Medical News

In traditional Chinese medicine, the shen (spirit, consciousness) resides in the brain and heart. During the day, the shen rises into the head, stimulating the brain. At night, it sinks down, into to the heart, where it sleeps, rejuvenating the body mind. Insomnia is the inability to fall or stay asleep. There are two types of insomnia, acute and chronic. Acute (sudden, recent) insomnia is relatively easy to cure via supplements, herbs, meditation, etc. Chronic insomnia is more difficult to cure as all chronic long-lasting diseases take months and years to not only develop but also cure.

Sleeping is a function of blood, energy, and the five major organ systems:

(1) Spleen controls digestion, transformation of food into blood

(2) Heart stores the spirit, circulates the blood

(3) Lungs purify, oxygenate the blood

(4) Liver purifies the blood and

(5) Kidneys purify blood, store jing.

Blood, protein and fat enable the heart (blood, nutrient rich organ) to hold, anchor the spirit. Too much, especially animal, fried foods, in the extreme, tend to thicken the blood, which in turn, thickens clogs and weakens the liver (stores, cleanses, removes excess protein, fat, cholesterol, impurities, etc. and releases the blood). Less protein, fat, cholesterol, etc. are cleansed, removed more stays in the blood (clots, high cholesterol), arteries (plaque, atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, etc.), skin, organs, etc. Clogged arteries reduce blood flow to the heart making it difficult to fall asleep. Excess fat hardens, tenses the body, liver, muscles making it difficult to stay asleep.

Too little protein and fat, in the extreme, tends to weaken, thin the blood, which in turn, weakens the heart’s ability to anchor, hold the spirit during the night, allowing it to roam, rise up into the head stimulating thinking (hot), dreaming (hot) and or wakefulness (hot).

Too much cleansing (salads, tropical fruits, juices, cold drinks) and or too little building, in the extreme tends to weaken digestion. Digestion warms and dries the body, lungs. Weak digestion (see spleen, Chapter 7) cools and dampens (creates excess mucous) the lungs, nose, sinuses, which shortens and disrupts the breath (coughing, snoring, hacking, sleep apnea). This is one reason why spices (hot, aromatic) are added to the diet to not only dry excess fluids, mucous but also open the sinuses, allowing the breath to flow freely. For cold, conditions reduce cold, damp foods (milk, ice cream, salads, tropical fruits, juices, cold drinks).

The excessive consumption of chocolate, coffee, caffeine and alcohol overheats the body as does overeating and late dinners. It is hard to sleep when the body is overheated via stimulants, excessive digestion. and or impacted intestines (intestinal heat).

Jing (sexual essence) fuels all function. Excessive sex drains jing and does overwork, caffeine, etc. which in turn, weakens the heart’s ability to store the shen. Jing is moistening, cooling, as is sleeping.

Poor posture, misalignment, injury, excessive emotions, thoughts and or environment (climate, electromagnetic radiation, noise, etc.) can also be a cause. Relaxing, sleeping is difficult if you are overheated, have too much energy: work all day long, in the sun, sleep in a room that is hot, damp, or eat drink too many building, hot foods, drinks. Regular exercise dissipates excess heat, energy, which relaxes, cools the body. Proper diet also relaxes the body.

Long-term, severe insomnia takes time (months, years), discipline, and patience to cure. The middle diet, meal plan adjusted accordingly is recommended. Vegetarian meals (ideal for dinner) are less heating. Fruit is cooling, and makes an excellent nighttime snack, although not too late, as too many fruits, cold drinks increase the urge to urinate causing frequent risings, awakenings. Eat more building during the day and less heating, more cooling at night. Avoid coffee, caffeine, chocolate, etc. Sleeping on the right side generally opens the left nasal passage, which is more relaxing. Breathing through the right nostril is more stimulating For acute insomnia; the following herbs may be helpful: valerian root, passionflower, Sleepy time tea, etc. For severe, hot insomnia, try 1 TB Brewer’s yeast (high in B vitamins, cools the liver) in a fruit juice and or magnesium (250 mg) 1-2 times per day. Magnesium relaxes the liver, and softens the stools. The need to sleep long hours, decreases as one gets older.

There is not much awareness about cancer and that is why there are many myths that surround this medical condition. One thing which every one should know about the cancer is the early warning sign, so that the same can be treated and cured. The common myths about cancer are -

1. Use of cell phones can cause cancer. Again this is a very common belief that cell phones can cause cancer. There is no credible study available that consistently proves that using a cell phone has the ability to cause cancer.

2. Hair dye can cause brain cancer. Hair dye never causes cancer however this is a very common myth believed world over. The common belief was that hair dye can cause brain tumor, but there is no evidence of it causing brain tumors. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association confirms that hair dye does not increase the risk of developing cancer.

3. Cancer can cause hair loss or hair loss indicates cancer. Cancer does not cause hair loss. However, hair loss can be a side effect of cancer treatments, like chemotherapy and radiation therapy. That too not with everyone, there are people who have undergone chemotherapy or radiation and did not lose their hair.

4. One can inherit cancer from parents. This is not true with all types of cancer. This means that one will not inherit cancer from parents for sure. However there are few types of cancer which can be passed down genetically, like breast cancer, ovarian cancer and colorectal cancer. If a parent has any of these cancers, the cancer gene may be passed to their child. But this does not mean that the child will suffer from cancer surely. It can only increase the likelihood of developing cancer.

5. Breast cancer is found in women only. This is the biggest cancer myth and believed by most. Men too can have breast cancer. As per an estimate 1500 men will be diagnosed and about 500 will die from the disease this year. However male breast cancer is very uncommon, yet it happens.

6. Cancer can be contagious. In fact there is No type of cancer is contagious. However, there are two viruses which are contagious, Hepatitis C and HPV, they can cause cancer. Hep C causes liver cancer whereas HPV is a known risk factor for cervical cancer. Both of these viruses can be transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse. However, Hep C is more often transmitted through blood to blood contact such as sharing needles and transfusions.

7. Pharmaceutical companies have the cure for cancer but are hiding it. If this was true, thousands of loved ones of pharmaceutical businessmen have not died due to this deadly disease. pharmaceutical researchers are actually fighting very hard to find some solution instead. This is the result of their hard word alone that today we can cure many types of cancer successfully.

8. Cancer means death. Yes, this could be but not always that cancer means death. New breakthroughs have made it possible to treat the cancer in early detection of of the disease. An estimate is that more than 35% of cancer patients reach or exceed the five year survivor life!

9. Use of antiperspirants and deodorant can cause cancer. According to the National Cancer Society, there is no conclusive evidence from recent studies that wearing them can cause cancer. This cancer myth is by far one of the most popular among women for that it can cause breast cancer.

10. Positive thinking cures cancer. Positive thinking does not cure cancer but surely plays very significant role during cancer treatment. Optimistic attitude helps increasing the quality of life during treatment. Although there is no scientific evidence that positive attitude cures cancer.

All the above mentioned are wrong notions. As one sees symptoms that are warning signs of cancer, one should rush to a doctor.

When you use the phrase chronic headache it means that the headache symptoms have been present at least 15 days per month for 3 straight months. In the event that they occur less frequently than this they’re considered episodic. A classic migraine will be characterized by a moderate to extreme pulsating ache that is felt on one side of the head with the symptoms intensifying when performing vigorous activity. Accompanying the throbbing pain may be nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to bright light, and other symptoms. Also, visual disturbances, referred to as auras, are regularly experienced by migraine sufferers.

There are many methods to eliminate migraine headaches that don’t involve the usage of pain killers. Nonetheless, what may work for one individual may not work for somebody else. Given that the bulk of natural strategies are not dangerous it is smart to try different remedies until an effective one is discovered. Below are 2 strategies you may not be aware of which have shown good results in eliminating chronic migraines in some persons.

1 – Filtering tap water can remove chemicals that may cause migraine pain

Chronic migraine headaches might be attributable to water in two ways. Firstly, not drinking sufficient water can result in dehydration which might cause symptoms. And secondly, chemicals in the water may perhaps be the cause of migraines in some people.

Dehydration is simple to alleviate. Drink enough amount of water every day and dehydration will vanish. Each person is totally different and will require differing amounts of water for maximum well being. Even though 64 ounces may be often be considered an average amount, littler folks may require less and larger folks may require more.

There are lots of chemicals in tap water that may cause chronic headaches in some folks, with nitrates being high on the list. Nitrates are inorganic chemicals which can be found pretty much everywhere including the ocean, freshwater, soil, and air. Extreme nitrate levels are sometimes found in everyday tap water and can cause chronic migraines.

Animal manure, fertilizers, and sewage contain high levels of nitrates and can contaminate tap water. Removing them from the drinking water is as easy as utilizing a water filter. Have your tap or drinking water examined for nitrates. If it has excessive amounts of nitrates it’s best to get a filtration system that will eliminate them. Keep in mind there could also be other chemicals in water that may cause migraine pain or other health disorders, so filtering your water may be beneficial even if the nitrate amount is in a nontoxic range.

2 – Getting rid of your discomfort might be as easy as ingesting fish oils

Fish such as salmon, mackerel, and tuna contain the essential fatty acid referred to as omega 3. New research are now showing that fish oils that contain omega 3 might reduce the frequency and length of migraines in some folks. Seeing as this analysis continues to be ongoing the general community is unacquainted with the possible advantages of this essential fatty acid.

If you wish to obtain the greatest help from omega 3 you will need to obtain it in generous doses. This means you can’t simply consume fish once in awhile, but need to take a nutritional supplement on a daily basis.

Salmon is a greater source of omega 3 since it’s typically cleaner than other kinds of fish. When shopping for omega 3, make sure you get salmon fish oil that is certified as being free from all pesticides, toxins, or heavy metals.

The way you eat is almost as important as what you eat! I bet that surprised you – I know it did me when I first heard it. I also realised that I had never really learn to eat properly.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO EAT PROPERLY?

Your body has a lot to do with the food that you take into your system. It is your fuel for the day, and your body has to sort it all out and to make sure that the right things end up in the right places – or you won’t be able to function properly. If you’re not eating the bets way for your body, things can end up in the wrong places and this leads to things like candida, headaches, bowel problems and ACNE!

HOW TO EAT PROPERLY

DON’T DRINK WHEN YOU’RE EATING – not even water, but especially not sodas and iced drinks. Your body needs its digestive juices – saliva – to break down the food and make sure that it gets to the right places. If you’re drinking at the same time as you’re eating, it dilutes the saliva and makes it harder for it to do its job.

CHEW YOUR FOOD CORRECTLY – you need to chew your food until it is a soft mush in your mouth – about 32 times for each mouth full. This is something that I remember being told a a child – “Chew your food!“. Life has become so fast these days, that often we eat on the go and swallow food without chewing it much at all. This is making it much harder for your body to digest the food properly, and may add to many health problems – especially skin problems.

COMBINE YOUR FOODS CORRECTLY – it makes it much easier for your body to digest things if it only has to deal with one type of food at a time – because different foods need different types of saliva to be digested properly. So, if you eat carbohydrates – bread, pasta, rice, potatoes – mix them with vegetables and salad rather than proteins – eggs, meat, fish, cheese. If you are eating proteins, eat them with salad and vegetables and miss out the carbohydrates – your body will like it much better, and will be able to work more efficiently and you should start to feel the difference.

BE CAREFUL WHEN AND WHERE YOU CHOOSE TO EAT. If you can, eat when you are feeling relaxed. Sit at a table if possible. Try not to watch TV as you’re eating. If you’re stressed when you’re eating, or not sitting in an upright position – like slumped in front of the TV! – your body will find it much harder to digest your food properly. We know what that leads too..

LEARN TO LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. Eat when you’re hungry. It sounds simple, but a lot of us do not listen to our bodies properly, and we mistake thirst for hunger – so if you feel hungry, try drinking water, and then see in 5 minutes if you’re still hungry. At other times, we eat when we’re feeling bored, or sad or angry. Get in the habit of checking in with yourself before you eat without thinking – and see if it might be something other than hunger you’re really feeling. Here’s a hint – if you’re craving one of your comfort foods, it’s often a sign that there’s an emotion hanging around that you’re not that comfortable with. If you learn to eat when you are hungry, your body will be able to do it’s job of digesting food much more efficiently.

One of the reasons that we have so many problems controlling our weigh is because most of us have forgotten the true purpose of eating food. We should not be eating food to give ourselves a passing pleasurable experience such as we may get when we eat some cheesecake or chocolate. The purpose of digesting food is to give us enough energy and strength to get through the day.

Food consists mainly of protein, carbohydrates, fats and a small quantity of vitamins and minerals. Food also contains water which is vital to the body as it provides the fluid to help the blood circulate around the body.

If you are going to adopt a healthy eating regime it is important that you understand the role that these main constituents fulfil.

Protein. This come mainly from animals in the form of meat and should be eaten in moderation as it can contain a high level of saturated fats which can be harmful to you. We all need some protein as it contains essential amino acids. Protein can be obtained from plant foods if they are combined. By combining pulses such as beans with grains and nuts you can provide your body with its required daily level of protein even on a vegetarian diet.

Carbohydrates. All carbohydrates are sugars and as such are an excellent source of energy as they are converted by the body into glucose. However, eating too many carbohydrates can affect the balanced of the body by upsetting your sugar levels. This can result in a feeling of tiredness, mood swings and irritability.

Fats. These represent a very concentrated source of energy. They can be divided into two types saturated and unsaturated.

Saturated fats are normally solid at room temperature and include butter and margarine. It is also found in meats, pies, biscuits and many processed foods. Eating too much saturated fat can lead to raised cholesterol levels and an increased risk of high blood pressure and heart disease.

Unsaturated fats. These are generally fluid at room temperature and can be found in vegetable oils such as sesame, olive and sunflower oils. They can also be found in oily fish such as mackerel and sardines. Unsaturated fats are considered to be much better for you than the saturated variety.

Water. Some experts believe that a majority of the population are suffering from some level of dehydration. It is recommended that we should all drink around 2 litres of water per day. This can help keep energy levels up and help- reduce high blood pressure.

It is important to get the balance between all the constituents of your daily food right. If you do this then you should be able to lead a healthy and active life.

The first time I heard about plantar fasciitis and just what a terrible condition it is, was way back in the 1980’s when my grandfather was diagnosed with the condition. Even then I often wondered what caused plantar fasciitis and how it could be treated. In his case it was almost an occupational hazard. He had been working as a postman for 30 years and the stress of constantly being on his feet took caught up with him and the straining of his plantar fascia was the the end result of this.

So if you didn’t know already, one of the main causes of the condition is too much exercise and activity on your feet. I myself, suffered with plantar fasciitis for a number of years too. In my case it purely down to the amount of sports that I take part in. I’ve been a keen runner since my high school days and much like my grandfather the pressure on the heel area of my feet built up to the point where the pain was absolutely unbearable. When I visited the doctor I was also told about ill fitting shoes can cause plantar fasciitis and I believe this was part of the problem I had too. Those fancy running shoes looked great in the store and were on sale. Who would have thought buying a half size bigger than I needed would cause me such pain in my feet.

Too much exercise and badly fitting shoes are two of the most common causes of plantar fasciitis and unfortunately both myself and family members have found this out the hard way. It has nothing to do with the condition being hereditary. I did toy with the idea however before I accepted that I was almost 100% responsible for having plantar fasciitis! In my case I went to see the doctor fairly early on and was able to treat the condition quite promptly. The pain in the morning was getting too much for me too bear and I had to do something about it.

The pain is always worse in the morning because the ligament in your foot seizes up when your sleeping. The first thing the doctor recommended to me was to introduce some light stretches into my day especially when I wake up. This will loosen off the plantar fascia ligament and make the day a little easier. Exercises can help to reduce the pain caused by the condition. I was also referred to plantar fasciitis night splints to help to ease the pain the morning when I wake up. The idea with this treatment is that the plantar fascia is stretched while you’re sleeping. I found a great deal of success with this. Finally, I had to limit my activities on my feet and always make sure that I wore shoes that fit properly and give proper protection and support to the heel.

After we eat, the food we eat is converted into energy. The way that your body processes and uses the food you eat is referred to as your metabolism. Rather than speaking of a ‘fast’ or ’slow’ metabolism, think of it as efficient or inefficient.

There’s usually little difference between the metabolic rates of people who are of normal weight or those who are overweight — except in those cases where hypothyroidism is involved. Some overweight people — specifically those with a hypothyroid condition — don’t consume more calories than people of average weight, yet may even gain weight at lower calorie levels.

The thyroid is one of the largest endocrine glands in the body. It’s found in the neck, below the thyroid cartilage. It controls how quickly the body uses energy or makes proteins, and how sensitive the body is to other hormones. Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the body doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone.

Since the main purpose of thyroid hormone is to run the body’s metabolism, people with this condition show symptoms associated with a slow metabolism. Estimates vary, but some say ten million Americans may have this condition, and as many as one in ten women may have some degree of thyroid hormone deficiency. Hypothyroidism is more common than you might suppose, and millions of people are currently hypothyroid and don’t know it.

There are two common causes of hypothyroidism. The first is a result of inflammation of the thyroid gland, which leaves many of the cells of the thyroid damaged or dead, and incapable of producing sufficient hormone. The most common cause of thyroid gland failure is called autoimmune thyroiditis, or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, a form of thyroid inflammation caused by the patient’s immune system.

The second major cause is the broad category of medical treatments. The treatment of many thyroid conditions requires surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid. If the total mass of thyroid producing cells left is not enough to meet the body’s needs, the patient will develop hypothyroidism. This can also happen when goiters and some other thyroid conditions are treated with radioactive iodine therapy. The aim of this is to kill a portion of the thyroid to prevent goiters from growing larger or producing too much hormone, a condition called hyperthyroidism. As you might imagine, this is when the thyroid produces an excess of hormone, producing symptoms such as feeling too hot, losing weight, and lack of sleep. Sometimes, the result of radioactive iodine treatment is that too many cells are damaged, eventually making the patient hypothyroid.

Common symptoms of hypothyroidism are as listed here:

- Fatigue and weakness
- Weight gain, or difficulty losing weight
- Coarse, dry hair, and dry, rough, pale skin
- Hair loss
- Inability to tolerate the cold
- Muscle cramps
- Constipation
- Depression and irritability
- Memory loss
- Abnormal menstrual cycles
- Decreased libido

Any of these apply to you? If you suspect you have hypothyroidism, consult your GP. If you have undiagnosed hypothyroidism, anything you do to raise your metabolic rate and so lose excess weight may fail. In which case the first, essential step is to get a thyroid test.

And if you have been tested and are being treated, you need to make sure your treatment is optimized. This means the proper drug and dosage, as well as supplements to support thyroid function. An efficient metabolism requires the smooth running of many complex bodily processes which rely on antioxidant vitamins such as vitamin C, and the B vitamins.

Stress effects all of us every now an then,however many people do not deal with it as well as others. People who feel stressed out and anxious most of the time will have a hard time unwinding and may also develop panic attacks as a result.

Implementing some simple and effective stress reduction techniques can help to lower stress and anxiety levels. When individuals are open-minded about unconventional stress fighting strategies most of them can be extremely useful if done correctly.

Below are many of the more popular ways that I have come across that may help. Many of these techniques are shown to be effective and should be at least looked at.That being said not everyone will have the same results so it might be necessary to experiment with different techniques to determine the one that works well for you.

EFT or (emotional freedom technique) gets rid of negative energy,stress and thoughts by tapping on special points on the body. Most of the things that I have learned or discovered about EFT says that it is beneficial. EFT appears to be an efficient way to treat panic attacks,stress and anxiety as well as many physical ailments. To learn about EFT in more detail,it may be a good idea to search the internet or maybe even visit your local library.

Physical Exercise is another easy and inexspensive way to help control stress. It doesn’t matter what type of physical activity you choose as long as you find something you like and stick with it.

One of the better known and most popular techniques utilized to reduce stress is Meditation. There are many forms of meditation so finding one that fits your needs should be relatively easy.

Yoga is very helpful in reducing stress and anxiety, and I have recently attempted it myself, I did find that it was much harder to master than it appeared to be so a lot of practice is necessary to become good at it.

Positive Thinking is a useful way of counteracting the damaging effects of stress as well. Negative thoughts might be very tough to get over at first especially if you have been a negative person for a number of years,nevertheless with a bit of practice postivity will become easier and easier.

Find an activity that is enjoyable. This can be one of the most powerful stress busting techniques you can try.The activity does not need to be costly or complicated just as long as it is pleasurable,some of the things I enjoy are cooking,surfing the web and playing musical instruments.

Have a good laugh whenever you can,a good laugh will melt stress like nothing else,it only takes a few mintes to relax and read a humorous joke,or if you have more time watch a funny movie (it sure helps me).

Writing down your thoughts both negative and positive is an important way to alleviate stress as you can look back on the good times and bad which may help to put things in perspective.

Getting Help Treatment for Head Lice

Lice are “Pediculiasis” is the term for lice infestation. Only the head lice are much smaller. Pubic lice are regularly transmitted through passionate contact with the infested person. It can happen at school, in the playgrounds and almost anywhere where the place is congested. Although, these animals can be infested with a different type of lice, lice from birds or other mammals are also different from the human lice. These three types of human lice can be seldom seen in the eyelashes.

Behavior of Lice About more than a 100 eggs are produced by the female louse with a rate of six eggs in one day. Lice are also called “cooties“. These nymphs start feeding and become adult lice in a week or two also. However, this person may have numerous possible, dead and hatched nits. They cannot burrow the eggs into the scalp.

Lice History

So far, the head-to-head contact is the most familiar means of spreading head lice. But the collection of samples and sizes were inadequate. The National Health Service in the U. K.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

But if neglected, infection will occur. Irrational fear of acquiring head lice and any other parasites develop in the minds of some people. Head lice are not known to spread diseases. Symptoms aside from itching are swollen glands found at the back of the neck; the hair produces foul odor and tiny, egg-shaped white spots is sticking to the hair shaft. People who are troubled with these cases really profited from this encouragements performed by specialist of obsessive-compulsive illness. Most bites are so tiny, usually in red marks but it can be seen mostly at the back of the neck under the persons long hair.

Treatment

It becomes a fine opportunity for the parents to provide time for their child while removing these pests. Do not be alarmed if only a few lice are detected on the head. Treatment for lice should be concentrated on the areas of the body infected and not on the surroundings. If possible, disinfect the surroundings for head lice. You can also use tweezers to remove them.

These are the essential ways to remove lice and nits and to keep them from coming back:

Inform the school about lice thus they can perform a random check up of all the children. Without having assurance of lice detection and appropriate knowledge it is hard to tell apart these insects from other objects present in the hair. Lice cannot fine anything to hold on to. It may cause harm rather than resolution. To prove the identification of these objects, you may submit samples of collected lice and their eggs to an experienced doctor or entomologist so they can thoroughly experiment on these insects. Look for some mild skin cleansers that are free of pesticide, it may be effective and safer to use.

Prevention

Early detection of lice infestation minimizes its spread from one person to another. Avoiding head lice infestation is mainly the center of attention of most parents and doctors. Some products cannot totally kill the lice, it only eliminates a few. Kids should be aware that no matter how long it takes to stop it, there is still a way out. If after treating the head twice and you still find lice, try changing the medication and repeat the procedure for treatment.

Depression is worryingly common in adults. It can occur at three different levels: mild depression, moderate depression and severe depression. There are many tell-tale signs of this disorder, and the more a person is depressed, the more of these signs will be present in your behavior. Depression affects one in four women and one in 10 men at some point in their lives. Among its most common symptoms are persistent sadness, low energy, sleep disorders and appetite, and inability to take pleasure in pleasing activities. Depression is debilitating for the patient and agonizing for loved ones to watch. However, when this disorder is cleverly managed, the treatment is successful in about 90 percent of patients. This is accompanied by symptoms such as changes in sleep and appetite, loss of energy, loss of self-esteem, difficulty concentrating and preoccupation with death or suicide. In some cases, people become depressed irrationally convinced that something is happening terrible to them, such as poverty or fatal disease. The depressed person may withdraw from friends and family, and being unable to work. In children, depression may present as morbid preoccupation with death and dying. Children and adolescents sometimes experience bouts of helplessness, hopelessness and despair that are diagnosed as major depression.

Studies show that between 6 and 19% of the population will suffer from major depression at some point in their lives. Appears to be an “organic” disease in which the tendency to develop this condition can run in families, that depression can occur for no apparent reason and when the person has undergone significant changes in your life, and that misery can resolve with medication treatment alone, in some cases. Depression is a serious condition that can affect all areas of your life. Adjustment disorder with depressed mood involves a drop in mood in response to a specific stressful event. Bipolar disorder involves low mood similar periods of major depression, with periods of high or irritable mood as well. Depression can also occur as a biological reaction to certain physical illnesses (e.g. stroke affecting the left frontal brain, hypothyroidism, pancreatic cancer) or to chemical substances (e.g. alcohol, methamphetamine, anti ß-blockers -hypertensive). Although the symptoms are less intense than in major depression, dysthymic disorder lasts for years. Depression in adolescents can be difficult to detect because sulkiness, irritability, antisocial behavior, negativity and withdrawal often go hand in hand with the growth.

Causes of Adult Depression
1. Hormonal/physical changes.
2. Stroke.
3. Heart attack.
4. Traumatic Events.
5. Alcohol abuse.
6. Parkinson ’s disease.
7. Hypothyroidism.

Symptoms of adult depression
1. Changes in eating and sleeping habits.
2. Weight gain or loss.
3. Withdrawal of friends and family.
4. Feelings of uselessness or guilt.
5. Irritability.
6. Anger, anger, anxiety.
7. Lack of enthusiasm and motivation.
8. Agitation.

Treatment of Adult Depression
1. Cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on the causes of depression and helps to change patterns of negative thinking.
2. Family therapy as an adjunct to individual therapy can address the patterns of communication
3. Creative expression through drama, art and music, is often a positive outcome for the strong emotions of adolescents.
4. Medication for depression should be used cautiously and only under careful supervision.
5. Group therapy is often very useful for adolescents because it decomposes the feeling of isolation that many adolescents experience