Effects of Drug Misuse on Human Anatomy and Physiology - Essay Example

Effects of Drug Misuse on the Human Anatomy and Physiology Introduction The human body is made up of another ofbody systems all of which work in coordination to keep an individual alive. Any alteration of any part of the body system in terms of how it functions could lead to disastrous consequences and even death. It is therefore paramount the body is treated well and all body systems kept in good working condition just as any other system in order to function normally. Substance abuse is one of the many factors or issues that would alter the normal functioning of the body. Many of the abused drugs have specific effects on the human body and thus may alter body systems and cause unwanted behaviours in individuals, some of which not only affect the individual but the entire society as the individual interacts with others. It is therefore important that drug and substance abuse is checked or stopped in order that individuals can leave a normal and healthy life. Drug Misuse Kolander and Wilson define drug misuse as the harmful consumption of drugs that is not chronic as is the case for drug abuse but rather an isolated episode (10). Good examples of drug misuse include taking more than the recommended dosage of an over the counter drug, drinking alcohol to excess only on a given occasion and mistakenly taking the wrong medication. Whereas drug abuse can lead to drug addiction, drug misuse may not lead to drug addiction but in cases of continuous period intake of such drugs the affinity for the drug or substance may grow eventually leading to drug addiction. Drug addiction is the uncontrolled compulsion to use a drug despite the physical, emotional, or social problems that are eminent in the use of such a drug (Edilfield and Moosa 10). Drug misuse can lead to physical dependence on the drug if there has been a periodic but constant consumption of the drug or substance in question. Physical dependence is tolerance to a drug and the avoidance of the withdrawal symptoms that occur when the consumption is ended and intoxication wanes. Tolerance occurs when the dug fails to cause the usual effect or the need for a higher dose to bring about the desired effect. Drug misuse can also cause psychological dependence which occurs when the drug’s properties reinforce certain behaviours and emotions of the user. Not all the misused drugs can cause dependence or addiction for that matter (SIoboda and Bukoski 45). Some may cause physical but not psychological dependence depending on the drug properties. The problem with drug misuse is the immediate fatal consequences that come with them. This is true especially in cases where an individual takes a drug without the right prescription. The individual may take the dosage in excess and this may even cause death (Kolander and Richard 50). Various categories of drugs and their effects on the body There are many drugs that are abused or misused. The drugs and substances fall in three categories: (a) Depressants which include drugs like heroine and barbiturates; (b) stimulants which include drugs such as Cocaine, crack and amphetamines; and (c) hallucinogens for example marijuana. These drugs are ingested, inhaled, smoked, injected or snorted. Some of the common misused substances include alcohol, over the counter drugs among others (Kolander and Richard 40). Depressants are sedatives that have an effect on the body’s nervous system. Depressants affect the brain such that they slow down the normal brain functioning. They work on the brain such that they affect the neurotransmitter gamma-amniobutyric acid (Kolander and Richard 22). The neuro-transmitters are chemicals that are found in the brain and which facilitate the communication between brain cells. GABA functions by producing a drowsy effect. These drugs are misused because of the fact that they slow down the brain activity and treat anxiety and sleep disorders. When people take them they are able to sleep or calm down. This has led to their widespread use and some of them are now being given over the counter. When people take them continuously they affect the Central nervous system as it becomes weak and unable to respond to normal stimuli (Sussma and Ames 56-59). Stimulants on the other hand also affect the nervous system because they increase alertness; increase an individual’s attention and sometimes given people energy to work on carry on with certain tasks in cases of fatigue (Ruiz and Strain 342). When stimulants are misused they affect many body systems including the digestive system, the central nervous system and even the respiratory system leading to illnesses such blood pressure, increased heart rate and respiratory problems. Stimulants work on the nervous system by replicating key brain neurotransmitters such as monoamines (Sussma and Ames 27). They then increase the chemical levels of these compounds in the human body and the brain. In so doing the body reacts by increasing blood pressure and heart rate and also constricts the blood vessels that supply blood to the rest of the body. The levels of blood glucose also increase and this leads to the opening up of pathways of the respiratory system (Ruiz and Strain 343). Stimulants have a huge effect on the body if misused or abused. If the stimulants are taken in high doses an individual may develop irregular heartbeats, the individual may also have dangerously high body temperatures. Other fatal consequences includes risk of cardiovascular failure that could lead to immediate death of an individual (SIoboda and Bukoski 70-72). Hallucinogens are very powerful drugs that can cause altered states of perception and feeling and have the ability to produce flashbacks. They can change how the brain perceives time, reality and the surrounding environment (Ruiz and Strain 345). They are known to affect specific regions and structures in the brain which are responsible for coordination, thought processes hearing and sight. The drugs can also cause people who use them to hear voices, see images and feel sensations that are not real in the immediate environment. A drug like LSD (Lysergic Diethylamide) works by binding to and activating a specific receptor for the neurotransmitter, serotonin. In normal circumstances, serotonin binds to and activates its receptors and then is taken back up into the neuron that released it (SIoboda and Bukoski 106). In contrast, LSD binds very tight to the serotonin receptor causing a greater than normal activation of the receptor. Because serotonin has a role to play in many of the brain’s functions, activation of the receptors by the LSD produces widespread effects, including rapid emotional swings and the altered perceptions. If taken in large amounts it could cause delusions and visual hallucinations. Hallucinogens can cause chronic mental disorders in people who use them frequently (Sussma and Ames 102). Alcohol is a substance that many people abuse and misuse for that matter. Since the substance often causes a loss of inhibition- as it makes a person more spontaneous and less shy, it is assumed to be a stimulant but it is not. Alcohol is categorized as a depressant. Is slows down the heart rate as well as the central nervous system functioning. It usually impairs coordination and memory and dulls the senses. Too much alcohol is also known to affect speech and balance (SIoboda and Bukoski 34). Alcohol misuse occurs when people drink more alcohol than they planned. Binge which is drinking alcohol in a short period is also very dangerous and another form of alcohol misuse. It can cause alcohol poisoning, coma and even death. Alcohol affects the central nervous system by interfering with balance and perception. It can also affect digestive system as alcohol consumption can cause liver disease. It also affects the reproductive system as it may cause infertility and erectile dysfunction in men (Faivo 208). How the Knowledge is important Care givers need to understand how the human body is structured so that they know what drugs affect which part of the body or which body process. For example by understanding the human central nervous system a care giver will know when individual is not behaving normally. This may be because of mental problems as a result of drug misuse. Understanding this enables care givers predict the outcome of the use of a given drug by an individual (Saladin 45). Secondly care givers will be in a better position to give quality care knowing what they are dealing with in the first case. They are able to know specifically what part of the body system is affected and the outcome of this effect on the behaviour of the individual. For example if an individual has been using alcohol for a long time it means that several body systems may be affected such as the digestive system and the central nervous system. The caregiver will assist the individual knowing which systems are affected and how to go about while giving care to them (Martini, Bartholomew and Ober 253). Thirdly by understanding human anatomy and physiology, care givers are able to provide the best possible care to a given patient because they understand the condition of this person. If the drug for example has affected the mind, the care giver will look for solutions that are aimed at solving the problem that occurs in the mind. If the respiratory system is affected by a certain drug and therefore shows signs of complications that require specialised care, the caregiver will know and be able to come up with appropriate solution for the individual (K. S. Saladin 47). Fourth is that this knowledge is important because it enables care givers to know the treatment modalities for a given disease or issue affecting a given system. For example if drug misuse has affected the cardiovascular system and the individual is prone to heart diseases such as stroke, the caregiver will know what to do when the individual being taken care off develops cardiovascular complications. The care giver can also monitor the symptoms and signs that symbolize a change in the normal heart bit which could indicate danger. This can be used to offer treatment and other intervention measure before the situation worsens (Clark 286). Fifth care givers such as midwives need to understand the reproductive system and how it works so that they are able to effectively discharge their duties. Through this understanding they are able to know what disease affect the reproductive system, what substances when consumed affect the reproductive system and expectant mothers and what ways an expectant woman needs to behave in order to avoid injuring the unborn baby. This knowledge will help him or her offer quality care and good advice to help her through the entire pregnancy period (Coad, Dunstall and McCandish 35). Sixth nurses have to understand the human body and how it works so as to be able to carry out diagnostic tests on a patient. Nurses carry out so many tests on patients they take care of, they need to understand what body parts and body systems because the diagnostic tests are supposed to be specific in order that they may know what exactly the problem is so that the proper intervention is given to sort out a problem (K. S. Saladin 70). If by observing signs a nurse realises that a person is seriously coughing, the first body system to examine is the respiratory system and not any other system. Conclusion Drug misuse is not a recent phenomenon and has affected many people. The effect has been seen on the various body systems of individuals as they are often hospitalised and some even die as a result of these complications. The care givers have to understand how the human body works in order that they may be able to predict behaviours, reduce associated risks and provide the right care to individuals suffering as a result of failure of a body system. Works Cited Clark, Robert K. Anatomy and Physiology of the Human Body. London, UK: Jones and Bartlett Learning, 2005. Print. Coad, Jane, Melvyn Dunstall and Rona McCandish. Anatomy and Physiology for midwives. London: Elsevier Health Sciences, 2005. Print. Edilfield, Bruce and Tracey J. Moosa. Drug Abuse. London: Rosen Group Publishing, 2011 . Print. Faivo, Donna R. Medical and Pyschosocial aspects of Chronic Illness and Disability. London, UK: Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2005. Print. Kolander, Chery and Wilson Richard. Drug abuse and Prevention. London: Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2011. Print. Martini, Frederic, Edwin F. Bartholomew and William C. Ober. Essentials of anatomy and Physiology. London: Pearson/ benjamin Cummings, 2007. Print. Ruiz, Pedro and Eric c. Strain. Lowinsons and Ruiz substance Abuse: A comprehensive Textbook. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwers Health, 2010. Print. Saladin, Kenneth. Human Anatomy. London: Rex Bookstore Inc, 2007. Print. Saladin, Kenneth S. Anatomy & physiology: The UNity of form and function. Carlfornia: McGraw Hill, 2010. Print. SIoboda, Zili and William J. Bukoski. Handbook of drug Abuse Prevention: Theory, Science and Practice. New York: Springer, 2003. Print. Sussma, STeven Yale and Susan L. Ames. Drug Abuse: Concepts, Prevention and cessation. Cambridge: Cambridge University press, 2008. Print. Read More