Holly on Health » addiction

Know what’s fueling your energy: info about energy drinks for young adults

hollyonhealth — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:36:55 +0000

College students are no strangers to energy drinks. The flashy cans of Red Bull, Monster and Rockstar are marketed to young adults who often need a quick jolt of energy to maintain their active lifestyle. The drinks are advertised to boost energy, improve concentration and increase metabolism, which may sound like a perfect beverage for a young adult on the go. New studies published over the past several years, however, reveal the possible dangers and misconceptions of energy drinks, particularly for teens and young adults.

Energy drinks are the fastest-growing beverage product in the United States. In fact, spending on energy drinks is up 700 percent from 2000, when these drinks were just hitting the market. Aggressive marketing has helped to create this $3.5 billion industry where teens and young adults are estimated to account for $2.3 billion of drink sales. According to self-reported surveys, 30-50 percent of adolescents and young adults consume energy drinks.

Unlike soda, the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate the caffeine content of energy drinks because it considers these drinks “dietary supplements” rather than foods. Because of that distinction, the FDA does not require caffeine content and warnings alerting consumers of the dangers related to excessive consumption on the labels. The FDA has regulated the caffeine content of soda to 65 mg per 12-ounce drink. Coca-Cola Classic, for example, contains 23 mg per 8-ounce drink. Energy drinks, on the other hand, may contain anywhere from 80 to 300 mg for an 8-ounce drink. Some energy drinks are only sold in 16 or 24-ounce sizes, however, making the caffeine consumption for one energy drink drastically higher.

Caffeine is not the only stimulating ingredient in these energy drinks. Many drinks have what they call their “energy blends” that contain ingredients such as taurine, ginseng and guarana. The added effects of these supplemental ingredients further increase the stimulating effects of the drink.

Young adults, especially college students, are often attracted to these energy drinks because of their perceived benefits, such as improved memory, alertness and physical endurance. Many, however, are unaware of the health risks involved with high levels of caffeine consumption. In fact, emergency room visits because of caffeine intoxication have drastically increased in the last decade, from approximately 1,000 in 2005 to 16,000 in 2008. Serious effects of caffeine intoxication may include seizures, heart arrhythmias, strokes, heart attacks and even death. People with pre-existing conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, seizure disorders and thyroid disease should not use stimulants such as energy drinks because of an increased risk of these serious side effects.

When used in moderation, however, caffeine content less than 300 mg is safe for most consumers. Because the FDA does not regulate energy drinks, and because they contain ingredients that cause additive effects to caffeine, however, determining how much caffeine you’re actually consuming can be difficult. This confusion is further complicated by packaging of energy drinks in cans often containing up to 2-3 servings.

Though energy drinks may initially give that jolt of energy, consumers eventually experience a crash in energy once the effects have worn off. Furthermore, frequent consumers require increased levels of caffeine to receive the same energy high. Withdrawal effects such as headaches, fatigue and depressed mood may also occur with end of your habit.

It is important to note that studies have been unsuccessful in proving that energy drinks are more effective in increasing energy levels or improving cognitive function than traditional caffeinated drinks such as sodas, tea or coffee. Instead of reaching for caffeine loaded energy drinks consider visiting a local coffee shop for a more traditional jolt of energy.

As seen in The Tulane Hullabaloo, 3/23/2012

Whitney Houston’s death draws attention to dangerous drug combinations

hollyonhealth — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 01:10:41 +0000

As seen in The Tulane Hullabaloo

Whitney Houston’s tragic and untimely death surprised much of the nation. She has been honored and remembered during the last week, with special tributes at the Grammy Awards and thousands of status updates blanketing social media to praise her incredible talent. Such a shocking death certainly has not escaped the gossip of the mainstream media. Though the results from her autopsy will not be available for some time, the singer, who has dealt with drug and alcohol addictions in the past, was reportedly abusing a deadly combination of alcohol and Xanax around the time of her death. No one can say as of now what ultimately caused Houston’s death. It is important, however, to realize how dangerous the combination of alcohol and drugs like Xanax can be, especially around Mardi Gras.

Xanax, also known by the generic name alprazolam, is in a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. Klonipin (clonazepam), Valium (diazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam) are included in the same drug class. Similar to alcohol, benzodiazepines work as a depressant in the body’s central nervous system. Specifically, they enhance the effect of an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the body called GABA. Enhancing these inhibitory effects in the body can cause sedation, muscle relaxation, sleep-induction, anti-anxiety and amnesic effects.

Because of these inhibitory and sedating effects, benzodiazepines are widely prescribed for a variety of conditions, including anxiety disorders, convulsive disorders, pre-surgical sedation and insomnia. In fact, benzodiazepines are some of the most widely prescribed drugs on the market. One report found that 11-15 percent of the American adult population has taken a benzodiazepine one or more times during the preceding year. When prescribed, used and monitored appropriately, these drugs have many benefits for patients. Benzodiazepines also have potential for abuse.

When used correctly and by themselves, benzodiazepines carry a low risk of acute toxicity. But, when combined with other drugs that have depressant effects, such as alcohol, synergistic effects occur that increase the sedating effects of the drug. This can cause enhanced psychomotor slowing, confusion, slurred speech, dizziness, memory impairment, depression, or increased irritability and aggression. Loss of consciousness and deadly overdoses can also occur.

Benzodiazepine abuse has been on the rise during the last decade. From 1998-2008, the number of those seeking treatment for benzodiazepine-related abuse rose from an estimated 22,400 per year to 60,200 per year. For drug abusers, benzodiazepines are rarely the sole drug of choice. One study found that 80 percent of benzodiazepine abuse is associated with other drug abuse, mostly alcohol or opiates such as hydrocodone, oxycodone and heroin.

Though we do not yet know the cause of Whitney Houston’s death, it is certainly plausible for the combination of Xanax and alcohol to have contributed to it. The synergistic effect of the two drugs can easily and unintentionally harm anyone using the combination. Alcohol can interact with several medications, particularly with medications with depressant effects such as benzodiazepines. Even if a person has been legally prescribed a drug such as Xanax, it does not necessarily make the drug foolproof and safe.

As Mardi Gras approaches, the atmosphere may lend itself to further temptation to mix drugs and alcohol. Double-check with a physician or pharmacist before mixing medications or consuming alcohol with any medications, even if you have a prescription.

My Strange Addiction: Confessions of a Stereotypical Gen Y

hollyonhealth — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 19:03:57 +0000

Recently, I lived my own version of the hit TLC show and it wasn’t pretty.

Last week, I was downloading the latest software on my smartphone and it just stopped working. I frantically began to take the battery in and out of my phone repeatedly in hopes that miraculously the strategy would eventually work. I then pressed every button on my phone several times thinking that might work too. Throughout the day, I asked everyone around me if they knew what to do or had any suggestions. Oh, by the way, I was at work and had plenty of things I could and should be doing…but I had a one-track mind…this was a crisis.

After work, I sped to my nearest cell phone service store hoping they would have a solution. Tears welled in my eyes as the service rep said “I’m sorry, this sometimes just happens, there’s nothing we can do.” You would think my best friend had just died. They couldn’t give me a phone in the store (of course not, that would be way too easy). Instead I was informed that I would be receiving my warranty replacement phone in the mail in two to three days.

TWO TO THREE DAYS?! WITH NO CELL PHONE?! I did what any rational person would do….sobbed in the middle of the store. They had no compassion. I left the store, phoneless and alone.

The next few days without my cell phone were completely unproductive. I was obsessed with the fact that I did not have a cell phone. I found myself habitually reaching into my pocket or purse to grab my phone several times a day, to no avail. It’s not that I had any particular phone call to make, but I just had this compulsion to check. I felt lost, uninformed, and overall just plain bored. I never realized how much I mindlessly checked my phone until I didn’t have one.

I’ll save the rest of the details of my sob story, but three days later I got my phone. It was a great day.

In hindsight, this sounds ridiculous and I’m a little embarrassed over my behavior. This episode made me realize how much technology, smartphones, laptops, and all the instantaneous virtual social connections we have access to can truly be habit forming and potentially addictive.

A new study released in the journal Personal and Ubiquitous Computing examines the habitual behavior of smartphone users. The article finds that many smartphone users have developed what they call “checking habits.” These are automated behaviors where the phone is quickly opened to check the standby screen or content in a specific application, such as repetitive checks of e-mail, text messages, or Facebook. The habits are often triggered by boredom or a need to stay informed and stimulated (a common attribute of Gen Y!). The smartphone is perfect for fulfilling this perceived need for stimulation as the phones have the ability to provide quick access to rewards like social networking, communications, and news.

Researchers in this particular study found that smartphones are used by some people as much as 2.7 hours per day. On average, subjects in this study checked their phones 34 times a day. The checks typically lasted less than 30 seconds and were often done within 10 minutes of each other.

The strongest habitual patterns were related to the use of the internet in various forms, such as checking e-mails, Facebook, update feeds, and news headlines. Research subjects described their use of e-mail as a way of achieving an awareness that nothing important was missed, as opposed to actively writing messages to others. Users of update feeds and news headlines appreciated the easy access to quick information and the ability to stay in touch with the world. Frequent Facebook users described their usage as an escape from boredom and to keep up with what others were doing throughout the day.

Technically, you have to be careful when calling this excessive and habitual cell phone checking an “addiction.” Addiction is defined by many psychiatrists as compulsive behaviors that exist despite serious negative consequences for personal, social, or occupational function. In other words, addiction and habits are part of the same continuum but addiction is a complete loss of control and is detrimental to one’s own personal and social functioning while a habit is much less severe. This study actually found that most frequent smartphone checkers perceive their habit as non-problematic and at the worst it is considered an annoyance. However, many do recognize that their obsession with constant virtual social connections is time-consuming and may detract from real life interactions.

As interesting as this all is, what does any of this have to do with Gen Y health?

1. Increased risk of nonsocial behavior: Connecting with people via cell phones and the internet is not the same thing as one-on-one conversations. People often interrupt family meals or social time to take a call or text. Not only does this annoy the people around you, but a lack of true social support systems can lead to depression.

2. Driving accidents: In 2010, the National Safety Council found that 28% of traffic accidents occurred when people were talking on a cellphone or sending text messages while driving. 1.4 million traffic accidents annually are caused by cellphone conversations and 200,000 are blamed on text messaging. The compulsion to check a smartphone doesn’t go away just because someone is behind the wheel.

3. Decreased concentration: Dr. Adam Gazzaley, a neurologist at UCSF describes to CNN news that “whenever you take a break from what you’re doing to unnecessarily check your e-mail, studies show, it’s hard to go back to your original task. You really pay a price,” he says.

4. Potential for withdrawal and physical effects: Although still very controversial, the psychologist in this CBS news story describes how the new emergence of cell phone “addiction” not only causes people to disconnect from reality but can also cause withdrawal symptoms when people are without their phones, such as anxiety, insomnia, and depression. He states that the withdrawal from the addiction causes an increase of the stress hormone cortisol in the body which may have detrimental effects.

So, are you a habitual smartphone checker? Here are a few tips to cut down on use and break the habit:

Acknowledge the problem

Ok fine, this sounds a little AA, but you may be able to curb your checking behaviors by simply being aware of how much you actually check your phone.

Have smartphone-free times and places

If you are out to dinner with friends, seriously, stash away the cell phone. We have all been at a dinner where there are six cell phones sitting on the table. What’s the point? You have real human interaction going on, take advantage of it.

Also, if you are trying to have a serious study or work session, it’s a good idea to put the phone away. Award yourself every hour or two with a quick check. It’s a lot more productive than checking every 10 minutes.

Stash the phone away in your glove compartment or in your backseat while driving. This will decrease your urge to pick up the phone and text or check an e-mail. If you have to talk while driving, there are a lot of hands-free devices that can be purchased and used to decrease your driving risk, although hands-free doesn’t mean distraction-free.

It may also be a good idea to keep the phone out of the bedroom. Many people stay awake at night checking e-mails on their phone, texting, or browsing the internet. This stimulation makes falling asleep more difficult, and lack of sleep is certainly detrimental to your health (check out my radio show from 7/29!).