Autonomic Neuropathy : Risk Factors
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Alcoholism is the layman ' s term for alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , published by the American Psychiatric Association and commonly called the DSM-IV, the essential feature of substance abuse (in this instance, alcohol abuse) is maladaptive use of the substance with recurrent and significant adverse consequences related to its repeated use.
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Alcoholism is an illness marked by drinking alcoholic beverages at a level that interferes with physical health, mental health, and social, family, or occupational responsibilities. Alcoholism is divided into 2 categories: dependence and abuse. People with alcohol dependence, the most severe alcohol disorder, usually experience tolerance and withdrawal. Tolerance is a need for markedly increased amounts of alcohol to achieve intoxication or the desired effect. Withdrawal occurs when alcohol is discontinued or intake is decreased. Alcohol dependents spend a great deal of time drinking alcohol, and obtaining it. Alcohol abusers may have legal problems such as drinking and driving. They may also have problems with binge drinking (drinking 6 or more drinks at one sitting). People who are dependent on or abuse alcohol continue to drink it despite evidence of physical or psychological problems. Those with dependence have more severe problems and a greater compulsion to drink.
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Like cancer or heart disease, alcoholism is a primary chronic disease with its own symptoms and causes. The disease is progressive and often fatal if not treated.
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Many older adults enjoy a glass of wine with dinner or a beer while watching the game on TV. In fact, half of Americans ages 65 and older drink alcohol. Having a drink now and then is fine—as long as you don’t overdo it.
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Alcoholism is an addictive disease in which the victim becomes dependent on a drug—alcohol. The disease affects the alcoholic physically, psychologically, and behaviorally. Alcoholism is not a character weakness or moral shortcoming; it is an unrelenting, progressive disease that leads to death or brain damage. But recovery is possible by stopping drinking.
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This report includes information on recognizing the symptoms of problem drinking, treatment techniques, coping with a loved one's drinking, and overcoming denial.
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The most important thing that friends and family can do for an alcoholic is to stop enabling the addictive behavior.
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Term encompassing alcohol use, alcohol consumption, alcohol problems, problem drinking, and alcohol dependence. The concept of alcoholism, in its most general sense, refers to a disease, or disorder, typically characterized by: (a) a prolonged period of frequent, heavy alcohol use; (b) a variety of social and/or legal problems associated with alcohol use (e.
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The leading substance-abuse threat to children may be as close as your refrigerator. About 10 million adolescents drink alcohol. In fact, minors drink 19 percent of the alcohol consumed in the United States.
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Alcoholism is a chronic physical, psychological, and behavioral disorder characterized by excessive use of alcoholic beverages; emotional and physical dependence on them; increased tolerance over time of the effects of alcohol; and withdrawal symptoms if the person stops drinking. Alcoholism is a complex behavioral as well as medical disorder.
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Alcoholism is a chronic physical, psychological, and behavioral disorder characterized by excessive use of alcoholic beverages; emotional and physical dependence on them; increased tolerance over time of the effects of alcohol; and withdrawal symptoms if the person stops drinking. Alcoholism is a complex behavioral as well as medical disorder.
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Physiological and metabolic differences between women and men mean that some women are more likely to develop a drinking problem, particularly as they get older.
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Alcohol may have some health benefits, including lowering the risk for heart disease, but it may also lead to abusive drinking and other diseases.
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The essential feature of alcohol abuse is the maladaptive use of alcohol with recurrent and significant adverse consequences related to its repeated use. Alcoholism is the popular term for two disorders, alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence.
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Signs of Alcohol Addiction (Alcoholism)Do you want to have more fun, to fit in, to cope better with your problems? It’s as easy as taking a drink—if you believe what you see on television.
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Alcohol is considered a drug because it depresses the central nervous system and can disrupt mental and motor skills, as well as damage internal organs when used excessively.
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Alcoholism, or alcohol dependence, is described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) as " A maladaptive pattern of alcohol use, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress. " That maladaptive pattern is manifested, according to the DSM-IV , by the following behaviors occurring any time within one 12-month period: tolerance for alcohol withdrawal from alcohol alcohol taken in larger amounts and over a longer period of time than was intended persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control alcohol use much time spent in activities necessary to obtaining alcohol various important activities, for example, in socializing or at work, are given up or reduced because of alcohol use alcohol use continued regardless of the pattern of physical or psychological problems that it causes or worsens Alcohol abuse has the same definition but is manifested by one (or more) of the following behaviors occurring within the same 12-month period: repeated alcohol use leading to failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home repeated alcohol use in situations in which it is physically hazardous repeated alcohol-related legal problems persistent alcohol use despite its causing social and interpersonal problems or exacerbating them This definition and the criteria established by DSMIV apply to both adults and children.
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You don't have to wait for someone to hit rock bottom to act. Here are steps to help an alcoholic get treatment.
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Alcoholism is the popular term for alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence. The hallmarks of both of these disorders involve repeated life problems that can be directly tied to a person's abuse of alcohol.
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Understanding AddictionAddictive Substances Include:Illegal drugs such as cocaineLegal drugs such as cigarettes, alcohol, and prescription medicationsActivities of daily life such as working, eating, and having sexLeisure activities such as gambli...
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A study found that a medication called topiramate helped heavy drinkers reduce their dependence on alcohol.
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Effective treatment for alcohol dependency is available, but treatment rates among alcohol abusers are low because of lack of awareness and embarrassment.
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A study of several methods of treatment for alcoholism has found that a combination of medical management and an inexpensive medication offers a better chance for continued sobriety.
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Informal evidence shows that alcoholics who choose to attend AA meetings do better than those who do not, and the longer they are involved in attending meetings, the better their chances of remaining abstinent.
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A review of ongoing research into drugs to treat alcoholism, including a description of existing drugs and treatments on the horizon.
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A study suggests that people with a family history of alcoholism are capable of producing higher levels of a dopamine receptor in the brain that may offer them protection against the disease.
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Amyloidosis is a progressive, incurable, metabolic disease characterized by abnormal deposits of protein in one or more organs or body systems. Amyloid proteins are manufactured by malfunctioning bone marrow.
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Autoimmune disorders are conditions in which a person ' s immune system attacks the body ' s own cells, causing tissue destruction. Autoimmunity is accepted as the cause of a wide range of disorders, and it is suspected to be responsible for many more.
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Autoimmune disorders are conditions caused by an immune response against the body's own tissues.
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Detailed information on autoimmune diseases and pregnancy
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Autoimmune disorders are conditions in which a person's immune system attacks the body's own cells, causing tissue destruction. Autoimmunity is accepted as the cause of a wide range of disorders and suspected to be responsible for many more.
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Doctors divide autoimmune diseases in two categories: Those that attack a specific organ and those that target many organs.
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Diseases in which the immune system attacks the body ' s own healthy tissues, forming antibodies in an assault on mistakenly identified " foreign invaders. " Autoimmune disorders occur when the body ' s immune system loses its ability to recognize the differences between self and nonself tissues.
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Diabetes is a life-long disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood. It can be caused by too little insulin (a hormone produced by the pancreas to regulate blood sugar), resistance to insulin, or both.
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This report includes information on blood sugar monitoring, diet and activity, insulin and other medications, insulin delivery systems, and innovations in treatment.
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This report provides advice about how to prevent or treat the most common form of diabetes. Learn about the components of a healthy diet and how to lose weight, and have fun trying out new recipes.
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Detailed information on diabetes and pregnancy
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Diabetes affects every part of your life, and it can create problems that aren’t easy to talk about with your health care provider.
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Detailed information on type 2 diabetes, including causes, prevention, risk factors, and treatment
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Detailed information on diabetes, including type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and maturity-onset diabetes in the young
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List of online resources to find additional information on diabetes and other endocrine and metabolic disorders
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Detailed information on teens and diabetes
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Detailed information on type 2 diabetes, including cause, symptom, prevention, risk factors, and treatment
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Detailed information on type 1 diabetes, including causes, symptoms, and treatment
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Detailed information on diabetes and other endocrine and metabolic disorders that affect children
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Detailed information on diabetes and other endocrine and metabolic disorders that affect children
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Detailed information on special considerations for teenagers with diabetes
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Detailed information on type 1 diabetes, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and statistics
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Diabetes is a chronic disease that involves the regulation of blood sugar and occurs in two different forms, type 1 and type 2.
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If you have diabetes, you are two to four times more likely to have heart disease than someone without diabetes. You can control your health risks by making some changes in your life.
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Most of us know that diabetes can lead to severe complications, such as blindness, kidney disease and amputations. But did you know that diabetes also greatly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease?
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Detailed information on the most common types of diabetes complications and ways to prevent future problems
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Detailed information on diabetes, including type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, teens and diabetes, and diet and diabetes
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Detailed information on type 1 diabetes, including causes, symptoms, complications, and treatment
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Detailed information on diabetes, including the different types of diabetes and potential complications of diabetes
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Everyone feels down at times, but diabetics are especially prone to depression. An unhappy period that’s intense or lasts for more than a couple of weeks can be a sign of depression. Depression is a serious illness.
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Carbohydrates are your body’s main source of glucose, a special kind of sugar. Your dietitian will probably recommend that 55 to 60 percent of your calories come from carbohydrates. There are two types of carbohydrates: complex and simple.
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If you have diabetes, wearing a medical identification (ID) bracelet or necklace at all times is a good idea.
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The most important factors in the prevention of diabetes are weight control, regular exercise, a healthy low-fat diet (fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish, and poultry), and not smoking.
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Is vitamin E good for diabetics?
Mary Pickett, M.D., is a lecturer for Harvard Medical School and an assistant professor of medicine at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR. At OHSU, she practices general internal medicine and teaches medical residents and students.
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Living with diabetes may increase the likelihood of depression. The connection may be go both ways: information from a diabetes trial suggests the possibility of a link between antidepressant use and diabetes.
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Type 1 diabetes can be controlled by taking insulin, eating a proper diet, and being active. These help your child’s body keep healthy blood sugar levels.
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Even small movements can greatly improve your health. Simple activity can also boost your mental outlook. And you may spend less money on your health care. Think of it this way: Small steps may take you a long distance.
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Detailed information on diabetes, including facts, statistics, types, diagnosis, complications, treatment, and management
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Detailed information on diagnosis protocols for diabetes
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I am a diabetic, and am allergic to eggs, which prevents my getting a flu shot. Can I receive a pneumonia shot? Also, are flu shots the only available medical preventative for the flu?
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Is hair loss a common symptom of diabetes, and is it reversible? I have noticed that my hair has gotten very thin and I have recently been diagnosed with diabetes?
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The incidence of diabetes has increased dramatically in recent years. Men should be tested for diabetes starting at age 45, because early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent further complications.
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When you're sick, even with just a cold, your blood sugar level may rise. Ask your healthcare team to help you develop a sick-day plan for controlling blood sugar. Here are some guidelines.
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Detailed information on alcohol use in persons with diabetes
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Choose carefully and cook wisely. As you shop, think about how the foods you choose will fit into your meal plan. When you cook, try to cut down on sugar and fat. If you have high blood pressure, cut down on salt as well.
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Glossary of terms relating to diabetes for patients and consumers
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Detailed information on heart disease and diabetes, including symptoms, prevention, and treatment
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Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the pancreas no longer produces enough insulin or when cells stop responding to the insulin that is produced, so that glucose in the blood cannot be absorbed into the cells of the body. Symptoms include frequent urination, lethargy, excessive thirst, and hunger.
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Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a condition that occurs during pregnancy . Like other forms of diabetes, GDM involves a defect in the way the body processes and uses sugars (glucose) in the diet.
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Your meal plan tells you when to eat your meals and snacks, what kinds of foods to eat, and how much of each food to eat. You don’t have to give up all the foods you like. But you do need to follow some guidelines.
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Having diabetes may mean adjustments at work and in your social life. But these changes need not keep you from succeeding at work and enjoying your leisure time.
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The diabetes drug Avandia may increase the risk of heart attack in those taking it. Other medications are as effective at lowering blood sugar without Avandia's risks.
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The FDA has ordered a warning label be put on the diabetes drugs Avandia and Actos due to evidence from studies that the medications may increase the risk of heart attack or death from cardiovascular disease.
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What is "late onset" diabetes type 1?
Mary Pickett, M.D., is a lecturer for Harvard Medical School and an assistant professor of medicine at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR. At OHSU, she practices general internal medicine and teaches medical residents and students.
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Could a baby be diabetic from birth?
Leann M. Lesperance, M.D., Ph.D., is a lecturer on the Harvard Medical School faculty and a clinical assistant professor at SUNY-Upstate Medical University. She practices pediatrics in Binghamton, New York. She also holds a doctorate in medical engineering and is a research assistant professor in the Department of Bioengineering at Binghamton University.
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Harvard Medical School physician Celeste Robb-Nicholson, M.D. describes both the therapeutic and side effects of glucosamine on the body and how it relates to diabetes.
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Researchers concluded that people with diabetes enter the high-risk group for heart disease an average of 15 years earlier than those without the disease.
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A Harvard Medical School physician answers your question about whether it is safe for a diabetic to take niacin to lower cholesterol.
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Diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic disorder resulting from defects in insulin action, insulin production, or both. Insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas, helps the body use and store glucose produced during the digestion of food.
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Diabetes mellitus is a condition that occurs when either the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body ' s cells stop responding to the insulin that is produced. In either case, glucose in the blood cannot be absorbed or used by the cells of the body.
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Gestational diabetes is a condition that occurs during pregnancy . Like other forms of diabetes, gestational diabetes involves a defect in the way the body processes and uses sugars (glucose) in the diet.
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A serious disorder caused by an absence of or insufficient amount of insulin in the bloodstream. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas in varying amounts, depending on the concentration of glucose (sugar).
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Diabetes mellitus describes a group of diseases in which there is an elevated level of the sugar glucose, the body's main source of energy for cellular functions, in the blood. The level of glucose, as well as other "fuel" molecules, is increased due to a disorder in the production or function of the hormone insulin.
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Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease in which the body is not able to correctly process glucose for cell energy due to either an insufficient amount of the hormone insulin or a physical resistance to the insulin the body does produce. Without proper treatment through medication and/or lifestyle changes, the high blood glucose (or blood sugar) levels caused by diabetes can cause long-term damage to organ systems throughout the body.
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Diabetes is the Greek term for " passing through, " a phrase used to describe multiple diseases characterized by excessive urination. There are multiple forms of diabetes.
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What causes diabetes? Scientists aren't sure, but heredity, obesity, lack of exercise and other factors play a part.
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Meal planning and blood sugar monitoring. Medicines and multiple injections. The day-in and day-out requirements of diabetes management can overwhelm those with this chronic disease.
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The only way to be sure your blood sugar stays within a normal range is to check it. You will most likely be asked to check your blood sugar at home one or more times a day. Your healthcare provider will teach you how.
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Diabetes occurs when there are high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. All three types of diabetes involve problems with insulin, a hormone that removes glucose from the blood and allows it to enter the body's cells. (The cells use it for energy.) If your body is unable to make or use insulin properly, you have a high blood glucose level.
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Statistics relating to diabetes for patients and consumers
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Detailed information on diabetes and periodontal disease, including symptoms, types, treatment, and prevention
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List of online resources to find additional information on diabetes
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Detailed information on diabetes, including facts, statistics, types, diagnosis, complications, treatment, and management
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Detailed information on diabetes and high blood pressure, including symptoms, prevention, and treatment
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Why don't diabetics' wounds heal normally?
Mary Pickett, M.D., is a lecturer for Harvard Medical School and an assistant professor of medicine at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR. At OHSU, she practices general internal medicine and teaches medical residents and students.
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I'm an 86-year-old man with type 2 diabetes. I get my eyes checked, eat carefully, and test my blood sugar. I exercise and still play tennis. Recently, I read that diabetes may be a precursor to Alzheimer's disease. It scared me. What do you think?
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Recommendations for eating eggs for those with diabetes.
Q. My husband has type 2 diabetes and has started eating two eggs about three times a week. He’s looking to fill up on low-carb foods he likes. But I’ve read that eggs may not be a good idea for people with diabetes. Should he cut back?
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I read about a study at UCLA in which men with type 2 diabetes were in a program combining aerobic exercise, low-fat diets, and relatively high amounts of "good" carbohydrates. Half of them cured their diabetes. Is this possible?
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