Marijuana Side Effects & Symptoms of Abuse

Marijuana is a mind-altering drug that has several effects on the human body and mind. Using marijuana just one time can cause noticeable symptoms to appear. The longer a person uses it, the greater the risk for it to cause larger social changes in their life.

If you’re worried a friend or family member may be struggling with marijuana abuse or addiction, look for a combination of these signs, symptoms and side effects. Although they may try to hide their habit, these symptoms and signs are classic tells of marijuana use.

Article at a Glance:

• Marijuana can be habit-forming and has many effects on the mind and body.
• Signs of marijuana abuse are reduced mental and physical abilities, difficulties with work or school, social changes and troubles money or the law.
• Both physical and psychological symptoms can occur even after only using marijuana one time.
• Some long-term effects are chronic coughing, a drop in IQ, respiratory infections, mental health issues and addiction.
• Although there have been no documented fatal marijuana overdoses, nonfatal symptoms of an overdose include extreme paranoia, anxiety, hallucinations and anxiety.

Signs of Marijuana Addiction

As a person becomes more entrenched in marijuana use, you may start to notice a change in their priorities, behavior and social activity. This is because the feeling of getting high on marijuana seems enjoyable, so the person may prioritize getting high over other activities they were previously dedicated to.

Using marijuana (and ingesting THC) causes changes in the brain that may lead to additional changes in a person’s abilities and behavior over time. Some signs of marijuana abuse include:

• Social changes
• Employment or academic struggles
• Reduced cognitive and physical abilities
• Legal troubles
• Financial concerns

Social changes, for example, may include a disinterest in former hobbies or friends, partaking in risky behaviors, and a newfound interest in marijuana counterculture. For example, modern cannabis counterculture has an equally strong tie to the Rastafarian lifestyle; images of the marijuana leaf and Bob Marley are both commonly associated with marijuana counterculture.

Marijuana users may also engage in risky behavior. THC affects the frontal cortex, the part of the brain involved in decision-making, which may cause a person to make poor decisions. As a result, a person may choose to drive a car while impaired or have unprotected sex while high. By impairing one’s judgment, marijuana abuse can lead to an increased risk of contracting sexually-transmitted diseases like HIV and AIDS.

Similar to how it affects judgment, THC may also affect a person’s physical abilities. A lack of coordination while high can cause a person to struggle while performing regular activities. This is also why driving while high on marijuana is unsafe — THC affects the cerebellum and basal ganglia, which are two parts of the brain that regulate coordination, balance, and movement.

Marijuana use also affects mental cognition or thinking abilities. This can be especially dangerous for adolescents, as studies have shown that smoking marijuana as an adolescent can reduce a person’s IQ permanently. Some signs a teen may be abusing marijuana include failing grades, reports of skipping classes or not earning the grades to graduate on time.

Financial and legal troubles also go hand-in-hand with marijuana abuse. If someone gets caught selling or using the drug without a prescription, they could be arrested and face jail time, resulting in costly attorney fees and bail payment.

Physical Symptoms of Marijuana Abuse

When a person ingests cannabis, the drug releases THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) in the brain. This mind-altering chemical causes several effects, which may result in a person experiencing physical and psychological symptoms. These effects can occur in the short-term, even after one instance of marijuana use.

It’s not uncommon for people to also experience heart attacks following marijuana use, especially when it has a more potent concentration of THC. A person’s risk of heart attack can increase up to five times within the first hour after smoking marijuana. This is because it raises blood pressure and heart rate while reducing the blood’s ability to carry oxygen.

Signs of a heart attack include chest pain, lightheadedness, nausea or vomiting, neck, jaw or back pain, shoulder or arm pain, and shortness of breath.

A heart attack can be fatal and is a medical emergency. If you see someone experiencing the signs of a heart attack, call 911 immediately.

Long-Term Health Effects of Marijuana Use

The longer a person uses marijuana, the more exposed they are to THC and its effects. Over time, marijuana abuse can lead to the development of many dangerous conditions and adverse health effects.

Long-term side effects of marijuana use include:

Scientists have been doing significant amounts of research on how cannabis use affects mental capacity. For example, a recent Duke University study in New Zealand revealed that people who heavily smoked marijuana in their adolescent years and later became addicted to the drug lost eight IQ points between ages 13 and 38. Sometimes, the long-term effects of drug abuse can be repaired over time as the brain has a chance to heal in sobriety. However, this study showed these individuals did not regain their IQ points after they stopped using marijuana.

For women of childbearing age, marijuana use can also negatively impact pregnancy and unborn children. Using marijuana while pregnant has been known to cause low birth weight and an increased risk of stillbirth. Marijuana use during pregnancy has also been linked to brain damage in the developing fetus. Children born with prenatal marijuana exposure have shown:

• Attention problems
• Memory problems
• Difficulty with problem-solving skills

Some preliminary research also shows that postpartum marijuana use can lead to an accumulation of THC in breast milk. If a nursing mother repeatedly uses marijuana, the THC levels in their breast milk could reach a high enough level to stunt brain development in their baby.

Marijuana Overdose

When a person ingests too much marijuana, an overdose (essentially drug poisoning) occurs. While overdose is commonly fatal with other drugs, there are no reports of a fatal overdose on marijuana alone.

You may have had a nonfatal marijuana overdose if you experienced these symptoms:

It’s possible to experience overdose on any form of marijuana, but it’s particularly likely when eating marijuana edibles. This often occurs because inexperienced edible users don’t realize how long it takes to feel the effects of the drug and eat an increased dose. This is more likely to occur with teenagers who have never taken edibles before, or even with small children who eat an edible without knowing it contains cannabis.

Although the overdose is typically nonfatal, it may be important to treat the overdose as a medical emergency and seek immediate medical treatment. One can visit their doctor’s office or a hospital right away. If you believe the person who has overdosed may harm themselves or others, it may be best to call 911 and let emergency personnel handle the situation.

If you or a loved one is struggling with marijuana use or addiction, The Recovery Village can help. Contact us today to learn more about treatment options and plans that can work well for your situation.

• Sources

  American Heart Association. “Heart Attack and Stroke Symptoms.” Accessed June 25, 2020.

  National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Commonly Abused Drugs Charts.” Accessed June 25, 2020.

  National Institute on Drug Abuse. “DrugFacts: Marijuana.” December 19, 2020. Accessed June 25, 2020.

  National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Marijuana.” May 12, 2020. Accessed June 25, 2020.

  American Medical Association. “AMA Applauds Surgeon General’s Advisory on Cannabis.” August 29, 2019. Accessed June 19, 2020.

  National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Marijuana Research Report.” April 2020. Accessed June 19, 2020.

  Duke University. “Adolescent Pot Use Leaves Lasting Mental Deficits.” August 27, 2012. Accessed July 7, 2020.

Medical Disclaimer: The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.

EACH Breath Blog | American Lung Association

There are over 3,000 chemicals hidden in tobacco products that make them harmful, including at least 69 that are believed to cause cancer. But many people underestimate a sneakier threat, the chemical found in tobacco leaves that keeps users coming back for more—nicotine. Nicotine is one of the most addictive drugs around, which is why an infamous 1988 report on addiction released by the Surgeon General even went as far as to compare a nicotine addiction to heroin addiction.

The more nicotine present in a tobacco product, the more addictive it is, and when it comes to e-cigarettes and vaping, the risk is high. That’s because nearly all (more than 99%) e-cigarettes contain nicotine, and some brands (such as Juul) contain an excessive amount. All nicotine is addictive, but high levels of nicotine can not only create a stronger addiction but also cause your body to overdose on the drug. Even more concerning: most kids don’t know Juul contains nicotine at all. Nearly 2 out of 3 youth current Juul users incorrectly thought the product did not always contain nicotine.

This may be why the news has recently been littered with stories of a new “sickness” caused by nicotine overdosing. “‘Nic-sick,’ as it’s being called, refers to non-specific symptoms of exposure to nicotine, especially if it is above someone’s tolerance,” said Panagis Galiatsatos, M.D., MHS, a volunteer medical spokesperson for the American Lung Association and assistant professor at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine explained. “Nicotine poisoning occurs when nicotine begins to exhibit more dire toxic effects on an individual.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that 50 to 60 milligrams of nicotine is a deadly dose for an adult who weighs about 150 pounds. Traditionally, someone who smoked would absorb around 1 milligram of nicotine per cigarette. This is why overdosing, while a threat to children who may accidentally eat a cigarette butt, was less common in adults.

Vaping, however, has changed the game. Juul claims that one of its pods contains as much nicotine as a whole pack of cigarettes, though this may vary because without oversight there is nothing stopping Juul or any other manufacturer from increasing nicotine levels.

What Are the Symptoms of Nic-Sickness?

There are a number of symptoms you want to watch for if you are worried about a possible nicotine overdose. Within the first 15 minutes to an hour of being exposed, symptoms would create a stimulating effect such as:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Stomachache and loss of appetite
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure
• Headache
• Mouth watering
• Quick, heavy breathing
• Dizziness or tremors
• Confusion and anxiety

Within 30 minutes to up to four hours later, symptoms shift and include:

• Diarrhea
• Shallow breathing
• Slower heartbeat and blood pressure
• Extreme fatigue
• Weakness, slow reflexes, or unable to control muscles
• Pale skin

You will need to go to a hospital if your symptoms progress to include seizures, respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, breathing difficulties or even coma. Additionally, if any of your symptoms suggest that you may be suffering from a pulmonary-related illness linked to vaping, you should contact your doctor immediately. You can learn more about the current cluster of pulmonary-related illnesses linked to vaping on Lung.org.

When It’s Actually Nicotine Poisoning

Nic-sick is bad enough but ingesting liquid nicotine is even worse as it is poisonous and can be fatal. So, if you or someone you know is experiencing nicotine poisoning, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. In 2010, the instances of nicotine poisoning were only about 1 a month, according to research done by the CDC. But with the introduction of e-cigarettes, those numbers have skyrocketed to over 200 a month, according to the American Association for Poison Control.  In 2014, a toddler died from accidental liquid nicotine poisoning.

Treatment will depend on how much nicotine has been ingested, but doctors commonly use activated charcoal to bind the nicotine in the stomach and take it out of the body. Other medications may be administered to manage blood pressure, heart rate and seizures. Patients having difficulty breathing may require a ventilator. If skin or eyes have come in contact with nicotine, rinsing them with warm water for 15 minutes may help minimize burning. Do not scrub hard because it could cause more damage. Seek medical attention immediately.

Talk With Your Provider about Any E-Cigarette Use

No matter how severe your exposure, it is important to confide in your physician if you use e-cigarettes as it may save you from misdiagnosis. 

“Given the excessive usage of e-cigarettes, I imagine nic-sickness symptoms will become more prevalent,” said Dr. Galiatsatos. “This should be on everyone’s radar!”

Tell-tale signs of a chronic smoker

Lung India. 2013 Jan-Mar; 30(1): 79–81.

Vivek Chauhan

Department of Medicine, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India. E-mail: moc.oohay@almihskevivrd

Rajesh Sharma

Department of Medicine, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India. E-mail: moc.oohay@almihskevivrd

Suman Thakur

¹Department of Microbiology, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India

Department of Medicine, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India. E-mail: moc.oohay@almihskevivrd

¹Department of Microbiology, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Sir,

Tobacco smoking is quite common in all sections of Indian society and two main forms of tobacco are cigarette and biri. Biri is formed by stuffing tobacco inside tendu leaves and tied with a thread at one end. Biri has no filter, and to keep it burning one has to take an average of 28 puffs as opposed to 10 in a cigarette. Heavy smokers and chronic smokers have many reliable clinical signs that point towards their habit of smoking, and can be handy in suspecting and diagnosing chronic obstructive airways disease (COAD) at an early stage, even if the patient denies smoking. In this work, we present a list with description of various clinical signs of smokers. Some of the signs (e.g., Chingari sign) may be more specific for biri smokers, whereas others are seen with any type of smoking.

Tell-tale signs of smoking

1. Stains

   1. Nails and fingers: Nails and fingers of smokers may take a yellow stain due to repeated exposure to smoke and tar in smoke.

   2. Moustaches: Moustaches especially is elderly with white hair show a clear pattern of yellowing in centre showing chronic exposure to smoke [].

      Moustaches of an elderly person showing yellow stain more in the center where smoke is exhaled from nose, a sure sign of heavy smoking

   3. Lips: Lips have a bluish-black discoloration in heavy smokers.

   4. Teeth: Teeth of smokers show brownish black staining from inside and yellow discoloration from outside.

2. Burns

   1. Clothes: ‘Chingari sign’: Clothes of biri smokers have numerous holes due to sparks (Chingari in Hindi) arising from burning of biris over many months [].

      Shirt of a patient showing multiple tiny holes produced by the sparks (‘Chingari’ in Hindi) originating from the Biri smoking (Biri is tobacco rolled in Tendu eaves). It is the most prevalent form of smoking in India and this sign is called ‘Chingari Sign’ seen only in Biri smokers

   2. Fingers: Fingers of biri smokers may show burn marks due to repeated exposure to matchsticks used to burn biris.

3. Skin changes

   1. Premature wrinkling: ‘Crows feet’, ‘cobblestone wrinkles’, ‘smoker’s face’: The term smoker’s face was coined by Dr. Douglas Model in 1905 in an article published in British Medical Journal.[1] His observation was that half of the long-term smokers (>10 years) had similar skin features in face irrespective of age, sun exposure, or weight. Toxins from smoke caused constriction of blood vessels, presence of carbon monoxide reduced oxygen delivery to skin, and direct exposure of facial skin to smoke caused dryness and irritation. In addition, nicotine has some diuretic effect to reduce the skin moisture. Crow’s feet [] is the prominent lines and wrinkles starting from the corner of the eyes. Cobblestone wrinkles [] are wrinkles that run down at the back of the neck. Smokers also produce matrix metalloproteinase in excess, which degrades collagen and skin loses elasticity as a result.[2]

      a: A typical “smoker’s face” showing dryness of skin, wrinkles originating from the sides of eyelids running up to cheek called “crow’s feet”, wrinkles in front of the ears, and wrinkles running down the neck behind the ears

      Cobblestone-shaped wrinkles in the side and back of the neck of a smoker, a feature of heavy smoking over prolonged duration

   2. Nodular elastosis of skin with comedone formation: “Favre–Racouchot syndrome” [].

      Favre–Racouchot syndrome: showing multiple open and closed comedones (black heads) over forehead and furrowed wrinkled skin, produced by chronic sun exposure and heavy smoking

      The disease was originally described by Favre in 1932 and reviewed in detail by Favre and Racouchot in 1951.[3,4] This disease is a cosmetic concern and is caused by chronic excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light in sun and is strongly associated with heavy cigarette smoking.[5] The association with smoking has been found to be even stronger than UV light.

      Multiple open and closed comedones are present in the periorbital and temporal areas with yellowish discoloration, yellowish nodules, atrophy, wrinkles, and furrows. The eruption is usually bilaterally symmetrical. No inflammation is present, unlike the comedones seen in acne vulgaris.[6]

4. Smell of smoke

   1. Heavy smokers have a typical smell of smoke in their clothes, breath, hands, and can easily be detected by this smell. The smell may vary depending on the type of cigarette they use. So, if in doubt regarding the history using your smelling power may be worthwhile, especially in adolescents.

Association of these signs with diseases

Facial wrinkling and association with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD):[7] In a recent study on chronic smokers, the investigators found statistically significant correlations between facial wrinkling and both low FEV₁ and extensive disease on computed tomography (CT). The authors suggest that genetic susceptibility might be the mechanism behind this correlation: Smoking might activate metalloproteinases in susceptible individuals, or such individuals might have defective repair mechanisms affecting both skin and lungs. If we are able to detect the signs in skin such as Crow’s feet on face in smokers at an early age, we can alert these patients regarding high likelihood of development of COAD because of common proposed mechanism for both processes, that is, destruction of airways and wrinkling of face by activation of metalloproteinases by smoking. We can also get their pulmonary function tests or chest CT to detect COAD at an early stage.

REFERENCES

2. Lahmann C, Bergemann J, Harrison G, Young AR. Matrix metalloproteinase-1 and skin ageing in smokers. Lancet. 2001;357:935–6. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]3. Favre M. A reason for some localized pilosebaceous units on the face. Bull Soc Fr Dermatol Syph. 1932;39:93–6. [Google Scholar]4. Favre M, Racouchot J. Nodular cutaneous elasteidosis with cysts and comedones. Ann Dermatol Syphiligr (Paris) 1951;78:681–702. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]5. Keough GC, Laws RA, Elston DM. Favre-Racouchot syndrome: A case for smokers’ comedones. Arch Dermatol. 1997;133:796–7. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]6. Patterson WM, Fox MD, Schwartz RA. Favre-Racouchot disease. Int J Dermatol. 2004;43:167–9. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]7. Patel BD, Loo WJ, Tasker AD, Screaton NJ, Burrows NP, Silverman EK, et al. Smoking related COPD and facial wrinkling: Is there a common susceptibility? Thorax. 2006;61:568–71. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Marijuana Overdose: Symptoms and Treatment

It’s possible to overdose on marijuana. Here’s how to spot an overdose and treat it.

Marijuana is one of the most widely used drugs in the U.S., according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. There are no reports of fatal marijuana overdoses, but it is possible to overdose on cannabis. Symptoms range from mild to severe. 

Dr. Aaron Weiner, a clinical psychologist and addiction specialist, tells WebMD Connect to Care that marijuana overdoses have increased in recent years—especially in states that have legalized cannabis for either medical or recreational use. 

Marijuana Overdose Symptoms

Can you overdose on marijuana? Yes, but unlike overdoses of other illicit drugs, a marijuana overdose won’t likely be fatal. 

Here are are the symptoms you may experience if you overdose on weed:

• High levels of anxiety
• Panic attack
• Rapid heart rate 
• Difficulty conversing
• Poor coordination
• High or low blood pressure 
• Nausea and vomiting 
• Extreme confusion and memory problems 
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations 

Milder overdoses are typically characterized by nausea, anxiety, lethargy, dizziness, and paranoia, says Dr. Weiner. This set of symptoms is sometimes termed “greening out.” He adds that THC overdose signs include cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) and marijuana-induced psychosis (MIP). The former involves bouts of severe vomiting and abdominal pain—usually lasting for less than 24 hours. 

Courtney Allen-Gentry, an Advanced Holistic Public Health Nurse, says that marijuana overdose is unlikely with smoking or vaping. You are a lot more likely to overdose on weed edibles because it’s difficult to determine the exact dosing. 

What You Should Do

When you or a loved one overdoses on marijuana, Dr. Weiner recommends a visit to urgent care. If your loved one is experiencing a psychotic break due to a weed overdose, keeping them safe is vital, urges Dr. Weiner. 

In the meantime or for milder cases, RN Allen-Gentry suggests hydrating with lemon juice in water, which helps neutralize terpenes and counteracts the dehydrating effects of THC. She adds that “chewing black peppercorns will shift discomfort due to terpenes.” 

Get Help Now 

Did you know that it’s possible to become addicted to marijuana? According to the CDC, approximately 1 in 10 users become addicted and young people are even more likely develop an addiction.

If you or a loved one is struggling with marijuana addiction, WebMD Connect to Care Advisors are standing by to help.

Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome | Cedars-Sinai

Not what you’re looking for?

What is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome?

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome
(CHS) is a condition that leads to repeated and severe bouts of vomiting. It is rare
and
only occurs in daily long-term users of marijuana.

Marijuana has several active
substances. These include THC and related chemicals. These substances bind to molecules
found in the brain. That causes the drug “high” and other effects that users feel.

Your digestive tract also has a
number of molecules that bind to THC and related substances. So marijuana also affects
the digestive tract. For example, the drug can change the time it takes the stomach
to
empty. It also affects the esophageal sphincter. That’s the tight band of muscle that
opens and closes to let food from the esophagus into the stomach. Long-term marijuana
use can change the way the affected molecules respond and lead to the symptoms of
CHS.

Marijuana is the most widely used
illegal drug in the U.S. Young adults are the most frequent users. A small number
of
these people develop CHS. It often only happens in people who have regularly used
marijuana for several years. Often CHS affects those who use the drug at least once
a
day.

What causes cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome?

Marijuana has very complex effects on the body. Experts are still trying to learn
exactly how it causes CHS in some people.

In the brain, marijuana often has the opposite effect of CHS. It helps prevent nausea
and vomiting. The drug is also good at stopping such symptoms in people having chemotherapy.

But in the digestive tract,
marijuana seems to have the opposite effect. It actually makes you more likely to
have
nausea and vomiting. With the first use of marijuana, the signals from the brain may
be
more important. That may lead to anti-nausea effects at first. But with repeated use
of
marijuana, certain receptors in the brain may stop responding to the drug in the same
way. That may cause the repeated bouts of vomiting found in people with CHS.

It still isn’t clear why some heavy
marijuana users get the syndrome, but others don’t.

What are the symptoms of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome?

People with CHS suffer from
repeated bouts of vomiting. In between these episodes are times without any symptoms.
Healthcare providers often divide these symptoms into 3 stages: the prodromal phase,
the
hyperemetic phase, and the recovery phase.

Prodromal
phase.
During this phase, the main symptoms are often early morning nausea and
belly (abdominal) pain. Some people also develop a fear of vomiting. Most people keep
normal eating patterns during this time. Some people use more marijuana because they
think it will help stop the nausea. This phase may last for months or years.

Hyperemetic
phase.
Symptoms during this time may include:

• Ongoing nausea
• Repeated episodes of vomiting
• Belly pain
• Decreased food intake and weight
  loss
• Symptoms of fluid loss
  (dehydration)

During this phase, vomiting is
often intense and overwhelming. Many people take a lot of hot showers during the day.
They find that doing so eases their nausea. (That may be because of how the hot
temperature affects a part of the brain called the hypothalamus. This part of the
brain
effects both temperature regulation and vomiting.) People often first seek medical
care
during this phase.

The hyperemetic phase may continue
until the person completely stops using marijuana. Then the recovery phrase starts.

Recovery
phase.
During this time, symptoms go away. Normal eating is possible again. This
phase can last days or months. Symptoms often come back if the person tries marijuana
again.

How is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome diagnosed?

Many health problems can cause
repeated vomiting. To make a diagnosis, your healthcare provider will ask you about
your
symptoms and your past health. He or she will also do a physical exam, including an
exam
of your belly.

Your healthcare provider may also
need more tests to rule out other causes of the vomiting. That’s especially the case
for
ones that may signal a health emergency. Based on your other symptoms, these tests
might
include:

• Blood tests for anemia and
  infection
• Tests for electrolytes
• Tests for pancreas and liver enzymes,
  to check these organs
• Pregnancy test
• Urine analysis, to test for infection
  or other urinary causes
• Drug screen, to test for drug-related
  causes of vomiting
• X-rays of the belly, to check for
  things such as a blockage
• Upper endoscopy, to view the stomach
  and esophagus for possible causes of vomiting
• Head CT scan, if a nervous system
  cause of vomiting seems likely
• Abdominal CT scan, to check for health
  problems that might need surgery

CHS was only recently discovered.
So some healthcare providers may not know about it. As a result, they may not spot
it
for many years. They often confuse CHS with cyclical vomiting disorder. That is a
health
problem that causes similar symptoms. A specialist trained in diseases of the digestive
tract (gastroenterologist) might make the diagnosis.

You may have CHS if you have all of these:

• Long-term weekly and daily marijuana use

• Belly pain

• Severe, repeated nausea and vomiting

• You feel better after taking a hot shower

There is no single test that confirms this diagnosis. Only
improvement after quitting marijuana confirms the diagnosis.

How is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome treated?

If you have had severe vomiting,
you might need to stay in the hospital for a short time. During the hyperemesis phase,
you might need these treatments:

• IV (intravenous) fluid replacement for
  dehydration
• Medicines to help decrease
  vomiting
• Pain medicine
• Proton-pump inhibitors, to treat
  stomach inflammation
• Frequent hot showers
• Prescribed medicines that help calm you down
  (benzodiazepines)
• In a small sample of people with CHS, rubbing capsaicin cream on
  the belly helped decrease pain and nausea. The chemicals in the cream have the same
  effect as a hot shower

Symptoms often ease after a day or
2 unless marijuana is used before this time.

To fully get better, you need to
stop using marijuana all together. Some people may get help from drug rehab programs
to
help them quit. Cognitive behavioral therapy or family therapy can also help. If you
stop using marijuana, your symptoms should not come back.

What are possible complications of cannabinoid hyperemesis
syndrome?

Very severe, prolonged vomiting may lead to dehydration. It may also lead to electrolyte
problems in your blood. If untreated, these can cause rare complications such as:

• Muscle spasms or weakness
• Seizures
• Kidney failure
• Heart rhythm abnormalities
• Shock
• In very rare cases, brain swelling (cerebral edema)

Your healthcare team will quickly work to fix any dehydration or electrolyte problems.
Doing so can help prevent these problems.

What can I do to prevent cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome?

You can prevent CHS by not using
marijuana in any form. You may not want to believe that marijuana may be the underlying
cause of your symptoms. That may be because you have used it for many years without
having any problems. The syndrome may take several years to develop. The drug may
help
prevent nausea in new users who don’t use it often. But people with CHS need to
completely stop using it. If they don’t, their symptoms will likely come back.

Quitting marijuana may lead to
other health benefits, such as:

• Better lung function
• Improved memory and thinking skills
• Better sleep
• Decreased risk for depression and anxiety

When should I call my healthcare provider?

Call your healthcare provider if you have had severe vomiting for a day or more.

Key points about cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome

• CHS is a condition that leads to
  repeated and severe bouts of vomiting. It results from long-term use of
  marijuana.
• Most people self-treat using hot
  showers to help reduce their symptoms.
• Some people with CHS may not be
  diagnosed for several years. Admitting to your healthcare provider that you use
  marijuana daily can speed up the diagnosis.
• You might need to stay in the hospital
  to treat dehydration from CHS.
• Symptoms start to go away within a day
  or 2 after stopping marijuana use.
• Symptoms almost always come back if you use marijuana
  again.

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:

• Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.
• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
• Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells
  you.
• At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments,
  or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you.
• Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Also
  know what the side effects are.
• Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.
• Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
• Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
• If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that
  visit.
• Know how you can contact your provider if you have questions.

Medical Reviewer: Eric Perez MD

Medical Reviewer: L Renee Watson MSN RN

Medical Reviewer: L Renee Watson MSN RN

© 2000-2021 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional’s instructions.

Not what you’re looking for?

5 Signs Someone Is Addicted to Weed

Marijuana addiction occurs when a person’s use of the drug disrupts their daily activities, relationships, ability to work, and/or they can’t stop using the substance even though they want to quit. This is defined as cannabis use disorder by the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Most people who use weed will not become addicted. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that about one out of every ten people who uses marijuana will become addicted.

Is Marijuana Addictive?

Marijuana addiction is uncommon and can only be diagnosed in severe cases. Only a small percentage of people who use weed will develop what is known as cannabis use disorder. The number rises significantly for those who started using weed in their teens, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

If someone you know uses pot occasionally and it doesn’t disrupt their life, they likely do not have an addiction to marijuana.

Cannabis Use Disorder

Rather than use the term “addiction,” health professionals prefer the term “cannabis use disorder.” The NIDA estimates that about 30% of those who use marijuana may have some degree of this disorder.

Signs of Marijuana Addiction

Marijuana is one of the most widely used drugs in the United States, but it can have serious health consequences as well as other negative effects on a person’s life. There are some signs to watch out for that suggest a person might be addicted to weed.

Strong Cravings

One of the major signs of cannabis use disorder, according to the DSM, is a strong craving to use marijuana. A person’s urges might be so strong, for example, that they would sacrifice other commitments such as work or school in order to acquire and use marijuana.

Loss of Interest in Activities

Someone who is addicted to marijuana will prioritize their drug use over other aspects of their life. They will likely cut back on activities that previously brought them joy or withdraw from them altogether.

A person with marijuana addiction may struggle to maintain healthy relationships with their friends and family if they withdraw from socializing in order to use the drug.

In addition, marijuana dependence has been linked with a lack of motivation. Someone who is addicted may lack the drive to engage in activities, pursue goals, or keep up with responsibilities, including school and work.

Withdrawal Symptoms

If someone frequently uses marijuana and experiences withdrawal symptoms upon stopping the drug, they may be considered to have marijuana dependence. Marijuana withdrawal symptoms are typically mild, peak within the first week after quitting, and may last up to two weeks. Symptoms include:

Increased Tolerance

According to the DSM, tolerance to a drug happens when, over time, a person isn’t able to achieve the desired effects or “high” by using the same amount of the drug. They will need a larger amount of the drug to achieve these effects.

A sign of marijuana addiction is increased tolerance. In other words, the more someone uses weed, the more they will need to use as their body becomes desensitized to it.

Using Despite Negative Consequences

Someone with a weed addiction may realize that their drug use is affecting them physically, mentally, and emotionally. Studies have found that some of these consequences include:

• Impaired memory
• Impaired motor skills (increased risk of injury)
• Paranoia
• Higher risk of psychosis
• Cognitive impairment (lower IQ)
• Dropping out of school
• Inability to fulfill work commitments
• Financial instability

Despite the negative influence their addiction has on their life, however, someone with cannabis use disorder will continue to use marijuana.

Dangers of Teen Marijuana Addiction

Research has examined how marijuana affects teens. Though findings are mixed, many experts acknowledge there are potential negative effects of weed on developing brains.

Some studies suggest that teenagers who use marijuana frequently may experience short-term effects such as problems with memory, learning, coordination, and judgment.

A large cohort study followed nearly 4,000 young adults over a 25-year period into mid-adulthood. It found that although cumulative lifetime exposure to marijuana is associated with lower verbal memory test scores, exposure did not affect other cognitive abilities like processing speed or executive function.

There are also potential long-term effects. Some studies suggest an association between regular marijuana use in teens and “altered connectivity and reduced volume of specific brain regions.”

However, other studies have found that the differences in brain structure between those who use marijuana and those who don’t could be attributed to “predispositional factors,” including genetics. More research is needed on the direct effect marijuana has on the brain, while taking into consideration the many variables such as frequency of use, genetics, environment, and more.

Studies have found that frequent use of marijuana as a teenager can be associated with an average IQ loss of eight points that were not recoverable after quitting. However, the same use in adults showed no reduction in IQ. The research data suggests marijuana’s strongest long-term impact is on young people whose brains are still developing.

Is Marijuana a Gateway Drug?

Marijuana is not generally considered a “gateway drug” because the majority of those who use weed do not go on to use harder substances, including cocaine and heroin.

Social environment might be a more critical factor in determining someone’s risk for trying harder drugs.

If someone is vulnerable to getting involved with drugs, they generally start with substances that are readily available, such as alcohol, tobacco, or marijuana.

However, a person is also likely to start using the same substances that are used by the people in their social environment, no matter how addictive the drug.

A Word From Verywell

While most people do not become addicted to marijuana, addiction is a potential risk. Due to the possible effects of marijuana on developing brains, it’s important to be especially aware of the signs of marijuana addiction in children and teens. There are resources and treatment options available for those who are facing addiction.

Why People Start Using Tobacco, and Why It’s Hard to Stop

Why do people start smoking?

Most people who smoke started smoking when they were teenagers. Those who have friends and/or parents who smoke are more likely to start smoking than those who don’t. Some teenagers say that they “just wanted to try it,” or they thought it was “cool” to smoke.

The tobacco industry’s ads, price breaks, and other promotions for its products are a big influence in our society. The tobacco industry spends billions of dollars each year to create and market ads that show smoking as exciting, glamorous, and safe. Tobacco use is also shown in video games, online, and on TV. And movies showing people smoking are another big influence. Studies show that young people who see smoking in movies are more likely to start smoking.

A newer influence on tobacco use is the e-cigarette and other high-tech, fashionable electronic “vaping” devices. Often wrongly seen as harmless, and easier to get and use than traditional tobacco products, these devices are a way for new users to learn how to inhale and become addicted to nicotine, which can prepare them for smoking.

Who is most likely to become addicted?

Anyone who starts using tobacco can become addicted to nicotine. Studies show that smoking is most likely to become a habit during the teen years. The younger you are when you begin to smoke, the more likely you are to become addicted to nicotine.

According to the 2014 Surgeon General’s Report (SGR), nearly 9 out of 10 adults who smoke started before age 18, and nearly all started by age 26. The report estimates that about 3 out of 4 high school students who smoke will become adults who smoke – even if they intend to quit in a few years.

Is smoking tobacco really addictive?

Addiction is marked by the repeated, compulsive seeking or use of a substance despite its harmful effects and unwanted consequences. Addiction is mental or emotional dependence on a substance. Nicotine is the known addictive substance in tobacco. Regular use of tobacco products leads to addiction in many users. Nicotine is a drug that occurs naturally in tobacco and it’s thought to be as addictive as heroin or cocaine.

How nicotine affects you

• Nicotine and other chemicals in tobacco smoke are easily absorbed into the blood through the lungs. From there, nicotine quickly spreads throughout the body.
• When taken in small amounts, nicotine causes pleasant feelings and distracts the user from unpleasant feelings. This makes the tobacco user want to use more. It acts on the chemistry of the brain and central nervous system, affecting mood. Nicotine works very much like other addicting drugs, by flooding the brain’s reward circuits with a chemical called dopamine. Nicotine also gives a little bit of an adrenaline rush – not enough to notice, but enough to speed up the heart and raise blood pressure.
• Nicotine reaches the brain within seconds after taking a puff, and its effects start to wear off within a few minutes. The user may start to feel irritated and edgy. Usually it doesn’t reach the point of serious withdrawal symptoms, but the person using the product gets more uncomfortable over time. This is what most often leads the person to light up again. At some point, the person uses tobacco, the unpleasant feelings go away, and the cycle continues. If the person doesn’t smoke again soon, withdrawal symptoms get worse over time.
• As the body adapts to nicotine, people who use it tend to increase the amount of tobacco they use. This raises the amount of nicotine in their blood, and more tobacco is needed to get the same effect. This is called tolerance. Over time, a certain nicotine level is reached and the person will need to keep up the usage to keep the level of nicotine within a comfortable range.
• People who smoke can quickly become dependent on nicotine and suffer physical and emotional (mental or psychological) withdrawal symptoms when they stop smoking. These symptoms include irritability, nervousness, headaches, and trouble sleeping. The true mark of addiction, though, is that people still smoke even though they know smoking is bad for them – affecting their lives, their health, and their families in unhealthy ways. In fact, most people who smoke want to quit.

Researchers are also looking at other chemicals in tobacco that make it hard to quit. In the brains of animals, tobacco smoke causes chemical changes that are not fully explained by the effects of nicotine.

The average amount of nicotine in one regular cigarette is about 1 to 2 milligrams (mg). The amount you actually take in depends on how you smoke, how many puffs you take, how deeply you inhale, and other factors.

How powerful is nicotine addiction?

About 2 out of 3 of people who smoke say they want to quit and about half try to quit each year, but few succeed without help. This is because they not only become physically dependent on nicotine. There’s also a strong emotional (psychological) dependence. Nicotine affects behavior, mood, and emotions. If a person uses tobacco to help manage unpleasant feelings and emotions, it can become a problem for some when they try to quit. Someone who smokes may link smoking with social activities and many other activities, too. All of these factors make smoking a hard habit to break.

In fact, it may be harder to quit smoking than to stop using cocaine or opiates like heroin. In 2012, researchers reviewed 28 different studies of people who were trying to quit using the substance they were addicted to. They found that about 18% were able to quit drinking, and more than 40% were able to quit opiates or cocaine, but only 8% were able to quit smoking.

What about nicotine in other tobacco products?

Nicotine in cigars

People who inhale cigar smoke absorb nicotine through their lungs as quickly as people who smoke cigarettes. For those who don’t inhale, the nicotine is absorbed more slowly through the lining of the mouth. This means people who smoke cigars can get the desired dose of nicotine without inhaling the smoke directly into their lungs.

Most full-size cigars have as much nicotine as several cigarettes. Cigarettes contain an average of about 8 milligrams (mg) of nicotine, but only deliver about 1 to 2 mg of nicotine. Many popular brands of larger cigars have between 100 and 200 mg, or even as many as 444 mg of nicotine. The amount of nicotine a cigar delivers to a person who smokes can vary a great deal, even among people smoking the same type of cigar. How much nicotine is taken in depends on things like:

• How long the person smokes the cigar
• How many puffs are taken
• Whether the smoke is inhaled

Given these factors and the large range of cigar sizes, it’s almost impossible to make good estimates of the amounts of nicotine larger cigars deliver.

Small cigars that are the size and shape of cigarettes have about the same amount of nicotine as a cigarette. If these are smoked like cigarettes (inhaled), they would be expected to deliver a similar amount of nicotine – 1 to 2 mg.

Nicotine in smokeless tobacco

Smokeless tobacco delivers a high dose of nicotine. Nicotine enters the bloodstream from the mouth or nose and is carried to every part of your body.

Nicotine in smokeless tobacco is measured in milligrams (mg) of nicotine per gram (g) of tobacco. It’s been found to vary greatly, for instance as much as 4 to 25 mg/g for moist snuff, 11 to 25 mg/g for dry snuff, and 3 to 40 mg/g for chew tobacco. Other factors that affect the amount of nicotine a person gets include things like:

• Brand of tobacco
• Product’s pH (how acidic it is)
• Amount chewed
• Cut of tobacco

Still, blood levels of nicotine have been shown to be much the same when comparing people who smoke cigarettes to those who use smokeless tobacco.

Nicotine in non-combusted products

Non-combusted tobacco products come in various forms and are used in different ways. Non-combusted products contain nicotine and can lead to nicotine addiction.

• Non-combusted (heat not burn) cigarettes have a heating source and tobacco. The tobacco is heated to a lower temperature than a regular (combustible) cigarette. The heat creates an aerosol that is inhaled by the user.
• Dissolvable tobacco products are edible. They can be lozenges, strips, gummies, or sticks. They can be easily hidden and can look like candy.
• Nicotine gels are tobacco products that are rubbed on, and absorbed by, the skin.

Nicotine in e-cigarettes

The e-liquid in all JUULs and most other e-cigarettes contains nicotine, the same addictive drug that is in regular cigarettes, cigars, hookah, and other tobacco products. However, nicotine levels are not the same in all types of e-cigarettes, and sometimes product labels do not list the true nicotine content.

JUULs typically have a significantly higher amount of nicotine per puff than some other types of e-cigarettes and cigarettes. Because of this, JUUL and JUUL-like products may be more addictive than other types of e-cigarettes. Some kids have become physically dependent on nicotine by using these products.

There are some e-cigarette brands that claim to be nicotine-free but have been found to contain nicotine.

Why is it so hard to quit tobacco?

Stopping or cutting back on tobacco causes symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. Withdrawal is both physical and mental. Physically, your body is reacting to the absence of nicotine. Mentally, you are faced with giving up a habit, which calls for a major change in behavior. Emotionally, you might feel like as if you’ve lost your best friend. Studies have shown that smokeless tobacco users have as much trouble giving up tobacco as people who want to quit smoking cigarettes.

People who have used tobacco regularly for a few weeks or longer will have withdrawal symptoms if they suddenly stop or greatly reduce the amount they use. There’s no danger in nicotine withdrawal, but the symptoms can be uncomfortable. They usually start within a few hours and peak about 2 to 3 days later when most of the nicotine and its by-products are out of the body. Withdrawal symptoms can last a few days to up to several weeks. They get better every day that a person stays tobacco-free.

Nicotine withdrawal symptoms can include any of the following:

• Dizziness (which may last a day or 2 after quitting)
• Depression
• Feelings of frustration, impatience, and anger
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Trouble sleeping, including trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, and having bad dreams or even nightmares
• Trouble concentrating
• Restlessness or boredom
• Headaches
• Tiredness
• Increased appetite
• Weight gain
• Slower heart rate
• Constipation and gas
• Cough, dry mouth, sore throat, and nasal drip
• Chest tightness

These symptoms can lead a person to start using tobacco again to boost blood levels of nicotine and stop symptoms.

90,000 Effects of smoking on health and appearance – Tubakainfo

Tobacco smoke harms the body in different ways, and a person does not immediately see or notice it.

Tobacco chemistry harms all organs without exception. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tobacco use is associated with at least 25 diseases. Tobacco use is considered the leading cause of death in the world.

Tobacco has a carcinogenic effect, causing cancer in at least 12 different parts of the body: lungs, oral cavity, nasal cavity, paranasal sinus, larynx, throat, esophagus, pancreas, stomach, liver, renal pelvis, gallbladder …Also, tobacco causes myeloid leukemia, that is, blood cancer.

Tobacco is also a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases (40% of cases), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (80% of cases), malignant tumors (30% of cases, including 90% of cases of lung cancer). By abstaining from tobacco, 40% of these diseases are preventable.

Health risks from tobacco consumption:

• Respiratory tract – bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer.
• Circulatory organs – increased pressure, acceleration of the pulse, narrowing of the arteries (gangrene), damage to the inner lining of the arteries (stroke, heart attack).
• Digestive organs – stomach disorders, stomach ulcers.
• Oral cavity – gum inflammation, oral cancer.
• Skin – rapid aging, grayness and pallor of the skin.
• Genitals – infertility, impotence.
• Human embryo – premature birth, underweight, poor health.
• Psyche – addiction.
• General health – shortens the estimated life span.

See exactly what smoking is doing to your body.

Read on to find out what has changed in your body since the moment you started smoking.

The effect of smoking on the oral cavity

The smoker’s gums are irritated and sore.

Tobacco-related gum disease – inflammation of the gums, inflammation of the tissues around the dental root and bacterial plaque can lead to:

• swollen and sore gums,
• bleeding,
• gum separation from the base of the tooth,
• tooth decay and loss, taste sensitivity.

Tobacco use increases the risk of oral cancer.

Oral cancer occurs on the lips, tongue, or the inside of the cheeks (precancerous condition). Cancer of the lips and cancer of the tongue are aggressive and rapidly developing cancers. Also, cancer can occur in the throat, pharynx, tonsils. 90% of these cancers are directly related to tobacco use.

When smoking cessation, dental plaque decreases. It also reduces the risk of developing oral cancer.

Effect of smoking on heart and blood circulation

For a smoker, the risk of developing cardiovascular disease is 2–4 times higher than for a non-smoker.Diseases of the cardiovascular system are the leading cause of death worldwide.

• Tobacco use can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
• Smoking causes peripheral circulatory disorders in the extremities. Painful cramps, numbness, goose bumps and a feeling of fatigue in the legs appear. A lack of blood supply increases the risk of infections, causes gangrene and the need for limb amputation.

If you quit smoking, your risk of heart attack will decrease, and you will not have to suffer from cramps in your legs as the blood supply will improve.

Effect of smoking on the respiratory tract

• Chemicals in tobacco smoke cause chronic lung disease.
• Substances contained in tobacco smoke irritate the respiratory tract, reduce the elasticity of lung tissue, and destroy the walls of the pulmonary alveoli.
• Chronic shortness of breath, coughing occurs.
• 90% of lung cancer cases are associated with the consumption of tobacco Carcinogens and tar contained in tobacco lead to the formation of cancer and contribute to its development.At the onset of the disease, lung cancer is latent. When symptoms such as coughing up blood and shortness of breath appear, it is possible that the cancer has already spread to other organs, especially the bones, liver, and brain.

Within a few days after quitting smoking, breathing improves, and the sense of smell and taste are sharpened. After a few months, the smoker’s cough also disappears. The risk of various lung diseases is markedly reduced. It should not be forgotten that lung function improves not only when you quit regular cigarettes, but also when you quit all other smoking tobacco products, including hookah or cigarillos.

Smoking-related cell damage and cancers

Tobacco chemicals incl. nicotine, reduce the ability of cells to suppress the development of tumors. As a result, the likelihood of cancer formation increases.

Human DNA contains information that gives cells instructions for the normal functioning of the body. This information is packed into genes. When an error occurs in the DNA, a mutation appears, and disorders occur in the work of cells and genes. Mutations, in which uncontrolled cell division and multiplication occurs, lead to the emergence of oncological tumors ^[1] .

Mutations can occur by chance during normal development, or they are caused by external factors such as chemicals from cigarettes. Before a cancer cell can appear, there must be about six different mutations. The body has its own mechanisms for correcting mutations, but they do not always work. If a mutation occurs in a gene necessary for human life, and the body cannot repair this damage, then a cancer cell is formed.

Cancer cells usually develop over a long period of time, but smoking speeds up this process by increasing the number of mutations. Smoking can cause at least 14 different forms of cancer.

Although older and daily smokers have a higher risk of developing cancer, it is important to remember that every cigarette you smoke increases your risk of cancer. Just 15 cigarettes are enough to cause a gene mutation that can lead to cancer.

Therefore, the only way to prevent cancer is to quit smoking. Although the existing mutations will not go anywhere, the risk of new mutations, and therefore cancer, will be noticeably reduced.
Tobacco products are risk factors for many cancers, for example cigarettes are linked to, among others:

• tumors of the respiratory tract and esophagus,
• cancer of the blood, kidney, gallbladder and stomach.

Consumption of snuff and snus is associated primarily with cancers of the oral cavity, larynx and pancreas.
Tobacco chemicals can cause liver cancer, because the liver processes chemicals that enter the body.Liver cancer can be accompanied by severe pain. Cancer can spread to the liver and lungs.

Quitting tobacco reduces the risk of many different types of tumors.

The effect of smoking on the psyche

With the rejection of nicotine, the work of the brain is noticeably improved, vigor and the ability to concentrate increases. Memory also improves, drowsiness and headaches disappear.

Effect of smoking on appearance

When using tobacco products, there are many obvious signs that worsen the appearance:

• Your skin has a gray tint, wrinkles appear much faster.
• Teeth, nails and fingers turn yellow.
• Breathing and hair and clothing smell unpleasant.

When smoking cessation, the color and elasticity of the skin are significantly improved. Non-smoking seniors have 59010 times fewer wrinkles than those who have smoked a pack a day for 25 years.

See exactly what smoking is doing to your body.

Effect of smoking on pregnancy

We must not forget that smoking reduces the potency of men and can impair the quality of sperm.Quitting smoking increases a man’s ability to become a father. And for women, smoking can complicate the process of conceiving a child. If you quit smoking (always during pregnancy), the risk of many possible complications is reduced.

Smoking during pregnancy seriously threatens the health of 10 and of the mother, and of the future of the child.
Maternal smoking (both active and passive) during pregnancy increases the risk of the following complications:

• Retardation of fetal growth, risk of premature birth,
• Baby is born with low birth weight,
• Risk of termination of pregnancy or difficult labor,
• Risk of sudden infant death syndrome,
• Congenital developmental disorders in a child,
• Lack of breast milk in the mother,
• The child needs medical attention due to reduced immunity.

All women at the beginning of pregnancy dream of a physically and mentally healthy child. However, the facts show that many moms-dads-to-be are not ready to change their lifestyle and give up bad habits in order to contribute to the birth of a healthy child with good development potential.

Positive impact begins immediately after quitting smoking:

• 20 minutes – heart rate and blood pressure are normalized
• 1 hour – the risk of complications during pregnancy decreases
• 8 hours – the level of nicotine in the blood decreases, the blood supply improves
• 1 day – lung function improves, carbon monoxide (CO) is excreted from the body
• 2 days – nicotine is eliminated from the body, the danger to the growth of the unborn child is reduced
• 3 days – energy level rises, breathing becomes easier
• 1 month – nicotine withdrawal after quitting smoking, breathing and energy levels are constantly improving
• 6 months – the risk of breathing disorders, asthma, allergies, otitis media, etc. is reduced.kid
• 1 year – the risk that the child will smoke at an early age is reduced

Your baby needs a healthy mother. Do not start smoking again after childbirth and breastfeeding! And do not allow anyone to smoke near you and your child! See how secondhand smoke affects your child.

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About the dangers of smoking

ORDER On the prohibition of smoking on the territory and in the premises of the Institute

Commentary on anti-tobacco law

Composition of tobacco smoke

Tobacco smoke contains more than 4000 chemical compounds, of which more than 40 are especially dangerous, as they cause cancer, as well as several hundred poisons: nicotine, benzopyrene, cyanide, arsenic, formaldehyde, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocyanic acid, etc.e. Cigarette smoke contains radioactive substances: polonium, lead, bismuth. Nicotine in its toxicity is equal to hydrocyanic acid.

Harm of smoking

A pack of cigarettes a day is about 500 X-rays of radiation per year! The temperature of a smoldering cigarette is 700-900 degrees! The lungs of an experienced smoker are a black, rotting mass. After a puff, nicotine enters the brain after 7 seconds. Nicotine causes vasospasm, from here a violation of tissue oxygen supply.Spasm of small vessels makes the skin fade. The harm of smoking is also that bad breath appears, teeth turn yellow, throat becomes inflamed, eyes turn red from constant irritation of smoke. All over the world, nicotine is a legal drug, addiction develops from it, just like heroin and other hard drugs, but its insidiousness is that it happens unnoticed and for a relatively long time. Our citizens who smoke annually smoke 265 billion cigarettes a year, which is about 1800 cigarettes per capita and this figure continues to grow every year.
The harm of smoking is that it causes three main diseases: lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, coronary heart disease. It has long been proven that tobacco is the cause of death from lung cancer in 90% of all cases, from bronchitis and emphysema in 75% and from heart disease in about 25% of all cases. Approximately 25% of regular cigarette smokers will die prematurely due to smoking. Many of that number would be able to live 10.20 or 30 years longer. Those who die from smoking will, on average, lose 15 years of their lives.
Smoking causes terrible harm, so smokers are 13 times more likely to develop angina pectoris, 12 times more often with myocardial infarction, 10 times more with stomach ulcers and 30 times more with lung cancer.

There is no organ that is not affected by tobacco: kidneys and bladder, gonads and blood vessels, brain and liver.

The lethal dose for an adult is contained in one pack of cigarettes if smoked immediately, and for adolescents – half a pack.

Smoking harms the heart, since the heart rate of a smoker is 15,000 beats per day higher than that of a non-smoker, and oxygen delivery to tissues and especially to the brain is significantly reduced, since the blood vessels are narrowed, plus carbon monoxide, which better “clings” to hemoglobin and prevents red blood cells from carrying oxygen.This explains why smoking schoolchildren lag significantly behind nonsmokers.

The harm of smoking is one more thing: in recent years, scientists have been paying close attention to substances that cause cancer. These include, first of all, benzopyrene and the radioactive isotope polonium-210. If a smoker takes smoke into his mouth and then exhales it through a handkerchief, a brown stain will remain on the white fabric. This is tobacco tar. It is especially rich in cancer-causing substances. If a rabbit’s ear is smeared with tobacco tar several times, then a cancerous tumor will form in the animal.

Harm of smoking for women

For a woman, smoking is especially harmful, because at the first inhalation it has a sore throat, an increase in heart rate, a nasty taste in the mouth, a cough, dizziness, nausea and possible vomiting. All this is a manifestation of the body’s defensive reactions. But a smoker who follows the “new fashion” actively suppresses the protective functions of the body and continues to take puffs. With each new puff, the body gives up and gets poisoned, the protective reactions fade away and the smoker does not feel discomfort.With each new pack, the smoker becomes addicted to nicotine more and more. A young girl cannot help but notice that she has a cough (especially in the morning), a hoarse voice, bad breath, skin becomes flabby, teeth turn yellow and in general the girl looks older than her peers, nevertheless she continues to smoke, although she tries reduce the harm from smoking by switching to light and “female” (thin) cigarettes. But nicotine addiction has already been formed, and the body begins to demand its own dose of nicotine, and the girl has to smoke 2 “female” packs instead of one ordinary pack in order to get her dose of nicotine.The tobacco companies have known this for a long time, so they took this step and released imaginary harmless cigarettes, although the harm turns out to be even greater and the income from the sale too. Smart advertising campaigns make smokers believe that it is less harmful, although this is all deception! Many girls also notice that a cigarette reduces stress, this makes them addicted to cigarettes even more, people who smoke do not know how to deal with stress in any other way.

Because of the harm caused by smoking, women have an increased incidence of inflammatory diseases, which leads to infertility.The German gynecologist Bernhard, having examined about 6 thousand women, found that infertility was observed in women who smoke in 42%, and in non-smokers – only in 4%. Tobacco gives 96% of miscarriages, 1/3 of premature babies.

Tobacco destroys both those who smoke and those who are born of smokers and those who are around smokers. Women who smoke tend to age early and experience sexual wilting prematurely.

Harm of smoking and human psyche

Studies have confirmed the fact that people with mental disorders are prone to smoking.It found that people with mental disorders smoke 40% more than those without mental disorders. Doctors believe smoking and mental illness mutually reinforce each other.

Harm of smoking to others

There is more and more data on the dangers of smoking to others. As a result of secondhand smoke, 3 thousand people die annually from lung cancer, and up to 62 thousand 2.7 thousand children from heart disease die for the same reason as a result of the so-called sudden infant death syndrome.The danger of getting sick not only with lung cancer, but also with some other types of this terrible ailment is significantly increased. The risk of spontaneous miscarriage increases. If expectant mothers are exposed to tobacco smoke, they are more likely to have children with various defects, primarily neuropsychiatric ones, as well as underweight (9.7-18.6 thousand such newborns per year). It has been established that more than 50 components of tobacco smoke are carcinogenic, 6 have a detrimental effect on fertility and the general development of a child.In general, inhalation of tobacco smoke is much more dangerous for children. Thus, passive smoking annually causes asthma in 8-26 thousand children, bronchitis in 150-300 thousand, and from 7.5 to 15.6 thousand children are hospitalized, and from 136 to 212 of them die. A survey of more than 32 thousand passively “smokers” women, which was conducted by experts at Harvard University, showed that the fair sex, regularly exposed to tobacco smoke at home and at work, 1.91 times more likely to suffer from heart disease than those who do not inhale it.
If a woman only occasionally smokes passively, the incidence rate decreases to 1.58.

According to data compiled by the American Heart Association, smoking in the home is extremely detrimental to children with high blood cholesterol. Cigarette smoke reduces their so-called good cholesterol, which protects against heart disease.

90,000 How to understand that 🙄 a person is an addict: signs of 🕸 drug use

What types of drugs are there? Main differences

Signs of drug use differ depending on the substance used.All of them are divided into several groups, each of which has distinctive features. Especially for you, we have prepared an overview of the main types of drugs and their differences:

Opiates

Opium, heroin, methadone, morphine, codeine, desomorphine and a number of other psychoactive substances included in this group change a person’s personality in just 1-2 use. Even with a short refusal, they cause a powerful withdrawal syndrome (“withdrawal”), accompanied by acute psychosis and hallucinations.

Cannabinoids

Marijuana, hashish, ganja and other hemp derivatives have become widespread under the “soft drug” myth. In fact, their use causes irreversible consequences not only in the body, but also in the human psyche. As a result, their action becomes insufficient to achieve euphoria, so drug addicts switch to opiates, cocaine or other even more dangerous substances.

Psychostimulants

This group includes cocaine, amphetamine and its derivatives (methamphetamine, MDMA, MDA, ecstasy, etc.)). They have a stimulating effect, causing an increase in alertness and activity. At the same time, sleep and appetite are completely absent. In case of overdose, acute delirium and a state of depersonalization develop, lasting up to 12-15 hours.

Salts and spices

Their main danger lies in the fact that they have a powerful destructive effect on the psyche of the addict, provoking the development of stable addiction in just 1-2 doses. Their use after 3-4 months leads to the depletion of the whole organism and the rapid degradation of the personality.Synthetic drugs are fatal if left untreated.

It is extremely important to prescribe treatment for salt dependence and get rid of the use of spice as soon as possible – in these cases it is always a matter of days, and there is no time to hesitate!

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Dissociatives

Narcotic substances included in this group distort the perception of the surrounding reality.Phencyclidine, dextromethorphan, ketamine and other surfactants cause a feeling of alienation not only from the existing world, but also from oneself. They are practically not excreted from the body, gradually accumulating in soft tissues and leading to dangerous overdoses.

Signs of use: general and specific

In the initial stages of addiction, it is quite difficult to recognize drug addiction, as addicts try to hide the problem from their families. If you have any suspicions, we recommend that you proceed with caution in order to maintain a trusting relationship with a loved one and not lose his affection.

7 common signs to help you identify an addict

• Narrow or dilated pupils.

Under the influence of drugs, the pupils greatly expand or narrow (to the size of a small dot), while they absolutely do not react even to a sharp change in lighting. Also, look for unusual glitter in the eyes or reddening of the whites.

• Skin pallor.

The skin of a drug user becomes pale and yellowish.Damage (such as acne and ulcers) occurs that does not heal for a long time. With long-term drug use, the skin looks haggard and unhealthy.

• Problems with sleep and appetite.

They appear depending on the substances used, but most often they are expressed in a complete lack of sleep and appetite. After the drug wears off, the addict can sleep for more than 24-48 hours.

• Deterioration in appearance.

Drug addicts stop taking care of themselves. They wash and change their clothes less often, do not take care of their hair, nails and teeth, since their sphere of interest is focused only on drugs. On the body (in the area of ​​the armpits, elbows, etc.) there are non-healing marks from injections.

• Changes in behavior.

Drug addicts have new acquaintances, whom they are in no hurry to acquaint their relatives with. They practically stop communicating with old friends.While talking on the phone, they leave the room, use strange slang names in the dialogue (“fen”, “speed”, “jarash”, etc.).

• Increase in expenses.

The drug addict’s need for money is sharply increasing. Pocket expenses increase, while the addict can take out loans from banks and loans from relatives. Over time, this becomes insufficient and valuable things begin to disappear from the house (jewelry, expensive household appliances, etc.).

• Suspicious items.

In personal belongings or the addict’s room, strange objects can be found that indicate addiction: bags with incomprehensible contents, pipes and bongs, plastic bottles with a burnt bottom, smoked spoons, etc.

Private signs of addiction

How to understand that a person is using drugs? Observe his behavior, removing special attention to the 7 common signs mentioned above. If several of them coincide, then this is a reason to be wary and take the necessary measures.

If you are still in doubt, pay attention to the specific signs of drug addiction:

How to understand what stage of addiction?

Drug addiction develops gradually, with each use representing a greater danger to the body and mental state of the addict.Regardless of the stage of addiction, seek professional help immediately. Only experienced drug therapists can help overcome the pathological craving for psychoactive substances.

The main stages of development of drug addiction

I stage

The person has an obsessive desire to take another dose of the drug. In between uses, there is a feeling of dissatisfaction and discomfort.

Already at the end of the first stage or at the beginning of the second, we highly recommend sending the patient to drug addiction rehabilitation: the cost of a mistake is too high!

II stage

After 3-4 months the body of the addict adapts to the drug, which makes him increase the dose each time.Long-term states of anxiety and dissatisfaction arise, and withdrawal symptoms occur.

III stage

Somatic pathology is rapidly developing, mental disorders are increasing, there is no appetite, the appearance worsens, complete degradation is observed, the risk of death increases.

How does our clinic help?

Have you noticed signs of spice, salt or other drug use in a loved one? Seek professional help at the Arma Clinic immediately.We work in Rostov-on-Don and the Rostov region, accepting patients with any stage of drug addiction for treatment.

On the basis of our clinic, a unique rehabilitation program is used that combines an integrated approach to the treatment of addictions.

The main stages of drug addiction treatment

• Consultation (1.5-3 hours). A narcologist will tell you in detail about each stage of treatment and living conditions in our center, and will also draw up an individual therapy plan, taking into account the patient’s health condition.
• Diagnostics (up to 12 hours). Visual examination and a complete examination of the patient’s body, aimed at identifying chronic diseases, as well as injuries as a result of drug addiction.
• Detoxification (3-5 days). Relief of withdrawal symptoms (“withdrawal symptoms”) and restoration of the state of internal organs. Strengthening the patient’s body with the help of vitamin and mineral complexes and drugs.
• Rehabilitation. Individual and group psychotherapy aimed at identifying and eliminating the causes of addiction.Refusal of dependent thinking, changing the system of values ​​and worldview / person.
• Social adaptation. It allows you to return to a sober life in a healthy society and apply the skills learned during rehabilitation. Our social workers will help you find a job, as well as rebuild relationships with family members, friends and other loved ones.

Our advantages

Private clinic “Arma” specializes in professional drug addiction treatment.We are ready to help everyone who needs it, regardless of the state of the body, the presence of chronic diseases and the stage of addiction.

“Arma” is a team of qualified drug addicts, psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers with vast experience in the treatment of drug addicts.

Turning to us, you make a choice in favor of:

• Integrated approach. We fight not only with withdrawal symptoms (“withdrawal withdrawal”), but also the psychological causes of addiction, which allows patients to stop using psychoactive substances forever.
• 100% security. We apply exclusively proven methods of treatment and rehabilitation, including the 12-step program (original), the method of A.S. Marshak and the Minnesota Model.
• Comfortable stay. All residents live in a spacious house with a good repair, a leisure room, a gym and a landscaped area for outdoor walks
• Anonymity. You can be sure that no patient information will be transferred to government agencies, employers or third parties.
• Collapse guarantees. We are convinced of the effectiveness of our treatment, therefore we are ready to provide a guarantee for a free course of re-rehabilitation in case of relapse.

You can always get a consultation from a doctor or sign up for a procedure by calling our clinic’s hotline +7 (863) 322-60-80 (anonymously, around the clock). Make your choice in favor of a happy future in which there is no and never will be a place for drugs!

Smoking – GAUZ GKB 2

Have you quit smoking and want to quickly restore full functioning of your lungs? Use the breathing exercises below.

Marina Makarova, head of the exercise therapy department of the Center for Restorative Medicine and Rehabilitation of the Treatment and Rehabilitation Center of the Ministry of Health and Social Development of Russia, talks about these exercises.

Important :

1. repeat all exercises no more than three or four times , since even former smokers have bronchi irritated by tobacco smoke and are very sensitive to air currents;
2. Avoid coughing fits.

Respiratory function is impaired in people who have smoked for a long time.Quitting smoking significantly improves respiratory health, but you can help your lungs with simple breathing exercises.

Part One

Begin with exercise to increase breathing in the lower lungs.

Place your feet shoulder-width apart for a comfortable stand. Place your hands over your waist – on your ribs. This way you can control the correctness of the exercise.

Spread your arms to the sides, bend back slightly and inhale through your nose.Then lean forward slightly, place your hands on your ribs and exhale, squeezing your ribs lightly with your hands. After exhaling, pause.

Second exercise . From the same position, raise your arms up, straighten your back and inhale. Then return your arms to their original position, bend over slightly and exhale.

Third exercise . Leave your hands on the lower chest. Put your feet wider. Lean to the side with one hand raised above your head. Take a breath.Return to starting position – exhale.

Repeat this exercise on the other side.

Part Two

The main task of a person who quit smoking is to increase the range of motion of the chest, and hence the volume of the lungs. Exercises in this part of the complex are designed to develop additional respiratory muscles.

To “breathe” all parts of the lungs , it is necessary to perform exercises in three positions: standing, sitting and lying down.We covered exercises in a standing position in the first part of the video course. Now let’s move to the horizontal plane.

When doing breathing exercises lying down, air evenly fills all parts of the lungs – even those that usually do not work well.

In addition, in this position, the influence of “smoker’s kyphosis” – curvature of the upper spine is leveled, and the load on the diaphragm is evenly distributed.

Let’s start exercises . Lie on the floor.Spread your arms out to the sides, place them on the floor and inhale. Pull both knees to your stomach, press them with your hands and exhale.

Second exercise . Place your bent knees on the floor. Spread your arms to the sides and place them on the floor, palms down. Bend your bent legs to one side, trying to lay them on the floor, and turn your head in the opposite direction. Exhale. Return to the starting position and inhale.

Third exercise .Get on all fours. Inhale while squatting on your heels. Perform a wave-like movement with your torso forward, bending towards the floor, exhaling.

Then, from a position on all fours, extend one arm forward and backward – a diagonal leg. Exhale.

Bend the outstretched arm and leg, bringing the knee to the elbow in the abdomen. Exhale.

Lie on your back again . Place your hands on your chest under your collarbones. Take a deep breath, controlling the tension in the muscles under your palms.Place your palms on the ribs at the bottom of your chest and inhale so that you feel the ribs separate.

Now place your palms on your stomach. Take a deep breath so that your arms are raised, then exhale deeply so that your stomach is pulled in as much as possible.

Finally, place your hands under your shoulder blades. Inhale slowly so that you feel the chest expand in the area of ​​the palms

Final exercise . Place your arms along your torso, bend your legs slightly at the knees.Relax. Raise your shoulders slightly, inhale. Lower your shoulders and exhale.

Part Three

Experienced smokers tend to develop stoop . It is due to the usual posture: the hand is brought to the mouth and pressed tightly to the body, and the head bends over to the cigarette.

When breathing in this position, the air flow goes to the area of ​​the shoulder blades. More developed muscles in this segment of the chest cause a curvature of the spine, which is called “smoker’s kyphosis” .

In addition, the front part of the chest practically does not work when smoking. Sedentary people experience similar problems.

Lung function can be improved with regular breathing exercises .

First exercise . Sit in a chair. Spread your arms to the sides, inhale. Lift one leg and bring your knee up to your stomach, using your hands to help yourself. Exhale. Repeat with the other leg.

Continuing to sit on the chair, spread your legs as wide as possible, place your feet on the floor.Place your hands on your shoulders.

Now turn your torso to the side, bringing your elbow back, and inhale. Bend over to the opposite knee and exhale

Place your legs so that you are in the most stable position. Place the palms of your hands on your waist.

Pull one hand toward the floor to the side of the chair, leaning over to follow it. Pull your other hand along the lateral surface of the body to the armpit. When moving in one direction, inhale, exhale in the other.

For the next exercise, place your hands in the middle of your chest.Tap your palms on your chest, exhaling air with a sound: “A-a-a”, “O-o-o”, then “Br-br-br”.

Then move your hands to the lower part of the chest, pat them on the ribs and exhale the air with the sound: “W-w-w”.

Finally clench your hands into fists, tap them lightly on your chest and exhale with a sound: “Oh-oh-oh.”

Final exercise . Place your feet shoulder-width apart. Raise your arms above your head and reach for them. Take a breath. Lean down to the floor and cough.

How to quit smoking and not break out?

/ / How to quit smoking and not break out?

Take this article very seriously. Review it carefully until the very end. And you will understand why most people cannot quit smoking, but you will definitely succeed.

1. What does a person expect when they quit smoking?

The man smoked for many years. Of course, he had previously understood that smoking is a bad habit.And then the doctor said that if you don’t quit, the heart will not be able to withstand, or the lungs, or the implant cannot be placed. And then the man decided that it was time to seriously quit smoking.

The person understands that it may not be easy at first. But, after all, he ceases to constantly poison his body. And the body, in the end, must respond with gratitude. A person is waiting for a relief of breathing, a rise in mood, a surge of strength.

2. What usually happens and how does a person break down?

Usually a person can withstand two days, three days, a week.There is no improvement. Rather, it is getting worse and worse. And it’s not even that you want to smoke. Life just ends. Man cannot do anything. He cannot work, cannot rest, cannot communicate with loved ones. Life loses its meaning. He wanted to be healthy, but he becomes completely ill. Can’t sleep. Can’t eat. Everything hurts. And a person begins to think what it means to quit smoking is harmful to his body. And sooner or later he smokes a “life-saving” cigarette and starts smoking again.

3. What is the key to prevent breaking

The key is to understand the mechanism of addiction. Only by understanding this mechanism, you will be able to pass all the tests and not break down.

4. The mechanism of addiction and delusion of the smoker

Why does a smoker reach for a cigarette?

Taking out a cigarette causes feelings of emotional or physical discomfort. Without a cigarette, one cannot concentrate or relax while resting, or fall asleep at night.I smoked my usual cigarette – and everything falls into place.

Thus, in the mind of the smoker, the cigarette is associated with pleasure or a useful medicine.

A terrible secret for a smoker # 1

In fact, a cigarette not only gives a short-term effect of relieving discomfort, but, most importantly, creates a delayed discomfort itself.

A terrible secret for a smoker # 2

The smoker’s brain does not in any way connect the state of delayed discomfort with the effect of cigarettes.

Moreover, the brain will always find a rational explanation for the discomfort that is not associated with cigarettes. The person is sure that it is bad from the specific circumstances of life: accumulated fatigue, natural tightness in communication or another rational explanation of discomfort, pushing to smoke

This is the mechanism of dependence.

The brain begins to deceive a person just to force him to do the target action – to smoke a cigarette and get another dose of nicotine.

Now you can understand why it is difficult for a person to quit smoking. His own brain, involved in the addiction mechanism, is actually out of control and is constantly looking for “rational” reasons why he should smoke. The brain, knowing you very well, will surely find this reason.

5. What happens if a person quits smoking?

Graph of changes in the state of a smoker when quitting cigarettes

The blue line shows the change in the state of a person while he was smoking.Discomfort makes you smoke a cigarette. The condition improves, and then gradually worsens again – the line drops below zero. And after an hour, the person again compensates for the discomfort with a new cigarette. It turns out a sinusoid.

And so the man quit smoking.

At first, he is full of faith in himself and expects to improve in a couple of days (blue dotted line).

But very quickly the state of discomfort begins to prevail (red line). Improvement, as we said, does not come.And even if it does, it is replaced by an even deeper crisis.

The brain deceived by addiction finds a reason why it is necessary to start smoking again (on the graph there is a lightning breakdown in crisis 3).

6. What should you keep in mind if you quit smoking?

It’s going to be harder than you think (that’s bad news).

There is a definite withdrawal period that must be endured (this is good news).

The withdrawal period is usually 3 to 5 weeks.After it, the addiction releases the smoker and he really gets better.

7. How to withstand the withdrawal period and not break down?

Two powerful tips:

By understanding how addiction works, it will be much easier for you to endure withdrawal crises. But we will offer 2 more powerful tips

Imagine your addiction as someone unpleasant.

For example, a very nasty slug that controls you with invisible threads.And in the most difficult moments, fight this unpleasant type, prove that you are stronger!

Start an addiction control diary

Switch despair into an entry in this diary.

Keeping a diary of the withdrawal period allows:

• not to fall into the trap of “rationalization of consciousness” – substituting the reasons why you want to smoke;
• to record the dynamics of the state during the period of weaning, to realize when the deepest hole will be passed and will go to improve;
• count how many days are left to endure.

Why is it important not to get lost?

There can be no compromise! Don’t fall for the sweet thought of one cigarette! The traversed path of the weaning period will be reset to zero.

Now you have everything to win!

Now you must ask yourself: Are you ready to challenge your addiction? And answer “YES”! You have everything to win. The test for such a long time – a maximum of 5 weeks.

We wish you success!

What if you are afraid and do not want to take risks?

If you do not want to spend energy fighting addiction, then there is another way to go through the withdrawal period.This is the light green curve in our chart without deep crises and threats of breakdown. But this path presupposes qualified medical care. And this is a separate topic.

90,000 Causes and treatments for increased salivation

06/15/2018

Increased salivation in an adult is a symptom of inflammation or disease of the gums, teeth or internal organs. It is important not only to eliminate profuse salivation, but also to correctly determine its cause, otherwise recovery will be temporary.

Salivation is considered normal if the volume of saliva does not exceed two liters per day. It participates in digestion, washes away bits of food, remnants of drinks and the vital activity of bacteria from the teeth. Normally, the process of saliva secretion is invisible to a person – we do not pay attention to it, as, for example, to breathing. But if a failure occurs, then too much saliva is uncomfortable.

With this ailment, saliva accumulates in the mouth too quickly, you constantly have to make sure that it does not leak out, spit.It is uncomfortable, unaesthetic, spoils the mood and causes discomfort. In the article we will tell you what are the causes of increased salivation in men and women and how to treat it.

How to understand that salivation is increased: symptoms and signs of failure

Saliva is involved in many important processes in the human body. When everything is normal, we do not notice that saliva:

● helps to clearly, correctly pronounce words, sounds;

● enhances the perception of the taste of food, drinks;

● participates in digestion – helps to chew food, as well as swallow it.

When salivation is increased, several processes are disrupted at once:

● the taste of food changes – salty food becomes too pronounced, and subtle nuances are not felt;

● problems with diction appear – it is problematic to pronounce some sounds;

● it becomes painful to swallow food.

Arrangement of glands

In addition to indirect signs, there are clear, measurable criteria. If more than two milliliters of saliva is released within five minutes, then the patient is diagnosed with increased salivation.The normal indicator is 2 ml.

Sometimes patients complain of false profuse salivation. This happens when there are injuries or inflammation in the mouth and it may seem that there is more saliva than it should be, although the indicators are normal: 2 ml for 5 minutes or 2 liters per day.

Causes of increased salivation in men and women

The volume of saliva is controlled by the nervous system. When everything is in order with health, it happens naturally and imperceptibly for a person.But when problems arise or diseases appear, the process is disrupted. A variety of factors can affect, but most often one of six factors becomes the cause of increased salivation in adult men and women.

1. Diseases of the oral cavity – inflammation of the gums, periodontitis, stomatitis, as well as cuts, burns. When bacteria enter the glandular tubules, the body begins to secrete more saliva to get rid of them. This is a natural reaction.
2. Problems of the digestive system – abnormal acidity of the stomach, diseases of the pancreas and liver.
3. Diseases of the central nervous system – Parkinson’s disease, trigeminal nerve damage, bulbar syndrome, migraine. With these diseases, the natural process of saliva secretion is disrupted. Short-term disruption can occur due to air sickness, motion sickness, problems with the vestibular apparatus.
4. Hormones – disruptions of the hormonal system, in particular the thyroid gland, menopause, diabetes mellitus lead to profuse salivation. Sometimes this is observed in adolescents during the restructuring of the body.
5. Smoking, removable dentures can also affect. Both of these phenomena irritate the mucous membrane, stimulating the overactive work of the glands.
6. Taking medications – some medications have side effects of increased salivation, or, as it is also called, hypersalivation. Most often, these are those medicines that contain iodine or mercury. For example: lithium, physostigmine, muscarine.

Pilocarpine, nitrazepam also lead to overactive glands

What to do with increased salivation depends on the factors that caused it.In some cases, for example, when taking medication, the ailment will go away without the intervention of a doctor.

Increased salivation in women during pregnancy

A frequent cause of hypersalivation in women is pregnancy. When a woman prepares to become a mother, the hormonal background of the body changes greatly, and with it many processes: blood circulation, digestion.

Pregnancy affects all systems at once:

● endocrine;

● nervous;

● digestive.

Often, expectant mothers have problems with teeth and gums, for example, gingivitis. This disease also affects the volume of saliva secreted.

Healthy and inflamed gums

Causes of nighttime increased salivation in adults

During sleep, processes in the body are slower, including the production of saliva. But failures can occur. Here are the main factors that lead to too much saliva production during sleep:

● breathing through the mouth, not through the nose – often happens when a person sleeps on his back;

● malocclusion – the mouth remains open during sleep, the tongue dries up and the body decides that it needs more saliva;

● bad sleep – too deep sleep when a person is not sure that he is sleeping.This can lead to the fact that the body considers the dream as a reality and will salivate as during the day.

This is what an open bite looks like – tongue protrudes

Treatment of increased salivation

Depending on the cause of hypersalivation, different doctors are involved in the treatment:

● dentists solve problems of local diseases of the oral cavity;

● endocrinologists for hormonal disorders;

● gastroenterologists, if the matter is in diseases of the digestive system;

● neurologists if failure due to problems with the central nervous system.

The dentist will help to identify the cause, and the therapist will refer to a specific specialist

Treatment with medicines

In addition to eliminating the causes associated with the malfunction of internal organs, the doctor can prescribe medications that eliminate the symptoms. For example:

● riabal;

● scopolamine;

● platifillin.

It is prohibited to take medications without a doctor’s prescription!

We do not recommend buying and taking medicines without consulting a doctor.Each drug has contraindications and side effects: from glaucoma to diseases of the liver, heart, blood vessels.

It is not worth risking your life and health to save time or money on a visit to the clinic.

Botox treatment

Botox injections are sometimes used for short-term relief of a symptom. It blocks nerve signals by decreasing the activity of the tubules. This method helps to quickly get rid of the problem, but, unfortunately, the effect does not last long.

Facial massage and muscle relaxation

It will help if the cause is associated with nervous tension, stress or pathologies of the central nervous system.

Removal of glands

Appointed extremely rarely, only in cases where all other methods and elimination of the causes of the disease did not help. Removal, even partial, can damage the facial nerves.

Folk ways

Folk remedies can be used to relieve symptoms. Especially if salivation appeared due to seasickness, air sickness, stress, or while taking medication.

Traditional medicine offers two home recipes for rinsing after meals:

● Mix one tablespoon of Knotweed’s tincture with 200-300 ml of warm water;

● Mix black tea with two tablespoons of crushed fresh raspberries, strain and cool.

Correction of the diet will also help: exclusion of potatoes, pasta, bread, pumpkin and other starchy vegetables.

Make an appointment at the SoloDent clinic by phone or through the website. We will determine the cause of increased salivation and help get rid of this unpleasant ailment.

90,000 how to get over the withdrawal syndrome – GBUZ “City polyclinic №1” Nalchik

Quitting smoking: how to cope with withdrawal syndrome

Not all smokers manage to part with their bad habit easily and without problems.Nicotine stimulates metabolic processes and the work of the nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system and cardiovascular system.

Therefore, when quitting tobacco, an organism that has become unaccustomed from independent effective activity with difficulty rebuilds to its usual mode of operation and experiences serious discomfort . In everyday life, it is called “brittle”, and experts – the withdrawal syndrome. How can you easily survive this unpleasant period and not smoke again?

What is Withdrawal Syndrome?

“ Withdrawal syndrome is the result of the fact that over the years of smoking nicotine becomes a natural stimulant of many processes in the human body,” says the deputy chief physician of the 83rd clinical hospital of the FMBA of Russia, pulmonologist Alexander Averyanov. is included in the metabolism and becomes an integral part of it ”.

Therefore, the symptoms experienced by a person who quit smoking more often resemble physical discomfort . What are the main problems and how to deal with them?

Heart and blood vessels

Nicotine speeds up the heart rate and constricts blood vessels. As a result, blood pressure rises and the impression of improved blood flow due to vasospasm is created.

Therefore, a person who has stopped smoking for some time has symptoms of deterioration in blood circulation : weakness, headaches, dizziness, loss of working capacity.

How to cope?

Caffeine-containing foods can cope with this condition, which also increase blood pressure. However, it is important not to overdo it with caffeine, because it works in much the same way as nicotine – it constricts blood vessels and stimulates the heart. So a little coffee – to two cups a day – can be afforded as a therapeutic agent.

Metabolism

Nicotine stimulates metabolic processes.“Why does weight gain begin after quitting smoking? – asks Averyanov. “Nicotine, as a stimulant of metabolic processes, is now lacking in the body.”

A person who quit smoking often begins to eat a lot, “seizing” the discomfort of from nicotine withdrawal. In part, this helps to cope with the urge to smoke, but since the metabolism is already slow, weight gain is very fast.

How to cope?

A person who quit smoking should carefully control their diet – for a while, give up fast carbohydrates, fatty foods, alcoholic beverages and spicy foods that stimulate appetite.

To avoid the appearance of extra pounds will help increase in physical activity . By the way, movement helps to distract from obsessive thoughts about a cigarette.

Gastrointestinal tract

Nicotine activates the intestines. During the smoking experience, the intestines get used to additional chemical stimulation and itself ceases to work effectively. After nicotine stops regularly entering the body, constipation may develop for several weeks or even months.Especially if there is a penchant for it.

How to cope?

Eat more foods rich in intestinal fiber, such as whole grains. Include in the diet fermented milk products and dried fruits, which, by the way, can seize the desire to smoke. Be sure to check with your doctor if bowel problems persist for a long time.

Respiratory organs

“If, due to smoking, diseases of the respiratory system have already appeared – bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),” says Averyanov, “parting with addiction can provoke a deterioration in their condition.”

Tobacco smoke enhances the excretion of phlegm from the lungs through the bronchi. A smoker produces much more phlegm due to irritation of the respiratory tract with smoke – which is why the first cigarette provokes active coughing. When smoking stops, the stimulation of the bronchi ends. Therefore, it is difficult for a person to cough up sputum , which continues to form with bronchitis or COPD.

How to cope?

Be patient.Depending on individual reactions, the period can take up to several months. During it, it costs a lot and actively move to make breathing deeper and stimulate the cleansing of the bronchi in a natural way.

If the discomfort persists, consult a pulmonologist. The specialist can prescribe special preparations , which cleanse the bronchi and lungs – this way you will make the process easier for yourself.

Conclusion : when quitting smoking, unpleasant symptoms may appear from a variety of body systems, but they can be dealt with quite easily.And the benefits of quitting smoking – reducing the risk of serious illness and improving well-being – far outweigh the temporary inconvenience.

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