Currently viewing the category: "premature death"

Juvenile Delinquency Linked to Early Death in Men

By On · Add Comment · In antisocial behavior, cortisol, disability, drug use, emotions, juvenile delinquent, premature death, stress response

A history of juvenile delinquency in men raises the risk of dying or becoming disabled by age 48. So says a study out of the U.K. that followed 411 South London boys from the ages of 8 to 9 years old since 1961. Uh oh…should I worry?

According to the study published in the December issue of the Journal of Public Health, among subjects who at age 10 displayed antisocial behavior (such as skipping school or being troublesome or dishonest) and who were also convicted of a crime by the age of 18, one in six (16.3 percent) had died or become disabled by the time they turned 48. Now this may seem obvious at first thought, as it did for me, because juvenile delinquents likely have increased drug use and are at risk for violent encounters; however, premature death and disability resulted from other factors as well, like heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease and cancer. Whoa.

Researchers were unsure of the reasons why premature death and disability occurred in former delinquents, but offered one explanation,

“…it seems that impulsivity–or lack of self-control–in childhood and adolescence [is] a common underlying theme. It may be that the stresses and strains of an antisocial lifestyle and having to deal with all the crises that could have been avoided with more self-control take their toll.”

Interesting. I think the scientists are onto something here. Many juvenile delinquents do act impulsively, and if drugs and alcohol are involved inhibition flies right out the window. As a former juvenile delinquent myself, I can tell you learning how to deal with various emotions is seriously delayed. For some, it may never be learned. Learning how to put the world around us into perspective is a skill that we generally learn as young people; perhaps not perfectly, requiring further refinement in adulthood, but the basics are learned by most. The juvenile delinquent that lashes out impulsively at every uncomfortable experience likely goes through a heightened stress response. And we all know how damaging long-term and high cortisol concentrations can be on the internal environment, physiologically.

I don’t know if there is an answer. I don’t even know if there needs to be one. I guess I would say that if you have a loved one expressing juvenile delinquency, trying to help them balance their emotions will be paramount. I know in my case I listened to no one–that’s part of the delinquency–everyone was stupid (except Ozzy Osbourne). But at least when the child grows up–it happens eventually to all of us (except Ozzy Osbourne)–you can help by teaching him balance, and teaching him that emotions moments eventually pass. Maybe in this way (and turning him on to other healthy lifestyle behaviors) you can help decrease the stress response that is likely knocking bad boys off at a young age.

Expressed Marital Discord is Bliss

By On · Add Comment · In anger, cortisol, couples, feelings, fight, health, heart disease, high blood pressure, mortality rates, premature death, resentment, spouse, stress, suppressed anger

Sleeping on the couch tonight? Not speaking to Mr. Right? Don’t worry: that fight you and your spouse got into last night is actually good for your health. That is, if you don’t hold it in, but instead let your feelings be known. So says a new study tracked 192 couples over a 17 year period.

Researchers at the University of Michigan looked at how suppressed anger and feelings of resentment in a marriage affect overall mortality rates. They found that couples that suppress their anger–that is, neither spouse stood up for themselves during a spat–had twice the mortality rate than couples with at least one partner who let loose. Previous studies have shown that suppressing anger increases stress-related illnesses like heart disease and high blood pressure. Ernest Harburg, lead author of the current study said, “The key matter is, when the conflict happens, how do you resolve it? If you bury your anger, and you brood on it and you resent the other person or the attacker, and you don’t try to resolve the problem, then you’re in trouble.”

Amen Brother! That’s why my wife and I deliberately beat the crap out of each other (verbally, Romans, verbally) every month. Good for the health I tell ya. I’ve always said: Hold on to that anger and you’re just asking for a heart attack, or cancer, or something like that. Pent-up anger and resentment forces one to brood, causing chemical cascades like the over-production of cortisol and other chemicals, which can stress the organs and blood vessels. Over time this can lead to heart or vascular disease, and ultimately, premature death.

There’s this notion in our current society that anger is “bad”. But in truth anger is experienced by every person on the planet at some time or another. When one tries to put forth the illusion that one never gets mad–you know, the classic anger suppressor–then that person is inviting disaster. This doesn’t mean that you have to lose your cool at the drop of a hat–diplomacy and civility still have their place in our world–however, if you gotta get it out, then express yourself; you’ll certainly feel better, and you might just live longer as a result.

A Mournful Tragedy

By On · Add Comment · In Ambien, anaphylaxis, dead, drug, Heath Ledger, overdose, pneumonia, premature death, prescription, respiratory, sedative, side effects, sleeping, sleepng pills

Academy-award nominated actor Heath Ledger was found dead in his Manhattan apartment this afternoon, the apparent victim of a drug overdose. Although the exact cause of death is as of yet unknown, prescription sleeping pills were found strewn around his bed, recent reports disclose. Ledger apparently had some trouble sleeping recently and told the New York Times in November that he was taking Ambien. He also was reported to be suffering from pneumonia.

This a very sad and tragic story and my heart goes out to Heath Ledger’s family. Although there is no way, yet, to know what happened exactly, I wouldn’t be surprised if the combination of pneumonia (hacking, phlegmy congestion) and sleeping pills did him in. Ambien, in particular, can close off the airway and cause breathing difficulties. Add to that a sedative effect, and it may be a recipe for disaster. Ambien can also cause anaphylaxis–an acute and severe allergic reaction that can lead to death within minutes.

Let me say it loud and clear: Ambien is bad stuff! Don’t take it. I’ve reported the dangers of this drug extensively on the Dr. Nick Show (Episode 3–Lifestyle Drugs). It has side effects (read them here–this stuff is no joke). According to the Mayo clinic, you don’t want to take Ambien if you are suffering from respiratory conditions. Duh! YOU HAVE GOT TO READ THE LABELS! Period. Just because a drug is doctor prescribed doesn’t mean diddly. It’s everyone’s responsibility to know exactly what they are taking and what the dangers are at all times.

Google Ambien and pick an information site. Pick one–any one. The side effects are there. Don’t think it can’t happen to you. Heath Ledger was only 28 years old. He was young and vibrant and healthy. It could happen to anyone. Please, read the instructions, and if you’re not sure–don’t take it!

Rest in Peace Good Soul.

Heath Ledger 1979-2008.

It’s Never Too Late

By On · Add Comment · In exercising, health, healthy habits, heart disease, lifestyle habits, premature death

It’s never too late to start thinking about your health. So says a group of researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina. Adopting healthy lifestyle habits, even in middle age, can decrease one’s risk of developing heart disease and premature death.

A study has shown that by practicing healthy habits – eating five or more fruits and vegetables every day, exercising for at least 2 1/2 hours a week, keeping weight down and not smoking – the risk of developing heart disease decreased by 35% and premature death by 40%. Researchers began tracking 16,ooo Americans between the ages of 45 and 64 in the late 1980s, and they found that people who did not practice healthy habits in the beginning of the study, but picked them up four years later, caught up to the people who were practicing healthy habits from the start.

No surprise here but according to the article “men, blacks, people with less education and lower incomes, and people with high blood pressure or diabetes were less likely to follow the health guidelines from the beginning or adopt them later in life.” I find the same thing in my practice. I just don’t understand why men wait so long to take care of themselves. Oh well, you can only lead them to water.

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