Summary: Vaping was promoted as a safe alternative to tobacco smoking. However, experience shows that it is far from true. Vaping has its own set of health risks. For example, it is known to cause severe effects on lungs leading to fatal outcomes. However, now, new studies suggest that it may be addictive, increase the risk of addiction to other substances, and may have many other longer-term adverse consequences for wellbeing. The new study suggests that various vaping juices may cause increased expression of inflammatory mediators in multiple organs, including the brain, heart, lung, and colon. Moreover, the study also found that the adverse effects of different flavors differ.

Treating one kind of addiction with another less dangerous addiction is not an ideal solution to the problem. Vaping has picked up in recent years. Initially, many promoted it as a way of overcoming tobacco addiction.

However, things are changing fast, and many people vape who never used tobacco. It means that vaping itself is emerging as a significant problem. Moreover, studies show that it is not as safe as imagined earlier and may cause some unique health issues. Data regarding its adverse health effects is still emerging.

What is worrisome is that vaping is a pastime activity of young minds. Most people vaping is between the ages of 18-24. It is also worth understanding that vaping has only picked up in the last few years.

Therefore, it may even become a significant health concern if timely measures are not taken. Therefore, there is an urgent need to raise awareness regarding the health risks associated with vaping. Furthermore, considering how fast people accept vaping and get addicted to it, most people may start vaping in a decade.

Vaping may alter inflammatory responses of the brain, heart, lungs, and colon

It is now known that vaping causes severe and life-threatening lung disease in some. It is already causing a few deaths each year. However, these findings are insufficient to raise awareness regarding the health risks of vaping addiction, as people see it as something uncommon. Most people see vaping-related lung disease as a rare disorder affecting a few.

However, people do not realize that vaping may have many long-term ill effects on health.

Studying the ill effects of vaping on health is more challenging than understanding the risk of tobacco addiction. Unlike cigarettes that use various tobacco strains with varying degrees of nicotine, vaping uses many different kinds of vape juices with quite different chemical compositions.

It means that vaping one kind of liquid may have a certain set of side effects. While using another type of vaping juice may have completely distinct side effects.

The new study published in the journal eLife explored the ill effects of various commonly available vaping flavors or some of the leading vaping devices like JUUL.

In the study, researchers were especially amazed by the significant elevation of inflammatory markers that are associated with poor brain health and an even higher risk of neurodegenerative disorders. Experts noted that vaping fluids caused changes in gene expression in the brain. They found that this effect is especially marked in the nucleus accumbens, a brain region that plays a vital role in the reward pathway.

These findings are concerning, as they suggest that vaping may also increase the dangers of mental health disorders. Thus, it may increase the risk of anxiety, depression, and more. In addition, it may also cause behavioral changes, increasing the risk of addictive behavior. This may also increase a person’s risk of substance abuse and addiction.

Similarly, the authors of the study noted that certain vaping juices increase colon inflammation. However, these changes were seen after one month of regular vaping.

Similarly, vaping influences gene expression and increases inflammation of the lungs and even other body tissues.

Researchers also noticed that the inflammatory response of different organs differed to various vaping flavors. This is explained by the different chemical compositions of various vaping juices.

These findings are also relevant in the context of the covid-19 epidemic since the body of those addicted to vaping would respond differently to the infection.

It appears that apart from general immunity, every organ has its immune environment. Thus, these findings are disturbing, as they indicate that vaping may alter the immune responses of individual organs. It may have unpredictable ill effects on health, especially over the long term which form sufficient reasons to quit vaping.

Summary: Although it appears that Covid-19 is now almost over, experts warn that the US healthcare system is facing some other severe threats. It is expected that in coming years, inflation, shortage of nursing staff, and burnout among physicians will significantly affect the quality of healthcare in the US.

Though seasonal epidemics are not rare, the Covid-19 pandemic took the world by storm and surprise. It dominated daily life for a couple of years before mass vaccination, and the emergence of herd immunity led to its decline.

We are already into the third year of the pandemic, and it is far from over. Nonetheless, most experts agree that the peak is now over. It is now more likely to become a low-level health threat, like the flu or other seasonal infections. It means that worse is behind us.

Though disaster predictions are often wrong, they have their role. These predictions do not create panic but rather prepare people for the worse. A well-prepared person or society is more likely to steer through the storm.

Researchers think that when it comes to healthcare in the US, there are a few things that everyone should be worried about. However, the US is facing certain threats that may cause significant physical and mental health issues soon.

Untamed inflation

Many economists have already warned that trillions spent to counter Covid-19 may cause severe inflation. However, most of those models did not take into consideration other issues that were not visible on the horizon at that time, like the war in Ukraine and rising oil prices. Together these factors can drive inflation to an all-time high.

These issues can significantly limit the ability of the federal government to fix the problems faced by the healthcare system. Researchers warn that healthcare costs can become exorbitantly high in the near future. It is worth understanding that these costs do not rise daily and are fixed for a few years. Hence, if the cost of living keeps rising, healthcare costs may suddenly rise. Moreover, insurers are planning to increase their premium in the coming year.

Nursing shortages

US data shows that the nation is going through a shortage of nurses, and as a result, delays in planned surgical procedures and other healthcare services are becoming all too common.
There are multiple reasons for these shortages. For example, one survey shows that one-third of RNs just want to change their current roles. Many of them plan to leave nursing altogether. Additionally, about one-fourth of baby boomer RNs are retiring within the year. These are highly trained nurses who would be challenging to replace.

It is expected that in the next year or two, the healthcare sector in the US will experience a severe shortage of nursing staff. Some experts warn that the shortage would be so acute that it would significantly affect the working of hospitals. This will result in a significant number of patients being turned away from hospitals.

Experts warn that it would be wrong to assume that such a problem can be resolved quickly. Though one can produce more nurses in a couple of years, it takes much longer to produce well-trained nurses. Most nurses acquire skills over years of practice

The burnout crisis

Innumerable studies are showing this problem among doctors. It seems that the burnout crisis is especially severe among doctors. The prevalence of burnout is much higher among doctors compared to other professions.

Further, it appears that the burnout crisis has been made worse by the Covid-19 pandemic due to emotional trauma. It seems that many healthcare workers have reached a boiling point.

Burnout crisis among doctors and shortage in nursing staff will significantly affect the healthcare quality in the US. Doctors are now rejecting the word burnout, instead calling it a “moral injury.” A pain caused to them due to their inability to provide excellent medical care. All this means that doctors are increasingly turning to private equity (PE) firms.

If these threats are not handled soon, they will have grave consequences for US healthcare in the short and long run.

It is our mission to bring real hope and transformational change to patients who would otherwise be consigned to a lifetime of medications, doctor’s visits, and suffering. We expose misaligned incentives and return the power of health to the individual. We believe empowered individuals change their communities. We use a combination of lifestyle intervention, medication management, and emerging scientific research to help our patients. When you are ready or have questions, reach out.

Medical Disclaimer: Keep in mind that the content provided is not direct medical advice for patient care, but is provided for thoughtful discussion.

Summary: Heave drinking, binge drinking, and AUD are significant social and health problems. Many people struggle to say no to alcohol despite realizing the ill effects of heavy drinking. Psychotherapy is one of the effective and safe ways to manage the condition, as it helps rewire the brain and alter the thinking pattern. Now a new study shows that using psilocybin along with psychotherapy may have much higher benefits. After such a treatment, people are almost twice more likely to abstain from alcohol and report a significant decline in cravings.

Alcohol is widely consumed in the US. About 80% of all adults drink alcohol now and then, and some of them consume it quite frequently. However, some people start engaging in excessive alcohol consumption, which is harmful to health.

According to the CDC, binge drinking is having four or more drinks on a single occasion. And heavy drinking means having eight or more drinks.

Excessive and irresponsible alcohol use is a significant problem in the US. Moreover, this problem is quite common in young adults. It is among the leading cause of death in young adults. AUD causes 140,000 deaths each year, and it also causes significant disability and economic harm.

Psilocybin is a psychedelic compound from magic mushrooms widely used for its trippy effect. It causes hallucinations. Yes, it remains a controversial compound for clinical use. It is still a substance of abuse, and FDA does not allow its clinical use. However, FDA allows its use for clinical studies.

Researchers have been experimenting with psychedelics for more than half a century to treat various mental health issues.

However, they have recently discovered how to use these agents safely and effectively. They understood that these agents are only suitable for use under medical supervision and for the short term. They work at lower dosages and are more effective when combined with psychotherapy.

When combined the psychotherapy, they help rewire the brain quickly. Their effect is unlike other medical drugs that take a long time to start acting and have a short-lasting action. Instead, psychedelics work fast and may provide long-lasting relief due to improved brain rewiring. They are especially good for managing mood disorders like depression.

However, now a new study confirms that they can be pretty good for managing substance abuse disorders like AUD.

In a new study published in the journal JAMA, researchers compared the effectiveness of psilocybin with diphenhydramine, a kind of antihistamine with a sedative effect and known to lower cravings. The study found that when combined with psychotherapy, psilocybin is much better and has a long-lasting effect.

Researchers say that what has amazed them is the persistent effect of psilocybin. Though the study was small and had a sample size of only 100, the findings were quite surprising. They found that psilocybin was almost twice more effective compared to diphenhydramine.

In the study, researchers divided participants into two equal groups. Both groups received 12 psychotherapy sessions over 12 weeks. However, one group received two dosages of psilocybin and the other group, diphenhydramine, as a placebo. They tracked the patients for six months.

At the end of the study, they found that just by adding two doses of psilocybin, the effect of psychotherapy increased considerably. Thus, after six months, about 10% still reported drinking heavily. However, these numbers were almost 25% in the diphenhydramine group.

What is impressive is that in the psilocybin group, twice as many participants stopped drinking altogether, 48% vs. 24%. They said that they had reduced cravings for alcohol after a psilocybin treatment. Those who stopped drinking said they did not consider themselves alcoholics anymore.

Researchers then went further and offered a third dose of psilocybin to study participants at the end of the six-month study. They said that after this dosage, many more reported benefits.
Researchers say they are very encouraged by their findings, and study results surpass their expectations. Moreover, psilocybin did not cause any side effects, and yet it had a prolonged benefit.
Researchers say that they are now planning more extensive study. They are planning a 3-year study with more than 200 participants. And they also plan to have participants from diverse backgrounds. Nevertheless, researchers think that psilocybin appears to be a real breakthrough in managing AUD.

Summary: A new annual survey report by the University of Michigan shows that opioid misuse in young adults has fallen to a new record low level in 2021 since its peak in 2006. Now just about 1.7% of young adults misuse prescription opioids. However, the study found that marijuana and hallucinogen use has increased in young adults. Similarly, alcohol use remains quite common. Thus, the study shows a shift in the substance abuse landscape.

Misuse of prescription opioids has fallen to the record lowest level in young adults in the US. In the year 2021, the lowest number of young adults abused prescription opioids since 1975, a survey found. But, of course, this does not mean that substance use disorder has become less severe. It also does not mean that opioid overdose-related deaths have declined.

Here it is vital to understand that prescription opioids are a vague term. It generally includes opioids like hydrocodone and oxycodone. Further, it is worth understanding that this report is about prescription opioid misuse and not essentially opioid overdose and related deaths. Nevertheless, it means that though the abuse of prescription opioids continues to decline, opioid overdose-related deaths continue to increase.

So, no, opioid overdose-related deaths are not decreasing. Opioid misuse is also not showing any signs of decreasing. Nonetheless, there is good news prescription opioid misuse is decreasing. These findings are significant since it shows that opioid prescription by doctors is not fueling opioid addiction treatment, as proposed by many. These new findings regarding a significant decline in prescription opioid misuse by young adults were published by the Institute for Social Research, The University of Michigan. They published this information in their Monitoring the Future Panel Study annual report: National data on substance use among adults ages 19 to 60, 1976-2021.2

As per this new study, now only about 1.7% of young adults are abusing prescription opioids, which they generally describe as “narcotics other than heroin.” This is a massive decline from a peak of about 9% in 2006. Moreover, it means that most adults who are prescribed opioids are using them responsibly. The MFT survey and CDC data confirm that prescription opioid misuse has been declining. However, the opioid overdose epidemic continues mainly due to illicitly procured fentanyl and other opioids.

One of the reasons for such a decline in opioid misuse has been a significant decline in opioid prescriptions by doctors. Market data shows that prescriptions of opioids have also fallen to half since their peak in the early 2000s. However, the picture is not as rosy as it may sound. Though prescription opioid misuse is declining consistently, the use of illicit opioids is not declining. Even worse, the misuse of many other substances is increasing. Thus, now more young adults are abusing marijuana and hallucinogens, compared to the year 2000.

Not only that, but the MFT survey also found other causes of concern, like alcohol misuse is not showing any signs of significant decline. Similarly, vaping is gaining momentum. Though people may not be smoking cigarettes, they are now vaping nicotine more frequently. These findings show that the drug landscape is shifting fast. It shows that pattern of drug misuse is changing fast. It means that now doctors need to focus on the ill effects of marijuana and hallucinogens misuse. They also need to focus more on other drugs, like stimulants, that continue to cause significant mortality.

Further, alcohol use disorder still remains a significant problem. It appears that though heavy drinking has been declining in the last few years, things changed in 2021. It appears that the Covid-19 pandemic caused a significant increase in alcohol consumption.

Summary: Early studies show that BBB disruption is found in those diagnosed with neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s. However, till now, researchers have assumed BBB merely as having a barrier function. But, a new study suggests that BBB can modulate the working of neurons and thus may have a greater role in the development of neurodegenerative disorders.

Neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and many others are on the rise. However, despite the increase in neurological conditions, doctors and researchers have struggled to explain the cause of these health disorders.

Painkiller addiction help and suboxone treatment have become critical in managing symptoms of these conditions. Since more than a century of extensive research has failed to answer many critical questions, researchers have recently changed their approach. They think that one of the reasons why studies have failed to understand conditions like dementia well is due to undue focus on neurons. In recent years, researchers have started focusing on other brain cells. Thus, they have been focusing much on glial cells that support and modulate neurons. Glial cells also play a vital role in the brain’s immunity and inflammation.

Now a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) shows a new way in which the blood-brain barrier (BBB) may be contributing to the rise of these neurological disorders. Though science has long known about the existence of BBB, similarly, science has known that BBB is disrupted in those diagnosed with conditions like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s. However, till now, researchers have assumed that these changes in BBB are secondary to specific pathological processes.

Moreover, for decades, researchers have made some simple assumptions, like BBB is merely a barrier to certain substances. For example, they have assumed that it is quite like face control in reputed restaurants and bars, which means that BBB only allows specific kinds of molecules to enter the brain. However, now researchers are saying that BBB has a more significant say in brain functioning. What if it is not just letting in specific molecules but also showing them the way? What if it is regulating the traffic of specific molecules actively and thus modulating the working of the neurons? This is precisely what the new study suggests.

The new study suggests that BBB can act as a filter and modulate the working of neurons. After allowing certain molecules to enter the brain, it can also regulate their movement and thus influence the working of neurons. Researchers used firefly larvae for their study, as their BBB is quite similar to mammals yet simpler to study. In the firefly, specialized glial cells act as BBB, quite like epithelial cells in vertebrates.

In the study, researchers focused on enzymes called metalloproteinases since these enzymes can interact with glia and neurons. Using a special technique, researchers identified something called Notch signaling. They have found that this signaling occurs both in fireflies and humans. Investigators in the study say that they were not planning to study Notch, but they discovered that it played a vital role in maintaining BBB. They found that Notch signaling plays an important role in maintaining the overall BBB structure. They found that when the Notch signal is blocked, it also results in BBB disruption. It means that this signaling pathway can influence the fundamental working of the nervous system. It can even affect the release of specific neurotransmitters.

They also found that under specific conditions Notch signaling could influence how neurons fired, even when BBB was intact. This indicated that BBB function is not just of the barrier but can also modulate brain functioning. It also means that BBB breakdown might have a greater role in developing various neurological disorders. Researchers say that the breakdown of BBB does not just mean a leaky barrier. It also means changes in the working of the brain.

The idea that BBB can influence the working of neurons is entirely new. Researchers say that these findings have provided researchers with a new direction. They need to explore the role of BBB in Alzheimer’s and other neurological issues by keeping these new findings in mind.

To date, very little is known about the role of Notch signaling and metalloproteins in the human brain. Thus, there is a need to focus on them. In addition, developing a better understanding of BBB will help develop a better understanding of neurodegenerative disorders and find effective treatments. It is our mission to bring real hope and transformational change to patients who would otherwise be consigned to a lifetime of medications, doctor’s visits, and suffering. We expose misaligned incentives and return the power of health to the individual. We believe empowered individuals change their communities. We use a combination of lifestyle intervention, medication management, and emerging scientific research to help our patients. When you are ready or have questions, reach out.

Medical Disclaimer: Keep in mind that the content provided is not direct medical advice for patient care, but is provided for thoughtful discussion.

Summary: Chronic pain is among the most common comorbidities in those being treated for opioid use disorder (OUD). However, a new study found that in most cases, doctors treating OUD do not pay sufficient attention to chronic pain management, resulting in higher opioid relapse. They also found that those treated with medications like methadone or buprenorphine had better pain relief and, thus, better treatment outcomes. Therefore, researchers recommend that doctors focus on managing comorbidities when treating OUD.

When we think of people living with OUD, we completely neglect that many of them live with severe chronic pain such as, neck pain, complex regional pain syndrome, etc. This poorly managed chronic pain may be related to poor treatment outcomes in many. Studies show that chronic pain is the most common comorbid condition in those living with OUD.

 

Recently, the Journal of Pain published a patient survey, finding that two-thirds of those treated for OUD reported that their chronic pain was not managed well. Even worse, 47% reported that their pain worsened over time, thus increasing the risk of opioid relapse.

 

The opioid crisis continues to be a significant health problem, and it is showing no sign of slowing down. Moreover, the coronavirus pandemic only increased opioid use disorder (OUD) and drug overdose-related deaths. This only underlines the need to pay more attention to the effective opioid addiction treatment.

 

Health experts say that the problem in tackling the opioid crisis is not just in lack of access to opioid treatment, which is true. Still, other factors make treatment more difficult and result in high relapse rates. In addition, most people treated with OUD have other comorbidities, with many living with mental health issues and chronic pain.

 

Although it is no secret that chronic pain and OUD are related health issues. However, it is unknown how ill-managed pain in those living with OUD may affect treatment outcomes for the condition. Health experts say that one of the problems is that treating doctors focus significantly on OUD, but less on comorbidities, especially issues like chronic pain.

 

In the new survey, researchers analyzed the data of 14,449 patients getting treated in 225 OUD treatment centers. They found that one-third of all the patients had significant chronic pain. Out of these patients, just one-third reported that their chronic pain was managed properly with pharmaceutical drugs. Moreover, almost half of all the patients said the pain was the primary reason for opioid relapse.

 

Researchers say this is a massive sample size, and they were amazed to see that so many patients are not being treated adequately for their chronic pain. Many of these patients have even used street drugs like heroin to manage their pain.

 

When researchers interacted with doctors treating OUD, they were often told that treating pain was not their priority or not within the scope of their practice.

 

Researchers say that there is a need to understand that pain is among the most significant causes of opioid relapse. Hence, effective treatment of OUD must include adequate pain relief.

 

The study had another unexpected finding related to opioid relapse. In the survey, 20% of those treated for OUD said that they would return to opioid use once they overcame their addiction. It means that treatments are not preparing them well for post-treatment life, and many of them still view opioid use as an option.

 

The study also found that those treated with OUD with medications had a higher success rate. Thus, those treated with buprenorphine and methadone reported better treatment satisfaction. It seems that one of the reasons for a greater success rate with these medications is that they also help with chronic pain treatment.

 

Thus, health experts say addiction treatment will only improve if different health specialists work together. Moreover, the coronavirus pandemic has shown that interdisciplinary collaboration using technologies like telemedicine is not that difficult.

 

Of course, researchers say that the study has also raised certain questions, like the role of opioids in pain management. As a result, the researchers suggest that the use of opioids for managing chronic pain should be limited.

 

Additionally, researchers say that one of the issues is that doctors often do not view chronic pain as one of the significant issues. They forget that this pain may be due to comorbidities like depression and mood disorders requiring treatment. If these comorbidities remain unmanaged, relapse is more likely.

 

Hence, researchers concluded that OUD should be treated by multi-specialist teams, including pain management, psychiatry, psychology, integrative medicine, and physical therapy. In addition, we should treat the patient as a whole and not merely focus on reducing pain numbers on a scale.

Summary: Childhood abuse is not rare in the US and affects about one in seven children. It is well known that such a trauma can cause many issues during adolescence and young adulthood. Those exposed to childhood abuse may have mental health issues, behavioral problems, and risky behavior. However, now a study suggests that it may even significantly increase the risk of mental and physical ailments in old age. It may almost double the depression, anxiety, and even COPD risk.

 

Older adults who had a traumatic childhood are more likely to develop chronic painful conditions and various chronic disorders like cancer, depression, anxiety, COPD, and others.
These days chronic non-communicable diseases have emerged as a significant issue. Medical science may manage these conditions well, but they are challenging to treat. Conditions like COPD, depression, anxiety, or even cancer, may not kill immediately, but these issues cause significant pain and disability.

 

Researchers want to understand why certain painful and chronic conditions are rising so quickly despite improved living standards. There are many reasons for the increased mental health disorders and chronic painful conditions. It appears that childhood abuse is one such significant factor.

 

CDC data suggests that childhood abuse and neglect are quite a common problem. It affects almost one in seven children. It means that there are millions of adults who had traumatic experiences in their childhood. Childhood abuse could be physical, sexual, emotional, and neglect. Over the long term, children who were abused are more likely to engage in risky behavior and have unhealthy lifestyles. However, now a study suggests that the ill effects of childhood trauma continue to haunt a person even in old age.

 

A new study shows that childhood abuse continues to cause pain in old age

 

Childhood abuse causing issues at school age, increasing the risk of substance abuse, and risky behavior are well known. Childhood trauma may also cause mental health issues and behavioral disorders in adolescents and young adults. However, what researchers did not know is that painful childhood may significantly contribute to the painful conditions in old age

 

The new study was done in British Columbia, Canada. In the study, researchers enrolled 409 older adults living with various ailments. First, there were all survivors of childhood abuse, and now they were older than 60 years.

 

Researchers did not expect childhood memories and pain to continue to haunt even in old age. Thus, they decided to compare the prevalence of painful conditions in older adults with difficult childhood to those with a normal childhood. Researchers were amazed to see the marked difference between the two groups.

 

The researchers found that childhood trauma increased the risk of anxiety, depression, and COPD by as much as twice. This is a massive difference, something that researchers did not expect. They also found that childhood abuse survivors have a 50% higher risk of cancers and a 70% greater risk of migraines and debilitating pain. They are also at a 33% higher risk of developing arthritis. Interestingly, it seems that childhood abuse only slightly increases heart disease risk.

 

Doctors cannot fully explain the association between childhood abuse and a higher risk of painful conditions in older adults. Nonetheless, they think that there are multiple mechanisms of action. For example, those with childhood trauma have altered stress responses and neural pathways and are more likely to live with chronic inflammation. In addition, they often have abnormal cortisol levels.

 

These findings are relevant as one is not likely to pay much attention to the possible link between childhood abuse and a higher risk of chronic painful ailments in older adults. However, the present study shows that it may be a significant contributing factor in some cases. Furthermore, childhood trauma can significantly increase the risk of multiple health conditions. Thus, anyone treating chronic pain conditions in older adults must have telehealth treatment regarding this

Summary: The incidence of a heart infection or endocarditis is unusually high in those who inject drugs due to syringe contamination. Moreover, AHA says that endocarditis treatment often fails in those who inject drugs and have opioid dependency, as such individuals often fail to complete prolonged intravenous antibiotic treatment. Hence, AHA says treating addiction is key to managing endocarditis in those who inject drugs. A dedicated opioid addiction treatment program can become the key factor here.

With the advent of antibiotics, heart infections have increasingly become less common. Nonetheless, it remains a significant problem in specific population groups like those injecting drugs. Though the problem is pretty common among drug addicts, there has not been a specific treatment recommendation for the population group. AHA (American Heart Association) has published a new statement in their journal Circulation.

Managing any infection is challenging in the population groups who inject drugs. Since these are people living with multiple infections, many are immune compromised, and they have poor health. However, infections like heart infections are challenging to manage in non-addicts and highly challenging to manage in those who inject drugs. Since a considerable number of those living with endocarditis inject drugs, AHA has come up with detailed guidelines.

AHA states that treating endocarditis in this population group poses many challenges. Moreover, they noted a disproportionately high prevalence of endocarditis in those who inject drugs. In addition, they have found that without the treatment of substance use disorder (SUD), these patients are unlikely to benefit. Hence, the treatment of endocarditis in those living with SUD must be done by multispecialty teams. Else, preventing frequent infection relapse will remain challenging.

About infective endocarditis:

• Each year more than 35K cases of endocarditis are reported in the US.
• The condition has a high mortality rate of about 20%.
• Heart valve disorders are common in those affected by endocarditis. In addition, infection of heart valves is challenging to treat as valves lack blood supply.
• There are many sources of heart infection, like poor dental health, burns, and injecting drugs is among the relevant causes.
• Studies show a significant increase in endocarditis due to drug injections between 2002 to 2016. Such patients now make up 16% of all cases of endocarditis, a rise from 8% since 2002.
• People who inject drugs are more likely to be affected by endocarditis at a young age. The average age of such patients is 38 years. In contrast, non-drug users are rarely affected by endocarditis before the age of 45 years.

Specialists say that endocarditis treatment often fails in those injecting drugs. Endocarditis requires prolonged antibiotic therapy of 6 weeks. However, drug addicts often leave the hospital before antibiotic therapy is completed. Therefore, doctors are also exploring other treatment options like using intravenous antibiotics requiring shorter treatment or switching drug users to oral antibiotics so that they can finish their treatment.

Further, experts say that for successful treatment of endocarditis in those who inject drugs, it is vital to initiate substance use disorder treatment using FDA-approved medications. This can help reduce withdrawal syndrome and thus reduce the chances of patients abandoning endocarditis treatment prematurely.

Additionally, experts also recommend screening patients for drug use. This will help provide medical care without judgment and also for opioid addiction treatment. Further, there is a need to raise awareness regarding the risk of endocarditis among drug users, as safer injection practices may significantly reduce the risk of the condition.

Finally, treating doctors should keep in mind that drug users often lack health insurance and have many financial issues, which may also adversely impact treatment outcomes. Moreover, those using drugs are more likely to live with other mental health issues.

Further, it is vital to overcome professional bias when treating people addicted to drugs. For example, many hospitals may not provide adequate help or accept patients for valve surgery if they learn that the patient injects drugs. However, studies show that outcomes of valve surgery are quite similar in drug users and non-drug users.

Summary: It appears that consuming too much sugar may reduce the sense of sweetness. A new study found that if rats were fed a high-sugar diet for long, it resulted in a 50% decline in signal sent from tongue to brain on exposing them to sugary syrup, compared to rats on a low-sugar diet. These changes in taste buds due to a high-sugar diet may play a role in the development of metabolic disorders. Fortunately, the study also found that on discontinuing a high-sugar diet, the ability of lab animals to experience sweetness was restored.

Sugar is sweet, addictive, and created by processing natural extracts like those of beetroot or sugarcane. People who consume much sugar are also more likely to complain that something is not as sweet as it should be. 

Once people start eating more sugar regularly, they need to consume even more sugar to satisfy their sweet tooth. It appears as if they have stopped sensing the sweetness, and their sense of feeling the sweetness has become blunted. 

However, those were all observations, and it is unclear whether it is psychological or physiological. What if something more complex is happening, causing some changes in the brain? Researchers decided to test their hypothesis.

In the new study, researchers experimented with lab rats. They fed them a high-sugar diet and measured the nerve signals traveling from the tongue to the brain. To their amazement, they found that these signals became blunted over time, and intensity of these signals was reduced by almost 50%, which is a massive difference. The findings of the study were published in the journal called Current Biology.

Researchers say that this is not the first finding of its kind. Earlier they found that sugar dulls the sweet taste in fruit flies over time. However, flies differ significantly from humans; thus, not much can be concluded from such a study. Therefore, researchers decided to test their hypothesis in mammals like lab rats, as they are physiologically much closer to humans.

In the study, researchers divided rats into two groups. One group was fed a typical diet, and another with a high-sugar diet. After four weeks, they exposed rats from both groups to sugar solutions of different strengths, and then they measured nerve signals traveling from the tongue to the brain in these rats. They found that those fed with a high-sugar diet had a much-blunted response. It is clear that prolonged sugar consumption led to changes in taste buds in these mice.

They gave the rats bitter, sour, salty, and umami-flavored solutions to further understand the phenomenon. They found that their sense of other flavors was unchanged. The changes only occurred towards the sweet sucrose (table sugar) solution.

There were some other interesting findings. Researchers then put the rats on the high-sugar diet back on a usual diet with plain water. They again tested the response of these rats to sugary solutions. To their amazement, they found that their sense of sweetness was restored. 

These findings are encouraging in many ways. Though they show that consuming high amounts of sugar for long may blunt your ability to sense sweetness, but these changes are reversible. It means that switching to a low-sugar diet can help restore your senses. This is potentially good news.

Researchers say that the findings were what they expected, as they know that taste sensation is quite plastic and can be readily modulated. Therefore, even if some changes occur in taste, it is possible to restore sensation.

On microscopic examination, researchers found no significant changes due to high sugar consumption in taste buds or nerves. However, they found that consuming high sugar for long reduced sweetness receptors on the tongue, though these changes were reversible.

Researchers say that they are now interested in further investigating the subject. For example, they want to understand how these changes in the sweetness signal to the brain alter its activity and response to various foods and how it affects appetite and metabolism. 

Studies show that sugar is addictive and causes dopamine release. It means that low sugar sensation may cause lower dopamine release, which may increase an urge to eat more food leading to obesity. These changes in sensation may have a much broader impact on food choices and metabolism.

Summary: In recent years, a field called nutritional psychiatry has been emerging fast as researchers realize that those living with mental health disorders may benefit from dietary changes. Moreover, mental health issues are challenging to treat with medications, often requiring prolonged treatment, thus causing multiple adverse effects. Dietary measures can help overcome stress, anxiety, depression, and more.

It has been rightly said that you become what you eat. Your diet can influence mental health in multiple ways. It can directly affection the production of neurotransmitters, cause mood changes, influence circadian rhythm, affect gut microflora, and more.

Since diet can influence mental well-being and mood, it also means that one can use food to manage mental health disorders. Thus, anyone living with depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues must make dietary changes.

The importance of diet in mental health cannot be neglected, considering that most mental health issues tend to be chronic and even lifelong.

In recent years, nutritional therapy in psychiatry has gained significant importance as researchers have discovered a few things. Science has discovered that the gut produces 90% of serotonin, one of the most vital neurotransmitters affecting mood and mental health. Similarly, science has realized the role of gut bacteria or microbiota in mental well-being. The gut is so crucial for mental health that researchers are now calling it the second brain. They understand that the “gut-brain” axis can influence various brain functions.

Diet and depression

There are numerous studies showing that diet can increase the risk of depression. Those living with the metabolic disorder are also more likely to develop depression. Thus, studies also confirm that certain dietary choices may be suitable for managing depression. Dietary measures are especially useful in mild to moderate depression.

One of the good ways to manage depression is to switch to the Mediterranean diet. Studies show that consuming whole grains, fresh vegetables, and legumes may help. At the same time, reducing the intake of processed foods is also good for mental health.

One of the landmark trials HELFIMED has shown that the Mediterranean diet rich in vegetables, nuts, whole grains, lean meat, and dairy product can help significantly reduce depression, especially when combined with fish oil or omega-3 supplements.

Diet for stress and anxiety

Stress and anxiety are pretty common mental health issues. Compared to depression, they might be less severe, but they have a higher prevalence.
Studies show that specific food choices may increase the risk of stress and anxiety. Thus, to reduce these mental health issues, experts recommend reducing the intake of alcohol, caffeine, and added sugars.

Those living with anxiety should especially try to lower their sugar intake. Studies show that sugar can be quite addictive and can even cause withdrawal syndrome. Further studies show that consuming excessive saturated fats may also cause mental health issues.

Foods that are especially good for improving mental health are foods that reduce inflammation, like dietary fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, unsaturated fats, and probiotics-rich fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, and more.

Other things to consider

Prevention is better than treatment. Thus, researchers say that for a healthy life, one should focus on increasing the intake of certain nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B-complex, iron, magnesium, zinc, and vitamin C. Fruits, nuts, seeds, and seafood can be really good to get your daily supply of these vital nutrients.

Secondly, one should consume foods rich in pro and prebiotics like yogurt, buttermilk, garlic, onions, asparagus, barley, oats, and so on.

Further, it is good to consume antioxidant-rich berries. Berries are often associated with romantic moods, and it now appears they really help. In addition, berries are the richest source of specific vitamins like vitamin C and antioxidants.

Finally, remember that disruption in circadian rhythm is one of the reasons for the higher prevalence of mental health issues. Hence, eat meals at regular intervals and at a fixed time of the day to avoid any disruption in the circadian rhythm. Apart from sleep, also regularize your sleep time.

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Medical Disclaimer: Keep in mind that the content provided is not direct medical advice for patient care, but is provided for thoughtful discussion.