Anxiety symptoms and treatment

Anxiety attacks can be reduced and eliminated by changing one’s behavior. Stress management techniques, aerobic exercise, and meditation may help people suffering from anxiety. The goal is to calm, for everyone who has experienced anxiety attacks must know that caffeine, illicit drugs, and eve...
Anxiety attacks can be reduced and eliminated by changing one%26rsquo;s behavior. Stress management techniques, aerobic exercise, and meditation may help people suffering from anxiety. The goal is to calm, for everyone who has experienced anxiety attacks must know that caffeine, illicit drugs, and even some over-the-counter cold medications can aggravate the symptoms of anxiety disorder. However, it is very important to recognize the anxiety symptoms and be aware of the correct treatment once an attack occurs.

What is anxiety?

Fear is the human%26rsquo;s body innate response to actual danger or threat. Anxiety is also a body's reaction to a perceived, anticipated or imagined danger or threatening situation. Anxiety comes in many different forms. This disorder might be a fear of snakes or spiders, or stage fright before an important speech. However, it may also be a non-stop worry about one%26rsquo;s parenting skills, or a constant fretting about success at work. Others might not think that someone%26rsquo;s feelings of anxiety are rational or logical, but in the patient%26rsquo;s mind the dangers or fears they perceive are very real.
Anxiety is a common occurrence. Most people experience it before or after stressful situations or traumatic events. Anxiety symptoms could also develop spontaneously, even when a threatening situation is not immediately apparent. Anxiety represents a continuum including everything from ordinary symptoms of distress up to life consuming disabilities, and most people who suffer from anxiety fall somewhere in between.

What is an anxiety attack, and what is an anxiety disorder?

If a patient is suffering from an anxiety disorder, anxiety is much more than an occasional nervousness and fear. Characteristics of an anxiety disorder include anxiety which is constant, unrelenting and all-consuming. It also includes anxiety that causes self-imposed isolation or complete emotional withdrawal, and an anxiety that prevents certain normal activities, such as going outside or interacting with other people.






Anxiety attacks, also known as panic attacks, are unexpected episodes of intense terror or fear that usually come without warning. Although the fear is generally irrational, the perceived danger is very real, and the person experiencing an anxiety attack will often feel as if they are about to die or pass out, so this could be particularly frightening. It is because overwhelming fear and worry can easily take over and make life seem like it is just too hard for these people to live.

What are the symptoms of anxiety attacks and disorders?

Anxiety produces physical symptoms such as rapid or irregular heartbeat (palpitations), stomach problems or gnawing feeling, nausea, butterflies, diarrhea, irritated bowel syndrome, sweating, or feeling cold and clammy. Possible symptoms are also headaches, lightheadedness or dizziness, body tension or aches, fatigue or shortness of breath, shaking, trembling or twitching, difficulty or staying asleep, hot flashes or chills, as well as chest pain, rubbery legs, and a tingling in fingers or toes.
At the same time, emotional symptoms of anxiety include a general sense of apprehension and dread, nervousness, jumpiness, irritation, fearfulness or terror, isolation from others, feeling incredibly self-conscious and insecure, and a fear of dying or going crazy, as well as a strong desire to escape. General anxiety may produce symptoms that are chronic and long-lasting. The symptoms of an anxiety attack will usually come on suddenly and without warning, unless you know what triggers your attacks. Symptoms may last only while an attack is taking place, or may be present all the time.

What are the types of anxiety disorders?

There are several of the most commonly experienced types of anxiety attacks and disorders.

-Generalized anxiety disorder occurs if you feel consistently anxious for reasons which are not always apparent. Anxiety related to GAD often manifests itself in physical symptoms like headaches, upset stomachs, and fatigue.

-Obsessive compulsive disorder has unwanted thoughts or behaviors that seem impossible to stop or control as the main symptom.

-Panic attacks/panic disorder is a type of anxiety characterized by repeated, unexpected panic attacks. Panic disorders may also be accompanied by agoraphobia, a type of anxiety associated with being in places where escape or help is not perceived to be possible.

-Phobia is a type of anxiety that involves an extreme, unrealistic fear of a specific object or activity, such as a particular animal, or of flying, or of certain situations such as being in open spaces, or in social situations. Usually phobias cause unrelenting fear and physical symptoms that prevent the person from facing that fear.

-Separation anxiety is a normal developmental stage experienced by a child when separated from its primary caregiver. It consists of crying and distress when a child is away from a parent or home. If separation anxiety continues to occur beyond a certain age or when it negatively impairs life or activities, it may need to be addressed and treated.

-Social anxiety/social phobia can be thought of as an extreme shyness. It could be extreme to the point of avoiding social situations and causing disruption to social and professional relationships.

Self-treatments for anxiety control

To a certain extent, anxiety is a normal part of everyday life, but anxiety disorders occur when anxiety symptoms become uncontrollable and overwhelming. The combination of factors that cause an anxiety disorder may be out of your control. If you are feeling overwhelmed, you should seek help. Social and lifestyle choices do play a role in feeling anxious, and you can learn techniques to manage your daily anxiety. You could also learn to take steps to reduce sources of anxiety. There are some strategies that may help combat the anxiety, stress and fear you feel on a day-to-day basis.

-Physical exercise is very important, so try to exercise regularly. Pay special attention to exercises involving the large muscle groups, like walking or jogging. Give up alcohol and drugs. Eat a healthy, balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Eliminate caffeine from your life and do it slowly. You should notice a difference in your stress and anxiety levels during the time.

-Social treatment could also help, so cultivate a support system. Try to spend as much time as possible with people who make you feel good. Share your troubles, thoughts and fears with friends, family or a therapist. A journal might also be a helpful way of recording things that cause make you anxious, stressed or hurt. You should also know that helping someone else can take your mind off your worries and give you a different perspective. Volunteering on a regular basis, or helping someone in need from your neighborhood, church, or community can give you a break from yourself. Try to improve your intimate love relationships. especially if your anxiety stems from early life issues that interfere with your ability to build safe, trusting relationships. If this is the case with you, you may benefit from learning ways to improve love relationships.

-Mental exercise and relaxing is important, so take a time-out for play, recreation and relaxation, and try to spend time doing hobbies or activities you really enjoy. Identify your stress or anxiety triggers and try to limit the known stress factors in your life. Avoid difficult colleagues, family members, and acquaintances as much as it is possible. It would be wise to lower your expectations, so if you are feeling anxious because people or situations are not living up to your expectations, adjust them appropriately.

Try to shift gears, and if you notice an anxiety or panic attack coming on, try to break the cycle before it takes over. Stop what you are doing and do something athletic, like going for a walk or a run, or do something that you really enjoy, such as painting or knitting, to shift your thoughts. You could also become your own expert, read books, visit websites, go to lectures and workshops, and talk to your doctor and therapist. Learning more about your anxiety will help you get the best treatment and enable you to conquer your fears and improve the best treatment results. You probably know that laughter is very healthy, so laugh as much as possible and seek out things and people that you find amusing. It would be nice to find humor or absurdity in stressful situations.

Medications for anxiety disorders

Some kinds of anxiety are readily controlled by medications, which can be prescribed and monitored by a psychiatrist. The use of medications is somewhat controversial so be sure to research the options before deciding if medication is the best course of treatment. Most antidepressants are started at a low dosage and gradually increased to minimize the risk of serious side effects that are possible to occur. Antidepressants typically take weeks to affect symptoms of anxiety disorder. Some commonly prescribed drugs include fluoxetine or Prozac, sertraline or Zoloft, fluvoxamine or Faverin, paroxetine or Paxil and citalopram or Celexa. Anti-anxiety medications should only be taken for short time periods because they can become addictive and less effective over time. When going off benzodiazepines, it is important to gradually reduce the dosage amount to prevent possible withdrawal symptoms. Common brand names for benzodiazepines are Valium, Xanax, Klonopin, and Ativan.

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Kegel exercises

Everyone should know how to do Kegel exercises, simply because you will have more fun in bed. In fact, exercised vaginal muscles will give you and your partner more pleasure during intercourse. His penis will feel bigger and your orgasms will be stronger, it will make childbirth easier, and it preve...
Everyone should know how to do Kegel exercises, simply because you will have more fun in bed. In fact, exercised vaginal muscles will give you and your partner more pleasure during intercourse. His penis will feel bigger and your orgasms will be stronger, it will make childbirth easier, and it prevents incontinence as well. You will be a better sexual partner because men love a strong vagina. It might even help you find and keep your partner. The aim of Kegel exercises is to restore muscle tone and strength to the pubococcygeus muscles. This is done in order to prevent or reduce pelvic floor problems and to increase sexual gratification. Kegel exercises are said to be good for treating vaginal prolapse and preventing uterine prolapse. As we could see this could help very much why should not we find out more about Kegel exercises.

What is Kegel exercise?

Kegel exercises are a series of pelvic muscle exercises designed to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor, which are originally developed by Dr. Arnold Kegel in 1948. It was developed as a method of controlling incontinence in women following childbirth. These exercises are now recommended for women with urinary stress incontinence, some men who have urinary incontinence after prostate surgery, and people who have fecal incontinence. The principle behind Kegel exercises is to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor, thereby improving the urethral and rectal sphincter function, where the success of Kegel exercises depends on proper technique and adherence to a regular exercise program. Kegel exercises may be beneficial in treating urinary incontinence in both men and women beside all these benefits already mentioned.

Kegel exercises are also known as pelvic floor exercises, or simply %26ldquo;Kegels%26rdquo;, named for Dr. Arnold Kegel who has contemporized and popularized this practice. He developed a number of different sexual practices to strengthen and tone these same muscles for health, longevity, sexual gratification, and spiritual development. This exercise will make it easier for you to reach orgasm, make your orgasms stronger and better, as the muscles you are exercising are the same as used during orgasm.







Kegel exercises would make your vagina more sensitive since you will feel more. When squeezing, you will feel your partner much better inside. It will simply heighten your sexual satisfaction, prevent prolapse and incontinence, make childbirth easier, and your muscles will regain more quickly after giving birth. For your boyfriend it will be a tremendous difference because you will get tighter. You can pull and squeeze your partner's penis for mutual plesure. You do not have to be nervous the first time you make love with a new partner, wondering what he will think of you. Doing Kegel exercise, you will have better sexual self-confidence and you will know that your present or future boyfriend, husband or lover will not be disappointed. The fact is that men prefer women with a strong vagina and to many men it is more important that one%26rsquo;s lover has a strong vagina than having a perfect body. In some cultures women exercise their vaginal strength in order to help them keep their future or present husband. You can be proud of your vaginal strength, just like one can be proud of one's body. The woman will get more control in bed since many women enjoy that and think it is fun. Moreover, when the pelvic floor muscles are weak, problems with losing urine occur. Doing the exercises correctly and regularly can strengthen the muscles. Stronger muscles lead to little or no urine loss for many women, it is also risk-free, low-cost, painless exercise.

How to do Kegel exercise?

Over one-third of women who start with Kegel exercise, start out squeezing the wrong muscles. Therefore, it is helpful to work with a doctor or nurse who can teach you the correct technique for it. You can also check yourself by placing a finger in your vagina and squeezing around it. When you feel pressure around your finger, you are using the correct muscle, and try to keep everything relaxed except the muscles right around the vagina. At the same time, do not bear down or squeeze your thigh, back, or abdominal muscles, and breathe slowly and deeply. At first you can do the exercises with your knees together, lying or sitting. If you read that these exercises can be done anywhere, anytime, that is not necessarily true. It has been determined that the optimal frequency of use is five minute sessions done twice a day. So doing them while watching television or wherever you think of it usually will not work as well, but many women report that five minutes before they get up in the morning and five minutes before they sleep is a helpful routine. It is extremely important that you are positive you are doing them correctly before you start, and you must know it is recommended doing the exercises for five minutes twice a day. You should squeeze the muscle for a count of four and relax for count of four. At first you may not be able to do the exercises for a whole five minutes. You will probably not be able to hold the squeeze for a count of four. With practice it will become easier as your muscles get stronger.

When should I expect improvement?

It takes from six to twelve weeks for most women to notice a change in urine loss but remember that if you do the exercises regularly you could cure yourself and avoid surgery if you have such problems. Once the exercises become easy, you can further strengthen the muscles by squeezing to a count of eight and relaxing to a count of eight and repeat this for five minutes two times a day. It will also work the muscle more to do the exercises with your knees apart. Once that you have attained your goal, you can do the exercises for five minutes three times a week. If you start having problems again with urine loss, you may need to go back to five minutes two times a day.

Helpful hints for Kegel exercises

You could listen to music while exercising as it can make it more fun. Keep a calendar and give yourself a check mark or star each time you do Kegel exercises. This will help you keep track of when you started and keep you motivated, so if you stop doing the exercises, start again. Just remember it takes regular practice to see results. If you want, you can masturbate at the same time, since masturbating is not filthy but natural. All women should masturbate, whether they have a partner or not as masturbating helps you to learn more about your body and genitals, what you like or enjoy regarding sex and makes you more open minded towards sex. Actually, many women get a better sex life if they masturbate and it also helps you get rid of stress and tension in your life. According to several surveys, up to 90% of women, both married and unmarried masturbates, many of them several times a week.
Moreover, you must know there are several techniques help the incontinent person identify the correct muscles. One approach is to sit on the toilet and start to urinate and then try to stop the flow of urine midstream by contracting your pelvic floor muscles. Repeat this action several times until you become familiar with the feel of contracting the correct group of muscles. Do not contract your abdominal, thigh, or buttocks muscles while performing the exercise. Another approach to help you identify the correct muscle group is to insert a finger into the vagina or in rectum in men. Try to tighten the muscles around your finger as if holding back urine while abdominal and thigh muscles should remain relaxed. A woman may also strengthen these muscles by using a vaginal cone. This is a weighted device inserted into the vagina; the woman then tries to contract the pelvic floor muscles in an effort to hold the device in place.
For those people who are unsure if they are performing the procedure correctly, biofeedback and electrical stimulation may be used to help identify the correct muscle group to work Kegel exercise. Biofeedback is a method of positive reinforcement where electrodes are placed on the abdomen and along the anal area. Some therapists place a sensor in the vagina in women or anus in men, to monitor contraction of their pelvic floor muscles.
A monitor will display a graph showing which muscles are contracting and which are at rest and the therapist can help identify the correct muscles for performing Kegel exercises. Electrical stimulation involves using low-voltage electric current to stimulate the correct group of muscles where the current may be delivered using an anal or vaginal probe. The electrical stimulation therapy may be performed in the clinic or at home with treatment sessions that usually last 20 minutes and may be performed every 1 to 4 days. Some clinical studies showed promising results in treating stress and urge incontinence with electrical stimulation.

Steps for performing Kegel exericse

* Begin by emptying bladder.
* Tighten the pelvic floor muscles and hold for a count of ten.
* Relax the muscle completely for a count of ten.
* Perform ten exercises, three times a day in morning, afternoon, and night.

These exercises can be performed any time and any place although most people prefer to perform the exercises while lying down or sitting in a chair. After four to six weeks, most people notice some improvement. It may take as long as three months to see a significant change, but you must be patient. A word of caution - some people feel that they can speed up the progress by increasing the number of repetitions and the frequency of exercises, but this over-exercising may instead cause muscle fatigue and increase leakage of urine. That is why if you feel any discomfort in your abdomen or back while performing these exercises, you are probably performing them incorrectly. Some people have a tendency to hold their breath or tighten their chest while trying to contract the pelvic floor muscles so you must know it is important to relax and concentrate on contracting just the pelvic floor muscles. It is true that when properly performed, Kegel exercises have been shown to be 50-80% effective in improving urinary continence.

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Memory loss

Information is stored in different parts of your memory, where information stored in the short-term memory may include the name of a person you met moments ago and information stored in the recent memory may include what you ate for breakfast. Information stored in the remote memory includes things ...
Information is stored in different parts of your memory, where information stored in the short-term memory may include the name of a person you met moments ago and information stored in the recent memory may include what you ate for breakfast. Information stored in the remote memory includes things that you stored in your memory years ago, memories of childhood for example. Beginning when person is in their twenties, he or she begins to lose brain cells a few at a time. The body also starts making less of the chemicals that the brain cells need to work. The older that person gets, the more these changes can affect his or her memory. Aging may affect memory by changing the way the brain stores information and by making it harder to recall stored information. There are also disorders that cause memory loss, but what does it all mean?

What does memory loss mean?

Short-term and remote memories are not usually affected by aging. However, recent memory may be affected since a person may forget names of people he or she met recently. These are normal changes that affect everyone. It is more important to know how to recognize if memory loss problems are serious or not. Each memory problem that affects daily living is serious. If you sometimes forget names, you are probably okay, but you may have a more serious problem if you have trouble remembering how to do things you have done many times before. It is also serious if you forget how to get to a place you have been to often, or doing things that use steps, like following a recipe. Another difference between normal memory problems and dementia is that normal memory loss does not get much worse over time and dementia gets much worse over several months to several years. It may be hard to figure out on your own if you have a serious problem; it would be the best to talk to your family doctor about any concerns you have. Your doctor may be able to help you if your memory problems are caused by a medicine you are taking or by depression you might have.

How does Alzheimer's disease change memory?

Alzheimer's disease starts by changing a person's recent memory. At the beginning, a person with Alzheimer's disease will remember even small details of his or her distant past. However, they will not be able to remember recent events or conversations. Over time, the disease affects all parts of their memory.

What is dementia?

Dementia is not a specific disease but it is a descriptive term for a collection of symptoms that can be caused by a number of disorders. Off course, all of these disorders affect the brain somehow. People with dementia have significantly impaired intellectual functioning that interferes with normal life. A problem occurs when dementia starts affecting their normal activities and relationships. They also lose their ability to solve problems and maintain emotional control. They may also experience personality changes and behavioral problems, such as agitation, delusions, or hallucinations. While memory loss is a common symptom of dementia, memory loss by itself does not mean that a person has the disorder called dementia. Doctors diagnose dementia only if two or more brain functions are impaired, and those are usually memory and language skills. These skills are significantly impaired without loss of consciousness. Some of the diseases that can cause symptoms of dementia are Alzheimer%26rsquo;s disease, Huntington%26rsquo;s disease, Lewy body dementia, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
Doctors have identified other conditions that can cause dementia or dementia-like symptoms. This includes reactions to medications, metabolic problems and endocrine abnormalities, nutritional deficiencies, infections, poisoning, brain tumors, heart and lung problems, and anoxia or hypoxia. These are conditions in which the brain%26rsquo;s oxygen supply is either reduced or cut off entirely. Although it is common in elderly individuals, dementia is not a normal part of the aging process as some people might think.

Is there any treatment for this type of memory loss?

Drugs to specifically treat Alzheimer%26rsquo;s disease and some other progressive dementias are now available on the market. Although these drugs do not halt the disease or reverse existing brain damage, they can improve a patient's symptoms. These medications are also able to slow the progression of the disease. This may improve an individual%26rsquo;s quality of life, and ease the burden on caregivers. It is a good solution because it could also delay admission to a nursing home. Many researchers want to examine whether these drugs may be useful for treating other types of dementia. Many people with dementia especially those in the early stages, may benefit from practicing tasks designed to improve performance in specific aspects of cognitive functioning. For example, people can sometimes be taught to use memory aids. These memory aids, such as mnemonics, computerized recall devices, or note-taking could be much helpful.

What is the prognosis?

Dementia is a neurological disorder that affects a person's ability to think, speak, reason, remember and move. While Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, many other conditions also cause the same symptoms. Some of these disorders get worse with time and cannot be cured, while other types can be treated and even reversed. The three most common forms of dementia are Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia and Lewy body dementia, although sometimes a person can have more than one of these problems at the same time.
The most common cause of Alzheimer's disease involves a loss of nerve cells in the areas of the brain vital to memory and other mental functions. This loss is associated with the development of abnormal clumps and tangles of protein in the brain cells. The first sign of Alzheimer's disease is usually forgetfulness, so as the disease progresses, it affects language, reasoning and understanding. Eventually, people with this problem lose the ability to care for themselves. The precise cause of Alzheimer's disease is unknown, but risk increases with age, where ten percent of the population over the age of 65 has Alzheimer's. At the same time, nearly half of the population over 85 has the disease. One of the main symptoms of dementia is memory loss. However, you need to know that an example of normal forgetfulness is walking into the kitchen and forgetting what you went in there for, as well as misplacing the car keys. The person with dementia, however, may lose the car keys and then forget what they are used for. Normal forgetfulness is not similar to memory loss.
As we get older, the most common change that we complain about is memory change and some kind of memory loss. Memory change associated with healthy ageing does not interfere with everyday life in any dramatic way. Everyone is different, and the effect of getting older on memory is different for everyone. Recent research indicates that getting older has an impact on attention processes. It has also an impact on our ability to get new information into storage, recall time, and on tip-of-the-tongue experience. Recent research suggests that immediate memory and lifetime memory do not change as we get older so if this happen, you should report to the doctor.

Tips for keeping your brain fit and your memory sharp

Unfortunately, there is no prevention or cure for dementia. However, you could learn a few tips for keeping your brain fit and your memory sharp. You should know it is very important to avoid harmful substances - excessive drinking and drugs - since this could abuse and damage brain cells. Challenging yourself by reading widely, keeping mentally active, and learning new skills strengthens brain connections and promotes new ones. You should also trust yourself more, because if people feel they have control over their lives, their brain chemistry actually improves.
Relax, because tension may prolong a memory lapse and concentrate on what you want to remember. You could minimize and resist distractions using notepads and carrying a calendar. This may not keep the memory sharp, but does compensate for memory problems. Take your time, organize belongings using a special place for unforgettables such as car keys. It is a good idea to repeat the names of new acquaintances in conversation often.

Myths about aging and memory loss

That forgetfulness is a sign of something being wrong with your brain is pure myth. The fact is, if we did not possess the capacity to forget, we would all go crazy. The ability to remember what is important and discard the rest is a skill to be treasured.
That you lose 10,000 brain cells every day and, one day, you just run out, is also a myth.The fact is, this exaggeration is born of fear. Some parts of the brain do lose nerve cells, but not where the process of thinking takes place, so you lose some nerve connections, but it is possible to grow new ones, or maintain the connections you have. We could all do it by exercising our mind.

Myth: You could tell if your memory is normal by comparing yourself to others.
Fact: A huge range of ability exists across the general population. Even a single individual experiences variations in memory over the course of a lifetime, so just as certain people have a talent for music and others do not, some of us are naturally gifted at various types of remembering while others are not.

That is why you should only remember that there is a difference between memory loss as a normal part of aging and as a symptom of dementia. Memory loss with dementia is persistent and progressive, not just occasional, but there are some things you can do to help keep your memory sharp, so ask your doctor if you are interested.




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Schizophrenia development

The term "schizophrenia" comes from the Greek word which can be roughly translated as "shattered mind”. Schizophrenia is not with the same as multiple personality disorder but in popular culture the two are often confused. Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder characterized by mental impairm...
The term %26quot;schizophrenia%26quot; comes from the Greek word which can be roughly translated as %26quot;shattered mind%26rdquo;. Schizophrenia is not with the same as multiple personality disorder but in popular culture the two are often confused. Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder characterized by mental impairments in the perception or expression of reality and by a significant social or occupational dysfunction. The most common symptoms that person with schizophrenia is experiencing are disorganized thinking, and delusions or auditory hallucinations. Although the disorder is primarily affecting cognition, it can also contribute to chronic problems with behavior and emotion.

Possible causes of schizophrenia development

There are many studies which tried to find the exact cause of this disorder and most of them came to the conclusion that there are many possible causes which usually act simultaneously. The possible causes of schizophrenia include:

1. Genetic causes

Since schizophrenia tends to run in families, experts have been trying to find the specific genes which increase a person's chance of developing this illness. Most studies, especially those performed on twins, have found that heredity plays an important role in the development of schizophrenia. If one of the identical twins who have been raised separately develops schizophrenia, the chance that the other twin will also develop it is 50%.
Some studies have proposed that an imbalanced level of a specific neurotransmitter such as dopamine and serotonin could be the cause of shizophrenia and this theory ius known as Neurotransmitter theory.

2. Abnormal brain development

Many studies of people with schizophrenia have found abnormalities in their brain structure.

The most common abnormalities are:

%26bull; enlargement of the ventricles, fluid-filled cavities, in the interior of the brain,
%26bull; decreased size of certain brain regions
%26bull; decreased metabolic activity in certain brain regions

Experts are also saying that schizophrenia may be a developmental disorder resulting from the inappropriate connecting of the neurons during fetal development.







3. Infection

There are several studies which have shown that viral infections may play a role in the development of schizophrenia. Viruses that could be responsible for the development of schizophrenia are poliovirus, the flu virus and a virus called encephalitis lethargica.

4. Birth complications

Complications during pregnancy, abnormal fetal growth and complications during delivery are significant risk factors in the development of schizophrenia. Those that play a significant role in the development of schizophrenia include:

%26bull; complications in pregnancy including bleeding and diabetes
%26bull; abnormal fetal growth and development including conditions such as low birth weight
%26bull; complications of delivery including asphyxia and emergency Caesarean section

5. Head injury

Traumatic head injuries can cause symptoms of psychosis but it is still unknow how exsactly they induce schizophrenia.

6. Psychological causes

The main psychological trigger that can lead to the onset of symptoms of schizophrenia is a stressful life event. Social isolation is thought to pay an important role in such stresful sitiations.

7. Drug use

It is a common incorrect belief that drug use causes schizophrenia. The fact is that drugs do not directly cause schizophrenia. The fact is, however, that certain drugs may cause a disturbance in the brain.

Symptoms of schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is characterized by disruption in cognition and emotion, affecting the most fundamental human attributes:

%26bull; language,
%26bull; thought,
%26bull; perception,
%26bull; affect,
%26bull; sense of self

No single symptom is definitive for diagnosis.

Symptoms are typically divided into positive and negative symptoms because of their impact on diagnosis and treatment.

Positive symptoms

These symptoms appear to reflect an excess or distortion of normal functions. The most common positive symptoms are:

%26bull; Delusions
Delusions are firmly held erroneous beliefs caused by exaggerations of reasoning and misinterpretations of perceptions or experiences.
%26bull; Hallucinations
Hallucinations are distortions or exaggerations of perception in any of the senses, although auditory hallucinations are the most common.
%26bull; Disorganized speech/thinking
Disorganized speech or thinking is a key aspect of schizophrenia.
%26bull; Disorganized behavior
Grossly disorganized behavior includes difficulty in goal-directed behavior, unpredictable agitation or silliness, social problems, or behaviors that are bizarre.
%26bull; Catatonic behaviors
These are characterized by a decrease in reaction to the immediate surrounding environment.

Negative symptoms

These symptoms appear to reflect a loss of normal functions. The most common negative symptoms are:

%26bull; Affective flattening
This is the reduction in the range and intensity of emotional expression, including facial expression, voice tone, eye contact, and body language.
%26bull; Alogia
Alogia means lessening of speech fluency and productivity, thought to reflect slowing or blocked thoughts, and often manifested as short, empty replies to questions.
%26bull; Avolition
This is the reduction, difficulty, or inability to initiate and persist in goal-directed behavior; it is often mistaken for apparent disinterest.

Types of schizophrenia

%26bull; Paranoid schizophrenia
People with this disorder are very suspicious of others and often have grand ideas of persecution at the root of their behavior. Hallucinations, and more frequently delusions, are a prominent and common part of the illness. All this is accompanied with anxiety, anger, violence and argumentativeness.
%26bull; Hebephrenic Schizophrenia
Person suffering from this type of shizophrenia is verbally incoherent and may have moods and emotions that are not appropriate to the situation.
%26bull; Catatonic schizophrenia
In this case, the person is extremely withdrawn, negative and isolated, and has marked psychomotor disturbances. It is accompanied with motor disturbances, stupor, negativism, rigidity and agitation, inability to take care of personal needs and decreased sensitivity to painful stimulus.
%26bull; Residual schizophrenia
In this case the person is not currently suffering from delusions, hallucinations, or disorganized speech and behavior, but lacks motivation and interest in day-to-day living.
%26bull; Schizoaffective disorder
These people have symptoms of schizophrenia as well as mood disorder such as major depression, bipolar mania, or mixed mania.
%26bull; Disorganized type
Common symptoms of this type are incoherence, regressive behavior, flat affect, delusions, hallucinations, inappropriate laughter, repetitive mannerisms and social withdrawal.

How is schizophrenia treated?

Since the causes of schizophrenia are still unknown, current treatments focus on eliminating the symptoms of the disease.

%26bull; Antipsychotic medications

These medications can effectively alleviate the positive symptoms of schizophrenia. While these drugs have greatly improved the lives of many patients, they do not cure schizophrenia.

The older antipsychotic medications include:

o chlorpromazine (Thorazine%26reg;), haloperidol (Haldol%26reg;),
o perphenazine (Etrafon%26reg;, Trilafon%26reg;), and
o fluphenzine (Prolixin%26reg;).

The problem is that these older medications can cause extra pyramidal side effects, such as rigidity, persistent muscle spasms, tremors, and restlessness.

Newer drugs called atypical antipsychotics, rarely produced these side effects. Some of the drugs that were developed after clozapine was introduced are

o risperidone (Risperdal%26reg;),
o olanzapine (Zyprexa%26reg;),
o quietiapine (Seroquel%26reg;),
o sertindole (Serdolect%26reg;),
o ziprasidone (Geodon%26reg;)

Psychosocial treatment

Numerous studies have found that psychosocial treatments can help patients deal with certain aspects of schizophrenia, such as:

%26bull; difficulty with communication,
%26bull; motivation,
%26bull; self-care,
%26bull; work,
%26bull; establishing and maintaining relationships with others

It is based on learning and using various mechanisms to address these problems and it allows people with schizophrenia to attend school, work, and socialize. Patients who receive regular psychosocial treatment also adhere better to their medication schedule and have fewer relapses and hospitalizations.

Prognosis

There are many different potential outcomes of schizophrenia. The good thing is that most people with schizophrenia find that their symptoms improve with medication, and some achieve substantial control of the symptoms over time. However, unfortunately others experience functional disability and are at risk for repeated acute episodes, particularly during the early stages of the illness.

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The Cure for OCD

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a specific psychiatric disorder characterized by obsessional thoughts and compulsive behavior. What exactly are obsessional thoughts? These are specific distressing, repetitive thoughts which a person is unable to ignore. On the other hand, compulsions are ritual act...
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a specific psychiatric disorder characterized by obsessional thoughts and compulsive behavior. What exactly are obsessional thoughts? These are specific distressing, repetitive thoughts which a person is unable to ignore. On the other hand, compulsions are ritual actions which a person feels compelled to repeat in order to relieve anxiety and temporarily stop obsessional thoughts. Obsessive thoughts and compulsive rituals can take up many hours of each day and, in their most severe form, these rituals can prevent a person from completing even the simplest daily tasks.

Possible cause of obsessive-compulsive disorder

The exact cause of obsessive-compulsive disorder is still unknown. Some experts claim that its cause is biological, some claim that the disorder stems from learned behavior and some believe the cause of the disorder may be both biological and environmental.

%26bull; Biochemical theory

There is strong evidence that some people have an inherited tendency to develop OCD and that OCD is linked to problems in brain chemistry, neurotransmission or receptor functioning. There is a theory which says that an insufficient level of serotonin, one of brain's chemical messengers, may contribute to obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is partially proven because some imaging studies which used positron emission tomography scans have shown differences in brain-activity patterns between people who have OCD and those who don%26rsquo;t. Another proof is the fact that people with obsessive-compulsive disorder who take medications that enhance the action of serotonin often show great improvement after a short period of time.

Signs and symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder

OCD symptoms can occur at any stage in your life.





The symptoms of this disorder can be divided into two groups:

%26bull; Obsessions

These are recurrent, persistent, unwanted ideas, thoughts or impulses that a person suffering from OCD experiences involuntarily. Common obsessions include:

o Constantly thinking about certain sounds, images, words or numbers
o Fear of harming a family member or friend
o Fear of dirt or contamination
o Concern with order, symmetry and exactness
o Fear of thinking evil or sinful thoughts

%26bull; Compulsions

These are repetitive behaviors that a person suffering from OCD is driven to perform regularly to combat his or hers obsessions, even though they may seem irrational.

Typical compulsions include:

o Excessive hand washing
o Repeatedly checking that doors are locked and appliances are turned off
o Arranging items in a precise order
o Repeatedly counting to the same number
o Touching certain objects a precise number of times

The thing is that, when someone performs these rituals, he or she may feel some relief from anxiety, but not for long. Soon the discomfort felt before returns, and then a person feels compelled to repeat behaviors. Symptoms of OCD are also seen in other brain disorders such as Tourette's syndrome.

Perfectionism and OCD

Although most people believe that the obsessive-compulsive disorder and perfectionism are the same thing there's a difference between them. If someone is perfectionist and likes to do everything perfectly that doesn't mean he or she has obsessive-compulsive disorder. That just means that a person holds itself to a very high standard of performance in all that he or she does. These are not the behaviors seen in people with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Behaviors associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder interfere with everyday functioning.

Differential Diagnosis

Certain disorders have similar or even the same symptoms as OCD. The clinician, therefore, has to differentiate against the following disorders to establish a precise diagnosis.

%26bull; Narcissistic Personality Disorder
%26bull; Antisocial Personality Disorder
%26bull; Schizoid Personality Disorder
%26bull; Personality Change Due to a General Medical Condition
%26bull; Symptoms that may develop in association with chronic substance use.

Treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder

Unfortunately, there is no cure for OCD. However, there are several types of treatments which can provide some relief to the patient.

Medications

The most effective medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as fluoxetine (Prozac%26reg;), paroxetine (Paxil%26reg;), sertraline (Zoloft%26reg;), and fluvoxamine (Luvox%26reg;); and tricyclic antidepressants such as clomipramine (Anafranil%26reg;). These medications help decrease the frequency and intensity of the obsessions and compulsions. It usually takes three or more weeks for the effects to take place and the patient will have to continue taking the medication indefinitely.

Cognitive behavior therapy

This form of psychological treatment involves retraining patient%26rsquo;s thought patterns and routines so that compulsive behaviors are no longer present and what is more important, no longer necessary. It involves gradually exposing the patient to a feared object or obsession. It is also teaching the patient different ways to deal with these objects, rather than performing anxiety-reducing ritual or compulsion. Most people with obsessive-compulsive disorder show very good improvement of signs and symptoms with cognitive behavior therapy. It may be especially helpful for children and adolescents. However, cognitive behavior therapy isn't suitable for everyone. About one in four people with obsessive-compulsive disorder refuses this treatment because it can be difficult.

Other Treatment

Electroconvulsive therapy is sometimes helpful in individuals with severe primary depression and secondary obsessions.

Natural alternatives

There are natural alternatives to the psychiatric drugs which can help balance serotonin levels and therefore reduce or eliminate the symptoms of OCD.
One of the most famous natural alternatives is MindSoothe, a combination of St John's Wort and Passiflora, two highly effective herbs in therapeutic medicinal dosage. MindSoothe contains two potent remedies in one treatment and offers immediate and long term relief to people suffering from depression, anxiety, insomnia, panic attacks, OCD and even those with eating disorders.

Hypericum Perforatum (St. John's Wort)

This herb has been scientifically shown to relieve the symptoms of depression if used regularly over a period of 3 - 5 weeks. Because of this, St John's Wort is often called natural Prozac and is widely used as the anti-depressant of choice. There have been many clinical studies which showed the effectiveness of St. John's Wort in the treatment of depression.

Passiflora

This is a calming herb that reduces anxiety and soothes nerves. Passiflora is one of nature's best tranquilizers. It works quickly and effectively and is an excellent addition to any treatment for anxiety and depression.

Bottom Line for curing OCD

Medication may be combined with psychotherapy, and for many people this is the best approach to treatment. Recurrences can be treated as effectively as the initial episode. In fact, the skills you learned in dealing with the initial episode can be helpful in coping with a setback.

Tips for the patients

%26bull; Encourage active diversionary activities, such as whistling or humming a tune, to divert attention from the unwanted thoughts and to promote a pleasurable experience.
%26bull; Cultivate more effective coping skills by setting limits on unacceptable behavior
%26bull; Allow the flow of positive energy into you body and mind.
%26bull; Silence your unwanted thoughts.
%26bull; Switch your thinking patterns.
%26bull; Identify insight and improved behavior
%26bull; Identify disturbing topics of conversation that reflect underlying anxiety or terror.
%26bull; Take your medications and follow the correct schedule and dose.
%26bull; Follow your therapy schedule and try to not to skip the sessions.
%26bull; Involve your family and provide them with materials that explain obsessive-compulsive disorder
%26bull; Learn as much as you can about your disorder.
%26bull; OCD is not a mental disease. It is a behavioral disorder. Every single person has a minor form of OCD. Everyone obsesses about something and has their own rituals to tranquilize the obsession.
%26bull; Self-help groups can provide help, support and encouragement.


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Temporary Paralysis

Paralysis is the complete loss of muscle function in one or more muscle groups in human body. Temporary paralysis is a paralysis that last a short time anywhere from a few minutes to a few months. There are several possible causes of paralysis and the major ones are stroke, trauma, poliomyelitis, am...
Paralysis is the complete loss of muscle function in one or more muscle groups in human body. Temporary paralysis is a paralysis that last a short time anywhere from a few minutes to a few months.

There are several possible causes of paralysis and the major ones are stroke, trauma, poliomyelitis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, botulism, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, and Guillain-Barr%26eacute; syndrome. Paralysis is most often caused by damage to the nervous system or brain, especially the spinal cord while the muscles themselves stay intact. Beside the motoric symptoms of paralysis, there are often also some sensorial symptoms such as loss of feeling in the affected area. The most common type of temporary paralysis is when muscles do not get the blood flow they need such as when sitting or sleeping with an arm or leg in a position that restricts the blood flow. Hysteria or a severe emotinal trauma may also cause paralysis.

Some characteristics of paralysis

Paralysis may be divided into three big groups:

%26bull; Localized - This is a very common form of paralysis which is usually caused by a stroke. Patients often have hemiplegia (weakness on one side of the body) or other patterns of paralysis depending on the area of damage in the brain by stroke.
%26bull; Generalized - This is a common form of paralysis in which patients with stroke may be weak throughout their body. It is also called global paralysis.
%26bull; The paralysis that follows a certain pattern

Common causes of paralysis

There are many possible causes of paralysis and the most common are:

Stroke

A stroke or a brain attack represents an acute neurological injury in which the blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted by several possible factors.






The part of the brain which was left with disturbed perfusion can no longer receive adequate oxygen carried by the blood and this leads to the brain cells death, impairing the function of that part of the brain.

Risk factors include:

%26bull; age
%26bull; hypertension
%26bull; diabetes mellitus
%26bull; high cholesterol
%26bull; cigarette smoking

Poliomyelitis

Poliomyelitis is a viral paralytic disease caused by a virus called poliovirus. This virus enters the body orally, infecting the intestinal wall but it may enter the blood stream and get into the central nervous system causing muscle weakness and often paralysis. Young children who contract polio may sometimes suffer only mild symptoms which can make it hard to diagnose the condition. People who have survived polio sometimes develop additional symptoms, notably muscle weakness and extreme fatigue, decades after the primary infection. These symptoms are called post-polio syndrome.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a very progressive and almost invariably fatal neurological disease. Experts have discovered that, in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, both the upper motor neurons and the lower motor neurons are affected and they degenerate or die. When this happens, muscles are unable to function and they gradually weaken and waste away. More then 30,000 Americans have this disorder, and an estimated 5,000 cases of the disease are diagnosed in the United States per year.

Botulism

Botulism represents a rare but serious paralytic disease caused by a nerve toxin called botulin. This poison is being produced by the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum. It is a very serious and potent toxin which is capable of blocking the nerve function and causes the respiratory and musculoskeletal paralysis.

There are three main kinds of botulism:

%26bull; Food-borne botulism - caused by eating foods that contain the botulism toxin.
%26bull; Wound botulism - caused by toxin produced from a wound infected with Clostridium Botulinum
%26bull; Infant botulism - caused by consuming the spores of the bacteria, which then grow in the intestines and release toxin.

Spina bifida

Spina bifida is a term which means split or divided spine. It represents a birth defect caused by an incomplete closure of one or more vertebral parts of the spine, resulting in malformations of the spinal cord which fall into three categories:

%26bull; spina bifida occulta,
%26bull; spina bifida cystica
%26bull; meningocele.

Multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, inflammatory disease that affects the central nervous system. Multiple sclerosis affects neurons and their cover called myelin causing various symptoms depending upon which signals are interrupted.

Guillain-Barr%26eacute; syndrome

Guillain-Barr%26eacute; syndrome is a rare immune-mediated inflammatory disorder of the nervous system. The pathologic mechanism of the disease is loss of myelin in peripheral nerves due to an acute inflammation. The cause of this inflammation is unknown. It is believed that it is an autoimmune disease, meaning that the sufferer's immune system is triggered into damaging the nerve covering.

Trauma to the spinal cord

When a person suffers a spinal cord injury, the spinal nerves joining the cord below the level of injury will generally be either completely or partially cut off from the brain resulting in Quadriplegia (paralysis usually affects the cervical spinal nerves resulting in paralysis of all four limbs) or Paraplegia- complete paralysis of the legs and abdomen up to the nipple line. Nerves joining the spinal cord above the level of injury will be unaffected and continue to work as normal.

Periodic or temporary paralysis

There is also one specific group of paralyses called periodic paralysis. Periodic paralysis is a group of rare genetic diseases that lead to weakness or paralysis from common triggers such as cold, heat, high carbohydrate meals, hunger, stress or excitement and physical activity. The underlying mechanism of these diseases are malfunctions in the ion channels in skeletal muscle cell membranes that allow electrically charged ions to leak in or out of the muscle cell, causing the cell to depolarize and become unable to move.

Types of periodic paralysis

Periodic paralysis is an inherited myopathy with significant variation in symptomatology, leading to a spectrum of familial phenotypes.

Specific diseases include:

Hypokalemic periodic paralysis
Hypokalemic periodic paralysis is characterized by a fall in potassium levels in the blood. This specific weakness may be mild and limited to certain muscle groups, or more severe and affect the arms and legs. Attacks may last for a few hours or persist for several days.
Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis
Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis is an inherited disorder which affects sodium channels in muscle cells and the ability to regulate potassium levels. This inherited condition is characterized by uncontrollable muscle twitching and muscle weakness or paralysis.
Paramyotonia congenita
Paramyotonia congenita is a rare congenital disorder which is characterized by a condition in which the muscles do not relax after contracting. The problem is caused by the nerves, not the muscles.

Andersen-Tawil syndrome

Andersen-Tawil syndrome is a rare genetic disorder which affects the heart. Symptoms are a disruption in the rhythm of the heart's lower chambers in addition to the symptoms of long QT syndrome. These changes disrupt the flow of potassium ions in skeletal and cardiac muscle, leading to the periodic paralysis and irregular heart rhythm.

Diagnosis

This group of diseases is unusually difficult to diagnose and in most cases patients report numerous wrong diagnosis and treatments that made them worse.

%26bull; DNA-testing
A DNA testing is available for only a half dozen common gene mutations, while dozens of known mutations are possible but are not routinely tested.

%26bull; Exercise EMG test
A properly performed Compound Muscle Amplitude Potential Test can provide an accurate diagnosis in more than 80% of cases.

Treatment

Treatment of the periodic paralyses usually includes:

%26bull; carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (such as Acetazolamide or Dichlorphenamide),
%26bull; supplemental oral potassium chloride-for hypo-cases or avoiding potassium for hyper-cases,
%26bull; thiazide diuretics to manipulate the amount of potassium retained by the kidneys,
%26bull; significant lifestyle changes including tightly controlled levels of exercise or activity

Prognosis

Prognosis can vary because the disability caused by paralysis can range from minor weakness to permanent muscle damage, inability to hold a normal job and use of a power chair. Fortunately, most people function fairly well with medicines and lifestyle changes.

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Levitra vs Cialis vs Viagra

There are several medications on the market whose purpose is to treat the erectile dysfunction in men. In the last couple of years three of them have stood out because of their good effects and they are Levitra, Cialis and Viagra.They all have some advantages and flaws and you have to decide which o...
There are several medications on the market whose purpose is to treat the erectile dysfunction in men. In the last couple of years three of them have stood out because of their good effects and they are Levitra, Cialis and Viagra.

They all have some advantages and flaws and you have to decide which one would suit you best.

Levitra%26reg;

Levitra%26reg; is an FDA-approved oral prescription medication for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men. It is available in 2.5-mg, 5-mg, 10-mg, and 20-mg tablets and is taken only when needed.

Mechanism of action

Penile erection is in fact a specific hemodynamic process initiated by the relaxation of the smooth muscle in the corpora cavernosa - erectile parts of the penis. During sexual stimulation, nitric oxide is released from nerve endings which then activates the enzymes resulting in increased synthesis of cyclic guanosine monophosphate smooth muscle cells of the corpora cavernosa. This substance triggers smooth muscle relaxation, allowing an increased blood flow into the penis, resulting in erection.

The main regulators of tissue concentration of cGMP are phosphodiesterases and the main ingredient of Levitra%26reg; is the cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase type 5.

Levitra effects

Several studies have been conducted on the Levitra%26reg; effects and side effects and most of the studies have shown that:

%26bull; Levitra%26reg; helps increase blood flow to the penis, so it may help men with erectile dysfunction and keep an erection that lasts long enough to finish having sex.
%26bull; Once a man has completed sexual activity, the blood flow to his penis decreases and his erection should go away
%26bull; Levitra%26reg; provided the first-time success and reliable improvement of erection quality in most men including those with high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes
%26bull; Men taking Levitra%26reg; had harder erections and greater success at maintaining their erections long enough to finish having sex

Levitra indications

%26bull; Works for many men with other health conditions, including high cholesterol
%26bull; It may be used by those taking one or more types of blood pressure medication
%26bull; Works for many men with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, across all levels of ED severity
%26bull; May work when other oral treatments do not

Levitra contraindications

%26bull; Nitrates
Administration of Levitra%26reg; with nitrates and nitric oxide donors is contraindicated.





A suitable time interval following Levitra usage for the safe administration of nitrates or nitric oxide donors has not been determined.
%26bull; Hypersensitivity
This medication is contraindicated for patients with a known hypersensitivity to any component of the tablet.

WARNINGS

%26bull; Cardiovascular effects General
Physicians should consider the cardiovascular status of their patients, since there is a degree of cardiac risk associated with sexual activity. In men for whom sexual activity is not recommended because of their underlying cardiovascular status, any treatment for erectile dysfunction, including Levitra, generally should not be used.
%26bull; Left Ventricular Outflow Obstruction
It is proven that patients with left ventricular outflow obstruction could be sensitive to the action of vasodilators including Type 5 phosphodiesterase inhibitors.
%26bull; Blood Pressure Effects
Levitra%26reg; is systemic vasodilator which results in decreases in blood pressure in healthy people. While this normally would be expected to be of little consequence in most patients, it may present a problem in patients with underlying cardiovascular disease.
%26bull; Other Effects
There have been rare reports of prolonged erections greater than 4 hours and painful erections greater than 6 hours in duration. In the event that an erection persists longer than 4 hours, the patient should seek immediate medical assistance.

Cialis%26reg; %26ndash; The %26ldquo;weekend pill%26rdquo;

Cialis (Tadalafil%26reg;) is another drug used to treat male erectile dysfunction. In the United States, Tadalafil has FDA approval and became available in December, 2003 as the third pill after Viagra%26reg; and Levitra%26reg;. This pill is famous due to its 36-hour effect. That%26rsquo;s why it is also known as the %26quot;Weekend Pill%26quot;.

Chemically it is almost identical to Levitra%26reg; because it also belongs to the group of medications called selective inhibitors of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5).

Drug interactions

%26bull; organic nitrates
Because it is proven that PDE5 inhibitors such as Tadalafil may cause low blood pressure, it is recommended that organic nitrates should not be taken for at least 48 hours after taking the last dose of Tadalafil%26reg;. It is proven that using organic nitrates within this time frame may increase the risk of life-threatening hypotension.

Possible side effects of Cialis%26reg;

Research has shown that several side effects can occur from using Cialis%26reg;. Some of the most common are:

%26bull; an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
%26bull; chest pain or irregular heartbeats;
%26bull; dizziness, nausea, or angina (pain, tightness, discomfort, numbness, or tingling in the chest, arms, neck, or jaw);
%26bull; swelling of the ankles or legs;
%26bull; shortness of breath;
%26bull; prolonged or severe dizziness; or
%26bull; a prolonged (lasting longer than 4 hours) or painful erection

Other, less serious side effects which are more likely to occur are:

%26bull; headache;
%26bull; indigestion;
%26bull; back pain;
%26bull; muscle aches;
%26bull; flushing;
%26bull; stuffy or runny nose; or
%26bull; temporary blue tint in vision or difficulty telling the difference between the colors blue and green.

Viagra%26reg;

Viagra%26reg; or Sildenafil citrate is a drug used to treat male erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Viagra%26reg; pills are blue and diamond-shaped with the words %26quot;Pfizer%26quot; on one side.

Mechanism of action

A substance called nitric oxide binds to the receptors of the enzyme guanylate cyclase which results in increased levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate, leading to smooth muscle relaxation in the corpus cavernous. This is resulting in increased inflow of blood in the penis and an erection.

Similar to Cialis%26reg; and Levitra%26reg;, Viagra%26reg; is a potent and selective inhibitor of cGMP specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) which is responsible for degradation of cGMP in the corpus cavernous. This is resulting in better erections. Sildenafil is metabolized by hepatic enzymes and excreted by both the liver and kidneys.

Contraindications and side effects

Contraindications include:

%26bull; When taking nitric oxide donors, organic nitrites and nitrates, such as glyceryl trinitrate, and other similar medications
%26bull; In men for whom sexual intercourse is inadvisable due to cardiovascular risk factors
%26bull; Severe liver damage
%26bull; Severe impairment in renal function
%26bull; Low blood pressure
%26bull; Recent stroke or heart attack
%26bull; Hereditary degenerative retinal disorders

Common side effects include sneezing, headache, flushing, dyspepsia, prolonged erections, palpitations and photophobia.

Viagra%26reg; and Pulmonary hypertension

Viagra is also effective in a rare disease called pulmonary arterial hypertension. Several researches have proven that this medication relaxes the arterial wall, decreasing pulmonary arterial resistance and pressure, and reduces the strain on the right side of the heart thus improving symptoms of right-sided heart failure.

Viagra%26reg; and Raynaud's phenomenon

Several experts in this field have recently reported that Viagra cuts the frequency of Raynaud's phenomenon attacks. Viagra reduced their duration by roughly one half, and more than quadrupled the mean capillary blood velocity. This attacks are related to oversensitivity to cold.

Viagra%26reg; and cognitive enhancement

Several recent studies showed that Viagra%26reg; may help reduce and relieve cognitive deficits associated with aging. Although mechanism of this still isn't known, scientists found that in rats, administration of Viagra partially reversed the memory impairment.

Viagra%26reg; and Analgestic properties

Several studies have determined that Viagra demonstrates anti-nociceptive or pain-relieving properties in rodents. Current evidence seems to suggest that the cGMP that accumulates as a result of Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibition interacts with the cholinergic system to mediate this pain-reducing effect.


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High doses of vitamins A, C, and E and magnesium prevent permanent noise-induced hearing loss

Soldiers exposed to the deafening din of battle have little defense against hearing loss, and are often reluctant to wear protective gear like ear plugs that could make them less able to react to danger. But what if a nutritious daily "candy bar" could prevent much of that potential damage to their ...

Soldiers exposed to the deafening din of battle have little defense against hearing loss, and are often reluctant to wear protective gear like ear plugs that could make them less able to react to danger. But what if a nutritious daily "candy bar" could prevent much of that potential damage to their hearing?

In a new study in animals, University of Michigan researchers report that a combination of high doses of vitamins A, C, and E and magnesium, taken one hour before noise exposure and continued as a once-daily treatment for five days, was very effective at preventing permanent noise-induced hearing loss. The animals had prolonged exposure to sounds as loud as a jet engine at take-off at close range.

[More:]

Clinical trials of a hearing-protection tablet or snack bar for people could begin soon, and if successful such a product could be available in as little as two years, says Josef M. Miller, Ph.D., the senior author of the study, which is published online in the journal Free Radical Biology and Medicine. Miller is a professor in the Department of Otolaryngology at the U-M Medical School, and former director of the U-M Health System%26#8217;s Kresge Hearing Research Institute, where the study was performed.

Convinced by emerging evidence that nutrients can effectively block one major factor in hearing loss after noise trauma %26#8212; inner ear damage caused by excessive free radical activity %26#8212; Miller has launched a U-M startup company OtoMedicine that is developing the vitamin-and-magnesium formulation.

"These agents have been used for many years, but not for hearing loss. We know they%26#8217;re safe, so that opens the door to push ahead with clinical trials with confidence we%26#8217;re not going to do any harm," says Miller.

The formulation the researchers used built on earlier animal studies showing that single antioxidant vitamins were somewhat effective in preventing hearing loss, and on studies of Israeli soldiers given magnesium many days prior to exposure, who gained relatively small protective effects.

In the U-M study, noise-induced hearing loss was measured in four groups of guinea pigs treated with the antioxidant vitamins A, C and E, magnesium alone, an ACE-magnesium combination, or a placebo. The treatments began one hour before a five-hour exposure to 120 decibel (dB) sound pressure level noise, and continued once daily for five days.

The group given the combined treatments of vitamins A, C and E and magnesium showed significantly less noise-induced hearing loss than all of the other groups.

"Vitamins A, C and E and magnesium worked in synergy to prevent cell damage," explains Colleen G. Le Prell, Ph.D., the study%26#8217;s lead author and a research investigator at the U-M Kresge Hearing Research Institute. According to the researchers, pre-treatment presumably reduced reactive elements called free radicals that form during and after noise exposure and noise-induced constriction of blood flow to the inner ear, and may have also reduced neural excitotoxicity, or the damage to auditory neurons that can occur due to over-stimulation. The post-noise nutrient doses apparently "scavenged" free radicals that continue to form long-after after this noise exposure ends.

In the past 10 years, scientists have learned that noise-induced hearing loss occurs in part because cell mitochondria in the ear churn out damaging free radicals in response to loud sounds. "Free radical formation bursts initially, then peaks again during the days after exposure," explains Le Prell.

The antioxidant vitamins and magnesium used in the study are widely used dietary supplements, not new drugs, and therefore they don%26#8217;t require the extensive safety tests required for new drug entities prior to use in clinical trials. The doses to be used in proposed human trials will be within the ranges considered safe according to the Institute of Medicine and federal nutrition guidelines.

"Ultimately, we envision soldiers would have a nutritional bar with meals and it would give them adequate daily protection," says Miller. Similar bars with other formulations are already given to soldiers to help them withstand hot weather and other war zone conditions.

"Other people would likely benefit by consuming a pill or nutritional bar before going to work in noisy environments, or attending noisy events like NASCAR races or rock concerts, or even using an iPod or other music player," says Le Prell. "Based on an earlier study with other antioxidant agents, we think this micronutrient combination will work even post-noise."

That study suggested a "morning after" treatment, that might minimize hearing damage for soldiers, musicians, pilots, construction workers and others %26#8212; even if they don%26#8217;t take it until after they experience dangerous noise levels. It was highlighted by the National Institutes of Health on the NIDCD website at www.nidcd.nih.gov/research/stories/archives/06/08_01_06.asp.

If effective, such pre- and post-noise treatments could have far-reaching effects. About 30 million Americans regularly experience hazardous noise levels at work and at home, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Communications Disorders. Hunting, snowmobiling, using machines such as leaf blowers, lawnmowers and power tools, and attending or playing in loud music concerts commonly expose people to dangerous noise levels. Noise levels above 85 decibels damage hearing. About 28 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss. For about a third of them, noise accounts at least in part for their loss.

The U-M study also adds strength to research efforts under way in many research centers to learn how these nutrients might be used to treat many illnesses. "Similar combinations have been very effective in preventing macular degeneration, and many of these agents have been used with Alzheimer%26#8217;s and Parkinson%26#8217;s diseases, stroke-like ischemia, and other conditions that involve neural degeneration," Le Prell says. "You%26#8217;re always hoping as a basic scientist to find a commonality like that, across other disease processes," says Miller.

Source: University of Michigan

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First complete high-resolution map of important structures that control how genes are packaged and regulated

Scientists at Penn State University will reveal in the 29 March 2007 issue of the journal Nature the first complete high-resolution map of important structures that control how genes are packaged and regulated throughout an entire genome. "For the first time, we are seeing in very high resolution on...

Scientists at Penn State University will reveal in the 29 March 2007 issue of the journal Nature the first complete high-resolution map of important structures that control how genes are packaged and regulated throughout an entire genome. "For the first time, we are seeing in very high resolution on a genome-wide scale how nucleosomes control the expression of an organism's genes," said B. Franklin Pugh, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology and the study's lead investigator.

[More:]

The map pinpoints the locations of certain key gene-controlling nucleosomes -- spool-like structures that wrap short regions of DNA around a protein core. The research suggests how these nucleosomes, positioned at important transcription-promoter sites throughout the cell's DNA, control whether or not a gene's function can be turned on in a particular cell.

The study's many surprising findings together reveal an intimate relationship between the architecture of nucleosome structures and the underlying DNA sequences they regulate. "We now know exactly where these nucleosomes are positioned on the DNA molecule and which DNA building blocks they have wrapped up under their tight control," Pugh said. Among those building blocks, Pugh and his colleagues revealed the architecture of a critical gateway, controlled by the nucleosome, which must be unlocked before a gene can be transcribed.

The study revealed that almost all genes have the same kind of structure where transcription begins, that this beginning contains a critical gateway for transcription, and that the transcription gateway of each gene almost always is located at the same place on a nucleosome. The researchers also discovered some genes whose pattern is somewhat different from this norm, and these unusual sequences also are reported in the Nature paper. "We previously had a low-resolution idea that these structures all could be roughly in the same position, but now this high-resolution map makes it very clear that they really are in exactly the same position. It's a remarkably consistent arrangement," Pugh said.

The study also revealed that the nucleosomes at the transcription-promoter control centers occupy several overlapping positions on the DNA molecule, typically 10 base pairs apart, which exactly matches the periodic rotation of the DNA double helix. "It is striking how well these positions match with the architecture of the DNA as it wraps around the nucleosome's protein core," Pugh said.

This result powerfully simplifies previous theories about the possible architecture of gene packaging. "There is a certain DNA sequence that shapes the gene's architecture in the same way, producing the same structure in every gene," Pugh said. The overall sequence of DNA building blocks is different in each gene, but the underlying architecture is the same."

To obtain their high-resolution map, the researchers first isolated 322,000 nucleosomes from the 6,000 regions that control gene transcription in the DNA of baker's yeast, S.cerevisiae, an organism widely studied as a model of how human cells work. These promoter nucleosomes are the only ones in the yeast DNA that contain in their core a histone protein called H2A.Z. Led by Pugh and Stephan Schuster, associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, the Penn State research team then used antibodies that bind only to this H2A.Z protein as a tool for separating all these promoter nucleosomes from the other parts of the yeast's DNA. Next, the team used a state-of-the-art DNA-sequencing machine to identify, or "read," the sequence of base-pair building blocks along the DNA of each of the H2A.Z nucleosomes. The scientists then pinpointed the original location of the H2A.Z nucleosomes by matching the sequence of each one with the identical sequence on the previously published yeast genome. "Obtaining the exact DNA sequences for all these nucleosomes allows us to precisely map their positions across the entire genome," explains Schuster. The map reveals, for the first time, precisely which DNA sequences are part of the control-center's H2A.Z nucleosome for each gene in the yeast genome. Also for the first time, researchers now have a clear picture of how H2A.Z nucleosomes help to control whether or not a gene can be turned on.

Another discovery is that transcription-control centers tend to be located on the outside edge of the nucleosome and tend to face outward on the DNA helix, allowing the cell's transcription proteins to find them more easily. "This arrangement makes sense, because when signaling proteins arrive at a control center they are well situated to help push the nucleosome out of the way so the reading of the gene can begin," Pugh said.

"Previous research had indicated that DNA sequences located upstream of a gene might be a region that controls whether that gene is read or not, but we did not know the architecture of those sequences -- whether they were exposed and therefore ready for work. Now we know that the gateway to transcription is a part of this control region and that the nucleosome keeps it locked so the gene cannot be turned on until it is needed," Pugh said. When the gene is needed, the cell's molecular machinery loosens the DNA wrapping around the nucleosome, unlocking the transcription gateway to give access to the cell's molecular transcription machinery. "We think that the function of the nucleosome is to control the gateway to transcription," Pugh said.

The research reveals how the pieces of DNA that regulate genes at the transcription-promoter sites are packaged on nucleosomes. The knowledge that these sites are located on the outside edge of the nucleosome spool will help to focus research designed to manipulate gene expression. "Our study has provided a much clearer picture of the architecture of the DNA in the control regions, allowing us to understand much better how genes are regulated, which is important because gene regulation is a critical process for the survival of living things," Pugh explains.

The paper by Pugh's team marks the leading edge of a new wave of anticipated discoveries about gene regulation, made possible by recently developed laboratory equipment for high-volume, or massively parallel, DNA sequencing. "Traditional DNA sequencing methods processed one DNA strand at a time, but now we can sequence hundreds of thousands of DNA strands at once, rapidly learning incredible amounts of new information," Pugh said.

The knowledge that most genes are packaged basically the same way is powerful information with implications for future research and potential applications. "One implication that I think is important is that we now have a better idea about how packaging the DNA in nucleosomes controls the expression of a gene," Pugh said. "We don't yet know where all the important gene-regulation features are located on the DNA molecule, but now we know we should start looking for some of them on the edges of nucleosomes," Pugh said. "We might even discover some sites that regulate genes that we didn't even know existed."

Source: Penn State University

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How does the brain process the experience of pain?

How does the brain process the experience of pain? Thanks to advances in neuroimaging, we now know the answer lies in a network of brain structures called the pain matrix. This matrix contains two parallel systems. The medial pain system processes the emotional aspects of pain, including fear and st...

How does the brain process the experience of pain? Thanks to advances in neuroimaging, we now know the answer lies in a network of brain structures called the pain matrix. This matrix contains two parallel systems. The medial pain system processes the emotional aspects of pain, including fear and stress, while the lateral system processes the physical sensations%26#8212;pain's intensity, location, and duration.

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Marked by morning stiffness, joint aches, and flare-ups, the pain of arthritis tends to be acute and recurrent, in contrast to many chronic pain conditions. Arthritis pain therefore makes an ideal model for comparing common clinical pain with experimental pain. Inspired by this observation, researchers at University of Manchester Rheumatic Diseases Centre in the United Kingdom conducted the first study to compare directly the brain areas involved in processing arthritis pain and experimental pain in a group of patients with osteoarthritis (OA). Their results, published in the April 2007 issue of Arthritis %26amp; Rheumatism (http://www.interscience.wiley.com/journal/arthritis), shed light on the role of emotions in how patients feel arthritis pain.

The study focused on 12 patients with knee OA%26#8212;6 women and 6 men, with a mean age of 52 years. All subjects underwent positron emission tomography (PET), to measure and map 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in the brain as an indicator of brain activity. PET scans were performed during three different pain conditions: arthritic knee pain; experimental pain, achieved by heat application; and pain-free. The brain responses to each pain state were then rigorously examined and statistically evaluated and compared for significant differences.

In all OA subjects, both pain conditions activated the entire pain matrix. However, during arthritic pain, activity was increased within the medial pain system of the brain, including most of the cingulate cortex, the thalamus, and the amygdala. This suggests that, for these patients, arthritis pain has more emotional impact%26#8212;and perhaps stronger associations with fear and distress%26#8212;than experimental pain. Arthritis pain also prompted heightened activation of the prefrontal cortex and the inferior posterior parietal cortex, areas of the brain instrumental in the supervision of attention. Their activation while suffering arthritis pain may reflect the patients' concentration on coping strategies.

"The present study demonstrates the importance of the medial pain system during the experience of arthritic pain and suggests that it is a likely target for both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions," notes its leading author, Prof. A.K.P. Jones. "Considering the recent concerns about the long-term safety of cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors, we hope that our current findings will stimulate partnerships between academia and the pharmacological industry to develop a new class of analgesics for arthritic pain that specifically target the medial pain system."

As Prof. Jones acknowledges, the study's main limitation is its small number of subjects. Larger studies of the relationship between arthritis pain and the medial pain system are critical, particularly for exploring the effect of variables from depression and anxiety to guided imagery, meditation, and other mind-based pain management techniques. "Researchers should be moving toward more naturalistic studies in patients," Prof. Jones suggests, "in order to fully understand the perception of different types of clinical pain."

Source: John Wiley %26amp; Sons, Inc.

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Controlling haywire neuron activity - Pulses of yellow light reversibly silence brain cells

Scientists at the MIT Media Lab have invented a way to reversibly silence brain cells using pulses of yellow light, offering the prospect of controlling the haywire neuron activity that occurs in diseases such as epilepsy and Parkinson's disease.Such diseases often must be treated by removing neuron...

Scientists at the MIT Media Lab have invented a way to reversibly silence brain cells using pulses of yellow light, offering the prospect of controlling the haywire neuron activity that occurs in diseases such as epilepsy and Parkinson's disease.

Such diseases often must be treated by removing neurons that fire incorrectly. The new MIT research could lead to the development of optical brain prosthetics to control neurons, eliminating the need for irreversible surgery.

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"In the future, controlling the activity patterns of neurons may enable very specific treatments for neurological and psychiatric diseases, with few or no side effects," said Edward Boyden, assistant professor in the Program in Media Arts and Sciences and leader of the Media Lab's new Neuroengineering and Neuromedia Group.

Boyden and Media Lab research affiliate Xue Han published their results in the March 21 issue of the online journal Public Library of Science ONE (PLOS One).

The work takes advantage of a gene called halorhodopsin found in a bacterium that grows in extremely salty water, such as the Great Salt Lake in Utah. In the bacterium, Natronomas pharaonis, the gene codes for a protein that serves as a light-activated chloride pump, which helps the bacterium make energy.

When neurons are engineered to express the halorhodopsin gene, the researchers can inhibit their activity by shining yellow light on them. Light activates the chloride pumps, which drive chloride ions into the neurons, lowering their voltage and silencing their firing.

That inhibitory effect may be extremely useful in dealing with diseases caused by out-of-control neuron firing, said Boyden. "In such diseases, inhibition is more direct than excitation, because you can shut down neural circuits that are behaving erratically," he said.

Many epilepsy patients have implanted electrodes that periodically give their brains an electric jolt, acting as a defibrillator to shut down overactive neurons. This new research opens up the possibility of an optical implant that could do the same thing, using light instead of electricity. The Media Lab neuroengineering group plans to start studying such devices in transgenic mice this year.

The group also plans to use the new method to study neural circuits. Last year, Boyden devised a technique to stimulate neurons by shining blue light on them, so with blue and yellow light the researchers can now exert exquisite control over the stimulation and inhibition of individual neurons.

Learning more about the neural circuits involved in epilepsy could help scientists develop devices that can predict when a seizure is about to occur, allowing treatment (either shock or light) to be administered only when necessary, Boyden said.

The technique also offers a way to study other brain diseases, as well as normal brain circuitry, offering insight into which brain regions and neurons contribute to specific behaviors or pathological states, Boyden said.

The halorhodopsin gene was originally discovered in the 1980s, but Boyden didn't think its full potential had been explored. The protein expressed by the gene turned out to have exactly the right characteristics to make it useful in neuron inhibition.

"Often if you are patient and think carefully about what you want to do, you can find a molecule that is very close to what you want, and with a little bit of luck it will turn out to work," Boyden said.

The halorhodopsin work is one of the first projects from the Media Lab Neuroengineering and Neuromedia Group, which was formed about six months ago to enhance the Media Lab's study of the brain-body relationship.

"The Media Lab has always been interested in studying the interface between people and the world," Boyden said, "but now people are getting interested in the interface between bodies and brains in the world."

Source: MIT

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