Bipolar disorderis associated with episodes of mood swings, ranging from depressive lows to manic highs. It is a mood disorder with two extremes: depressed and manic
What is Depressive low: Depressive episodes may include symptoms such as low energy, low motivation and loss of interest in daily activities.
What is Manic High: The main features of a manic episode is a period during which there is an abnormally and persistently elevated or irritable mood. There is also a persistent increase in activity or energy in the person that is present for most of the day.
What Causes Bipolar Disorder?
The exact cause of bipolar disorder is not yet known. But a multiple of research implies that a combination of genetics, environment and an altered brain structure and chemistry may play a role.
Symptoms:The episode of mood swings lasts days to months at a time. They may also be associated with suicidal thoughts.
When in the depressive state, a person feels persistently sad, hopeless, lethargic, and may feel suicidal, among other symptoms.
When in the manic phase, a person becomes overly elated, irritable, needs less sleep, makes grand plans, may impulsively engage in potentially dangerous behavior.
Treatment and help:
The Treatment plan is usually lifelong and often it involves a combination of medications and psychotherapy. Medication is used to treat acute or severe episodes and to help prevent a relapse. Psychosocial support is one of the most important components of treatment.
To Note
A person with bipolar disorder may be at a high risk of suicide. Hence, treatment must be started at the earliest.
What is not bipolar disorder?
We all experience mood swings now and then, but they do not affect our daily activities. This is not bipolar disorder.
Depression is also not bipolar disorder. Yes, some symptoms of both the conditions are similar. But the main difference is that in bipolar disorder is that there are episodes of both mania and depression, as well as extreme mood swings.
SOURCE: American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic And Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders (5th Edition ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing.
Hoffman, M., & WebMD. (2020). Bipolar I Disorder. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/bipolar-1-disorder
Hoffman, M., & WebMD. (2020). Bipolar II Disorder. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/bipolar-2-disorder
Dr. Praveen Chandra in conversation with Famhealth brings forth some essential points related to heart health on World heart Day and Do Cardio-Vascular Diseases affect men and women differently?
World Heart Day to fall on 29th September brings focus on the heart one
of the most vital organs of our body which requires keeping well and intact to
maintain good heart health. To discuss more on heart health Famhealth is in
discussion with Dr. Praveen Chandra, Chairman, Interventional Cardiology
Medanta- the Medicity, Gurugram, and Medanta Moolchand Heart Institute, Delhi.
5 Common risk factors in society
Dr. Chandra says that people beyond the age of 35 develop hypertension that damages the body from within and acts as a silent killer. Unchecked hypertension can lead to early stroke and onset of kidney failures. He advises that people beyond the age of 35 should get their BP’s checked every year.
Diabetes affects the heart severely and poses as a major risk factor. If a family has any history then people should remain extra cautious. People beyond 35 years of age should try to maintain their blood sugar levels in control.
Smoking and tobacco are the most common factors that damage the heart therefore they should be immediately stopped.
Dr. Praveen Chandra says a myth is found amongst people who usually avoid medicines if they have heart disease which is very dangerous.
Lifestyle-related disorders are another commonly found risk factor that leads to heart disease. So people should maintain a very active lifestyle.
An Inter Heart study in India
Dr. Praveen Chandra says,” According to an Inter Heart Study done in India it is found that people do not exercise and in such cases, they can have heart attack 2-5 years earlier”. He further says regular exercise is a must for every individual with good vegetable and fruit intake thereby avoiding mental stress which takes a toll on our lives.
Do Cardio-Vascular Diseases affect men and women differently?
Dr. Chandra says, “Years back it was a confined notion that CVD is not
common in women. However, today it has become a myth because CVD affects men
and women equally. Especially after the age of 45 when menopause occurs in
women which vanishes the protected effect of hormones women are equal to men to
develop a heart disease”.
He further says, “Symptoms that occur in women related to a heart
problem are usually perceived by family as any other common problems like gas.
However, it should not happen because it leads to neglection of a major heart
problem. So, symptoms should be taken in the same manner for both men and women
because women are more susceptive than men to get severely affected and chances
of dieing are more common in women than in men. So, one should not neglect the
symptoms and consult the doctor at the earliest”.
Food and Heart Health
Dr. Chandra says, an individual with heart disease can take every kind
of food to be it spices or sugar but in a controlled manner and a balanced diet
should be followed.
11 Tips to follow for Good Heart Health by Dr. CN Manjunath.
World Heart Day
falls on the 29th of September every year. To dwell on depth of the topic,
Famhealth is in conversation with Dr. C N Manjunath, Professor, and Director of
Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardio-Vascular Science’s and Research, Bengaluru,
lists out 15 most essential tips and tricks that should be followed in order to
avoid Heart Diseases.
Role of Cholesterol
in CVD
There are 2 types of cholesterol which are good cholesterol (HDL), bad cholesterol (LDL) Good cholesterol has significant importance to maintain our heart health. Wherein a person should have high HDL, but it is also important to have less LDL.
A prominent and emerging risk in India is the combination of high triglycerides and low HDL which results in heart issues.
There is a definite correlation between cholesterol and coronary artery disease which results in the blockage of arteries in the heart. Dr. Manjunath believes that cholesterol-related misconceptions are often spread through social media and we should ignore these.
According to Dr. Manjunath with every 1% increase in cholesterol results in a 2% increase in the rate of Cardiovascular Diseases. E.g. There is an entity which is called familial hypercholesterolemia where cholesterol is abnormal right from birth in such cases many patients die at an early age of 15, 20, 25 years. So, in such cases, people should avoid misconceptions related to cholesterol and should get it to check at the earliest.
Another misconception is lean people’s body weight and cholesterol who believe that they cannot have cholesterol-related disorders. Dr. Manjunath says lean personality people or underweight people can also have high cholesterol levels. Role of lifestyle factors to maintain good heart health
Dr. Manjunath says one should eat everything in small and optimal quantity be it ghee or any other fats. Food should be low calorie, low fat, and more of fibers, fruits, and vegetables which are popularly known as the Mediterranean Diet.
Pay attention to low carbohydrates and low sugar diet and fast foods should be completely avoided. Dr. Manjunath defines fast foods as “those foods that have the ability to take away life very fast”.
Dr. Manjunath advises to include 45 minutes of exercise in daily routine to maintain good heart health because exercise reduces the risk of all lifestyle caused diseases like hypertension, heart attack, blood sugar control. He emphasizes taking the stairs as a very good exercise because while climbing stairs if a person gets a burning sensation or pain in the heart or feels extremely tired then it points out to inner heart problems and problems can be treated at the earliest.
Dr. Manjunath says youngsters and teenagers should not lift too much weight abruptly which can be dangerous for their heart. Also, they should gradually increase the time and intensity of their work and should initially practice moderate-intensity workout.
5 Most important things to be kept low as told by Dr. Manjunath
Blood Pressure
Blood Sugar
Blood cholesterol
Body Weight
Over Ambition
11. Role of Genetic Makeup in heart Diseases Dr. Manjunath says, “If a person has a family history of heart diseases then it doubles the risk of heart issues such a person should take care of their heart health since childhood. They should maintain a very active lifestyle and mothers in these families should avoid giving too much fatty and oily food to kids and should take care of their health from the earliest”.
3 factors that ensure a healthy heart by Dr. Naresh Trehan on World Heart Day.
World Heart Day to be
observed on 29th September draws into focus the vital organ of our body
primarily the engine of our system the heart. According to the world heart
federation, the most number of deaths that occur in the world are due to heart.
It nearly accounts for 17.9 million lives that are lost due to cardiovascular
diseases which are 31 percent of global deaths. Therefore, it becomes very
crucial to keep our heart healthy. Famhealth in an exclusive conversation with
Dr. Naresh Trehan, one of the chief cardiac surgeons of the country as well as
the chairman and managing director of Medanta- the Medicity tells about some
effective tips and tricks to keep the heart-healthy.
The incensed pandemic
that has girdled our lives these days has given rise to tremendous stress to
our body, especially the mind, which directly affects our heart. Now it becomes
so much more important to take care of our heart. So, the mounting question is
what keeps our heart healthy?
Dr. Trehan primarily lists out 3 important factors that should be practiced to keep our heart healthy.
Exercise
“When it comes to cardiovascular fitness it should be a sustained 40 minutes of exercise where heart rate goes up by 50 percent of your resting heart rate. ‘Pranayama’ is the most efficient breathing exercise that one must do regularly to calm one’s mind and body. With it, meditation and listening to “Mahāmrityunjaya Mantra’ will help in balancing the entire body. Practicing this regime at least 5 times a week will assure that your heart is in a healthy state says”, Dr. Trehan.
2.Nutrition
While
talking about nutrition Dr. Trehan says,” it (nutrition) is the second most
important factor which affects heart and arteries. While poor nutrition will
increase the propensity of a person to suffer from atherosclerosis which is the
depositing of fats in arteries therefore one must intake balanced nutrition.
Break up of daily nutrition – 50% from carbohydrates, that provide energy for daily tasks; 35 – 40 % should be from proteins which help in muscle build-up and the least amount (appx 10 – 15%) of fats because an excessive amount of fat consumption will lead to the formation of lipids that will start depositing in our liver, arteries, and heart with these all vitamins and minerals too”.
3.Genetic make
While
guiding about tips to keep heart healthy Dr. Trehan acquaints the role of
genetic makeup, “A history of heart disease in the family doubles the risk and
chances of a person to suffer from some form of heart disease, including problems
like high blood pressure, highly stressed mind, diabetes, etc. Therefore a
person must know his genetic predisposition and then tailor his lifestyle according
to that”.
Here are 10 significant tips about Heart Health by Dr. Ashok Seth, Chairman, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute New Delhi.
World Heart Day is
celebrated on 29th September 2020 which brings in focus the vital
organ of our body heart. To discuss more on heart health and its several
parameters Famhealth is in an exclusive conversation with Dr. Ashok Seth, Chairman, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute
New Delhi.
When asked about the scale of Heart Diseases in India Dr. Ashok Seth says,
India has become the heart attack capital of
the world. In last 30years there’s an increase for about 300% in the rate of
heart diseases whereas it has dropped in the west by almost 50%.
In last 50 years heart diseases have grown in
young people by 100% which is almost double if we compare to west. India is a young
country with 60% of population less than 40 years of age so these numbers are
really scary because half of the country is at risk of getting a heart disease.
When asked about the reason for such
astonishing numbers about Heart Disease in India Dr. Ashok Seth says,
Lifestyle is one of the most obvious reasons
for the country to develop a heart disease. Today’s is a competitive world with
job competitiveness, educational competitiveness, meeting deadlines, stress, no
exercise and eating junk all of these lead to a unhealthy heart.
Unhealthy lifestyle issues lead to developing
of cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes and ultimately leading to blockage of
arteries and a stroke.
Pollution is another major factor that leads to
blockages of arteries, results in hypertension and youth are most vulnerable to
develop all these because they mostly remain outside for work or study.
Another leading and very obvious factor is
smoking. Youth is under stress due to one or the either reason they develop a
habit of smoking and alcoholism thus digging in their own graves i.e. pushing one
to develop a heart disease.
When asked about possible ways to avoid a heart disease Dr. Ashok Seth says,
A regular routine check-up of lipid profiles, diabetes,
and cholesterol level above the age of 25 in men is very necessary. If a person
is beyond 45 years of age then they should go for a complete check-up and
should be very cautious about their heart health.
Leading a very healthy lifestyle is very
important exercising for 45 minutes 5 times in a week reduces the risk of heart
disease by 25%.
Go for tests like blood tests, ECG, exercise
tests are recommended for a person to know about the functioning of heart which
reveal almost 10%-20% blockage of arteries in heart.
CT scan and CT angiogram are very important to
know about the heart health of a person. This test reveals almost 30%-40%
blockage of arteries in the heart which means a person is at high risk of
getting a heart disease.
COVID-19 – Symptoms, Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment
Coronavirus, human coronavirus, Coronavirus in India, Coronavirus symptoms in humans, tests for Coronavirus
Introduction
A family of viruses that infects the nose, sinus, upper throat and the entire respiratory tract and causes ailments ranging from the common cold to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome(spreads from camels to human beings) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome(spreads from civet cats to human beings) is called Coronavirus. While most of the coronaviruses are not dangerous, some of them can be gravely serious. Here are some COVID-19 – Symptoms, Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment
First recognised in the year 1960, Coronaviruses do not have a fixed origin. They are crown-shaped and cause infections in both human beings and animals.
The new Coronavirus – also called a novel Coronavirus or n CoV has not previously been recognised in human beings, hence, it is referred to as a new strain by medical fraternity all over the globe.
New Coronavirus Outbreak
In early January 2020, WHO (World Health Organisation) recognised a new Coronavirus in China. It is called 2019 novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). According to the recent statistics, around 4,500 cases of new coronavirus outbreak have been recorded till now. The number of deaths due to human Coronavirus is on a steep rise. Currently, the total death count is 106 worldwide.
The severe cases of Coronavirus first came to light in the city of Wuhan, Hubei Province of China. The city had a large sea-animals market which is closed now, thanks to the increasing number of Coronavirus cases. It is alleged that the virus has spread from animals to humans through direct contact. Another possibility is that its transmission happened via air.
Coronavirus in India
In India, over 100 patients who are showing symptoms of the disease are kept under observation in the states of Kerala and Maharashtra. However, none of them is confirmed yet.
Signs and Symptoms of Coronavirus
As per the WHO guidelines, the following are the Coronavirus symptoms in humans:
Infection that causes high fever, runny nose, cough, cold, muscle pain, fatigue and breathing problems.
Pneumonia that results in loss of appetite, sharp chest pain, nausea and vomiting etc.
Others: Severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure
Coronavirus is responsible for causing a wide array of ailments, ranging from asymptomatic to life-threatening.
The incubation period of Coronavirus is estimated to be 10-14 days.
Diagnosis of Coronavirus
Specific lab tests including the ones that are done to check respiratory specimens and serum are recommended by the healthcare providers to diagnose Coronaviruses. PCR nasal swab testing is also recommended by the health experts for a more clear-cut diagnosis.
In case, you are experiencing symptoms of Coronavirus, you must tell your healthcare provider about your travel history, food that you have been eating and animals that you have been in close contact with in the recent past.
Other diagnosis tests for Coronavirus include nose and throat check-ups.
Precautions for Coronavirus
Protecting yourself from Coronavirus
Wash your hands frequently using soap and running tap water. Make sure you do it in a proper manner, taking at least 20 seconds. Also, do not forget to wash your hands after touching an animal.
Do not touch your nose, eyes and mouth with unclean or bare hands.
Keep away from sick people to reduce the risk of catching the deadly Coronavirus especially when you are in crowded spaces.
Regularly clean objects like doorknobs, keyboards, table surfaces, telephone handsets etc. using virucidal agents like Clorox, trigene advance etc. to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.
Build your immunity by regularly exercising and eating a nutritious balanced diet. Moderate exercising is recommended by the experts. You can also practice meditation and other mental exercises to keep yourself stress-free.
Protecting others from Coronavirus
If you have flu-like symptoms, it’s best to stay home.
Try and avoid close contact with other people.
Whenever you cough or sneeze, make sure that you properly cover your mouth using a cloth or a tissue paper. Do not forget to wash your hands every time you cough or sneeze.
Moreover, make sure that you keep your surroundings clean. It’s good to disinfect floors and other surfaces using a disinfectant cleaner liquid and protect yourself as well as others from the deadly Coronavirus
It is also recommended to use gloves, masks and goggles to prevent droplet transmission.
Coronavirus Treatment
The treatment of Coronavirus is similar to that of any flu illness. Check below:
Take enough rest.
Drink more and more fluids.
Treat your sore throat and other cold symptoms using over-the-counter medications. Paracetamol and other NSAIDs like ibuprofen are the recommended medicines. Decongestants can also be used. However, one needs be extra cautious when providing elderly people with over-the-counter medications as they can affect their overall health in a negative way and make them more vulnerable.
Integrated as well as herbal medicinal therapy help in the treatment of Coronavirus.
If the symptoms become worse or do not go away on their own, contact your healthcare provider and seek medical assistance as early as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions: Coronavirus
1.
How dangerous is Coronavirus?
2019 novel coronavirus is new to medical sciences. According to medical scientists, human beings haven’t developed the necessary immunity to fight this virus yet, which makes Coronavirus infection particularly dangerous.
The world is at the risk of a global pandemic with the advent of 2019 novel Coronavirus. If proper actions are not taken by the health authorities and individuals, the outbreak can become deadly.
Health officials all around the globe are looking forward to precisely evaluate the situation and suggest measures accordingly. However, if things keep going downhill, the World Health Organization would soon announce Coronavirus as a global health emergency.
Some scientists are of the view that the new Coronavirus is comparatively less dangerous than its past counterparts such as SARS and MERS.
2.
How is Coronavirus transmitted?
The new Coronavirus adapts and mutates, meaning it can spread far and wide quite easily which makes it further challenging when it comes to the treatment. Also, there is no clear evidence that shows the coronavirus also transmits through the respiratory tract.
Coronavirus spread from the infected people to healthy ones through coughing, sneezing, coming in contact with things that have been touched by the person/animal carrying the infection.
It is also transmitted via indirect contact. For instance, when a person suffering from Coronavirus sneezes or coughs, he or she releases droplets(invisible to the naked eyes) that get stuck to the surfaces such as doorknobs, railings and even smartphones. If a healthy person gets in contact with these droplets, he or she can also get the Coronavirus.
3.
Does Coronavirus spread from animals to humans?
Yes, Coronavirus may spread from animals to humans. Such exchanges result in diseases called zoonotic diseases.
It spreads from animals to humans when meat or other products that are derived from animals are consumed by human beings. Meat and related food, if not cooked properly that too in unhygienic environments can also facilitate the spread of the Coronavirus.
4.
Is there a vaccine for Coronavirus?
No, currently there is no vaccine available to protect you from the life-threatening Coronavirus. However, the medical fraternity is putting enormous efforts to find solutions to control this growing epidemic.
Since there is no vaccine available, it is best to indulge in hygiene practices and reduce the risk of transmission of Coronavirus.
5.
Any group of people particularly at risk of Coronavirus?
People who have a weak immune system or the ones who are already suffering from severe medical conditions of lungs and heart besides those who are on Immunosuppressive drugs and anti-cancerous drugs are particularly at risk of Coronavirus. Older people are also considered vulnerable to this deadly virus.
6.
Does a mask protect me against Coronavirus?
N-99 and N-95 masks are recommended to use in order to protect yourself. They prevent the transmission of the Coronavirus especially when you are travelling or in crowded spaces. However, these masks must be worn in a proper manner to ensure full protection.
7.
Does Coronavirus affect organs other than the respiratory tract?
Yes, it may. In case, a person infected with Coronavirus develops pneumonia, he or she may suffer from acute kidney failure. If the virus spreads in the body further, there is a possibility of multi-organ failure as well.
PREGNANCY
Conception To Motherhood- A Beautiful Journey
Learning about Planning Pregnancy, Stages and various aspects of Pregnancy, to finally landing into Motherhood can be a memorable and beautiful experience. Let’s explore few ways to discover it.
Planning Pregnancy
Hoping to get Pregnant can be exciting, but may also be associated with issues and apprehensions. Let’s try to find how to plan pregnancy in a better way.
Approximately 70 million people suffer from Diabetes in India. As our doctors say, diabetes is not just a condition but a lifestyle.Learn about diabetes, its symptoms and how best to manage your lifestyle when you have diabetes.
Diabetes is an endocrine disorder that elevates your blood sugar levels over a prolonged period of time. It is caused by the malfunctioning of the pancreatic cells, which produce insufficient or no Insulin. It is a chronic disorder which can be managed with right medication and healthy lifestyle.
Managing diabetes can feel overwhelming at times. However, understanding the deeper aspects can burst many myths and shows diabetes can be managed easily. Let’s venture out different diabetes issues and better ways to deal them.
Lifestyle changes include adopting a healthy diet and exercise plan which plays a direct role in controlling the blood glucose levels of a person living with diabetes. It is important to deal with the stress and emotional turmoil that comes with this diagnosis and so getting the right support and making lifestyle changes to successfully manage this condition is imperative.
A research conducted on 3500 patients by a school in Westminster, USA concluded that there are two major personality characteristics in the management of diabetes are the Interactive and the Independent personality.
A healthy diabetes diet aids in treating and controlling blood sugar level. Though everyone requires a balanced diet to stay healthy, diabetics need to watch out the food they eat to keep an eye on spiked blood sugar levels. Here are some healthy eating strategies which can curb diabetes.
An assortment of some yummy diabetic-friendly recipes are not bring down blood sugar levels, but are a delight to eat. Here we bring you easy and quick recipe tricks and tips, which are easy and quick to cook.
