems that are contributing to or causing your sleep problem.
In many cases, your doctor will be able to recommend lifestyle changes that can help promote sleep. Keep in mind that what works for some individuals may not work for others. So, your best bet is to find out what’s effective for you and stick with it. In general, try to build into your schedule time for eight hours of sleep, and follow this routine as regularly as possible. Even on the weekends. Here are a few tips many people have found to be useful.
* Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol in the late afternoon and evening. Caffeine and nicotine can delay your sleep, and alcohol may interrupt your sleep later in the night.
* Exercise regularly, but do so at least three hours before bedtime. A workout after that time may actually keep you awake because your body has not had a chance to cool down.
* Don't use your bed for anything other than sleep or sex. Your bed should be associated with sleep.
* If you have trouble sleeping when you go to bed, don’t nap during the day, since it affects your ability to sleep at night.
* Don't use your bed for anything other than sleep or sex. Your bed should be associated with sleep.
* Consider your sleep environment. Make it as pleasant, comfortable, dark and quiet as you can.
* Establish a regular, relaxing bedtime routine that will allow you to unwind and send a "signal" to your brain that it’s time to sleep. Avoiding exposure to bright light before bedtime and taking a hot bath may help.
* If you can’t go to sleep after 30 minutes, don’t stay in bed tossing and turning. Get up and involve yourself in a relaxing activity, such as listening to soothing music or reading, until you feel sleepy. Remember: Try to clear your mind; don’t use this time to solve your daily problems.
When Do You Need to Seek Help?
If your sleep problems persist for longer than a week and are bothersome, or if sleepiness interferes with the way you feel or function during the day, a doctor’s help may be needed. To get the most out of your doctor’s visit, you’ll find that it is often helpful to keep a diary of your sleep habits for about ten days to identify just how much sleep you’re getting over a period of time and what you may be doing to interfere with it. It can help you document your problem in a way that your physician can best understand.
If the problem is the time it takes to fall asleep, staying asleep or waking up unrefreshed, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes or behavioral approaches to treating the problem. However, lifestyle changes alone may not be enough. Treating insomnia with medication is the most common treatment for these sleep problems. In most cases, medication is only used until the immediate stressor is under control or lifestyle changes have had a chance to work.
While many individuals will try an over-the-counter medicine to help them sleep, these should be taken with caution. Your physician or pharmacist can help inform you about the different types of medications available and which would be most effective for you. Alcohol should not be used as a sleep aid.
For sleep apnea or other sleep disorders, your doctor may want to do a sleep study that will provide more information about your sleep pattern and whether you are breathing regularly while you sleep.
The bottom line is this: Adequate sleep is as essential to health and peak performance as exercise and good nutrition. If you aren’t getting enough, talk to your physician. You deserve it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
.jpg)
