Sexuality are away from a heart attack

Posted on May 24, 2010 by admin

sex life

According to a study in the United States, who suffered a heart attack, could kill themselves for fear of sexuality away from the stands.

American Heart Association’s annual conference offered over 700 people and thousands of the study of sexuality, standing away from the doctor often does the information in this regard appeared to be patient.

Research, Dr. Tesse Stacy Lindau, heart attack risk of those who died during sexual intercourse “too low”, he said.

Experts, who had a heart attack, such as climbing several flights of stairs in moderate forms of exercise to begin to live their sexualit

y then pointed out that they are safe.

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Men’s Sexual Dysfunction

Posted on April 7, 2010 by admin
Men's Sexual Dysfunction
Men’s Sexual Dysfunction

Is Sex Addiction Real?

Although several high-profile celebrities have sought treatment for sexual addiction, the diagnosis tends to elicit eye rolling and sarcastic reactions (“Right, I’m a sex addict too”). Because, really, who doesn’t love sex?

To some, saying you have a sex addiction is a bit like saying you’re addicted to the gym or eating cookies; it’s an innocent exaggeration. Add in the fact that many experts aren’t convinced either—sexual addiction is not formally recognized in the bible of psychiatry, The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and the diagnosis smacks of a philanderer’s last-ditch grasp at redemption.

While sex may indeed be akin to drugs in its ability to bring on serious relationship wrecking and life-altering (not in a good way) behavior, it is not supported by the same hard evidence that proves addiction, says Charles O’Brien, MD, the chair of the substance-related disorders work group for the American Psychiatric Association, which will publish the DSM-V, the fifth version of the manual.

“Drugs activate [an addict’s] brain’s reward system directly, like getting food or water,” says Dr. O’Brien, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania. “It could be that there are some similarities in those people who are called ‘sex addicts,’ but it hasn’t been studied or demonstrated.”

Sexual behavior that might elsewhere be called addiction will instead fall into a new DSM category called hypersexual disorder. Many of the symptoms are similar to what mental health providers consider sex addiction.

But until larger studies are conducted by evaluators who don’t have a hand in providing treatment, there just isn’t enough proof. “Good evidence that it should be classified with addictions doesn’t exist,” says Dr. O’Brien. “Established professionals won’t use that term.”

Still, addiction therapy and rehab programs are booming, and patients swear by their treatment. Despite the debate over the diagnosis, sex addiction counselors say there are distinct differences between the sexually addicted and people who just love sex.

Sex as a coping mechanism

“Individuals who act out sexually are usually doing so because they do not want to feel their feelings,” says Maureen Canning, a licensed marriage and family therapist and the clinical consultant for sexual disorders at the Meadows Dakota, a sexual addiction recovery center in Arizona. “They’re using this as a way to get high, just like taking a drink or snorting a line of coke. They use their sexuality as a means of escape.”

Often sexual addiction has some basis in childhood experiences that have affected sexual development, says Canning. “It depends on how profound those experiences are and how the individual processes that,” she says. “It could be traumatic for one child and not for another.”

About 25% of male sex addicts have experienced overt sexual traumas like sexual abuse or incest during their childhood, says Robert Weiss, a licensed clinical social worker and a certified sex addiction therapist who founded the Sexual Recovery Institute, an intensive out-patient treatment center in L.A. About 75% of female sex addicts have had a similar experience, he adds.

The addiction is less about sex and more about the obsessive behavior pattern that accompanies it, says Weiss. Sex addiction is similar to gambling, over-exercising, and impulsive spending, which are known as process addictions—addictions to a set of rituals rather than to a mood-altering substance.

“Neurologically, acting out or thinking about acting out [sexually] releases dopamine, serotonin, and adrenaline, creating a chemical cocktail in the brain that is extremely pleasurable,” says Canning. “It creates a euphoria.”

This euphoria keeps them coming back for more. “It’s a lot more fun to look forward to than the day-to-day stuff that life brings—dealing with the finances or struggling with the kids,” says Weiss. “Most [addicts] have difficulty tolerating day-to-day stressors and use fantasy and intense arousal to distract themselves.”

Research suggests that about 75% to 80% of sex addicts are men. Weiss says the typical client at his treatment center—where therapists see 150 clients a week, for two-week-long periods—is a heterosexual man in his late 30s who’s been married for 8 to 10 years and has two kids under the age of 5.

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Epilepsy

Posted on April 7, 2010 by admin
Epilepsy
Epilepsy

What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a common condition that causes repeated seizures. The seizures are caused by bursts of electrical activity in the brain that are not normal. Seizures may cause problems with muscle control, movement, speech, vision, or awareness. They usually don’t last very long, but they can be scary. The good news is that treatment usually works to control and reduce seizures.

Epilepsy is not a type of mental illness or intellectual disability. It generally does not affect how well you think or learn. You can’t catch epilepsy from someone else (like a cold), and they can’t catch it from you.

What causes epilepsy?
Often doctors do not know what causes epilepsy. Less than half of people with epilepsy know why they have it.

Sometimes another problem, such as a head injury, brain tumor, brain infection, or stroke, causes epilepsy.

What are the symptoms?
The main symptom of epilepsy is repeated seizures that happen without warning. Without treatment, seizures may continue and even become worse and more frequent over time.

There are different kinds of seizures. You may have only one type of seizure. Some people have more than one type. Depending on what kind of seizure you have:

•Your senses may not work right. For example, you may notice strange smells or sounds.
•You may lose control of your muscles.
•You may fall down, and your body may twitch or jerk.
•You may stare off into space.
•You may faint (lose consciousness).
Not everyone who has seizures has epilepsy. Sometimes seizures happen because of an injury, illness, or another problem. In these cases, the seizures stop when that problem improves or goes away.

How is epilepsy diagnosed?
Diagnosing epilepsy can be hard. If you think that you or your child has had a seizure, your doctor will first try to figure out if it was a seizure or something else with similar symptoms. For example, a muscle tic or a migraine headache may look or feel like a kind of seizure.

Your doctor will ask lots of questions. He or she will want to know what happened to you just before, during, and right after a seizure. Your doctor will also examine you and do some tests, such as an EEG. This information can help your doctor decide what kind of seizures you have and if you have epilepsy.

How is it treated?
Medicine controls seizures in many people who have epilepsy. It may take time and careful, controlled changes by you and your doctor to find the right combination, schedule, and dosing of medicine to best manage your epilepsy. The goal is to prevent seizures and cause as few side effects as possible. After you find a medicine that works for you, take it exactly as prescribed. The best way to prevent more seizures is to keep the right amount of the medicine in your body. To do that, you need to take the medicine in the right dose and at the right times every day.

If medicine alone does not control your seizures, your doctor may try one or more of these other treatments. They include:

•Surgery to remove damaged tissue in the brain or the area of brain tissue where seizures begin.
•A special diet called the ketogenic diet. With this diet, you eat a lot more fat and less carbohydrate. This diet reduces seizures in some children who have epilepsy.
•A device called a vagus nerve stimulator. Your doctor implants the device under your skin near your collarbone. It sends weak signals to the vagus nerve in your neck and to your brain to help control seizures.

How will epilepsy affect your life?

Epilepsy affects each person differently. Some people have only a few seizures. Other people get them more often. Usually seizures are harmless. But depending on where you are and what you are doing when you have a seizure, you could get hurt. Talk to your doctor about whether it is safe for you to drive or swim.

If you know what triggers a seizure, you may be able to avoid having one. Getting regular sleep and avoiding stress may help. If treatment controls your seizures, you have a good chance of living and working like everyone else.

But seizures can happen even when you do everything you are supposed to do. If you continue to have seizures, help is available. Ask your doctor about what services are in your area.

For parents, it is normal to worry about what will happen to your child if he or she has a seizure. But it is also important to help your child live, play, and learn like other children. Talk to your child’s teachers and caregivers. Teach them what to do if your child has a seizure.

There are many ways to lower your child’s risk of injury and still let him or her live as normally as possible. For example, learn about water safety for children who have seizures.

What Happens
Although epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders involving the nervous system, experts often cannot explain exactly how or why the disease develops and how or why the abnormal electrical activity in the brain occurs. Epilepsy does not always follow a predictable course. It can develop at any age and may get worse over time or get better.

Although uncommon, epilepsy that begins in a specific area of the brain may eventually affect another part of the brain. Some types of childhood epilepsy disappear after the child reaches the teenage years. Other types may continue for life. Epilepsy that developed after a head injury may disappear after several years or may last the rest of your life.

There is no cure for epilepsy. But treatment can control epileptic seizures, sometimes preventing them from ever occurring again.

Quality of life
Epilepsy and uncontrolled seizures can put limitations on your independence, self-esteem, and quality of life. With epilepsy, it is possible to have trouble getting or keeping a driver’s license. If you become pregnant, complications can occur. Your career choices may be limited. Some people with epilepsy face discrimination at work or school due to other people’s fears and misconceptions about this condition.

The good news is that proper treatment may allow you to control seizures, which can lead to improved quality of life and allow you to better cope with the disorder.

Finding out you have epilepsy can be difficult. You may not be able to do some of the things you used to take for granted (such as driving a car). Epilepsy is also a disease that can be hard to treat for some people, especially at first. You may need to try many different types of medicines before you find one that works just right. All of these things may make you feel sad or angry. It may help you to talk to a psychologist or counselor if you are feeling bad about having epilepsy.

Concerns about mental health or intelligence
Epilepsy does not cause and is not a form of mental illness. And in general it does not affect your ability to think and learn. Most people with epilepsy have normal intelligence. Children with epilepsy may have a hard time performing in school, but this is usually not the result of below-normal intelligence. Frequent absence seizures, for instance, may explain why a child seems to “zone out” or not pay attention during class. Some medicines used to control seizures may affect a child’s ability to stay focused at school.

A few, rare childhood epilepsy syndromes are exceptions to this in that they are typically associated with reduced intelligence, delayed physical and mental development, and other problems. These include infantile spasms (West syndrome), Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and Rasmussen syndrome, among others.

Because epilepsy is often a life-long (chronic) disease, it can be hard to understand how much your life will change. Some people may have feelings of despair, depression, or anxiety after hearing that they have epilepsy. In some studies, adults with epilepsy had a higher risk of suicide, especially if they had also been diagnosed with depression or another mental illness, and especially within 6 months of being diagnosed with epilepsy.1 For more information on depression, see the topic Depression.

If you or another adult friend or family member was just diagnosed with epilepsy or just started a new treatment for epilepsy, you may want to watch for suicidal thoughts or threats. For more information on what to watch for, see the topic Suicidal Thoughts or Threats.

Complications of seizures
Epileptic seizures themselves usually cause no harm—the danger lies in where you are or what you are doing when the seizure occurs. There is always a risk of head injury, broken bones, and other injuries from falling or from drowning if you are swimming or bathing at the time of the seizure. It can be dangerous to be operating machinery or driving when you have a seizure. You cannot swallow your tongue during seizures, but you can choke on food, vomit, or an object in your mouth.

Some seizures may place temporary but severe stress on the body and cause problems with the muscles, lungs, or heart. Choking, an abnormal heartbeat, or other problems may cause sudden death, though this is rare. Untreated seizures that become more severe or frequent may lead to these problems. One of the most dangerous complications of epilepsy is a prolonged seizure condition that can result in brain damage or death called status epilepticus.

Treatment Overview
When the body burns (metabolizes) fat, it creates substances called ketones. The ketogenic diet tries to force the body to use more fat for energy instead of sugar (glucose) by increasing fat and restricting carbohydrates. It is not yet clear how or why the ketogenic diet prevents or reduces seizures, but it has been shown to be effective in reducing epileptic seizures in some children.1

One version of the ketogenic diet provides 4 grams of fat for every 1 gram of protein and carbohydrate together. People on a ketogenic diet have to eat mostly fatty foods, such as butter, cream, and peanut butter. Foods such as bread, pasta, fruits, and vegetables have to be severely limited. And the person’s total calories and fluids are also restricted. At every meal, the food has to be measured carefully so that the right amounts of each food are given. Even a slight departure from the diet can cancel its effect.

What To Expect After Treatment
A person usually has to fast the day and night before starting the diet. The diet is gradually introduced over several days, so that the body can get used to the dramatic change. The person may feel tired and lack energy during the first few days.

Children are usually admitted to a hospital or epilepsy center when starting the diet so that they can be monitored. The ketogenic diet should always be given under the supervision of a doctor and a dietitian.

Why It Is Done
The ketogenic diet may sometimes be used to treat children who have severe seizures and who have not responded to antiepileptic medicines. It has worked especially well in treating seizures related to Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. It may be a good choice for a child when other treatments have failed to control seizures.

How Well It Works
Doctors are not sure why the ketogenic diet helps prevent seizures. But the diet has prevented epileptic seizures in many children who did not respond to treatment with antiepileptic medicines, including children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Another benefit of the ketogenic diet for some children is that it may reduce or end the need for medicine and thus avoid the side effects that result from medicine.

A review of the results from many studies of the ketogenic diet found that 4 out of 10 children on the ketogenic diet have one-half the number of seizures they had before being on the diet.1 Some children have an even greater reduction.

In one study, children on the ketogenic diet had about one-fourth as many seizures as kids who weren’t on the diet. So a child who wasn’t on the diet had 4 seizures for every 1 seizure that a child on the diet had.2

No one knows why the ketogenic diet prevents seizures in some children and not in others or why it has been more successful with children than with adults. If you have a child with uncontrolled epilepsy, you may wish to discuss with your child’s doctor whether a ketogenic diet might be an option.

Risks
The ketogenic diet may cause side effects in some people. These are not usually serious but may include:

•Dehydration.
•Constipation.
•Vomiting.
•High cholesterol level.
•Kidney stones.
•Behavior changes.
•Slower growth rates in children.

People on the ketogenic diet may develop vitamin and mineral deficiencies unless they take vitamin and mineral supplements. The diet does not supply adequate amounts of the vitamins and minerals the body needs.

Everyone on the diet needs close supervision by a doctor and a dietitian.

What To Think About
Despite the success of the ketogenic diet in some children, many doctors are skeptical of its use. It may pose other health risks to your child, and it is extremely hard to follow. Until more is known about how the ketogenic diet works and what its effects are, some doctors may not recommend using it. If you are thinking about having your child try the ketogenic diet, keep in mind that it has several drawbacks:

•For the diet to prevent seizures, your child has to follow it exactly. The amounts and types of foods eaten have to be measured precisely. And preparing meals can take a lot of time.
•The diet does not work for some children, no matter how closely they follow it.
•The ketogenic diet is not a healthy eating plan for children or adults.
•People on the diet usually need to take vitamin and mineral supplements.

Treatment Overview
Similar to a pacemaker, a vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) is a small device implanted under the skin near your collarbone. A wire (lead) under the skin connects the device to the vagus nerve in your neck. The doctor programs the device to produce weak electrical signals that travel along the vagus nerve to your brain at regular intervals. These signals help prevent the electrical bursts in the brain that cause seizures.

After it is implanted in your body, the battery-powered device can be programmed from outside your body by your doctor. You can also use a handheld magnet to turn the device on if you feel a seizure about to start. And turn it off if it is causing unpleasant side effects.

It takes about 2 hours to surgically implant the VNS device in the chest.

What To Expect After Treatment
The vagus nerve stimulator can start working right after the surgery (as soon as the doctor programs it). You may notice a slight bulge in the area under your collarbone where the device is. And the surgery will leave small scars on the side of your neck where the wire lead was placed and on your chest where the device was implanted.

Why It Is Done
Vagus nerve stimulation can be used in some people who have partial seizures, who have not responded well to antiepileptic medicines, and who are not candidates for epilepsy surgery.

VNS is used in combination with medicine or surgery. VNS does not eliminate the need for medicine, but it can help reduce the risk of complications from severe or repeated seizures.

How Well It Works
The vagus nerve stimulator reduces the frequency of partial seizures that don’t respond well to medicine and may make them less severe. It is used along with antiepileptic medicines or epilepsy surgery to control partial seizures.

The benefits of VNS seem to increase over time. In one study:

•After 3 months, the number of seizures decreased by about one-third.
•After 12 months, the number of seizures decreased by about half. And in 2 out of 10 people, the number of seizures decreased by about three-fourths.
For people who can sense when they are about to have a seizure, turning on the VNS using their hand-held magnet can sometimes prevent the seizure. It may also shorten a seizure already in progress.

Studies show that VNS may also be effective in children. VNS improved independence, mood, and learning in some children.2

Risks
The vagus nerve stimulator is considered safe. Mild side effects occur in some people when the device stimulates the nerve. The most common side effects include:

•Coughing.
•Throat pain.
•Hoarseness or slight voice changes.
•Shortness of breath.
In children, vagus nerve stimulation may cause increased hyperactivity.

What To Think About
Vagus nerve stimulation is not a cure for epilepsy, and it does not work for everyone. It does not replace the need for antiepileptic drugs. It is most likely to be available at an epilepsy center.

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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Posted on April 7, 2010 by admin
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

What is chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)?
Chronic fatigue syndrome, sometimes called CFS, is a condition that makes you feel so tired that you can’t do all of your normal, daily activities. There are other symptoms too, but being very tired for at least 6 months is the main one.

Many people improve in a year or two and do not have a relapse. Some people continue to have severe fatigue and other symptoms for many years.

The disease is not well understood. Most experts now believe that it is a separate illness with its own set of symptoms. But some doctors do not believe this.

There are no tests for CFS. Because of this, many people have trouble accepting their disease or getting their friends and family to do so. Having people who believe your diagnosis and support you is very important. Having a doctor you can trust is critical.

Your tiredness is real. It’s not “in your head.” It is your body’s reaction to a combination of emotional and physical factors.

What causes CFS?
Doctors don’t know what causes CFS. Sometimes it begins after an illness like the flu, but there is no proof of any connection. It’s likely that a number of factors or triggers come together to cause CFS.

What are the symptoms?
Extreme tiredness, or fatigue, is the main symptom. If you have CFS:

•You may feel exhausted all or much of the time.
•You may have problems sleeping, or you may wake up feeling tired or not rested.
•It may be harder for you to think clearly, to concentrate, and to remember things.
•You may also have headaches, muscle and joint pain, a sore throat, and tender glands in your neck or armpits.
•Your symptoms may flare up after a mental or physical activity that used to be no problem for you.

Depression is common with CFS, and it can make your other symptoms worse. Antidepressant medicines can help you feel better.

How is CFS diagnosed?
There are no tests for CFS. Doctors can diagnose it only by ruling out other possible causes of your fatigue. Many other health problems can cause fatigue, and most people with fatigue have something other than chronic fatigue syndrome.

How is it treated?
There is no treatment for CFS itself, but many of its symptoms can be treated. A good relationship with your doctor is important, because the two of you will need to work together to find a combination of medicines and behavior changes that will help you get better. Some trial and error may be necessary, because no single combination of treatments works for everyone.

Home treatment is very important. You may need to change your daily schedule, learn better sleep habits, and start getting regular gentle exercise.

Counseling and a gradual increase in exercise help people with CFS get better.

Even though it may not be easy, keeping a good attitude really helps. Try not to get caught in a cycle of frustration, anger, and depression. Learning to cope with your symptoms and talking to others who have the same illness can help you keep a good attitude.

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Anxiety

Posted on April 7, 2010 by admin
Anxiety
Anxiety

Anxiety

Feeling worried or nervous is a normal part of everyday life. Everyone frets or feels anxious from time to time. Mild to moderate anxiety can help you focus your attention, energy, and motivation. If anxiety is severe, you may have feelings of helplessness, confusion, and extreme worry that are out of proportion with the actual seriousness or likelihood of the feared event. Overwhelming anxiety that interferes with daily life is not normal. This type of anxiety may be a symptom of another problem, such as depression.

Anxiety can cause physical and emotional symptoms. A specific situation or fear can cause some or all of these symptoms for a short time. When the situation passes, the symptoms usually go away.

Physical symptoms of anxiety include:

•Trembling, twitching, or shaking.
•Feeling of fullness in the throat or chest.
•Breathlessness or rapid heartbeat.
•Lightheadedness or dizziness.
•Sweating or cold, clammy hands.
•Feeling jumpy.
•Muscle tension, aches, or soreness (myalgias).
•Extreme tiredness.
•Sleep problems, such as the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep, early waking, or restlessness (not feeling rested when you wake up).
Anxiety affects the part of the brain that helps control how you communicate. This makes it more difficult to express yourself creatively or function effectively in relationships. Emotional symptoms of anxiety include:

•Restlessness, irritability, or feeling on edge or keyed up.
•Worrying too much.
•Fearing that something bad is going to happen; feeling doomed.
•Inability to concentrate; feeling like your mind goes blank.
Anxiety disorders
Anxiety disorders occur when people have both physical and emotional symptoms. Anxiety disorders interfere with how a person gets along with others and affect daily activities. Women are twice as likely as men to have problems with anxiety disorders. Examples of anxiety disorders include panic attacks, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Often the cause of anxiety disorders is not known. Many people with an anxiety disorder say they have felt nervous and anxious all their lives. This problem can occur at any age. Children who have at least one parent with the diagnosis of depression are more than twice as likely to have an anxiety disorder than other children.

Anxiety disorders often occur with other problems, such as:

•Mental health problems, such as depression or substance abuse.
•A physical problem, such as heart or lung disease. A complete medical examination may be needed before an anxiety disorder can be diagnosed.
Panic attacks
A panic attack is a sudden feeling of extreme anxiety or intense fear without a clear cause or when there is no danger. Panic attacks are common. They sometimes occur in otherwise normal, healthy people and will usually last for several minutes.

Symptoms include feelings of dying or losing control of yourself, rapid breathing (hyperventilation), and a racing heart. You may feel dizzy, sweaty, or shaky. Other symptoms include trouble breathing, chest pain or tightness, and an irregular heartbeat. These symptoms come on suddenly and without warning.

Sometimes symptoms of a panic attack are so intense that the person fears he or she is having a heart attack. Many of the symptoms of a panic attack can occur with other illnesses, such as hyperthyroidism, coronary artery disease, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A complete medical examination may be needed before an anxiety disorder can be diagnosed.

People who have repeated unexpected panic attacks and worry about the attacks are said to have a panic disorder.

Phobias
Phobias are extreme and irrational fears that interfere with daily life. People with phobias have fears that are out of proportion to real danger. And although these people are aware that their fears are not rational, they are not able to control them.

Phobias are common and are sometimes present with other conditions, such as panic disorder or Tourette’s disorder. Most people deal with phobias by avoiding the situation or object that causes them to feel panic (avoidance behavior).

A phobic disorder occurs when the avoidance behavior becomes so extreme that it interferes with your ability to participate in your daily activities. There are three main types of phobic disorders:

•Fear of being alone or in public places where help might not be available or escape is impossible (agoraphobia)
•Fear of situations where the individual might be exposed to criticism by others (social phobia)
•Fear of specific things (specific phobia)
Use the Check Your Symptoms section to decide if and when you should see a doctor.

What Causes GAD?

The exact cause of GAD is not fully known, but a number of factors — including genetics, brain chemistry and environmental stresses — appear to contribute to its development.

* Genetics: Some research suggests that family history plays a part in increasing the likelihood that a person will develop GAD. This means that the tendency to develop GAD may be passed on in families.
* Brain chemistry: GAD has been associated with abnormal levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Neurotransmitters are special chemical messengers that help move information from nerve cell to nerve cell. If the neurotransmitters are out of balance, messages cannot get through the brain properly. This can alter the way the brain reacts in certain situations, leading to anxiety.
* Environmental factors: Trauma and stressful events, such as abuse, the death of a loved one, divorce, changing jobs or schools, may lead to GAD. GAD also may become worse during periods of stress. The use of and withdrawal from addictive substances, including alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine, can also worsen anxiety.

How Common Is GAD?

About 4 million adult Americans suffer from GAD during the course of a year. It most often begins in childhood or adolescence, but can begin in adulthood. It is more common in women than in men.

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Alzheimer’s Disease

Posted on April 7, 2010 by admin
Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease

Is this topic for you?
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of mental decline, or dementia. But dementia also has many other causes. For more information, see the topic Dementia.

What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer’s disease damages the brain . It causes a steady loss of memory and of how well you can speak, think, and carry on daily activities.

Alzheimer’s disease always gets worse over time, but how quickly this happens varies. Some people lose the ability to do daily activities early on. Others may still do fairly well until much later in the disease.

Mild memory loss is common in people older than 60. It may not mean that you have Alzheimer’s disease. But if your memory is getting worse, see your doctor. If it is Alzheimer’s, treatment may help.

What causes Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s disease happens because of changes in the brain. These include lower levels of chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) that help brain cells work properly. What causes these changes is not clear.

The risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease increases as you get older. But this does not mean that everyone will get it. By age 85, about 35 out of 100 people have some form of dementia.1 That means that 65 out of 100 don’t have it. Dementia is rare before age 60.

Having a relative with Alzheimer’s raises your risk of getting it, but most people with Alzheimer’s disease do not have a family history of it.

What are the symptoms?
For most people, the first symptom of Alzheimer’s disease is memory loss. Often the person who has a memory problem does not notice it, but family and friends do. But the person with the disease may also know that something is wrong.

As the disease gets worse, the person may:

•Have trouble making decisions.
•Be confused about what time and day it is.
•Get lost in places he or she knows well.
•Have trouble learning and remembering new information.
•Have trouble finding the right words to say what he or she wants to say.
•Have more trouble doing daily tasks like cooking a meal or paying bills.
The symptoms of Alzheimer’s get worse slowly over time. A person who gets these symptoms over a few hours or days or whose symptoms suddenly get worse needs to see a doctor right away, because there may be another problem.

As people with Alzheimer’s get worse, they may get restless and wander, especially in late afternoon and at night. This is called sundowning. Over time, they may also start to act very different. They may withdraw from family and friends. They may see or hear things that are not really there. They may falsely believe that others are lying, cheating, using them, or trying to harm them. They may strike out at others.

Later, they may not be able to take care of themselves. They may not know their loved ones when they see them. They may forget how to eat, dress, bathe, use the toilet, or get up from a bed or a chair and walk.

How is Alzheimer’s disease diagnosed?
To check for the disease, your doctor will ask about your past health and do a physical exam. He or she may ask you to do some simple things that test your memory and other mental skills. Your doctor may also check how well you can do daily tasks.

The exam usually includes blood tests to look for another cause of your problems. You may have tests such as CT and MRI scans, which look at your brain. By themselves, these tests can’t show for sure whether you have Alzheimer’s.

How is it treated?
There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but there are medicines that may slow it down for a while and make it easier to live with. Drugs that may be prescribed include:

•Medicines to help with memory and thinking problems, such as donepezil (Aricept).
•Medicines to help with help with moderate to severe confusion and memory loss, such as memantine (Namenda).
These medicines may not work for everyone or have a big effect, but most experts think they are worth a try.

As the disease gets worse, the person may get depressed or angry and upset. The doctor may also prescribe medicines to help with these problems.

How can you help your loved one with Alzheimer’s disease?
If you are or will be taking care of a loved one with Alzheimer’s, start learning what you can expect. This can help you make the most of the person’s abilities as they change, and it can help you deal with new problems as they arise.

Work with your loved one to make decisions about the future before the disease gets worse. It is important to write a living will and a durable power of attorney. A living will states the types of medical care your loved one wants. A durable power of attorney lets your loved one pick someone to be his or her health care agent. This person makes care decisions when your loved one cannot.

Your loved one will need more and more care as the disease gets worse. In time, he or she may need help to eat, get dressed, or use the bathroom. You may be able to give this care at home, or you may want to think about using a nursing home. A nursing home can give this kind of care 24 hours a day. The time may come when a nursing home is the best choice.

Because people are living longer than they used to, Alzheimer’s disease is becoming a more common problem. Ask your doctor about local resources such as support groups or other groups that can help as you care for your loved one. You can also search the Internet for online support groups. Help is available.

Early-stage and younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease

Early-stage is the early part of Alzheimer’s disease when problems with memory, thinking and concentration may begin to appear in a doctor’s interview or medical tests. Individuals in the early-stage typically need minimal assistance with simple daily routines. At the time of a diagnosis, an individual is not necessarily in the early stage of the disease; he or she may have progressed beyond the early stage.

The term younger-onset refers to Alzheimer’s that occurs in a person under age 65. Younger-onset individuals may be employed or have children still living at home. Issues facing families include ensuring financial security, obtaining benefits and helping children cope with the disease. People who have younger-onset dementia may be in any stage of dementia – early, middle or late. Experts estimate that some 500,000 people in their 30s, 40s and 50s have Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia.

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Alcohol Abuse and Dependence

Posted on April 6, 2010 by admin
Alcoholism
Alcoholism

Causes
Alcoholism is a type of drug addiction. There is both physical and mental dependence on alcohol.

Alcoholism is divided into 2 categories: dependence and abuse. People who are dependent on alcohol spend a great deal of time drinking alcohol, and getting it.

Physical dependence involves:

A need for increasing amounts of alcohol to get drunk or achieve the desired effect (tolerance)
Alcohol-related illnesses
Memory lapses (blackouts) after drinking episodes
Withdrawal symptoms when alcohol use is stopped
The most severe drinking behavior includes long drinking binges that lead to mental or physical problems. Some people are able to gain control over their dependence in earlier phases before they totally lose control. But no one knows which heavy drinkers will be able to regain control and which will not.

There is no known common cause of alcoholism. However, several factors may play a role in its development. A person who has an alcoholic parent is more likely to become an alcoholic than a person without alcoholism in the immediate family.

Research suggests that certain genes may increase the risk of alcoholism, but which genes or how they work is not known.

Psychological factors may include:

A need for anxiety relief
Conflict in relationships
Depression
Low self-esteem

Social factors include:

Ease of getting alcohol
Peer pressure
Social acceptance of alcohol use

Stressful lifestyle
The incidence of alcohol intake and related problems is rising. Data indicate that about 15% of people in the United States are problem drinkers, and about 5% to 10% of male drinkers and 3% to 5% of female drinkers could be diagnosed as alcohol dependent.

Causes
Alcoholism is a type of drug addiction. There is both physical and mental dependence on alcohol.

Alcoholism is divided into 2 categories: dependence and abuse. People who are dependent on alcohol spend a great deal of time drinking alcohol, and getting it.

Physical dependence involves:

A need for increasing amounts of alcohol to get drunk or achieve the desired effect (tolerance)
Alcohol-related illnesses
Memory lapses (blackouts) after drinking episodes
Withdrawal symptoms when alcohol use is stopped
The most severe drinking behavior includes long drinking binges that lead to mental or physical problems. Some people are able to gain control over their dependence in earlier phases before they totally lose control. But no one knows which heavy drinkers will be able to regain control and which will not.

There is no known common cause of alcoholism. However, several factors may play a role in its development. A person who has an alcoholic parent is more likely to become an alcoholic than a person without alcoholism in the immediate family.

Research suggests that certain genes may increase the risk of alcoholism, but which genes or how they work is not known.

Psychological factors may include:

A need for anxiety relief
Conflict in relationships
Depression
Low self-esteem
Social factors include:

Ease of getting alcohol
Peer pressure
Social acceptance of alcohol use
Stressful lifestyle
The incidence of alcohol intake and related problems is rising. Data indicate that about 15% of people in the United States are problem drinkers, and about 5% to 10% of male drinkers and 3% to 5% of female drinkers could be diagnosed as alcohol dependent.

Exams and Tests
Those at risk for developing alcoholism include:

Men who have 15 or more drinks a week
Women who have 12 or more drinks a week
Anyone who has 5 or more drinks per occasion at least once a week
(One drink is defined as a 12-ounce bottle of beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, or a 1 1/2-ounce shot of liquor.)

All doctors should ask their patients about their drinking. The health care provider can get a history from the family if the affected person is unwilling or unable to answer questions. A physical examination is done to identify physical problems related to alcohol use.

The following questions are used by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism to screen for alcohol abuse or dependence:

Do you ever drive when you have been drinking?
Do you have to drink more than before to get drunk or feel the desired effect?
Have you felt that you should cut down on your drinking?
Have you ever had any blackouts after drinking?
Have you ever missed work or lost a job because of drinking?
Is someone in your family worried about your drinking?
Tests for alcohol abuse include:

A toxicology screen or blood alcohol level (this can tell whether someone has recently been drinking alcohol, but it does not necessarily confirm alcoholism)
Complete blood count (CBC)
Folate tests
Liver function tests
Serum magnesium
Total protein
Uric acid
Treatment
Those who are dependent need to stop drinking alcohol (abstinence). Those who are problem drinkers may be successful with moderation. Because many people refuse to believe that their drinking is out of control, trying moderation can often be an effective way to deal with the problem. If it succeeds, the problem is solved. If not, the person is usually ready to try abstinence.

Three general steps are involved in treatment once the disorder has been diagnosed:

Intervention
Detoxification
Rehabilitation
INTERVENTION

Many people with alcohol problems don’t recognize when their drinking gets out of hand. In the past, treatment providers believed that alcoholics should be confronted about their drinking problems, but now research has shown that compassion and empathy are more effective.

The ideal approach is to help people realize the negative impact alcohol abuse is having on their life, and on the lives of those around them. They can aim for a personal goal of leading a more fulfilling and sober life.

Studies find that more people enter treatment if their family members or employers are honest with them about their concerns, and try to help them see that drinking is preventing them from reaching their goals.

DETOXIFICATION

Withdrawal from alcohol is done in a controlled, supervised setting in which medications relieve symptoms. Detoxification usually takes 4 to 7 days.

Examination for other medical problems is necessary. For example, liver and blood clotting problems are common.

Eating a balanced diet with vitamin supplements is important. Complications can occur with alcohol withdrawal, such as delirium tremens (DT’s), which could be fatal. Depression or other mood disorders should be evaluated and treated. Often, alcohol abuse develops from efforts to self-treat an illness.

REHABILITATION

After detoxification, alcohol recovery or rehabilitation programs can help people stay off alcohol. These programs usually offer counseling, psychological support, nursing, and medical care. Therapy involves education about alcoholism and its effects.

Many of the staff members at rehabilitation centers are recovering alcoholics who serve as role models. Programs can be inpatient, where patients live in the facility during the treatment. Or they can be outpatient, where patients attend the program while they live at home.

Medications are sometimes prescribed to prevent relapses.

Acamprosate is a new drug that has been shown to lower relapse rates in those who are alcohol dependent.
Disulfiram (Antabuse) produces very unpleasant side effects if you drink even a small amount of alcohol within 2 weeks after taking the drug.
Naltrexone (Vivitrol) decreases alcohol cravings. It is available in an injected form.
You cannot take these medications if you are pregnant or have certain medical conditions. Long-term treatment with counseling or support groups is often necessary. The effectiveness of medication and counseling varies.

When to Contact a Medical Professional
If you or someone you know has alcohol dependence and develops severe confusion, seizures, bleeding, or other health problems, go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number such as 911.

Prevention
Educational programs and medical advice about alcohol abuse can help decrease alcohol abuse and its problems. Alcohol dependency needs more intensive management.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism recommends that women have no more than 1 drink per day and men no more than 2 drinks per day. One drink is defined as a 12-ounce bottle of beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, or a 1 1/2-ounce shot of liquor.

Familial Pattern:

Alcohol Dependence often has a familial pattern, and it is estimated that 40%-60% of the variance of risk is explained by genetic influences. The risk for Alcohol Dependence is 3 to 4 times higher in close relatives of people with Alcohol Dependence. Most studies have found a significantly higher risk for Alcohol Dependence in the monozygotic twin than in the dizygotic twin of a person with Alcohol Dependence. Adoption studies have revealed a 3- to 4-fold increase in risk for Alcohol Dependence in the children of individuals with Alcohol Dependence when these children were adopted away at birth and raised by adoptive parents who did not have this disorder.

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Adult ADHD

Posted on April 6, 2010 by admin
Adult ADHD
Adult ADHD

Though once considered a phase that kids just grew out of, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is now recognized as a condition that can plague people of any age. When adults have ADHD, it can affect their jobs, their marriages and family life, and even their finances. The good news? It’s never too late for treatment.

“In our practice, we see ADHD patients ages 16 to 65,” says David W. Goodman, the director of the Adult Attention Deficit Disorder Center of Maryland and an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Most, if not all, of his patients elect to try medication, Dr. Goodman adds. Why bother treating older patients who have lived their whole lives with ADHD? “Because everyone is entitled to see how much better they can function when relieved of ADHD symptoms.”

ADHD in Teens and Adolescents: Behavior Problems May Be More Than Just a Phase…

People with attention deficit disorder (ADHD) who aren’t diagnosed in early childhood may begin to exhibit more obvious symptoms as they enter their teenage years. The increased demands of school, jobs, and new relationships may bring to the surface a teen’s inability to stay focused, or his or her penchant for impulsive or irrational behavior.

A teenager with ADHD can have trouble adjusting to major life changes, says Adelaide Robb, MD, an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

“Any time the complexity of your life changes, it’s tough for people with ADHD,” she explains. “When you go off to college, for example, you have less of a support system; your parents aren’t there. Your schedule is different every day, and a person with ADHD is going to have trouble remembering when they have class.”

At this age, adolescents may also want to be independent and rebel against their parents or society. When asked if she ever has patients who refuse to take medication, Dr. Robb replies, “Yes, all the time. They’re called teenagers.”

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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Posted on April 6, 2010 by admin
ADHD
ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

WHAT IS ADHD

Topic Overview
What is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition in which a person has trouble paying attention and focusing on tasks, tends to act without thinking, and has trouble sitting still. It may begin in early childhood and can continue into adulthood. Without treatment, ADHD can cause problems at home, school, work, and with relationships. In the past, ADHD was called attention deficit disorder (ADD).

What causes ADHD?
The exact cause is not clear, but ADHD tends to run in families.

What are the symptoms?
The three types of ADHD symptoms include:

•Trouble paying attention. People with ADHD are easily distracted and have a hard time focusing on any one task.
•Trouble sitting still for even a short time. This is called hyperactivity. Children with ADHD may squirm, fidget, or run around at the wrong times. Teens and adults often feel restless and fidgety and are not able to enjoy reading or other quiet activities.
•Acting before thinking. People with ADHD may talk too loud, laugh too loud, or become angrier than the situation calls for. Children may not be able to wait for their turn or to share. This makes it hard for them to play with other children. Teens and adults seem to “leap before they look.” They may make quick decisions that have a long-term impact on their lives. They may spend too much money or change jobs often.
How is ADHD diagnosed?
ADHD is often diagnosed when a child is between 6 and 12 years old. Teachers may notice symptoms in children who are in this age group.

First, the child will have a physical exam to make sure that he or she does not have other problems such as learning disabilities, depression, or anxiety disorder. The doctor will use guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association to diagnose ADHD. The doctor may also look at written reports about the child’s behavior. Parents, teachers, and others who have regular contact with the child prepare these reports.

How is it treated?
There is no cure for ADHD, but treatment may help control the symptoms. Treatment may include medicines and behavior therapy. Parents and other adults need to closely watch children after they begin to take medicines for ADHD. The medicines may cause side effects such as loss of appetite, headaches or stomachaches, tics or twitches, and problems sleeping. Side effects usually get better after a few weeks. If they don’t, the doctor can lower the dose.

Therapy focuses on making changes in the environment to improve the child’s behavior. Often, counseling and extra support at home and at school help children succeed at school and feel better about themselves.

How does ADHD affect adults?
Many adults don’t realize that they have ADHD until their children are diagnosed. Then they begin to notice their own symptoms. Adults with ADHD may find it hard to focus, organize, and finish tasks. They often forget things. But they also often are very creative and curious. They love to ask questions and keep learning. Some adults with ADHD learn to manage their lives and find careers that let them use those strengths.

But many adults have trouble at home and work. As a group, adults with ADHD have higher divorce rates. They also are more likely to smoke and have more substance abuse problems than adults without ADHD. Fewer adults with ADHD enter college, and fewer graduate. Treatment with medicine, counseling, and behavior therapy can help adults with ADHD.

Estimates vary about how many people are affected by attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Part of this variation is probably due to the different sources health professionals use to diagnose it.The accepted standard for diagnosing ADHD is the DSM-IV criteria from the American Psychiatric Association.2 A child’s dominant symptoms (inattention, impulsiveness, and/or hyperactivity) are determined and categorized. The condition affects about 3% to 7% of all school-age children in the United States.

Boys are diagnosed with ADHD more often than girls, with a varying ratio of 2:1 to 9:1 depending on the specific type.
Inattention is the most common type of ADHD diagnosed in girls. This type is the least likely of the three to be noticed in the early school years. It may not be detected until late childhood. Many girls may not be diagnosed and properly treated for the disorder until later in life.
It is not clear how many adults are affected by ADHD. However, overall estimates are that about one-third of children with ADHD continue to have significant symptoms into adulthood. More research is needed in this area.
In addition, more research is needed to determine how many preschool children and adolescents are affected by ADHD.

Symptoms
The symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may include:

•Inattention, which is having a short attention span and being easily distracted.
•Impulsivity, which can cause a person to do dangerous or unwise things without thinking about the consequences.
•Hyperactivity, which is inappropriate or excessive activity.
These symptoms affect people in all age groups who have ADHD. But typical behavior varies by age.

•In preschool-age children, symptoms may be hard to identify. Normal behavior in young children periodically includes all of the major symptoms. ADHD is distinguished from normal behavior by the severity and consistency of symptoms.
•Children between the ages of 6 and 12 usually show more obvious signs of ADHD than other age groups. School expectations can make symptoms more noticeable. For some children, school is the first setting where academic performance and socialization abilities are assessed. But it often is more difficult to detect ADHD when inattention is the primary symptom and the child is otherwise well-behaved. The presence of ADHD may be indicated by:
◦Low grades or test scores, including achievement tests.
◦Poor organization and study skills.
◦Socialization problems and feeling rejected by peers.
◦Dislike of school and frustration with school work.
•Teens between the ages of 13 and 18 may be in better control of disruptive behavior related to hyperactivity. Other problems that began in earlier years may continue or become worse when ADHD is not treated. Teens with inattention problems who previously managed to cope may start to fall behind in schoolwork. This is especially true when major changes occur, such as starting at a new school or going to college.
•Symptoms of ADHD in adults may not be as noticeable. Many adults with ADHD have not been diagnosed and treated. They can develop problems such as depression and difficulty maintaining a job.
There are several other conditions with symptoms similar to ADHD. For example, sometimes bipolar disorder and ADHD can be confused. It can be difficult to determine whether symptoms are caused by ADHD, another condition, or both.

Cause
The exact cause of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is not known. But inherited genetic factors are likely responsible. Ongoing research is focused on identifying genes that cause a person to be susceptible to ADHD.

Using various imaging tests, researchers have been able to observe the brain at work. They have found a possible link between ADHD and:

•Brain structure.
•The function of chemicals in the brain that help regulate attention and activity (dopamine and norepinephrine).
•Differences in function of some of the areas of the brain that affect attention and impulse control.
Also, research shows that a mother’s use of cigarettes, alcohol, or other drugs during pregnancy may increase the risk for ADHD. Some studies suggest that exposure to lead may cause symptoms associated with ADHD.

Although many parents believe that foods with sugar and food additives make their children more hyperactive, these foods have not been shown to cause ADHD. In a comprehensive review of research, the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that restricted diets seemed to help only about 5% of children with ADHD, mostly either young children or children with food allergies. Other research has shown that sugar is not related to ADHD.

A study by the National Institute of Mental Health found that certain parts of the brains of children with ADHD develop normally but about 3 years later than in children without ADHD. This may be why some children seem to grow out of the disorder.

Some people have misconceptions about ADHD, such as that children with ADHD are lazy or dumb. Talk with a doctor about questions or concerns you have about these issues.

Prevention
There is no known way to prevent attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Avoiding alcohol, drugs, and smoking during pregnancy may help prevent a child from developing behavior similar to ADHD as well as many other health problems.

Although you cannot prevent ADHD, you can help your child have fewer learning and attention problems by:

•Having good medical care and practicing healthy habits during pregnancy.
•Learning and applying good parenting skills, including setting consistent behavior limits.
•Maximizing preschool learning and attention skills by reading to your child and providing new learning experiences such as puzzles and board games. The development of attention skills can be increased with these types of activities rather than by watching television.
In addition, nurturing techniques that begin at birth and continue throughout childhood will help your child reach his or her potential regardless of whether ADHD is a concern.

What Increases Your Risk
So far, it appears that the greatest risk factor for developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is having an inherited tendency for the condition.

Environmental factors, such as certain parenting techniques, may influence how symptoms of ADHD are expressed, but these do not cause ADHD.

A stressful family situation may contribute to a child’s symptoms. A child may feel guilty because of his or her symptoms and the problems they cause, which can increase the risk of developing another condition, such as anxiety, along with ADHD.

When To Call a Doctor
Call a doctor if:

•You notice that you or your child has symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) that began before age 7.
•Your child is showing signs of ADHD, such as inattention, impulsivity, and/or hyperactivity, that are causing problems at home or school. Parents and teachers often notice this behavior during the child’s first few years in school.
•Your child shows signs of other mental health disorders, such as depression or anxiety, that last more than a few weeks or seem to be getting worse.
•Your child is having academic or behavioral problems at school.
Watchful Waiting
Preschool children
For young children who show signs of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, watchful waiting is appropriate. It is difficult to diagnose ADHD in children younger than age 5. Young children generally have short attention spans, and their normal range of behavior includes periods of high activity and impulsivity. If you notice any ADHD symptoms in your preschooler that do not seem age-appropriate, work with your child to improve behavior. Keep a record of your child’s behavior for 6 months to see if it improves. If it continues or has consequences, such as being expelled from day care or preschool, talk with your doctor about having your child evaluated.

School-age and teen years
Watchful waiting is not appropriate for school-age children and teens with ADHD symptoms. Children need attention from a doctor if they have behavior problems that occur in more than one setting, such as poor relationships with parents and poor academic performance.

Problems caused by inattention may not become significant until the teen years, when greater self-reliance is expected. A change in school (such as advancing to junior high or high school) or a new environment (such as moving to another city) can trigger problems with inattention. If you think your child may have an inattention problem, see a doctor to find out if ADHD is the cause.

Adults
Watchful waiting may not be appropriate if you are an adult and think that you may have ADHD. Consider how long you have experienced symptoms, and think about any major changes or difficult situations that are affecting your life. Your symptoms may improve when you have addressed and worked on those issues. But talk to a doctor if your symptoms concern you. If you have other symptoms, such as depression or anxiety, a doctor can help diagnose and treat your problems.

Who To See
Health professionals who can diagnose and treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with medicine include:

•Family medicine doctors.
•Pediatricians (may specialize in developmental problems).
•Psychiatrists (may specialize in adults or children and adolescents).
•Neurologists (may specialize in child or adult nervous systems).
•Nurse practitioners who specialize in psychiatry.
Health professionals who do not prescribe medicines but can provide behavioral therapy or family counseling include:

•Psychologists. Psychologists also frequently diagnose ADHD.
•Behavioral specialists.
•Social workers.
•Psychiatric nurse specialists.
•Licensed professional counselors.
•Family therapists.
Ask your health professional about his or her training and experience related to ADHD. Diagnosing and treating ADHD requires an ability to identify and distinguish behaviors that can be subtle and complicated. In addition, make sure your health professional has enough time to evaluate you or your child. Accurate diagnosis and successful treatment of ADHD takes repeated office visits and observations. It is also necessary that your health professional be able to coordinate between other health professionals, family members, teachers, and caregivers.

Determining exactly what is causing behavioral problems can be difficult, since symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may also be caused by other problems. The main symptoms of ADHD—inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness—may also result from:

•Giftedness. Some gifted children will show signs of inattention in class. Often they are not challenged and are bored, so they lose interest in normal class activities. (It is also possible for a child to be both gifted and have ADHD.)
•Undernutrition. Without proper nutrients, especially in the first year of life, a child is at risk of not developing normally. This includes compromised brain development and function.
•Abuse or neglect. Emotional problems that often result from abusive conditions can cause a child to have behavior difficulties.
•Stressful home environment. Temporary or permanent family or household situations, such as divorce or a death of a loved one, may cause a child to act differently than normal. Children can become confused and frightened when there are major changes in their lives.
•Parenting skills. Sometimes parents do not know how to effectively handle challenging—but normal—behavior in a child. If parents are inconsistent or unsure of themselves, their child may develop behavior problems.
•Alcohol or drug abuse (most common in teens and adults). It is important to screen for alcohol or drug problems, especially in adults, when evaluating behavior problems.
•Other medical conditions. Some other medical conditions have symptoms similar to ADHD. These conditions can be the primary cause of symptoms, but can also occur (coexist) with ADHD. About one-third of all children with ADHD have one or more of the following conditions along with ADHD:

◦Learning disabilities. Symptoms like those of ADHD, especially inattention, are common when children are in learning environments that are too difficult for them.
◦Conduct disorder
◦Oppositional defiant disorder
◦Depression
◦Anxiety disorders
◦Tourette’s disorder
◦Developmental disorders, such as mental retardation
◦A lifelong childhood medical condition with bothersome symptoms, such as asthma
In order to best treat symptoms of ADHD, a doctor must carefully investigate these other possibilities as a contributor to or cause of behavior problems.

When symptoms are primarily a result of ADHD, they develop early in life (before the age of 7) and get worse when school demands are placed on the child. Symptoms of ADHD can be expected to continue into adulthood.

Exams and Tests
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has established the symptoms and criteria for diagnosing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These criteria divide the condition into three basic types based on major symptoms5:

•ADHD, predominantly inattentive type
•ADHD, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type
•ADHD, combined type
In addition, some people are diagnosed with “ADHD, not otherwise specified” when symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity are present but do not fit into one of the three types.

A doctor will use criteria for diagnosing attention deficit hyperactivity disorders to determine whether a child has ADHD. Information used to diagnose the condition includes:

•An interview with the child.
•Medical history, including asking a parent about the child’s social, emotional, educational, and behavioral history.
•Physical exam.
•Behavior rating scales or checklists for ADHD, used by parents and teachers to evaluate the child’s symptoms.
It can be difficult to determine whether a child’s behavior problems are caused by ADHD, other conditions with similar symptoms, or a combination of ADHD and another condition. Several verbal and written tests for associated disorders are used to help with this determination.

In addition, children with ADHD may have difficulty learning to read, write, or do math problems. Testing for learning disabilities will help teachers develop the best educational plan for a child with these difficulties.

Other tests may be done to identify other medical problems that might explain the child’s symptoms, such as:

•Hearing or vision impairment. This type of disability often interferes with school achievement.
•Lead exposure. Children who have even small amounts of lead in their bodies can have symptoms similar to ADHD.
•Low red blood cell counts (anemia). This condition can cause low energy and poor concentration. It can be diagnosed with results from a complete blood count (CBC).
•Thyroid disease. Blood tests can help find out if a person has too much or too little thyroid hormone, which also can affect energy and attention. This is more common in adults than children.
•Seizures. Seizures can affect brain function and result in unusual behavior. In rare cases, a person with ADHD symptoms may have an electroencephalogram (EEG) to find out if seizures are occurring.
Parents often question whether ADHD is overdiagnosed. Many doctors and researchers believe that the increase in ADHD diagnoses results from improved detection techniques, especially the standardization of assessment criteria. Current and future research should help in answering this question.

Many adults with ADHD have never been diagnosed or treated. ADHD is a lifelong condition that, left untreated, can lead to low self-esteem, frustration, school or job failure, drug abuse, and depression. To diagnose ADHD in an adult, a doctor may use the Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS), a written test that consists of 25 questions about childhood difficulties that are often seen with the condition. The scale evaluates the presence and severity of ADHD symptoms during childhood.

Adults with untreated ADHD are at an increased risk of abusing drugs or alcohol. If an adult is suspected of having or is diagnosed with ADHD, he or she may also be screened for alcohol and drug abuse.

Early Detection
The American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines recommend that doctors ask parents about behavior and school performance during regularly scheduled well-child visits. This helps identify early signs of ADHD. If you are concerned about how your child’s temperament, learning skills, or behavior is developing, talk with your doctor during your next visit.

Before meeting with your doctor, think about at what age your child’s symptoms began. In addition, you and other caregivers should record when the behavior occurs and how long it lasts. An important component of evaluation for ADHD is considering the kinds of problems that result from the behaviors and to what extent they affect academic performance and social behavior.

Some adults do not recognize their own symptoms of ADHD until their child is diagnosed with the condition. If your child is diagnosed with ADHD or you think you have symptoms, talk with your doctor about being screened for ADHD.

Lisa’s son Jack had always been a handful. Even as a preschooler, he would tear through the house like a tornado, shouting, roughhousing, and climbing the furniture. No toy or activity ever held his interest for more than a few minutes and he would often dart off without warning, seemingly unaware of the dangers of a busy street or a crowded mall.

It was exhausting to parent Jack, but Lisa hadn’t been too concerned back then. Boys will be boys, she figured. But at age 8, he was no easier to handle. It was a struggle to get Jack to settle down long enough to complete even the simplest tasks, from chores to homework. When his teacher’s comments about his inattention and disruptive behavior in class became too frequent to ignore, Lisa took Jack to the doctor, who recommended an evaluation for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

ADHD is a common behavioral disorder that affects an estimated 8% to 10% of school-age children. Boys are about three times more likely than girls to be diagnosed with it, though it’s not yet understood why.

Kids with ADHD act without thinking, are hyperactive, and have trouble focusing. They may understand what’s expected of them but have trouble following through because they can’t sit still, pay attention, or attend to details.

Of course, all kids (especially younger ones) act this way at times, particularly when they’re anxious or excited. But the difference with ADHD is that symptoms are present over a longer period of time and occur in different settings. They impair a child’s ability to function socially, academically, and at home.

The good news is that with proper treatment, kids with ADHD can learn to successfully live with and manage their symptoms.

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Acne

Posted on April 6, 2010 by admin

Acne
Acne

What is acne?
Acne, or acne vulgaris, is a skin problem that starts when oil and dead skin cells clog up your pores. Some people call it blackheads, blemishes, whiteheads, pimples, or zits. When you have just a few red spots, or pimples, you have a mild form of acne. Severe acne can mean hundreds of pimples that can cover the face, neck, chest, and back. Or it can be bigger, solid, red lumps that are painful (cysts).

Most young people get at least mild acne. It usually gets better after the teen years. But many adult women do have acne in the days before their menstrual periods.

How you feel about your acne may not be related to how bad it is. Some people with severe acne are not bothered by it. Others are embarrassed or upset even though they have only a few pimples.

The good news is that there are many good treatments that can help you get acne under control.

What causes acne?Acne starts when oil and dead skin cells clog the skin’s pores. If germs get into the pores, the result can be swelling, redness, and pus. See a picture of how pimples form .

For most people, acne starts during the teen years. This is because hormone changes make the skin more oily after puberty starts.

You do not get acne from eating chocolate or greasy foods. But you can make it worse by using oily skin products that clog your pores.

Acne can run in families. If one of your parents had severe acne, you are more likely to have it.

What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of acne include whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples. These can occur on the face, neck, shoulders, back, or chest. Pimples that are large and deep are called cystic lesions. These can be painful if they get infected. They also can scar the skin.

How is acne treated?
To help control acne, keep your skin clean. Avoid skin products that clog your pores. Look for products that say “noncomedogenic” on the label. Wash your skin once or twice a day with a gentle soap or acne wash. Try not to scrub or pick at your pimples. This can make them worse and can cause scars.

If you have just a few pimples to treat, you can get an acne cream without a prescription. Look for one that has benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. These work best when used just the way the label says.

It can take time to get acne under control. Keep using the same treatment for 6 to 8 weeks. You may even notice that it gets worse before it gets better. If your skin is not better after 8 weeks, try another product.

If your pimples are really bothering you or are scarring your skin, see your doctor. A prescription gel or cream for your skin may be all you need. Your doctor may also order antibiotic pills. A mix of treatments may work best. If you are female, taking certain birth control pills may help.

If you have acne cysts, talk to your doctor about stronger medicine. Isotretinoin (such as Accutane) works very well, but it can cause birth defects. And using Accutane may be linked with depression. Let your doctor know if you have had depression before taking this medicine. And if you are female, you must protect against pregnancy by using two forms of birth control. Even one dose of this medicine can cause birth defects if a woman takes it while she is pregnant. You cannot take isotretinoin if you are breast-feeding.

What can be done about acne scars?
There are skin treatments that can help acne scars look better and feel smoother. Ask your doctor about them. The best treatment for you depends on how severe the scarring is. You can have scar tissue removed or have a shot of collagen. Collagen smoothes a pitted scar by plumping up the skin underneath. You may get the best results with a combination of treatments.

Cause
There are different types of acne. The most common acne is the type that develops during the teen years. Puberty causes hormone levels to rise, especially testosterone. High hormones cause signal skin glands to start making more oil (sebum). Oil releases from the pores to protect the skin and keep it moist. Acne begins when oil mixes with dead cells and clogs the skin’s pores. Bacteria can grow in this mixture. And if this mixture leaks into nearby tissues, it causes swelling, redness, and pus. A common name for these raised bumps is pimples.

See a picture of how pimples form .

Certain medicines can cause acne to develop. This type of acne usually clears up when you stop taking the medicine.

It isn’t just teens who are affected by acne. Sometimes newborns have acne because their mothers pass hormones to them just before delivery. Acne can also appear when the stress of birth causes the baby’s body to release hormones on its own. Young children and older adults also may get acne.

A few conditions of the endocrine system, such as polycystic ovary syndrome and Cushing’s syndrome, can lead to outbreaks of acne.

Prevention
Although you cannot prevent acne, there are steps you can take at home to keep acne from getting worse.

Gently wash and care for your skin every day. Avoid scrubbing too hard or washing too often.
Avoid heavy sweating if you think it causes your acne to get worse. Wash soon after activities that cause you to sweat.
Wash your hair often if your hair is oily. Try to keep your hair off of your face.
Avoid hair care products such as gels, mousses, cream rinses, and pomades that contain a lot of oil.
Avoid touching your face.
Wear soft, cotton clothing or moleskin under sports equipment. Parts of equipment, such as chin straps, can rub your skin and make your acne worse.
Avoid exposure to oils and harsh chemicals, such as petroleum.
Avoid long periods of time in sunlight, as this doesn’t help acne and can increase your risk of skin cancer. Use sunscreens when you are out in the sun.

What Increases Your Risk
The tendency to develop acne runs in families. You are more likely to develop severe acne if your parents had severe acne.

The risk of developing acne is highest during the teen and young adult years. These are the years when hormones such as testosterone are increasing. Women who are at the age of menstruation also are more likely to develop acne. Many women have acne flare-ups in the days just before their menstrual periods.

Acne can be irritated or made worse by:

Wearing straps or other tight-fitting items that rub against the skin (such as a football player wearing shoulder pads), as well as using equipment that rubs against the body (such as a violin held between the cheek and shoulder). Helmets, bra straps, headbands, and turtleneck sweaters also may cause acne to get worse.
Using skin and hair care products that contain irritating substances.
Washing the face too often or scrubbing the face too hard. Using harsh soaps or very hot water can also cause acne to get worse.
Experiencing a lot of stress.
Touching the face a lot.
Sweating a lot.
Having hair hanging in the face, which can cause the skin to be oilier.
Taking certain medicines.
Working with oils and harsh chemicals on a regular basis.

When To Call a Doctor
Call a doctor if:

You are concerned about your or your child’s acne.
Your acne gets worse or does not improve with home treatment.
You have tried home treatment for 6 to 8 weeks, and your acne has not improved.
You develop scars or marks after acne heals.
Your pimples become large and hard or filled with fluid.
You start to have other physical symptoms, such as facial hair growth in women.
Your acne began when you started a new medicine prescribed by a doctor.
You have been exposed to chemicals, oils, or other substances that cause your skin to break out.
You may want to seek medical assistance sooner if there is a strong family history of acne, you are emotionally affected by acne, or you developed acne at an early age.

Exams and Tests
When you see a doctor about acne, you’ll have a physical exam, and your doctor will ask about your medical history. Women may be asked questions about their menstrual cycles. This information can help your doctor find out if hormones are playing a role in acne flare-ups. Most often, you won’t have any special tests to diagnose acne.

You may need other tests if your doctor suspects that acne is a symptom of another medical problem (such as higher-than-normal amounts of testosterone in a woman).

Acne What Happens?

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