Mental Health
Bipolar Disorder
Patients Misunderstand Written Screening Tests - [10/14/08]
Summary: The majority of physicians require patients to answer written questions while in the waiting room to visit the doctor. However, a new survey has revealed the gap between doctors and patients in the process of answering the written questions. Because of the difference in literacy between patients and physicians, most patients are confused, or don't understand most of the questions. According to Dr. Master, one of the authors of this survey, the predominant reason for this is illiteracy.
Comment: Illiteracy is becoming more common in American which is causing great problems to physicians. Not only is there a problem with illiteracy but also with patients who are innumerate. By answering the surveys to the best of your abilities, you will receive better diagnosis or treatment of bipolar disorder.
Internet Consulted More Often Than Doctors - [10/12/08]
Summary: New market research shows that over the past year more adults went to the internet to get health information than consulted a doctor. This trend may likely be the product of an increasing consumer comfort in using the web to find reliable medical information. In addition, rising costs of healthcare coverage and visits to the doctor may be adding to the preference for first looking for information online.
Comment: The impacts of this trend, as well as others, will be discussed in an online seminar entitled "Is TV Dead? How the New New Media Changes Pharmaceutical DTC Advertising". The event is scheduled for October 14th at 11am EST and October 16th at 3pm EST.
Read article - Medical News Today. October 12, 2008.
Read article - Register for the Seminar
Vitamin D Linked to Overall Health - [10/10/08]
Summary: Vitamin D has been linked to improved overall health. This vitamin affects 36 organ tissues in the body including bone marrow, breast, colon, intestine, kidney, lung, prostate, retina, skin, stomach and uterus tissues. It has also been linked to improving immune systems, insulin secretion, heart health, blood pressure, muscle, brain activity, and decreased risk of cancer. For most adults 200-600 IU of daily vitamin D is recommended, but some experts recommend up to 2000 IU daily.
Comment: Vitamin D has previously been thought to improve bone health, but this study shows that it can affect all areas of health. By increased intake of vitamin D people with bipolar disorder can experience improved health.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 10, 2008
Young Adulthood Bipolar may be Extended from Childhood - [10/07/08]
Summary: According to an article in the Archives of General Psychiatry, young adults who had a bipolar disorder as a child, were more likely to suffer from manic episodes. This study included interviewing children who were diagnosed with bipolar disorder and their parents. Ending with an eight year follow up, this study concluded that 44.4%, a much higher number than the general population, continued to suffer from manic episodes.
Comment: Bipolar disorder is a serious mood disorder than can cause extreme mania episodes. Because of the knowledge that this disorder can be carried over into adulthood, children with this condition should be treated as soon possible in order to prevent the extension of it.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 7, 2008
Medicare Eliminates Coverage for 10 "Reasonably Preventable" Errors - [10/02/08]
Summary: New regulations, which will take effect next Wednesday, have Medicare halting payment for 10 errors which they have deemed "conditions that could reasonably have been prevented." Expected to affect hundreds of thousands, the new rules will mostly likely not result in a major reduction in expenses.
Comment: This new decision comes on the heels of announcements by four state Medicaid organizations last year in which they eliminated 28 "never events", preventable errors, from coverage. The trend seems to be growing and could have negative ramifications for millions of Americans. Among others, healthcare professionals have begun expressing concern about the decision.
Read article - Medical News Today. October 2, 2008.
Efforts to Reduce Ethnic and Racial Disparities - [09/29/08]
Summary: This article outlines current efforts are being made to reduce racial and ethnic health care disparities. These include the Respira program, which focuses on providing asthma education and outreach to Hispanic communities. Another program is a lecture that seeks to improve knowledge of blood pressure management and diabetes. Other efforts involve grants to increase levels of minority students in medical programs, and campaigns to increase medical literacy in minority communities.
Comment: Racial and ethnic disparities exist in most areas of medical care including bipolar disorder. These disparities can often be dangerous to the health of minority people. These programs are aiming to close the gaps in health care, which can result in better care for people with bipolar disorder.
Read article - Medical News TODAY September 29, 2008
Mental Health Services for Those in the Military Will Be Increased - [09/27/08]
Summary: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) Commissioned Corps and Department of Defense (DoD) have created a partnership to help provide better mental health services to members of the military. This partnership aims to better aid returning service members, their families, and military retirees in their battles with many mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injuries, insomnia, anxiety, flashbacks and depression.
Comment: The increased efforts will include greater recruitment of mental health service providers to help raise the government's capacity to provide for mental health needs. Admiral Joxel Garcia, HHS assistant secretary of health and head of PHS stated, "The healing of our injured soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines is of top priority and the U.S. Public Health Service is honored to be a part of this program."
Read article - Health News Digest. September 27, 2008.
Family Therapy Improves Depression in Bipolar Teenagers - [09/05/08]
Summary: Family therapy and medication in combination have been shown to decrease depression levels in teens with bipolar disorder. The therapy studied was 21 50-minute sessions with the patient, and family members. The therapy focused on communication and problem solving. There were no differences in the recovery rates, but those also having therapy spent less time depressed and recovered more quickly from depression.
Comment: Many more teens are being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and having bipolar disorder during the patient's youth can cause many health problems. These include frequent switches of polarity, psychosis, and higher levels of depression. While medication can treat the symptoms of bipolar disorder family therapy can help the side effect of depression, which greatly improves the quality of life for those teens with bipolar disorder.
Read article - Medical News TODAY September 5, 2008
Add-On Therapy Improves Symptoms - [09/02/08]
Summary: Patients with both bipolar disorder and depression often experience a glutathione deficiency. Prompted by this knowledge, researchers studied whether N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), an over-the-counter supplement that increases brain glutathione, could be used to treat these conditions in conjunction. Research was positive, as the drug was well tolerated and spurred significant improvements.
Comment: Current treatments are not sufficient to alleviate symptoms for those suffering from both bipolar disorder and depression. The success of this trial could give new hope in the search for more adequate treatments.
Read article - Science Daily. September 2, 2008.
Survey Addresses Bipolar Disorder - [09/02/08]
Summary: A new survey which collected data worldwide has found that 90% of patients feel their condition is difficult to understand and to live with day to day. In addition, 25% reported that, after diagnosis, they tried at least nine medications before finding a suitable one.
Comment: Because of its episodic nature, bipolar disorder can be particularly difficult to manage. There are also disparities between the way health care professionals may view their patients overall ability to cope with their condition and how well those patients feel they, themselves are coping.
Read article - Medical News Today. September 2, 2008.