Tennessee Gun

Category: Health, Wellness, First Aid

  • How Are Substance Abuse and Anger Related?

    How Are Substance Abuse and Anger Related?

    There may be more to anger than just feelings. Sometimes, when people seek help from psychologists for their anger issues, an assessment may reveal that one of the reasons behind their anger is extensive drug or alcohol use.

    In cases where substance abuse is present, feeling angry may be a symptom of drugs or alcohol affecting their brains. Often, the more you abuse drugs or alcohol, the angrier you become.

    Substance abuse may lead to anger for several reasons. For instance, if individuals stop using alcohol or drugs and are going through withdrawal, they may experience guilt and relationship problems. They may be angry about these problems and worry about solving them. They may turn to alcohol or drug again because they feel that their situations are hopeless.

     

    What Are the Connections Between Anger and Substance Abuse?

    Anger, violent tendencies, and aggression often co-occur alongside substance abuse. In some instances, anger may lead to a drug or alcohol addiction:

    • Stresses of life may be overwhelming, leading individuals to cope with their frustration and anger by indulging in alcohol or drugs
    • Rage becomes so intense that people turn to alcohol or drugs to numb their pain
    • Anger issues may cause problems at home or work, prompting distressed individuals to use substances to cope

     

    In other situations, substance abuse may lead to anger:

    • Abusing drugs such as Klonopin may produce side effects that cause aggression or anger
    • Alcohol may cause repressed anger to bypass an individual’s normal restraint
    • Cocaine abuse may cause violent and aggressive behavior
    • Substance abuse may cause problems such as financial stress, DUIs, work conflicts, job losses, or relationship turmoil that may lead to anger, particularly if any of these events occur simultaneously
    • Dependence on alcohol or drugs may create resentment and anger

     

    It is important to remember that the presence of anger is not the issue. At one point or another, everyone feels angry. Sometimes, people even become enraged. Anger is a part of life, and it is sometimes unavoidable. When the furious feelings last for extended periods, occur frequently, cause violent behavior, or consume a person, then they may become dangerous.

    Some people who are addicted to alcohol or drugs have problems dealing with anger and expressing it appropriately. Anger and relapsing from sobriety are often linked because addicted individuals may abuse drugs or alcohol to mask their feelings.

    People who are not able to express their anger healthily may use additional alcohol or drugs as a means of coping with their strong emotions. This behavior only creates and drives a destructive cycle. If you want to abstain from substance abuse without relapsing, it is vital to learn how to manage your anger in positive and constructive ways.

     

    Why Is It Difficult to Manage Your Anger If You Are Addicted to Alcohol or Drugs?

    Addicted people may have learned to express their anger in unhealthy ways from those close to them when they were still young.

    The addicted person may deny feeling angry about a traumatic event such as the loss of a loved one, a rape, or child abuse. As a result, they may experience increasing feelings of anger and resentment even without realizing it.

    Addiction prevents individuals from healthily expressing their feelings of anger.

    Although addicted people may be angry with themselves, they may also blame the people around them for their problems.

     

    How Does Substance Abuse Impact Anger?

    People who use alcohol or drugs to cope with their problems often do not know how to manage their anger. Rather, they express anger in negative ways, which may include:

    • Screaming violent threats
    • Emotionally blackmailing other people. They may ignore their loved ones for extended periods without letting them know why they are angry
    • Becoming aggressive whenever they are angry. They may push, punch, kick, or hit others
    • Blocking their feelings of anger and avoiding confronting the issues that are causing their anger
    • Plotting revenge on the people who they believe have wronged them

     

    How Can You Appropriately Deal with Your Anger?

    Here are ways to handle your feelings of anger without turning to alcohol or drugs:

    • Walk away if things seem like they are spinning out of control. Leaving gives you physical and emotional space. It may help you cool off before going back and addressing the situation more rationally and calmly
    • Take a few deep breaths until you are feeling calmer and then evaluate the circumstances. Try to look at the situation from the other person’s perspective
    • Learn how to express anger positively using assertive and nondefensive forms of communication
    • Avoid toxic people and situations that make you angry
    • Express your anger creatively. For instance, consider painting, writing a song, singing, or describing your emotions in a journal
    • Exercise to channel your feelings of anger. You may do this by punching a gym bag, running, swimming, or participating in other physical activities.

     

    One worrisome yet interesting aspect about the relationship between anger and substance abuse is that many people do not realize that they have anger issues or that anger and substance abuse are linked. People who know they have trouble managing their anger may downplay it as a symptom of drug or alcohol abuse. They may assume that when they become sober, their anger will automatically fade away.

    For people with anger disorders, addressing emotions is not that easy. To bring healing to the mind, spirit, and body and encourage recovery, people need to address both their anger and their substance abuse.

     

    Finding Help

    Anger management will be ineffective for people who are angry and continue to abuse drugs such as Klonopin and alcohol. Since they are struggling with both anger and substance abuse, the best course of action would be to seek help from a rehab center for alcoholics or a rehab facility for drug abuse.

    Once people successfully complete rehab programs, they are often less angry. Occasionally, individuals may require anger management programs because different people require different treatments.

     

    Using Meditation

    Another way to handle anger in a healthy way is by meditation. Once you have decided to receive the help you need in a rehab center, resentment and anger may still sneak up on you, even in recovery.

    When things are going well, it may be easier to maintain your resolve to be sober. When you become stressed because of a huge argument with your partner, financial problems, or a long day at work, you may feel angry and dwell on everything that is going wrong.

    In the past, you may have used alcohol or drugs as a crutch to deal with such problems. The situation may feel overwhelming and you may find it difficult to maintain your sobriety.

    That is where meditation may help. Meditation may help you focus on what is presently happening in your life while allowing you to leave your past behind. It allows you to release your worries and fears, even if this release is only for a short time.

    As an added bonus, you do not require any special skills to do it, and you may meditate almost anywhere at almost any time. All you need to do is clear your mind, concentrate on your breathing, and relax your body. There are also a variety of guided meditation options for anger management.

    Although meditation does not erase all of your problems, you may be surprised at how much it may put them into perspective. A few moments of peace and some time alone may be all you need to change your attitude and overcome your problems. Letting go of anger may help improve your mental health and aid in your sobriety.

     

     

  • A New Dawn for Fighting Mosquito-Borne Diseases

    A New Dawn for Fighting Mosquito-Borne DiseasesThe fact that mosquitoes carry a huge number of diseases is not new. But, what is surprising and potentially worrying is the fact that many diseases which had almost died out re returning, with a vengeance.

    Cases of Zika, West Nile fever, dengue, and even malaria are on the increase. Combine this with a reduction in effectiveness of many antibiotics and you’ll quickly realize that you need to become best friend with your local exterminators.

    The Two Sides Of The New Dawn

    On the one side, the service offered by pest control firms has never been so important. You need to use their expert advice and skills in order to keep the mosquitoes away from your home:

    Getting Rid Of Standing Water

    Standing water is the perfect spot for mosquitoes to breed in. One of the most important things you and your pest control company can do is locate any standing water in the area of your home and eliminate it.

    Netting

    Keeping them out of your house can be done by using mosquito approved netting on the doors and windows. These are surprisingly effective and will keep your house safe.

    Vegetation Management

    As well as getting rid of water it is important to look at the vegetation around your home and even any piles of wood you have. These are the perfect spot for mosquitoes to rest on during the day; they are most active at dusk.

    By identifying likely resting spots you can eliminate them.

    Chemicals

    Of course, pest control companies will use chemicals and insecticides to prevent eggs from hatching, treating any standing water and eliminating them on the vegetation.

    On the other hand, there are some remarkable advancements happening in medical science to help prevent mosquitoes from being an issue and spreading disease:

    Vector-Control Techniques

    The use of new insecticides, many of which have been spread via the use of bed nets across the sub-Saharan area of Africa, is estimated to have saved 663 million diseases from having been contracted between 2000 and 2015!

    Unfortunately, due to a reduction in the use of these bed nets disease numbers are starting to climb again. Now the technology is being reapplied to help reduce the mosquito population again.

    New Insecticides

    The success of DDT in controlling insects led to a lack of drive to create new products. However, many of the original DDT insecticides are now banned or losing their effect?

    Fortunately, new insecticides are being developed to help in the fight.

    New Repellents

    Mosquitoes are able to locate humans from the carbon dioxide we all breathe out. It’s only when the mosquitoes get close that they are able to locate exposed skin; this is also through skin odors.

    Blocking the natural odor of the skin prevents the mosquito from being able to detect your presence. New research has made these mosquito repellents even more effective.

    Gene Sequencing

    Gene sequencing and cloud computing are proving to be very effective at helping to spot potential outbreaks and prevent them from happening.

    By using a mixture of these techniques you’ll be able to eliminate mosquitoes from your home and help the world at the same time.

  • Treating Severe Burns: You DON’T Have Enough Supplies

    Treating Severe Burns: You DON’T Have Enough Supplies

     

    2nd Degree Burn on LegA little over three weeks ago I burned both my legs.  Now, as a semi-competent experimenter, I have burned myself a bunch of times.  However, this was serious.  I burned both legs, from just below the knee to the top of my foot almost 360 degrees.  The burns were deep second degree burns with a few thrid degree spots thrown in.

    I was messing around with gas, an I knew better.  So when my wife said not to light the fire, I told her to be quiet.  That was pride talking when I knew I should not do what I was about to do.

    Pride comes before a fall, and when the gas vapor ignited, the temperature was low enough it did not “whoosh”, but the wind changed and basically, I was engulfed.  Now it was only for a second, and did not do a lot of damage, but the fresh bug spray on my legs started to burn, which did me a lot of damage.

    So now I have a reason to post about treating severe burns.  I am not a doctor, but as I said before I am familiar with burn injuries.

    This Article is not About Basic Burn Treatment

    We all know to cool a burn and not to apply grease or butter.  This post is about supplies and the daily aftercare.

    When I first was burned, it did not immediately hurt, I played it off for a few minutes, so as not to “embarrass” myself around my wife.  However, once the pain hit, it was horrible.  For a old fat guy, I have a pretty high pain tolerance.  I have been pepper sprayed and tased enough to have lost count.  I have broken a leg, and have sliced crushed, and otherwise injured myself much more than the common man.

    Not to put to fine a point on it, after standing in a cool shower for several hours to both cool the burn and control the pain, I had to lay in the bed and cry.  The pain was as close to unbearable as anything I have ever felt.  My wife wanted me to go to the Emergency Room, but I was afraid they would admit me, and I had the last class of my graduate certificate on Monday.  I could not afford to miss a day of work.  Additionally, if they did not admit me, I knew the only treatment was pain medication and a prescription for Silver sulfadiazine.  I had some left over from when I burned my kitchen down and got to buy my wife a new kitchen and plastic backsplash.

    I had lots of roller gauze and non stick pads, so I felt that I would just deal with the pain.

    Daily Treatment

    My regimen was to put the Silvadene on, cover it with a non0stick pad (it took a bunch to get total coverage), and then wrap it with roller gauze.  For additional protection, I also used a ace compression bandage for light compression for the swelling.

    I had a lot of swelling, and the reduced blood flow because of it caused me problems.  It took me an hour to get out of bed Monday morning.  When I put my foot down the blood flowing into the area caused me severe pain.  Additionally, stretching the burned skin by walking also caused a lot of pain.

    Luckily, the more I moved, the less pain the skin caused.  Too bad I was in class all week and spent the time sitting at a table, and getting up at breaks.

    The pain of getting up increased for a few weeks, and finally went away the start of the third week.

    Blisters to Pop or Not?

    After about 24 hours I started getting blisters, they were mostly around my ankles to start, but I kept getting more and more.  Eventually, I had several blisters that were the size of my fist.  I tried not to pop them, because infection is a huge concern with severe burns.  The weight of the liquid inside the blister caused the blisters to travel down my legs stretching and peeling the remaining skin.  Eventually, after about a week they popped on there own causing my wife much anguish when she saw the “blister juice”.

    The smaller blisters never popped, and it is not recommended to pop them.  Sometimes large blisters are popped by medical staff to control how it is done so the skin does not rip.

    I finally went to the doctor after 5 days.  I just could not take the constant pain and I was afraid of infection.  She gave me some pain medication, a new prescription for silvadene, and some antibiotics.  I was told I would scar, and that it would take about 6 weeks to heal.

    Deal With Itching

    The itching was terrible, still is after three weeks.  At the time, I did not know that itching is a side effect of the cream.  It is also a side effect of the healing skin.   I had several large areas where the first couple layers of skin was burnt away, and the entire area was sensitive and peeling, so a good satisfying itch was not available.  The only thing I could do was to lightly press on the injury and let the pain overcome the itch.  After some reading, I learned that anti-histamines could help with the itch, so I started taking the allergy medicine I keep around for when I get bee stung.  That actually helped a lot.

    You Don’t Have Enough Supplies

    As a long time prepper, I have more than just some bandages in the bathroom closet.  I felt pretty prepared for first aid emergencies.  Actually, as far as the initial treatment, I was about as prepared as anyone could be.  However, it was the twice daily dressing changes, and the daily ointments that gutted my supplies.  I now know just how ill prepared I am.

    Going to the pharmacy, box store, or the local dollar store just doesn’t cut it when you are going through 4 sets of gauze, a tube of antibiotic cream, and 2 boxes of non-stick 2×3 pads daily.  I was spending huge amounts on supplies, and my wife was tired of running to the store.

    I went to amazon and bought in bulk.

    This gave me great savings, and was convenient.

    3 inch Conforming Stretch Gauze Bandage Rolls

    I bought a three pack of 3 inch Conforming Stretch Gauze Bandage Rolls.  This gave me 36 rolls per order.  The gauze I selected cost $12.00 and came with prime shipping. 

    To be fair, I am not as happy with this gauze, as I was with the 2 pack I got at the dollar general, but that was about $4.00 a box so it was really apples and oranges.

    This gauze is not sterile, and it comes in a bulk paper container, so once you open it 12 rolls are exposed.  However, going through 4 a day mitigated the problem.

    From now on, I will have a unopened pack in my medical supplies.  I still will have a smaller amount of higher quality roller gauze for smaller scale incidents.

    75 non-adherent pads

    In the same order I got a bulk pack of 75 non-adherent pads.  Because of the size of my wounds, I was going though boxes of smaller 2×3 pads.  Because of this I bought the largest pads I could find.  These were 3″ x 8″ and were labeled as “No Stick Non-Adherent Film For Ouch Free Removal”  These absorbent cotton bandages cost $17.33 (prime shipping) for a box of 75 or $0.23 each.

    I find that I can cover the worst areas of the original wounds on each leg by wrapping three of these bandages around each leg.  After three weeks, my right leg is not completely healed, but the skin is not intact or scabbed over.

    Most of my left leg is scabbed or has intact skin.  Currently I am using only one pad per dressing change.

    Since these are sterile, it works well with the non-sterile roller gauze.  I plan on keeping a box in my medical supplies after this injury heals.  Since the large size makes it not as flexible as smaller pads.  It is my intent to also buy a large bulk box of similar pads in the more used 2×3 or 3×4 size.

    Metal Style Clips Elastic Bandages Spares

    Lastly, while I can hand wash my ace compression bandages, and they stay relatively clean as they are covering the roller gauze, and are covered by my pants leg.

    I found that with a lot of use, the metal clips break or get lost.  Also, some of my newer ace style bandages come with a wierd elastic clip that just doesn’t hold.

    While ordering all the other supplies  I found a bulk 50 piece set of metal style clips for ace bandages.  the 50 peices only cost $3.79 and was free shipping so I bought a pack.  Unfortunately, it comes from china and is very slow to ship.  I haven’t gotten these yet, and I stopped needing the compression bandages because the swelling period has ended.

    I recommend getting some spares, but buy them in advance.

    In Conclusion

    The best burn treatment is prevention.  My mom says that this means I should listen to my wife more.  So do my co-workers.  I work with some great people, they have been very supportive, while making fun of the limp and my stupidity.

    Be careful when working, if this injury occurred during a disaster, then it could have easily gotten infected and could have killed me.  As it stands, it really impacted my abilities, and takes up a huge amount of time in my daily schedule.
    .

  • Vitamin B1 as a Mosquito Repellent

    Vitamin B1 as a Mosquito Repellent

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  • An Effective Guide to Reducing Lower Back Pain

    An Effective Guide to Reducing Lower Back Pain

    An Effective Guide to Reducing Lower Back Pain
    Buy at Amazon

    Lower back pain is a common issue that bothers millions around the world. A stinging pain affecting the lower back area- it is one of the worst things to suffer from.

    There can be many reasons for this. It could be your wrong posture while lifting weights at the gym or due to the poorly supported old mattress you haven’t changed in a while.

    The pain can vary based on the intensity and location of the issue. Fortunately, there are many options available for treating lower back pain. But before you make the doctor’s appointment, why not give these listed remedies a try at reducing lower back pain?

    Home Remedies For Lower Back Pain

    A Safe Option for Treating Lower Back Pain

    Some of us do have the tendency to rush to the doctor in any case of lower back pain. Even if it the pain is mild. Just keep in mind that taking medications for such trivial matters can leave you with complications. So, it is always safer to try some home remedies first.

    Try these home remedies to quickly get rid of back pain. Most back pains don’t linger on for more than six weeks.

    1. Apply Ice or Heat

    For the first two days of pain, apply a bag of frozen food or ice packs on the area of pain. Apply several times each day. Try to keep it for around twenty minutes.

    After the initial two days, try applying some heat. You can use heating pads for this purpose. The frequency and duration of the application will be the same as before.

    You may wonder how the whole thing works. You see applying something cold helps to numb the pain receptors at the affected area. It also helps to reduce the swelling.

    Heat application, on the other hand, increases the blood circulation and oxygen flow, thus bringing relief to the affected area.

    2. Wear Specialized Shoes

    Depending on the structure of the foot, different designs of insoles and orthotics are available in the market. Getting the right support from shoes can reduce pressure on your lower back. Thus, it ultimately helps in reducing your lower back pain.

    Consult a podiatrist to know which shoe is right for you. You don’t necessarily have to purchase a new pair of shoes. A change of insoles or orthotics may be sufficient.

    3. Consider Changing Your Mattress

    Mattresses play a big role in supporting your lower back. Old mattresses often sag in the middle.

    Purchase mattresses suited for your back, something that provides you a nice combination of comfort and support. Use a mattress topper for added benefits if necessary.

    Remember: A mattress with an age of above six years is starting to get old and inadequate.

    4. Do Some Light Physical Activities

    Physical activity will ensure that your muscles are in the best shape possible. It will also warm up your entire body. Regular physical activity also keeps the blood circulation on point, keeping lower back pains or headaches in check.

    You don’t have to go all berserk on your first day though. You can start with some walking, cycling or yoga. And don’t forget to stretch. Especially, if you’re a desk worker. It is always wise to stand and stretch the whole body in between the long working hours.

    5. Keep a Positive Mindset

    It is important to think positively in case you are suffering from pain of any sorts. If you are anxious or tensed about your pain, the situation can get worse. Over-anxiety and worries can amplify the pain according to studies.

    Thus, we recommend keeping the body calm and relaxed. This will definitely help you while you are trying to treat your lower back pain.

    Suffering for More than Six Weeks? Seek Help from the Experts

    You should consult a doctor if the pain is unbearable or if it lingers on for more than a month.

    Your doctor might conduct various tests on the affected area to find out the underlying problem. Based on what has actually happened, he might give you the following recommendations:

    1. Ointments and Creams

    Topical medicines such as these are applied to the area of the pain instead of being swallowed or injected. These medicines can have side effects on your skin and can cause temporary discomfort.

    2. Oral Medications

    Your doctor can also prescribe generic drugs to alleviate the pain. If that doesn’t work, you might be prescribed drugs specialized to address muscle inflammation.

    These drugs too can have a wide range of side effects including stomach problems. So, don’t take these without any doctor’s consultation.

    3. Anti-inflammatory Shots

    These will be prescribed only in case of emergency. These shots do provide relief but only a temporary one.

    4. Consult a Physical Therapist

    A physical therapist will study your body and look for any misalignment in the body structure. Active release therapy, exercises, stretches are some of the many different tools he might use to alleviate the pain.

    There are other alternative approaches to treating back pain too. But make sure the one addressing your back pain issues knows what he’s doing. He should be qualified and well trained.

    Some Final Words

    Often times many people think that drugs or surgery are the keys to solving back pain.

    But taking this route can leave you suffering from multiple side effects. It is better to try the safer options first.

    Lower back pain can be irritating and troublesome but luckily has a number of solutions. There are awesome equipment on the market to help you get rid of this pain. Combine that with our tips and you can enjoy life with a painless lower back.