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Social Rhythm Therapy Helps Children With Bipolar Illness Cope

September 5, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Article by Julie Frey

Raising a kid with bipolar disorder is not an easy thing. It usually causes a great deal of angst, to the kid. But, it causes a great deal of angst and anxiousness for the rest of the family as well. Unfortunately, as of yet, a cure for bipolar does not exist. Therefore, it is incumbent on everyone in the family to learn to deal with the current state of affairs.

There are several good treatments for bipolar disorder. When an adult has this illness, it is pretty standard for the doctor to prescribe one or more types of medication. When treating children, however, you have less leeway. The physician has to be much more careful when prescribing medications for a child. The reason is that a child is still growing and developing. As a result, you want to be as sure as possible that any medications he is given will not adversely impact the development of his brain or body. Therefore, even when medicines are prescribed for children, they are usually prescribed in limited dosages. And, due to this limitation, they will not always have the same effect in a child as they would in a grownup.

Due to the exaggerated effects that drugs can often have on a child, many times, therapy is just as significant in the treatment of bipolar children as are drugs. One of the primary causes of anxiousness in a child suffering from bipolar is his inability to understand why he reacts to things in a certain way. To help him to understand, we use therapy – one of the best means available in helping us to understand why we do certain things and react in certain ways.

During the course of speaking with his therapist about his issues, the thought is that he will gradually come to gain an understanding of bipolar and the reasons why it is causing him to behave in a certain manner. It helps to alleviate his frustrations. And, this understanding and demystification of the disease helps to come to calm his reactions to the illness and to come to terms with it. In addition, therapy can provide him with the psychological tools to better control his reactions when with friends and family or when by himself.

Over the years, many forms of therapy have been developed to treat illnesses such as bipolar illness. And, one type of therapy that has shown great utility is one known as social rhythm therapy or treatment. It is a relatively recent type of therapy. And it shows great promise in its ability to treat bipolar disease. This treatment mainly concentrates on helping the child to establish and maintain daily habitual rhythms in their lives.

Specifically, what this means is that the child will be advised and encouraged to set up regular patterns for his daily activities. This includes activities such as sleeping, eating, exercising, homework – everything that he typically does during the course of a normal day. So, for instance, rather than going to bed at random times during the week, he is encouraged to go to bed, every day, at the same time.

So, likewise for each of the normal activities that he does day to day such as eating, school, and other activities – he sets a regular schedule and routine. An in establishing these regular patterns, he will find that the stresses that occur during the day have less impact on him.

Recognition of how effective a form of treatment such as social rhythm therapy can be is important. It emphasizes the fact that, to be most effective, bipolar has to be attacked in various ways and not simply by drugs. And, by incorporating this type of therapy into the overall treatment process, he will find it much easier living day to day.

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What Is Critical Illness Insurance And Why Do I Need It?

September 4, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Article by Alberto Martinez

With up to 20% of men and 17% of women experiencing a critical illness before they reach 65 years of age, critical illness insurance is more important than it might seem at first glance. Many people believe that critical illness insurance is an unnecessary expense, but in fact, statistics like these show that it’s more likely that the average person will suffer a critical illness before the age of 65 than they are to die.

Comparing and Understanding Critical Illness Policies

With more than 60 insurance providers offering two hundred different policies, choosing the one that’s right for you can be difficult. More than anything else, getting good critical illness insurance requires very close inspection of your policy. All insurers issue what are called Key Features Documents, which allow you to compare policies fairly easily. Examine these documents closely to determine which provide the best definitions of illnesses covered and value for the money.

Perhaps the most important aspect of this is making sure you’re aware of exactly what your policy does and does not cover. This type of error is the number one reason that critical illness claims get rejected, so understanding the insurance policy options you have is vital when it comes to choosing the one that will suit your needs the best.

Another related factor that’s important to consider is simply the range of illnesses that the policy covers. Choosing the cheapest plan may look good on paper, but the least expensive plan is likely to offer limited cover that simply doesn’t protect you against the illnesses you’re most likely to face. However, choosing one that’s too broad, one that covers exotic diseases you’re unlikely to encounter is pointless for most people, and selecting a policy of this kind will simply mean you’re paying premiums that are unnecessarily high.

Guaranteed and Reviewable Premiums

Buying a policy with a guaranteed rather than a reviewable premium can help keep your insurance costs down. A guaranteed policy means your insurance company promises that they’ll never increase the size of your premium. A reviewable policy is just that-the insurance company can periodically review your policy, and increase your premiums. If your policy is a short term one, choosing a reviewable policy can save you some money. However, while the reviewable policy is cheaper in the short term, the premium cost will be increased over that of an equivalent guaranteed policy within seven to ten years and within another ten years, could be more than twice that of the guaranteed policy.

Other Factors to Consider

Choosing a good policy also means looking out for extra advantages such as automatic coverage for your children. Not all policies offer this, but with child-related critical illness the sixth most common claim, this is a very useful way of protecting your children as well as yourself.

Finally, consider taking out life insurance and critical illness cover together, rather than simply getting one or the other. Purchasing the two together is always more cost-effective than buying separate policies, and it’s also much better value to buy these types of insurance when you’re young and healthy, and are eligible for less expensive premium rates.

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Childhood Illness: Online Support

August 21, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Article by Alesia Shute

Dealing with Childhood Illness: How online support through social networking sites provides relief in the middle of the nightAccording to the National Cancer Institute, more than 10,000 children under the age of 15 were diagnosed with cancer in 2007, making it the deadliest disease among U.S. children in that age group.I was diagnosed with colon cancer at age seven and spent most of my childhood in and out of hospitals, enduring six major surgeries and several minor ones decades after the cancer was in remission. If you are reading this article because your child has been diagnosed with a similarly devastating disease, then you are aware of the startling statistics. Every day, you hope that doctors will find a cause and a cure. Caregiving has taken over your life and that of your family’s. And although you are not alone in your plight, you probably feel like you are.Caring for a child with a catastrophic illness is physically and emotionally exhausting. As a parent, you must stay strong for your sick child-and for the rest of the family, including your other children. You become stretched very thin trying to take care of everyone, and you probably feel hopeless at times. My parents were amazing. As I reflect back on the years when I was really sick, I don’t know how they got through each day. While my illness changed the dynamics of how our family functioned, they worked hard to continue living life as “normally” as they could. I’m sure many times they felt as if they were on an island and that no other parent could be experiencing what they were experiencing, both emotionally and physically. But in today’s world of the Internet, parents don’t have to feel that way. I am not an advocate of Internet diagnoses, but I am a big cheerleader for social networking and the doors these sites open for parents who are struggling each day with loving and caring for a sick child. On my Facebook page, I have met some amazing people-yet I don’t know any of them personally. I have connected with people from all over the world and listened to their stories. As they go for treatment, I and other “friends” rally around them as a group. We answer each other’s questions, provide support, and squelch fears. If my parents had this type of virtual support when I was a child, it would have provided much needed relief, especially at 3 a.m. when they couldn’t sleep.Facebook, MySpace, and Yahoo! Groups all have online support groups for different types of illnesses. Various organizations also have their own online networks, as well, where you can chat live or post to message boards. Support is such an important part of managing your child’s illness, yet friends and family who aren’t going through the same experiences may not truly grasp what you are dealing with. Search Google for a support group for your child’s illness, and you’ll be amazed at what you will find. There are parents out there just like you, needing the same support that you need. After you join, you may just read and “listen” for awhile, and that’s okay. As you grow more comfortable with the group, you can share your fears and tears, and the joys and milestones that you experience. Knowing that there are people living a life like yours can sometimes be comfort enough. And it can give you much needed hope.About the AuthorWhen Alesia Shute was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 7, her life was redirected as was that of her entire family. She would go on to survive six major surgeries that had never been tested on a child, several minor surgeries and countless hours of pain and months of hospitalization. Alesia had to grow up quickly and adjust to being sickly and different from others. Everything’s Okay is her story of survival that details not only her recovery, but also her struggles through school, boys, marriage, and pregnancy, with some hilarious tales of life and family to boot. Contact Alesia directly at Alesia@EverythingsOkayBook.com.

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Campylobacter and holiday illness

August 16, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Campylobacter is one of the most common causes of food poisoning, and if you contract Campylobacter on holiday, you are likely to suffer symptoms of diarrhoea, stomach cramps and fever within two to five days of exposure to the organism.

holiday illness claim solicitor

You may also have blood in diarrhoea, and the illness typically lasts for one week. Like Salmonella, if Campylobacter spreads to the blood stream, it can cause serious, life-threatening infection, particularly among people with weakened immune systems, young children and older people.

Campylobacter normally clears up without any specific treatment, although it is particularly unpleasant if you contract the illness on holiday. Patients should drink plenty of fluids for as long as diarrhoea lasts, and in severe cases a doctor may prescribe antibiotics, which will shorten the duration of symptoms. Depending on the severity of your Campylobacter illness, your doctor will decide whether antibiotics are necessary or not.

Most holidaymakers who contract Campylobacter recover within two to five days, although recovery can take as long as ten days, without any further complications. It is possible to suffer arthritis following Campylobacter infection, or a rare disease which affects the nerves of the body, beginning several weeks after diarrhoea. Known as Guillan-Barr syndrome, this may occur when a person´s immune system attacks the body´s own nerves, and can result in urgent medical treatment.

Campylobacter on holiday can occur as a single case or as an outbreak, where a large number of people become ill at the same time. Most cases are associated with handling or eating raw/undercooked poultry, particularly chicken. The smallest amount of raw chicken can cause infection, which commonly occurs when raw chicken is prepared on a chopping board, which is then used to cut other food, without being washed in-between. This causes cross-contamination and results in illness.

Campylobacter does not usually spread from person to person, but can do so if a small child, for example is producing a large amount of diarrhoea. Larger outbreaks of Campylobacter are usually linked to drinking unpasteurized milk or contaminated water.

Chickens can be infected with Campylobacter, but show no signs of illness, and the disease can spread easily from bird to bird, through a common water source or through infected faeces.

Good standards of health and hygiene in hotel kitchens can prevent Campylobacter, including:

All poultry products should be cooked thoroughly. The meat must be cooked until juices run clear and the meat is no longer pink. The inside of a chicken breast should be cooked to 77ºC, and the thigh to 82ºC.If you are served undercooked meat or poultry in a holiday hotel restaurant, refuse to eat it and make a complaint to the hotel management and/or tour rep. Food handlers should always wash their hands with soap and water before and after handling raw poultry, and use separate cutting boards for raw foods, cooked foods and vegetables.

Always avoid consuming unpasteurized milk and untreated surface water, and make sure that people, especially children, wash their hands frequently with soap to reduce the risk of spreading the infection.

If you suffer any type of food poisoning in a holiday hotel which is part of a package tour, make a claim for compensation when you return to the UK. After visiting your doctor, to make sure you are clear of the disease, contact a regulated personal injury solicitor who will give you advice and guidance about making a claim for holiday illness compensation. There is nothing worse than suffering food poisoning on holiday, and if your holiday has been spoilt by illness, and you are out of pocket, you should claim the compensation you deserve with the help of a no win, no fee personal injury solicitor in the UK.

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Chronic Illness Support And Charitable Giving

July 23, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Chronic illness support can come in many forms, but it begins with charitable giving. With the help of donations from the public, money can be poured into resources for educating people about chronic illnesses. This includes educating the public so that they know how to deal with people who have a chronic illness, or even spot in themselves whether they have a chronic illness. Moreover, education can be provided to those with an illness so that they know how to take the best care of themselves, so that they can go on living life with as much normality as possible.

By supporting people through education, a long lasting change can be made. Moreover, support can come when people engage in charitable giving, and money can be put towards researching chronic illnesses. This means that a cure may be found, and people will have more medical support in order to overcome their condition.

Support is also needed day to day for those who suffer a chronic illness, from helping them to feel well every day, to bedside care, or advice. This kind of support is integral to helping people who are suffering from a chronic illness to get by with as much ease as possible.

Charitable giving is the key to providing all these kinds of support and it starts at home. By giving any change, or a small amount of money a month, a huge difference can be made in the lives of those with chronic illnesses.

Moreover, by giving at home, you will be having wider reaching effects. There are now many initiatives to help people overseas who suffer from chronic illnesses. This can be done by funding research done at home, so that these people can reap the benefit of the findings as well. Moreover, money can be given which will go directly overseas, in order to help people.

There are currently many initiatives to encourage charitable giving to Gibraltar, where people are equally in need of support for their chronic illnesses. Charitable giving will help people who may not be as fortunate as those at home who have immediate access to healthcare, education, and information.

Charitable giving can have widespread and even international effects if we focus our attention overseas. Helping people, such as those in Gibraltar to cope with chronic illnesses will lead to a healthier world in the future. This long-term aim will mean that all medical information is shared, and support can given to all who need it, anywhere.

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The Sleeping Beauty Illness

July 1, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Sleeping Beauty Syndrome Symptoms

    * Hypersomnia is predominantly the main symptom of this illness.
    * The symptoms follow up on unpredictable sleep cycles, wherein the patient can stay asleep for a few days, weeks or sometimes sleep continuously for months.
    * These patients spend almost 18 hours asleep, and wake up only to eat or visit the toilet. They do not have a bath and forget to look after their hygiene to a large extent.
    * The people who suffer from this illness often turn lethargic and are easily irritated.
    * They turn emotionless and do not respond to questions, almost as if they are in a zombie state.
    * They suffer from hallucinations and are perpetually in a dream state. So much so that they lose track of reality and can’t make out if they have actually woken up or still stuck in a dream.
    * They may suffer from bouts of amnesia and may not remember what happened the last time they woke up.
    * They may develop bedsores on their skin because of the long hours they spend sleeping.
    * They can become aggressive and even violent when prevented from sleeping. They usually cannot be woken up once they fall asleep.
    * There is a drastic change in appetite noticed among KLS cases, wherein they have been reports of patients hogging on food. Their intake is 3-4 times more than their usual appetite, which is why these patients gain weight while suffering from this illness. The overeating, the constant sleeping and absolutely no exercise makes them gain too much weight. All KLS patients suffer from large BMI. When not given enough food, these patients can get quite angry or upset, similar to how children behave when they are not given enough food.
    * There have been reports that more than half of the KLS cases of male patients suffer from and display active traits of hyper sexuality. These traits include masturbating excessively, sexual advances and promiscuous behavior and statements. This trait in not as visible in females, but chronic depression is a trait displayed by females suffering from KLS. Hyper sexuality traits in males suffering from this illness has often resulted in extended duration and cycles of the illness.

Probable Causes of Sleeping Beauty Syndrome

    * While there is no exact reason as to why this illness occurs, it is believed to have some connection to imbalanced immunology.
    * Many patients believe that the disease was caused because of suffering from various forms of stress.
    * Experts think it could be because of sleep deprivation, stress, excessive drinking of alcohol and abuse of drugs such as marijuana.
    * Genealogy also seems to have a role in developing KLS, where the involvement of human leukocyte antigen and hereditary immunity traits are being researched upon.
    * Some experts think that sleeping beauty syndrome may have a lot to do with autoimmune disorder, which causes the immune system to become overactive and causes the brain and the body to attacks itself.
    * The deficiency of dopamine too is believed to be causing this illness. This hormone regulates the normal function of the nervous system and is responsible for regulating tension and shock experienced by the brain and the body.
    * The malfunction of the hypothalamus has also been linked to the development of this disease. This part of the brain is responsible for regulating sleep, appetite and the body’s temperature.

     There is no known cure for sleeping beauty illness. The average duration for which this disease persists is about 4-8 years, after which the patient seems to get cured completely. There are very few cases wherein a relapse has been reported. These patients need to be treated with a lot of patience and sympathy.

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Turkey Gastric Holiday Illness Claims

June 9, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Gastric Illness from Turkey, Chicken and other Types of Poultry
We all know that undercooked chicken and turkey can give you food poisoning causing sickness, diarrhoea and a seriously upset stomach.

Chicken!

A lot of us eat chicken more than 2 times a week. Chicken is versatile and goes as well in a sandwich as it does in a roast dinner or a curry. Children, of course, love things like chicken nuggets and barbequed chicken drumsticks.
Our large consumption of chicken means we need to be careful to make sure it does not make us ill. The fun of making and eating a Chicken Madras may quickly disappear when 48 hours of so later you are vomiting all over the place.
What makes you ill from chicken?
The 2 most common types of bacteria that make you ill from chicken are Salmonella and Campylobacter.

It is not just in chicken that you find those bacteria in but turkey, eggs, and other red meat.

Unfortunately Salmonella and Campylobacter can be transmitted from the farmyard to your table and then into your digestive system. They can also be contracted from coming into contact with contaminated excrement.

How do you get food poisoning from chicken?

You can avoid getting ill from chicken if your own hygiene as well as that found in hotels and restaurants is to a high but relatively simple standard.
Basic practices such as washing your hands before and after preparing raw poultry and making sure you cook it thoroughly will help eliminate risk. In addition, steps should be taken to prevent the meat coming into contact with food that does not need cooking such as fruit and pre-cooked meats.
Raw meat and should be defrosted thoroughly and stored away from other types of food. When cooked, the meat should not be left a room temperature for long periods of time. Be particularly careful with chicken and turkey served in buffets.

What are the symptoms of illness caused by eating chicken?

If you have food poisoning from chicken, it is unlikely you will be ill on the same day. It usually takes between one and two days before your symptoms start.

The most common symptoms include stomach pains and cramps, vomiting, sickness, hot and cold fevers headaches, diarrhoea, excreting blood and lethargy.

You should seek medical attention if you think you might have food poisoning from chicken.

How long will I be ill for if I have food poisoning from chicken?

Symptoms can last indefinitely for those people that develop something called irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Symptoms of IBS include bloating, an increased and sudden urgency to use the toilet, constipation and stomach pains.

Some people go on to get problems with their joints and can develop post-infective arthritis.

For most people, though the acute symptoms will last between 2 and 10 days followed by a recovery period for about a week.

Treatment for Salmonella and Campylobacter caused by Chicken

You will usually be advised to keep well hydrated and take in lots of fluids. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if your symptoms persist.

Salmonella and Campylobacter can be treated with antibiotics and in more serious cases hospitalisation may be necessary.

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The Prevalence of Mental Health Disorders, Emotional and Behavioral Disorders and Mental Illness in Children

June 9, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Mental health disorders and mental illnesses affect a greater number of children and juveniles than many people are aware of. These emotional and behavioral disorders can have profound negative effects on the growth and development of children, especially when they go unnoticed and untreated. A greater proportion of children and youth in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems have mental health problems than children and youth in the general population.

-50% of children and youth in the child welfare system have mental health problems.
-67% to 70% of youth in the juvenile justice system have a diagnosable mental health disorder.

Prevalence Estimates of Mental, Emotional and Behavioral Disorders In Young People

DISORDER                                            PERCENTAGE OF YOUNG PEOPLE AFFECTED

Learning D/O:                                                                5%
Substance use / addiction disorder:                                  10.3%
CD:                                                                              3.5%
ODD:                                                                            2.8%
ADHD:                                                                           4.5%
Anxiety Disorders (various):                                             8%
Unipolar Disorder:                                                           5.2%
One or more disorders:                                                   17%

(D/O = Disorder; CD = Conduct Disorder; ODD = Oppositional Defiant Disorder; ADHD = Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Source: Preventing Mental, Emotional and Behavioral Disorders Among Young People, 2009. National Research Council and Institute of Medicine, of the National Academies.)

Early Detection and Intervention are Critical

The onset of major mental illness may occur as early as 7 to 11 years old.
-Research supported by the National Institute of Mental Health indicates that half of adults with MEB disorders were first diagnosed by age 14 and three fourths were diagnosed by age 24.  
-Factors that predict mental health problems can be identified in the early years, with children and youth from low-income  households at increased risk for mental health problems.  

Age at Onset of First Symptom of Full Psychiatric Disorder, by Age 21

DISORDER                        AVG. AGE OF FIRST SYMPTOM            AVG. AGE OF FIRST DIAGNOSIS

ADHD:                                            Age 5                                                 Age 5
ODD:                                              Age 5                                                 Age 10
CD:                                                Age 6                                                 Age 11
Anxiety Disorders (Various):              Age 7                                                 Age 8
Depression:                                     Age 12                                               Age 15
Substance Abuse:                             Age 14                                               Age 15
Substance Dependence:                    Age 16                                               Age 17
Any Psychiatric Diagnosis:                  Age 9                                                 Age 11

(Source: Preventing Mental, Emotional and Behavioral Disorders Among Young People, 2009. National Research Council and Institute of Medicine, of the National Academies)

Obstacles to Access and Quality in Mental Healthcare

Several federal commissions and workgroups federal task forces have documented the need for improved and expanded mental health services for children and youth.

-It is estimated that less than 1 in 5 of these children receive the appropriate needed treatment  
-Only 15% of youths who had difficulties had parents that actively talked to a health care provider or school staff about their child?s emotional or behavioral difficulties.  

There is not adequate financial support for quality services to prevent and treat mental health problems of children and youth. Many child mental health services are not covered by managed care payers. In 2007, 3.1 million youths, (12.5 percent of 12 to 17 year olds) received treatment or counseling for problems with behavior or emotional disturbances in specialty mental health settings (which include inpatient and outpatient care).

Effective Treatment and Prevention Exists

Clear windows of opportunity are available to prevent MEB disorders and related problems before they occur. An intervention before a disorder manifests itself is possible and offers the best opportunity to protect young people. Effective prevention includes strengthening families by targeting problems, strengthening individuals by building resilience and skills, preventing specific disorders by screening individuals at risk, promoting mental health in schools and promoting mental health through health care and community programs. The key to most approaches is to identify risks (biological, psychological and social factors) that may increase a child?s risk of MEB disorders.

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Could Your Mental Illness Actually Be Physical?

June 9, 2011 by Leave a Comment

If you suffer from a mental illness such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, you may have an undiagnosed physical disease. Read on to discover why your mental illness could have a physical cause.

Thyroid Disease

Thyroid disease is a physical disease that can appear to be a mental illness. In hypothyroidism, there is an insufficient production of the thyroid hormone. Some of the physical symptoms include weight gain, cold sensitivity, thinning hair, dry skin, anemia, muscle aches & weakness. The mental symptoms include insomnia, hallucinations, suicidal thoughts and acts, depression, nightmares, paranoia, unstable emotions, suspiciousness and fear. In hyperthyroidism, there is an overproduction of the thyroid hormone. Some physical symptoms include weight loss, feeling overheated, diarrhea, infrequent or absence of menstrual periods, fast heart rate, shaking hands and hair loss. Mental symptoms include nervousness, insomnia, staring gaze, mood swings, impatience, hyperactivity, anxiety and depression.

Gluten Intolerance

Hidden gluten intolerance is a physical condition that can cause the symptoms of mental illness. Common physical symptoms of gluten intolerance include abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, weight loss or gain, hair loss and irritable bowel syndrome. Mental symptoms include behavioral problems in children, autism, Aspergers, learning disabilities, brain fog, anxiety, depression and even the symptoms of schizophrenia. In a person with gluten intolerance, gluten has an opiate effect on the brain, which can cause mental dullness and confusion.

Parasites

A human parasite infection is a physical condition that can appear to be a mental illness. It is estimated that over 50% of Americans are infected with some type of parasite. Physical symptoms are numerous including chronic diarrhea/and or alternating with constipation, multiple food allergies, changes in appetite, sudden weight loss, muscle pain, sore intestines, muscle pain, gurgling intestines, anal itching, yeast infections, itching on the soles of the feet, foul-smelling gas, nausea/vomiting, dizziness, anemia, conjunctivitis (pink eye), palpitations and coughing up bloody sputum (in some cases). Mental symptoms include insomnia, anxiety/irritability, brain fog, depression and poor memory.

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is a physical disease that can appear to be a mental illness. Lyme disease is an illness caused by a bite from an infected tick. Early physical symptoms are usually flu-like symptoms, localized rash at the site of the bite, headache, fatigue and muscle aches and pains. Later physical symptoms include facial tics, pain or weakness in limbs, poor memory and concentration.  Mental symptoms can include personality changes, symptoms of OCD, paranoia, fear, delusions on account of the effect Lyme disease has on the nervous system. If you have these physical and mental symptoms, get tested for Lyme disease immediately. Left untreated, Lyme disease can cause permanent neurological and mental damage.

Chronic Candida Infection

Chronic candida is a physical condition that can appear to be a mental illness. Candida is yeast that lives normally in the body. However, frequent use of antibiotics can destroy what keeps the yeast in check, which may result in an overgrowth. Some physical symptoms of candida are recurrent yeast infections, athlete’s foot, stomach problems, craving for sweets and alcohol, acid reflux, low libido and itching. Mental symptoms include anxiety, irritability, restlessness, poor memory, brain fog, mood swings, manic depression, depression, delusions and psychosis.

Vitamin B3 Deficiency (Pellagra)

Pellagra is a physical condition that can appear to be a mental illness. A person with a vitamin B3 or niacin deficiency can exhibit physical symptoms such as muscle weakness, red scaly skin, loss of appetite and diarrhea. Mental symptoms can include dizziness, headaches and mental disturbances. Pellagra doesn’t affect many in the US but is common throughout the world.

Vitamin B12 (Folic Acid) Deficiency

Folic acid deficiency is a physical condition that can mimic mental illness. It can occur after surgery that removes part of the intestine. This leads to malabsorption of the vitamin, which can cause physical symptoms such as weakness, paleness, mouth lesions and red sore tongue, restless leg syndrome, nausea & vomiting. Mental symptoms include moodiness, difficulty learning, anxiety, insomnia, problems with coordination, mania, hallucinations, paranoia and psychosis.

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is a physical disease that can appear to be a mental illness. Hypoglycemia means abnormally low blood sugar and it is a physical illness that mimics mental illness. Physical symptoms of hypoglycemia include weakness, shakiness, fainting and excess sweating. When blood sugar drops, mental symptoms can include anxiety, emotional outbursts, mood swings, excessive crying and the appearance of being under the influence of alcohol.

Heavy Metal Toxicity

Heavy metal toxicity is a physical condition that can appear to be a mental illness. Mercury, lead and arsenic are the most common culprits in heavy metal toxicity. Those with mercury fillings may be at risk. Also, heavy metal toxicity can result from what a person is exposed to at work or during leisure activities. Lead toxicity can lead to physical symptoms such as gastrointestinal problems, headache and convulsions with mental symptoms including anxiety, delusions, nightmares and mental confusion. Arsenic can also produce stomach and neurological problems as well as increased skin pigmentation and a garlic odor on the breath. Mental symptoms include dementia, apathy and anorexia nervosa. Those with mercury toxicity may have a metallic taste in the mouth, an overproduction of saliva, tremors and stomach complaints. Mental symptoms include depression, anorexia, irritability and psychosis.

Histadelia

Histadelia is a physical disease that can appear to be a mental illness. This is a physical condition characterized by too much histamine in the blood. Histadelia affects men more than women. It is estimated that 15-20% of patients who have histadelia have been inaccurately diagnosed with schizophrenia. Physical symptoms include frequent colds, allergies, fast metabolism, thin build, low pain tolerance and excessive sweating. Mental symptoms include strong suicidal tendencies, obsessions, mind blanks, severe depression, hyperactivity and phobias.

If any of the above physical conditions seem familiar to you and you believe you may be suffering from one, do more research and arm yourself with knowledge before going to see your doctor. It is important to get an accurate diagnosis of a physical illness to rule out mental illness. 

For more natural health tips, visit my blog at : http://www.itoldyouiwassick.info

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Yoga After An Illness

June 9, 2011 by Leave a Comment

After an illness, your doctor often will suggest tips to stay well which include both dietary and exercise ideas. Yoga is a nice option as it has gentle poses that can benefit someone without being too difficult for beginners. It also is excellent to relieve stress. Breathing helps the body both to relax and to expand it’s lung capacity. The mind gets trained to let go and this gets applied to daily situations. Many physical conditions are worsened by stress and these include high blood pressure and problems with respiration.

Flexibility is improved by yoga and this enables one to have more balance in daily life. This is also important because having a greater range of motion can help to prevent strains and muscular issues. Becoming more flexibile is also very empowering. When you are able to turn your head an additional inch or so while looking to the side during driving, it is a wonderful feeling of expansion.

Also being able to reach a bit higher in one’s kitchen is a very rewarding feeling that often results after stretching for a period of time.

Increased energy is something many people speak about needing when recovering from an illness. Yoga helps increase energy by breathing exercises and the visualizations that enable one to stop carrying emotional weight each day. We often get our energy depleted because we review painful situations over and over again or live in the future rather than the present.

Some of the yoga poses work on strengthening the back. When one does this it can help alleviate back pain because of new alignments and balances. Another advantage is that this can help one have an improved sleep pattern. By working on the body’s tendons and ligaments, joint pain can be reduced and the body will also become more toned.

Yoga, after an illness, also helps in improving your endurance level. Exercises such as Power Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Bikram Yoga and Vinyasa Yoga keep the body in constant movement often based on variations of the sun salutation. This can be beneficial, though one may want to start with restorative or gentle yoga after dealing with an illness. Some studies also say that yoga helps women who are nearing menopause as it improves the bone density. Adults and children who have ADHD or ADD can benefit from Yoga immensely by learning to control their breathing and practicing focusing. This leads to better concentration at work and school. It can also help kids release excess energy and help reduce impulsive behavior issues.

Always perform yoga under a trained instructor. Learn how to do the poses properly. If one is unable to attend a class, there are dvds that one can do at home which include chair or sitting yoga. This avoids the problems of sitting on the floor that may be difficult with those challenged by physical problems.

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