Archives for December 2007

 Panic attacks start with a snap of a finger especially when you are caught red handed doing something ill-legal or sexual, not being able to complete an assignment or a project at the given dead line, accidentally losing something important and precious, getting your car break down in the middle of now where, and the first time of presenting a speech or a presentation. All these events add to panic attacks and depression also later on. It can happen anytime, anywhere — when you're alone, with others, at home, in public, even awakening you from a sound sleep. Suddenly, your heart begins to race, your face flushes and you experience shortness of breath. You feel dizzy, nauseated and out of control. Some people even feel like they're dying.You may have experienced a panic attack — a sudden episode of intense fear that prompts severe physical reactions in your body. Many people, thinking they're having a heart attack, go to the emergency room. Others try to ignore the signs and symptoms, not realizing that they're experiencing a panic attack. More women than men are affected by panic attacks. Some people are affected by frequent panic attacks, a condition known as panic disorder. Although panic attacks were once dismissed as nerves or stress, they're now recognized as a potentially disabling, but treatable condition. A variety of approaches, including medications, therapy and relaxation techniques, can help you control or prevent panic attacks.

Signs and symptoms

A panic attack often begins abruptly, peaks within 10 minutes and lasts about half an hour. But panic attacks have many variations. They may last hours or, on rare occasions, up to a day. You may feel fatigued and worn out after a panic attack subsides.

Signs and symptoms may include:

Rapid heart rate
Sweating
Trembling
Shortness of breath and hyperventilation
Chills
Hot flashes
Nausea
Abdominal cramping
Chest pain
Headache
Dizziness
Faintness
Tightness in your throat
Trouble swallowing
A sense of impending death
Other health problems — such as an impending heart attack, an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) or drug withdrawal — can cause similar signs and symptoms.People who experience panic attacks often are affected by other mental health conditions, including depression, fear of public places (agoraphobia) and social phobia.

Causes

Researchers aren't sure what causes panic attacks. Heredity, stress and certain biochemical factors may play a role. Your chance of having panic attacks increases if you have a close family member who has had them. Many researchers believe your body's natural fight-or-flight response to danger is involved. For example, if a grizzly bear came after you, your body would react instinctively. Your heart rate and breathing would speed up as your body readied itself for a life-threatening situation. Many of the same reactions occur in a panic attack. No obvious stressor is present, but something trips your body's alarm system.

When to seek medical advice

You may have a condition called panic disorder if:

Your panic attacks are frequent
You worry persistently for a month or longer about having more attacks
You change your behavior in response to ongoing panic attacks — for example, avoiding locations or situations in which you've previously had an attack
Panic disorder can greatly interfere with your life. It's also possible that other health problems can cause symptoms similar to panic attacks. See your doctor to determine what's causing your symptoms. Your doctor may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist.

Screening and diagnosis

Your doctor will ask you to describe your signs and symptoms, how often they occur and in what situations they occur. You'll probably undergo a complete physical exam so that your doctor can determine whether health conditions other than panic attacks are the cause of your symptoms. These other health conditions might include heart disease or an overactive thyroid. If you have no underlying health problems, your doctor may diagnose panic disorder based on your signs and symptoms and their frequency.

Complications

Panic disorder can become debilitating and destructive. Fear of recurrent attacks can lead you to adopt avoidance behavior — avoiding what most people consider to be normal situations, such as going to the mall or leaving the house alone. You can develop a fear of fear. In children, panic attacks can interfere with normal development, disrupting your child's social life and schoolwork. Children and teenagers, for example, may not go to school or may not even leave the house in order to avoid situations in which they fear a panic attack. Having panic disorder also increases your risk of depression, suicide, and abuse of alcohol and other drugs.

How about getting hold of a medicine that is able to kill 3 birds with one stone, well believe it or not the medical drug by the name of Duloxetine is able to handle ones depression, anxiety disorder and also pain any where in the body and it works by blocking all the pain signals. Now, that I call as a sure shot effective drug for all who are suffering from Depression, Anxiety Disorder and pain. Treatment with duloxetine relieves pain in patients with major depressive disorder, according to a report in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. Duloxetine is used to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder. It is also used to treat pain and tingling caused by diabetic neuropathy. The drug belongs to a class of medications called selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and works by increasing brain levels of serotonin and norepinephrine, natural substances that help maintain mental balance and block pain signals. Painful physical symptoms in depression receive inadequate attention, note Dr. Stephan Brecht from Boehringer Ingelheim, Germany and colleagues. The investigators therefore evaluated the effectiveness of duloxetine compared with placebo for treating pain in 327 patients with moderate-to-severe pain associated with depression. After 8 weeks of treatment, the pain improved significantly more in patients treated with duloxetine than in those who received placebo, the authors report. Patients receiving duloxetine also experienced greater improvements in the categories of "worst pain," "least pain," and "pain-right-now." The effects of duloxetine treatment were significant as early as week 1, and duloxetine patients achieved sustained responses faster than did placebo patients. The response rates for the reduction of average pain levels at week 8 were higher for duloxetine patients (60.3 percent) than for placebo patients (44.0 percent), the researchers note, and improvements in daily functioning were significantly better for duloxetine patients. Depression severity was also significantly reduced by 8 weeks of treatment with duloxetine, compared with placebo, the investigators add. Duloxetine patients reported more adverse events than did placebo patients, with nausea, excessive perspiration, and dry mouth being the most commonly reported treatment-related side effects. The investigators conclude that these results support the effectiveness and tolerability of duloxetine in the treatment of both pain and depression in patients who have moderate-to-severe pain associated with depression.

  No doubt doctors know how to treat every ailment in a person as science has advanced so much and new treatments and medicines have been introduced in the field of depressed patients but even then there is something that is lacking in doctors and that is that why on earth do they miss the signs or symptoms of suicide tendencies in a patient? Maybe because they do not want top bother themselves with the depression in a person and just deal with the small ailments as the physicians put it. Pointing to a disconnection between doctors and some of their neediest patients, a new study suggests that large numbers of physicians fail to spot symptoms that raise suicide risk.
US researchers recruited actresses to act as patients and visit physicians while showing signs of depression or a similar disorder. Only 36 percent of the doctors asked the "patients" about suicidal thoughts, the team found. "There is often a window of opportunity for doctors to screen for suicidal tendencies and intervene appropriately, but, as we found, they frequently miss this opportunity," said study lead author Dr Mitchell Feldman, professor of medicine at the University of California at San Francisco. According to Feldman, an estimated two to seven percent of patients who visit primary-care physicians are thinking about suicide. Patients often don’t tell all
In fact, as many as 75 percent of people who commit suicide visited a primary-care provider in the 30 days before killing themselves, the research shows. Still, patients at risk of suicide rarely mention the topic directly to physicians, leaving it up to doctors to figure out what's going on. "Remarkably little is known about the factors that influence whether primary-care physicians broach the topic of suicide with their depressed patients," Feldman said.

How the study was done
In the new study, researchers recruited 152 physicians from northern California and Rochester, NY, to take part. All were told they would get unannounced visits by actors portraying patients who would tape-record their conversations.  A total of 18 actresses visited the doctors playing two types of patients - a person with major depression or a person with an "adjustment disorder," a catch-all term encompassing a variety of mental problems. Some of the "patients" asked for medication. Doctors were more likely to pursue the prospect of suicide if the "patients" said they had major depression or asked for medication. Doctors who had personal experience with depression were three times more likely to look into suicide.

Doctors don’t want to give patients ideas
"Most physicians are not adequately trained to diagnose and treat mental and behavioural problems generally, and this problem is magnified with an issue like suicide that may evoke discomfort in some physicians who will then avoid the topic," Feldman said. "Some mistakenly believe that if they inquire about suicide, they will prompt the patient to consider it." Feldman added: "I describe suicide as another of the Pandora's Box issues - like domestic violence - that doctors may avoid broaching for fear that once they bring it up, they will be unable to contain the patient's emotional responses. And, in addition, they will put themselves way behind schedule." David Rudd, chair of the psychology department at Texas Tech University, agreed with Feldman. Rudd, who's familiar with the study findings, blamed physician inaction on inadequate training, a fear of making things worse, and "anxiety and apprehension about handling suicidal crises." Feldman said doctors need better education about suicidal patients, and patients need to know more about depression and feel comfortable asking for help. We found that patients who make requests get more thorough and appropriate care including more inquiries about suicide from their physician." Rudd put it this way: "Physicians are the primary access point for the majority of distressed, suicidal patients. This is critical to saving lives."

Depression adversely affects every aspect of our lives - including our relationships.

When one partner is depressed, the relationship may suffer so badly that it doesn't survive.

In fact, a good relationship is very therapeutic for somebody with depression, because when we're really low we need love, support and closeness more than ever - even if we can't show it ourselves.

If your partner has depression

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THE thought of naming an illness Christmas is shocking. Christmas disease, a hereditary blood disorder, also known as Haemophilia B or factor IX, has nothing to do with the day.Even then, the fact that it is hereditary means if it were tied to Christmas, we would have limited control on avoiding it. Nevertheless, there are things that could cause us not to be on this side of existence by next Christmas, things that boil down to us.

Accidents

Jerome Nsajju of the Injury Control Centre at Mulago Hospital says accidents peak during the festive season. However, because there are a lot of activities going on everywhere does not mean you have to end up in hospital or even dead this Christmas."Christmas comes once a year and life must continue. We must all be responsible," Nsajju says. According to Judith Nabakoba, the deputy Police spokesperson, increased alcohol consumption is the leading cause of road accidents during this season."Some people get excited, but you should remember that your life comes first. Taking alcohol is not bad, but some people overdo it to the point that they lose their senses," Nabakoba adds.Research has shown that most hospital emergency rooms worldwide are 75% busier during this season. Compared to all holidays, New Year's day has the greatest increase in traffic fatalities (64%) - about 40% of these involve drunk drivers."Excitement makes some people reckless, but there are also many holiday makers, especially post primary students who want to drive."Parents should ensure that their children do not drive.

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1) Get enough light and sunshine.

Lack of exposure to sunlight is responsible for the secretion of the hormone melatonin, which could trigger a dispirited mood and a lethargic condition.Melatonin is only produced in the dark. It lowers the body temperature and makes you feel sluggish. If you are always cooped up in your room (with the curtains closed), it would be difficult to restrain yourself from staying in bed.This is the reason why many people are suffering from depression much more often in winter than in the other seasons. It's because the nights are longer.If you can't afford to get some sunshine, you can always lighten up your room with brighter lights. Have lunch outside the office. Take frequent walks instead of driving your car over short distances.

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  Children should never be ignored but when there is stress ands tension in the air means the environment in the house is sad and tense the child is bound to react towards it in some way or another and it’s the latest research that says that children who are depressed or anxious in some way always get some kind of allergies. Research in psychiatrically ill children and adolescents suggests that those with depression, anxiety and other so-called "internalizing" disorders are more likely to have allergies. Among a sample of 184 young people being evaluated for psychiatric disorders and allergies, 105 (57 percent) had a history of allergic disorders, including asthma, hay fever, hives and eczema. Psychiatric evaluations revealed that 124 (67 percent) had an internalizing disorder, either alone or in combination with an externalizing disorder, such as ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder. The children in the sample were between 4 and 20 years old; their average age was 13. Researchers found that youth with internalizing disorders were almost twice as likely to have a history of allergies than those with a diagnosis that wasn't classified as an internalizing or externalizing disorder. The psychiatric disorders in this group included substance abuse, tic disorders, bed-wetting and attachment disorder. Moreover, the association was found to be specific for "pure" internalizing disorders. That is, the likelihood of having a history of allergies was significant only among youths who had an internalizing disorder and no other psychiatric conditions. "These findings add to the growing body of evidence supporting an association between anxiety, depressive, and allergic disorders," write Dr. Mauricio Infante and colleagues from University of Wisconsin, Madison in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. The findings also suggest that these psychiatric and medical disorders "may share risk factors and underlying pathways that contribute to the development of both types of disorders." The Wisconsin team notes that studies are needed to identify the reasons for these associations so that effective treatment and prevention strategies that target both disorders can be developed.

Fourth-grade students at Cunningham Elementary School will spend the next six months learning about the house that made Vineland famous.The school received a $6,000 grant for a visiting artist program focusing on the Palace of Depression, a former tourist attraction on South Mill Road, the school district announced Wednesday.Through the grant, students will work with visiting artist Eloise Bruce on various projects relating to the Palace of Depression.At the height of the Great Depression, George Daynor, with the help of his wife, Florence, built the multi-spired house out of mud, clay and discarded auto parts.The palace drew thousands of visitors to the city before it was torn down following George Daynor's death in 1964.About six years ago, Kevin Kirchner, the city's construction official, decided to rebuild the palace using volunteer labor and donated materials. He expects the project to take another two to three years.Cunningham students study the Palace of Depression in third grade as part of Vineland history, said art teacher Kristin McMackin.Bruce will work with the students to create a montage on the life of George Daynor through poetry, music and acting, McMackin said.The students will conduct research in computer class, create musical instruments out of recycled material and learn about outsider art -- works created by artists with little or no formal training.The students also will work with the school's Drama and Glee Club instructor on a performance piece, which they're tentatively set to stage May 15.The program began in November with an assembly presented by Kirchner.The grant is part of the Artists in Education Program, a partnership between the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and a consortium made up of Arts Horizons and Young Audiences New Jersey.

Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth, said Wednesday new late-stage trial data showed its investigational drug Pristiq significantly reduced symptoms of major depressive disorder compared with placebo.The company is presenting these data for the first time Wednesday at a major medical meeting.The data come from two Phase 3 clinical studies of Pristiq, a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. SNRIs are part of the antidepressant drug family.The two studies evaluated the effectiveness and safety of Pristiq for treatment of MDD at fixed doses of 50 milligrams per day and 100 milligrams per day.In both studies, the response rates of patients taking the 50 mg dosage was associated with a significant reduction in symptoms compared with placebo, Wyeth said.The 100 mg dose showed a statistically significant improvement versus placebo in one of the studies, Wyeth said. However, this dose did not show statistically significant results when compared to placebo in the other study.Major depressive disorder, also known as clinical depression, is diagnosed when five or more symptoms of depression are present for at least two weeks, including feelings of sadness, hopelessness or worthlessness.In January, the Food and Drug Administration gave conditional approval of Pristiq as a treatment for depression. Wyeth submitted in August the results of the two studies to the FDA.FDA action on the application is expected during the first quarter of 2008.Shares of Wyeth rose 16 cents to $48.36 in morning trading.

If you get allergies, rashes, or other skin problems then do not just take it as a dermatological problem in human body one medical problem leads to another, so do not brush your skin problem away or brush it off this problem is definitely linked to stress you are going through but you are not aware of it.  A team of researchers have identified the biological mechanism by which stress increases susceptibility to skin infections. "We have shown what stress does, the basis of the stress," said study author Dr Peter Elias, a professor of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco, and the VA Medical Centre, San Francisco. Interestingly, it has nothing to do with the classic explanation of the immune system breaking down, he added. Rather, it's a breakdown in the skin's antimicrobial defence, according to the study in the November issue of The Journal of Clinical Investigation.

Mice exposed to stress
Elias and his team subjected mice to psychological stress and found them more susceptible to group A Streptococcus pyogenes skin infections than mice kept under less stressful conditions.The stressed-out mice showed a decrease in the expression of antimicrobial peptides by the skin's epidermis. Streptococcal bacteria can cause many problems, such as skin infections, severe sore throats and even flesh-eating disease. The role of the peptides that Elias and his team studied have come to light in recent years, and it has been found that they are the "front line" of the immune system. They act like antibiotics, attacking bacteria and killing them. In the study, Elias' team also found that the stress led to the increased production of glucocorticoids. This, in turn, inhibited the synthesis of fat in the skin's epidermis and reduced the secretion of vesicles containing antimicrobial peptides, setting up the mice for skin problems.

More severe skin infections
"What happens is, stress down-regulates the expression of two key families of antimicrobial peptides," Elias said. As that happened, skin infections became more severe in the animals. When Elias' team blocked the production of the glucocorticoids, the skin's antimicrobial defences returned to normal. While many people think of the immune system's T-cells, which attack invaders, as the first line of defence, recent research suggests otherwise, Elias said. ""The antimicrobial defence mechanisms are so effective, they deal with 99.5 percent of all challenges by microbial pathogens, such as bad viruses, bad bacteria," he said. In an accompanying commentary, Dr Andrzej Slominski, of the University of Tennessee, wrote that "this study provides what I believe to be the first mechanistic link between psychological stress and increased susceptibility to microbial infection." The research may eventually lead to new treatment options, such as topical medications that block excess glucocorticoid production.