Archive for August, 2005
Baldness also called Alopecia is the state of lacking hair especially on the head. Regular lack of sufficient sleep and stress are the major causes of baldness.
Baldness is a fact of life for millions of men. Each day 10,000 scalp hairs are lost. Hair normally lives for around five years. With male pattern baldness these hairs do not always get replaced and gradually bald areas appear. This process can however take a long time and the age at which you start to lose hair does not necessarily provide any clues as to how long it will be until you define yourself as bald
Hair loss can start in different areas but is usually at the temples and/or on the crown of the head. Initial thinning of hair progresses over a number of years and may lead to total baldness but more typically loss of hair over the top surface of the head.
Most men are genetically predisposed to male pattern baldness. It is the effect of hormones on the hair follicle that produces male pattern baldness. Testosterone, a hormone that is present in high levels in males after puberty, is converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by an enzyme called 5-alpha reeducates. DHT has an adverse affect on the hair follicles. Acting on a hormone receptor on the hair follicle it slows down hair production and produces weak, shorter hair, sometimes it stops hair growth from the follicle completely. This process gradually depletes your stock of hair and is normal hair loss
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Copyright © Chris Martin 2005 </p>
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Manic depression – Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person’s mood, energy, and ability to function.
Some mornings can start with overriding feelings of joy, elation and power. By the time the afternoon has arrived this can shift to feelings of desperation, despair and depression.
More than 2 million American adults, or about 1 percent of the population have bipolar disorder, the percentage figures are the same for the United Kingdom.
These figures are only an estimate, the true figures will probably never be accurately known, this is probably due the stigma attached to mental health issues and the signs and symptoms not being correctly spotted by friends, family, professionals and even the individual themselves. It is fair to say that manic depression is under diagnosed.
Signs and symptoms of mania (or a manic episode)
Increased energy, activity, and restlessness
Excessively “high,” overly good, euphoric mood
Extreme irritability
Racing thoughts and talking quickly, jumping from one idea to another
Distractibility, lack off concentration
Little sleep needed
Unrealistic beliefs in one’s abilities and powers
Poor judgment
Spending sprees
A lasting period of behaviour that is different from usual
Increased sexual drive
Abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol, and sleeping medications
Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behaviour
Denial that anything is wrong
A manic episode is diagnosed if elevated mood occurs with three or more of the other symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for 1 week or longer. If the mood is irritable, four additional symptoms must be present.
The above signs and symptoms of mania can be very difficult to spot in an individual who has manic depression as all of the EXACT symptoms and time frames may not be prevalent in every person as each individual is unique.
A good example of this would be a rapid cycle manic depressive who in the mornings is high and elated, followed by despair and depression in the afternoons. This rapid cycle could happen for 2 or 3 days then level off for a relative period of calm for a few days before it starts again.
Due to the stigma attached to mental health problems individuals may try and mask their symptoms to avoid any embarrassment they may feel. Thus making it even more difficult to spot and diagnose.
Some of these symptoms of mania may be the only symptoms that you see in a person who has manic depression, as they are easily passed of as having a “larger than life personality”
Signs and symptoms of depression (or a depressive episode)
feeling sad, anxious, or empty mood
Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, including sex
Decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue or of being “slowed down”
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
Restlessness or irritability
Sleeping too much, or can’t sleep
Change in appetite and/or unintended weight loss or gain
Chronic pain or other persistent bodily symptoms that are not caused by physical illness or injury
Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
A depressive episode is diagnosed if five or more of these symptoms last most of the day, nearly every day, for a period of 2 weeks or longer.
A manic depressive will definitely have 5 of these symptoms. This is truly the worst time for a manic depressive, this is where the most support and help is needed.
Again the diagnosis is not 100% correct, as some people will have rapid cycles, i.e. High and elated in the morning then desperation and depression in the afternoon, these symptoms may only last a few days; sometimes they last a few weeks and in some very bad cases months.
In some people however, symptoms of mania and depression may occur together in what some people are calling a” mixed bipolar state.”
Symptoms of a mixed state often include agitation, trouble sleeping, and significant change in appetite, psychosis, and suicidal thinking. A person may have a very sad, hopeless mood while at the same time feeling extremely energized.
So again this shows that manic depression or bipolar disorder is not as straight forward as highs and lows.
Diagnosis of manic depression – Bipolar Disorder
Like other mental illnesses, bipolar disorder cannot yet be identified physiologicallyfor example, through a blood test or a brain scan. Therefore, a diagnosis of bipolar disorder is made on the basis of symptoms, course of illness, and, when available, family history.
Treatment of Bipolar Depression
It is absolutely vital that the correct medication is administered once the diagnosis has taken place, as recent research has indicated that people with bipolar disorder are at risk of switching into mania or hypomania, or developing rapid cycling, during treatment with incorrect antidepressant medication.
Therefore, correct “mood-stabilizing” medications are generally required, alone or in combination with the correct antidepressants, to protect people with bipolar disorder from this switch.
Lithium and valproate are the most commonly used mood-stabilizing drugs today.
Side effects
As any person who is open about their Bipolar will tell you, all of these medications have side effects these can include:
Weight gain
Dependence on the medication
Nausea
Tremors
Reduced sex drive or performance
Anxiety
Hair loss
Movement problems
Dry mouth
Disturbed sleep
Alternative treatments
Herbal or natural supplements, such as St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), have not been well studied, and little is known about their effects on bipolar disorder. Before trying herbal or natural supplements, it is important to discuss them with your doctor.
There is evidence that St. John’s wort can reduce the effectiveness of certain medications. In addition, like prescription antidepressants, St. John’s wort may cause a switch into mania in some individuals with bipolar disorder, especially if no mood stabilizer is being taken.
Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil are being studied to determine their usefulness, alone and when added to conventional medications, for long-term treatment of bipolar disorder.
One such study was carried out by Dr Andrew Stoll over a four month period. The study was performed to examine whether omega 3 fatty acids also have mood stabilizing effects with people who have bipolar disorder.
He found that the omega 3 fatty acid patient group had a significantly longer period of remission than the placebo group.
In addition, for nearly every other outcome measure, the omega3 fatty acid group performed better than the placebo group.
With almost no adverse side effects apart from a slight gastric upset. This was thought to be due to the large doses of fish oil administered.
The study was published in the archives of general psychiatry in May 1999. Since then far stronger Pharmaceutical grades of omega 3 fish oil have been developed and brought on to the world market so such large doses need not be taken.
Conclusion
Manic depression — bipolar disorder is a condition that is often under diagnosed and in some cases very difficult to spot and treat correctly. A lot of people with this condition will try and mask either their true feelings and or symptoms due to the unfortunate stigma that is attached to mental health. Receiving the correct diagnosis, treatment and medication is vital if they are to stand any chance of trying to live a normal life. It is also crucial for friends and family to also try and understand this condition as it can help them come to terms with certain types of behaviour that are being displayed. As far as alternative remedies go, to date our best bet is very strong omega 3 fish oil as there are no side effects and it is the only remedy that’s had any kind of scientific study performed using people with our condition . It is also safe to run along side any form of medication apart from blood thinning medication.
Dave McEvoy: A great resource for high grade omega 3 Ethyl EPA fish oil in a vegetable shell with a 90% concentrate of EPA and Zero DHA visit http://www.mind1st.co.uk
Being lonely or sad can be a normal part of our lives from
time to time. We get sad when we fail our exams, when
we’re rejected by the person we love, or when someone
very close to us dies. Depression, however, can be much
more serious than just plain loneliness. It could lead to
life-long consequences that could destroy your self-esteem,
health, and well-being.
Here are some excellent tips to conquer the despondent mood
and get the most joy out of your daily activities.
1) Get Enough Light and Sunshine.
Lack of exposure to sunlight is responsible for your
body’s secretion of the hormone melatonin, which could trigger
a dispirited mood and a lethargic condition.
Melatonin is only produced in the dark. It lowers the
body temperature and makes you feel sluggish. If you
are always cooped up in your room (with the curtains
closed), it would be difficult to restrain yourself
from staying in bed.
This is the reason why many people are suffering from
depression much more often in winter than in the other
seasons. It’s because the nights are longer, there are more
dreary weather days, and we sometimes go several days
without seeing the sun.
If you can’t afford to get some sunshine, you can
always lighten up your room with brighter lights.
Have lunch outside the office. Take frequent walks
instead of driving your car over short distances.
2) Get Busy. Get Inspired.
You’ll be more likely to overcome any feeling of
depression if you are too busy to notice it. Live
a life full of inspired activities.
Do the things you love. If you’re a little short
on cash, you could do simple things like
taking a stroll in the park, participating in your favorite
sports, reading books, or engaging in any activity
that you have passion for and would love to pursue.
Set a goal – a meaningful purpose in life. No
matter how difficult or discouraging life can be,
remain firm and have an unshakable belief that you
are capable of doing anything you desire. With
this kind of positive attitude, you will attain
a cheerful disposition to beat the blues.
3) Take a Break.
Relax. Listen to soothing music. Soak in a nice warm
bath. Ask one of your close friends to massage
you. Take a break from your stressful workload
and spend the day just goofing around. In other
words, have some fun.
4) Eat Right and Exercise.
Avoid foods with lots of sugar, caffeine, or
alcohol. Sugar and caffeine may give you a
temporary burst of energy; but they later
bring about anxiety, tension, and other
problems. Alcohol is a depressant. Many people
drink alcohol to “forget their problems.” Again, this is just
a temporary fix. Many times when the “high” wears off,
you’ll feel even worse.
Exercising regularly is a very important depression beater
because it allows your body to produce more
endorphins than usual. Endorphins are sometimes
called “the happy chemicals” because of their
stress-reducing and happiness-inducing properties.
5) Get a Social Life.
Your circle of friends are there to give you moral
support. Spending time and engaging in activities with them
will give you a very satisfying feeling. Nothing
feels better than having group support.
Never underestimate the power of touch. Doesn’t
it feel so good when someone pats you on the back
and gives you words of encouragement during your
most challenging times? Hug or embrace someone
today. You’ll never know when you have saved
another life.
Get intimate. Establish close ties with your
family and friends. The love and care expressed
by others could tremendously boost your immune
system and fend off illnesses. Best of all, you’ll
live a more secured and happy life.
These are just 5 simple ways to help you or someone
you love battle depression. For more information on
how to conquer depression once and for all, visit
www.helpyouneednow.com/products/depression/help.html.
