Author: Pharm. Somtochukwu

The Health benefits of alcohol for people over 50 years of age were investigated in a recent study.

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, “moderate alcohol consumption is defined as having up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.

If alcohol does have benefits, they are not equally distributed. There are age variations.

Introduction to the health benefits of alcohol

Heavy alcohol drinking is associated with a range of serious health disorders ranging from certain cancers, liver disorders, cardiovascular disorders, and damage to the nervous system, including the brain.

However, as has been exhaustively covered in the popular press, drinking in moderation might have certain health benefits.

Health benefits of alcohol experience in moderate alcohol consumption

One study, for instance, found that moderate drinking protected against all-cause mortality, as well as mortality related to cardiovascular disorders.

A recent study led by Dr. Timothy Naimi, of the Boston Medical Center in Massachusetts, adds further fuel to an already rampant blaze.

The authors take aim at the methodology used in earlier studies, and they published their findings in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.

After the research on the difference in age, the analysis showed that the level of an individual’s alcohol-related risk was heavily influenced by age.

In total, 35.8 percent of alcohol-related deaths occurred in people aged 20–49. When looking at deaths that were prevented by alcohol consumption, the scientists found only 4.5 percent in this age group.

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When they looked at individuals aged 65 or over, it was a different story: Although a similar 35 percent of alcohol-related deaths occurred in this group, the authors found a huge 80 percent of the deaths prevented by alcohol in this demographic.

The researchers also saw this stark difference between age groups when they looked at the number of potential years lost to alcohol.

Conversely, the over-65 group accounted for 15 percent of the overall years of life lost, but 50 percent of the years of life saved.

The authors conclude that younger people “are more likely to die from alcohol consumption than they are to die from a lack of drinking,” but older people are more likely to experience the health benefits of moderate drinking.

Although the conclusions are not explosive, they bring us a more complete understanding of alcohol’s impact on health: Moderate drinking may benefit people of a certain age group, but heavy drinking is harmful to all.

Equally, the health benefits of alcohol can be found in alleviating other health conditions.

Libido for instance, Contrary to prior beliefs, newer research has found that moderate drinking of alcohol might actually protect men against erectile dysfunction.

In a 2009 study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, researchers found that the chances of erectile dysfunction were reduced by 25 to 30 percent among alcohol drinkers.

The lead researcher, Kew-Kim Chew, an epidemiologist at the University of West Australia, conducted the study with 1,770 Australian men.

In his study, Chew cautiously noted that he and his team in no way are advising men to take the bottle and that further research is needed, to accurately connect impotence and alcohol consumption.

Moderate alcohol consumption has an effect on diabetes mellitus, mostly type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Results of a Dutch study showed that healthy adults who drink one to two glasses per day have a decreased chance of developing type 2 diabetes, in comparison to those who don’t drink at all.

“The results of the investigation show that moderate alcohol consumption can play a part in a healthy lifestyle to help reduce the risk of developing diabetes type 2,” researchers said in a statement to Reuters.

It Helps Prevent Against the Common Cold according to the Department of Psychology at Carnegie Mellon University found that while susceptibility to the common cold was increased by smoking, moderate alcohol consumption led to a decrease in common cold cases for people that do not smoke.

This study was conducted in 1993 with 391 adults.

In 2002, according to the New York Times, Spanish researchers found that by drinking eight to 14 glasses of wine per week, particularly red wine, one could see a 60-percent reduction in the risk of developing a cold. The scientists suspected that this had something to do with the antioxidant properties of wine.

Harmful effects of alcohol

Below are some of the effects of alcohol on the body;

• Alcohol can be addictive 
• Hormonal imbalance
• Irregularities of the digestive system
• Cardiological issues
• Immune system deterioration
• Inflammatory damage 
• Low sugar levels may result

Conclusion on the health benefits of alcohol

In the above-mentioned health benefits of alcohol, one the cardinal point remains to take alcohol in moderation.

As there advantages, we cannot deny the fact that alcohol has also taken many to an early grave when taken in excess.

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Obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD), are extensive disorders with several behavioral and mental rituals, with symptoms such as compulsive hand-washing, constant cleaning, repeated checking, or a need for symmetry.

While these actions might be the most pronounced signs of OCD, it is important to understand that not all cases of the disorder are the same.

Introduction to Obsessive compulsive disorders

Compulsions are only one aspect of this disorder, and it is the obsessional component that tends to be ignored.

In some cases, people experience these obsessions without engaging in the behavioral compulsions that are often considered a hallmark of OCD.

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This presentation of the disorder is sometimes referred to as pure O, also known as purely obsessional OCD without compulsion.

Since individuals with Pure O are often unaware they are being plagued by OCD and much of what they experience happens inside the mind, they often suffer in silence.

Pure O is commonly misunderstood by others and, at times, misdiagnosed and mistreated by mental health professionals.

As a result, an individual often concludes that he or she is internally flawed, evil, or psychotic, and the terror and isolation often experienced with Pure O is complicated.

The human brain naturally generates nonsensical and often bizarre thoughts, even for those without Obsessive compulsive disorders.

OCD is genetic and learned. The structures that are impaired in the OCD brain create sensitivity to uncertainty and a decline in one’s ability to feel complete (Grayson, 2003).

This leads to more value placed on incoming thoughts and relentless over-responding in the form of compulsions.

Pure O is marked by reoccurring, intrusive, and uncontrollable thoughts (or obsessions) that are usually not accompanied by outward signs called compulsions.

But an individual experiencing pure O may not engage in obvious physical behaviors related to their intrusive thoughts, such as counting, arranging, or hand-washing.

Obsessive-compulsive disorders OCD itself involves having reoccurring and uncontrollable thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions).

OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDERS SYMPTOMS

Everyone gets intrusive thoughts, but having them does not mean you have OCD.

For people who do have OCD, these thoughts can be debilitating, causing extreme anxiety and discomfort.

OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER CYCLE

SOME EVERYDAY SYMPTOMS:

• Your roommates are always touching everything: the refrigerator handle, the faucet, the bathroom light switch. You can’t touch any of those things without putting your sleeve over your hand in the case of “Contamination OCD”.
• Pulling out a kitchen knife and immediately thinking about how it could be used to harm your partner.
• You think your partner has bushy eyebrows. You pinpoint this “flaw” and think that you couldn’t possibly be with someone like this for the rest of your life. You start thinking that it’s time to find someone who has better-looking eyebrows.

My OCD Experience by “Emmy”

Unfortunately, my ‘mental’ vacation was short-lived.  The following seven years were filled with Obsessive compulsive disorders-like thoughts and many episodes of anxiety.

During Winter and Spring of 2005, I saw a therapist who was unable to properly diagnose my condition and teach me the required skills to control my anxiety.  I continued to suffer unwanted, intrusive and tortured thoughts on a regular basis. I will share with you a few of these anxiety driven thoughts and actions:

• After watching the movie Match Point during a flight to Switzerland, I spent the first three days of my trip questioning in which circumstances, if any, I would want and/or need to kill someone.  I imagined an extremely violent scenario in which self-defense could lead to the death of my aggressor. In my mind, the only possible conclusion was that it was only a question of time before I would turn into a murderer.
• I once dreamt that I was in a relationship with one of my closest girl friends. I did not eat and barely slept for two days because I interpreted my dream as a signal that I had changed sexual orientation and I did not know how to handle the change.
• During the second half of my first pregnancy, I experienced false contractions that made me worry that the baby would be born prematurely
• During the labor of my first child, I thought, “This is too painful. It’s not worth it. I’ll give her away if the doctors stop the pain now”.
• Immediately I told my sister and husband that I would have a C-section for my next child.

 I needed to quickly find an alternative to being ‘forced’ to give my baby away because the thought was too unbearable.

• But I had once thrown away three pairs of perfectly fine shoes after I took the kids to a local petting farm. I did this for fear of contamination from goat faeces.  My usual ritual of changing outfits in the parking lot and sanitizing our hands was no longer sufficient to make me feel safety I needed.

The above-mentioned examples were very distressing, however, every time my anxiety ran out of gas, I would resume my ‘normal’ life without having to seek proper treatment.

Obsessive compulsive disorders treatment

 Exposure Response Prevention Therapy ERP.

ERP is when you voluntarily expose yourself to the source of your fear over and over and over again, without acting out any compulsion to neutralize or stop the fear. By repeatedly facing something you’re afraid of, you force your brain to recognize how irrational it is. ERP Therapy varies greatly depending on the nature of a person’s Pure OCD.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, also known as CBT, teaches people to identify, understand and change negative thinking patterns and behaviors.

Patients are taught problem-solving skills during therapy lessons and then instructed to practice them on their own time in order to build positive habits.

CAN MEDICATION HELP?

Medication can help alongside ERP, but it shouldn’t replace it. Doctors should always be consulted before considering medicinal options.

The family of drugs used to treat OCD is known as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, or SSRIs. SSRIs enhance your natural serotonin activity and are used to treat major depressive disorders and anxiety.

If you suffer from OCD, you have a severe anxiety disorder. But it can be treated. Start by getting educated and making healthy living choices. Then find a clinical psychologist in your area who specializes in OCD and Exposure Response Prevention (ERP).

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Let’s take a deep look at the cause of asthma. There is no doubt that asthma affects people of all ages, races, and classes.

Asthma is a respiratory disorder, characterized by the narrowing of the airways which causes difficulty in breathing.

Introduction to the cause of asthma

Asthma is a terror to some persons because of the mode of the onset and the disgrace attached to it.

After reading through this article, asthma will lose its terror, and that is the good news we bring to you, understanding the cause of asthma will give you a better insight into the disorder, making the solution crystal clear on your palms.

Types of asthma

Asthma is classified based on the precipitants so the types are usually

• NON ALLERGIC OR INTRINSIC ASTHMA`
• ALLERGIC OR EXTRINSIC ASTHMA
• OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA
• EXERCISE-INDUCED BRONCHOCONSTRICTION

Allergic or Extrinsic Asthma

As it is always said, that asthma is a multi-factorial disorder, extrinsic asthma is the commonest diagnosis in children.

Over sixty percent of children between the ages of 2-8 diagnose has extrinsic asthma with a family history of allergies.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) gave a review that children experience more emergency visits and admissions for asthma than adults.

Allergens considered as precipitants may include Pollen of trees and grasses, weeds, and dust mites, these substances trigger allergic reactions which lead to the narrowing of the airways leading to an asthmatic episode.

Although intrinsic factors like drugs, food additives, and exercise could trigger allergies. Allergies and asthma are related in a broader scope although the cause of asthma or the general mechanism of the cause of asthma will be discussed later in this article.

Non-Allergic Or Intrinsic Asthma

The prevalence of Intrinsic asthma is low when compared with extrinsic asthma.

And it is mostly diagnosed in adults over 30 years of age mostly in females.

This type of asthma is caused by non-allergic factors such as drugs, respiratory infections, Exercise, weather conditions, and food additives.

Obesity had been considered as the most common asthma co-morbidity ranging from mechanical alteration to inflammation  of the airways

Occupational Asthma

This type of asthma occurs as a result of exposure to pollen grains in the place of work or as a result of one’s profession like in the case of marine divers.

Occupational asthma is prevalent in some firms like flour mills, baking industries, cosmetic companies, and others.

Frequently asthmatic episodes are mostly observed when one is active in the working place and there is equally a relief when one stays out of work.

Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction

It results from rigorous physical activities which bring about a decrease in the extracellular fluid which triggers the heart rate and equally leads to tightening of the airways which is an asthmatic incidence. Although some people don’t classify it as a type of asthma because not everybody with exercise-induced bronchoconstriction has asthma.

Cardinal Symptoms Of Asthma

• Wheezing
• Difficulty breathing
• Coughing, most especially at night, or during exercise
• A feel of Tightness of the thoracic cage
• Shortness of breath brings about gasping for air
• Sleep Apnea

Pathophysiology Or Cause Of Asthma

This is our focal point in this article and understanding this sector will equip you to tackle this disorder professionally and seamlessly, the cause of asthma is quite a complex one, but we have worked tirelessly to make it comprehensible in all stages.

In the pathophysiology of asthma two cardinal features are considered.

Firstly, is the constriction of the bronchus (bronchoconstriction), followed by inflammation of the bronchus (bronchoinflammation).

An ideal airway, {bronchi} is maintained by the autonomic nervous system which is a branch of the central nervous system.

The autonomic nervous system is made of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems which both function automatically.

The parasympathetic reflex loop initiates smooth muscle contraction when stimulated while the sympathetic nervous system relaxes smooth muscle when stimulated. 

The parasympathetic nervous system comprises sensory nerve endings which originate beneath the inner lining of the bronchus.

when an allergen gets into the airway, it stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system which causes the release of acetylcholine through the motor neuron, acetylcholine release brings about the excessive formation of inositol1,4,5-triphosphate {IP3} which triggers bronchoconstriction and bronchospasm.

Bronchoconstriction

This is precipitated by environmental factors such as pollen, the fragrance of some products, and others. When the airway is exposed to such factors, there is excessive production of mucus from the mucus membrane which brings about the difficulty in breathing.

In asthmatic patients, the airways are hypersensitive to these precipitants {type I hypersensitivity} in response to exposure to these precipitants, the bronchi contract into spasm {involuntary muscle contraction} which leads to further tightening or narrowing of the airways which bring about the whistling sound in asthma.

Bronchoinflammation

Here the walls of the bronchi inflame radically and are the foundation behind allergic asthma because it results from immune response to inhaled allergens.

When allergens {dust, pollen, Smoke, and others} find their ways into the inner airway, APCs {antigen-presenting cells} present these allergens to cells of the immune system, most especially the T_H0 cells.

In persons without the asthmatic disorder, these allergens are usually checked and ignored but in asthmatic patients when these allergens are presented by APC, to T_H0 cells {T-helper 0 cells} there is the transformation of TH0 cells to TH2 cells, which further activate humoral Immune System.

The activation of the humoral immune system triggers the production of antibodies against the inhaled allergen and a memory of the allergen is kept by the antibodies.

when a patient is exposed to some allergen, a humoral response is initiated leading to inflammation of the bronchi which is associated with further thickening of the airways, increased mucus production, and equally bronchospasm.

Prevention Of Asthmatic Attacks

When clever approaches are taken towards asthma one can live comfortably without asthmatic assault. so we bring to you a few tips.

• Always follow your asthma action plan
• Vaccination against influenza and pneumonia is a clever approach
• Always avoid asthma precipitants
• Take your medications as prescribed by physicians
• Always check and monitor your breathing

Treatments/Medications For Asthma

The stimulation of the sympathetic reflex loop initiates the dilation or relaxation of smooth muscles, {bronchi muscles}, most drugs for asthma are usually regarded as sympathomimetic drugs{mimic the action of the sympathetic nervous system}.

Below are some medications for asthma.

• Short-acting bronchodilators like albuterol provide fast relief and can be used in conjunction for exercise-induced symptoms.
• Long-acting bronchodilators like salmeterol  and formoterol
• Inhaled steroids budesonide and fluticasone are first-line anti-inflammatory therapy
• Leukotriene modifiers like montelukast and zafirlukast can also serve as anti-inflammatory agents.
• Anticholinergic agents like ipratropium can help decrease sputum production.
• Chromones like cromolyn and nedocromil stabilize mast cells (allergic cells).
• Systemic steroids prednisone and prednisolone are potent anti-inflammatory agents that are routinely used to treat asthma exacerbations but pose numerous unwanted side effects if used repeatedly or chronically.
• Immunotherapy or allergy shots have been shown to decrease medication reliance in allergic asthma.

A final thought on the Cause of Asthma

Asthma severity ranges from the cause, type, and general physiological state of an individual. knowing the precipitants and avoiding them is a clever approach to living better and having your inhaler would help overcome most asthmatic episodes.

always seek medical attention if you feel you are deteriorating in health or the situation gets worse each day.

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