Nicotine is a powerful drug that is a physical addiction on par with cocaine. As with any chemical dependency, there can be both physical and psychological addictions that develop, serving to promote addiction. The most common forms of nicotine addiction are smoking and using chewing tobacco. When consumed, the user feels the effects of these products within 10 seconds as the nicotine enters into the blood stream and reaches the brain. However, as soon as a user ceases nicotine use, the effects can wear off quickly. The body expels over half of the nicotine in it in a little as 60 minutes. This leaves individuals addicted to nicotine craving another cigarette as withdrawal symptoms like irritability, agitation, anxiety, headache and hunger set in. Chemicals in the brain, which are "neurotransmitters," are responsible for regulating how the mind thinks and feel. Once nicotine is present in the body, it alters the natural state of chemical balance (known as homeostasis) in the brain and the body requires a constant intake of nicotine in order to feel normal. Nicotine creates a physical addiction by primarily affecting the levels of three neurotransmitters: acetylcholine, dopamine and glutamate. Nicotine increases levels of acetylcholine that make nicotine users more alert and temporarily heightens concentration ability. When natural acetylcholine levels decrease, users need to smoke, chew or otherwise introduce nicotine to the system in order to rebalance the levels of acetylcholine in the brain. Additionally, nicotine has an extremely short half-life, requiring repeated intake in order to stave off withdrawal. Smoking increases the level of dopamine in the body, which stimulates reward centers in the brain. This process reinforces the smoking behavior, so that each cigarette makes smokers desire yet another. In addition, habitual intake can trigger addiction, as the reward centers of the brain come to associate the act of smoking or chewing with pleasure and reduced tension. Glutamate is responsible for creating and storing memories in the brain. Each time a nicotine dependent individual smokes or chews, the sense of alertness (from the acetylcholine) and the feeling of pleasure (from the dopamine) reinforce the desire for continued nicotine consumption. The two primary signs of nicotine addiction are the habitual use of nicotine products and experiencing withdrawal when use ends. Other signs of nicotine addiction include possession of cigarettes or copious amounts of lighters, ashtrays, cups for spitting chewing tobacco residue into or pipes and tobacco pouches. Nicotine addicted individuals also tend to display stained teeth, gums and fingers, as well as signs of premature wrinkling due to the drying out of the skin and lack of oxygen the skin receives.

Self Help

Self help groups can complement and extend the effects of professional treatment. The most prominent self help groups are Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous. These help groups operate on the 12-step model. Most drug addiction treatment programs encourage patients to participate in self help group therapy during and after formal treatment. These groups can be particularly helpful during recovery, offering an added layer of community and social support to help people achieve and maintain abstinence and other healthy lifestyle behaviors over the course of a lifetime.

Follicle

A hair follicle is part of the skin that grows hair by packing old cells together. Attached to the follicle is a sebaceous gland, a tiny sebum-producing gland found everywhere except on the palms, lips and soles of the feet. The more sebaceous glands present, the thicker the density of the hair. Also attached to the follicle is a tiny bundle of muscle fiber called the arrector pili that is responsible for causing the follicle lissis to become more perpendicular to the surface of the skin, and causing the follicle to protrude slightly above the surrounding skin (piloerection). This process results in goose bumps (or goose flesh). Stem cells are located at the junction of the arrector and the follicle, and are principally responsible for the ongoing hair production during a process known as the Anagen stage. The average growth rate of healthy hair follicles on the scalp is .04 centimeters per day.

Executive Physical

Executive Physical offers busy executives an efficient, cost-effective way to manage their health and reduce medical absences. Thousands of executives from companies throughout the world participate in the Executive Health Programs. For corporate executives who understand the benefits of watching their health, many of the nation's top medical institutions offer "executive health care programs" tailored to their time-pressed needs. The comprehensive physical exams and lengthy physician consultations are conducted with an efficiency and attentiveness worthy of their high-powered clientele. IPA includes a comprehensive medical history review and physical exam by an internal medicine specialist and referrals to sub-specialists, as necessary. It includes a full range of preventive screening tests, a cardiovascular (heart) fitness evaluation. Tailoring the evaluation to the personal health needs and is strictly confidential. You may need to stay for more days if the initial health review identifies issues requiring follow-up. The program blends IPA well-known diagnostic expertise with the latest in preventive medicine. Many a previously undiscovered condition following an executive health exam has been successfully treated. IPA executive health doctors have extensive experience in evaluating health risk factors in healthy people and in people experiencing symptoms of illness or injury. They have access to all of the resources of the Mayo Clinic and can coordinate the care, if you have multiple health concerns.