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Mental Illness: Getting Our Minds Around The Facts

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A recent survey by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) found that many people know little or almost nothing about the warning signs, causes and effective treatments for mental illnesses-even though in any given year, one in five Americans suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder. Each year, more people suffer from a mental illness than from cancer and diabetes combined. Research shows that mental illnesses are caused by genetic and environmental factors, traumatic events and other physical illnesses and injuries. Yet one-third of Americans mistakenly believe emotional or personal weakness is a major cause of common mental illnesses and almost as many think old age is a major cause. As a result, many Americans may not get the help they need. Mental illnesses are real and treatable. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the rate of successful treatment for depression (70 to 80 percent) is much higher than the rate for other chronic illnesses such as heart ...
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New Technology For Chronic Pain Relief

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  When we experience pain in any part of our bodies, it is usually an indication that something is wrong. The intensity of pain can range from mild and occasional to severe and constant. A sudden and sharp pain is called acute pain. It may either be mild that lasts for a short while, or may be severe that lasts for weeks or even months. Acute pain usually disappears as soon as the underlying cause of pain is treated or healed. However, when acute pain persists, it may lead to chronic pain. Even when an injury has healed, chronic pain continues to remain active for weeks, or months, even years. While some chronic pain may have been caused by an initial trauma or infection, some people may suffer chronic pain in the absence of any past injury or illness. For people suffering in pain problems, modern advances in medicine provide new methods for chronic pain relief. Over the years, chronic pain had been dismissed as something that is just in the head. However, modern technology has de...
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The Challenge in Diagnosing Chronic Appendicitis

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  Chronic appendicitis usually refers to a milder form of the illness. Chronic appendicitis is very rare and its symptoms are less pronounced, in some cases even undetectable. Judging by its gravity and rate of development, appendicitis can be either chronic or acute. Acute appendicitis is very common and it is characterized through intense symptoms and fast rate of progression. Chronic appendicitis has a very low incidence in people and it is characterized through milder, almost unperceivable symptoms and a slow rate of progression. The general symptoms of appendicitis have an unspecific character. While acute appendicitis is considered to be difficult to detect, chronic appendicitis is almost impossible to detect relying only on the patients reports of symptoms. For instance, while patients with acute appendicitis experience abdominal pain, high fever and nausea, people with chronic appendicitis may only experience a generalized state of fatigue and illness. The only effective me...
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Risk Factors for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

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  When a child regularly feels down and does not exhibit an interest in playing or going to school, it may already be signs of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). This is a complex disorder characterized by profound fatigue and is not improved by bedrest. It may even be worsened by strenuous physical activities or excessive mental exertion. Children with CFS usually functioned at a much lower level of strength even before the onset of the illness. A child suffering from CFS may also show signs of general weakness, muscle pain, impaired memory or poor mental concentration, insomnia, and post-exertion fatigue that lasts for more than 24 hours. To better understand this mysterious illness that afflicts thousands if not millions of children around the world, a team of researchers conducted a study to determine the connection between this specific illness to stress and emotional abuse. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), childhood trauma increases the child or adults’ r...
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Finding a Home for Those with Chronic Mental Illness

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  For those who have a family member or close friend with a chronic mental illness, life can be filled with challenges. Chronic mental illness takes its toll on families, who often don’t have the training or emotional resources to adequately care for their loved ones. It’s difficult to navigate the waters of the legal and mental health care systems, and doubly difficult to find a good home for a loved one with a mental illness who can’t live on his or her own. Despite a family’s dedication and willingness to do whatever it takes to ensure that their mother, father, brother, or sister receives the care he or she needs, it’s not always clear what housing and care options are available or suitable. Here, then, is a review of six of the most common types of housing and care available for those with a chronic mental illness. Nursing Homes: Because those who are mentally ill sometimes are in need of long-term medical care, there are times when a nursing home might be necessary or appropr...
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Nine Things You Should Know About Yoga for Children

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  Here are some guidelines and realistic expectations for parents, who are considering Yoga for their children. For your child, Yoga is much more than a kid’s fitness class. Just like adults — kids need time to learn to deal with life’s daily pressures, too. Make sure your child starts with easy postures, and be patient with your child’s progress. Some beginner children can often be more flexible than advanced adult Yoga practitioners, but they dont know their own limitations. Discover your child’s real passions. When your child wants to go to Yoga class, it is much better than what you want for your child. This is not to say that you should avoid guidance. However, it is not advisable to push a child into a Yoga class, if your child doesn’t enjoy it — no matter how popular Yoga may be. All children are different, and what is good for one of your children, may not agree with another. Encourage your child to see the deeper benefits of Yoga: Learning to live within the moment, and ap...
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Yoga Questions and Answers

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  What is Yoga? Yoga is a very old way of life that came from India that encourages personal health, spirituality and wellness. It doesnt clash with any religion but does have an influence on our spiritual path. What Yoga is not: a religion, a circus act, looking intently at a candle in roomful of smoky incense, or just for adolescents who are flexible. To practice correctly you need discipline, concentration and attentive breathing. The effect of serious Yoga practice is an excellent union of mind, body and spirit. No matter your age, knowledge, body shape, or physical skills can implement a Yoga program. Hatha based or alignment Yoga has been around for approximately 5000 years. More and more medical practitioners and therapists are using Yoga as a remedy for many kinds of poor health conditions. The rewards of Yoga practice are numerous and consist of increased strength and flexibility, cardiovascular vigor, healing injuries, produces mental clarity and emotional balance. Most s...
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