Negative effects of Cocaine Abuse on Health
Friday, December 23rd, 2011Cocaine is definitely a addictive nervous system stimulant. Many people, especially in the Usa are abusing Cocaine and getting destroyed. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health in 2009, about 1.6 million Americans over the chronilogical age of 12 were found to be Cocaine users. Widespread Cocaine abuse in America may be due to ignorance of serious side effects of Cocaine abuse on health. Here are some common negative effects of Cocaine abuse:
Cocaine is a one of the illicit drugs that have powerful unwanted effects around the health of the abuser. Dreadful negative effects are observed in brain, heart and many other vital organs causing long-term and life threatening consequences among Cocaine abusers.
Side effects on brain
Cocaine gives pleasurable experiences such as euphoria, excitement, sociability, and increased energy. However, many side effects including anxiety, dizziness, nausea, psychosis, headache and confusion are observed with Cocaine use. These are the consequence of difference in responses of neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, yet others.
Dysphoric mood, fatigue, unpleasant dreams, insomnia or hypersomnia, hallucinations, and depression can also be found in Cocaine abusers. Loss of awareness and seizures are the most serious negative effects of Cocaine abuse.
Negative effects on throat
As cocaine is mostly inhaled, it affects the nasal passages and throat. Nasal irritation, recurrent nosebleeds, and sinusitis are observed because of decreased blood supply. Difficulty in swallowing, hoarseness, cough and constant sore throat are caused by inhalation of cocaine vapors.
Side effects on lungs
Most lung and breathing complications would be the direct effects of smoking Cocaine. Residues of Cocaine in lungs cause chronic bronchitis and chronic cough. The ability of lungs to process the gases is damaged by Cocaine. Continuous cough with black, non-bloody phlegm is observed leading to difficulty breathing and heart problems. Sometimes fluid can go into the lungs causing pulmonary edema which results in respiratory failure and death.
Negative effects on heart
Cocaine accounts for stimulation of sympathetic central nervous system totally on hormone called adrenaline. This creates a direct effect on heart. Increased heart rate and blood pressure level are caused by Cocaine abuse. Acute utilization of Cocaine narrows the arteries, which are referred to as vasospasm. It decreases blood flow to the heart causing chest pain, cardiac arrest and might result in death.
Another complications of Cocaine in cardiovascular system include abnormal heart rhythms, heart muscle disease called cardiomyopathy, and dissection of aortic walls termed aortic rupture. Chronic utilization of Cocaine accelerates hardening and subsequent narrowing of coronary arteries.
Negative effects on skin
In line with the mode of ingestion, the results of Cocaine on skin vary. When the drug is consumed by injections, open sores and skin ulcers are caused by rapid destruction of skin tissues. Skin ailment like cellulitis or abcesses might rise due to open sores in such persons. Smoking Cocaine could cause problems such as deep breath slowly and sharp chest pain. The air from the lungs gets trapped under the skin of neck causing severe pain when touched. This condition is referred to as subcutaneous emphysema.
Regardless of the mode of ingestion, Cocaine causes formication and dermatillomania. Long-term Cocaine use leads to a hallucination disorder called formication, where the abuser feels like bugs crawling underneath the skin. So, the individual scratches your skin that leads to lesions, bleeding and infection. Paranoia and obsessive behavior of cocaine abusers creates a pathological skin picking disorder called as dermatillomania. Skin and moles are picked up by the abused person creating open sores. The defense mechanisms of Cocaine abusing person is weakened and this may result in extended period for healing the sores.