Bipolar Disorder

Understanding Bipolar Disorder

We all have our ups and downs, but, with bipolar disorder, these peaks and valleys are more severe. The symptoms of bipolar disorder can hurt your job and school performance, damage your relationships, and disrupt your daily life. And although it’s treatable, many people don’t recognize the warning signs and get the help they need. Since bipolar disorder tends to worsen without treatment, it’s important to learn what the symptoms look like. Recognizing the problem is the first step to getting better.

 

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression) causes serious shifts in mood, energy, thinking, and behavior–from the highs of mania on one extreme, to the lows of depression on the other. More than just a fleeting good or bad mood, the cycles of bipolar disorder last for days, weeks, or months. And unlike ordinary mood swings, the mood changes of bipolar disorder are so intense that they interfere with your ability to function.

Common symptoms of bipolar depression include:

Feeling hopeless, sad, or empty

Irritability

Inability to experience pleasure

Fatigue or loss of energy

Appetite or weight changes

Sleep problems

      Concentration and memory problems

      Feelings of worthlessness or guilt

      Thoughts of death or suicide

Treatment for bipolar disorder

If you spot the symptoms of bipolar depression in yourself or someone else, don’t wait to get help. Ignoring the problem won’t make it go away; in fact, it will almost certainly get worse. Living with untreated bipolar disorder can lead to problems in everything from your career to your relationships to your health. Diagnosing the problem as early as possible and getting into treatment can help prevent these complications.

Basics of bipolar disorder treatment

§                    Bipolar disorder requires long-term treatment. Since bipolar disorder is a chronic, relapsing illness, it’s important to continue treatment even when you’re feeling better. Most people with bipolar disorder need medication to prevent new episodes and stay symptom-free.

§                    There is more to treatment than medication. Medication alone is usually not enough to fully control the symptoms of bipolar disorder. The most effective treatment strategy for bipolar disorder involves a combination of medication, therapy, lifestyle changes, and social support.

§                    It’s best to work with an experienced psychiatrist. Bipolar disorder is a complex condition. Diagnosis can be tricky and treatment is often difficult. For safety reasons, medication should be closely monitored. A psychiatrist who is skilled in bipolar disorder treatment can help you navigate these twists and turns.

 

Self-help for bipolar disorder

While dealing with bipolar disorder isn’t always easy, it doesn’t have to run your life. But in order to successfully, you have to make smart choices. Your lifestyle and daily habits have a significant impact on your moods. Read on for ways to help yourself:

§                    Get educated. Learn as much as you can about bipolar disorder. The more you know, the better you’ll be at assisting your own recovery.

§                    Keep stress in check. Avoid high-stress situations, maintain a healthy work-life balance, and try relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing.

§                    Seek support. It’s important to have people you can turn to for help and encouragement. Try joining a support group or talking to a trusted friend.

§                    Make healthy choices. Healthy sleeping, eating, and exercising habits can help stabilize your moods. Keeping a regular sleep schedule is particularly important.

§                    Monitor your moods. Keep track of your symptoms and watch for signs that your moods are swinging out of control so you can stop the problem before it starts.

 

Stress or mood swings rock everyone's balance from time to time. However, when too much stress, anxiety, depression, or worry interferes with your health, career or personal relationships, it’s time to make a change. No matter how difficult things seem, by learning to harness overwhelming stress and gain emotional awareness, you can bring yourself into balance and have a more positive effect on those around you.

For references, you may visit FREE E-BOOKS on BIPOLAR DISORDER.

R. Y. MANABAT, R.N.

Hypertension

Hypertension, also referred to as high blood pressure, is a condition in which the arteries have persistently elevated blood pressure. Every time the human heart beats, it pumps blood to the whole body through the arteries.

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing up against the blood vessel walls. The higher the pressure the harder the heart has to pump.

Hypertension can lead to damaged organs, as well as several illnesses, such as renal failure (kidney failure), aneurysm, heart failure, stroke, or heart attack.

The normal level for blood pressure is below 120/80, where 120 represents the systolic measurement (peak pressure in the arteries) and 80 represents the diastolic measurement (minimum pressure in the arteries). Blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89 is called prehypertension (to denote increased risk of hypertension), and a blood pressure of 140/90 or above is considered hypertension.

 

What causes hypertension?

Though the exact causes of hypertension are usually unknown, there are several factors that have been highly associated with the condition. These include:

• ·                        Smoking
• ·                        Obesity or being overweight
• ·                        Diabetes
• ·                        Sedentary lifestyle
• ·                        Lack of physical activity
• ·                        High levels of salt intake (sodium sensitivity)
• ·                        Insufficient calcium, potassium, and magnesium consumption
• ·                        Vitamin D deficiency
• ·                        High levels of alcohol consumption
• ·                        Stress
• ·                        Aging
• ·                        Medicines such as birth control pills
• ·                        Genetics and a family history of hypertension 
• ·                        Chronic kidney disease

Symptoms of Hypertension

There is no guarantee that a person with hypertension will present any symptoms of the condition. About 33% of people actually do not know that they have high blood pressure, and this ignorance can last for years. For this reason, it is advisable to undergo periodic blood pressure screenings even when no symptoms are present.  

Extremely high blood pressure may lead to some symptoms, however, and these include:

• ·                        Severe headaches
• ·                        Fatigue or confusion
• ·                        Dizziness
• ·                        Nausea
• ·                        Problems with vision
• ·                        Chest pains
• ·                        Breathing problems
• ·                        Irregular heartbeat
• ·                        Blood in the urine

How is hypertension diagnosed?

Hypertension may be diagnosed by a health professional who measures blood pressure with a device called a sphygmomanometer - the device with the arm cuff, dial, pump, and valve. The systolic and diastolic numbers will be recorded and compared to a chart of values. If the pressure is greater than 140/90, you will be considered to have hypertension. 

In order to perform a more thorough diagnosis, physicians usually conduct a physical exam and ask for the medical history of you and your family. Doctors will need to know if you have any of the risk factors for hypertension, such as smoking, high cholesterol, or diabetes.

How can hypertension be prevented?

Hypertension can best be prevented by adjusting your lifestyle so that proper diet and exercise are key components. It is important to maintain a healthy weight, reduce salt intake, reduce alcohol intake, and reduce stress.

TREATMENT

The main goal of treatment for hypertension is to lower blood pressure to less than 140/90 - or even lower in some groups such as people with diabetes, and people with chronic kidney diseases. Treating hypertension is important for reducing the risk of stroke, heart attack, and heart failure. 

High blood pressure may be treated medically, by changing lifestyle factors, or a combination of the two. Important lifestyle changes include losing weight, quitting smoking, eating a healthful diet, reducing sodium intake, exercising regularly, and limiting alcohol consumption. 

Medical options to treat hypertension include several classes of drugs. ACE inhibitors, ARB drugs, beta-blockers, diuretics, calcium channel blockers, alpha-blockers, and peripheral vasodilators are the primary drugs used in treatment. These medications may be used alone or in combination, and some are only used in combination. In addition, some of these drugs are preferred to others depending on the characteristics of the patient (diabetic, pregnant, etc.). 

If blood pressure is successfully lowered, it is wise to have frequent checkups and to take preventive measures to avoid a relapse of hypertension.

R. Y. MANABAT, R.N. 

 You may be interested to know 13 Ways to Lower Blood Pressure Naturally

 

Skin Asthma

WHAT IS SKIN ASTHMA?
 

Skin asthma is called atopic dermatitis, commonly referred to as eczema. Atopic dermatitis is a disease that causes the skin to get very itchy and inflamed when irritated by an allergen. Many people who suffer from atopic dermatitis have to alter their lifestyles to avoid breaking out into severe rashes.

CAUSES OF SKIN ASTHMA

The exact cause of atopic dermatitis is unknown although it is seems that it is caused by both genetic and environmental factors.

SYMPTOMS

The exact symptoms for someone with eczema vary from person to person, but they usually all have dry, itchy skin. The skin can appear red and scaly, thick and leathery, bumpy, or it can leak fluid and become crusty and infected.

IRRITANTS

People with atopic dermatitis are commonly allergic to wool and synthetic fibers, soaps and detergents, chlorine, dust or sand, and cigarette smoke. Atopic dermatitis also tends to worsen when people are in stressful situations.

TREATMENT

Skin Allergy Treatment – 6 Ways to Cure Skin Problems

At some point, almost everyone suffers from skin irritation. The first step to treating itchy, dry, red skin is to figure out if there is an underlying allergy, or some other problem that is causing the flare-ups. By eliminating what the triggers are, you can find the best treatment option. This cause could range from seasonal allergies to contact dermatitis.

1. Identify the trigger. It’s virtually impossible to find a real lasting skin allergy treatment without figuring out what is triggering this allergy. Food allergies, exposure to dust, mold, or the outside elements can all be factors.

2. Moisturize your skin. Find a moisturizer that has anti-inflammatory properties, which can be prescribed by your doctor as part of a skin allergy treatment.

3. Think about dietary changes. Certain foods have been shown to improve the skin’s condition, naturally. Skin allergy treatment options could include eating more of these foods, such as flaxseed oil, avocados, walnuts, and anything high in vitamins A, C and E.

4. Use natural forms of seasonal allergy relief. Itchy skin can be soothed with natural treatments such as an oatmeal bath. If you have sensitive skin, always ask a dermatologist before taking any skin allergy treatment, however.

5. Exercise caution around pets. One of the leading causes of skin allergies is exposure to pet dander and fur. This may manifest itself in respiratory disorders, but skin problems are also quite common.

6. Use antihistamines. These medications are the most frequently prescribed by doctors for skin allergy treatment, because they reduce redness, itching, and other common symptoms of eczema, hives, or other flare-ups.

R. Y. MANABAT, R.N.

Asthma

Asthma is an inflammatory disorder of the airways, which causes attacks of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing.

Symptoms

 Cough with or without sputum (phlegm) production.

Pulling in of the skin between the ribs when breathing.

Shortness of breath that gets worse with exercise or activity.

Wheezing -is a high-pitched whistling sound during breathing. It occurs when air flows through narrowed breathing tubes

• ·            Comes in episodes
• ·            May be worse at night or in early morning
• ·            May go away on its own
• ·            Gets better when using drugs that open the airways (bronchodilators)
• ·            Gets worse when breathing in cold air
• ·            Gets worse with exercise
• ·            Gets worse with heartburn (reflux)
• ·            Usually begins suddenly

 Emergency Symptoms

• ·                 Decreased level of alertness such as severe drowsiness or confusion, during an asthma attack
• ·                 Extreme difficulty breathing
• ·                 Rapid pulse
• ·                 Severe anxiety due to shortness of breath
• ·                 Sweating

Asthma symptoms can be substantially reduced by avoiding known triggers and substances that irritate the airways.

· Colds and viruses

· Irritants like cigarette smoke, scent, pollution 

· Cold air or change in weather

· Physical exertion 

· Allergens like dust, mite, pollen, furs

· Some medications

· Infections

Management of Asthma

·                  Asthma cannot be cured, but it can be controlled

·                  Keep the house clean 

·                  Use hardwood floors or tile 

·                  Avoid carpets in house

·                  Avoid pets with fur or feathers 

·                  Use clean bed sheets & pillow covers 

·                  Use bed made of synthetic materials 

·                  Use air conditioner 

·                  Maintain low humidity at home 

 Treatment

 Anti-inflammatory drugs include:
a. Steroid Inhalers
b. Sodium Chromoglycate 

Inhalers / Capsules

 Bronchodilators.    Common bronchodilators include:
a. Salbutamol Inhalers
b. Terbutaline Tabs

Consult your Pulmonologist.  For references, you may visit ASTHMA FREE E-BOOKS,

R. Y. MANABAT, R.N.