CHEMOTHERAPY AND THE CANCER VICTIM

 

 

What is chemotherapy in relation to cancer?

Chemotherapy is the use of chemical agents/medications in order to treat cancer. Other ways of treatment for cancer include surgery, radiation, or bone marrow transplantation.

Cells that grow and divide much faster than other body cells is referred to as cancer, which causes a tumor, or mass. Usually the drugs for treating cancer target the faster growing cells in order to kill them to prevent growth of the cancer, but unfortunately this treatment also affects healthy cells, creating chemotherapy side effects. The fast growing cells are often found in hair follicles, GI tract, reproductive organs, and bone marrow, explaining why side effects of chemo can include hair loss, nausea and vomiting, impotence in men and menopause in women.

Chemo can be used to achieve any of several goals. One goal is to kill all cancer cells, and when not possible, keep the cells from spreading to other areas of the body. When cancer is not curable chemo can be used to promote comfort and good quality of life.

Chemo can involve a drug or series of drugs. It can be combined with surgery and or radiation. Can be administered at home, doctor's office, outpatient in a hospital or inpatient in a hospital. Chemo can be administered daily, weekly, monthly and is given in repeated cycles followed by a drug free period to allow the body to adjust and heal. Administration routes include in an IV, by mouth, injected into the tumor, applied to the skin, or placed into a body cavity, i.e. bladder.

Home Comfort for the Cancer Victim

 At home, it is important to realize that the cancer victim has many needs.  In addition to the medical needs for this person, s/he will also need you to

• Promote comfort.  Ensuring timely receipt of pain medication, it is important to catch the pain before it becomes severe.  If the effects of pain meds haven’t done their job within an hour or two, a change in dose or medication may be required, so contact the medical professional who is working with the cancer victim.  Backrubs, relaxation, aromatherapy, soft music can often help. 
• Address fatigue.  Allow the patient to rest; provide a restful environment especially when the patient expresses the need.
• Environment.  Keeping the environment as clean as possible, since the cancer patient has an increased risk of infection than others.  Removing people who have colds or flu is important.
• Nutrition promotion is important for this person, also.  Nigh quality nutrients especially protein, are needed to help the body to repair itself.  The body also needs calories.  Supplements may also be helpful in providing this for the patient. 

DEPRESSION: Sad Days

Depression is an illness that affects the way people think, feel and behave. It presents itself as persistent sadness and loss of interest in normal activities and lasts about two weeks or longer. This illness is believed to be a chemical imbalance of the brain. The cause of depression is unclear, although genetics may help to explain why some people become depressed.

Symptoms of Depression

• Person experiences bad feelings including guilt, worthlessness, and/or hopelessness
• Difficulty in making decisions
• Person feels extremely tired
• Person experiences changes in sleeping and eating patterns
• Person can experience physical symptoms such as headaches or an upset stomach

Tidbits about Depression

• Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in US
• Estimated 19 million people have this disorder in the United States
• 1 in 5 people will develop depression at some time in their lives
• Less than ½ of the people with depression will seek or receive treatment for it
• This disorder affects twice as many women as men
• This imbalance is 4 times more common in people age 65 and over

Myths and Truths about Depression

• _{MYTH: Depression is a sign of weakness.}
• _{MYTH: Depression is a sign of poor character.}
• _{MYTH: The depressed person has an inability to cope with life.}
• _{TRUTH: Depression is not normal sadness or grief that accompanies life events.}
• _{TRUTH: Not just a mental disorder, affects the entire body.}
• _{TRUTH: Depressed people are 4 times more likely to have a heart attack than non-depressed people.}
• _{TRUTH: Increased risk for actions that may cause further health problems, ie, smoking, drug, alcohol abuse.}
• _{TRUTH: Depression is the leading cause of suicide.}

 

Interactive Treatment Ideas for Depression

Healthcare Providers can provide many of the tools used to combat depression, such as medication, psychotherapy, or electroconvulsive therapy. Electroconvulsive therapy passes electrical current through the brain after anesthesia is administered. This therapy is used for people who do not respond to other treatment, or those in immediate danger of suicide.

There are simple tools that can be used at home, though, so family and friends are not powerless:

• Regular physical activity helps the victim to maintain strength, even if it is simple, range of motion exercises. Daily living activities also count, such as washing, dressing, etc.

• When communicating, use shorter, clear sentences, for better understanding. Try not to have the person make unnecessary decisions until the condition improves.

• Often the person who is depressed tends to isolate themselves from social activities, so take extra time to interact with this person.

• Pointing out the positive points of any situation may help the person feel better; often these people have a negative point of view.

• Helping with self-esteem and encouragement can help the person feel better. Spending time with the person, talking about things the person feels good about- perhaps a job or children is beneficial for self esteem. Listen when this person wants to talk.

ALCOHOL ABUSE: Symptoms and Side Effects

Alcohol abuse effects include on-the-job accidents, recreational accidents, and Cirrhosis of the liver. Alcohol abuse are even connected with certain cancers.

Alcohol intoxication is considered to be associated with about 50 percent of the nation's traffic fatalities, and is directly related to many cases of suicide and crimes, including homicides and rapes every year.

Alcohol misuse also commonly leads to significant family and job problems. These misuse behaviors costs society billions of dollars each year.

Alcohol Misuse Disorder

The pattern and characteristics of alcohol consumption dictate which type of alcohol misuse disorder is present, as there are two categories/

• Alcohol abuse
• Alcohol dependence (alcoholism)

What is Alcohol Abuse?

The definition of alcohol abuse is a pattern of drinking that is accompanied by one or more of the following situations within a 12-month period:

• Failure to fulfill major work, school, or home responsibilities.
• Drinking in situations that are physically dangerous, such as while driving a car or operating machinery.
• Recurring alcohol-related legal problems, such as being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or for physically hurting someone while intoxicated.
• Continued drinking, despite having ongoing problems, such as family, work or legal, that are caused or worsened by the effects of alcohol.
• Excessive drinking to the point of impairment of judgment, vomiting, lethargy and “hangovers”.
• The individual who abuses alcohol may feel guilty, remorseful and/or angry about drinking, as well as become irritable, violent or moody.

Alcohol Dependence

As an individual continues to abuse alcohol, drug dependence may develop. However, some people may continue to abuse alcohol for years, without ever becoming dependent. Alcohol dependence is a progressive disease, taking an estimated 5 years of alcohol abuse to develop.

Moderate drinking is generally defined as daily consumption of up to two drinks for young and middle-aged adult men; one for women and elderly persons. A standard drink is considered a 12-ounce beer or wine cooler, one 5-ounce glass of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.

Those who become alcohol dependent suffer all the symptoms of abuse, with several key additions, including cravings, tolerance, and physical dependence. Alcohol dependents crave alcohol and are physically dependent on it, having a strong need or compulsion to drink, regardless of the time of day. The dangers of alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence can lead to premature and preventable illnesses, disability and death.

Alcohol Abuse Facts on Dependence

Alcohol becomes a basic need and the more alcohol consumed, the higher the tolerance for alcohol becomes. It is not unusual for an alcohol dependent individual to have withdrawal symptoms when alcohol use is abruptly stopped. The person may experience nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety, as well as in severe cases, DT’s (delirium tremens). Withdrawal symptoms are usually relieved by drinking alcohol, which perpetuates the cycle. A person with alcohol dependence may also display any or all of the following characteristics:

• A need to drink frequently to “get through the day”
• An inability to stop drinking or cut down.
• Can’t control how much they drink, even though they recognize they drink “too much”
• Drinks alone, makes excuses to drink, lies about drinking or hides it
• Spends much of their time getting and drinking alcohol and recovering from its effects
• Neglects personal appearance
• Has memory blackouts
• Experiences abdominal cramps, nausea
• Drinks to combat shaky and/or dizzy feelings the morning after drinking
• Has facial redness or spidery veins on the face, especially the nose
• Losses appetite or has a poor diet

Alcohol Abuse in Marriage

A spouse's drinking problem affects the entire family.  Imagine a worry free life where...

• You no longer lay awake waiting for your spouse to come home.
• You spend time laughing with new friends.
• You are able to concentrate and be productive at work again.
• You enjoy time with your kids.
• You take up a new hobby.
• Maybe you will even travel...

You can have this...it is possible for you...

Alcohol Abuse in Teenagers

Alcohol use occurs in adolescents as young as 12 years old, despite the fact that the legal age or drinking in all 50 states is age 21. Adolescents who begin drinking before the age of 15 are believed to be four times more likely to have alcohol elated problems in adulthood. By their senior year of high school most adolescents have used alcohol and been drunk at least once.

The highest incidence of alcohol abuse among all age-groups occurs in young adults, 21-34 years old. Alcohol abuse in adolescence and young adulthood is commonly motivated by the need to feel accepted and belong, as well as to leave behind inhibitions and shyness. Getting intoxicated - “wasted”, “mangled”, is a prime goal of drinking for many teens and college students. Keg parties, doing shots and playing drinking games, are examples of common drinking practices in these age-groups. Binge drinking and weekend drinking are common among both young adults and adolescents.

Each year thousands of teens and young adults across the nation die from alcohol poisoning, aspiration of vomitus or alcohol-induced accidents. In pregnant women, alcohol consumption has harmful effects on the development of the fetus' brain and other parts of its central nervous system, an effect known as fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). FAS is the leading preventable cause of mental retardation in children, yet over 8,000 American babies are born with FAS each year.

Alcohol Abuse in Middle Adults

Alcohol misuse in middle adulthood may be a carryover from adolescence or early adulthood drinking patterns, or it may first develop during this period. Alcohol is a prime way many adults cope with stress, including financial, personal or work-related problems. Drinking may be an effort to escape reality, to “kill the pain” or cope with a situational crisis. Adults are also likely to consume alcohol to “unwind” after work.

Alcohol Abuse in Aging Adults

Alcohol misuse is less common in the elderly than in younger persons. The rate for alcohol abuse and dependence in the older population is under 10 percent, with the majority of the cases being a carryover from alcohol misuse in middle adulthood. However, a greater percentage of elderly persons are likely suffering from alcohol related health problems from misuse in earlier years. It is common for many elders to have a “nightcap” before going to bed and/or cocktails before dinner.

Relatively small amounts of alcohol can have more prolonged and severe effects on older individuals. This is due in part to decreased hepatic metabolism with aging, which may lead to higher blood levels in older persons after similar alcohol intake. The aging brain is also more sensitive to the effects of alcohol, so that at the same alcohol blood level, an older person is more likely than a younger person to become intoxicated.

CYANOTIC CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS

Congenital heart defects is also referred to as CHD.  The heart is improperly formed as a result of abnormal development of the cardiac structures during early embryonic life.  These issues occur very early in pregnancy, often times before the women are even aware of being pregnant.

The cause for congenital heart defects is unknown, but is believed to arise from multiple, interacting environmental and genetic factors, such as:

• Maternal diabetes, poor glucose control very early in pregnancy raise risk
• Family history of CHD
• Fetal exposure to rubella virus in the first trimester
• Exposure to substances- fetal exposure to street drugs, alcohol, environmental toxins, meds
• Chromosomal defects (Down Syndrome Edward’s Syndrome, Marfan Syndrome)

Acyanotic Congenital Heart Defects

Acyanotic Defects include the defects that allow the normal flow of blood through the heart:

• Aortic Stenosis (AS) aortic valve between aorta and left ventricles is narrowed. Creates reduced blood flow out to the body and increased pressures in the lungs, left atrium, left ventricle, possibly resulting in heart failure and pulmonary edema.
• Pulmonary stenosis (PS) pulmonary valve, between pulmonary artery and right ventricle, is narrowed. Blood flow to the lungs is reduced, and workload of the right ventricle is increased, possibly resulting in heart failure.
• Coarction of the aorta- a section of the aorta is narrowed, sometimes resulting in reduced blood flow to the lower body and increased blood pressure in the oppeer body. The heart must work harder, and may be so much that the heart fails.

Shunting Congenital Heart Defects

Shunting defects include defects that permit abnormal communication between cardiac structures, such as an opening in the septum between heart chambers. Generally blood is forced into the right side of the heart from the left because the left side pressure is generally higher. This causes a circulatory overload of the lungs, resulting in pulmonary edema and heart failure.
Shunting defects include:

• Atrial septal defect (ASD), an opening in the septum between the 2 atria
• Ventricular spetal defect (VSD), opening in septum between 2 ventricles, most common type of CHD.
• Atrioventricular canal or AV septal defect (AVSD) an abnormal opening where all four chambers come together in the center of the heart, often as an extension of ASD and/or VSD.
• Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)- ductus arteriosus vessel, a fetal circulatory structure connecting the pulmonary artery and aorta, fails to close spontaneously within several days following birth. Blood then flows through this vessel from aorta to pulmonary artery and into lungs possibly causing pulmonary edema and heart failure.

Cyanotic Congenital Heart Defects

Cyanotic defects cause deoxygenated blood to flow out into the body, rather than to the lungs. This produces pronounced cyanosis, and affected neonates were often referred to as “blue babies.” These associated defects are lifesaving, as they permit the addition of oxygenated blood to the de-oxygenated blood in the left ventricle and aorta until surgical correction occurs.

• Transposition of the great arteries (TGA)—the aorta and pulmonary artery are reversed in position, with the aorta arising from the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery arising from the left ventricle.  This results in two completely separate circuits, the pulmonary circulation and the systemic circulation. In the systemic circulation, deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle enters the aorta, circulates through the body, and returns to the right atrium without being routed to the lungs. In the pulmonary circulation, oxygenated blood from the left ventricle enters the pulmonary artery, travels to the lungs, and then back again to the left atrium without circulating through the body. Clearly, this condition would be incompatible with life unless another defect, such as ASD, was present to allow the addition of oxygenated blood to the systemic circulation. Surgical correction is indicated to move the vessels to their normal locations.
• Hypoplastic left heart syndrome- the left side of the heart is underdeveloped and unable to pump blood out to the body. PDA is essential to life for these neonates, as this allows blood to flow into the aorta to the body. Prostaglandin is used to keep the PDA from closing until treatment occurs, which involves a 3-stage surgery or a heart transplant.

NORMAL CIRCULATION
A major event in the life of every neonate is the dramatic switch from fetal circulation to air-breathing circulation at the moment of birth. Because the lungs do not function inutero, fetal circulation is designed to shunt blood away from the solid lung tissue, instead receiving oxygen and nutrients from the placental blood supply. At the moment of birth, however, when the newborn takes his or her first breath and the lungs inflate, pulmonary vascular pressure decreases, allowing blood flow into the lungs. This permits the establishment of normal, adult-type circulation. From the lungs, oxygenated blood travels through the pulmonary veins to the left atrium, then to the left ventricle, and out to the body through the aorta. After circulating through the body, deoxygenated blood flows into the right atrium, to the right ventricle, and through the pulmonary arteries to the lungs, where oxygen is picked up and waste products removed. Any deviation in the function or structure of these processes can create significant problems in perfusion and oxygenation.

SLEEP APNEA: Snoring is Not Just Noisy

Sleep Apnea is a chronic condition that affects how people sleep. For different reasons, the person stops breathing for ten seconds or longer and coughs or gasps to take a breath. The human wakes, although it is for such a short time that s/he does not realize that anything has happened. The result is sleep that does not satisfy the person, headaches and irritability, sometimes death.

Three Types of Sleep Apnea

Central:

• This type is rare.
• Occurs when breathing signals from the brain do not reach the respiratory muscles.
• This lack of signals can be caused by stroke or heart failure.

Obstructive:

• This type is most common.
• Occurs when the airway is obstructed during sleep from the collapse of throat tissues .

Mixed:

• This type is a combination of both types.
• Occurs when the blocked airway stops the breathing which causes physical side effects.
• Side effects include a drop in blood oxygen level affecting the heart and blood vessels.

Sleep Apnea and poor sleep can cause changes in mood, depreciated energy, daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, poor memory, short attention span, concentration, and physical coordination.

Sleep Apnea can affect adults/children of any age, and is more common in men and overweight people.  Other factors include: a receding chin, a large neck, oversized tongue/tonsils/adenoids.  People who are age 40 and up, have a family history of sleep apnea, who smoke or use alcohol or sedating drugs are at higher risk of sleep apnea.

Signs, Symptoms and Treatment

Symptoms include snoring, fatigue as soon as the person wakes, sleepiness, morning headaches, dry/sore throats in morning, and depression or irritability.

Diagnosis of Sleep Apnea includes occurring symptoms, a physical exam from a physician or other medical professional, and a sleep study which provides information such as breathing, brain activity, heart rate, and blood oxygen levels.

Treatment options include oral appliance worn in mouth, surgery to remove adenoids and tonsils is available, and in more severe cases Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, in which a mask is worn around nose and mouth providing a continuous stream of air in order to keep the airway open. Additional treatment includes lifestyle changes to manage the disease such as weight loss, not smoking, sleeping on the side of the body and not on the back.

HEPATITUS C: Testing, Treatment and Prevention

Hepatitis is a disease or inflammation of the liver and affects the liver's ability to do its many jobs. Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, or Hepatitis D can infect a person although this article will outline specifically Hepatitis C, which is caused by a virus.

Hepatitis C infection can be diagnosed by a blood test.

The CDC recommends that the following groups be tested for HCV infection:

• IV drug abusers
• People who received clotting factors made before 1987
• Hemodialysis patients
• People who received blood or organs before 1992
• People with undiagnosed liver problems
• Infants born to mothers with HCV

HCV Treatment and Prevention

No vaccine is available to protect against this virus. There are vaccines to protect against Hepatitis A and B, but these provide no protection from Hepatitis C. Antibiotics are not effective in treating this infection because HCV is a viral disease, although drugs may be given to help clear the virus from the body.

Living With Hepatitis C

People with HCV:

Should avoid drinking alcohol, as this may increase liver damage.

Should not donate blood or organs, as the disease may be spread in this manner.

Do not require isolation or any specific precautions

Rest a lot

Eat small, frequent meals for good nutrition

If your loved one has HCV:

Hand washing is still the most important overall way to prevent infections.

Wear gloves any time you may contact blood or body fluids (anything "wet").

If your loved one uses needles, such as a diabetic, be extremely careful to watch for accidentally-discarded needles and syringes.

Never put your hand into a trash can. If you must pick up something that has fallen into the trash, pour the contents out into another bag so you don't have to reach in.

Exposure

What if an exposure occurs? An exposure is contact with blood or body fluids that may put you at risk for contracting a blood-borne disease. Some examples include a needle stick, contact with blood on an open skin area, or splashing of body fluids into the eyes.

• If an exposure occurs, try not to panic. Most exposures do not result in disease.
• Immediately wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water, if it is a skin exposure.
• For exposure to eyes or mucous membranes, flush with lots of water (preferably saline for eyes). Blood may be drawn from you for testing at a doctor’s office.

Remember that knowledge is power. By understanding how disease is transmitted and what precautions to take, you have the power to protect yourself and others.

Find information on HEPATITUS C: Transmission, Signs and Symptoms.

OSTEOPOROSIS

 

 

What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a disease in which the amount of bone is decreased and the structure of the bone is impaired. Decreased bone mass results in thinner, more porous bones and reduced bone strength. Osteoporosis can cause bones to become so weak and brittle that even routine movements, such as bending over or coughing can cause a fracture, which is a major complication of this disorder. Osteoporosis is the most common bone disease in the United States. osteoporosis is now considered preventable even though at one time it was considered a part of the aging process.

Osteoporosis Development

Osteoporosis develops slowly, actually beginning during young adulthood. It is often called the "silent disease" because bone loss occurs without symptoms. Active bone formation occurs up to the age of 30, when peak bone mass is achieved. Bone loss first begins between 30 and 40 years of age and nearly 10% of an individual’s bone mass is lost each decade, thereafter. Osteoporosis may develop with advanced age, particularly if optimal bone mass was not reached before age 30. 

Risk Factors of Osteoporosis

Factors that increase the risk of Osteoporosis:

Gender: Although men can certainly develop osteoporosis, the risk is higher in women for several reasons. Women have lighter, thinner bones to begin with. Accelerated bone loss after menopause (or early surgical removal of both ovaries) is a major cause of osteoporosis in women. Estrogen is important in maintaining bone density in women. When estrogen levels drop after menopause, bone loss accelerates. A woman’s risk of osteoporosis is equal to her combined risk of developing breast, ovarian and uterine cancer.

Race: While osteoporosis affects all races and ethnicities, people in the U.S. who are Caucasian or of Asian descent are more likely to develop osteoporosis.

Family History: If there is a family history of osteoporosis, the risk is greater that a family member will also develop it .

Being Thin Or Having A Small Frame: Small women, in body frame and weight, have smaller, less dense bones than heavier women. Eating disorders, as well as constantly dieting to lose weight, are also risk factors for the development of osteoporosis. This is believed to be because calcium intake is often not sufficient.

Inactive Lifestyle: Those who have a sedentary lifestyle have an increased risk of developing osteoporosis. Exercise is essential to maximize bone strength and bone density, the amount of bone tissue in a certain volume of bone. Weight bearing exercises are particularly beneficial. It is the type of exercise that causes muscles to pull on bone, which builds bone, making it stronger and denser. Weight bearing exercises include walking, running, gardening, dancing, playing tennis, bowling, aerobics and skating. Resistance exercises, such as weight training, are also beneficial because they help to improve muscle mass and bone strength.

 Osteoporosis and Lifestyle

FIBROMYALGIA

 

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by muscle pain, exhaustion, decreased quality of life, and in some cases, significant disability. It is often described as a syndrome, due to its cluster of symptoms.

According to data from the AmericanCollege of Rheumatology (ACR), fibromyalgia affects an estimated 2-4% of the US population, or about 5-10 million Americans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that patients with fibromyalgia have an average of one hospitalization every three years. And, the diagnostic code that includes fibromyalgia is listed in thousands of hospitalizations each year. For years, many doctors did not recognize fibromyalgia as an actual syndrome, and Fibbromyalgia sufferers could spend years going from doctor to doctor, trying find out what was wrong only to find nothing.

Diagnosis Practices

Diagnosis is made by physical examination, assessment of tender points, and the person’s medical history, such as reports of pain and fatigue, as there are no specific laboratory tests, X-rays or other diagnostic tests to confirm a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. . Criteria states that fibromyalgia is diagnosed when pain is present in at least 11 of the 18 tender points when pressure is applied, and the person has widespread pain throughout the body lasting at least 3 months.

Treatment of Fibromyalgia

Treatment of Fibromyalgia typically involves use of medication, complementary therapies, and lifestyle changes. Because the symptoms of fibromyalgia can vary greatly from person to person, treatment plans must be individualized to address specific needs.

Medications for Fibromyalgia

Medications used for fibromyalgia may include antidepressants, sleep medication, muscle relaxants, and/or pain medication. Injections of analgesic medication or cortisone into the tender points may also be used, to relieve pain and muscle spasms.

Complementary Therapies for Fibromyalgia

A variety of treatments and activities can be very helpful in relieving fibromyalgia symptoms. These may include physical therapy, massage, acupuncture, acupressure, aromatherapy, yoga, biofeedback, relaxation techniques, guided imagery, stretching, and chiropractic treatment.

Lifestyle Changes

Healthy lifestyle habits are very important to effectively control fibromyalgia symptoms. These include adequate sleep, effective management of stress and anxiety, regular exercise, and good nutrition.

The symptoms from ingesting excitotoxins causes Fibromyalgia and chronic pain.   Once these toxins are eliminated from your diet, your pain will start diminishing in just 24 hours!  These chemicals and excitotoxins are directly linked to the symptoms of Fibromyalgia (FM) and to the chronic pain you’re experiencing. Did you know that ten new chemical additives hit our shores this year? Our investigations will expose the chemical toxins being added to our food supply. Excitotoxins are in 90% of our processed foods. They have 65 hidden names and more are on the way. As soon as you stop eating these excitotoxins watch a number of other painful symptoms including irritable bowel, weight gain and depression disappear. Your headaches, racing heartbeats and back pain are coming from what you are putting into your body. Your body is reacting to the toxins that are being put into it. Change your food and you change your life!

To learn more, click here.

 

Support for the Victim of Fibromyalgia

Good care can help to reduce or eliminate symptoms and greatly improve quality of life for victims of Fibromyalgia.

First and foremost,many people have struggled with symptoms for years before receiving an accurate diagnosis, so believing what the person says about how he/she is feeling that day is important for moral support. Symptoms can change in location and severity from day to day, without apparent reason.

Regular exercise and activity help not only the physical symptoms of fibromyalgia, but can also improve mood. Plan time for physical activity when the victim feels well-rested. Some feel better in the mornings, and some, because stiffness is often worse in the morning, may feel better in the afternoon or evening.

Promoting a good night’s sleep can also improve the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Promote good sleep by helping the patient to maintain regular times for sleeping and waking up, if possible. For those with insomnia, daytime naps should be avoided as much as possible, since these may worsen nighttime sleep problems. Drinks with caffeine, such as coffee, tea and cola, should be avoided in the evening.

To prevent frequent nighttime bathroom trips, limit fluids close to bedtime. Since stress and anxiety can worsen symptoms of fibromyalgia, help the patient with stress-reduction techniques to promote relaxation. Helpful measures include slow, deep breathing, listening to relaxing music, watching a funny movie on TV, or sitting in a sunny area.

Your understanding of people with fibromyalgia can help victims to control their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

To better understand Symptoms and Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia...

SCHIZOPHRENIA

Schizophrenia is a chronic psychiatric illness not to be taken lightly. This brain disorder causes the victim to lose touch with reality, with the victim often unable to understand whether or not what they are hearing or seeing is real. Schizophrenia is a life-time disease is not to be confused with split personality disorder.

Three Categories of Schizophrenic Symptoms:

Negative symptoms of Schizophrenia

Negative Schizophrenic symptoms are defined as the symptoms that most people normally have, but not the person with schizophrenia. These might include:

• Flat affect: Lack of emotion, facial expression and reaction to others.
• Social isolation: Person spends most of their time alone.
• Poverty of speech: The person says very few, if any, words.
• Decreased energy and motivation: Activity level is low

 

Positive symptoms of Schizophrenia

Positive Schizophrenic symptoms are defined as the symptoms that only Schizophrenic people have. These might include:

• Hallucinations: Feeling, hearing, seeing, or smelling things that are not real.
• Delusions: These are false beliefs that no amount of reasoning or discussion of facts can change.
• Disordered thinking: Thoughts unorganized to the point that the person speaks in random sentences that show no relation to each other.
• Bizarre behavior: Very unusual behavior may occur, such as odd body movements or actions.

 

Cognitive symptoms of Schizpohrenia

Cognitive Schizophrenic symptoms are defined as the symptoms that are related to thinking, such as:

• Poor memory
• Poor concentration
• Lack of decision-making
• Lack of comprehension
• Lack of attention

 

Details About Schizophrenia

• Causes of Schizophrenia are not clearly known
• Schizophrenia tends to run in families
• Imbalance of brain chemistry is present in Schizophrenia
• High stress levels can influence Schizophrenia
• Nutrition problems can have influence in a person with Schizophrenia
• Viruses can have influence over Schizophrenia
• Depression is common with a higher risk of suicide in people with Schizophrenia

 

Diagnosis of Schizophrenia

Diagnosis of Schizophrenia is based upon the person’s symptoms

• No specific tests exist for schizophrenia
• No cure for Schizophrenia, but drug treatment can help control Schizophrenic symptoms
• Schizophrenia affects about 1 out of every 100 people 18 years of age and older.
• Age of onset for males is generally 18 - early 20’s
• Age of onset for females is generally late 20’s - early 30’s for females

 

Treatment for Schizophrenia

• Anti-psychotic medications are prescribed for Schizophrenia, often taken for a lifetime
• Psychotherapy and community support are also helpful to a person with Schizophrenia

As with any mental disorder in which medications are needed, relapse occurs when the medications are not taken regularly. For more information, read Schizophrenic Relapse: Shadow in the Closet.