Chronic Pancreatitis : Causes

Chronic pancreatitis causes inflammation and scarring of tissue in the pancreas. This makes the pancreas unable to produce the right amount of chemicals (enzymes) needed to digest fat. It also interferes with insulin production, which may lead to ...

Alcoholism is drinking alcoholic beverages at a level that interferes with physical health, mental health, and social, family, or job responsibilities.

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. Dependence is a physical addiction with psychological, social and genetic components. Despite damage to health, finances, reputations, and relationships, the alcohol dependent person will continue to drink unless an intervention occurs. Abuse, distinguished from dependence by retaining some control over the use of alcohol, nevertheless carries many of the same consequences over time, and certainly increases risk of dependence. Today, alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence are often associated with abuse of, or dependence on, other substances including nicotine, marijuana , cocaine, heroin, amphetamines, sedatives, and anxiolytics (antianxiety drugs). Alcoholism is more common in males than in females, with an estimated male-to-female ratio as high as five-to-one. A United States study conducted between 1990 and 1991, using DSM standards, found that 14% of the adult population (ages 15–54) had, at some time, met the criteria for alcohol dependence; and 7% had been alcohol-dependent in the past year. An earlier, similar study showed that about 5% of Americans qualified for a diagnosis of alcohol abuse at some point during their life. According to a 2002 report by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, 14 million Americans abuse alcohol, and 100,000 die annually of alcohol related preventable causes. Though it is difficult to develop accurate statistics worldwide, it is known that the incidence of what we call alcoholism has been steadily rising around the globe for several years.

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.

This report includes information on recognizing the symptoms of problem drinking, treatment techniques, coping with a loved one's drinking, and overcoming denial.

The most important thing that friends and family can do for an alcoholic is to stop enabling the addictive behavior.

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.

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.

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.g., driving while intoxicated, impaired school/work performance); and (c) the expression of dependency symptoms (e.g., unpleasant withdrawal effects when unable to consume alcohol). Although some adolescents do indeed experience difficulties associated with their use of alcohol at levels of severity so as to be aptly characterized as alcoholic, this subgroup is small relative to the number of children and adolescents who use alcohol at significant, but less severe, levels. Furthermore, there are major differences in the rates of alcohol use across the wide age range constituting childhood and adolescence. Hence, a comprehensive consideration of the role of alcohol in childhood and adolescence necessitates distinctions of what specific features of alcohol-related behaviors are being referred to. Several different features of alcohol-related behaviors (e.g., alcohol use, alcohol problems, beliefs about alcohol) of relevance to children and adolescents are presented here.

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.

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 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.

Alcohol may have some health benefits, including lowering the risk for heart disease, but it may also lead to abusive drinking and other diseases.

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.

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. The hallmarks of both these disorders involve repeated life problems that can be directly attributed to the use of alcohol. Both these disorders can have serious consequences, affecting an individual's health and personal life, as well as having an impact on society at large.

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.

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.

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. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that the pattern of use and abuse of alcohol in children and adolescents is not observably different from what is manifested in young people using marijuana or cocaine.

You don't have to wait for someone to hit rock bottom to act. Here are steps to help an alcoholic get treatment.

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. Alcoholism has serious consequences, affecting an individual's health and personal life, as well as having a negative impact on society at large. Alcoholism is the use of alcohol in any harmful way.

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...

A study found that a medication called topiramate helped heavy drinkers reduce their dependence on alcohol.

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.

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.

A review of ongoing research into drugs to treat alcoholism, including a description of existing drugs and treatments on the horizon.

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.

Effective treatment for alcohol dependency is available, but treatment rates among alcohol abusers are low because of lack of awareness and embarrassment.

Detailed information on preventing unintentional injuries

Statistics relating to unintentional injuries

Scrapes and sprains are a fact of life for most children, so it’s good to know what to do when they come home with a minor injury.

Trampolines are popular. Thousands of children are rocketing skyward, and trampoline injuries are also on the rise.

Children in households where a parent lives with another unrelated adult are at much greater risk of death from an injury suffered in the home.

Detailed information on neurological trauma in children

Psychiatric diagnosis may be neglected in emergency rooms, where, in addition, people of color are less likely to be diagnosed with a pyschiatric condition than whites.

Bile duct obstruction is a blockage in the tubes that carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder and small intestine.

If a bile duct blockage is not cleared, what will happen? Stephen Goldfinger, M.D., is a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is a graduate of Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, and his clinical base is at the Massachusetts General Hospital.

Pancreas divisum is a birth defect in which parts of the pancreas fail to join together. The pancreas is a long flat organ located between the stomach and spine.

Hypercalcemia is too much calcium in the blood.

Expert-reviewed information summary about hypercalcemia (high blood calcium levels) as a complication of cancer. Approaches to the treatment of hypercalcemia are discussed.

Hypercalcemia (High Calcium Level in the Blood)Symptom and DescriptionHypercalcemia is an abnormal amount of calcium in the blood. Calcium is needed by the body to function properly.

Hypercalcemia is an abnormally high level of calcium in the blood, usually more than 10.5 milligrams per deciliter of blood.

Hypercalcemia is an abnormally high level of calcium in the blood, usually more than 10.5 milligrams per deciliter of blood. It is the most common life-threatening metabolic disorder associated with cancer. Calcium plays an important role in the development and maintenance of bones in the body. It is also needed in tooth formation and is important in other body functions. As much as 99% of the body's calcium is stored in bone tissue. A healthy person experiences a constant turnover of calcium as bone tissue is built and reshaped. The remaining 1% of the body's calcium circulates in the blood and other body fluids. Calcium in the blood plays an important role in the control of many body functions, including blood clotting, transmission of nerve impulses, muscle contraction, and other metabolic activities. Cancer-caused hypercalcemia produces a disruption in the body's ability to maintain a normal level of calcium. This abnormally high level of calcium in the blood develops because of increased bone breakdown and release of calcium from the bone. The disorder occurs in approximately 10-20% of all cancer cases. The most common cancers associated with hypercalcemia are breast, prostate, and lung cancer, as well as multiple myeloma or other tumors with extensive metastasis to the bone. It may also occur in patients with head and neck cancer, cancer of unknown primary, lymphoma , leukemia, kidney cancer, and gastrointestinal cancer. Hypercalcemia most commonly develops as a late complication of cancer, and its appearance constitutes an emergency. Several clinical symptoms are associated with cancer-related hypercalcemia. Symptoms may appear gradually and often look like signs of other cancers and diseases. The symptoms of hypercalcemia are not only related to the elevated level of calcium in the blood, but—more importantly—to how rapidly the hypercalcemia develops. The severity of the symptoms is often dependent upon factors such as previous cancer treatment, reactions to medications, or other illnesses a patient may have. Most patients do not experience all of the symptoms of hypercalcemia, and some may not have any signs at all. Rapid diagnosis of hypercalcemia may be complicated because the symptoms are often nonspecific and are easily ascribed to other factors. These symptoms include: decreased muscle tone and muscle weakness delirium, disorientation, incoherent speech, and psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and delusion constipation fatigue poor appetite, nausea and/or vomiting frequency of urination and increased thirst pain

Malnutrition is the condition that occurs when your body does not get enough nutrients.

Nutritional deficiencies occur when a person's nutrient intake consistently falls below the recommended requirement. Nutritional deficiencies can lead Children between 10–19 years of age face serious nutritional deficiencies worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. About 1,200 million, or 19 percent of adolescents suffer from poor nutrition that hurts their development and growth. [Photograph by Jason Laure. Reproduced by permission.] to a variety of health problems, the most prevalent of which are anemia , beriberi, osteoporosis , pellagra, and rickets . Anemia occurs when the body does not have enough red blood cells to transport oxygen from the lungs to the body's cells. The most common symptom of anemia is a constant feeling of fatigue . Making sure that one's diet contains the proper amounts of iron , folate , and vitamin B 12 can prevent anemia. Prolonged thiamine deficiency can result in one of the more serious nutritional deficiencies, beriberi. Thiamine plays a major role in nerve processes, and a prolonged deficiency can result in nerve damage as well as heart and other muscle damage. Beriberi can be prevented by eating a diet containing foods rich in thiamine, such as meats, legumes , and whole-wheat breads. Osteoporosis is an asymptomatic condition in which the loss of minerals can cause the body's bones to become porous and fragile. Making sure that one's diet contains the recommended amount of calcium and vitamin D can reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis. The niacin-deficiency disease, pellagra, can produce symptoms such as dermatitis, dementia , diarrhea, and even death. Pellagra can be prevented through eating almost any protein-rich foods. Rickets, or defective bone growth, is the result of an excessive vitamin D deficiency. It has been virtually wiped out in the United States due to the vitamin D fortification of milk. SEE ALSO A NEMIA ; B ERIBERI ; O STEOPOROSIS ; P ELLAGRA ; R ICKETS . Beth Hensleigh

Advice From the Nutrition CoachGeorgia Kostas has helped more than 50,000 patients use diets for disease recovery, prevention and weight control. She was also a consultant to the 1996 U.S.

The nutritional requirements of the human body reflect the nutritional intake necessary to maintain optimal body function and to meet the body's daily energy needs. Malnutrition (literally, "bad nutrition ") is defined as "inadequate nutrition," and while most people interpret this as undernutrition , falling short of daily nutritional requirements, it can also mean overnutrition, meaning intake in excess of what the body uses. However, undernutrition affects more than one-third of the world's children, and nearly 30 percent of people of all ages in the developing world, making this the most damaging form of malnutrition worldwide. The etiology of malnutrition includes factors such as poor food availability and preparation, recurrent infections, and lack of nutritional education. Each of these factors is also impacted by political instability and war, lack of sanitation, poor food distribution, economic downturns, erratic health care provision, and by factors at the community/regional level.

Malnutrition is the condition that develops when the body does not get the right amount of the vitamins , minerals , and other nutrients it needs to maintain healthy tissues and organ function.

Malnutrition is a condition that develops when the body does not get the proper amount of protein, energy (calories), vitamins , and other nutrients it needs to maintain healthy tissues and organ function.

An annular pancreas is a ring of pancreatic tissue that encircles the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine, just below the stomach.