Category: Health

With rampant drug abuse being on the increase, it is no wonder that MDMA or Molly as it is more commonly called is now fast turning out to be one of the most abused recreational drugs of late if current trends hold. It is more commonly known as Ecstasy and it can help you to experience a psychedelic high within half hour of ingestion. MDMA causes you to experience various side effects from experiencing an immediate high, a rush, to hallucinations, time dilation effects and much more. What makes this worse is that ecstasy which is often the homemade variant is often made from various substances like methamphetamine, cocaine and Ketamine which makes it all the more harder to gauge the potency of the drug as well as estimating its side effects. This is why it is important to take a closer look at some of the negative effects associated with Molly.

Some of the negative effects of Molly

MDMA is today one of the most widely used recreational drugs and is known as a party drug for a good reason; the drug causes you to experience euphoric and energizing effects as it has a direct impact on three central brain chemicals such as Serotonin, Dopamine and Norepinephrine. While initially the effects of Molly were thought to be harmless it soon became evident that this drug came with its own brand of side effects with some of them being potentially life-threatening.

Short-term effects

These effects are short-term and can cause you to experience the same on ingesting the drug in question. It depends on the end user as they may have a heightened sensitivity to the drug in question.  You may experience the following side effects on immediately swallowing the drug – nausea, teeth clenching, mild to severe muscle cramps, excessive sweating, chills, body shakes, high body temperature and more. One of the most dangerous side effects of MDMA happens to be the rapid increase in body temperature and without immediate medical attention; this can directly impact all your major body organs and even cause organ failure.

Long-term damage

Prolonged exposure to this drug can help alter the chemical makeup of your brain itself; several studies have shown how long-term exposure to Molly had caused neuronal damage in rats. The extended neuronal damage can help explain some of the symptoms that users face, despite using molly on a regular basis – effects such as depression, sleep problems, increased anxiety, decreased appetite and lowered sexual appetite. It is assumed that most, if not all of these effects are but a direct result of long term use of Molly and the resulting neuronal damage to the brain. A few studies have even shown that heavy usage of Molly over prolonged periods can even impact your cognitive abilities.

These are some of the associated negative effects of consuming Molly as a party drug. The issue has assumed troubling proportions as current trends have shown that more teens are taking to this drug than ever before.

With soaring medical costs, most governments that provide subsidized medical care for its citizens have started to think in terms of providing a “one size fits all” form of treatment. Usually, the current Medicare and Medicaid would fall under this category. While the required changes are still only on paper, the fact that politicians have already started to think of this as a ‘win-win’ policy is troubling indeed on several grounds, all of which are listed below.

Effectiveness: Opting for one standardized treatment for a specific condition may sound idealistic but when it comes to reality, the truth is realms apart from the idealized vision. The fact remains that as human beings, our bodies react differently to different medicines and even treatment methodologies. This is why doctors often subject their patients to several tests to see which one would be effective in treating their condition for doctors know all too well that heterogeneity is real enough and while two patients of a similar makeup, may suffer from the same condition, they need not respond similarly to the same drug/ course of treatment. And if the “one pill for one disease” healthcare alternative gets to become a part of our reality, then the chances of any patient being treated effectively goes all the way down.

Preference: When it comes to treatment patients have their own preference; they may opt for a herbal cure or would much rather go in for medication as opposed to surgery. But at the end of the day, their physician diagnoses their condition and they take an informed decision. The current policy change, that’s being debated, seeks to do away with this preference which is highly unfair to the patient and will only subject him to more stress as a result.

Cost: With a single universal healthcare in place which only allows for a single form of treatment for any specified health condition, the cost for healthcare should go down or so you would think. But in reality, and as various studies have already highlighted – as the patient gets to access only a specified treatment, chances of the patient being effectively treated drops down on account of heterogeneity. As a result, more patients are bound to get seriously sick which only translates to higher medical and healthcare costs for the government.

Health: Of all the negative side effects associated with this particular idea is the fact that patients will no longer have access to effective medical care is the most disturbing aspect of it. In other words, a patient would have to prove that a certain drug or medical treatment is not effective enough by becoming sicker in the process and putting his life at risk. This seems ironic that a bill that seeks to treat patients effectively is endangering their very lives in the process.

These are some of the negative side effects of a ‘one size fits all’ approach to standardized healthcare.

As mammals, one of the key developmental traits that are unique to all mammals is the milk factor and the fact that all mammals require milk for healthy development during the initial few months. And while it is true that all young infants require milk to get key nourishment and vitamins which is necessary for development and growth, some of the food companies started hyping milk and marketing it as an elixir for good health.  Recent studies had highlighted the fact that Milk comes with its own pros and cons, here’s to taking a closer look at the same.

Pros of milk:

Milk and bone development: Milk has long been hyped to be necessary for good health and was often tagged as being essential for bone development. The fact remains that milk is indeed healthy, as it contains a wide range of minerals and vitamins – all of which can have a beneficial effect on your overall health. In fact, milk is good for your bones and is extremely rich in calcium which is essential for good bone development and the fact that cow’s milk comes with vitamin D can help prevent you from developing osteoporosis later in life.

Cardiovascular health: Milk, especially cow’s milk is rich in potassium and low in sodium which can help reduce the blood pressure and improve your cardiovascular health in the process. Various studies have indicated that a diet that’s rich in potassium and low on sodium can have a beneficial effect on your cardiovascular health.

Cancer: Although several studies do indicate that a diet that’s rich in Vitamin D can help prevent certain types of cancer, the fact that there is no conclusive proof to claim that milk can prevent cancer effectively. But milk is loaded with vitamins, essential minerals like magnesium, potassium and others – all of these are essential for cellular growth and regeneration.

Muscle building: One of the reasons that most mammalian infants require milk during the initial months is that it can help them to develop fast. So naturally, it holds true that if you were to consume a healthy amount of milk daily, it should help you bulk up. Moreover, milk contains dietary protein which should help your body increase its lean muscle mass, help improve overall muscle tone, muscle repair and growth.

Cons of Milk:

Lactose intolerance: Despite consuming milk during the infant stage, there are a few people who end up developing lactose intolerance. They usually develop this because their bodies are no longer able to produce lactase which is essential for breaking down milk and all dairy products. As a result, such people cannot consume any milk on account of the fact that their body no longer digests milk which can result in gastrointestinal distress.

Allergy: A few people even become hypersensitive to milk which can cause their body to develop severe allergic reactions to drinking the same. On drinking milk or consuming dairy products, they may experience anything from rashes to a slight swelling of the lips. And in a few cases, some of them had to undergo hospitalization due to experiencing an anaphylactic shock on drinking milk. It is always a good idea to consult a doctor and get an allergy panel test done as this can show you whether you are allergic to certain substances like Milk.

Over-consumption of milk: Drinking too much milk because it is hyped to be good for your health can have unintended consequences. For example, if you should end up drinking too much milk, that’s going to increase your potassium intake. An excess of potassium can impact the functioning of your kidney especially when your kidneys have not fully formed yet. Additionally, a diet rich in milk can lead to an over-consumption of calcium which can cause you to experience anything from a kidney stone, constipation, and this can even lead you to experience kidney failure.

These are some of the pros and cons of drinking milk; no one is claiming that drinking milk is dangerous but it can have certain side effects. This is why it makes sense to review both the pros and cons of drinking milk, over prolonged periods of time.

The human body requires a certain amount of rest, on a daily basis and while there are case studies of individuals who have led long and healthy lives despite just three or four hours of sleep a day, these people are the exception and not the norm. The common consensus among most medical professionals is that your body requires seven to eight hours of sleep on a daily basis just so that it can continue to function normally. For example, if you had not been able to get enough sleep yesterday, then chances are that you will feel cranky, moody and unable to concentrate. These are just some of the side effects of sleep deprivation, which incidentally happens to be for real. This is why you need to take a closer look at the same.

Negative effects of sleep deprivation:

• Immune system: Let’s start with the most important one; as a result of sleep deprivation, your immune system becomes weak and compromised. As a result, you become more liable to get infected by common viruses like cold and flu; you will also be at high risk to infection by more dangerous viruses. This is why it is essential for your well being to get the required amount of sleep daily.
• High blood pressure: Since you sleep for less than five hours a day your body becomes stressed and will not function at optimal levels. Worse, your blood pressure will be off the scales; your blood pressure will shoot up. Until you take effective measures which include a lot of sleep, your blood pressure will remain high and it may even turn out to be a chronic condition.
• Mood changes: Sleep deprivation affects various parts of your brain including the emotional center of your brain. As a result, you would be more prone to mood swings, sudden feelings of anxiety along with episodes of anger and rage for no reason at all. You may also experience bouts of depression and melancholia.
• Memory: It is a fact that the human brain processes information while the subject is asleep; this accounts for the various dreams you get, in the REM phase. A failure to achieve REM sleep can have a direct impact on your memory as your brain does not have enough time to process information and form memories. As a result, you may face memory issues, both short-term ones and long-term ones as well
• Cognitive functioning: As a result of lack of adequate sleep, your cognitive functioning is bound to be impacted; you may take longer to resolve simple tasks and may even find the simplest of them to be confounding.

The above symptoms are as a result of sleep deprivation; if you experience any of the above symptoms or all of the above, then you need to consult a doctor right away. It is essential that you do so right away but the best cure may just be a cup of hot cocoa, warm biscuits, a glass of water and soft comfy bed for eight hours of sleep.

Remember that cream of mushroom soup your granny used to make, with a smattering of truffles on the top to complete the dish? Mushrooms have been part of our cuisine for more than two thousand years, and it has long since moved on from a snack to being part of a seven-course dinner. Let’s face it, mushrooms are indeed musky, they bring their own flavor and are downright delicious in whatever format – baked/steamed or grilled. But given the increase in mushroom-related deaths, it is perhaps time to take a closer look at mushrooms and associated side effects.

Here are a few side effects that a person may experience consuming mushrooms –

Tiredness: You may experience anything from fatigue to lassitude on consuming one too many mushrooms.  This is generally not applicable to all but a few people may be sensitive to the mushrooms that can cause them to experience the same.

Stomach upset: This generally happens when some of the mushrooms are undercooked; mushrooms have a certain amount of toxicity hence the need to cook them thoroughly. So if you end up eating undercooked mushrooms, the chances of you developing diarrhea go up; you may even experience bouts of cold sweats, nausea and dry throat. It is advisable that you consult a doctor should you experience the same, immediately after consuming mushrooms.

Hallucination: Mushrooms can cause you to experience vivid hallucinations; they have been utilized by various cultures in the past, in their quest towards spiritual growth. Certain mushrooms are more toxic than other varieties and on consuming them; you are bound to experience hallucinations. The severity of the hallucinations depends on the type of mushroom and how much you consumed – consult a doctor right away.

Allergies: Some people may develop lesions in their mouth, along with rashes on their face and areas around their mouth; this is usually because they have a heightened sensitivity to mushrooms and these allergic reactions will subside after a while. If this sounds like something similar to what you are experiencing at the moment, then you need to consult a doctor right away and get an allergy panel test done. With the right treatment, these symptoms should subside but you need to stay away from all mushrooms permanently.

Euphoric high: At times, you may feel dizzy and even experience a euphoric high for no reason at all. This is mostly as a result of toxic mushrooms; you need to lie down and wait for the symptoms to disappear.

Pregnancy: Although to date no one has reported any detrimental effect of mushrooms on a fetus, the fact remains that mushrooms are toxic by nature, and most doctors would advise pregnant women against eating mushrooms during the course of their pregnancy.

These are some of the associated negative effects of consuming mushrooms; if you still plan to consume some, then it may be a good idea to purchase your mushrooms from a department store. Most o f these stores double check and ensure that their mushrooms are safe for consumption, which is always preferable to picking out your own in the wild.

Dairy consumption has always been on the rise, thanks to all the hype about how great it is when in reality, it could just about push you over the edge. Milk and other dairy products are often recommended by food experts as essential food for the well being of your health. But the stark reality is that dairy consumption is not all that great which is why it is time you took a closer look at some of the negative effects of dairy consumption.

Fractures: Most of the hype surrounding dairy consumption was about how it helps to make your bone stronger; well a recent study showed that regular consumption of milk does not do much for your bones. In fact, it is believed that dairy products may increase the risk of fracture by as much as 50%.

Calcium: While it is true that most dairy products are loaded with calcium, calcium by itself does not do much for bones. In fact, if you consumed food products loaded with vitamin D, you can develop better and stronger bones than you would have been able to do with regular consumption of milk.

Cancer risk: A series of studies have highlighted the correlation between increased dairy intake and the development of prostate cancer. In fact, regular consumption of dairy products can help increase your risk of getting prostate cancer by as much as 50%

Lactose intolerance: There are a select few who have developed sensitivity towards lactose, one of the main ingredients in dairy products. Nearly half the world’s population is lactose intolerant to one extent or the other. As a result, they are unable to digest milk and its associated products in any form.

It is obvious that milk and dairy products do come with all the surrounding hype; while no one is claiming that drinking milk is bad for your health but rather that you need to approach all dairy products with a fresh perspective. Milk is essential for a child’s natural development but you may want to consult a health expert and find out if drinking milk is okay or whether you need to worry about some of the above-stated side effects. You may also want to keep track of your weight since milk is supposed to be a fatty substance, the chances of you increasing weight as a result of regular consumption of dairy-related products is actually quite high.

Dairy can also cause you to break into rashes, especially if you happen to be allergic to milk and other products. Excessive milk consumption can also lead to heart attacks as a result of clogged arteries. This is why it is important t0 go in for regular checkups so that your doctor can help monitor your condition and warn you if anything is out of place. The hype about milk preventing fractures is one of the biggest spinoffs created by the dairy industry. This is one of the reasons for the popularity of milk today when the reality is something else altogether..

Obesity is fast becoming a major health issue and is developing into a health crisis as well, given the recent jump in the number of those diagnosed with Diabetes (according to CDC this number stood at 30 million and that’s in the US alone). Obesity is a chronic problem, one which can have lifelong implications for your health. According to the US surgeon general, obesity seems to be on the rise, not just in the US but across the world but that the troubling aspect of this chronic health condition seems to be the increase in underage obesity, with more children reporting in sick for obesity-related health issues.

The fact remains that the human body is not designed to function optimally under any weight conditions; as a result of your BMI increase, chances are that you can develop a variety of obesity-related health issues, starting with Diabetes 2. In fact, Obesity is reported to be one of the causative factors behind the sharp increase in diabetes cases being reported from all over the world.

As your body increases in mass, it can cause your blood pressure to shoot up; as your body expands, your body cells would require additional oxygen in order to function normally and to transport the blood vessels across your body. This cranks the blood pressure all the way up; apart from this is the fact that extra weight can place more stress on your body organs and mainly on your heart. This can cause you to develop several hearth related issues including arrhythmia. And as the bad cholesterol increases in your body, this can impact your body’s ability to convey oxygenated blood to other parts of your body. This will have a cumulative effect on your heart, leading to a massive heart attack. Nearly 300,000 premature deaths were caused as a result of obesity, last year.

Joints and ligaments: As you develop excess weight, it can place more stress on your body and muscles; as a result, you may develop osteoarthritis. You will find that even a short walk can leave you exhausted and in a lot of pain. While you can always opt for a joint replacement surgery, it is not advisable for obese patients to do so as a result of other side effects including damage from the artificial joint itself.

Sleep apnea: Sleep apnea refers to brief periods where your body actually forgets to breathe and as a result, you would be unable to get a sound sleep. This is more common among obese patients than any other demographic. While this issue may not sound as serious as the others listed above, it can have a direct impact on your physical and psychological well being.

These are some of the negative effects of obesity; this is why it makes more sense to seek out a dietician and try to lose that excess weight. You can opt for a better, healthy diet and even enroll for a few fitness exercises to help trim the fat.