Expert Advice on Health and Fitness - Brief Article

Ebony, March, 2001

`What can you tell me about the drug Ecstasy and its dangers?'

DANGERS OF THE DRUG ECSTASY

Q I have two sons, both of whom are away from home while they attend college--one in Washington, D.C., and the other in Atlanta. They are responsible, sensible young men, but I worry about them because I hear so much about the popularity of the drug Ecstasy and the dangers associated with it. What can you tell me about this drug and the effects it can have on one's body? D.M., Chicago

A Ecstasy (MDMA), one of several so-called party or club drugs, is among the most popular drugs being used by teenagers and young adults, and its abuse is being reported frequently in metropolitan areas like Chicago, Atlanta, Seattle and Miami, authorities say. Also called "Adam" and "XTC" on the street, Ecstasy is a synthetic, mind-altering drug with amphetamine-like and hallucinogenic properties.

Doctors say many of the risks users face with the drug are similar to those associated with amphetamines and cocaine--including depression, sleep problems, paranoia, muscle tension, nausea, blurred vision, and increases in heart rate and blood pressure, an especially dangerous risk for users with circulatory or heart disease.

Additionally, research links Ecstasy to longterm damage to those parts of the brain that are critical to thought and memory. The drug also could be an underlying cause of problems associated with Parkinson's disease and, doctors say, could eventually lead to a form of paralysis.

IMMUNIZATIONS FOR CHILDREN

Q My husband and I are the proud new parents of a 1-month-old boy, and since we want to do everything right to make sure that he remains healthy, when should we start to think about getting certain immunizations that will protect him from childhood illnesses? A. D., Miami

A You are right to begin thinking about having your baby vaccinated to prevent potentially deadly illnesses, but a discussion with your pediatrician is the best way to determine the immunization schedule for your child.

About 90 percent of all children in the United States are vaccinated, and all 50 states require certain vaccinations before children can be allowed to enter day-care centers.

Your doctor can determine what's best for your child, but it is common for infants to be vaccinated against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. Type B influenza and polio immunizations usually are administered at 2 months and then at 4 months of age. At 6 months old, it's recommended that babies be vaccinated again, for everything but polio, doctors say. By the time the baby is 12 to 15 months old, it's suggested that the child be vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella, and--if your pediatrician recommends it--vaccinate against chicken pox as well.

MIGRAINE OR COMMON HEADACHE?

Q I'm a 42-year-old woman who is in pretty good physical shape and have no real health problems. But on occasion, I do have some pounding headaches that won't go away until I take some aspirin or other pain-relieving medication. The pain is intense, so I'm wondering if I'm having migraines or just a common headache. What's the difference? J.M., Birmingham

A A huge percentage of all headaches--particularly those that we consider common headaches--are tension- and stress-related, and the discomfort is not as severe as that associated with migraines.

Unlike a common headache, migraine is a type of recurring, throbbing headache that usually, but not always, involves only one side of the head. During a migraine attack, the headache may last several hours and is often accompanied by nausea or vomiting, sensitivity to light and intolerance to loud noises.

If you have headaches on a regular basis, see your doctor to make sure that the pain is not a symptom of a more serious condition.