By: Vaping360

What is vaping anyway?

Vaping is a method of inhaling and exhaling an aerosol. This aerosol is often called a vapor that is produced by an e-cigarette or other devices. Vaping devices use liquids containing nicotine and other substances that are heated, turning the liquid into a thick aerosol. Vaping devices contain four different parts: A cartridge that holds the liquid, a mouth piece used to inhale the liquid, a heating element and a power source, usually a battery. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4154203/

Difference between vapor and aerosol: A vapor refers to the gaseous state of a substance like water that contains little or no particles. 
An Aerosol is a suspension of tiny particles of a solid, liquid, or both that are in a gas.

Is Vaping a safe alternative to Cigarettes?

Vaping is a relatively new phenomenon that is increasing in popularity, especially in teens. In the last few decades, healthcare communities have fought to decrease smoking in adults and youth. Vaping devices are now threatening this progress. Healthcare officials initially thought that vaping devices were less dangerous than tobacco cigarettes, and could provide a safer alternative. Vaping may be an alternative to cigarettes; however, a safer alternative is incorrect. The CDC reports that vaping devices offer the same dangers as cigarettes just in smaller doses and over a more extended period. https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1015&context=occ_stuarticles

What’s in the liquid?

E-liquid is the ingredient used in most vaper devices and usually consists of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, flavorings, nicotine. However, other toxic chemicals were discovered by The U.S Food and Drug Administration, including carcinogens, formaldehyde, and Diethylene glycol an ingredient found in antifreeze. https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1015&context=occ_stuarticles

How is vaping bad for you?

Long-term and harmful effects from vaping are not well researched; however, according to the CDC, the aerosol produced from vaping devices contain unstable organic compounds. These compounds are resistant to protective mechanisms in the respiratory system. When the aerosol is inhaled, dozens of tiny particles travel deep into the lungs and cause issues with breathing. https://www.rdhmag.com/home/article/16409913/e-cigarettes-vaping-and-chairside-education

Facts from the FDA

• Nicotine addiction in youth is rising due to the popularity of vaping devices.
• Longe-term effects from vaping are unknown
• It is unclear if vaping is effective in helping people quit smoking cigarettes
• It is unclear if vaping is less harmful then smoking traditional cigarettes 
• It is unclear of the influence it may have as a “gateway” to smoking cigarettes
• Manufacturers have targeted kids in their marketing of vaping products.
• Vaping is not safe

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/fda-voices-perspectives-fda-leadership-and-experts/how-fda-regulating-e-cigarettes

The harmful effects of vaping are not well-researched. Debates continue whether or not vaping is a safe alternative to smoking cigarettes, and help adults kick the smoking habit. The questions answered show that vaping is risky and can cause serious health problems. Vaping products target youth and have proved to be effective with a dramatic increase in use among teens and adolescents. The truth is that vaping is a dangerous habit. Although changes have been implemented stricter regulations and more research are needed. We need to protect the health of our children and not let vaping become the next tobacco story. 

References

Arnold, C. (2014). Vaping and Health: What Do We Know about E-Cigarettes? Environmental Health Perspectives, 122(9). doi: 10.1289/ehp.122-a244

Prudovsky, D. (2019). Saying No to Vaping: What you should know about the dangers of e-cigarettes. Dental Assistant, 88(2), 10–11. 

Sherry, J. S., Blackstad, N. M., & Wheatley, K. S. (2017). E Cigarettes, Vaping and Chairside Education. RDH, 37(1), 45–52

Pot for Pain?

 Pain comes in all sorts, and each of us has experienced it in some way or another. Whether it’s the pain of a headache, a broken bone from a fall, we all have pain receptors. What happens when it isn’t temporary? When your nerve endings have permanent pain, and it tingles and hurts chronically?  Pain then becomes a long-term issue, chronic, and it can have a significant impact on quality of life. What does a person do when traditional medications don’t cut it, and increasing tolerance to medications, such as opioids, with other side effects as an issue? With the approaching legalization of cannabis becoming more and more it has many wondering if it is a good option for pain relief.

A Quick look at Neuropathic Pain:

• Neuropathy is the damage to the sensory, motor or automatic nerves that occurs from an underlying cause such as diabetes, accident, spinal cord or nerve damage.
• It’s a complex and chronic condition that affects nearly 20 million people in the United States. That’s 20 million people seeking relief.
• Neuropathic pain accounts for about one in five cases of chronic pain.
• Neuropathic pain is notoriously difficult to treat. Medications that are normally prescribed for other types of pain (e.g., non-steroidal anti-inflammatories or opioids) are most often times ineffective.

So, studies suggest that cannabis may be a good treatment option to relieve chronic neuropathic pain but does the evidence stand up to the hype, or are the pain-relieving properties smoke and mirrors?

What does the research say?

THC and CBD are the two chemicals found in marijuana that are thought to contribute have the ability to relieve pain. THC alters pain perception by reducing anxiety and stress, while CBD has anti-inflammatory benefits that lessen pain. Cannabis-based medications come in several forms, so for the naysayers on smoking being risky, it can also be ingested in foods, taken as a supplement, and also available in tincture options.

A recent systematic review found that compared to a placebo, cannabis-based medications have the ability to provide moderate to substantial pain relief, reduce pain intensity, help with sleep problems, and also mental and psychological distress such as anxiety and PTSD. Unfortunately, these benefits also come associated with side effects including sedation, confusion, and psychosis.

The catch here is for some people, these side effects may be severe enough to outweigh cannabis’s pain-relieving benefits, yet how the drug is used also effects its side effects.

Where does this leave us?

Overall the fact is…the quality of the research around cannabis for neuropathic pain relief is low. That is not to say that neuropathic pain sufferers should disregard cannabis as a treatment option – but as with any treatment, it may work for some, but not for others.

The bottom line ___________  

• More high-quality research is needed to confirm its benefits.
• Many people experience neuropathic pain, which becomes more common as we age.
• Cannabis-based medications may relieve pain in some people, but side effects such as sedation, confusion, and psychosis can cause the risk to outweigh the benefit.

• Current evidence is of low quality, so while promising, more high-quality research is needed to completely determine the effectiveness of cannabis-based medications for the treatment of neuropathic pain.

  

References

Hill, K. P., Palastro, M. D., Johnson, B., & Ditre, J. W. (2017). Cannabis and Pain: A Clinical Review. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 2(1), 96–104. doi:10.1089/can.2017.0017

Modesto-Lowe, V., Bojka, R., & Alvarado, C. (2018). Cannabis for peripheral neuropathy: The good, the bad, and the unknown. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, 85(12), 943–949. doi: 10.3949/ccjm.85a.17115

Wallace, M. S., Marcotte, T. D., Umlauf, A., Gouaux, B., & Atkinson, J. H. (2015). Efficacy of Inhaled Cannabis on Painful Diabetic Neuropathy. The journal of pain : official journal of the American Pain Society, 16(7), 616–627. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2015.03.008

Diabetes is a rapidly growing threat in U.S. society. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), from 1980 to 2012, the rate of diabetes among adults quadrupled, and it is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States (2014). Around 200,000 deaths occur each year in the U.S. due to diabetes (CDC, 2014).It is calculated that the prevalence of diabetes cases in U.S. (both type 1 and type 2) will increase by 54% from 2015 to 2030 (Rowley, et al., 2017). Because of the soaring rates of diabetes, it is important to take measures to prevent diabetes, and also to help individuals manage diabetes effectively.

So what is diabetes?

It is a chronic condition in which the body does not correctly process food for the body’s energy needs. Food is typically converted into glucose and stored in the body to be used for energy. However, with diabetes, the hormone, called insulin, does not do its job correctly in spreading the glucose throughout the body as energy. With diabetes, there is either too little insulin, or the insulin is not used correctly.

One of the most helpful websites is by the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org. On this website, you can learn more about diabetes whether you are managing it personally, or helping to support a family member or friend with managing diabetes. This website has a lot of information on recipes, family activities, medications, available resources, and emerging research findings, that can help improve diabetes management. There are diabetes cookbooks that can help a variety of people, whether looking for simple meals, or more challenging meals or deserts that can feed the entire family and guests. For example, did you know that whole grain use decreases the risks of diabetes? According to Chanson-Rolie, et al. (2015), for every 45g of whole-grains in the everyday diet, there is a 20% reduction in relative risk of type 2 diabetes. Therefore, even if one family member has diabetes, then these dietary adjustments can help reduce the risks to other family members.

For anyone who wants to reduce their own risks, switching to whole-grans and cutting out refined grains can make a major difference. Whole grans includes the following: Dark bread, cooked oatmeal, popcorn, whole-grain breakfast cereal brand and types, bran, brown rice, wheat germ, bulgur, couscous, and more. In contrast, here is the list of refined grains that are known to increase diabetes risks: English muffins, biscuits, muffins, white bread, pasta, cakes, sweet rolls, refined-grain cereals, pancakes, waffles, pizza, and white rice (Liu, et al., 2000).  Learning more about food and everyday exercise and lifestyle factors can significantly help with management and prevention.

References:

CDC. (2014). Diabetes Report Card. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Liu, S., Manson, J. E., Stampfer, M. J., Hu, F. B., Giovannucci, E., Colditz, G. A., … & Willett, W. C. (2000). A prospective study of whole-grain intake and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in US women. American journal of public health, 90(9), 1409.

Rowley, W. R., Bezold, C., Arikan, Y., Byrne, E., & Krohe, S. (2017). Diabetes 2030: Insights from yesterday, today, and future trends. Population health management, 20(1), 6-12.

                                        Sensory processing disorder

Sensory processing disorder (SPD) has been a hot topic amongst many medical professionals. Is SPD a real thing! How is SPD treated?  The purpose of this blog is to provide information through a variety of various media regarding the disorder. This blog will also provide a forum for others to share their opinions and personal experiences regarding SPD!

 SO…what is sensory Processing disorder?

The brains of persons with SPD have trouble processing various inputs or information such as; (sounds, sites, smells, and touch). This input then causes an abnormal response or “symptoms”.  Some symptoms may include; yelling, hyper activity, poor posture,  poor attention, tiredness, and over sensitivity to the environment. The video below accurately describes SPD in short. 

How is sensory processing disorder treated? 

Sensory processing disorder is typically treated by occupational therapist. Occupational therapist use a variety of techniques. The most widely talked about is sensory integration therapy.  This video paints a good picture of Sensory integration and how it is applied.

                                               So what makes SPD debatable

*Sensory processing disorder has been argued by some medical professionals that SPD is a symptom exclusively of autism.

* Some medical professionals and evidence based research supports that sensory integration therapy is ineffective.

*Until recently, no known anatomical evidence showed any disparities in those with SPD. More research must be conducted

Research

Article:  White matter microstructure is associated with auditory, tactile processing in children with and without sensory processing disorder. (2016) 

Summary: “Researchers at UC San Francisco have found that boys and girls with sensory processing disorder (SPD) have altered pathways for brain connectivity when compared to typically developing children, and the difference predicts challenges with auditory and tactile processing.”( S. Leigh, 2016)  

Link to full study https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnana.2015.00169/full

Article : Sensory processing difficulties, behavioral problems, and parental stress in a clinical population of young children, (2012)

Summary:  The article talks about sensory processing disorder and how it can relate to behavioral problems among young children. This study followed 59 children from an outpatient clinic. Each participant filled out a behavioral checklist as well as a sensory profile. Out of the 59 children 55.9% of them reported sensory processing difficulties. Based on these results the article suggest that some children who obtained difficulties with sensory processing would benefit from therapies that target these concerns. The article also related these results to parent stress. Parents of children with sensory difficulties reported a much higher level of stress than parents with children who did not have sensory difficulties.

link to Full study

http://library.neit.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eoah&AN=28041949&site=ehost-live

 Please post additional Research Blogs here: 

Personal thoughts 

I do believe that sensory processing disorder requires additional research regarding diagnostic testing and treatment interventions. Occupational therapist and other practitioners utilizing sensory integration therapies should continue to imply the use of evidence based practice. Research both supports and disproves the use of sensory integration as well as the validity of calling SPD a disease.

Please post personal thoughts or additional videos here: 

References

Gourley, L., Wind, C., Henninger, E. M., & Chinitz, S. (2012). Sensory Processing     Difficulties, Behavioral Problems, and Parental Stress in a Clinical Population of Young Children.Journal of Child and Family Studies, 22(7), 912-921.  doi:10.1007/s10826-012-9650

Howe, F. E., & Stagg, S. D. (2016). Erratum to: How Sensory Experiences Affect Adolescents with an Autistic Spectrum Condition within the Classroom. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 46(6), 2273-2273. Doi:10.1007/s10803-016-2791-8

Leigh, S. (2016, January 26). Brain’s Wiring Connected to Sensory Processing Disorder. Retrieved from https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2016/01/401461/brains-wiring-connected-sensory-processing-disorder

Ricon, T., Sorek, R., & Yeger, B. E. (2017). Association between Sensory Processing by Children with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder and their Daily Routines. TheOpen Journal of Occupational Therapy, 5(4). doi:10.15453/2168-6408.1337

Photo By:  http://palmsbh.com/what-can-you-do-for-mental-health-month/

Approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S.—43.8 million, or 18.5%—experiences mental illness in a given year. 1.1% of those adults in the U.S have Schizophrenia. Those who have a mental illness sometimes deal with what is called stigma. 

A stigma is: the disapproval of, or discrimination against, a person based on perceivable social characteristics that serve to distinguish them from other members of a society. When someone has a mental illness, common stigmas are: dangerous, crazy, psycho, frightening, and so on. 

SCHIZOPHRENIA DEFINED:

“A chronic and severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves” (nimh, 2016). Symptoms include:

• hallucinations,
• delusions 
• “flat affect,”
• decreased communication,
• difficulty managing daily activities/routines, 
•  decreased functioning,
• trouble paying attention, and more. 

Photo By: psycom

SCHIZOPHRENIA IN THE MOVIES

This first clip is of the film Donnie Darko (2001). In the movie, the main character has Schizophrenia and continuously hallucinates about a rabbit named Frank who constantly gets inside of his head and tries to portray the end of the world. 

Watch from 1:00-2:00 and you will get a glimpse of how Schizophrenia is portrayed in this film. 

This film does a great job of exaggerating Schizophrenia and although some may experience a few or all of these intense symptoms, it is more often less severe. In contemporary films, there is an abundance of misinformation about symptoms, causes, and treatment in the media.  In an article called “Portrayals of Schizophrenia by Entertainment Media” by P.R Owen a PhD Psychiatrist goes into how characters portrayed in the media are typically Caucasian males and showed signs of “positive” Schizophrenia which includes delusions and hallucinations.

DEBUNKING STIGMA

This article drives home how the media projects the stigma of mental illness and how the public is more influenced by the portrayal of Schizophrenia in the film. 

SCHIZOPHRENIA SIMULATION

The next clip is from CNN and Anderson Cooper (the primary CNN anchor) undergoes a simulation of Schizophrenia. This clip only shows a select few symptoms of Schizophrenia. 

From the medical source National Institute of Mental Health  “NIMH” a clear definition is given along with “positive,” “negative.” and “cognitive” symptoms of Schizophrenia are explained. In this clip, mostly “positive” symptoms are being observed. This clip does a good job of  accurately representing those particular symptoms. However, the other symptoms are left out leaving the public to believe that these are what every person with this mental illness experience and thus, enhances the stigma yet again.  

REAL ILLNESS, REAL LIFE

This last media clip is from a TED talk that is told by a woman who lives with Schizophrenia. This woman goes into how she did not know when she was younger what was wrong with her and how it is harder to diagnose in younger children. However, as she entered college she was finally able to get a diagnosis.  

Watch 3:00-4:30 to get a general idea of this clip however the entire clip is extremely informative.

 The medical source Mayo Clinic which is a non-profit organization that offers professional and clinical research. Mayo Clinic describes how early onset symptoms of Schizophrenia in children is harder to diagnose even though the symptoms are very similar to those in adults. This information backs up what is discussed in this clip and also viewing someone with the disorder is extremely beneficial. She speaks upon the stigma of her disorder and even captions the title of this clip “I am not a monster” because that is how the public views mental illness sometimes. 

WHAT TO BELIEVE/ PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

All of these clips have qualities that help portray Schizophrenia. However, as mentioned in the very last clip, with the help of medication or other sources, mental illnesses can be easily managed and people can live in society without ever revealing they have a mental illness. In my professional opinion, stigma is very real and what is seen in the movies should only be looked at by face value. It is Hollywood after all. If we only relied on what we see in the movies then we would of course believe the stigmas. That is not to say that all media does not accurately depict certain disorders but other sources should always be put into consideration for more accurate definitions or symptoms are needed. 

Photo By: Sasha Kalis

References:

• Childhood schizophrenia. (2016, September 29). Retrieved October 31, 2018, from

        https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/childhood-

          schizophrenia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354483

• Owen, P. R., PhD. (2012, July 1). Portrayals of Schizophrenia by Entertainment

Media: Retrieved October 31, 2018, from

https://ps.psychiatryonline.org/doi/abs/10.1176/appi.ps.201100371

• Schizophrenia. (2016, February). Retrieved October 31, 2018, from

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia/index.shtml

Don’t wait, vaccinate!

The CDC website provides an excellent venue for curious citizens inquiring about vaccination safety and how they work. It also has the most up to date schedule recommended for children to receive certain vaccinations. Vaccinations are safe, effective, and they protect the public from deadly diseases.

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/index.html

References

Gould, K. (2017). Vaccine safety: evidence-based research must prevail. Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing, 36(3), 145-147.