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Cannabis users are at greater risk for emergency and inpatient care: study

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Cannabis users are at greater risk for emergency and inpatient care: study

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Individuals who used hashish visited emergency rooms or had been hospitalized 22% extra usually than those that didn’t use hashish, in line with a latest research revealed within the BMJ Open Respiratory Analysis.

“Our analysis demonstrates that hashish use within the basic inhabitants is related to heightened threat of clinically critical detrimental outcomes, particularly, needing to current to the ED or be admitted to hospital,” stated lead writer Dr. Nicholas Vozoris, a lung specialist at St. Michael’s and an affiliate scientist on the hospital’s Li Ka Shing Information Institute.

“In contrast to tobacco, there may be some uncertainty or controversy concerning the adversarial well being impacts of hashish. Some people might understand that hashish has some well being advantages and is in any other case benign. Our analysis highlights to these utilizing – or contemplating to make use of – hashish, that this [behavior] is related to essential detrimental well being occasions.”

Hashish use is related to “heightened threat of clinically critical detrimental outcomes.”
(iStock)

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The research was led by researchers at Unity Well being Toronto and ICES, an unbiased, non-profit analysis institute previously often known as the Institute for Medical Evaluative Sciences in Canada. 

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Critical bodily damage and lung causes had been the 2 main causes of emergency departments visits and hospitalizations amongst hashish customers.

“Marijuana – which may also be referred to as hashish, weed, pot, or dope – refers back to the dried flowers, leaves, stems, and seeds of the hashish plant. The hashish plant accommodates greater than 100 compounds (or cannabinoids),” the CDC stated.

One in every of these compounds is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is mind-altering, also known as a “excessive,” per the CDC.

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The Canadian researchers carried out a retrospective research in Ontario residents aged 12-65 between January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2015, noting Ontario is Canada’s most populous province with roughly 14.7 million folks, which is an estimated 40% of nationwide inhabitants and likewise is culturally various. 

Marijuana refers to the dried flowers, leaves, stems, and seeds of the cannabis plant.

Marijuana refers back to the dried flowers, leaves, stems, and seeds of the hashish plant.
(Photograph by Justin Sullivan/Getty Photos)

The Canadian researchers first collected information from a survey of people who self-reported hashish use after which linked it with well being information from a number of databases. 

These members who self-reported hashish use throughout the previous yr had been matched one in every of three management teams: individuals who by no means reported utilizing hashish, used hashish solely as soon as or used greater than 12 months in the past whereas additionally adjusting for a lot of confounding variables, together with bodily and psychological well being ailments, tobacco alcohol and illicit drug use.   

The research’s objective was to see if there was an affiliation between marijuana use and hospitalizations or emergency room visits that had been associated to lung points. 

The researchers didn’t discover a robust affiliation with marijuana use and emergency division visits or hospitalizations particularly associated to respiratory points or loss of life from any trigger.

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However they did discover emergency room visits or hospitalizations for any motive elevated by an estimated 22% amongst those that used marijuana, which suggests marijuana could also be related to adversarial well being outcomes.

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Earlier analysis reveals solely hashish people who smoke who’ve greater than 20 joints per yr publicity historical past have a decline in lung perform, so the researchers counsel their outcomes is likely to be defined by customers having too little hashish smoke publicity within the research.

Some research members additionally didn’t smoke hashish, however as an alternative had non-inhalational sort publicity, which might be much less prone to trigger lung-related sickness than inhaled hashish.

And attainable secondhand hashish smoke publicity among the many management members might have “contaminated” the management group. 

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“Smoked marijuana, no matter how it’s smoked, can hurt lung tissues and trigger scarring and harm to small blood vessels,” the CDC stated.

Lots of similar toxins and carcinogens, that are chemical substances that trigger most cancers, in tobacco smoke are additionally in smoke from marijuana, per the company.

Marijuana is the most used "federally illegal drug" in America, according to the CDC.

Marijuana is probably the most used “federally unlawful drug” in America, in line with the CDC.
(iStock)

Smoking marijuana can even result in a better threat of respiratory points, like bronchitis and mucus manufacturing, however these signs usually enhance after marijuana people who smoke stop, per the CDC.

Leisure marijuana is illegitimate within the U.S. beneath federal legislation, however at the very least 19 states have enacted laws to permit the drug to be offered, in line with The Hill. 

It’s the mostly used “federally unlawful drug” in america, in line with the CDC.

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Roughly 48.2 million folks used it in 2019, per the CDC.

However virtually each single state within the nation, aside from Idaho, Nebraska and Kansas, has legalized some type marijuana for medicinal or leisure functions, The Hill stated.

“Extra analysis is required to grasp the particular results marijuana smoking might have on lung most cancers and different respiratory ailments like emphysema (lung situation that causes shortness of breath) and persistent obstructive pulmonary illness (COPD),” the CDC stated.

“The outcomes of our analysis assist that well being care professionals and authorities ought to discourage leisure hashish consumption within the basic inhabitants. Given the context of hashish decriminalization in Canada, which has very seemingly facilitated the broader use of this product within the inhabitants, extra efforts must constituted of our well being and political leaders to coach and remind residents concerning the dangerous impacts of hashish on well being,” Dr. Vozoris stated in a press launch. 

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First person with MS to play in the NBA shares his inspiring message: 'Make the most of it'

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First person with MS to play in the NBA shares his inspiring message: 'Make the most of it'

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Multiple sclerosis is a life-changing diagnosis for one million people who are affected in the U.S. — but for a professional athlete, its physical limitations can seem particularly challenging.

Chris Wright, 34, the first person with MS to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA), has been living with the disorder since his 2012 diagnosis.

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For World MS Day on May 30, Wright and his neurologist, Dr. Heidi Crayton, joined Fox News Digital in an on-camera interview from Washington, D.C., to discuss how he’s come to terms with his MS and to share words of wisdom for others facing the diagnosis. (See the video at the top of this article.)

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Wright first experienced symptoms in 2012, he said, when he noticed tingling in his right foot while warming up for an overseas basketball game in Turkey.

“As I was shooting, I felt a tingling sensation in my right hand that eventually spread throughout my entire body within a matter of a minute,” he told Fox News Digital.

Chris Wright, 34, the first person with MS to play in the NBA, has been living with the disorder since his 2012 diagnosis. (Getty Images/Chris Wright)

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His coaches sent him to a doctor, who told him to take the day off.

“The next morning I woke up, and I couldn’t walk. I couldn’t stand up. I couldn’t really use my limbs,” he recalled.

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Wright returned to the doctor, this time in a wheelchair.

“They sent me to a specialist, where I was quickly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.”

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MS is a chronic disease of the central nervous system that can affect movement, vision, speech and other functions.

After going through several other doctors, Wright found Dr. Crayton, a board-certified neurologist who practices at the Multiple Sclerosis Center of Greater Washington.

Chris Wright basketball

Chris Wright of Bertram Derthona Basket Tortona in action during the LBA Lega Basket Series A Playoffs Semi-Final Game 3 match between Bertram Derthona Basket Tortona and Virtus Segafredo Bologna PalaEnergica Paolo Ferraris on May 31, 2022, in Casale Monferrato, Italy. (Getty Images)

“What led me to her was her confidence and her ability to simplify what it meant to have MS and to make it manageable for me. [She] helped me understand that I could still go on with my career and my life in a way that I wanted to,” he said.

Crayton noted that the patient-doctor relationship is a “marathon, not a sprint.” 

She told Fox News Digital, “It’s really important to find a doctor they can trust, who they can communicate with, who they can partner with to make decisions.”

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“You need a team of people who support you, love you and accept you.” 

Less than a year after his diagnosis, Wright became the first person with MS to play in the NBA when he signed with the Dallas Mavericks.

“MS impacted my career tremendously, because there was nobody before me,” Wright told Fox News Digital. 

“You need a team of people who support you, love you and accept you.” 

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“I had NBA offers that were retracted because of the possibility of me having medical conditions and just being in uncharted territory — but I kept working and overcame it.”

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Wright, a husband and father of three, is no longer playing basketball these days, but he is feeling healthy and enjoying life, he said.

“Living with MS, it looks good, it feels good — I feel great,” he said. 

“I try to stay active. I try to stay healthy. I try to stay moving. And I’ve been able to keep myself healthy and continue to be a father and live my life the way I want to live.”

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‘Badge of honor’

For all those facing a new diagnosis, Wright encouraged seeking out resources from people who have “walked these halls” before. 

“There are people who understand what you’re going through, and it’s important to hear other stories and get a foundational knowledge of what your life will look like moving forward.”

Dr. Heidi Crayton

After going through several other doctors, Wright found Dr. Crayton, pictured here, a board-certified neurologist who practices at the Multiple Sclerosis Center of Greater Washington. (Dr. Heidi Crayton)

Wright is involved with Express4MS, a campaign that encourages people with MS to express themselves, share their stories and discuss treatment options with their doctors.

“It’s just something you can put in your toolbox to find information, inspiration and motivation to live every day in a positive way,” Wright said.

“Walk with pride, and know that you’re going to be OK.”

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“I would say to people: Stay with it, go through those tough times, figure out what works for you,” he said. 

“Figure out how you can be successful at whatever it is you do.”

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Wright urges MS patients to look at the disease not as a hindrance, but as a “badge of honor.”

He said, “Walk with pride, and know that you’re going to be OK.”

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Clayton advises her MS patients to “treat your body like a temple.”

Chris Wright

Chris Wright of Bertram Derthona Basket Tortona in action during the LBA Lega Basket Serie A Playoffs Semi-Final Game 3 match between Bertram Derthona Basket Tortona and Virtus Segafredo Bologna PalaEnergica Paolo Ferraris on May 31, 2022, in Casale Monferrato, Italy. (Getty Images)

“It will pay you back in spades if you can invest in your health — eat well, exercise, sleep,” she said. 

While people with MS will always have bad days, Wright is focused on maintaining a positive outlook.

“As long as you’re above ground, you have an opportunity to make the most of it,” he said. 

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“Every action has an equal and opposite reaction — so whatever you put out there is the energy that’s going to come back.”

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Early stroke symptoms, plus allergy prevention and foods that promote sleep

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Early stroke symptoms, plus allergy prevention and foods that promote sleep

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EVERY SECOND COUNTS – Jenna Gibson was just 39 when a stroke nearly killed her. Here, she shares her story to help raise awareness among young women. Continue reading…

‘PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN’ – ADHD now affects 1 in 9 kids in the U.S., a new report reveals. Mental health experts discuss reasons for the spike and how families can help. Continue reading…

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EAT WELL, SLEEP WELL – Want a better night’s sleep? Researchers suggest eating more of these types of foods. Continue reading…

Consuming more fruits and veggies helps to support the right amount of sleep, a new study has found. (iStock)

SOMETHING FISHY? – A certain supplement has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular events for some people. Researchers and doctors weigh in. Continue reading…

HELP FOR VETS – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is bringing mobile medical care to homeless vets. Patients share how the initiative is changing their lives for the better. Continue reading…

RISK REDUCTION – Feeding peanut butter to babies — starting during infancy and continuing until age 5 — has been shown effective in reducing allergies into adolescence. Continue reading…

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Boy peanuts

Feeding peanut butter to babies has shown to be effective in reducing allergies into adolescence, according to a new study. (iStock)

‘HUGE STIGMA’ – For World Schizophrenia Day, a mental health expert debunks some of the most common myths surrounding the disorder. Continue reading…

ILL-EQUIPPED – Half of American adults don’t think they can help in a medical crisis, a new poll reveals. Continue reading…

EYE OPENER – Several nurses share what they wish they’d known before entering the profession. Continue reading…

Nurses split

Left to right, Karie Ryan, Michele Acito, Katelynn Blackburn and Lisbeth Votruba shared insights into the nursing profession with Fox News Digital. Two other nurses shared thoughts as well.  (iStock/Karie Ryan/Michele Acito/Katelynn Blackburn/Lisbeth Votruba)

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Ask a doctor: ‘Why am I hearing my heartbeat in my ears?’

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Ask a doctor: ‘Why am I hearing my heartbeat in my ears?’

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You’ve likely felt your heart beating in your chest after strenuous activity — or have taken your pulse by placing your fingers on your wrist or neck.

A less common — and sometimes startling — sensation is to actually hear the “whooshing” sound of your heartbeat in your ears.

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Fox News Digital reached out to two doctors to learn more about what causes this and whether it’s a cause for concern.

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Hearing your heartbeat in your ears — also known by the Latin name “pulsatile tinnitus” — isn’t always a sign of a medical problem, but it could warrant a discussion with your physician, according to Frederick James Meine, M.D., an interventional cardiologist with Novant Health in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Hearing your heartbeat in your ears — also known by the Latin name “pulsatile tinnitus” — isn’t always a sign of a medical problem. Still, it could warrant a discussion with your physician. (iStock)

“Many people hear it at one time or another, especially when they are lying down on their side,” Meine told Fox News Digital.

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What causes the condition?

Hearing your heartbeat can be related to ear issues such as wax buildup, fluid in the ear or other hearing issues, Meine said.

The most common cause is Eustachian tube dysfunction. This is usually due to allergies, according to Jesus Lizarzaburu, M.D., a family physician with TPMG Grafton Family Medicine in Yorktown, Virginia. 

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“The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the back of your nose, and when it is blocked or doesn’t open and close properly, it can cause the sound of your heartbeat to be heard in your ears,” he told Fox News Digital.

Another culprit could be earwax buildup, which can also cause a seal in the ear canal that makes the heartbeat easier to hear, Lizarzaburu added.

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Elevated blood pressure is another cause, though less common.

Man ringing ears

Hearing your heartbeat can be related to ear issues such as wax buildup, fluid in the ear or other hearing issues, a doctor said. (iStock)

On rare occasions, medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), antibiotics, diuretics, chemotherapy medications, aspirin, certain antidepressants, quinine and antivirals can cause tinnitus, a ringing in the ears that is in rhythm with the heart rate, noted Lizarzaburu. 

“Extremely rare causes would be an aneurysm (a bulge in a blood vessel in the brain) or a vascular tumor, which is made up of a collection of blood vessels,” he added.

When to seek medical attention

A thorough physical exam, including a blood pressure check and an examination of the carotid arteries in the neck, is an important part of gauging overall cardiovascular health, Meine advised.

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“In addition, ruling out anemia or hyperthyroidism, both of which could cause increased blood flow and possibly contribute to pulsatile tinnitus, could be evaluated with simple lab tests,” he said.

If someone experiences the condition intermittently, it is likely less worrisome, the doctor noted. 

Woman heart doctor

A thorough physical exam, including a blood pressure check and an examination of the carotid arteries in the neck, is an important part of gauging overall cardiovascular health, a doctor advised. (iStock)

“However, if it is persistent or new-onset, we would perform a complete history and physical exam,” he said. 

From a cardiovascular perspective, if someone is experiencing pulsatile tinnitus or hearing their heartbeat in their own ears, Meine said it’s important to rule out any potential cardiovascular issues.

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The doctor would also make sure the patient does not have a blockage or narrowing of the neck arteries, which could contribute to louder heart sounds in the ears and head, he said.

“I do want to stress that most of us occasionally hear our heartbeats in our heads and ears, especially when our heart rate is increased during exercise,” Meine said.

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