Opioids

There's been a lot of talk lately about the Opioid Epidemic. What are opioids?

Opioids are drugs related to morphine and/or opium. They are generally prescription drugs. Doctors and dentists have prescribed these drugs for pain relief for some time, and they are also a part of anesthesia (when you're 'put under' for a surgical procedure). They have their place sometimes, such as following surgery, to ease pain you may have with cancer, or if you've had an injury, but the problem is, people overuse the drugs sometimes and have become addicted to them. As with many drugs, as time passes, your body can become tolerant and require more of the drug to relieve your pain, make you 'feel normal,' or to make you 'check out,' to sleep or to let you avoid doing your daily routine. The term used for this type of drug is 'narcotic,' and that translates to something that makes you sleep or become numb.

Here are some names of these prescribed drugs:

• Morphine
• Hydrocodone
• Oxycodone
• Fentanyl
• Demerol
• Tylenol with codeine
• Vicodan
• Oxycontin
• Percodan
• Percocet
• Dilaudid
• Methadone, a synthetic drug ironically used to wean addicts off of drugs
• Robitussin types A, B, and C (prescription strength)

Some people initially start using opioids for a true medical condition. However, they reach a point where they wouldn't need it for the pain any longer but have begun to enjoy the feeling it gives them. They continue to take more and more, and are not functioning in the world: their primary goal is to get more, take more, and check out more. Their bodies crave the drug and need it to feel 'normal,' whatever that's become. They have thus become addicted to it, and will do virtually anything to get it. Some people will ask their doctors for a new or renewed prescription, and if that doctor refuses, they go elsewhere to get a prescription. Or they visit multiple emergency rooms which probably won't have any records on the patient, who shows up complaining of extreme pain. Some people will steal money from friends to pay for the drugs, steal the drugs, or buy them from street dealers just like any other illegal substance.


Here is the Mayo Clinic's explanation of addiction:  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/drug-addiction/symptoms-causes/syc-20365112

There are also unscrupulous doctors who will prescribe because they receive a payment (sometimes called a 'kickback') from a drug company for promoting and prescribing those narcotic drugs. Where records aren't checked, a 'new' doctor may prescribe for a patient who has had opioids for some time, unaware they are feeding an addiction.


In Kentucky, as just one example, a drug manufacturer shipped enough opioid drugs that each person in one county (with a population of about 38,000 people) could receive 477 pills. The manufacturer is being sued:  https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2018/01/22/kentucky-files-lawsuit-against-national-opioid-distributor/as6dGyWXN0ac2jEJVndllM/story.html

According to the Center for Disease Control, in 2014-2015, there were 33,091 deaths in the U.S. related to opioid use. 91 people a day died as a result of opioids, whether from overdose or use with some other substance that caused those deaths.In comparison, that's more than the number of deaths due to car crashes and gun violence combined.

There's a pretty significant rise in drug overdose involving opioids from 2000 to 2014.
What can we do about it?

• If you are going to have surgery or have had an injury, ask for a less potent, non-addictive drug or treatment to help with pain instead of an opioid
• If you feel you must take some, take only a few over several days, as directed, and throw the rest out
• Ask your pharmacy if they'll accept leftover drugs to be disposed of--get it out of your house; sometimes police departments will host a 'turn in your drugs' event.
• Lock up any prescriptions so that no one else in your house can get at them
• If you feel you are having problems with overuse, tell your doctor so that you can be weaned off of it as soon as possible
• If you have children, let them know about the dangers of drugs in a calm, simple manner: Except for antibiotics, drugs are many times harmful to your health. Here are some guidelines that may help: https://www.webmd.com/parenting/guide/children-and-drugs#1
• Stay engaged with people in some way: checking out and being anti-social may lead to wanting an 'escape'--detaching from friends by way of drug-induced euphoria
• There are people developing a national database to track opioid prescriptions; the database will be available to any medical provider or pharmacy to check whether a person has had excessive prescriptions filled for opioids.

For a thorough explanation, you can read this Wiki:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opioid

Cyberbullying

Have you heard the term 'cyberbullying' before? Do you know what it is?

The term refers to bullying that goes on in an online forum, such as texting, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Tumblr, or any other place where people post comments and engage in conversations, such as while playing online games. The bullying is very similar to any other form of bullying..... It includes:

• Making fun of someone for any reason whatsoever
• For example, someone with a disability or someone who looks 'different'
• It might be someone who has a particular body shape, like tall, short, thin, overweight
• People can be picked on because they are smart or slow, intelligence-wise
• People who speak differently can be a target
• Someone's sexual orientation
• Someone from another country
• A person's religion
• A 'new' student
• Bullies will even pick on someone for their hair color or clothes or backpack, or for no particular reason. If the victim is hurt or scared, the bullies continue.
• If someone is perceived as a 'teacher's pet' he or she might be picked on
• When bullies work as a group, they are particularly intimidating and they know it
• Threatening people with harm
• Saying things like "I wish you would just die" or "you are worthless" or "you are so stupid" via text, Facebook post, Twitter post, or on any other social media site or where virtually anyone can read it: this shares the statement to potentially thousands of people

With cyberbullying, bullies can harass their victims anonymously...they can make up many different screen names, or in some cases post as 'guest' or 'anon'. This way, they can post multiple times and make it look like it was several different people when in fact it was one. This makes the bullies particularly bold and at the same time cowardly: they feel confident nobody will find out who's doing it, so they keep it up for long periods of time and are very aggressive with their posts.

These people have also been known to post while posing as other people, that is, using someone else's online or 'screen' name, without that person's knowledge.The victim then thinks a friend (and possibly a true longtime friend) is doing it, while the actual bully is unknown and it is not, in fact, the friend. People will also set up multiple accounts using made-up names and information.

The "bully" may also be a group of bullies working together, sharing what they have posted or texted-and sharing the posts by forwarding texts, re-tweeting, sharing posts, for example, and thinking it's funny, and that they are getting away with it.

Cyberbullying happens 24/7, from anywhere the bullies have access to the internet; usually, their phones. Comments 'go viral' the instant the person taps or clicks, and can (in theory) be seen by millions of people, not only those who know you. Once any of the posts have been made, it is sometimes impossible to delete them. Bullies will also post pictures claiming it's the victim, when it's some random picture they found online, or 'doctor' pictures to make the victim look bad.

What should you do if cyberbullying is happening to you?

• First, if you are a young person, tell someone such as a parent or teacher, some adult who might be able to help make it stop: don't wait until it escalates. Someone should know it's happening.
• Take screen shots of what is posted and print them, keep the printouts in a place where you can find them easily
• If the bullying is happening via text messages, do not delete those texts. Keep them as proof.
• Remember, if there is something about you or your life that you don't want everyone to know, then don't post it. Even people who mean you no harm may share these things with others who do.
• Don't ever tell anyone your passwords, not even your friends. It could wind up in the wrong hands accidentally. If you feel bullied, change your passwords often. Make it harder for them to get into your accounts. Use different passwords for each account.
• Don't ever agree to meet someone in person if you have only ever chatted with him or her online. If you decide to do it anyway, take at least one friend with you.
• Turn off your technology sometimes. Talk to people. Go outside. Read something.
• If it's happening on Facebook, report it, and block anyone from your account other than people you completely trust. If you have any doubts about someone, or don't know the person well, he or she is not allowed to see anything you post, at least for a while until you figure out who is doing the bullying. You can also put people on a Restricted list so they see nothing you post. If you choose to, you can take them off your Restricted list later on. They can go on and off any list you create, and will not be notified.
• Remember that only 'unfriending' on Facebook still allows the person to send you a message request via Messenger. You want that to stop, so block.
• In fact, don't obsess about blocking people that bother you. You're standing up for yourself, and that's what you need to do.
• At Twitter, block (don't only 'unfollow') people who are or who may well be doing this to you.
• At Instagram or Snapchat, at least silence but preferable unfollow anyone except your most completely trusted friends. Remember, if you have only 'met' them online, you don't really know people.
• See if  you can figure out who is doing it.
• Contact the venue where it's happening: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, for example, all have policies against cyberbullying and will want to know when someone is being abusive.
• As much as you really, really, want to, do not respond to the posts/don't retaliate. It won't help.

Life Lesson #2435: If someone texts you 183 times to threaten or otherwise bother you, and you finally cave on the 184th text to say: Stop it, leave me alone!! Your abuser just learned that it takes 183 texts to get you to respond. This person should be blocked from your phone, but if he/she is simply using a number you don't identify, you should not answer: add that number to your rejected calls, and do nothing in terms of responding. Ignore, ignore, ignore. Consider changing your number and only giving it to a very few people.

• Close your social media account(s) and open a new one with a different name, or alternately, just close your account and make yourself unavailable for online assault. If anyone asks, just tell them "I'm not on Twitter anymore." No need to explain.
• Keep track of when and how often it's happening, and the screen names of those doing it: is it always the same people, or is it a new crop all the time?
• It is likely that the participants  are talking amongst themselves and planning their next assault together.
• If you are afraid for your safety, get in touch with law enforcement 

Here is Facebook's page for help if you are being harassed there:   https://www.facebook.com/help/263149623790594

Twitter's safety advice and how to report:
https://support.twitter.com/articles/15794#


Being wise about sharing your personal information online.
http://www.askthejudge.info/the-dangers-of-over-sharing-on-social-media/
It mentions geo-tagging: see Triogenius' post "A Geo What?" April 16, 2012-people can find out where your pictures were taken, and thereby where you live and hang out.

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon. If you are being bullied, you are among between 9 and 13% of all high school age students. And those are only reported instances---it is probably happening more than that. It happens to both males and females, females slightly more often.

If anyone thinks it's not a big deal, that is, if you are doing some of these things, consider the consequences to the person being bullied:

• People may turn to alcohol or drug use to escape being unhappy
• They may skip school, or refuse to attend school
• Grades may drop when they were good before
• Changing schools may not be the answer to the problem
• The person's self-esteem drops
• Health problems such as weight loss, weight gain, not being able to sleep, headaches, etc. may occur in people who were healthy before the bullying started
• Victims of bullying sometimes think about suicide
• Feeling lonely, excluded, and powerless

Laws that pertain to punishment for bullying, including cyberbullying, fall under 'Freedom of Speech;' that law does not include freedom to express yourself in such a way as to harass or harm others in any way. Bullying and stalking are also very similar, and both are punishable by law.


 This is the statute in MN concerning stalking:

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/laws/?id=160&year=2014&type=0
If you are tempted to make fun of someone, please think before you do....if you have ever had someone put you down, you know what that feels like. Words definitely do hurt.

  A video about cyberbullying:

 https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=cyberbullying&&view=detail&mid=93C0B9694125379F477093C0B9694125379F4770&&FORM=VRDGAR

Other helpful sites:

 http://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/index.html

 This has a number of really interesting "related posts" towards the bottom of the article:

http://www.askthejudge.info/cyberbullying-stories-and-laws/

 

 

 

 

Vaping

What's the deal with E-Cigarettes or Vaping?

Vaping and using E-Cigarettes are the same thing. E-Cigaretttes use a battery (although the "E" stands for electric) to activate it instead of a flame from a match or lighter. Originally it was thought to be a better alternative to smoking regular cigarettes-some people thought if they could switch to e-cigarettes, they'd be better off.. The reasoning was that people weren't inhaling smoke but rather vapor. Some people still feel it's a better alternative and say the e-cigarettes helped them stop smoking 'regular' cigarettes. However, e-cigarettes still have nicotine, and present other problems just as anything inhaled can.



Here are some types of vaping gear.

To operate the machine, the person inserts a cartridge of liquid into the vaping device (the cartridges may be refillable) turns on the machine to produce vapor, then inhales the vapor. And so, technically, they are not 'electric' but rather battery operated or can be recharged.

Have you wondered what's in e-cigarettes? It's not good. People might think they are inhaling mostly steam, or vapor, from water. That's not correct. Here are some chemicals used to make vaping liquid:

• Nicotine, the basic ingredient that gets people hooked on regular cigarettes: it's addictive, that's why people can't quit easily.
• Aluminum
• Cadmium
• Silver
• Lead
• Arsenic
• Diacetyl, a butter-flavored chemical very toxic to your lungs/causes "popcorn lungs"
• Flavors to tempt you which are also made of unknown chemicals

       This shows a nice clear open bronchial tube and one that's occluded (partially blocked) due to inflammation from vaping. Note also the 'blobby' appearance of the popcorn lung vs. the smooth  appearance of the normal lung.


How does vaping hurt your lungs? Initially, it causes inflammation. It can destroy the protective layer around your lungs that helps to fight germs and bacteria entering your lungs. Your breathing capacity is reduced-see how that happened in the picture above? The chemicals can cause serious and permanent damage to your lungs.

Since there is nicotine in vaping liquids, there is concern that, while less than regular cigarettes, nicotine is addictive. It may be that the amount of nicotine in an e-cigarette won't be enough, and people will then progress to using regular cigarettes, canceling out whatever 'benefit' there may have been from using less nicotine in the first place.

Did you know: Vaping liquids are not currently under any type of regulation by the Food & Drug Administration, so manufacturers can put whatever they want into them. 

The number of vaping-related lung disease has climbed quickly in the last few months, often with teens. While no one should be inhaling anything into their lungs except air, the lungs of a young person are not yet fully developed and are less able to cope with inhaled chemicals.

 Here is information on Minnesota's vaping problem: https://www.kare11.com/article/news/health/mn-health-officials-now-investigating-21-potential-cases-of-vaping-related-lung-disease/89-d24623fb-afcf-42bb-8212-7fd0c7bdfd6b
Over 450 cases of vaping-related disease, in 33 states, were reported as of this month. The Center for Disease Control is looking into these cases. Here is some more information: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/about-e-cigarettes.html

Vaping companies are being criticized for marketing vaping to kids who are underage by using fruity or sweet flavors that appeal to them such as bubble gum and gummy bears. Juul is a company that sells the most vaping products, and it's being investigated for specifically targeting younger kids. Some people even call vaping "Juuling." While they claim they never intended young people to use their product, it seems pretty clear that they did. https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20180806juul.html

Sometimes people buy vaping liquids 'on the street,' meaning not in a traditional store. They can find it online, or from people they do or do not know. Nobody knows what is in these ingredients, and while some people are aware and take the drug-enhanced liquids willingly, they have been found to have

• Marijuana
• Cocaine
• Morphine
• THC
• Ecstasy
• Fentanyl
• Methamphetamine

All of which are dangerous and/or addicting, and often may be 'laced' with even more dangerous drugs without the person realizing it.

We should probably not be using e-cigarettes or vaping until/unless they are shown to be safe. We only get one pair of lungs. Let's use them to breathe the air and nothing else.

Depresssion: Recognizing It, Where To Get Help, How to Help

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. To begin, if you are in a very dark place and have considered harming yourself, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. You can call 24/7 to talk to someone who can help you find help: 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Or text LIFE to 839-863. And their website: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/



Please remember that you matter. Ask for help. It will get better.

Depression: What do you know about it? Have you felt depressed, and what did you do about it? What would you want others to know?


We all have days when we feel like we just want to stay in bed and not deal with life,  but if it reaches a point where a person literally cannot move, cannot get past the feelings of hopelessness, there might be need for professional help. Here are some signs to look for, whether in yourself or someone you know:

• Lack of interest in things that normally do interest you
• Wanting to sleep more than to be awake during a 24 hour period
• Or not being able to sleep at all 
• Not eating
• Overeating
• Lack of conversation with others
• Unable to concentrate
• Problems with memory
• A downfall in schoolwork or on the job performance
• Not taking care of personal hygiene
• Not doing basic housekeeping tasks for long periods of time
• Always being alone, not engaging with anyone
• Not speaking to anyone, including texting or phone calls
• Being angry all the time
• Being frustrated easily and for a long time
• Physical symptoms: Pain, breathing problems, stomach issues
• Physically harming of self: Cutting, taking drugs, "overmedicating,"drinking too much

 

What can cause depression?

• A change in your brain chemistry
• Hormonal changes, such as seen in Postpartum (after childbirth) Depression
• Genetic factors
• Ending a relationship
• Being bullied
• Being in an abusive relationship
• Living in a remote area with no opportunity for socializing
• Brain injury
• Low self-esteem
• Trauma: Something extremely upsetting has happened
• Major injury
• Death of a loved one
• Chronic illness
• Alcoholism or drug abuse-addictions can cause depression, and depression will sometimes lead to addiction
• Even some medications cause depression.

About postpartum depression:  https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/postpartum-depression-facts/index.shtml

Depression in Veterans: https://maketheconnection.net/conditions/depression?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=Headterms|4567656266|c&utm_term=%2Bdepression|postpartum%20depression&utm_campaign=Search-Depression-BMM|133167247

 

Depression that's severe and long-lasting can indicate an imbalance in the brain. It is not going to pass and the person can't "just snap out of it." Take a look at the difference between a 'normal' brain and one that's been affected by depression:

Here are the parts of the brain. Those parts usually affected are the Amygdala, Thalamus, and Hippocampus:

 

Here is a more thorough explanation of how depression works, and how medications can help for some people:
http://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/what-causes-depression

 

What can help?

If it is mild, sometimes exercise is helpful. Movement increases the level of endorphins, the "feel good" hormones. Exercise can also help take your mind off things, include some social interaction, increase your confidence, and make you feel more in control. Speaking to a friend, a doctor, or a spiritual leader might help as well.

But when depression has become worse than a temporary funk, first, of course, be understanding if this is happening to a friend or to you.  Realize that it isn't a choice the person is making. Something is medically 'off' that needs to be helped. Therapy may be what's needed and possibly medications (anti-depressants) can help. Call your doctor, or that of the person in trouble, unless you feel the need for help is urgent. In that case, call 911 or take the person to an Emergency Room of your local hospital. Stay with the person until help is found. Remember that the brain is a part of your body, and it's not a sign of weakness that your brain isn't working properly.


If an anti-depressant is prescribed, be aware that it will probably be necessary to take it for several weeks before results are noticeable. Be patient. Work with your doctor to find the one that works for you.


Depression affects over 19 million adults every year.

You absolutely matter, and we want you here with us. Stay.

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=you+matter+to+me&&view=detail&mid=D0CF42426A4FC959836FD0CF42426A4FC959836F

Microblog: Careers with Minnesota Companies: Mayo Clinic

The Mayo Clinic, the #1 hospital in the world, sees over 1 million patients every year from all 50 states and over 150 countries. It began after William Mayo started his practice of medicine in 1864. His sons grew up and became physicians also, and began what is now the Mayo Clinic, a huge campus of buildings that see many different medical issues and also houses the Mayo College of Medicine. Some history: http://history.mayoclinic.org/stories.php#video-container

 

The unique thing about this giant medical center is that, when you are seen, all the specialists you might need are in this one place and you will likely see them all in the same day. Your test results will be processed immediately so that you  get your diagnosis quickly and can make a plan for treatment with your doctors. It is a collaborative and cooperative treatment center where top-quality doctors consider themselves colleagues and partners, working together to solve medical problems for the good of the patient. The 4500+ physicians are paid a salary, not by how many patients they see; this was the plan of the Mayo Brothers from the start. Anyone can be seen at Mayo, usually without a referral.

                                                                     Charles and William Mayo

 

While the location of the first Mayo Clinic- Rochester, Minnesota-is still its primary location, working with St Mary's Hospital and Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Mayo also has locations in Florida and Arizona.

 

Mayo is also a health care system with clinics located throughout southern Minnesota.


Mayo offers medical and graduate school:  http://www.mayo.edu/education/?_ga=1.17297274.272890092.1444934606


Here is their main website:   http://www.mayoclinic.org/




Employment at Mayo covers everything from building maintenance to specialists in dozens of types of practice. Here is a link to Human Resources at Mayo: http://www.mayoclinic.org/jobs


Examples of openings (besides physicians) currently available:

• Research
• Surgical Tech
• Home Health Care
• Personal Care Assistant
• Physician's Assistant/Nurse Practitioner
• Lab Assistant
• Housekeeping
• Dialysis Tech
• Pharmacy Technician
• Pharmacist
• Physical and Occupational Therapists
• Information Technologists
• RNs in many specialties, such as Cardiology, Pediatrics, Oncology, Psychiatry
• Transplant Specialists

If you want to work for one of the most-admired medical systems in the world, Mayo could be your employer. Check them out!