Tag: depression

Acupuncture Explained, Eastern and Western

Acupuncture uses the insertion of needles to alleviate certain symptoms in the body. It has gotten wide acceptance among western medicine as treatment for such things as postoperative pain, anesthesia, menstrual cramps, etc. It stimulates a number of points on the body, usually by inserting thin metal needles into points that are carefully selected to address a particular symptom or set of symptoms. When the needles is inserted the patient may feel nothing, may feel more relaxed, or may feel a warm or other pleasant feeling. The reduction of symptoms can occur quite quickly, as in pain release, or over a series of treatments for the symptom.

The Eastern explanation of how acupuncture works comes from China, from a tradition going back more than two thousand years. In this view, the body works best when vital energy circulates around the body exactly as it should. At this time, everything in the body is in balance between two different principles, Yin and Yang. Yin generally is assigned to relaxed, cool, passive objects or feelings. Yang is assigned to active, warm, and assertive objects, organs, and actions. The vital energy flows from one organ system to another to maintain balance between Yin and Yang. When this energy (known as Qi) is blocked or depleted, the body no longer works well and symptoms begin to appear. Qi is assumed to regulate the well being of the entire person: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.

The assumption that Qi regulates all aspects of a person is the reason an acupuncture practitioner easily agrees to treat emotional issues, such as depression and anxiety, with as much enthusiasm as treating physical symptoms. In addition, symptoms that may be a combination of physical, mental, and emotional (such as sleeplessness) fit easily into the acupuncture view of an imbalance of Qi, and are treated accordingly. It also explains why the diagnosis of an acupuncture patient usually includes questions that go well beyond just the physical symptoms of a patient.

Western medicine has been studying the effects of acupuncture with interest for at least the last twenty years. It is clear that there are remarkable successes, and these studies have documented them. However, finding an explanation for the results of a number of these acupuncture studies is a bit more puzzling, if you need an explanation within the western system of medicine. The present view is that the needles affect the behavior of the nervous system, and stimulation of the system can assist in production of biochemicals to produce a particular result. For example, endorphins produced by the body help reduce or eliminate pain, and white blood cells fortify the immune system. However, it is unclear exactly how a particular needle stimulation encourages production of particular biochemicals. Also, other studies indicate that acupuncture points alter brain chemistry, which affects a number of body functions. This is still a very new and interesting field, and we will continue to see more studies that will help explain the marvelous results of acupuncture technique.

Dealing With Stress From Work

Stress. What stress? Sometimes we can get so stressed out that we dont even notice it ourselves. It becomes part of the daily grind; and who has time for it anywayyouve got things to do, right? This may be true but if you do not mange your stress properly it will begin to manage you. Major sources of stress are related to work activities. Issues with competency, uncertainty, and communication can cause us to stress out daily at work and spill over into the home. Control is a factor that is greatly attributed to job stress. People with a great deal of responsibilities without a lot of control over decisions are the most at risk for stress related illnesses like heart failure. Communication problems thicken the pot and cause even more tension. Feeling a little unappreciated lately. If you do not feel supported by coworkers or management it may make resolving issues more difficult, causing even more stress. You may be new and uncertain of your responsibilities or there are too many recurring deadlines. Alright, more and more stress on the job.

Reducing some of this stress will benefit you and your employer. Meeting regularly with your manager or supervisor to discuss problem at least once a year to discuss performance and other issues that affect you on the job may help. Good time management skills and leaving your job at the office and dont give up any of your free time to catch up on work if you dont have to. Ahhha little relief. Know when to quit. If you are truly unhappy with your job think about changing careers and spend time researching other possibilities. Do the researches before you quit and find a less stressful job. Ahhhhhhhheven more relief. Engage in much more physical activity to reduce stress and get fit so you are at least more equipped to handle stressors. Ahhhhhhhhh it is relaxing even more. And last but not least take a vacation if needed and recharge by doing something that you really enjoy. Vacation! Ultimate relaxation achieved.

All might not play out exactly like the description just mentioned. The point here is to find ways to relax yourself. Ultimately there is no one to take better care of you than you. If you find that you are experiencing more tension than you can handle take immediate action to resolve whatever it is that is causing you so much stress and work on eliminating or decreasing them. So instead of letting the root of the problem continue unabated while you frantically try to get rid of the stress it creates, you should get to the root and eliminate whatever it is that is making you stressed. Even if it means changing your lifestyle dramatically, or quitting your job and living cheaply for a few months, it is worth it in the end since stress can be such a harmful thing. You can try talking to your employer to see if it would be possible to have a more relaxed work day. Tell him or her about your health issues that are resulting from stress.

Unless you are one of those individuals who thrive in a high pressure environment and positive results are evident in your health and performance there may be a big need for change. Stress can be the single cause of depression, high blood pressure, heart palpitations, and reek havoc on your family or behavior. Dont allow the advances in technology to separate you from your family and friends. Disconnect from cell phones and the internet and separate your time from the employers time. Begin to enjoy the time you spend alone or with family and friends, enjoy that long book, take that weekend get away that youve been putting off for months. If you dont do any of these things, find a way to relax somehow, so that the effects of job related stress dont lead you straight to burnout and drain you out of your precious life.

If You Have Arthritis

If You Have Arthritis
Michal John

If You Have Arthritis?

Arthritis and related conditions affect nearly 43 million
Americans, or about one of every six people, making it one of
the most prevalent diseases in the United States.According to
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention one out of every
three Americans (an estimated 70 million people) is affected by
one of the more than 100 types of arthritis.Arthritis is a
chronic disease that will be with you for a long time and
possibly for the rest of your life.

Prevention & Causes of Arthritis:

These are some prevention and causes of arthritis.There is
evidence that behaviors such as weight reduction and avoiding
injury may slow the progression and impact of osteoarthritis.The
pain of arthritis may come from different sources.These may
include inflammation of the synovial membrane (tissue that lines
the joints),the tendons, or the ligaments; muscle strain; and
fatigue.Factors that contribute to the pain include swelling
within the joint,the amount ofheat or redness present, or damage
that has occurred within thejoint.Joint arthritis, the cartilage
may be damaged, narrowed and lost by a degenerative process or
by inflammation making movement painful.

Symptoms and Medications:

There are many different signs and symptoms of arthritis. If you
have experienced pain, stiffness, or swelling around a
joint.Many people will experience some difficulty functioning at
home, at work or at play because of joint pain, stiffness and
loss of motion regardless of the type of arthritis they
have.These arthritis symptoms may come up suddenly or slowly
over time and may also include sleeplessness, fatigue,
depression, and muscle aches.

Some Tropical medications for Arthritis: Arthritis Pain
Clikpak

Arthritis Pain
Formula

ArthPlus

Ahhhloe Ice for
Pain Relief these products are useful to Arthritis pain.

Home Care Suggestions: 1.High doses of aspirin are not good
for the body. 2.Massage therapy is good and provides relief to
the joints. 3.Aloe Vera juice I glass daily and aloe Vera gel
are also very effective.

More Info About Arthritis

About the author:
Author By Michal John

Bipolar Disorder in Children

Bipolar disorder is a being diagnosed in children as young as six years old in recent years. Some doctors think this is a good assessment of many children while others think the diagnosis is overdone. While it may be just an intellectual controversy to some, others who know a child who may have bipolar disorder will not be amused. It is important therefore to take into account all the facets of the disorder.

It is a tricky diagnosis to say the least. Bipolar disorder in children often appears similar to ADHD, or as simply rambunctious childhood behavior. Young children may cycle fast, meaning that they go from a depressed state to a manic state and back, etc. very quickly, often within weeks or even days.

Suicide attempts often happen on the spur of the moment, with little or no warning. This is different than in most adults where the depression is often long-lasting and suicide attempts may be well thought-out. For this reason it is imperative that children with the disorder be treated successfully.

Bipolar disorder in children often presents in mania. In the younger children this is often likely to come with hallucinations, both auditory and visual. It may seem that these would be difficult to distinguish from a healthy imagination. Sometimes, in fact, it is. Many times, though, the visions and voices are more disturbing and threatening than a healthy child would imagine.

Teens with bipolar disorder are, for the most part, similar in their symptoms to adults. A major complicating factor with teens is the use of drugs and alcohol. As with adults, this practice of trying to use street drugs and alcohol to control mood swings, is called “self-medicating.” It is a dangerous business and often masks the symptoms of the disorder. Bipolar disorder in children should always be considered when drugs are being used by them, if only to rule it out.

Bipolar disorder in children who are older, such as teenagers, is still different from the adult disorder in that the person with the disorder is still a minor. This leads to situations where the older child has an adversarial relationship with authorities and is therefore hard to convince that treatment is a good thing.

There are some ways to cut down on the confusion. Speaking with the child’s teachers gives an outside opinion of how the child is doing day-to-day. Also, this shows how the child fares in a different setting from the home environment. Bipolar disorder in children, if it is masquerading as some other form of disorder or behavior, is more likely to be found out if more people are alert to its symptoms.

Getting a second opinion is also very important, since so many doctors disagree on bipolar disorder in children. Once the second opinion is obtained, the family can make a more informed decision as to what the problem is and how to proceed. Doctors may not all agree on bipolar disorder in children, but a second opinion should help to clarify the situation. The parent or guardian can listen carefully and determine if the doctor’s explanation sounds accurate. Then, ultimately, it is the parents’ job to make the call. Misdiagnosis and wrong treatment would be unthinkable, but if bipolar disorder in children is the correct diagnosis, it is surely better to accept it.