Mental Health Awareness-Things which every Individual should know of.

Mental health | It includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

According to the WHO (World Health Organization), mental health is:

"A state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community."
The WHO stresses that mental health "is not just the absence of mental disorder."

Factors which contribute to Mental health problems are:

1. Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry.
2. Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse.
3. Family history of mental health problems.

The most common types of mental illness are Anxiety disorders, Mood disorders, and Schizophrenia disorders:

1) Anxiety disorders are the most common types of mental illness.

    Examples of anxiety disorders include:

Panic disorder - the person experiences sudden paralyzing terror or a sense of imminent disaster.

Phobias - these may include simple phobias (a disproportionate fear of objects), social phobias (fear of being subject to the judgment of others), and agoraphobia (dread of situations where getting away or breaking free may be difficult). We really do not know how many phobias there are - there could be thousands of types.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) - the person has obsessions and compulsions. In other words, constant stressful thoughts (obsessions), and a powerful urge to perform repetitive acts, such as hand washing (compulsion).

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - this can occur after somebody has been through a traumatic event - something horrible or frightening that they experienced or witnessed. During this type of event, the person thinks that their life or other people's lives are in danger. They may feel afraid or feel that they have no control over what is happening.

2) Mood disorders.

These are also known as affective disorders or depressive disorders. Patients with these conditions have significant changes in mood, generally involving either mania (elation) or depression.

Examples of mood disorders include:

Major depression - the individual is no longer interested in and does not enjoy activities and events that they previously liked. There are extreme or prolonged periods of sadness.

Bipolar disorder - previously known as manic-depressive illness, or manic depression. The individual switches from episodes of euphoria (mania) to depression (despair).

Persistent depressive disorder - previously known as dysthymia, this is mild chronic (long term) depression. The patient has similar symptoms to major depression but to a lesser extent.

SAD (seasonal affective disorder) - a type of major depression that is triggered by lack of daylight. It is most common in countries far from the equator during late autumn, winter, and early spring.

3) Schizophrenia disorders.

Whether or not schizophrenia is a single disorder or a group of related illnesses has yet to be fully determined. It is a highly complex condition. Schizophrenia normally begins between the ages of 15 and 25. The individual has thoughts that appear fragmented; they also find it hard to process information.

Schizophrenia has negative and positive symptoms.

Positive symptoms include delusions, thought disorders, and hallucinations.

Negative symptoms include withdrawal, lack of motivation, and a flat or inappropriate mood.

Early signs of Diagnosis.

It is not possible to reliably tell whether someone is developing a mental health problem; however, if certain signs appear in a short space of time, they are:

• Withdrawing from people or activities they would normally enjoy.
• Sleeping or eating too much or too little.
• Consistently low energy.
• Using drugs more than normal (including alcohol and nicotine).
• Displaying uncharacteristic emotions.
• Confusion.
• Not being able to complete standard tasks, such as getting to work or cooking a meal.
• Persistent thoughts or memories that reappear regularly.
• Thinking of harming one's self or others.
• Delusions.
• Feeling numb or like nothing matters
• Having unexplained aches and pains
• Feeling helpless or hopeless
• Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared
• Yelling or fighting with family and friends
• Experiencing severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships
• Having persistent thoughts and memories you can't get out of your head
• Hearing voices or believing things that are not true

Treatment:

There are various ways people with mental health problems might receive treatment. It is important to know that what works for one person may not work for another; this is especially the case with mental health.

Some strategies or treatments are more successful when combined with others. A patient with a chronic mental disorder may choose different options at different stages in their life. The majority of experts say that a well-informed patient is probably the best judge of what treatment suits them best.

Treatments can include:

Psychotherapy (talking therapies) - this is a psychological approach to treating mental illness.

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
• Exposure therapy.
• Dialectical behavior therapy.

This are some examples of therapy used to cure Mental Health.

Medication - although it can not cure mental disorders, some medications can improve symptoms.

Self-help - including lifestyle changes such as reducing alcohol intake, sleeping more, and eating well.

Positive mental health allows people to:

• Realize their full potential.
• Cope with the stresses of life.
• Work productively.
• Make meaningful contributions to their communities.

Final Word

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Thank-You.
Dr. Honey Mittal

All you should know about Diabetes.

Diabetes | Diabetes is a disease that affects your body’s ability to produce or use insulin. Insulin is a hormone. When your body turns the food you eat into energy (also called sugar or glucose), insulin is released to help transport this energy to the cells. Insulin acts as a “key.” Its chemical message tells the cell to open and receive glucose. If you produce little or no insulin, or are insulin resistant, too much sugar remains in your blood. Blood glucose levels are higher than normal for individuals with diabetes.

                There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2.

Type I diabetes: Also known as juvenile diabetes, this type occurs when the body fails to produce insulin. People with type I diabetes are insulin-dependent, which means they must take artificial insulin daily to stay alive.

Type 2 diabetes: Type 2 diabetes affects the way the body uses insulin. While the body still makes insulin, unlike in type I, the cells in the body do not respond to it as effectively as they once did. This is the most common type of diabetes, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, and it has strong links with obesity.

Gestational diabetes: This type occurs in women during pregnancy when the body can become less sensitive to insulin. Gestational diabetes does not occur in all women and usually resolves after giving birth.

Less common types of diabetes include monogenic diabetes and cystic fibrosis-related diabetes.

Prediabetes.
Doctors refer to some people as having prediabetes or borderline diabetes when blood sugar is usually in the range of 100 to 125 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
Normal blood sugar levels - 70 to 99 mg/dL, whereas a person with diabetes will have a fasting blood sugar higher than 126 mg/dL.
The prediabetes level means that blood glucose is higher than usual but not so high as to constitute diabetes.

Causes of diabetes?

1. Genetics.
2. Lifestyle and environment.
3. Eating an unhealthy diet.
4. A family history of diabetes.
5. A history of high blood pressure.
6. Having gestational diabetes or giving birth to a child with a birth weight of more than 9 pounds.
7. A history of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
8. Having a high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level lower than 40 mg/dL or 50 mg/dL
9. Overweight or obese and not exercising enough(particularly Type 2 diabetes).
10. Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune response. The body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin producing beta cells in the pancreas.

How does diabetes affect my body?

Over time, high blood sugar levels (also called hyperglycemia) can lead to kidney disease, heart disease and blindness. The excess sugar in the bloodstream can damage the tiny blood vessels in your eyes and kidneys, and can harden or narrow your arteries.

Symptoms of diabetes include:

• Increased thirst.
• Increased hunger (especially after eating).
• Dry mouth.
• Frequent urination.
• Unexplained weight loss (even though you are eating and feel hungry).
• Weak, tired feeling.
• Blurred vision.
• Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet.
• Slow-healing sores or cuts.
• Dry and itchy skin.
• Frequent yeast infections or urinary tract infections.

Early symptoms of low blood sugar include:

• Feeling weak.
• Feeling dizzy.
• Feeling hungry.
• Trembling and feeling shaky.
• Sweating.
• Pounding heart.
• Pale skin.
• Feeling frightened or anxious.

Late symptoms of low blood sugar include:

• Feeling confused.
• Headache.
• Feeling cranky.
• Poor coordination.
• Bad dreams or nightmares.
• Being unable keep your mind on one subject.
• Numbness in your mouth and tongue.
• Passing out.

Diabetes is diagnosed by one of the following:

Your blood sugar level is equal to or greater than 126 mg/dl.
You have two random blood sugar tests over 200 mg/dl with symptoms.
You have an oral glucose tolerance test with results over 200 mg/dl.
Your HbA1c test is greater than 6.5 percent on two separate days.

Fasting Glucose Test.

1. Normal: Less than 100.
2. Pre-diabetes: 100-125.
3. Diabetes: 126 or higher.

Random (anytime) Glucose Test.

1. Normal: Less than 140.
2. Pre-diabetes: 140-199.
3. Diabetes: 200 or higher.

HbA1c Test.

1. Normal: Less than 5.7%
2. Pre-diabetes: 5.7 - 6.4%
3. Diabetes: 6.5% or higher

Management of Diabetes:

There is no cure for diabetes, but it can be treated and controlled. The goals of managing diabetes are to:

• Keep your blood glucose levels as near to normal as possible by balancing food intake with medication and activity.
• Maintain your blood cholesterol and triglyceride (lipid) levels as near the normal ranges as possible.
• Control your blood pressure. Your blood pressure should not go over 140/90.

Diabetes can be managed by:

1. Planning what you eat and following a balanced meal plan.
2. Exercising regularly.
3. Taking medication, if prescribed, and make sure you dont miss any dose.
4. Monitoring your blood glucose and blood pressure levels at home.
5. Keeping your appointments with your healthcare providers and having laboratory tests completed as ordered by your doctor.

Final Word

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Dr. Honey Mittal

Short and Complete information on varicose veins.

What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are thick, Blue or purple veins in the legs that can be seen near the skin’s surface.
These swollen and bulging veins cause a variety of symptoms, including itching, pain, and a feeling of heaviness in your legs.

Mechanism.
Veins swell up when the valves(Gatekeeper) that control the flow of blood from your legs up to your torso fail.
The weak, broken valves allow blood to back up and accumulate inside your leg veins.

You’re more likely to develop varicose veins as you get older and your veins become weaker.
Pregnancy can also trigger the growth of these veins because it slows the flow of blood out of your legs in the midst of an increased blood volume.

The best way to keep the itchiness of varicose veins at bay is to manage the veins themselves. Keeping your legs elevated and making other lifestyle changes can prevent the varicose veins you have from getting worse. These measures may also help slow down new veins from forming. If these measures don’t work, a few procedures are available that can close or remove damaged veins.

Why are varicose veins Itchy?
Varicose veins itch because of a condition called venous stasis dermatitis. When blood builds up in damaged vessels, it can eventually leak out into the skin. The leaky blood vessels and associated inflammation may lead to not enough oxygen reaching your skin.

The skin over the veins becomes red and itchy. Red or purple sores can form. These sores may ooze fluid and then scab over.

As venous stasis dermatitis gets worse, the skin over your lower legs and feet turns red and scaly. The itch can become very intense.
This condition is also called stasis dermatitis or venous eczema.

Varicose veins Treatement.
To treat itchy varicose veins, you’ll typically see a dermatologist or a vein specialist. Treatments for this condition include:

1) Medicated creams
2) Antihistamine
3) Antibiotics
4)Dressings

If you have an open wound, your doctor might place a special covering over the wound to help it heal. They may also use a compression stocking or wrap to help reduce swelling and improve blood circulation.

Surgery
Surgery is the only way to cure itchy varicose veins. If the condition doesn’t improve with other treatments, your doctor might recommend one of these procedures:

1) Sclerotherapy
Special medicated die is injected into your veins. The chemical irritates the veins and causes scar tissue to form. Eventually, the treated veins close up.

2) Laser treatment
This treatment uses an intense light to get rid of varicose veins. It works on smaller veins. You may need more than one treatment to erase veins completely.

3) Endovenous ablation therapy

For this procedure, your doctor makes a very small skin incision and inserts a thin tube called a catheter into the vein. Radio frequency energy or a laser at the tip of the catheter heats up and closes the vein.

4) Endoscopic vein surgery
During this surgical treatment, your doctor makes a small skin incision and inserts a thin tube with a camera on the end into the vein. A special device near the end of the camera closes off the vein. This procedure is usually Trusted Source reserved for severe varicose veins that have caused open sores to form in the skin.

5)Vein stripping and ligation
This procedure ties off and removes the vein through small incisions. It’s used for more severe varicose veins.

6)Ambulatory phlebectomy
This procedure involves making small cuts in your skin and removing veins that are close to the surface.

Management of Varicose veins at home.
Here are a few tips to help you manage your itchy varicose veins at home.

1) Elevate your legs
Prop up your legs on a stool or pillow once every 2 hours for about 15 minutes. Also, try to keep your legs raised while you sleep. Placing your legs above your heart will keep blood flowing in the right direction, and prevent it from pooling in your veins.

2) Wear compression stockings
Tight, compression stockings put pressure on your legs to improve your venous blood circulation and bring down swelling. You can buy them over the counter at your local drugstore, or you can obtain them with a prescription from your doctor.

3) Apply Plant Extracts.
Few studies suggests that applying horse chestnut extract reduces pain, itchiness and swelling.

4)Dietary Changes.
Have food contains more of Potassium in it.

5) Massage is the best remedy for cure of Varicose veins, Massage for 15 mins twice a day helps a lot.


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Keto Diet Complete Information in Brief.

Keto Diet | A keto or ketogenic diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that can help you burn fat without hunger more effectively. It has many benefits for weight loss, health and performance, as shown in over 50 studies. It’s also used and recommended by many doctors.

What Keto Means -The “keto” in a ketogenic diet comes from the fact that it allows the body to produce small fuel molecules called “ketones”. This is an alternative fuel source for the body, used when blood sugar (glucose) is in short supply.

Ketones are produced if you eat very few carbs (that are quickly broken down into blood sugar) and only moderate amounts of protein (excess protein can also be converted to blood sugar).

The liver produces ketones from fat. These ketones then serve as a fuel source throughout the body, especially for the brain.

The brain is a hungry organ that consumes lots of energy every day, and it can’t run on fat directly. It can only run on glucose… or ketones.

Who should NOT do a ketogenic diet- Diabetic Patients, High Blood pressure Patients, Breastfeeders.

Food to Eat- Meat, Fish and seafood, Eggs, Natural Fats, High Fat sauces, Vegetables growing above ground, High fat dairy, Nuts, Berries.

Drinks- Water, Coffee, Tea. (without sugar).

Food to avoid-Sugar, Starch, Beer, Fruits, Margarine, Banana, Cooked Rice, Chocolate, Bread, Patoto.

How much grams carbohydrates to take in a Day-
0-20 gms(Ketogenic)
20-50 gms(Moderate),
50-100 gms(Low).

Health Benefits of Keto Diet- Lose weight, Appetite Control, Control Blood Sugar, Reverse type 2 Diabetis, Enhances Mental Performance, Gives Energy, Relaxes Stomach, Increase Physical Endurance, Epilepsy, Reduces Acne, Decreases Heart Burns, Decrease possibility of Cardiac Arrest

Additional things taken into consideration-
Restrict Carbohydrates,
Restrict Proteins,
Eat enough food,
Avoid Snacks,
Exercise daily for atleast 30 mins,
Take enough Sleep.

Side effects of a keto diet-
When you suddenly switch your body’s metabolism from burning carbs (glucose) to fat and ketones you may have some side effects as your body gets used to its new fuel, especially during day 2-5.

Symptoms can include headache, Keto Breath, Constipation, tiredness, muscle fatigue, cramping and heart palpitations. These side effects are short-term for most people, and there are ways to minimize or cure them.

Another option to reduce potential side effects is to gradually decrease your consumption of carbs over a few weeks. But with a slower start you’ll likely not see as dramatic results or feel the positive benefits as strongly.

Therefore we recommend you stop sugar and starches all at once. You will likely lose a number of pounds within days. While much of the initial rapid weight loss is water weight (reduced swelling), it’s still a highly motivating and inspiring way to start your keto journey.

Final Word

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Cardiac Arrest Complete Information in Brief.

Cardiac Arrest | Cardiac arrest is a sudden loss of blood flow resulting from the failure of the heart to effectively pump.

Symptoms of cardiac arrest - Symptoms Include loss of consciousness and abnormal or absent breathing, chest pain, shortness of breath, or nausea before cardiac arrest. If not treated within minutes, it typically leads to death.

Causes of Heart Attack is coronary artery disease which is due to High cholesterol, Obesity, Sedentary life style. Less common causes include major blood loss, lack of oxygen, very low potassium, heart failure, and intense physical exercise.The initial heart rhythm is most often ventricular fibrillation. The diagnosis is confirmed by finding no pulse. While a cardiac arrest may be caused by heart attack or heart failure, these are not the same.

Prevention - Stop smoking, physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, Low cholesterol diet.

Treatment for cardiac arrest - It includes immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and, if a shock able rhythm is present, defibrillation. Among those who survive, targeted temperature management may improve outcomes. An implantable cardiac defibrillator may be placed to reduce the chance of death from recurrence.

The study estimation of cardiovascular mortality in India, shows that heart ailments caused more than 2.1 million deaths in India in 2015 at all ages, or more than a quarter of all deaths. At ages 30-69 years, of 1.3 million cardiovascular deaths, 0.9 million (68.4%) were caused by coronary heart disease and 0.4 million (28.0%) by stroke.


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