Wrong Assumptions:
There are many wrong assumptions in teens about the prescription drugs today. Some of the common myths surrounding teen prescription drug abuse are:

Myth 1: Prescription drugs are safer than illegal drugs
Most of the teens think that prescription drugs are safer than illegal drugs as they are prescribed by doctors and their manufacture is regulated. They also believe that these drugs have fewer side effects compared to illicit drugs. They fail to understand that these drugs are safe only to treat a particular illness or condition.

The abuse of prescription drugs is as dangerous as abusing other illegal substances. Prescription drugs are very powerful medications which often have dangerous side effects on brain and body. Just as any other illicit drug, they act on brain sites causing negative short and long-term health consequences and also death in some cases.

Myth 2: It is legal to use prescription drugs
One of the common myths among the teens about the prescription drugs is that they are legal to use as they get them from their family’s medicine cabinet instead of a street dealer.

The fact is that abusing and sharing prescription drugs is illegal. Prescription drugs are generally considered as ‘controlled substances’. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act states that using these prescription drugs without a doctor’s prescription or abusing someone else’s prescription is against the law. Prescription drugs, not only can make healthy kids very sick, abusing or sharing them could also land them in jail.

Myth 3: Prescription drugs can be obtained from street dealer
One myth surrounding the prescription drug abuse by teens is that they can obtain them from a street drug dealer.

But it is very unfortunate that they are readily available at their home in the medical cabinet. They need not go to drug dealers with others prescription. Most of the teens get prescription drugs from friends or relatives by buying or stealing. According to 2009 NIDA’s Monitoring the Future Survey, the vast majority, 66 percent of the teens got the prescription drugs from a friend or a relative.

Myth 4: It is normal to take drugs once in a while
Teens sometimes perceive that taking prescription drugs once in a while is normal. They believe that they will not get addicted if they occasionally use these drugs.

But the truth is that most drug addictions start during adolescence. Prescription drugs are as addictive as any other illicit street drugs. Risk of becoming addicted and developing substance abuse problems will be significantly higher if they experiment with prescription drugs during their teenage. Sometimes teenagers experimenting with drugs for the first time may have adverse reaction from an accidental overdose.

Myth 5: Every one is doing it
One of the reasons for teens getting addicted to prescription drugs is they think that everyone is abusing them. Most of the teenagers get an impression that many of their peers are abusing these drugs.

But in reality, a large number of teens are not abusing these drugs. Only one in five teens admits to use prescription drugs. And the vast majority are not abusing these drugs.

Understanding the myths surrounding the teen prescription drug abuse can help parents, teachers, friends and others concerned, intervene early and keep the teens off the harmful prescription drug abuse.

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At a meeting of the American Urological Association, the team said that men who were bald had prostates that were 34% larger than men who still had full heads of head. Furthermore, the men who were going bald experienced a urine flow that was 32% lower than those men with hair. Low urine flow is an early indicator of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

The news will not come as a huge surprise to scientists, who have long suspected a link between BPH and male-pattern baldness. The most common cause of hair loss in men, male pattern baldness is called by overly high levels of a hormone known as 5-alpha-reductase. The enzyme converts the hormone testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, which in some men causes the hair follicle to shrink. 5-alpha-reductase is also associated with BPH, as DHT is known to play a key role in prostate growth.

Both male pattern baldness and BPH can be treated with the same drug, finasteride. Marketed as Propecia for baldness and Proscar for BPH, the drug inhibits the enzyme that encourages the conversation to DHT.

Propecia is one of the few treatments that has been proven to make a difference to male-pattern baldness and stop hair loss. A prescription medication, men have reported that long-term use has prevented further hair loss and even in some cases encouraged re-growth of hair.

It has also been associated with preventing prostate cancer. The Prostate Cancer Prevention Study examined a group of men aged over 55 to see whether finasteride reduced incidences of prostate cancer. In 2003, the trial was stopped early when it appeared that Propecia reduced prostate cancer rates by 25%.

The study was begun based on knowledge that prostate cancer is strongly affected by male hormones. Studies had previously shown that men with low levels of alpja-5-reductase due to an inherited deficiency do not develop prostate cancer, as they cannot convert testosterone to DHT.

This new study builds on the existent body of knowledge linking the prostate and male-pattern baldness. Hopefully, as we understand the two better, better treatments and earlier diagnosis will follow.

In a statement, Dr. Kevin McVary, spokesman for the Urology Association, said “BPH is a very treatable condition that can significantly impact quality of life if left unchecked. The study suggests that patients with [baldness] should talk with their doctors about any urinary symptoms they may be experiencing so that we can minimize this impact by taking preventative measures.”

The depletion of estrogen levels has a direct effect on a woman’s mental and physical health and has been linked to serious long-term health issues such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. Recent studies suggest that these common issues associated with menopause occur more frequently in Canada, United States, Australia, New Zealand and Western Europe than in Asia, Central America and Mediterranean countries.

But why would the body deprive women of something so crucial to their health? The regional discrepancy of health issues linked to menopause suggests that the answer lies in the diet. The Western diet has shifted towards a more meat and dairy focused diet as opposed to the legume-based diet our ancestors and women in Asia, Central American and Mediterranean countries enjoy. Legumes are rich in isoflavones from the group phytoestrogen (plant estrogen), which are able to closely mimic the effects of estrogen that women naturally produce.

The Asian, Central American and Mediterranean diets consist of 30-50mg of isoflavones every day while the Western Diet contains only a few milligrams. You can see the connection when you compare women’s consumption of isoflavones vs. the frequency of hot flashes in women from various countries. Japanese women experience significantly less hot flashes than their European counterpart. Women from countries with diets rich in isoflavones, such as Asia, experience fewer hot flashes during menopause and have lower levels of osteoporosis.

All legumes are not created equally when it comes to isoflavones. There are more than 1,000 types of isoflavones in plants, however only four have been shown to possess significant individual and specific biological activity: genistein, daidzein, formononetin and biochanin A. Not every legume carries all four isoflavones beneficial to women. Soy only contains two: daidzein and genistein. Red clover contains all four isoflavones as well as ten to twenty times the quantity of isoflavones found in soy, which is the next richest source.

Red clovers are much more than a pretty face; they have been used in medicine for years treating everything from skin eczema to cancer. It is one of the few plants that contain all four isoflavones so it is able to regulate the rapidly fluctuating hormones of menopause. High estrogen levels are suppressed and when levels are low the isoflavones mimic the estrogen your body naturally produces. Red clover is also a diuretic, helping the body rid itself of excess fluids, which is beneficial for women that experience water weight gain during menopause.

Those looking for a natural alternative to estrogen replacement therapy have embraced supplements that are based on the isoflavone rich diet. Promensil provides the same amount of isoflavones as the typical legume-based vegetarian diet; eight times more than the average North American diet, all in one tablet. Based around the red clover to provide all four necessary isoflavones, Promensil users experienced slowed bone loss, less frequent hot flashes and night sweats and a general decrease in menopausal symptoms.

Women now have the option of a natural alternative when treating menopausal symptoms. Promensil’s extensive testing has demonstrated that a natural remedy can be effective, without the side effects associated with estrogen supplements. Because menopause treatment is all about making women feel like women, naturally.

Article Information: How the North American diet is impacting perimenopause symptoms and what researcher suggest you should be eating to help ease menopause hot flashes and night sweats without the use of hormone replacement therapy.

Adverse Effects Include:
Prolonged exposure to opioids can cause tolerance, drug escalation, and physical dependence.
Nausea
Exposure to opioids can cause individual to experience nausea with or without vomiting. Young women are found to be at more risk of developing nausea when on opioids. Opioids particularly affect the brain and GI track that causes nausea.
Drowsiness
Opioids use is marked by events of drowsiness or sedation. Few opioid medications like morphine and diacetylmorphine (heroine) can cause strong drowsiness or sedation.
Itching
Opioids use can also result in causing itching as it releases histamines in the body. The person may experience itching as opioids binds with receptors in brain and spinal cord.
Constipation
Opioids use can result in severe constipation. The opioid induced constipation may remain for a longer time. Stool softeners and laxative use is recommended when using opioids to avoid constipation.
Respiratory Depression
Opioids cause respiratory depression in the individual as it affects the specialized respiratory neurons in the brain. A large opioid overdose can lead to asphyxia and even death due to respiratory depression.
Vomiting
Opioids affect the part of brain that controls vomiting and causes the individual to vomit.

Classification:
Opioids are classified as Natural, Semi-synthetic, Fully synthetic, and Endogenous.
Natural
Natural opioids are opiate alkaloids derived from the resin of the poppy plant. Incisions are made on the immature green seed pods of opium plants and the latex that is obtained contains opiate alkaloids. The latex is then dried and is used to prepare many drugs like thebaine, morphine, codeine, noscapine, and papaverine. Natural opioids are put to various medicinal uses as narcotic analgesic, hypnotic, and sedatives. Although the latex is used to prepare many drugs, the poppy oil and seeds are not narcotic and has various uses.
Semi-Synthetic
Semi-synthetic opioids are not naturally occurring and prepared from natural opiates. They have similar chemical structure to natural opiates. Some of the semi-synthetic drugs are hydrocodone, oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydromorphone, and diacetylmorphine (heroine). It is due to their analgesic properties that semi-synthetic opioids are used for variety of purposes. Semi-synthetic opioids are also one of the widely abused drugs.
Fully Synthetic
Fully synthetic opioids are not related to opiates and artificially manufactured. Drugs like dextropropoxyphene, fentanyl, methadone, pethidine, tramodol etc fall under the category of fully synthetic drugs. The fully synthetic drugs are prescribed for their analgesic properties to treat chronic pain. Some drugs like Fentanyl are used as an anesthetic before surgery and are 100 times stronger than morphine. Methadone is used to treat opioid addiction. Methadone can block effects of other drugs like heroine, morphine and help the person cope with withdrawal symptom.

Opioids do not have upper limit for dosage that can be taken to attain relief from pain. More is the amount of opioids taken the more is the pain relief. However, for medicinal purpose care needs to be taken to increase the dosage gradually to ensure tolerance develops to the adverse effects.

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Classification:
Natural:
Natural opioids are opiate alkaloids obtained from the resin of the poppy plant. Morphine and codeine are derived from opiate alkaloids. The latex containing opiate alkaloids is obtained from immature opium seeds capsules by making incisions on the walls of green seed pods. This latex is then collected and dried. Drugs like morphine, codeine, thebaine, noscapine, and papaverine are extracted from the dried latex. Opium and opioids are used for medicinal purpose as narcotic analgesics, hypnotics, and sedatives. Although the latex from poppy plant is used to produce morphine, codeine etc but the poppy oil and seeds are not narcotic and put to variety of uses.

Semi-Synthetic:
Semi-synthetic opioids do not occur naturally and are created from natural opiates and share similar chemical structure. Drugs like hydrocodone, oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydromorphone, and diacetylmorphine (heroine) are semi-synthetic opioids derived from natural opiates. The semi-synthetic opioids drugs are used in variety of medicinal purpose for their analgesic properties. Semi-synthetic opioids are also widely abused. However, drug tests testing for presence of ‘opioids’ can not detect semi-synthetic opioids except diacetylmorphine (heroine) as it easily transforms into morphine.

Fully Synthetic:
The fully synthetic opioids are artificially manufactured and are not related to opiates. Some of the drugs that are fully synthetic are methadone, fentanyl, pethidine, tramodol, dextropropoxyphene etc. These drugs are used as analgesic and used to treat chronic pain. Drug like fentanyl is also used to give anesthesia before surgeries and is 100 times stronger than morphine. Apart from its analgesic properties, Methadone is used to treat opioid addiction. Methadone can block the effects of other drugs like heroin, morphine and help to tackle the withdrawal symptoms.

Endogenous:
Endogenous opioids are naturally produced in the body and used as neurotransmitters. The endogenous opioids produced in body include endorphins, enkephalins, dynorphines, and endomorphines. These endogenous opioids regulate the bodily functions like hunger, thirst, mood control, immune response, and reactions to painful stimuli etc. Drugs like morphine and heroine produce strong feeling as they also bind to same receptors to which endogenous opioids also bind.

Opioids are most commonly abused prescription drugs. Opioids should not be used with substances like alcohol, antihistamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines etc that causes depression of Central Nervous System. A specific test needs to be performed to detect many fully synthetic and semi-synthetic opioids as these drugs will not show up in normal testing.

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Facts

Widely known as the universal solvent, water indeed does a lot of beneficial functions to humanity. Such enormity of water element is vividly manifested in different fields of application, from culinary arts to medicine. Even diet plans need water to become more efficient to dieters.

Talking about medicine, water is deemed as the most potent element in healing different illness. One indication of water’s use in medicine is the prominent practice of hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy uses water as its main healing component. Such practice has influenced the life of many people since the ancient era up to the present. This therapy was popular in the prehistoric places of Rome, Japan and China. Because of its patent positive results, hydrotherapy became even a further well-liked alternative remedy since the 19^th century.

Uses and Benefits to Human Health

Hydrotherapy comes in different techniques with unified healing purposes. Four of the most well-known hydrotherapy techniques with their uses and benefits are the following:

1. Cold Rubbing Technique. This is one of the widely-used hydrotherapy techniques with the main purpose of revitalizing human body. It is done by soaking a linen cloth in cold water, circling it out, and then rubbing it in the whole body. After these procedures, the patient shall go to bed to dry and warm his body. Later on, he could feel the invigorating effects.
2. Douche Technique. This is another hydrotherapy procedure that is mainly used as remedy to sleeping problems, skin dilemmas like varicose veins and bruises, blood pressure deviation, and headaches. It is done by gently utilizing a hose, shower head or a container of water poured in to the heart area. This should be done slowly in order not to splatter the water on the skin. Afterward, the patient will shake off the glut water, get dressed and then work out. Two of the most popular douches are available. They are the thigh douche and the knee douche. Each name implies their specific usage. Both of them guarantee healing effects to the patient.
3. Steam Bathe. Steam bathe is also a form of hydrotherapy used to augment the immune system of the body. It also aids the circulation of the blood, ease breathing, heart rate and helps in generating hormones. It is done by utilizing warm water but not too hot, though. The steam bathe session should only last until fifteen minutes. Beyond that time length is strongly discouraged. Steam bathe hydrotherapy is best for diminishing depression, offering a worthwhile relaxation.
4. Wraps Therapy. Known for its helpful usage in healing fever and irritations, wraps therapy also utilizes water as its main component for treatment. The procedure is done by wetting a linen cloth with cold water, and then squeezing it out. The cloth should be strongly wrapped around the body area to be treated, without squeezing the spot. After wrapping with the wet cloth, utilize a dry cloth and wrap the spot again. After fifteen minutes, if the wrap is no longer warm, hot water in a bottle should be utilized.

All these and more manifest the uses and benefits of hydrotherapy to the human body. Likewise, these entail the influence of water in offering cure to various maladies. All come naturally in a form of hydrotherapy.

Critics of the ban said that after smoking was banned in public places like pubs and clubs, it would lead more people to drink at home, where they could light up. When it was originally introduced in 2007, pro-smoking groups like Forest said that more children could be exposed to second-hand smoke.

However a study at Cardiff University of 3,500 primary-school age children found that since 2007 there had hardly been any change in the amount of second-hand smoke they were exposed to.

The researchers took saliva swabs from the children, aged between 10 and 11, the year before the ban came in. They then did the same a year after the ban was introduced. The swabs were then tested for exposure to second-hand smoke. The children were also asked to fill in questionnaires.

In the report on the results, published in the BMC public health journal, it was concluded that after the introduction of the ban there was no significant increase in how much second-hand smoke the children were introduced to.

While the results were seen as a vindication of the smoking ban, it has been acknowledged that it is disappointing that the levels of exposure remained the same, rather than dropping. It has been hoped that the ban would lead to greater numbers of people trying smoking cessation treatments as the ban gave them extra impetus to quit.

The NHS has been strongly promoting the message that quitters are more likely to succeed if they accept help, such as nicotine replacement therapy or drugs like Champix.  They have launched aggressive marketing campaigns to encourage quitting – such as the one featuring children begging their parents to give up – and have sought to make smoking cessation treatments such as Champix more widely available.

These tactics, combined with the smoking ban and the new photos of potential diseases on smoking packets, have resulting in a drop in the number of smokers of 22% from 2007 to 2008. The Cardiff study also supports findings in September which showed that a reduction in second-hand smoke in public places has resulting in a drop of 10% in the number of heart attacks in the UK.

The news comes at a time when the government has been facing fierce criticism of the ban from pub and bar owners, who say that it has resulted in a significant loss of revenue, forcing many establishments to close.
The news comes at a time when the government has been facing fierce criticism of the ban from pub and bar owners, who say that it has resulted in a significant loss of revenue, forcing many establishments to close.

However, laser treatment is actually one of the most straightforward (and least invasive) acne reducing procedures. And, it usually doesn’t involve taking additional medication.

So, how does acne laser treatment work, and what results can you expect?

How acne forms?

Before we look at how lasers can help reduce acne, it’s helpful to understand how acne appears in the first place.

It’s thought that acne is triggered by hormonal changes, usually during puberty (with around 80% of all teens suffering acne at some stage). However, many people experience acne much later into their 20s and 30s.

Sebaceous glands in the skin on the face, neck and back produce the oily substance sebum. The sebum traps and blocks pores by collecting dead skin cells and creating an environment for bacteria to develop.

In many cases, this bacteria is resistant to common antibacterial agents.

Furthermore, as the pores get blocked, they can become inflamed, itchy or hardened. This results in classic signs of acne. If serious, it can lead to scarring of the skin.

How can lasers help?

Different types of laser acne treatment work in different ways. Generally, there are two types of laser procedure – infrared and pulsed dye. In both cases, the laser is used to deliver focused beams of light to specific areas. The process usually aims to tighten the skin, close pores and inhibit bacteria.

For example, one of the most effective methods is the N-Lite laser treatment.

This targets and destroys the acne-causing bacteria. Simultaneously, the laser promotes the growth of natural skin healing agents, such as collagen, which help to repair damaged skin and reduce scarring.

What about results?

Laser treatment can be one of the most effective anti-acne procedures.

Again, using N-Lite as an example, trials by leading dermatologist Dr. Tony Chu, found that it improved the appearance of acne in 87% of patients after just one session.

With some types of laser acne treatment you may not see results until after several sessions. You may also experience a slight reddening of the skin for a few days after treatment. You should discuss with your dermatologist or skin specialist which laser method is right for you, and what kind of results you can expect.

Where should I look for treatment?

Generally, laser treatments are not available for free on the NHS.

However, it’s essential that you visit a practice that is registered with the Care Quality Commission. The procedure should be carried out by a trained (and qualified) medical practitioner.

By visiting the right clinic and discussing your situation with an experienced consultant, you’re sure to get the right treatment and reduce your acne using this revolutionary technique.

Once you’ve begun a list of potential doctors, you should also consider your insurance coverage. It is important to be sure your provider will cover the claims submitted by your doctor. Many insurance companies offer a list of doctors covered within their plan, and this list can help you to further narrow your own choices. If your search is for a specialist like an OB/GYN it will be even more important to confirm insurance coverage. If your insurance restrictions negate the recommendations you’ve received, you should ask your current health care providers for their opinions concerning doctors covered by your insurance.

A final list of potential doctors should take into consideration your personal concerns or preferences. Consider whether you would prefer a doctor of a particular gender, background, or age. Many women would be most comfortable with a female OB/GYN. You should also be sure to research any special needs you might have. Women with medical difficulties, high risk pregnancies or a family history of any of the above should look for physicians with the appropriate credentials to address their particular needs. Especially during a pregnancy, you will be seeing your OB/GYN on a regular basis.

You should think about logistics like distance, traffic, and office hours to be sure that the office will be amenable to your needs. Smaller concerns may include the cleanliness of the office, the kindness of the receptionists, and the comfort of the waiting room. Most offices offer reasonably comfortable areas complete with reading materials, and some even offer small play areas for women who may have children accompanying them to appointments. If you think you will need to bring children to your appointments, you should specifically ask about the office policy, as some offices do not allow children into exam rooms without another adult to supervise them.

Many doctors will allow you to schedule a consultation visit in order to meet face-to-face and discuss your major concerns. An in-person meeting should be the final step to choosing the right OB/GYN.

Just like any other relationship, you should feel comfortable and relaxed with your OB/GYN. Your doctor should encourage you to ask questions and should be your partner in maintaining your best health.

The initial phone call to schedule this appointment may also be an important tool, because the attitudes of the staff may be enough to add or subtract a potential doctor from your list of considerations. The size of the practice may also have an effect on your final decision. Many OB/GYN offices are quite large, and there is no way to guarantee you will be able to see the same doctor every time. If this is important to you, you should consider either choosing a small practice or a doctor who guarantees physician visits every time, like this Edwardsville, IL OB/GYN. Advanced scheduling may also help you to secure the best days or times for your needs. Most OB/GYN offices also have affiliations with specific hospitals.

If you have a strong preference for one hospital over another, you should be sure that your chosen practice is affiliated with your preferred hospital. In the event of an emergency, surgery, or the delivery of a baby, you will not be able to see your doctor unless you go to the hospital they work with, so you will want to be as comfortable with the hospital as you are with your choice of doctor. Especially in the case of medical issues or planned pregnancies, you should be sure to ask about cost.

Financial requirements can vary greatly from one office to another, so a patient with monetary concerns should ask for a clear and concise explanation of costs for regular office visits, special visits, and any larger procedures. Pregnant women or those planning to become pregnant should receive a complete breakdown of the cost for visits, medications, necessary testing, and delivery and hospital charges. If you are sure that pregnancy is no longer a concern for you, you may consider choosing a doctor who is solely a gynecologist, and may therefore have fewer patients to see. This can make appointment scheduling easier, and give you more face-to-face time during your office visits.

Your OB/GYN should never make you feel pressured about your own choices. It is important that you choose a doctor who will let you be your own advocate, one who will work with your choices, beliefs, and preferences instead of attempting to impose their own. If you have strong feelings about any particular issues, it is important to discuss them right away with your doctor to be sure you are in agreement. Your OB/GYN should be there to support you and advise you on the best ways to take care of yourself. You should be able to ask sensitive questions, make major decisions, and come to solid conclusions with the support of your doctor.

An OB/GYN is responsible for guiding a woman through some of the most important transitions of her life: menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, menopause. The importance of these transitions can make the process of finding the right provider seem overwhelming, but you should keep in mind that you can always choose another OB/GYN if your original choice turns out to be less than ideal. However, before you move on to another practice, you should discuss your concerns with your current doctor. Sometimes the problem is simply one of communication.

In the end, choosing the right obstetrician and/or gynecologist is an extremely personal choice. Only you can be sure that you’ve made the right decision, and you should trust your instincts when making the final choice.