Millions of Europeans suffer from conditions that require the use of prescription pain medications. These medications are given in order to relieve headaches, chronic pain, and pain caused by injuries or surgeries. While these can greatly help in restoring independence and quality of life, there are some people who become addicted to their pain medications. This is particularly true when the medications involved are opiates such as codeine. This doesn’t just mean codeine phosphate. Codeine is a component of many medications such as Co-Codamol 30/500 which contains 30mg of codeine and 500mg of paracetamol. Of course, they work. They stop pain. But when our bodies adapt to the use of these drugs and see them as something that we need in order to function, we might be fostering a chemical dependency that could be harder to resolve than the pain we were treating in the first place. Watch out for these tell tale signs of pain medication dependency to help you avoid the pitfalls of addiction.
1. Increase of Use – The most common and most obvious marker of pain medication dependency is the inappropriate increase of usage. This is made worse by the fact that you can buy co-codamol 30/500 online in the UK with no prescription. People who start to develop the need to intake prescription pain medications are causing their bodies to become more and more capable of metabolizing the drugs. This means their system eats the substance faster than it did before, increasing the frequency of feeling the need as time goes on.
2. Personality Changes – People who are addicted to pain medication often become moody, irritable, and reserved. It’s because of the hormonal changes caused by unnecessarily high usage that people experience these personality changes.
3. Decreased Social Participation – When individuals develop an addiction for pain medications, they’re more likely to withdraw from social gatherings. This might have something to do with the hormonal changes as well as the increased sensitivity that they’re likely to feel.
4. Heightened Sensitivity – As said in the previous bullet, people who develop a drug addiction are likely to experience increased sensitivity. If you start to notice that you or a loved one are becoming sensitive to things like light, sound, and movements, you might want to look into your pain medication use and consult a doctor as soon as possible.
5. Incessant Need to Obtain a Prescription – What happens if you run out of pain medications? People who are addicted to pain medicationsoften can’t cope with the thought of finishing up their supply of medication and thus seek out doctors who can issue a new prescription. It’s not unlikely to find a pain medication dependent individual driving across states just to secure a brand new prescription to breathe life into their addiction.
What Does Charlie Sheen Mean By “Undetectable HIV?”
In an interview with The Today Show on November 17, 2015, Charlie Sheen confirmed that he is HIV positive, but he has undergone treatments that make the virus undetectable in his blood. His rigorous treatment because four years ago when he was originally diagnosed. This left many to wonder what this mystery treatment is and how it affects others. To understand this claim, you must first understand some information about this incurable disease.
What is HIV?
HIV, also known as a human immunodeficiency virus, transfers through blood, semen, vaginal fluid, pre-ejaculate, or breast milk. This disease affects about 1.2 million people right now, attacking the immune system and eventually progressing into AIDS. Many victims of HIV may not even know they are infected, preventing them from getting proper palliative treatment. Since this disease has not yet found a cure, antiretroviral therapy is available to treat HIV infections and lower the risk of transference by 96%. This treatment helps victims that live with HIV, giving them a longer and healthier life.
How is it Undetectable?
Charlie Sheen’s physician, Dr. Robert Huizenga, appeared on the show to clarify what Sheen meant by “undetectable.” Though this phrasing does not mean it is cured, an undetectable viral load means that there are fewer than 20 copies of the virus in one milliliter of blood. This means, if Sheen were to have his blood taken today, the amount of HIV in the blood is at a level that the best tests would not pick it up. In cases like these, it is unlikely to transfer HIV to a partner with or without a condom. With the exception of California, undetectable levels do not even require the individual to tell their partner about their HIV status. Even so, it is important to use protection since the risk is still there.
The Future of Charlie Sheen
For the rest of Charlie Sheen’s life, he will need to take his four antiretroviral prescriptions each night to keep the virus at this low level. There is still a risk that the amount of HIV in his blood can sporadically increase so he will continue to be tested. Since there is no cure, Sheen still must take special precautions against any additional viral infection. His immune system will continue to be at risk until there is a cure or his life is over. However, this breakthrough clears the way for further research to create a permanent remedy in the future for sufferers everywhere.
What A Man’s Clothes Say To Women
Throughout the years, men’s clothes have been about tradition. The classic tuxedo, for instance, has barely changed in decades. Since the first impression you give a women is your ensemble, it is critical that you put thought into what your style says about you. Even though men’s fashion is timeless, you should know how to dress to impress.
Shirts
A button-up dress shirt with long sleeve is a safe choice if your goal is to look professional and mature. Women associate this type of shirt with the man who is in charge and refined. However, men who choose to wear a short-sleeve shirt send the message that they are casual, unprofessional, relaxed, and lower class. A woman knows that who wears a short-sleeve shirt is not going to a business event or his professional office; it is more likely he is heading to a movie or a friend’s home to relax. A shirt may insignificant, but a woman who is seeking a mate craves someone who exudes security and class.
Shoes
The fashion world has not changed much for men’s apparel, but shoes have had their own journey. The most important aspect of choosing shoes is paying attention to the occasion. Dress shoes worn with jeans or sneakers worn with dress pants send the message that you do not concern yourself with looking appropriate. A coordinated outfit sends the message that you are mature, sophisticated, and confident.
Suits and Sports Jackets
If a woman sees you wearing a suit or a sports jacket, the first impression you give her is that you command authority. These additions to your outfit tell her that you need a suit to be at a powerful job or to attend a high-class and expensive event. A suit gives a mature and responsible impression to others, showing off your social class and status in the business world.
The Key Is Coordination
No matter which outfit you choose, the most important thing is to show that you put effort into your daily presentation. A woman relates your personality and maturity to the way you choose to express your personal style. If you choose a poorly fitting shirt with baggy pants, it is unlikely you will attract a woman who wants someone mature and stable in their life. Choosing a dress shirt with coordinated pants and a jacket shows that you are mature enough to handle anything she throws your way. Above all, the classiest accessory you can wear is confidence with any ensemble you choose.
How To Fight Male Pattern Baldness
With over 70% of men suffering from male pattern baldness (MPB) before the age of 35, many products advertise as solutions for this condition. Since men and women associate a full head of hair as a symbol of youth, power, strength, and sexual appeal, many men are willing to sacrifice to achieve luminous locks. However, before trying the treatment options available, you need to understand why MPB occurs.
Why Does It Happen?
Individuals who suffer from male pattern baldness have a genetic sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is toxic to men with this sensitivity, absorbing nutrients that would normally cause the hair follicles to grow. This process shortens the growth period, commonly stopping hair development along the temples and middle of the scalp. Scientists continue to explore other potential causes, such as thyroid problems, low iron, or low protein. Once you establish the reason for hair loss, you open the door to multiple treatment options.
Over-The-Counter Treatment
One treatment for hair loss is a topical solution called Minoxidil, which is more widely known as Rogaine. Approved by the FDA, Rogaine acts as a type of “fertilizer” for hair follicles, slowing hereditary hair loss or stopping it completely. Many individuals report results within about four months. However, for a greater chance at success, some doctors recommend combining regular use of Rogaine with the prescription medication Finasteride.
Finasteride – A Prescription for Hair Restoration
Finasteride, also known as Propecia, prevents up to 70% of testosterone from converting to DHT to continue hair growth. Finasteride has some side effects, including the risk of erectile dysfunction and depression. Many individuals see results in three to twelve months; however, stopping the treatment puts you at risk for losing the hair you gained in the process as well as losing the rest of your hair. For a more permanent solution, a physician may recommend a hair transplant.
Hair Transplant
Choosing the right doctor is the most important aspect of a hair transplant. Technology advances have improved the look of transplants, imbedding up to five hairs per follicle to replicate a full head of hair. This option is very expensive, costing patients up to $15,000. Not everyone qualifies for a transplant so a physical examination is required to determine if you are a candidate.
Take Control
Whether you choose to invest in one of the many treatments for your baldness or do nothing at all, the choice is yours. All of the methods available have their benefits and risks in the name of a healthy head of hair. Even if you choose to shave it all off, make the decision to do what makes you feel your most confident and embrace the new you.
The Best Cardio Workouts For Men
Men tend to always be searching for new ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle and stay as fit as possible. The problem for most men, however, is that it is not always about the actual workouts that you are performing but instead about performing those workouts on a consistent basis.
So, in effect, you need to find a workout that you actually enjoy doing so it can become a habit. For those men looking to achieve a fit look, let’s take a look at some of the best cardio workouts for doing so:
Interval Training
Interval training has become extremely popular in the fitness world because of its ability to efficiently burn calories. It works by switching back in forth between high and low intensity workouts.
While there are all kinds of different ways that interval training can be done, one of the best known ways is to work in 30, 60, and 90 second time frames. If you are interested in this type of cardio workout, be sure that you do your research to determine the best workouts for you.
Inclined Treadmill or Elliptical
If you really want to burn extra calories in less time, raising the incline on a treadmill or elliptical can really do the trick. Even a small amount of resistance can significantly increase the amount of calories that you burn, which makes for an extremely efficient workout.
You can also use the incline to combine with interval training, where you end up raising and lowering the incline every few minutes to conserve energy. Going with an incline for 5 minutes and then 2-3 minutes without it is a popular choice for a lot of men. Either way, this is definitely one of the best cardio workouts that you can do.
The Final Word
At the end of the day, the best cardio workouts for men are those in which you are able to consistently do. No workout is going to be effective unless it is done on a consistent basis; meaning self-discipline is paramount to actually achieving success with these workouts.
Find out which workout you enjoy the most and commit to doing it on a regular basis. At least 3-4 days a week is optimal, but even starting at 2 days a week is progress. If you can turn one of these workouts into a habit, there is no doubt that you will achieve the fit body that you are looking for.
Men Say They Like Dating Smart Women – But Do They Really?
When it comes to women, most men will tell you that they enjoy dating women that are both smart and beautiful. But while they will tell you this, is it actually true? Is there really a psychological preference when it comes to dating and smart women or is this just something that men say when called upon?
Let’s take a deeper look into this question to try to find out whether or not men really do like dating smarter women:
How Smart Are They?
One of the biggest factors when it comes to whether or not men really like smart women is just how intelligent they are. While most men that you talk to do want to be able to have some sort of intellectual conversation with the woman they are with, most will also tell you that they do not want the woman to be smarter than them.
Now, obviously this is a bit of a double standard and even sexist to a degree. However, if we are being truthful about the matter, men seem to pride themselves on their confidence much more than women and therefore do not want to be embarrassed about the fact that they are clearly less intelligent than the woman they are with.
What Type of Intelligence is It?
When it comes to dating and smart women, the type of intelligence is also going to play a factor. While men do not tend to think as long term as women, a man is certainly going to think about how conversations are going to be carried on down the road.
With this in mind, they may be intrigued by the thought of having an intellectual conversation about Donald Trump or LeBron James but will probably not have much interest in hearing about physics. Obviously there are many different types of intelligence and whether or not men enjoy it will depend on their unique likes and desires.
The Final Word
At the end of the day, men do tend to enjoy dating smarter women; just so long as they are not as smart as them. Even if woman is smarter in some aspect, it seems as if intelligence on equal playing fields is the best for both the man and the woman. As you know, everyone is different in their desires and will react differently to certain scenarios.
Pansexuals And Asexuals: The Big Deal About Sexual Identity
With celebrities like Caitlyn Jenner and Laverne Cox in the spotlight, the door is open for discussion about sexual identity. Sexual identity is a part of an individual’s identity that reflects their sexual self-concept. Currently acceptable culture states that males and females are the only choices available for gender. However, people of all ages have concerns over their own identity. Maybe, the key to understanding the big deal about sexual identity is dependent upon understanding other sexualities. Helping others to feel safe transitions the world into becoming a cohesive community.
What is a Pansexual?
Pansexuality is a sexual, romantic, or emotional attraction toward people of any sex or gender identity. Individuals who identify with this grouping do not select a partner by their gender. Instead, pansexuals fall in love with a person’s characteristics, beauty, and other appealing qualities. This sexual subset sees gender and sex as a nonissue when it comes to selecting a partner. In fact, individuals who gravitate towards this sexual identity reject the idea of two genders at all and ignore the “importance” of specific sexual orientations.
What is an Asexual?
Individuals who associates themselves with asexuality are not sexually attracted to anyone and have a low or nonexistent interest in sexual activities. Asexuality is sometimes used as a term to categorize a large group of various sexual identities. There is some dispute about the validity of this sexual identity since it is defined by the lack of sexual desire.
As an asexual person, the celibacy and abstinence is sometimes due to personal or religious beliefs. In some cases, the individual will still participate in sexual intercourse for the purpose of procreation or intimacy with their partners. Asexual people are still able to receive pleasure from sex and similar activities but they generally do not engage except for particular instances.
Treating People Equally
Our society is in a state where the LGBT community is slowly becoming more widely accepted, getting the conversation started about gender equally and sexual identity. As a whole, people need to be sensitive to the way they approach others so individuals who identify with sexualities that are not mainstream feel safe enough to be their true selves. Multiple celebrities have come out as homosexual, pansexual, bisexual, and asexual to help create a movement with the goal of acceptance and encouragement. It is important to start within your own community to help ensure a safe future for all people.