Health Care

How to Stay on the Non-Depressed Wagon

July 26, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Image by Leo Reynolds via Flickr

When an alcoholic slips and begins to drink again they call it falling off the wagon. In a similar vein to this, a person can also fall off the wagon with regard to being depressed. Depression isn’t alcoholism, but some of their symptoms are similar in nature. Both tend to inspire feelings of desolation and result in being unable to do much with one’s life.

When you feel depressed, it can get to the point where even getting up in the morning doesn’t even seem worth it to you. You could have all the abilities in the world, but they all feel useless. No matter what you try to do it always seems to feel like you’re failing at it. The most important thing about depression is that it isn’t as hopeless as it may feel. There is a lot you can do to overcome it and put it in its place while you live an enjoyable, productive life.

Naturally, you need to do something to get over your depression. But it has to start right now. Plan out something you really want to do, and force yourself to do it. It doesn’t matter what it is, so long as it’s legal and not inherently self-destructive. Just make a plan for yourself and then get to work on it. So long as you have a plan and make steady progress on it, you can overcome your feelings of helplessness and stay on the wagon. It’s a lifelong process, just like staying off the drink.

Filed Under: Guidance, Health Care, Prevention Tagged With: Alcoholism, Depression, Wagon

Stopping Depression in the First Place

July 24, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Image via Wikipedia

Depression is one of the worst illnesses on the face of the planet. Unfortunately, to a lot of people it just seems like regular sadness. When you’re depressed, less sensitive people will tell you to stop being “emo,” not because they don’t care about you but because they really don’t understand the situation. Depression is a sickness, just like the flu.

Unfortunately, too much of our medical establishment is geared toward stopping existing problems instead of preventing them from coming up. For all the drugs medical practitioners will push on a person, so little will actually be accomplished by it. Far too often a person will continue feeling depressed, often with the addition of extra symptoms and more problems than they had before. We need to prevent depression in the first place.

Preventing depression can take many forms, but the ultimate expression of it is to cut it off at the pass by being proactive and genuine with yourself. Allow yourself to feel what you’re feeling, and understand why you’re feeling them. From there, it’s primarily a matter of focusing on your goals and keeping them in mind. This way you’ll feel like you always have a great reason to get up in the morning. When you feel the rush of having a real reason to live and accomplish something every day, you won’t feel depressed any more. This kind of self-actualization is the best way to keep depression from ruling your life — rule it for yourself.

Filed Under: Guidance, Health Care, Prevention Tagged With: Depression, Mental health, Mood

Is Medication a Good Thing?

July 24, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Image via Wikipedia

Our world has allowed the obsession with medication to get a little out of hand. While some people require medicines to function properly, far too often doctors simply prescribe something because they can think of no better way to handle any given problem. Some problems can’t be solved with just a pill or a poultice.

The over-emphasis on drugs can easily lead a person to question whether they are ever a good idea in the first place. When medicines are the main way problems get solved, it’s enough to make it seem like our entire medical ideology might be based on flawed assumptions. In cases such as the treatment of depression, for instance, the general method is simply to throw various treatments against the proverbial wall and see which ones stick. Could you imagine if any industry besides medicine attempted to fix problems in this manner?

Ultimately medicine is going to have to ease up on the use of medication and focus more on long-lasting treatments that do not simply involve ingesting a constant stream of pharmaceuticals. While this may reduce profits in the short term, the long-term benefit to our society will be great. After all, solving problems in the real world implies a lot more than just throwing pills down someone’s throat and hoping for the best. In the vast majority of cases, simply drugging up an individual in an attempt to treat them is a foolish way to go about trying to help them.

Filed Under: Health Care, Prevention Tagged With: Health, Medicine, Pharmaceutical drug

5 Things to Look for When Choosing Pediatrician

June 30, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

There are many milestones during the stages of pregnancy and many tend to focus on the ‘photo op’ moments. The first ultrasound, pictures of the growing belly and shower invitations are never overlooked. Many women do not realize that choosing a pediatrician is one of the biggest decisions they make during their last trimester. Taking some time to understand what to look for in a child’s doctor can help make this important decision a bit easier.

While there are many factors in choosing a pediatrician, there are five things every parent to be should look for.

Your Parenting Style: Every parent is different. Take the time to determine what is important to you about your child’s care. Are you interested in homeopathic remedies? How do you feel about vaccinations? Do you want your pediatrician to spend a certain amount of time with your child? These factors are just a few things that should be considered as you compare your parenting style and values to pediatricians.

Group Versus Solo Practices: Some pediatricians work in a group setting. Your child may have a primary doctor, however, in some cases, such as overflow or vacation, you may be forced to see a different doctor in the practice. If you would prefer your child see the same doctor every visit, be sure to select a solo doctor.

Payment Concerns: Obviously, payment is always a concern. Check to see what insurance each office takes, how they handle the paperwork, and what additional charges you may see. For example, many pediatricians charge a premium, not typically covered by insurance, for non-emergency late night calls. Be sure you understand billing and payment structures.

Availability: During the final stages of pregnancy, it is a good idea to check with each pediatrician you are considering to see if they are accepting new patients. Doctors who are in high demand may not have open spaces in their practice for your new addition. If you first choice is ‘full,’ inquire about a waiting list.

Nurse Practitioners: Many parents are finding that doctors who work in conjunction with a nurse practitioner are more convenient. For example, if you have a question or concern that does not require an office visit you may be able to address the question to the nurse practitioner instead of waiting for a call back from your particular doctor. While it is true that a nurse practitioner isn’t a doctor, they are qualified to answer many common health concerns and questions. Offices that include a nurse practitioner offer new parents an excellent resource for help and information.

Remember that, in most cases, the pediatrician you choose for your newborn will care for your child for many years, so it is important to carefully consider all of your options. Your pediatrician is part of the team that will help raise your child. Have you started your search yet?

Filed Under: Health Care

Mobile Clinical Computing: Healthcare on the Move

April 15, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Technological advances in healthcare have brought patient services to a new playing field. More than ever, healthcare information needs to be readily accessible, accurate and secure. However, relying on technology alone is not enough. Healthcare is still about people. That’s why healthcare IT technicians are focused on innovations that will accelerate healthcare while keeping the focus on the patients.

Information on the Go

Healthcare facilities are constantly searching for ways to provide clinicians with immediate access to medical information, while preserving the confidentiality of patient records. A revolutionary solution to this quandary is mobile clinical computing. Whether in a clinic, or at the office, mobile clinical computing benefits healthcare IT services by allowing healthcare workers to access patient records and information at a moment’s notice, so the focus always remains on the patient and providing the best service for their care.

How it Works

Mobile clinical computing is an innovative, adaptive technology that gives healthcare IT technicians the ability to centralize end-user data. This allows clinicians and physicians to access critical medical data from any device, without the hassles of flipping through papers and tracking down files. With mobile clinical computing, patient information is kept secure, so it won’t be lost or stolen. Also, with patient data at your fingertips, patients can make immediate decisions regarding their own care, adding that extra layer of quality service.

Bottom Line

Being able to access information on the move will save time, money and energy by minimizing the need for IT maintenance and desk-side visits. Mobile healthcare enables IT technicians to streamline work-flow for clinicians and doctors and keeps the focus on what matters most, the patients.

Filed Under: Health Care

The Cure Assurance: Depression

March 16, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Hope is a futile thing — this is your bleak certainty, the truth you’ve created. Life can’t be overcome; sorrow can’t be beaten. There is only one assurance for the future: and that is desperation.

These thoughts are too sad and all too common.

Depression — a prolonged state of despair, caused by chemical imbalances in the brain — is often assumed to be permanent. Individuals suffering from it believe they can never find relief, that they will be burdened with an illness for the rest of their days. They consider it an imprisonment (trapping them within their own minds).

But such considerations aren’t needed. Depression can instead be cured.

Simply explained: depression is a disease and, like all diseases, there are established treatments available to counter it. Individuals can be offered prescriptions, counseling, alternative medicine and more — often in a variety of combinations and ratios. Such efforts allow both mind and body to be targeted, with the source of the problem recognized as far more than merely emotional. It’s understood instead as organic and is provided with the essential aid.

And such aid has led 85 percent of all depressive patients to recover completely. This number is remarkable among the medical community — proving that a cure is possible and, more importantly, has been achieved (often).

Never assume that your illness can’t be undone. It can — it simply requires treatment and patience. Don’t let depression control your life. Choose instead to counter it and discover relief.

Healing doesn’t have to be denied. Seek it instead.

Filed Under: Health Care Tagged With: Depression, Health, Major depressive disorder

Resources for locating mental health services

January 29, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

There are many options for individuals who believe they may be suffering from manic depression or other mental health problems. Since manic depression, commonly known as bipolar disorder, can be difficult to detect and diagnose, a mental health professional should be contacted. However, many individuals who suffer from mental health problems are unsure of where to turn or how to get help.

Many resources are available for those who are unsure of how to obtain help. Among these are religious leaders, physicians and state and federal programs designed to help individuals pursue mental health services.

Individuals who believe that they suffer from some mental health illness should speak to someone about their concerns, reasons, and symptoms. A first line of action can be to speak to a religious leader, community leader, social worker, or insurance representative. These individuals should be able to provide you with information on how to locate services, local resources available to you, or mental health professionals who can properly diagnose and treat manic depression.

Additionally, speaking to your regular physician can provide you with information on whether you could be suffering from a mental health problem or other illness. These individuals can also refer you to resources or mental health professionals.

Insurance companies often have contact information about services, procedures, and participating professionals, who can speak to you, diagnose, or that treat mental health professionals.

Furthermore, federal resources such as the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) can provide information on mental illnesses, how to locate services, and current clinical trials.

Often times mental health illnesses can be embarrassing or difficult to detect. If you or someone you know is having difficulty in completing daily tasks, exhibiting unusual behaviors, or is suffering from anxiety or depression it would be beneficial to locate services or a mental health professional to help in these situations.

Filed Under: Health Care Tagged With: Mental disorder, Mental health

Will Your Doctor Consider an E-Cigarette a Safe Smoking Alternative?

December 12, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

: Image by mlibrarianus via Flickr

That will, of course, depend on the doctor’s personal opinion and whether or not he does consider an e-cigarette a safe smoking alternative. However, when faced with a patient who is obviously being affected physically by the use of regular tobacco, they may be willing to take some things into consideration.

For example, if the doctor believes that a smoking addiction is as much psychological as it is physical, they may conclude that smoking an e-cigarette is a safer alternative, especially if the device being used is one that contains no nicotine (as some of them do). The fact that the patient can imitate the gestures and movements (lighting up, inhaling and exhaling, and simply holding the device) that is as much a part of smoking as anything else may help with the psychological stage of the addiction

As for the physical stage, if the e-cigarette does contain nicotine liquid (as some of them do), then it may be in such a small concentration or may be so diluted by passing through the filter and water vapor that very little actually reaches the body. The doctor may feel that while even this little bit can be dangerous, it still may be satisfying enough that the patient can drastically cut down on his use of “regular” cigarettes, or even stop all together.

If you use an e-cigarette device, don’t keep that from the doctor. Rather, tell him you do, and be honest about whether or not it contains nicotine liquid. If it does, your doctor can monitor you to see if even that small amount is contributing to any health problems you have. If the doctor thinks so, they may, however, allow you to keep using it, perhaps alternating it with filters that have no nicotine liquid, in an effort to help you stop smoking once and for all.

Filed Under: Health Care Tagged With: Cigarette, Electronic cigarette, Nicotine, Smoking cessation

Personal Health for Those Living Alone

December 9, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

: Image via Wikipedia

Let’s face it cooking for one is not exactly an appetizing proposal. The very idea of cooking a five-course meal for just you seems like more work than it’s worth. Reaching for a frozen pizza or a sandwich is so much easier than taking the time to cut up vegetables, make a salad and prepare an entire meal.

Living alone also means that you don’t have a significant other to point you in the right direction should life-choices get out of hand. The Holidays are revered for their joyous wonder, but for many that are living alone, the Holidays are a time of sadness and even loneliness. While we are all responsible for our own choices, living alone means no one is there to asses any personal problems.

As the New Year approaches, take a good hard look in the mirror. Are you happy with your current situation? Are you happy with your health, wealth and fitness? For those with drug addictions, do you need drug treatment centers to shake your addictions?

If you’re living alone and unhappy with your situation, ask yourself some tough questions.
Am I happy being alone? What can I do to not be alone?

If it’s a health and fitness issue, ask yourself what choices can you make that will change your long-term wellness. Should I join a gym or should I change the way I eat?

If it’s drug addiction, ask yourself if the addiction problem is causing you to avoid people, holding you back at your job or preventing you from attaining the goals you desire.

For some living alone is the only way to live. For others it’s not a choice it’s a reality and a reality they would much rather not live in. If you have issues you’ve like to clear up in 2011, spend the Holidays asking those tough questions.

Filed Under: Health Care Tagged With: Addiction, Centers and Counseling Services, Health, Meal, New Year, Substance abuse, Substance dependence, United States

Recent Study Shows Mental Health is Downplayed in Media Stories

November 23, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

: Image via Wikipedia

It appears that when it comes to telling tragic stories about American’s youth, the media will downplay previous mental health issues, a recent study shows. There are hundreds of tragic stories that fill the media’s time. Each story that deals with teenagers will usually talk about the injustice of what has been done to them or what a great life they led before this tragic incident. Very few stories will mention the mental health aspect of these stories. Why is that?

Media might downplay mental health issues for a number of reasons. The main reason being that a media story will gain more attention when the other aspects of the teenager’s life are played up. The media will try and attract as many viewers and public interest as possible. With this in mind, the media writers will write stories centered around the other aspects of the event then the mental health aspect.

Another reason that mental health issues are downplayed in the media is that mental health issues are still somewhat politically incorrect to talk about. Despite what many people will say, mental health issues carries a bit of a sterotype with it. Media outlets may choose to avoid talking about such heavy issues because they simply do not know how it will come across to their public. It could portray the victim in a bad light, make the public less sympathetic or cause an adverse reaction when it comes to public opinion. Since the public’s reaction is unknown, media outlets will focus on all the other aspects of a child’s life and leave out the mental health issue.

The problem with media outlets avoiding this issue is that mental issues won’t get the attention that they deserve. As long as mental health issues are still considered taboo topics, the public will not realize how prominent these issues are in society and therefore a solution to this prarticular problem could be further delayed.

Filed Under: Health Care Tagged With: Adolescence, Health, Mental health, United States