FAQ about Bipolar Disorder

1. What is Bipolar Disorder?
2. What are the signs of Bipolar Disorder?
3. How is Bipolar Disorder treated?
4. Will I have to stay on medication forever?
5. Can Bipolar Disorder be cured?
6. What should I do if I'm (or someone close to me is) feeling suicidal?
7. Where can I get help for Bipolar Disorder?

1. What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar Disorder is the name now given to what used to be called manic depression and other related disorders, with milder versions called Bipolar II.

The term describes the exaggerated swings of mood from one extreme to the other that are characteristic of the illness. People with this illness suffer recurrent episodes of high, or elevated, mood (mania or hypomania) and of depression. A very small percentage of sufferers of Bipolar Disorder only experience the 'highs'. Most experience both the highs and the lows.

2. What are the signs of Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar Disorder can be difficult to diagnose. The chief feature that distinguishes it from depression is the mania , or elevated mood that its sufferers also experience periodically. However, the degree of mania experienced differs from one person to the next.

Mild mania, or hypomania, which is characteristic of Bipolar II Disorder, can go unnoticed for some time by anyone other than the person concerned.

A person experiencing hypomania or mania would usually be in very high spirits, feel terrific, enthusiastic, confident and invincible. However, others have a different experience and instead become irritable and aggressive. The person's mind would be working much faster than usual, with both ideas and speech being more rapid. They tend to require less sleep and may stay up late to do housework or to begin a new project.

However, mania (in particular) affects a person's judgement, so that the person is likely to have unrealistic perspectives and beliefs about their own abilities, and this can cause serious problems for him or her and/or family members. For instance, people may engage in reckless spending sprees, gambling, or in sexual activity they would not normally engage in, without thinking of the consequences.

3. How is Bipolar Disorder treated?

Bipolar Disorder is usually treated with a combination of mood stabilisers and atypical antipsychotics to treat the mania, and antidepressants to treat the depression, with maintenance (aimed at preventing recurrence) usually relying on a mood stabiliser (or sometimes an antidepressant) alone.

Psychological therapies by themselves are ineffective and inappropriate, but can be a useful adjunct to the physical treatment.

4. Will I have to stay on medication forever?

Bipolar Disorder is an illness which usually requires long-term medication. Most people who have had one manic episode will go on to have further illness. Without medication, relapse is likely. Long-term stability is usually a key objective for people with Bipolar Disorder, and correct medication is central to long-term stability.

5. Can Bipolar Disorder be cured?

There is presently no known cure for Bipolar Disorder. However, with the help of skilled medical management, the person with Bipolar Disorder is able to lead a stable and productive life, and may, over time, be able to reduce the level of their medication.

6. What should I do if I'm (or someone close to me is) feeling suicidal?

See the list of emergency contact numbers (and add the numbers of your GP and your local Community Mental Health Service) and keep a copy handy somewhere. Don't hesitate to call one of them if in need of help.
Recognise that having suicidal thoughts is one of the features of depression, and seek help, either from your GP or another mental health professional such as a psychologist or a counsellor. Make sure you tell them you have been having suicidal thoughts.

If you have already received treatment for depression, and you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the person who has been giving you the treatment, or a close friend who you trust, and tell them you are feeling suicidal.

If someone close to you is suicidal or unsafe, talk to them about it and encourage them to seek help. Help the person to develop an action plan, involving him or her and trusted close friends or family members, to keep him or her safe in times of emergency. Take away risks (e.g. remove guns or other dangerous weapons and hold the keys of the car if the depressed person is angry, out of control and wanting to drive off into the night).

7. Where can I get help for Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar Disorder usually requires diagnosis and treatment by a psychiatrist.
However, if you have not previously sought help for Bipolar Disorder, as a first step, you should see your General Practitioner. He or she will either conduct an assessment of you to find out if you have Bipolar Disorder, or refer you to a psychiatrist who will conduct the assessment.

The psychiatrist will develop a management plan in consultation with you and possibly also your General Practitioner. Depending on the nature of your illness, ongoing management may be done by the psychiatrist, or by your General Practitioner in consultation with your psychiatrist.

If you have recurring episodes of mania, you may need to see a mood disorders specialist.

key points about Bipolar Disorder

• Occasionally people can experience a mixture of both highs and lows at the same time, or switch during the day, giving a mixed picture.
• A small number of people with Bipolar Disorder (5%) experience only the 'highs', whereas the vast majority of Bipolar sufferers alternate between highs and lows.
• Some people may only have one episode of mania once a decade, while others may have daily mood swings. For each individual the pattern is quite distinct.
• People with Bipolar Disorder experience normal moods in between their swings.
• Women and men develop Bipolar I Disorder at equal rates while the rate of Bipolar II is somewhat higher in females.
• Bipolar Disorder can commence in childhood, but onset is commoner in the teens or early 20s. Some people develop their first episode in mid-to-late adulthood. Many people go for years before it is accurately diagnosed or treated (see How to tell if you have Bipolar Disorder)
• Women with Bipolar Disorder have a very high chance of a significant mood disturbance both during pregnancy and in the post-partum period - most commonly in the first four weeks. (Most will have a depressive episode, a significant proportion will have highs, and 10% will have mixed highs and lows.)
• With the right treatment, the vast majority of people with Bipolar Disorder are able, to varying extents, to live normal and productive lives.
• Some people with Bipolar Disorder can become suicidal. It is very important that talk of suicide be taken seriously and for such people to be treated immediately by a mental health professional or other appropriate person.

Treatments of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder involves episodes of depression and episodes of mania or hypomania. Therefore its management usually involves two parts:

• Treating the current episode of mania or depression, and
• Preventing the long-term recurrence of mania and depression.

In this section we cover the main treatment approaches for Bipolar Disorder.

Key points about treatments

• Bipolar Disorder is an illness which can require long-term treatment.
• Everyone is different and therefore the appropriate treatment for a particular individual is a matter for a skilled medical practitioner
• Physical treatments are necessary for Bipolar Disorder - psychological approaches by themselves are not sufficient but, alongside drug treatments, serve a valuable complementary role.
• 
  With the right medical management people with Bipolar Disorder can achieve stability and live successful lives.
  While the great majority of people with Bipolar Disorder will benefit from treatment, it is difficult to know beforehand;
• which drug regime will be of most benefit to any particular individual, and
• how long it will take to bring the mood swings under control.
• Therefore, keeping a Daily Mood Graph can be of fundamental importance to your clinician in assessing the impact of differing treatments on your mood swings over time, and will be of great benefit to you.

Causes of Bipolar Disorder

While we don't yet know exactly what causes Bipolar Disorder, we do know that it appears to have primarily biological underpinnings. However, its onset is often linked to a stressful life event.

And while the causes of Bipolar Disorder are still unknown, there are a number of factors that are believed to play a role, including genetics, brain chemicals, environmental factors and sometimes medical illnesses.

Read about:

• Genetics
• Brain chemicals
• Environmental
• Medical illness
• Pregnancy
• What is the future for someone with Bipolar Disorder?

Genetics
Bipolar Disorder is frequently inherited, with genetic factors accounting for approximately 80% of the cause of the condition.

If one parent has Bipolar Disorder, there is a 10 per cent chance that his or her child will develop the illness. If both parents have Bipolar Disorder the likelihood of their child developing the illness rises to 40 per cent.

However, just because one family member has the illness, it is not necessarily the case that other family members will also develop the illness. Other factors also come into play.

Brain chemicals
A recent theory about the cause of Bipolar Disorder is that it is related to abnormal serotonin chemistry in the brain. Serotonin is one of the neurotransmitters in the brain, and one that strongly affects a person's mood. It is thought that the abnormal serotonin chemistry causes mood swings because of its feedback effect on other brain chemicals. It is unlikely, however, that serotonin is the only neurotransmitter involved.

Environmental
While the onset of Bipolar Disorder may be linked to a stressful life event, it is unlikely that stress itself is a cause of Bipolar Disorder. Notwithstanding this, people who suffer from Bipolar Disorder often find it beneficial to find ways of managing and reducing stress in their lives (as do people without the disorder!).

Again - while not a cause - seasonal factors appear to play a role in the onset of Bipolar Disorder, with onset chance increasing in spring. The rapid increase in hours of bright sunshine is thought to trigger depression and mania by affecting the pineal gland.

Medical illness
Medical illness is not a cause of Bipolar Disorder, but in some instances can cause symptoms that could be confused with mania or hypomania. Some medications and certain illicit stimulant drugs can also cause manic and hypomanic symptoms.

Pregnancy
For women who are genetically or otherwise biologically predisposed to developing Bipolar Disorder, the postnatal period can coincide with a first episode of Bipolar Disorder.

What is the future for someone with Bipolar Disorder?
Like any other medical condition, such as heart disease or diabetes, Bipolar Disorder is an illness that requires careful management.

While there is no known cure for Bipolar Disorder, the good news is that its severity and the frequency of episodes can be reduced or prevented with medication and other supports, such as psychological therapies.

Bipolar Disorder Prevention

Tips

Bipolar disorder explained

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar Disorder is the name used to describe a set of 'mood swing' conditions, the most severe form of which used to be called 'manic depression'.

Bipolar Disorder I is the more severe disorder - with individuals being more likely to experience mania , have longer 'highs', be more likely to have psychotic experiences and be more likely to be hospitalized.

Bipolar Disorder II is less severe, with no psychotic experiences, and with episodes tending to last only hours to a few days.

The high moods are called mania or hypomania and the low mood is called depression.
It is important to note that everyone has mood swings from time to time. It is only when these moods become extreme and interfere with personal and professional life that Bipolar Disorder may be present and medical assessment may be warranted.

Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia) Control and Prevention

Nigeria is the most schistosomiasis-endemic country in Africa and among the most highly effected in the world. Yet until the Nigeria Ministry of Health and The Carter Center launched the schistosomiasis program in 1999, no one had been effectively addressing the disease in Nigeria.

Building on the existing community-based approach and drug distribution systems used in the river blindness and lymphatic filariasis programs in Nigeria, the Schistosomiasis Control Program was founded. Since 1999, the Center has been helping the state ministries of health distribute the drug praziquantel and provide health education to prevent the disease in villages in two Nigeria states, Nasarawa and Plateau. In 2004, the Center expanded its work to include the Delta state.

Preliminary surveys conducted in 1999 identified alarming needs: 1-in-5 school-aged children in Nigeria had blood in their urine and more than 90 percent of the tested villages were in need of treatment with praziquantel-because everyone, not just children, in the village should receive praziquantel.

Strategies Against Schistosomiasis

Although schistosomiasis is not eradicable, the disease can be prevented and transmission controlled with a single, annual dose of praziquantel. Community health workers conduct rapid assessments to determine the prevalence of schistosomiasis in a given village.

A dipstick is used to detect the presence of blood in the urine of children and the proportion of infected children in a village determines the treatment plan for that community.

Nigeria's Schistosomiasis Control Program, in partnership with The Carter Center, began in 1999 in two Nigeria states, Nasarawa and Plateau, expanding to Delta state in 2004. Since 1999, more than 70,000 treatments have been distributed to nearly 400 villages in the three states. Although this success is remarkable, more than 6 million praziquantel tablets are still needed every year to treat those in just two of the states; the need for Delta state is unknown as the area is still being evaluated. Unlike Mectizan, used to fight river blindness, and albendazole, one of two drugs used to fight lymphatic filariasis, no company donates praziquantel, so the Center's distribution is limited to the drugs it can afford to purchase.

Furthermore, there is a limited supply of praziquantel; only 89 million tablets are made when there is a need of 423 million. Nigeria needs more than any other country; approximately 43 million tablets. Not everyone who needs the drug can get it, which is yet another harsh reality for some of the most poverty stricken areas of the world. To ration the limited supply, the program follows the WHO distribution guidelines:

• When a village reports more than 50 percent of children have blood in their urine, only then does everyone get treatment.
• When 20-50 percent of children have bloody urine, only the children get treated.
• When less than 20 percent of children have symptoms, no one in the village gets pills.

This is a tragic situation, but there is hope. Studies of those treated show that, within six months of receiving praziquantel, up to 90 percent of the damage due to infection can be reversed. In the past, praziquantel has been used successfully to treat millions of people at risk for or infected with schistosomiasis in Brazil, Egypt, and China.

With success in these two Nigerian states, when sufficient funds are secured, the next step is to help extend the Schistosomiasis Control Program to all of Nigeria. The Carter Center hopes the hard work and success of its partners in Nigeria will kick start a nation-wide initiative to address the quiet plague of schistosomiasis.

Transmission of Schistosomiasis

Schistosoma haematobium (urinary schistosomiasis) and S. mansoni (intestinal schistosomiasis) are microscopic parasites found in standing water.

Children are at greatest risk of becoming infected with this destructive disease because schistosomiasis is easily contracted while bathing or swimming in contaminated water. However, this disease can be transmitted simply through contact with contaminated water while performing daily chores, such as washing laundry, fetching water, and herding animals.

The parasite that causes schistosomiasis lives for years in veins near the bladder or intestines, where it lays thousands of spiny eggs that tear and scar tissues of the intestines, liver, bladder, and lungs. Damage to the urinary tract and intestine causes blood vessels to break creating internal bleeding. The blood resulting from internal bleeding carries the parasite eggs, which then enter the urine and stool.

When infected people, often children, urinate or pass feces in the water, the eggs are immediately released into the community water source. The eggs infect fresh water snails, such as the Bulinus, which than becomes an intermediate host. Inside the snails, the parasites develop and multiply; they are now able to re-enter the skin infecting new victims and continuing the cycle.

Community Impact: -

In the village of Kwa'al, Nigeria, like most rural communities in the developing world, there is only one water source. There are no alternatives if the source becomes contaminated. It is not a choice between the contaminated water and clean water for bathing, laundry, playing, or drinking; it is a choice between water contaminated with schistosomiasis and no water at all.

The blood in urine and stools is only one symptom of the damage caused by the infection. Victims of schistosomiasis suffer from stunted growth and poor school performance, as well as bladder dysfunction, kidney disease, and premature death. There is also increasing evidence of high rates of bladder cancer due to repeated schistosomiasis infections. The WHO states that bladder cancer is 32 times more prevalent in some areas of Africa than in the United States. Fatality usually occurs as a result of bladder cancer or intestinal bleeding.

Sadly, school-aged children shoulder the majority of schistosomiasis' consequences, especially poor growth and impaired cognitive function. For communities already burdened by poverty and ravaged by scourges such as malaria and HIV/AIDS, schistosomiasis is especially devastating.

Bilharzia Prevention Tips

The Integration of Schistosomiasis: -

Since 1996, The Carter Center has been working with the national River Blindness Program developing a community distribution network in country to distribute the drug Mectizan® in parts of Nigeria. In 1998 the program began investigating the idea of targeting additional diseases through the same distribution channel, an approach that had never been done before.

Soon after the investigation started lymphatic filariasis was found to be preventable when Mectizan treatment was combined with the drug albendazole. By March 2000, communities in the Plateau and Nasarawa states, endemic for both river blindness and lymphatic filariasis, were being treated with the combined drug therapy. Simultaneously, the Center's groundbreaking approach was discovering that schistosomiasis control could be integrated too. That same year, urinary schistosomiasis was added, and today approximately 300 villages that receive the drug praziquantel also receive albendazole and Mectizan.

Beriberi Prevention Tips

Beriberi Info

What is Beriberi?

Beriberi is a vitamin deficiency disease caused by inadequate bodily stores of thiamine (vitamin B-1). It can damage the heart and nervous system.

Alternative Names:

Thiamine deficiency; Vitamin B1 deficiency

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

There are two major manifestations of thiamine deficiency: cardiovascular disease (wet beriberi) and nervous system disease ("dry beriberi" and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome). Dry beriberi is somewhat of a misnomer because both types are most often caused by excessive alcohol consumption.

Symptoms of dry beriberi include pain, tingling, or loss of sensation in hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy), muscle wasting with loss of function or paralysis of the lower extremities, and potentially brain damage and death.

Wet beriberi is characterized by swelling (edema), increased heart rate (tachycardia), lung congestion, and enlarged heart related to congestive heart failure.

Beriberi has become very rare in the United States because most foods are now vitamin-enriched, which means that a normal diet contains adequate amounts of thiamine.

As a result, beriberi now occurs primarily in patients who abuse alcohol, because drinking heavily can lead to malnutrition and poor absorption and storage of thiamine. This is the cause of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, which is alcohol-related brain damage affecting language and thinking.

Beriberi can also occur in breast-fed infants when the mother has an inadequate intake of thiamine. It can also affect infants fed unusual formulas with inadequate thiamine supplements.
Others at risk for beriberi include patients undergoing dialysis, patients receiving high doses of diuretics, and people in developing countries with limited diets who consume milled rice.

Nervous system symptoms are caused by degeneration of the nerve fibers and their insulation (myelin sheath). Heart failure is the most common cause of death in people with beriberi.

Bedwetting Prevention Tips

Bedwetting Info

Most Bed-wetters Inherited Small Bladders: -

Bed-wetting, or Enuresis, is the involuntary passage of urine during sleep. "It is considered normal until a child is at least six years of age," explains Kent Amstutz, D.O., a pediatrician with Boys Town Pediatrics.

An inherited small bladder is the cause of bed-wetting for most children. "Their bladder is so small that it cannot hold the urine their bodies produce throughout the night," says Dr. Amstutz. "Although their kidneys are normal, they sleep so deeply that the signal of a full bladder does not wake them."

Enuresis is not caused by emotional problems, says Dr. Amstutz, however they can be created if the situation is mishandled. "Bed-wetting causes guilt and embarrassment in most children. Parents should create a supportive environment, encouraging their child to overcome his or her problem." suggests Amstutz. "Punishment or pressure to stop having accidents in the night often creates secondary emotional problems and causes the child to take even longer to overcome bed-wetting."

Even without treatment, most children will overcome bed-wetting. However, Dr. Amstutz suggests trying these simple home care treatments:

• Encourage your child to get up during the night. At bedtime, be sure to gently remind your child to get up when he or she has to urinate.
• Empty the bladder before bedtime. Remind your child to use the restroom before getting into bed at night.
• Limit fluid before bedtime. Discourage your child from drinking excessive amounts during the two hours before bedtime and avoid drinks with caffeine.
• Improve access to the bathroom. Put a nightlight in the hallway and bathroom or place a portable toilet in your child's bedroom.
• Parent-awakening. Wake your child up at a specific time each night, such as your own bedtime.

Once a child reaches eight years of age, he or she may need additional assistance awakening at night. "A bed-wetting alarm is one technique that teaches a child to awaken when he or she needs to urinate," explains Dr. Amstutz. "A less expensive option is to teach your child to use an alarm clock to self-awaken three to four hours after going to bed. Medication can also be used to temporarily stop bed-wetting for special occasions such as slumber parties or other overnights."

Call your child's physician if urination causes pain or burning, the stream of urine is weak, your child wets during the daytime, bedwetting is a new problem, or your child is over 12 years old.

Low Back Pain Info

What makes up the spine?

The lower spine consists of five bones, called the lumbar vertebrae. The vertebrae support the body and protect the spinal core and nerves. Between each vertebra is a disk filled with a jelly-like material. The disks act as shock absorbers for the vertebrae. Along the spine are many nerves. Injury to these nerves can cause pain.
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What can cause low back injuries?

Many things can cause low back injuries - muscle strain or spasm, sprains of ligaments (which attach bone to bone), joint problems or a "slipped disk." The most common cause of low back pain is using your back muscles in activities you're not used to, like lifting heavy furniture, playing basketball or doing yard work.

A slipped disk happens when the disk between the bones bulges and presses on nerves. This is often caused by twisting while lifting. But many people won't know what caused their slipped disk.

Back pain can also follow normal activities such as bending over the sink to brush your teeth. Back pain may be made worse by stress, long periods of inactivity or being in an unusual position for a long time.
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Call your doctor if

1. Pain goes down your leg below your knee.
2. Your leg, foot, groin or rectal area feels numb.
3. You have fever, nausea or vomiting, stomach-ache, weakness, or sweating.
4. You lose control over going to the bathroom.
5. Your pain was caused by an injury.
6. Your pain is so intense you can't move around.
7. Your pain doesn't seem to be getting better after two to three weeks.

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What should I do when I've hurt my lower back?

The best position for relief when your back hurts is to lie on your back on the floor with pillows under your knees, with your hips and knees bent and your feet on a chair, or just with your hips and knees bent. This takes the pressure and weight off your back.

If you're resting a hurt back, you may need a few days of this sort of rest. Resting longer than this can cause your muscles to weaken, which can slow down your recovery. Even if it hurts, walk around for a few minutes every few hours.

If you're resting a tired back, stay in one of these positions for five to 25 minutes at a time.

Heating pads can help to relax painful muscle spasms. Use heat for 20 to 30 minutes at a time. Ice packs and massages may also give relief. Medicines that reduce pain or swelling include ASA (some examples are Aspirin, Entrophen), ibuprofen (some examples are Advil, Medipren, Motrin IB) and acetaminophen (some examples are Panadol, Tylenol).
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What exercises can I do to help my back?

Some specific exercises can help your back. One is to gently stretch your back muscles. Lie on your back with your knees bent and slowly raise your left knee to your chest. Press your lower back against the floor. Hold for five seconds. Relax and repeat the exercise with your right knee. Do 10 of these exercises

for each leg, switching legs.
While some exercises are specific for your back, it's also important to stay active in general. Bicycling or walking is good overall exercises to improve your fitness.
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What's the best position for sleeping?

The best way to sleep to reduce the pressure on your back is on your side with your knees bent. You may put a pillow under your head to support your neck. You may also put a pillow between your knees.

If you sleep on your back, put pillows under your knees and a small pillow under you lower back. Don't sleep on your stomach unless you put a pillow under your hips.

Use a firm mattress. If your mattress is too soft, use a board of 1.3 cm (1/2 inch) plywood under the mattress to add support.
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What's the best way to sit?

Sitting puts more pressure on your back than any other position, even more than standing. To reduce this pressure, sit in chairs with straight backs or low-back support. Keep your knees a little higher than your hips. Adjust the seat or use a low stool to prop your feet on.
Turn by moving your whole body rather than by twisting at your waist. Use a swivel chair to help reduce twisting.

When driving, sit straight and move the seat forward. This helps you not lean forward to reach the controls. You may want to put a small pillow or rolled towel behind your lower back if you must drive or sit a long time.
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What's the best position for standing?

If you must stand for long periods, rest one foot on a low stool to relieve pressure on you lower back. Every five to 15 minutes, switch the foot you're resting on the stool.

Move around as much as you can. Maintain good posture: keep your ears, shoulders and hips in a straight line, with your head up and your stomach pulled in.

AIDS Prevention Info

AIDS Tips for Teens

AIDS is a condition caused by a virus called HIV that attacks a person's immune system, making it defenseless against diseases and infections. The full medical name for AIDS is Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome and the virus is called the Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

HIV is transmitted through all forms of unprotected sexual intercourse, i.e., vaginal, anal or oral sex without the proper use of a latex condom, and through sharing needles or syringes with someone who is infected with HIV. Because HIV can "hide" in the body for 10 years or more before it shows up as AIDS, you must never assume that just because you cannot "see" it in a person, it is not there!

Asthma Prevention Tips

Asthma Information
Asthma is characterized by coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath and wheezing. Asthma symptoms can be triggered by several factors, including: allergens or irritants; viral or sinus infections; exercise; reflux disease (stomach acid flowing back up the esophagus); medications or foods; and emotional anxiety.
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Caffeine and Asthma
If you feel an asthma attack coming on and don't have your inhaler handy, try a couple cups of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or chocolate bars. The caffeine will help open your airways.
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Controlling Your Asthma
If you find yourself using your quick-relief inhaler to stop an asthma attack more than twice a week, it may be time for a different medication. In fact, if you have to refill your inhaler more than two times a year or are awakened by asthma symptoms two nights or more per week, you also probably need a change.
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Correct Inhaler Use
If you use an inhaler to treat your asthma, remember that it's not a breath freshener. You must deeply inhale the medication into your lungs and hold it for three to five seconds before exhaling slowly.
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NSAIDs, Aspirin and Asthma
Asthma sufferers should use the non-aspirin pain reliever acetaminophen (Tylenol) because the use of aspirin and NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), such as Advil/Motrin (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen sodium), have the tendency to worsen asthma.
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Health Tips

Arthritis Info

Arthritis ('arth' meaning joint, 'itis' meaning inflammation) isn't a one-note story or even a few variations on a single theme; it actually consists of more than 100 different conditions.

These can be anything from relatively mild forms of tendinitis (as in 'tennis elbow') and bursitis to crippling systemic forms, such as rheumatoid arthritis. There are pain syndromes like fibromyalgia and arthritis-related disorders, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, that involve every part of the body. There are forms of the disease, such as gout that almost nobody connects with arthritis and there are other conditions - like osteoarthritis, the misnamed 'wear and tear' arthritis - that a good many people think is the only form of the disease.

True, many older people do have arthritis, but it's not just a disease of the old. Some forms of arthritis affect children still in diapers, while thousands of people are stricken in the prime of their lives. The common denominator for all these conditions is joint and musculoskeletal pain, which is why they are grouped together as 'arthritis.' Often that pain is a result of inflammation of the joint lining.

Inflammation is involved in many forms of arthritis. It is the body's natural response to injury. The warning signs that inflammation presents are redness, swelling, heat and pain. These are the same kinds of reaction the body has to a sliver in the hand, for example. When a joint becomes inflamed, it may get any or all of these symptoms. This can prevent the normal use of the joint and therefore it can cause the loss of function of that joint.

Anatomy of a Joint

There are more than 100 joints connecting the body's 206 bones. Most of the major bone connections in the body are joints designed to allow a broad range of motion. There are different kinds for different functions: ball-and-socket (hips and shoulders), saddle joints (which connect thumb to hand), hinge joints (fingers and knees) or pivot joints (wrists).

Tied together by ligaments, the bones of joints are capped with a smooth substance called cartilage. This tough elastic material acts as a shock absorber and allows the bone ends to glide smoothly across each other. If the cartilage is destroyed (as in osteoarthritis), the bones of a joint can grind against each other causing pain, loss of mobility, deformity and dysfunction.

Between the bones is a joint cavity, which gives the bones room to move. The joint space between two bones is enclosed by a capsule that's flexible, yet strong enough to protect the joint against dislocation. The inner lining of this capsule, the synovium, produces a thick fluid that lubricates and nourishes the joint. In many forms of arthritis, the synovium becomes inflamed and thickened, producing extra fluid which contains inflammatory cells. The inflamed synovium and fluid can damage the cartilage and underlying bone.

No one knows what causes arthritis, though scientists have uncovered a host of clues. Something can be done to manage most forms of arthritis, but it's very important that a correct diagnosis is established early. Most therapies work best when started early in the disease process. You can read more specific information under Types of Arthritis.

Anxiety Prevention Tips

Anxiety Info

Everybody knows what it's like to feel anxious “ the butterflies in your stomach before a first date, the tension you feel when your boss is angry, the way your heart pounds if you're in danger. Anxiety rouses you to action. It gears you up to face a threatening situation. It makes you study harder for that exam, and keeps you on your toes when you're making a speech. In general, it helps you cope.

But if you have an anxiety disorder, this normally helpful emotion can do just the opposite it can keep you from coping and can disrupt your daily life. Anxiety disorders aren't just a case of "nerves." They are illnesses, often related to the biological makeup and life experiences of the individual, and they frequently run in families. There are several types of anxiety disorders, each with its own distinct features.

An anxiety disorder may make you feel anxious most of the time, without any apparent reason. Or the anxious feelings may be so uncomfortable that to avoid them you may stop some everyday activities. Or you may have occasional bouts of anxiety so intense they terrify and immobilize you.

Anxiety disorders are the most common of all the mental disorders. At the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the Federal agency that conducts and supports research related to mental disorders, mental health, and the brain, scientists are learning more and more about the nature of anxiety disorders, their causes, and how to alleviate them. NIMH also conducts educational outreach activities about anxiety disorders and other mental illnesses.

Many people misunderstand these disorders and think individuals should be able to overcome the symptoms by sheer willpower. Wishing the symptoms away does not work - but there are treatments that can help. These pages are meant to help you understand these conditions, describe their treatments, and explain the role of research in conquering anxiety and other mental disorders.

Allergy Prevention Tips

Air Conditioning and Allergies
To help alleviate problems with pollen, molds and dust mites, air condition your house and car and, if possible, add an air cleaner to your central air conditioner.
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Anaphylactic Shock
Anaphylactic shock, the most severe allergic reaction, is most commonly associated with bee or fire ant stings. If welts (hives) erupt following a sting, this is a warning flag to seek prompt medical attention.
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Attic Fans
Don't use your attic fan during allergy season. The fan sucks pollen into the house.
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Avoid Dyes
Avoid dyes, especially the ones in toilet paper. Use white to wipe.
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Bedding and Dust Mites
If dust mites give you trouble, seal your mattress, box springs and pillows in allergy-resistant plastic covers available at most discount stores.

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Carpeting Causes Allergy Problems
Allergy experts recommend you dump the carpeting and use throw rugs instead. Since most people enjoy a carpeted home, try the new allergy care carpet treatments now available.
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Cheap Fungicide
Clean humid areas, such as the bathroom and basement, with a fungicide (mold-killer). A cheap and effective one is bleach. Use a solution of 3/4 cup bleach to one gallon of water, let stand 5 minutes and rinse.
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Choose Antiperspirants Carefully
Aluminum chloride, aluminum sulfate and zirconium chlorohydrate in antiperspirants often cause dermatitis, especially after shaving. Try to choose antiperspirants that contain the anti-irritants allantoinate, zinc oxide, magnesium oxide, aluminum hydroxide, or triethanolamine.
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Cold Compresses for Allergy
Relief Are your allergy eyes giving you fit? Try a cold compress for 15-20 minutes. Wet a washcloth with cold water and place over your eyes.
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Common Allergens and Allergy Symptoms
A listing of common allergens: pollen, mold spores, dust mites, animal dander, feathers, foods, medications, and insect stings. Common allergy symptoms: watery, itchy eyes, sneezing, and a constant runny nose.
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Common Pollens
The most common pollens causing allergies include: tree pollens (April - May), grasses (June - July) and ragweed (August - October).
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Dandruff and Shampoo
Dyes Dandruff sufferers may be allergic to the dyes in the shampoo they use. Even dandruff remedy shampoos often contain dyes.
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Decongestants and Blood Pressure
If you are hypertensive, over-the-counter decongestants are a big no-no. Decongestants raise blood pressure and can lead to heart attack or stroke.
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Dehumidifier and Allergies
Keep the humidity in your home below 45%. To measure the humidity level, buy an inexpensive hygrometer available at many discount stores.
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Driving and Antihistamines
Antihistamines often cause drowsiness and should not be taken if driving or operating machinery.
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Drug Treatment for Allergies
The over-the-counter antihistamine diphenhydramine (Benadryl) works well for allergy treatment and has few drug interactions. Be sure to read the label for proper dosage, side effects, etc. and check with your doctor if you have any questions.
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Face Masks
Wear a face mask when doing chores that are most likely to expose you to allergens like vacuuming and gardening. You can buy face masks at a hardware store.
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Fall Allergies
Even though fall temperatures are mild, keep windows closed and use air conditioning to reduce allergy problems. Air conditioning filters out pollen and keeps humidity low, which keeps indoor mold down.
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Hay Fever vs. Sinusitis
Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) is caused by allergies and is often characterized by a runny nose, sneezing and congestion, and itchy eyes, nose, throat and inner ears. Non-allergic rhinitis (sinusitis) is characterized by a swollen, inflamed nasal lining and a stuffy nose. It may be triggered by irritants such as smoke, changes in barometric pressure or temperature, or overuse of over-the-counter decongestant nasal sprays.
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Hidden Sources of Peanuts
Hidden peanut sources may include:
Artificial nuts can be peanuts that have been deflavored and reflavored with a nut, such as pecan or walnut. Mandelonas are peanuts soaked in almond flavoring.
Arachis oil is peanut oil.
It is advised that peanut-allergic patients avoid chocolate candies unless they are absolutely certain there is no risk of cross-contact during manufacturing procedures.
African, Chinese, Indonesian, Mexican, Thai, and Vietnamese dishes often contain peanuts, or are contaminated with peanuts during preparation of these types of meals. Additionally, foods sold in bakeries and ice cream shops are often in contact with peanuts. It is recommended that peanut-allergic individuals avoid these types of foods and restaurants.
Many brands of sunflower seeds are produced on equipment shared with peanuts.
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Laundry Allergies
If you have severe allergies to laundry products, try using baking soda to wash your clothing and linens.
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Mites and Mattress Pads
Wash your mattress pads weekly in hot water to kill dust mites.
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Nasal Sprays
Don't be tempted to treat an allergy with an over-the-counter decongestant nasal spray for more than three days. After a few days of use you may get a "rebound" effect, and your nose may become even more congested than before. These drugs are more useful for short-term use to relieve nasal congestion associated with a cold.
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No Open Windows
If you're an allergy sufferer do not ride in a vehicle with the windows down or vents wide open. It will worsen your allergies 200 percent. The same goes for your home. Invest in an air conditioner.
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One Room Sanctuary
If central air conditioning isn't an option for you, make your bedroom your sanctuary. Install a window air conditioner, properly care for your bedding and keep the door closed at all times.
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Pets, Bedrooms and Allergies
Pet dander is a common allergen, especially cat dander. To ease the suffering that Fido or Fluffy may cause you, ban them from your bedroom at all times.
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Ragweed
Problems with ragweed, the most common weed pollen, usually start in the middle of August and continue until the frost begins. Interestingly, some regions are less affected than others: The West coast does not have any ragweed.
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Synthetic Pillows
Dust mites like synthetic pillows as much as down or foam ones, but synthetic pillows have the major advantage of being washable in hot water which kills the mites.
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Tree Allergies
Trees that can cause seasonal allergy symptoms include: maple, ash, oak, elm, birch and cedar. When they pollinate depends on the area in which you live.

ANTI DEPRESSANT

Amitid is used to treat symptoms of depression. Amitid is in a class of medications called tricyclic antidepressants. It works by increasing the amounts of certain natural substances in the brain. Amitid is also sometimes used to treat chronic pain, eating disorders, and certain skin problems. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this medication for your condition.This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Special precautions: -
Before taking amitid,

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to amitid or any other medications.
• do not take amitid if you are taking monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, including phenelzine (Nardil) and tranylcypromine (Parnate), or have stopped taking them within the past 2 weeks; or if you are taking cisapride (Propulsid).
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking.
  Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has or has ever had depression, bipolar disorder (mood that changes from depressed to abnormally excited), or mania (frenzied, abnormally excited mood), or if you or anyone in your family has thought about or attempted suicide.
• Also tell your doctor if you drink large amounts of alcohol; if you have recently had a heart attack; and if you have or have ever had glaucoma; an enlarged prostate; difficulty urinating; seizures; an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism); diabetes; or liver, kidney, or heart disease.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking amitid, call your doctor immediately.
  If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking amitid.
• You should know that amitid may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
• Remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this medication.
• You should know that your mental health may change in unexpected ways, especially at the beginning of your treatment and any time that your dose is increased or decreased.

Side effects: -

Amitid may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• upset stomach
• vomiting
• drowsiness
• weakness or tiredness
• excitement or anxiety
• difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• nightmares
• restlessness
• headaches
• dry mouth
• constipation
• difficulty urinating
• blurred vision
• pain, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet
• changes in sex drive or ability
• excessive sweating
• changes in appetite or weight
• confusion
• unsteadiness

Some side effects can be serious.

• slow or difficult speech
• dizziness or faintness
• weakness or numbness of an arm or a leg
• crushing chest pain
• rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
• severe skin rash or hives
• swelling of the face and tongue
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• jaw, neck, and back muscle spasms
• shaking hands that you cannot control
• difficulty sitting still
• fainting
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• seizures
• seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist (hallucinating)

Amitid may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

Overdose In case of overdose, call your local poison control center. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services.Symptoms of overdose may include:

• irregular heartbeat
• seizures
• coma
• confusion
• problems concentrating
• seeing things that do not exist (hallucinating)
• agitation
• drowsiness
• rigid muscles
• vomiting
• fever
• cold body temperature

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Do not let anyone else take your medication.

Zyrtec is an antihistamine

Zyrtec is an antihistamine.

Antihistamines prevent sneezing, runny nose, itching and watering of the eyes, and other allergic symptoms.

Zyrtec is used to treat allergies, hives (urticaria), and other allergic inflammatory conditions.
Zyrtec may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Special precautions

• Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease. You may need a lower dose or special monitoring during your therapy with zyrtec.
• Zyrtec is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is unlikely to harm an unborn baby. Do not take zyrtec without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
• Zyrtec passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take zyrtec without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
• If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from zyrtec. You may require a lower dose of this medication.

Side effects

Stop taking zyrtec and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives).

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take zyrtec and talk to your doctor if you experience

• sleepiness, fatigue, or dizziness;
• headache; or
• dry mouth

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur.

Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Keep all appointment with your doctor.

Don’t let anyone else take your medicines.