Mental Health
Bipolar Disorder
Research Latest News
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
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
More Americans Seeking Health Information - [08/22/08]
Summary: Recent statistics show that in 2007 56% of Americans adults, which is more than 122 million people, attempted to find information about a personal health concern from a source other than their physician. This statistic is up from 38% in 2001. Education levels were a key factor in determining whether a person sought medical information, 72% of those with a graduate degree compared to 42% of those with only a high school diploma. The number of Americans using the internet for medical information doubled from 16% in 2001 to 32% in 2007.
Comment: More than half of the people reported that the information changed their general approach to their health care, and 80% reported that the information helped them better understand treatments of their condition or illness. Doctors are always a good source of medical information, but it can often be hard to consult a doctor with every concern. Finding more information on medical conditions, such as bipolar disorder, can help patients better understand their health.
Read article - HealthNewsDigest.com August 22, 2008
Sodium and Calcium Imbalances Linked to Bipolar Disorder - [08/18/08]
Summary: Researchers have found a link between two genes that control the channels that regulate sodium and calcium in the brain and bipolar disorder. Neuron's reactions depend on the balance of sodium and calcium, so when they are off balance it is suggested that disorders such as bipolar disorder can occur.
Comment: This new research adds to previous research attempting to determine the genes that control and cause bipolar disorder. The two genes identified could lead to more research in the future that could help produce better medications for bipolar disorder.
Read article - ScienceDaily August 18, 2008
New Study on Inpatient Medication Reconciliation Errors - [08/14/08]
Summary: Inpatient medication reconciliation was made a National Patient Safety Goal in 2005 and nationwide attention was soon focused on the issue of errors in these medication records as patients move in and out of hospitals. However, a new study from Brigham and Women's Hospital has shown that inpatients experience and average of one and a half potentially harmful errors in their records during the course of their hospital stay. The study also attempted to identify the frequency of specific kinds of errors, at what point during a patient's stay these errors occur, and factors which put a patient at risk for errors to occur.
Comment: Dr. Jeffrey Schnipper, MD, MPH senior author and Hospitalist at BWH stated his hope that, "This information can help guide hospitals in determining where to focus their efforts for addressing this problem." He also noted that patients today are often on more medications than they have been in the past, raising the stakes along with the risks. Information collected by this study will, no doubt, have a significant effect in reducing the frequency of these errors, thus reducing the risk for all patients.
Read article - Brigham and Women's Hosptial. August 14, 2008.
Many Find Need for American Health Care Reform - [08/07/08]
Summary: In a recent study researchers found that about 82% of Americans believe that the health care system in America needs to be reformed. 90% believed that the presidential candidates need to develop health care reform plans to improve the quality and coverage of health care. 90% also believe that it is important to have one doctor responsible for their primary care and for coordinating care with specialists. 90% also reported believing that having access to their medical records, and doctors having the same access was important.
Comment: Bipolar disorder requires the best medical care possible, and many people in America do not believe that they are getting the level of care that they need. People with bipolar disorder, and all other people in America, can affect their health care system by contacting their representatives and voicing their concerns and thoughts about the current health care system.
Read article - Medical News TODAY August 7, 2008
Rise in Deaths from Home Prescription Use - [07/29/08]
Summary: Researchers examined the death rates from the incorrect use of prescriptions in the home, called FMEs. There are four types of FMEs as classified by the researchers. Type one is the domestic use of prescriptions with street drugs or alcohol, which has increased by 3,196% between 1983 and 2004. Type 2 is the domestic use of prescriptions without drugs or alcohol, which has increased 5%. Type 3 is the non-domestic use of prescriptions with drugs or alcohol, and has increased 564%, and type 4 is the non-domestic use of prescriptions without drugs or alcohol, and has increased by 555%.
Comment: While many of the medications involved were safe in a clinical setting is has been suggested that they are more dangerous when used at home, since an incorrect dose or use with drugs or alcohol are more likely. It is suggested that more research is done about the safety of medications at home or work and that patients are especially careful when taking prescriptions at home.
Read article - Medical News TODAY July 29, 2008
Doctor Instructions Often Misunderstood - [07/18/08]
Summary: A new study shows that most people, about 78%, do not completely understand their doctor's instructions upon leaving the emergency room. Many of these people, about 80%, also are not aware that they do not comprehend all of the instructions given. 34% of the comprehension deficits were in the category of post emergency department care, meaning that one-third of the people in the study did not completely know what to do when the got home from the hospital.
Comment: Follow-up care after leaving the emergency room is very important to the recovery of the patient. If they do not fully understand their instructions they could encounter complications. People should always be careful to completely understand their doctor’s instructions, whether leaving the emergency room or just a normal checkup, to be sure that they will receive the best care possible.
Read article - Medical News TODAY July 18, 2008
Relationship between Pregnancy and Mental Health Disorders - [07/07/08]
Summary: It has been determined that pregnancy alone is not a risk factor for mental health disorders, but this recent study does show some connections. In general after pregnancy the women studied were less likely to use drugs or alcohol compared to women who had not been pregnant. They also were at a lower risk of developing a mood disorder, except for major depression. However, certain groups of the women studied were very likely after pregnancy to develop a disorder, but that was based on other factors rather than their pregnancy.
Comment: Better understanding the relationship between pregnancy and mental health disorders can help mothers and those around them to avoid disorders, such as bipolar disorder. New mothers in the groups at risk should also be careful to avoid developing a disorder.
Read article - healthfinder.gov July 7, 2008