Health Articles

Electrical brain stimulation (EBS) or sometimes called focal brain stimulation (FBS) is a common form of electrotherapy that are used worldwide since the 19th century. It is a technique used in research, therapeutical purposes and clinical neurobiology to stimulate a network of neurons in the brain, adding a discrete amount of energy into the cell membrane through electric current.

There are different types of electrical brain stimulation.

• Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES)
• Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
• Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
• Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)
• Magnetic Seizue Therapy (MST)
• Repititive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (RTMS)
• Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (TDCS)
• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
• Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)

All of these types of EBS involves strong electric currents which may cause lesion in the nervous tissue or a brain seizure. This type of therapy are usually performed for neurosurgical procedures for a variety of treatments that includes Parkinson’s diseases, depression, short-term memory loss, epilepsy and psychosurgery. It is also used to explore other parts of the brain that are malfunctioning.

EBS are designed to stimulate wide portion of the brain’s motor area, causing some specific muscles in the body to contract. However, scientists have perfected the positioning of the coil to work on a specific part of the body where they want to focus on. This technique has contributed highly on the treatment of stroke victims where the usual symptoms involves muscle disabilities.

Other studies also proves that EBS boosts various kinds of cognitive capabilities such as the ability to store valuable information and solve problems with ease. Another health buzz that’s roaming within the Internet circles is that EBS can improve ones mathematical skills and further enhance the visual recognition between geometric shapes.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation or TDCS is the most used type of EBS which is noninvasive. This technique uses weak electric current to pass into the brain constantly to enhance or reduce the activity of neurons. TDCS is responsible for most EBS health benefits and are more safer than any other types of electrotherapy.

Also, people who undergone TDCS have doubled their mental alertness and numerical understanding with high competence. The results were highly impressive and many medical institutions are now considering EBS as an alternative medical treatment when it comes to mental disorders.

In summary, Electrical Brain Stimulation is an electrotherapy that helps improve mental deficiency or illnesses. I suggest that you choose Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation because this type of EBS does not involves any type of skin penetration, so it is much more safer than any other EBS types. If you think you are suffering from short term memory loss or any mental illnesses like depression, EBS can certainly help you solve your health problem.

Everybody it seems has jumped on the ADHD natural remedies bandwagon and is out to make a fast buck! So, we have to be careful when we want to take this option so here are a few precautions we should take so that we are not replacing one health hazard with another.

Just let me say that deciding not to use any of the amphetamines is a wise choice in my view. Did you know that the nickname for Adderall, one of the most popular ADHD drugs is ‘dcxies’ which actually comes from its main ingredient called dextroamphetamine, which is just one of the mix of amphetamine salts it contains.

You see it is popular on the school parking lot as a hot item right now and can fetch up to $15 a tablet. The reason for its popularity is that it is used to study all night but also is very popular recreational drug for when students do not have to study! After all, we are talking about amphetamines here so this should come as no surprise at all.

The important thing is that you have decided that your children will never be approached because all the other kids just know that your child is on ADHD natural remedies and these are certainly not in demand on the drug scene, thank goodness.

We need to know the provenance of all these ingredients just in case we want to buy these natural remedies for ADHD. We want to make sure that actually processing is carried out in a factory which is an approved FDA facility. If they pass all these tests and there is an adequate guarantee, then you can go ahead and buy them but these manufacturing plants are rare indeed.

Let me tell you about what the ideal company should be offering for ADHD natural remedies in my view. Let me take a homeopathic remedy as an example. It has one great advantage over the herbs and the supplements in that it has no side effects at all and will pose absolute no health risk in the long run. In addition, it will help to restore the delicate mind body balance in an ADHD child.

What are the actual ingredients in a remedy like this? Well, all these are from the HPUS which is the acronym for the official compendium for Homeopathic Drugs in the US and is officially recognized by the FDA as a valid homeopathic treatment. The facility should also be approved by them and the company should be following the GMP practices in the processing of the ingredients and have built in controls to ensure maximum purity and safety.

The actual ingredients are Tuberculinium which can calm irritability and reduce discontent. Then there is Verta Alb which can stabilize the emotions and be a calming agent for frayed nerves. Arson iod is great for coping with outbursts and can keep a child form overheating and getting too annoyed. There are no side effects and no health risks either!

This is, in my view, one of the best ADHD natural remedies to-day and the facility is one of the best and safest in the USA and meets all the criteria I have mentioned above. Why not check it out now?

Despite major advances in medical knowledge the causes of a panic attack are still something of a mystery. The fact that an episode can happen to an otherwise healthy person, as well as someone who is depressed, does not help with identifying the cause. Panic attacks tend to occur in a random pattern and can happen at any time, even while you are relaxed or not feeling stressed. When considering a treatment method each case will be different and will need to consider lifestyle, symptoms, frequency etc. Some recognised treatments include psychotherapy, medication and (CBT) cognitive behavioural therapy. Other more alternative treatments can also include relaxation techniques, meditation and natural herbal remedies. It could be that the best treatment comes from using a combination of different methods.

Here are a few ideas to consider:

• Medication, First of all you need to be aware that anti-anxiety medication should only be used when someone has already been diagnosed as suffering from anxiety or panic attacks. Some medications can bring relief quite quickly. These are generally anti-anxiety and include Klonopin, Ativan, Xanax. To combat depression medication will need to be taken over a longer period of time before the results can be seen. These could include Prozac, Paxil, Lexapro, Celexa and Zoloft. Not all medication will suit everyone. If you are unhappy with the effects of your medication go back and ask to try a different one.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  Panic attacks, and related disorders, respond well to psychotherapy. CBT has been used very effectively in reducing, or completely removing, the symptoms of a panic or anxiety attack. If someone has panic attacks CBT works by focussing the thoughts away from the negative towards the positive whilst also changing how they react to the situation that triggered the attack. As I mentioned earlier, one or both of these methods may be needed for an effective treatment.

• Meditation – Relaxation

  Meditation and relaxation techniques have been practiced for centuries to reduce stress, calm the mind and bring a sense of well-being. The key is regular practice for the best results. One-off or irregular sessions will not give you the best chance of success. Yoga classes do not cost much and are available just about everywhere now. Reiki is another very effective way of way of relaxing and is growing in popularity.

• Natural Herbal Remedies

  A range of proprietary herbal remedies are now readily available to help with anxiety and panic attacks. You can find remedies containing herbs such as chamomile, St. Johns Wort, gingko biloba, bacopin, plus others. All of which can be useful in reducing stress and anxiety. You can also make a tea using fresh leaves if they are available.

These are just a few ideas to get you started in finding a treatment for panic attacks. Absolutely anyone can have an anxiety or panic attack but there are answers to finding the most suitable treatment.

Everyone entering treatment receives a clinical assessment. A complete assessment of an individual is needed to help treatment professionals offer the type of treatment that best suits him or her. The assessment also helps program counselors work with the person to design an effective treatment plan.Although clinical assessment continues throughout a person’s treatment, it starts at or just before a person’s admission to a treatment program.

The counselor will begin by gathering information about the person, asking many questions such as those about

1. Kinds, amount, and length of time of substance or alcohol use
2. Cultural issues around useof alcohol or drugs
3. Effects of drug or alcohol use on the person’s life
4. Medical history
5. Current medical problems or needs
6. Current medications (including pain medication)
7. Mental health issues or behavioral problems
8. Family and social issues and needs
9. Legal or financial problems
10. Educational background and needs
11. Current living situation and environment
12. Employment history, stability, problems, and needs
13. School performance, problems and needs, if relevant
14. Previous treatment experiences or attempts to quit drug or alcohol use.

The counselor may invite you, as a family member, to answer questions and express your own concerns as well. Be honest-this is not the time to cover up your loved one’s behavior. The counselor needs to get a full picture of the problem to plan and help implement the most effective treatment. It is particularly important for the counselor to know whether your family member has any serious medical problems or whether you suspect that he or she may have an emotional problem. You may feel embarrassed answering some of these questions or have difficulty completing the interview, but remember: the counselor is there to help you and your loved one. The treatment team uses the information gathered to recommend the best type of treatment. No one type of treatment is right for everyone; to work, the treatment needs to meet your family member’s individual needs. After the assessment, a counselor or case manager is assigned to your family member. The counselor works with the person (and possibly his or her family) to develop a treatment plan. This plan lists problems, treatment goals, and ways to meet those goals. Based on the assessment, the counselor may refer your family member to a physician to decide whether he or she needs Detoxification Or medical supervision to stop alcohol or drug use safely. Medically supervised withdrawal (often called detoxification or detox) uses medication to help people withdraw from alcohol or drugs.

People who have been taking large amounts of opioids (e.g., heroin, OxyContin7, or codeine), barbiturates or sedatives (”downers”), pain medications, or alcohol- either alone or together-may need medically monitored or managed withdrawal services. Sometimes, alcohol withdrawal can be so severe that people hallucinate, have convulsions, or develop other dangerous conditions. Medication can help prevent or treat such conditions. Anyone who has once had hallucinations orseizures from alcohol withdrawalor who has another serious illness or (in some cases) a mental disorder that could complicate detoxification may need medical supervision to detoxify safely. Medically supervised withdrawal can take place on a regular medical ward of a hospital, in a specialized inpatient detoxification unit, or on an outpatient basis with close medical supervision. Detoxification may take several days to a week or more. During that time, the person will receive medical care and may begin to receive education about his or her disease.

Most people are interested in spiders because of their thin and furry limbs; however, there are people who are inexplicably petrified of spiders. The actual sight of arachnids, even the little ones typical in trees, might lead to anxiety attacks in people who have arachnophobia. This is often an uncomfortable experience for many individuals, particularly those who enjoy working with wildlife. Just think how a zoo staff might react any time he encounters a large spider hanging on the branch of a tree in the cage of the monkeys he is feeding. Imagine the surprise of the individuals all around him! This is completely difficult, don’t you think so? After all, spiders abound so it’s no surprise for a few of them to appear inside a zoo a result of the many trees there.

Other people too may find themselves not able to enjoy outdoor recreation, like camping outdoors and backpacking, for fear of encountering spiders. A couple will be unable to delight in each other’s company during an outdoor trip if one of them has an unexplainable fear of seeing spiders. This could spoil their plans entirely. These are typically valid reasons why lots of people seek help to rise above their phobias through Phobias Hypnotherapy.

Hypnotherapy is proven as a very successful way for people to overcome their particular fears. Those who have arachnophobia might see hypnosis and neuro linguistic programming as the perfect combination to eradicate their anxieties. NLP will help a person to refocus his or her subconscious mind so that the fear associated with coming across spiders or other crawling and hairy bugs can become controllable. A hypnotherapist will help individuals see those insects as they are and wipe off any horrific mental images that create panic attacks in the first place.

Individuals who have arachnophobia may have to go through 4-10 visits to get rid of their fears thoroughly. A few may require much less while others could need more; this really is thoroughly determined by the individual’s reaction and capacity to open up their minds to suggestion. Usually, kids are much easier to hypnotise because they have not yet picked up any bias or negativity in comparison with grownups. The hypnotherapist works with the patient showing him or her how to transform behaviours to make sure that an encounter with a spider won’t become as stressful. In time people with arachnophobia will get over their fear of spiders and even find courage to touch spiders.

Well, it is always safer to start treatment the earliest time possible. The more it will take for individuals to look for help to defeat their fears, the harder it is for them to succeed in that battle. Anxiety attacks originate from deep-rooted phobias and weeding them out may become quite difficult the longer the individual waits. Hypnotherapy Melbourne can help remove your phobia of spiders instantly; book an appointment with a Melbourne Hypnotherapist right now and live the life you have always imagined.

Every year in the UK thousands of people are diagnosed with common psychological disorders. Awareness of common psychological disorders is increasing as a result of exposure through many different forms of media. This includes storylines on premium soap operas as well as government campaigns. Increasingly the stigmas attached to these disorders are disappearing and people are more open in their attempts to seek help for them.

Treatment for common psychological disorders comes in a variety of different forms. Some people opt entirely for a drugs ailment whereas others opt for the therapy route, and in some cases is it seen as suitable to combine the two. The patient can only opt for drugs if a doctor considers that it is relevant, whereas therapy can be attended without a doctor’s authorisation. Generally the patient will prefer to obtain referral trough a doctor so that they can obtain therapy at a discounted rate or free of charge.

Below is a breakdown of the pros and cons of the different treatment options available for common psychological disorders:

DRUGS

The drug options available to the patient differ depending on the psychological disorder that is present, or is suspected to be present. Generally the patient will be started on a small dose before gradually increasing to what is considered to be a dosage that is most effective in that particular case. This is to condition the body to the drug and to minimise any potential side effects.

Pros:
• Medicine is proven to regularly have the desired result when used in the correct dosage and at the relevant times, although this is not guaranteed.
• The drug can act as a comforter to the patient. It can have the placebo effect where the patient feels a lot better just for having taken it.
• This method of treatment can easily be regulated and controlled; if it is not working then the patient can just stop taking the drug.
• Doctors now have vast experience of using these drugs as they are so common.

Cons:
• Drugs can often have side effects, although not all people experience these. These side effects can be at their most prominent at the start of the course of medicine when the body is not used to the substance and is adapting to its presence in the system.
• The patient can become dependent on the drug and the thought of stopping the course of medicine can cause a psychological issue in itself.

THERAPY

Pros:
• Therapy does not have any side effects and can easily be stopped.
• It is healthy to talk to people about your issues who are understanding and sympathetic.
• Great way of building confidence.
• Therapists are professionals in the field and have vast experience in dealing with psychological issues.

Cons:
• It can be intimidating to take the first step.
• It can be frustrating if you don’t feel you cab justify your issue to the therapist
• Therapy can’t solve biological issues such as a chemical imbalance of the brain, meaning that it is not always relevant.
• It can take time to get results

Many people sometimes suffer from insomnia; this is really a miserable thing. So when facing with such problem, we should take some action to nurse in order to prevent the symptom goes further. Actually some fruits we eat in our daily life can play a sedative and hypnotic role. Thus, it can help us get rid of the obsession caused by insomnia. So, there are four fruits will be introduced to you, when you can’t fall asleep, you can have a try. Certainly, if your problem is very serious, you’d better see a doctor in good time.

1. Kiwi. A new study shows that intake two kiwis every day, the quality of sleep can be improved to four percent. The generation of sleep disorders relate to central nervous over-excited, sympathetic nerve over-aroused and the large secretion of hormones. Kiwi is rich in calcium, magnesium and vitamin C; this can help the synthesis and transmission of neurotransmitter. Besides, it is also rich in calcium that rare in other fruits, this can play a function to stable emotion and inhibit the sympathetic nervous.
2. Grape. Recently, a research has proved that grapes are good for improving insomnia. The reason is that grapes contain the material-epiphysin which can help people fall asleep. Epiphysin is a kind of material that secreted by the pineal gland, which has a close relationship with sleep. During night, the pineal gland secretes the most, and this indicates that people should go to sleep. And in the morning, the pineal gland secretes the least so it indicates it is time to get up. Therefore, grape can help regulate the sleep cycle, improve the abnormal sleep. The expert also says that due to the high content of antioxidants and alcohol, the wine contains much more epiphysin than grapes, this is more conductive to sleep.
3. Banana. Research has proved that banana contains such materials such as vitamin B6 and serotonin which can make people away from depression and make people have a spiritual pleasure. The material exists in banana can help people far away from depressive symptoms, so they will fall asleep quickly.
4. Jujube contains lots of protein, sugar, vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, iron and other beneficial substances; they play a role in reinforcing the spleen and soothing the nerves.

Summary: do you have some obsession on insomnia? Have you suffered from sleeping? This article will introduce you some easy way to deal with the sleeping problem.

Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating disease – it impairs your ability to reason and judge, remember and record, and carry out even the most routine of daily activities. If you begin to notice symptoms in yourself or a loved one, you may need constant care from a senior care service. Senior care placement can help a lot, but if you are still young, or you notice the beginnings of the disease, you may be able to prolong its effects or avoid it altogether. Here’s how:

1. Diet: Folate is apparently a great contributor to a healthy lifestyle, especially in terms of decreasing the risk of Alzheimer’s. This B-vitamin is found in green leafy veggies, bananas, oranges, and legumes. But folate is just an example of the benefits of eating more fruits and vegetables;changing your diet will improve your health in other ways too.
2. General Health: Moderation is important. When it comes to healthy living, you can’t expect to smoke a pack a day and be healthy. Similarly, drinking to excess isn’t good either.
3. Exercise: This tip may conjure visions of the gym, but a quiet walk is all you need to exercise better. Studies show that walking for 45 minutes three times a week for six months may drastically improve your overall health. In a clinical study, those who lifted weights and stretched didn’t have any lesser dementia, but the walkers did.
4. Brain exercise: Keeping your brain busy is an important way to maintain mental health. It doesn’t have to be calculus – simple things like conversation, playing cards, and going to the movies can lessen your risk of Alzheimer’s.
5. Injuries: If you played football when you were younger, chances are you’re more likely to have Alzheimer’s. Serious injuries that result from not wearing helmets on bikes and motorcycles, your seat belt in the car, or any other protective gear, are closely linked with this ugly disease.
6. Don’t Worry, Be Happy: If you often feel sad, anxious, or depressed your chances for Alzheimer’s double, studies show. What to do about it? Relax, and if you are depressed, talk to your doctor about medication.
7. Genetics: Don’t blame your parents; only about 25% of your genes account for Alzheimer’s disease. Diabetes can make you significantly more liable, though.

To prevent Alzheimer’s, all it really takes is a healthy lifestyle. Eat well, walk around, read a lot, sleep, relax, and take care of yourself. You may have to make some minor (or major) lifestyle tweaks, but it’s never too late to start. And if you see signs of Alzheimer’s in your body or a loved one’s, you can see a doctor for medical care, and senior care for tips on how to live with your disease.

Many people just like you suffer from fears and phobias. Phobias are considered different from common fears because they seemingly are irrational in behavior. That means that when we view the fear with our rational and analytical mind, the fear doesn’t seem to make sense. But whether you can make sense of your fear or not, the fact that you are getting a visceral response from the thought of it makes it very real to you. The National Institute of Mental Health has concluded that there are almost 20 million American people suffering from one or more phobias.

The list seems endless as to what an adult person can consider a fearsome stimulus. Here are some of the most common types of phobias:

1. Acrophobia – Fear of Heights. There is a difference between fear of heights and acrophobia. I think we all have a certain fear of being up high. Fear is a mechanism for preservation. And there is certainly a risk when we find ourselves in a place where a slip in balance could lead us to putting ourselves at risk. So becoming fearful when in such a circumstance is a natural response of protection. It’s when just the thought of being in an elevated place elicits a fearful or panicked response, then it’s likely that you are dealing with a phobia.
2. Claustrophobia – Fear of Small Spaces There is a large range of responses that have been categorized as claustrophobia. So if you start to feel a fear when you crawl into very small spaces where you are confined and would have difficulty turning around that is one level of fear of small spaces. There is the other end of the spectrum where you feel panic when the door to your room is closed. Again the really tight space fear can be considered a normal response to be restricted in movement. Again a preservation mechanism, because we are programed with two responses to aggressive behavior. One way that we can respond is by fighting, and the other way is by running. I’m sure you can see how being in a confined space would limit your ability to fight, and certainly eliminate your ability to run. So I don’t think being in a very confined space is necessarily a phobic response, just a natural protective measure.
3. Nyctophobia – Fear of the Dark This is a common fear in children and may extend into adulthood. As with the two preceding phobias, this is your own protective measure taken to an extreme. One of the main ways that we protect ourselves is through our senses. When we use our senses we can detect danger before it is upon us and take action to make sure that we remain safe and alive. One of our main senses that we have learned to rely upon is our sight. Darkness severely limits our ability to see things. There are animals that have superior abilities to see in the dark, which puts us at a disadvantage when we are faced with that type of challenge. The problem becomes more worrisome when, because we can’t see clearly, we start to imagine some really bad consequences and we increase our fear response.

So as you can see, these three top phobias are really normal fears that have been allowed to expand and control our lives in unpleasant and unwanted ways.

One of the ways that you can overcome your fears and phobias is with hypnosis and mental imagery. When you look at the way these fears and phobias take place, you will see a common link. They are all based upon our instinctual response of fight or flight, and our need to protect ourselves. They are survival mechanisms that are pre-programmed. The difference between the phobia and the fear is the extent that you allow your imagination to take hold and amplify that fear to an irrational level with a trigger for immediate response. When you use hypnosis you can learn to use your imagination more effectively. A good hypnotist can relieve you of the patterns that you have been practicing and help you to build correct mental imagery that will assist you in remaining calm and balanced.

So who is making the decisions about paying for care and what are the criteria used? With care costing up to 700 per week it is essential that you know your rights. Residential care is for people who need 24 hour support with everyday living tasks but who do not have acute medical needs. Nursing care is for people whose requirements are based around their need for medical support. This is where the anomaly of dementia lies. People with moderate dementia may have no other medical concerns so their care needs could be classed as “social”. If their condition deteriorates and their needs increase their care will often still be classed as “social” if they have no other medical conditions. The National Health Service will often pass these cases to the local authority which will then class care as “social” which will then be means tested. Before discharge from hospital there should be a rigorous assessment to determine the level of care required. This is normally conducted by a team consisting of the patient’s own GP, hospital specialists, occupational therapists and their immediate family and carers. This may reveal that the patient is not able to cope for themselves at home, even with the help of professional assistance, and will need residential care. This is the point at which the unaware can fall between the two providers of such care, the local NHS trust which provides medical care and the local authority which provides social care ie. support for daily living and safety. Local authorities are required to arrange the funding for those who are assessed as being in need of residential care in a care home and who are unable to fund it themselves, but are not obliged to pay for any care provided in the patient’s own home, however little money the person has.

Specific nursing needs that are assessed as being necessary in a care home are funded by the NHS. Making sure that your loved one is receiving the very best care possible and also getting the correct level of financial support they need, depends on this assessment to judge whether financial assistance is available. Specialist firms are now available to help families find their way through the minefield of assessment and costing of care – then again, that is yet another cost to be met. There are also voluntary/charity organisations which have trained staff who can offer advice and guidance and support with appeals procedures. There will probably come a time when qualified professional legal advice needs to be sought. There will usually be costs involved with this. It is essential to keep copies of all correspondence, paid invoices, assessments etc. so that evidence can be provided if legal proceedings are pursued.