Preventing Dehydration

22nd of June, 2017

Preventing Dehydration:

Dehydration can occur when your body does not have enough water to maintain daily functions.
Signs and symptoms of dehydration include extreme thirst, fatigue, dark urine, lack of urination, tiredness.

Dehydration can occur when spending an excessive amount of time in the sun, especially during intense physical activity. Another cause for dehydration can be extreme diarrhea, which causes the body to lose a lot of water. Excessive sweating, vomiting and urination can also cause dehydration as these also cause water to be removed from the body. Dehydration can also be caused by severe, 3rd degree burns. Normally our skin prevents water loss and helps us keep equilibrium. Skin damaged by severe burns, cannot maintain its function so the body loses a lot of water. 

If you suspect extreme dehydration, contact your doctor or go to the hospital immediately.

Here are some tips to stay hydrated:

Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water before, during and after all physical activity. This is vital to retaining your fluids and maintaining a healthy temperature, especially if it is very hot out or you are engaging in intense physical activity.You can do this by always carrying water with you anywhere you go in your own container.

Avoiding a lot of protein is advisable as excess protein consumption can cause dehydration. If you are consuming a lot of protein, drink 8-10 glasses of water a day to stay hydrated.

Avoiding alcoholic beverages is necessary when trying to stay hydrated in extreme heat or during physical activity. All alcoholic drinks should be avoided, including cocktails, beers, wines, liquors etc.

Avoid excessively sugary or salty drinks and foods as they cause your body to retain water unnecessarily and increase blood pressure. You want to stick to low sodium, low sugar foods and drinks to help your body run at its optimal level.

Hepatitis B & C: what is the difference?

5th of June, 2017

Hepatitis B & C: what is the difference?

 There are five hepatitis types: A, B, C, D, and E. Hepatitis B and C are both viruses that affect the liver and are the most detrimental ones. Hepatitis literally translates to inflammation of the liver. Before we get into the detrimental effects of hepatitis, it is important to understand why the liver is important to the body. The liver cleanses the blood of pathogens and toxins, stores glucose for energy and digests fats. 
Hepatitis wrecks havoc on the liver and prevents it from completing its daily functions. 

Symptoms for Hep B and C are the same.  The symptoms include but are not limited to fever, joint pain, abdominal aches, vomiting, jaundice (yellowing of the eyes), diarrhea, loss of appetite.

Hepatitis B has a longer incubation period than Hep. C but both are spread through contact with blood or other bodily fluids. They can both be transmitted sexually. There is a vaccine to prevent Hep. B but unfortunately no vaccine for Hep. C. It is advised that infants, children, and teens get vaccinated for hepatitis B. In cases of all Hepatitis versions, alcohol should be avoided or kept to a minimum. Alcohol is very toxic for the liver and increases the likelihood of liver failure. 

You can prevent Hepatitis by not sharing needles, using protection during sex and not being in close proximity to bodily fluids.

Alcohol Dependence Doesn't Have a Face

18th of April, 2017

Alcohol Dependence Doesn't Have a Face:

Alcohol dependence, also known as alcoholism, affects around 18 million Americans per year.*

Alcohol dependence doesn't have a face. People from all economic backgrounds, races, genders and countries can experience it. There are many factors affecting alcoholism including genetic predisposition, history of depression, and binge drinking regularly. If someone in your family suffers from alcoholism, then you are more likely to develop the same problem.

Signs and symptoms of alcohol dependence include: inability to stop drinking, constant thoughts about alcohol, binge drinking until you feel sick or throw up. Binge drinking is considered 5+ drinks in an hour for a male and 4+ drinks in an hour for a female, approximately.

Treating alcoholism is difficult but not impossible. There are many recovering alcoholics who lead normal lives. Therapy (group or individual) is helpful in treating alcoholism, as most people are not unable to kick the addiction themselves. Some individuals choose to join 12-step groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
It is very important to seek medical help when going through withdrawal from alcohol. Alcohol withdrawal causes the following symptoms: shaking, sweating, insomnia, increased depression and anxiety, seizures, suicidal thoughts, decreased appetite, anger and irritability, nausea. Everyone's withdrawal symptoms will be different but will require some form of medical supervision. A hospital stay and an IV may be needed in severe cases to replenish the body and keep the individual stable.  In worst case scenarios, alcoholism can be treated with certain medications.

If you feel like you may have an alcohol addiction, please contact a professional to get an assessment. To get more help you can visit the following websites:

https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/treatment/treatment.htm

http://www.aa.org/

https://aidinrecovery.com

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https://medlineplus.gov/alcoholismandalcoholabuse.html*