Archives for December 2013

December 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Pain Relief with a Side of Opioid-Induced Constipation

For a headache or backache, most of us reach for ibuprofen or acetaminophen. These medications are readily available, extremely safe, and usually, very effective.

However, some conditions produce a level of pain that simply overwhelms the body. In these cases, doctors often prescribe opioids. Statistics show that more than 365 million prescriptions are written for these pain relievers every year.

What Are Opioids?

The class of pain relievers known as opioids has been around for a very long time—since 3400 BC. The compound originally came from the pods of the poppy plant. Throughout the years, scientists have created ways to manufacture synthetic versions, too. You’ll probably recognize some of the most popular opioids used today:

  • Vicodin
  • Duragesic
  • Demerol
  • Percocet
  • OxyContin
  • Morphine

All of these opioids work to block the transmission of pain signals in the body and dull the pain receptors in the brain. They are much, much stronger than over-the-counter pain relievers. Because of that, they are used in more serious medical settings—surgery recovery, cancer treatment, dental procedures, and pain after injuries.

Patients who use opioids for chronic pain instead of the Real time pain relief may develop a tolerance to the medication. Often times, doctors must raise the dosage to keep providing the same amount of pain relief.

Why Can’t I Go?

Like any other medication, opioids come with side effects. Drowsiness, dry mouth, and nausea are often seen in opioid patients, but the most common side effect is constipation. In fact, all types of opioids will cause opioid-induced constipation and some degree of gastrointestinal distress.

As the opioids work to block the body’s pain receptor sites, they also bind to receptor sites in the intestines. This means that the intestines can’t receive or send signals to the brain. The intestines slow their movements and produce fewer secretions than normal. Stool stays in the intestines for a longer period of time, leading to dry stools and constipation.

Should I Stop Taking My Medication?

When you’re initially prescribed a pain medication, be sure to ask about opioid-induced constipation and other side effects. Many doctors will prescribe a stool softener and laxative right away. Colace and Sennakot are two of the most popular options. However, be sure to stay away from Metamucil and other bulk laxatives. These may make opioid-induced constipation much worse.

If you are unable to produce a bowel movement in two days, alert your physician. They may prescribe a stronger laxative/suppository or give you alternative instructions for pain relief.

Learn more by reading Opioid-Induced Constipation: 10 Ways to Make Yourself Go

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Filed Under: Opioid Induced Constipation
December 16, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Overactive Bladder: What’s Going Wrong with your Urinary System?

The human body’s urinary system is made up of just a few organs that do a very important job. They are responsible for removing waste from the body and keeping chemical levels in balance.

Of course, urinating is a very personal and “hush-hush” topic. When individuals run into trouble with their urinary system, they are often reluctant to seek help. However, urinary issues, especially overactive bladder, are very common and easily treatable

The Main Players

You are probably well aware of the kidneys and the bladder. In addition to these organs, the urinary system also includes two ureters (tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder) and the urethra (a tube that carries urine out of the body).

The urinary system is also quite dependent on muscles and nerves. As the bladder is approaching its capacity, nerves in the bladder send a signal to the brain, letting the body know that it will need to be emptied soon. This sensation becomes stronger as the bladder fills to the brim.

When you arrive at the bathroom, the brain tells the bladder muscles to contract and tighten. At the same time, the brain is also telling a set of other muscles, the sphincter muscles, to loosen. These muscles usually keep the opening of the bladder tightly closed, but when you are urinating, the brain allows them to loosen.

So, in order to urinate, the brain instructs the bladder muscles to tighten and tells the sphincter muscles to loosen. These two actions result in urine being  squeezed into the urethra and out of the body.

Normally, adults can expect to urinate 4-7 times per day and once at night. That adds up to a quart and a half of urine. Of course, these amounts may vary based on the amount of food and drink you consume.

What’s Going Wrong?

Estimates vary widely, but according to The Urology Care Foundation, nearly 33 million Americans have overactive bladder. Individuals with this disorder don’t have full control over their bladder functions. Urine often comes out at the wrong times.

Three main symptoms are involved in overactive bladder:

  1. Frequent urination, often more than eight times per day or more than once at night
  2. A strong, sudden urge to urinate
  3. Leaking urine

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    Overactive bladder may happen for a number of reasons. In some people, the nerves of the bladder send faulty signals to the brain. The bladder isn’t full, but it tells the brain that it needs to be emptied. In others, the muscles of the bladder are overactive. They involuntarily contract at the wrong times and send a strong, urgent signal to force the urine out of the body.

    The underlying cause of overactive bladder varies greatly from person to person.

    • Medications and alcohol can lull the nerve signals sent between the brain and the urinary system.
    • Caffeine and water pills can cause the bladder to fill extremely quickly.
    • Weak muscles in the pelvic floor may not be able to hold up the bladder or the urethra.
    • Neurological disorders can cause damage the nerve pathways.

    Both men and women, old and young, have overactive bladder. Although many people perceive overactive bladder as an embarrassing condition, there is no need to hide your symptoms. Several potential treatments are available. If you suspect that you have overactive bladder, make an appointment with your doctor and voice your concerns.

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    How to Talk to a Doctor about Your Overactive Bladder
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    OAB.CTA.Verson.2

Filed Under: Overactive Bladder
December 9, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Why Diabetics are at Risk for High Cholesterol

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One of the most important things a diabetic can know is how their blood glucose levels can affect the other parts of the body. Even though the body is broken down into various systems, ie cardiac, respiratory, muscles, etc, they all work together and are affected by one another. Any disorder in the body, even if it is technically isolated to one part, can have effects on other systems. For example, someone with a respiratory disorder has trouble bringing in oxygen. This can make the heart work harder to get oxygen to the rest of the body.

Due to the set up of the human body, diabetes can actually cause high cholesterol levels, especially if blood glucose levels are not controlled. The various chemicals (hormones) that are secreted by the pancreas have control over cholesterol levels and blood sugars. Here, we will explain how the pancreas works, and how the effects of diabetes can prevent the body from being able to control your cholesterol levels and vice versa.

The Role of the Pancreas

The association of high cholesterol and diabetes is because the pancreas has the ability to control both in many situations. However, the effects diabetes has on the pancreas can actually prevent the body from properly managing cholesterol.

When you eat, the pancreas secretes several different chemicals. These chemicals are pushed into the digestive system and others into the blood stream to help break down various parts of your meal. This will answer a lot of questions about diabetes, and also make you aware of other problems you could encounter while trying to get your blood glucose levels under control.

The first set of chemicals that are secreted are Trypsin and chymotrypsin, which are essentially fancy names for chemicals that break down the proteins found in meats, beans, cheese, and lentils.

The second chemical that is secreted is Amylase, it is sent to break carbohydrates down into usable energy.

The third chemical that is secreted is Lipase, it is used to break down fats into useable and unusable parts, fatty acids and cholesterol.

The relation that this has to diabetes is due to other hormones that are created in the pancreas, these go straight into the blood stream. Insulin is created and released into the blood stream when the body senses that the blood sugar is too high, and to counteract low blood sugar it releases glucogen.

Diabetics do not create enough insulin in their pancreas to properly manage blood sugar. Damage to the pancreas that is caused by diabetes can also limit the amount of lipase that is produced. This can cause cholesterol to build up faster than it typically would.

The Relation between Diabetes and High Cholesterol

Because the body is focused on trying to create insulin that it cannot, the pancreas does not have all of the intended focus on breaking down fatty acids and cholesterol, which allows more of it to slip into the blood stream through the intestines. This means that diabetics are at a higher risk for developing high cholesterol especially if their blood sugars are not controlled.

Because the body is preoccupied, it doesn’t have time to sort out good cholesterol (HDL) from good cholesterol (LDL).  Studies have shown that people with diabetes have up to a 40% increase in LDL levels which is essentially the basis of high cholesterol.

Enjoyed this article?  Try reading these as well . . .
Low-Stress Meals For Diabetics
3 Questions Diabetic Patients Should Ask About Their Heart
4 Ways to Help Your Insulin Work For You

Cholesterol CTA

Filed Under: Diabetes, High Cholesterol Tagged With: , , , ,