When you are seeking help for someone is has an addiction to drugs or alcohol you want to be sure you’re finding the right rehab program. Finding US rehab centers that meet the needs of your loved one is vital to their success in getting off drugs and alcohol. Rebab centers are different and specialize in different types of substance abuse, in treating coexisting medical or mental health problems and in treating cross addictions.

Having a website that lists US rehab centers by state and then provides a detailed explanation of each center helps get you started in your search. As you go through the list, you’ll find where the center is located, what type of treatment they provide, what insurance is accepted, their website address and detailed information that you may not even think to ask about.

I found centers that provide help with child care, housing and guardianship. There’s also small homes that provide assistance with getting sober. Many have programs for families of the person who is addicted, which can make a true difference in a person’s life.  Some centers are located in urban areas, some in rural. Location can be a deciding factor for some people.

People who are addicted can navigate the site on their own as well. It is the start of getting help. They can share what they’ve found with family members and friends. They can also provide the US rehab centers they’ve found to their doctors and counselors who can provide assistance in making a choice on which center to chose.

Brought to you by your friends at Rehab-USA.com

The endocrinologist finally found a solution to the low potassium issue I’ve been having, but now I’m constantly fatigued. I can sleep all day and all night. If I try to stay awake, the brain fog is much worse and I can feel myself nodding off.

I’ve been taking Spironolactone along with Potassium supplements. My Potassium level at my last blood test was 3.8. That is the highest it has been in years. I was thrilled! When the doctor saw the improvement I made, he increased the Spironolactone to 100 mgs. twice a day and stopped the Potassium.

I didn’t realize the fatigue I was feeling was related to the increase in my medications until I did a search for side effects on Spironolactone. Now I’ll have to call the doctor on Monday to see if he agrees with me and see what I can do to maintain the normal potassium level that I need. Because of the diagnosis of Myasthenia Gravis, I should be at a Potassium level of 4.0 so this is a serious health concern for me. I don’t want to spend my life sleeping though.

Have you had a problem with fatigue and Spironolactone?

Celebrity health advocates often do a good job of  spreading the news about a specific medical condition. When you see a YouTube video featuring Zak Efron and Vanessa Hudgens for Stand Up To Cancer, the cause gets noticed. Think about Jerry Lewis and what he has done for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the conditions that the MDA covers.

Dick Van Dyke was recently named the spokesperson of the Cell Therapy Foundation which promotes stem cell therapy for diseases such as heart disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS) and cancer. Kellie Martin, who you may remember from Life Goes On,  ER or Mystery Woman is a spokesperson for the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA).

Celebrities bring awareness to unknown diseases. They help to raise money for research. They also inform people about symptoms, how to get diagnosed and available treatments. It can be difficult, though, to find a celebrity advocate for a medical condition that they actually have, especially if they are working. Many celebrities want to hide any kind of illness they have. It can hurt their career because they can be seen as someone who may not be able to show up when needed.

As they say, the show must go on. If a celebrity can’t work because of being sick, being hospitalized, or having a flare up, they can shut down taping of a show. There are also insurance issues to be concerned about. If a celebrity is known to have some type of medical problem, the insurance for the project they are working on (TV show, movie, CD, video) can be increased. Let’s not forget the rumor mill and the embarrassing stories that will be reported. For example, there was recently a sighting of celebrity buying incontinence supplies and it was fodder for celebrity gossip.

You probably get tired of hearing that obesity is a serious problem in our modern world, but it is true. Obesity by itself isn’t ideal - it can cause minor health-related problems, as well as pose some challenges in your social life - but the bigger issue is that it also increases your risk for a number of diseases, many of them very serious.

Here is a brief rundown of the diseases that can be caused by obesity.

Heart Disease

This is one of the most well known diseases that we know to be worsened by obesity. A poor diet and lack of exercise, while contributing to overall weight, also causes high cholesterol and raises blood pressure, which puts a greater strain on the heart. On the other hand, people who eat better and exercise regularly tend to have lower cholesterol and healthier hearts. Doctors often prescribe drugs such as statins to bring cholesterol down to manageable levels, but recent studies have questioned the effectiveness of such treatment. The best way to combat heart disease is still by maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Diabetes

There are two types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. Type 1, which accounts for about 10 percent of all diabetics, is an autoimmune disease that normally strikes in childhood. The person’s insulin-producing cells are destroyed by their body’s own immune system. Type 2, on the other hand, is marked by a resistance to the body’s own insulin, which is increased by obesity, poor diet, and lack of exercise. A change to a healthier lifestyle can often reduce or even eliminate the need for medication and insulin.

Sleep Apnea

When a person stops breathing for short intervals during sleep, we call this sleep apnea. How long and how frequent the intervals determines how severe the disease is, and how much of an impact it will have on the person’s physical health and everyday life. Sleep apnea is usually treated by means of a CPAP machine, which prevents the airways from closing during sleep by maintaining a continuous current of air by means of a mask strapped to the person’s face. Obesity can cause or worsen sleep apnea, so an active, healthy lifestyle can reduce or eliminate the need for CPAP equipment.

Arthritis and Back Problems

Obesity doesn’t necessarily cause arthritis or back problems - arthritis can be caused by a number of factors, such as genetics and injuries — but it can definitely make it worse. Putting a lot of weight on your ankles, knees, hips, and back amplifies pain and causes your joints or back to deteriorate faster. On the other hand, losing weight and keeping active not only reduces the strain, it also increases muscle and makes your joints and back stronger and more limber.

Cancer

Yes, obesity can even increase your risk of certain types of cancer. For instance, colon cancer and prostate cancer is more likely (and often more serious) in obese men, while obese women are more likely to die from the “women’s” cancers, such as ovarian, cervical, and breast cancer.

As you can see, many of the top killers in the United States - heart attack, diabetes, and cancer - as well as many other minor diseases are caused or at least amplified by obesity. Losing weight ought to be a no-brainer, then, and the truth is, many people want to — they just aren’t able to. The problem most dieters make is trying only to lose weight, rather than effecting a permanent change in their lifestyle. Remember, your weight is not the only important factor — how you eat and how active you are can also make a significant change in your overall health.

About the Author: This guest post is by Vern of CPAP supplies, who enjoys writing on a variety of topics, especially those related to health and alternative medicine.

Burnshield Hydrogel Dressings provide care for 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree burns. This dressing contains a sterile water based gel and tea-tree oils. It doesn’t stick to the skin and can be removed easily with water or saline water. Use it during the initial 24 hours of getting a burn to treat, protect and soothe the skin.

I’ve had the unfortunate circumstance of learning about burns because of my older daughter. When she was about 12 years old and staying overnight at a friend’s home, she was invited to ride on her friend’s father’s motorcycle without my permission. Her leg touched the exhaust pipe and she was burned. I wasn’t told about it when it happened or when I picked her up the next day. She also hid it from me. By the second day, the pain was too much for her.

When I took her to the doctor, she was diagnosed with a 2nd degree burn. I learned that not getting immediate medical care made her situation worse. I also know that burn care and treatment is painful and a long process. When I find out about new forms of treatments for burns like Burnshield I like to share the news to help others.

Brought to you by my friends at Burnshield.

Avandia and Actos, two diabetes drugs have been shown to increase fractures in older women, according to a recent study done by William Herman, MD, of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and co-authors wrote in an article published online in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. The study was funded by the CDC and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Herman has served as a consultant for GlaxoSmithKline, which makes Avandia.

Avandia and Actos are used to treat Type 2 Diabetes and are called thiazolidinedione (TZD) drugs. Women with diabetes and over the age of 50 with fractures were 70% more likely to be taking a TZD drug than women without fractures. They were also 50% more likely to have limited mobility. This is the second study that shows similar results.

This hits home for me as my Aunt who is currently in a nursing home fractured her shoulder and now has extremely limited mobility. She is unable to care for herself and will most likely spend the rest of her life in a nursing facility.