Dr. Bharat Sarode

Alcohol addiction commonly known as alcoholism is a fairly common problem that has shown to affect people from every walk of life. Scientists have tried to pinpoint the absolute cause behind alcoholism, but to no success. Certain factors like sex, genetic, and socioeconomic factors have shown to have some effect on alcoholism. The cause of alcoholism is never singular. Alcohol addiction is indeed a disease, where a person may not have full control over his actions and is seen to change the neurochemistry of the brain.

The symptoms of alcohol addiction can be seen in many ways and the severity of the situation varies from person to person. Other factors such as the frequency of consumption may also be specific. While some people are heavy drinkers and drink throughout the day; others may drink occasionally and remain sober for a few days.

A person who is dependent on alcohol will prioritise drinking over other essential activities and will eventually cause disruption in his social life, work or other areas of his life. It can also create a negative effect in the victim’s life along with their families and their near and dear ones.

What are the signs of alcohol addiction and alcohol abuse?
The signs and symptoms of alcoholism or addiction are rather conspicuous. Since drinking alcohol is common in social events in most cultures around the world, it becomes difficult to recognise when someone is addicted to alcohol, unlike drugs like cocaine and heroin.

The physical signs of alcohol abuse include:

1. Loss of control over the quantity of alcohol consumed.
2. Lack of adequate sleep, followed by overcompensation for sleep.
3. Expression of anger and other negative behaviours my increase in inappropriate places and situations.
4. Lack of proper attention towards the priorities in life.

How does alcohol affect the body?
Chronic abuse of alcohol can have negative effects on almost every part of your body and plays havoc in your system. Alcohol is liable to cause irreversible damage to several organs of the body which is vital for sustenance:

• Nervous system
• Stomach or Intestines
• Liver
• Heart
• Brain

Alcoholism in itself can lead to several diseases like:

• High blood pressure
• Cancer
• Increased incidences of osteoporosis, especially in women
• Sexual issues

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

A headache can be a hindrance to any person at any time. It can either occur on left or right side in case of a migraine, be isolated to a point or radiate across the entire head. The pain can be sharp, throbbing or dull. It can either develop gradually or suddenly and can last for few hours to several days. Headaches need not arise due to a factor or condition of or in the head alone, they can be triggered because of other disorders or diseases in the body.

What are the different causes of a headache?
There are different kinds of headaches. Based on the symptoms, a doctor can diagnose the causes and the best treatment option for it. Not all headaches indicate serious illness. On the other hand, some headaches can be life-threatening as well. Primarily headaches can be divided into two broad categories- a primary headache and secondary headaches.

1. Primary headaches: A primary headache is caused due to conditions or factors associated with the pain-sensitive structures of the head. These types of headaches do not result from underlying illness. Muscles of the neck and head, blood vessels and chemical activity in and around the skull are the reason for primary headaches. Even certain genes could be responsible for triggering the pain. Some of the types of primary headaches include a cluster headache, tension headache, migraine, paroxysmal hemicrania etc. There could be primary headaches that last for a very long time such as sex headaches, cough headaches, chronic migraine, hemicranias continua etc. Typically, primary headaches are often triggered by poor posture, alcohol, lack of sleep, irregular food timings, processed meats etc.
2. Secondary headaches: Secondary headaches are the symptoms of a disease that can activate the pain-sensitive nerves of the head. The severity of the pain varies greatly. Some of the possible causes of secondary headaches include arterial tears, acute sinusitis, brain aneurysm, brain tumour, dehydration, ear infection, carbon monoxide poisoning, dental problems, glaucoma, hangovers, flu, hypertension, stroke, panic attacks, toxoplasmosis, post-concussion syndrome, trigeminal neuralgia, monosodium glutamate, meningitis, giant cell arteritis etc. Some of the common triggers of secondary headaches include ice cream headaches, compression headaches, thunderclap headaches, sinus headaches, rebound headaches, spinal headaches etc.

When to seek emergency care for headaches?
Headaches could indicate serious disorders such as encephalitis, stroke or meningitis. It is advisable to seek immediate medical care for an unbearable headache which also includes the inability to understand speech, stiff neck, trouble in vision, vomiting accompanied with nausea, trouble in speaking, high body temperature, greater than 104°F. A doctor should be consulted if the pain occurs multiple times in a short duration, keeps one from working or performing daily activities, the pain doesn’t improve even after the consumption of over the counter medicine and disturbs sleeping.
 

Aggression or aggressive behavior can often lead to violence and destruction which can be really harmful to their loved ones. When dealing with an aggressive person, it is important to understand that aggression is not always an after effect of some provocations and can often be spontaneous. Excessive and frequent aggression can wreak havoc, affecting the person and their loved ones physically, mentally as well as emotionally. Reports suggest that cases of aggression among youngsters are rising at an alarming rate. It has also been noted that the boys exhibit more aggression than girls. Thus, proper action needs to be taken at the earliest to avoid serious consequences.

Symptoms:
The following symptoms and behavioral changes may be observed in people with aggressive nature.

1. The person may have mood swings and remain irritated all the time. Depression may be commonly seen in such people.
2. The person isolates himself or herself from the outside world.
3. Insomnia and eating disorders are common.
4. An unstable mental health.
5. The person may exhibit signs of self-destruction.They may also cause harm to the others, including their loved ones.
6. There may be hallucinations, delusions, confusion and poor communication skills.
7. There may alterations in his or her personality.
8. Lack of concentration. A person may find it difficult to read or write.
9. Lethargy is also common in people with aggressive behavior.

Underlying factors that may trigger aggression
A person may appear aggressive physically, mentally, verbally or even emotionally. The aggressive behavior can be an outcome of a myriad of factors such as:

1. A negative environment during the growing period: How a child is brought up can play a significant role in shaping their character. A person who had seen a lot of fights, arguments or aggression in their childhood often grows up to be aggressive.
2. Genetics: People who have a family history of aggression and aggressive behavior (immediate family) are more likely to be aggressive.
3. An unstable mental health with conditions such as schizophrenia, conduct disorder, bipolar disorder or Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can also cause aggression. Aggression can also be triggered by traumatic brain injury, stress, meningitis, stroke or substance abuse (as well as withdrawal symptoms).

Managing Aggressive Behavior
A person needs to have a lot of patience while dealing with aggressive people. Such people need your support, love, care, and affection.

1. For an effective management, try and find out the triggers of aggression and then work towards improving the situation.
2. Meditation can have a great soothing effect and can play an important role to calm down the person. Music may be equally helpful.
3. Sound sleep and proper rest can work miracles in reducing the associated symptoms and complications.
4. Maintain a positive environment around the affected person. Keep the person happy, cheerful and stress-free.
5. Don't let the person live in isolation. Try and make them interact with people. Don't give them the impression that they are not normal. Don't over sympathize with them. They need your support more than the sympathy.
6. Don't shy away from medical help. Love and care with proper medications can work wonders. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!