Cocaine abuse can have a negative impact on a person's health. This is because cocaine causes ECG changes and elevated cardiac intracellular calcium levels. It also has long-term effects on the brain and body. Some of the side effects of cocaine use are seizures, respiratory disorders, and thrombolytics.

Long-term effects

Long-term cocaine abuse has a number of negative effects on the brain. It can have an adverse effect on the cardiovascular system, kidneys, and liver. In addition, long-term use can result in depression, anxiety, and psychosis.

The effects of long-term cocaine abuse can be extremely debilitating. Despite the dangers, many people take the drug for the sake of pain relief or a "high." Unfortunately, the effects of prolonged exposure are not always pleasant.

Some of the more recognizable signs of addiction include unusual behavior, unusual agitation, tremors, and panic attacks. People with a history of cocaine abuse may also be susceptible to infections.

Seizures

Cocaine abuse can lead to seizures and even death. These effects can occur in anyone, but can be especially harmful for those with epilepsy.

One of the most common forms of cocaine-induced seizures is a clonic seizure. This type of seizure consists of violent uninhibited jumping or bouncing.

Another way that cocaine can trigger seizures is through its effect on neurotransmitters. A drug called GABA plays a key role in this process.

Other drugs may also be responsible for this effect. Stimulants, for example, can increase alertness and energy.

Pneumothorax

A pneumothorax after cocaine abuse is rare. The most common complaint of users is chest pain. It may be associated with a variety of other respiratory conditions. Depending on the etiology, management of the disease often involves oxygen administration and close monitoring in an intensive care unit. However, some cases do not require surgical intervention.

Pneumothorax after cocaine abuse is relatively uncommon, but it is often accompanied by other respiratory complications. In addition to presenting with a pneumothorax, patients with a pneumomediastinum have been reported. This condition is thought to be caused by a foreign body reaction that results in air retention and bullae formation.

Pneumomediastinum

Cocaine abuse is associated with significant numbers of emergency department visits. It also is associated with a variety of respiratory complications. One of these is pneumomediastinum. This complication occurs more commonly in young men.

Chest pain is a common presenting symptom in patients with cocaine use. If not detected at an early stage, fatal complications such as Boerhaaves syndrome can result. Therefore, a thorough clinical history and physical examination is essential to rule out this complication.

When a patient presents to an emergency department with complaints of chest pain, a thorough workup is necessary. In addition to the usual investigations, chest X-ray is usually the best option. A CT scan can be a complementary study to evaluate the lung in relation to the chest cavity.

Asthma

Cocaine abuse may have adverse effects on people with asthma. This is because the drug can cause a number of changes to the lungs. It can reduce oxygenation, alter alveolar capillary membranes, increase activity, and cause acute lung injury.

While there is no clear-cut proof that cocaine is linked with asthma, there is some evidence to support this. In addition to increasing the risk of pneumonia and bronchitis, the substance can trigger back-to-back asthma attacks.

Asthma is a respiratory condition that causes the airways to swell and narrow, resulting in wheezing. Although there is no cure for asthma, a well-planned action plan can help people control their symptoms. The most important thing to remember is to stay away from recreational drugs.

Thrombolytics with cocaine-associated ECG changes and elevated cardiac intracellular calcium concentrations

Cocaine-related cardiomyopathy (CCM) is a disorder of the cardiac muscle characterized by pallor, diaphoresis, palpitations, shortness of breath, and global myocardial dysfunction. In most cases, it is reversible. However, it can lead to permanent cardiac dysfunction.

Chronic cocaine use leads to cardiac hypertrophy, increased left ventricular mass, and decreased right ventricular contractility. It may also produce arrhythmias, vasoconstriction, aortic dissection, and hemorrhage.

Symptoms of cocaine-related cardiomyopathy include shortness of breath, pallor, mania, palpitations, and cardiac dysfunction. The symptoms may be reversible with withdrawal of the drug. If left untreated, cocaine-related cardiomyopathy can be fatal.

Diabetic cocaine users have more admissions for ketoacidosis

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening condition characterized by elevated levels of ketones in the blood and urine. It occurs most commonly in patients with type 1 diabetes. The onset of DKA is often preceded by other systemic illnesses, such as infections.

Cocaine abuse is increasingly common in the United States. Although a direct link between cocaine use and hyperglycemia has not been proven, previous clinical studies have suggested that cocaine is a risk factor for DKA. Among adults with diabetes, cocaine users are more likely to be diagnosed with DKA.

Neurobiology of cocaine addiction

Neurobiologists are investigating the effects of cocaine on the brain. They are also interested in its effects on the limbic system. It is a region of the brain that controls motivation, memories, and pleasure. These findings can help explain why people become addicted.

The limbic system is made up of several interconnected regions, including the nucleus accumbens (NAc), the hippocampus, and the ventral tegmental area (VTA). It regulates mood, sleep, and appetite.

When cocaine is administered, its effects on the limbic system are particularly prominent. It increases the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in mood and appetite.