Recent research for the UK suggests that club drugs like ecstasy pose great risks even for otherwise healthy teens.

One of the reasons that “club drugs” like ecstasy have become so popular with teens is because of the perception that they are not dangerous. Teens believe that club drugs do not carry the same risks as “hard drugs” such as cocaine or heroin and therefore are more comfortable experimenting with it. They simply do not believe that dropping some ecstasy before a dance party will cause them to have a drug addiction.

However, club drugs are some of the most addicting and dangerous drugs available for teens today. Many teens in drug and alcohol rehab are either dealing with addiction to club drugs or started using these illicit substances before moving on to other drugs. And a new study from the United Kingdom suggests that teens are placing themselves in great risk by continuing to take club drugs.

Researchers at the University of Hertfordshire studied deaths related to stimulants in Britain from 1997 to 2007. The results showed that people who died after taking ecstasy were generally younger and healthier than people who died after taking other stimulants such as speed and crystal meth. The findings suggest that all teens could benefit from a rehab program if they use club drugs and not just those who use regularly or have already seen serious effects to their health.

According to the study published in the journal Neuropsychobiology, ecstasy deaths were more common in “victims who were young, healthy, and less likely to be known as drug users” who were already or previously in drug treatment. The results suggest that young people “seem to suffer extreme consequences after excessive intake of ecstasy” — increasing the need for them to get addiction treatment if they use club drugs like ecstasy on a regular basis.

Lead researcher Fabrizio Schifano told Reuters Health that the reasons why ecstasy is unclear, although it appears to show an intrinsic toxicity that is higher than that of amphetamines.” One suggestion is that the brains of young people, which are still developing, might be more vulnerable to the effects of the drug. Other studies have recently shown that drug addiction can be stronger and the chances of relapse greater after drug rehab for this very reason.

The World Health Organization warned Europeans that they should stay indoors as small quantities of the ash from Iceland’s volcano fell in countries like Norway, Scotland and Iceland.

Daniel Epstein, WHO’s spokesperson said that the ash, which is microscopic, is dangerous, especially when it reaches Earth. When inhaled, particles of the ash could potentially cause respiratory issues, he said.

He also stated that those already suffering from respiratory problems such as asthma was at a higher level of risk, and recommended that those who did consider venturing outside should wear a mask.

Other medical experts however do not seem to think that the volcanic ash posed any serious threat to people and some even referred to WHO warnings as ‘hysterical’. They went on to say that the ash was not even as dangerous as pollution and cigarette smoke.

Volcanic ash is extremely fine and made of particles of volcanic rock that is fragmented. Ranging from a light gray to black in colour, this ash, when inhaled, can cause a certain amount of irritation in the lungs. However, experts say that the ash, falls from a greater distance in Europe, like for instance from the cloud lingering above – and thus say that health risks are minimal and pose no great danger.

Ken Donaldson, a professor of respiratory toxicology at the University of Edinburgh who has also carried out several studies into the impact of volcanic ash on humans confirmed that volcanic ash was not exactly harmful to humans. He said that the effect was negligible and those at risk were only people located close to the vicinity of the volcano.

An eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia is one of the most difficult types of disorders to overcome. However, many people who struggle with eating disorders also struggle with chemical dependencies, making recovery twice as hard. Fortunately, there is still hope. If you or someone you love has coexisting disorders, consider entering an alcohol and drug rehab program with the resources and staff to treat eating disorders.

A comprehensive treatment program should be able to treat individuals with coexisting disorders such as a person suffering from bulimia and alcoholism.  Patients should receive an assessment by an experienced eating disorder counselor followed by a physical examination to diagnose any illnesses caused by the effects of the drug or alcohol addiction and the eating disorder.

Eating disorders and chemical dependencies are diseases and should be treated simultaneously for a greater chance of recovery and complete healing. Checking into an alcohol rehabilitation center, for example, without treating the eating disorder could cause the individual to start drinking again or continue neglecting their nutritional needs.

While every patient is different, a professional rehabilitation center can develop a treatment plan that is most helpful for the individual. For more information about chemical dependency and eating disorders, please contact leading rehabilitation center Cirque Lodge.

A newly revealed European study indicates that teenagers should engage in at least an hour’s worth of exercise daily in order to stay safe from the common obesity gene, which has been nicknamed ‘fatso’.

The lead author of the study, Jonatan Ruiz, part of the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, said that the results of the study was initiative enough for teenagers to start exercising more often and be active. Ruiz said extra exercise on top of sports was not necessary and recommended that all teenagers take part in at least one active sport.

Featured in April’s edition of Archives of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, the study is in line with US guidelines which also recommend that teenagers, as well as children get at minimum one hour of exercise, be it swimming, cycling, dancing, etc.
Researchers also point out that obesity is caused not only by genes, but also by lifestyle choices, and are now reiterating the importance of exercise and healthy eating.

The FTO gene, which is linked to obesity, according to research racks up pounds when in variant form. Statistics indicate that one in six people who carry two copies of the gene variant weigh at average around seven pounds more than people who do not carry it.

Approximately 750 teenagers from Spain, Austria, Sweden, Italy, Hungary, France, Belgium, Germany and Greece were subjected to this study in which blood tests were carried out to determine their gene variant. The teenagers also had to wear monitoring devices for a period of seven days, which gauged the amount of physical activity they underwent.

It’s a well-known fact that multiple sclerosis that occurs due to the fact that the immune system attacks the fatty substance known as myelin that protects the nerves has no cure.

However, recent developments in three studies that were published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that two new drugs that can be taken orally (rather than injectable medications) namely fingolimod and cladribine, work to alter the immune system response.

Interestingly, these pills have reduced the relapse rate of people with the relapse-remitting type of multiple sclerosis, although there are still concerns with the side effects of medication (such as increased infections and even cancer) that is used to suppress the immune system.

Two of these new studies focused on the effects of fingolimod where participants were randomly selected to take a daily dose of 0.5 mg, 1.25 mg or a placebo. The second study, which had about 1153 participants, received a daily dose of 0.5 mg or 1.25 mg of fingolimod or a weekly dose of 30 micrograms of interferon beta-1a (Avonex) for the duration of a year. The third study which studied the effects of cladribine, where the patients received a dose of either 3.5 mg or 5.25 mg per kilogram of body weight or a placebo.

Results for all three studies indicated that the annual relapse rates were less than 1%, while also finding slower disease activity and progression. These studies also indicated that patients were responding well to both the drugs, and this bodes well for the 400,000 Americans (and their loved ones) who have to deal with the reality of multiple sclerosis from day to day.