Healthy Living is a monthly special supplement published by Anton Media Group by Anton Community Newspapers

AN ANTON MEDIA GROUP SPECIAL

NOVEMBER 10 – 16, 2021

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2A NOVEMBER 10 - 16, 2021 • HEALTHY LIVING

I T ’ S A N H O N O R TO S E RV E

THOSE WHO SERVED Each year on Veterans Day, our communities pay special tribute to those who served in the armed forces. Their fierce camaraderie is contagious and their experiences inspiring. The Bristal salutes the many men and women among our ranks who dedicated themselves to the cause of freedom. Our thanks should be felt and heard, especially at this time of year.

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HEALTHY LIVING • NOVEMBER 10 - 16, 2021

Squid Game And Gambling Addiction BY ANTON MEDIA GROUP

specialsections@antonmediagroup.com

quid Game is now Netflix’s most popular show ever by a large margin. It’s an entertaining watch with some thought-provoking concepts spanning an array of topics, one of which is gambling addiction. The premise of the show is that hundreds of debt-stricken people find themselves with an opportunity to be free from those financial shackles once and for all. The catch? They have to play a series of children’s games and if they don’t follow instructions they are promptly executed. For each person’s life, more money enters the jackpot. After the first game, people are obviously appalled and scared of what’s to come. But one man remembers the rules they signed before coming that had a way out. This got the players back to the safety of their old lives. But, this also meant coming back to lives that were just as bleak if not bleaker than what they had just escaped because now they had an even smaller chance of ever being debt-free, dealing with all of the hardships that come with that and having little to no money at any given moment. More than 90 percent of the players found themselves choosing to go back to the games knowing full well

what they were signing up for this time. All of them ready to compete for a chance to win the jackpot, at the cost of everyone around them. The show’s protagonist, Seong Gi-hun, is like the other people that received the mysterious invitation; he is up to his neck in debt owing almost $3.5 million. But unlike the others, he finds himself in this predicament due to his gambling addiction that you can see firsthand running rampant in the pilot episode. He goes as far as stealing his mother’s credit card to go off-track betting. And what does he do next? He has a public outburst while placing his bets after another bettor asked him to hurry up. He didn’t stop there, though. Gi-hun then goes to seek more money from his ex-lover who is now happily with another man. A man whom Gi-hun’s daughter is far happier to see than her father. It all feels like a preview into what could have perhaps been his own life if he had taken a different path at some point along the way.

A wide variety of crimes are committed as a result of gambling addiction; not just ‘white collar’ crimes such as theft and fraud, but also crimes that occur in public spaces such as street robbery. There is significant evidence of domestic abuse and child neglect linked to problem and pathological gambling. A study of Gamblers Anonymous members found that 57 percent had stolen to finance their gambling with a combined financial impact of theft equaling $30 million. Compulsive gamblers are arrested seven times more than non-gamblers.

Stealing, Child Neglect and Other Crime

Broken relationships

“He goes as far as stealing his mother’s credit card...” 80 to 90 percent of individuals who attend Gamblers Anonymous report engaging in illegal acts to get money for gambling.

“All of them ready to compete for a chance at the jackpot, at the cost of everyone around them” The National Gambling Impact Study estimated the lifetime divorce rates for problem and pathological

Irritability “He has a public outburst while placing his bets after another bettor asked him to hurry up.“ There is a strong connection between mood disorders and gambling addiction. It is complex and the two can feed off one another, causing each to become more problematic. Irritability is common during the withdrawal period.

gamblers were 39.5 percent and 53.5 percent respectively; the same rate for non-gamblers was 18.2 percent. If a gambling addict with children finds themself in a divorce, the impacts of their addiction can make custody options dwindle.

Massive debt “3.5 million” As many as 23 million Americans go into debt because of gambling and the average loss is estimated to be around $47,000. However, not everyone goes into debt. The issue behind chronic gambling is not a financial one, it’s due to a change in the brain. It’s an illness and a disorder.

Willing to risk it all on the small chance you can make up for the bad bets of yesterdays “Over 90 percent of the players found themselves choosing to go back knowing full well what they were signing up for...” When you’ve just lost this month’s mortgage payment, it may feel like the only way to get it back in time is to do the same thing that landed you here: gamble. So you take out a loan. Rinse and repeat and next thing you know you’re in the hole six figures deep, thinking it may not be so bad if it were feet underground instead. That’s a potential two million people in this world today.

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4A NOVEMBER 10 - 16, 2021 • HEALTHY LIVING

Medication Side Effects And Your Liver

he effects of medications on the liver are a constant concern for both patients and health care providers. No one wants to take or prescribe something that could potentially do harm. Almost all medications have a warning associated with them that tell the patient to inform the doctor if they have any liver disease. A careful read of most medication package inserts will list liver test abnormalities as a possible side effect. What then is a practical approach to medications and the liver? First and foremost, the vast majority of medications do not cause liver issues and are safe. Second, all medications, over the counter products and herbal products should only be taken when absolutely needed. Third, it is important for prescribing doctors to be aware of all medications and over-the-counter products patients are taking to ensure appropriate consideration is given to potential drug-drug interactions. Fourth, patients must be aware of drug interactions when they take multiple over-the-counter and herbal medications without a provider’s supervision. Which common drugs come to mind when providers and patients become

tests. Although this important class of drugs may cause liver test abnormalities, the frequency is low and overall, rather uncommon. Even in patients THE with liver disease, statins may be used SPECIALIST safely if patients are appropriately monitored. David Bernstein, MD Over-the-counter products are a common cause of short-term liver test abnormalities and liver injury and can also cause liver failure and the need for emergent liver transplantation. Acetaminophen is the best known concerned about liver toxicity? These agent to cause severe liver failure. concerns can usually be divided into Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs three main classes or medications: such as indomethicin or naproxen can prescription drugs, over the counter cause abnormal liver tests and even medications and herbal and natural jaundice if too many pills are taken or products. Many prescription medications can if pills are taken with alcohol. These medications should only be taken for a cause mild liver test abnormalities. few days for symptomatic. If symptoms Some of these toxicities are dose dependent and many are idiosyncratic or are not relieved, appropriate medical unpredictable. Antibiotics, cholesterol care should be obtained. People taking lowering agents and heart drugs are ex- these over-the–counter medications amples of common medicines that can must be diligent in reading labels cause liver test abnormalities. Usually, before taking them. These agents are commonly included in many abnormal liver tests are found during the initial six months of therapy with a cold remedies, in many fever and flu new drug. There is a lot of concern over preparations and in numerous other combination cocktails treating a variety whether statins cause abnormal liver

of illnesses. To avoid overdose and duplication of treatment and prevent toxicity, be aware of what you may be taking. The last major class of ingested agents is herbal products or vitamins, minerals, etc. While the vast majority of these are safe, many can still cause liver test abnormalities and even significant liver injury in those with and without known liver disease. Technically, these products are classified as foods, not medications, so they are not subjected to the same standard of safety testing required of prescription medications. The same rules of thumb should apply for these products. Take them only as needed, avoid taking multiple products as these products may interfere or enhance absorption of prescribed medications and make sure to read the labels carefully so as not to take any known liver toxic agents. David Bernstein, MD, FAASLD,FACG, AGAF, FACP is the vice chair of medicine for clinical trails and chief of hepatology at Sandra Atlas Bass Center for Liver Diseases. He is a professor of medicine and education.

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6A NOVEMBER 10 - 16, 2021 • HEALTHY LIVING

Kratom: Trending Drug Of Concern BY ANTON MEDIA STAFF

and talkativeness. At high doses, users experience sedative effects. Kratom consumption can lead to addiction. Several cases of psychosis resulting from use of kratom have been reported, where individuals addicted to kratom exhibited psychotic symptoms, including hallucinations, delusion and confusion.

specialsections@antonmediagroup.com

illions of Americans rely on kratom, a tropical tree that is native to Southeast Asia, for health and wellness. It is a highly supported herbal remedy by organizations like the American Kratom Association (www.americankratom. org) as widely as it is debated by institutions like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Supporters claim using kratom for relieving ailments such as relieving musculoskeletal pain, increasing energy and sexual desire, controlling appetite, healing wounds and treating coughs, diarrhea and intestinal infections. Kratom is available here on Long Island in many health food markets, convenience stores and smoke shops.

What does it do to the body? Mainstream popularity of kratom has cause for concern.

psychological and physiological dependence. Kratom leaves contain two major psychoactive ingredients (mitragynine and 7-hydroxymytragyThe following is sourced by the Drug nine). These leaves are crushed and then smoked, brewed with tea, or Enforcement Administration (DEA): placed into gel capsules. Kratom has Kratom is a tropical tree native a long history of use in Southeast to Southeast Asia. Consumption of Asia, where it is commonly known its leaves produces both stimulant as thang, kakuam, thom, ketum and effects (in low doses) and sedative biak. In the U.S., abuse of kratom has effects (in high doses) and can increased markedly in recent years. lead to psychotic symptoms and

How is it abused? Kratom is mostly abused by oral ingestion in the form of a tablet, capsule or extract. Kratom leaves may also be dried or powdered and ingested as a tea or the kratom leaf may be chewed.

What are the effects? At low doses, kratom produces stimulant effects with users reporting increased alertness, physical energy

Kratom’s effects on the body include nausea, itching, sweating, dry mouth, constipation, increased urination, tachycardia, vomiting, drowsiness and loss of appetite. Users of kratom have also experienced anorexia, weight loss, insomnia, hepatotoxicity, seizures and hallucinations.

What is its legal status? Kratom is not controlled under the Controlled Substances Act. The FDA has not approved kratom for any medical use. The DEA has listed kratom as a drug of concern.

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HEALTHY LIVING • NOVEMBER 10 - 16, 2021

Fidel Valea Named To Northwell Leadership Role

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Life’s WORC Marks Anniversary With New Video

ife’s WORC (www.lifesworc. org), a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism through its residential, community and trust services, is celebrating its 50th anniversary. There is no better way to commemorate the milestone than with a video. Life’s WORC CEO Janet Koch speaks about the organization’s roots and how much it has grown and developed over the past five decades. Featured in the video are its founder Victoria Schneps Yunis, residents in its group homes and their direct support professionals, Life’s WORC Board Chair Lynne

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Koufakis and other key members of the organization. It is a celebration of an organization which has made incredible strides and contributions on behalf of thousands of individuals with disabilities and their families. The new Celebrate 50! Anniversary video can be viewed on Life’s WORC’s website at: https://lifesworc. org/celebrate50/. The organization encourages you to view it, share it and post it on your social media pages. It can also be posted by media outlets and other organizations serving children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities including autism.

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ith more than 30 years of clinical research and academic leadership at several major medical institutions, Fidel A. Valea, MD, Northwell announced that he has been appointed system chief of gynecologic oncology at Northwell Health and director of gynecologic oncology at the Northwell Health Cancer Institute. Valea joins Northwell from the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine in Roanoke, VA, where he was chair of obstetrics and gynecology for five years. Prior to that, Valea held several leadership roles during his 12-year tenure at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, NC, including vice chair of education, residency program director in obstetrics and gynecology, fellowship director in gynecologic oncology as well as a tenured professor. He also held top positions in his field as a physician-researcher and educator at Stony Brook School of Medicine. In his role as system chief of gynecologic oncology at Northwell, Valea will direct the gynecologic oncology

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programs across the health system ensuring the quality of gynecologic Fidel A. Valea, MD oncology clinical services. Key areas of responsibility include: advancing a patient-centered approach to care, overseeing performance improvement and quality assurance studies, enhancing operational efficiencies and excellent care; spearheading educational/academic offerings for the fellowship program and other clinical staff; and expand gynecologic oncology research efforts. As director of gynecologic oncology at the Northwell Health Cancer Institute, Valea will direct the development of the gynecologic oncology program throughout the health system’s central region, working collaboratively with Northwell’s Division of Gynecology Oncology. —Northwell Health

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