How to Detect Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, which is also known as manic-depression or manic-depressive illness, is a curable psychological condition characterized by alternating patterns of mania and depression. It often begins in early adulthood and may last throughout life. The illness has no cure but it can be managed through appropriate treatment regimen. The illness has two forms. Bipolar I Disorder, which is the most severe form, is described as having one or more manic episodes that may cause substantial impairment in functioning. Bipolar II Disorder is described as having one or more depressive episodes with at least one mild to moderate manic episode that does not cause impairment in functioning.

Bipolar disorder has two phases. The manic phase, or a period of emotional highs, is characterized by the following signs and symptoms: increased energy and activity, euphoric mood, extreme irritability, an inflated sense of self-esteem, a reduced need for sleep, a high degree of talkativeness, racing thoughts, taking on multiple projects at once, and distractibility. Loss of normal judgment, unusual or risky behavior that is different from the normal and disorganized thoughts are symptoms of more severe manic episodes. Symptoms of the depressive phase include feelings of depression, loss of interest, significant weight loss, changes in appetite, changes in sleeping habits, agitation, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, guilt, indecisiveness and suicidal thoughts or plans.

The illness is hard to differentiate from other conditions and there isn't yet a distinct way on how to detect bipolar disorder. Some people may suffer from the disorder for years before getting a correct diagnosis. The dual nature of bipolar disorder makes it hard for the condition to be detected immediately. In the manic or hypomanic phase, affected individuals seldom seek treatment due to feelings of euphoria and extreme optimism. But when they fall into the depressive phase, they often seek professional help. And when they do, they unfortunately take into account only the depressive symptoms. For this reason, they are usually incorrectly diagnosed with depression instead of bipolar disorder. The symptoms in bipolar disorder are also similar to other psychiatric disorders, thus the diagnosis is more complicated.

No laboratory test can help individuals in knowing how to detect bipolar disorder. But doctors can help determine if an individual has bipolar disorder symptoms through a questionnaire. The Mood Disorder Questionnaire, or MDQ, consists of a complete psychiatric history and a complete medical history and physical exam. A patient may be diagnosed with bipolar disorder if no physical cause is found, if there is no other psychiatric illness that can account for the symptoms, and if the symptoms impair the individual's functioning. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron-emission tomographic (PET) scans may also be useful in helping to detect abnormalities in the brain that might identify bipolar disorder.

By educating themselves about the illness and its symptoms, people involved will know not only how to detect bipolar disorder, but they will also understand the effects it has on those suffering from it and how to help them manage their condition. It may also be beneficial for patients to become more aware of how to detect bipolar disorder through early signs and making notes of their episodes.

Are you or a loved one suffering from Bipolar Disorder? Visit http://bipolar-symptom.info to learn more about the different symptoms of bipolar disorder.

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Thermography - An Alternative Way to Detect Breast Cancer

According to the National Institutes of Health, one woman in 8, will be a victim of breast cancer in her lifetime. We know that our environment, with chemicals and pesticides and hormone-laden meat, are all contributors to this. But also, mammography using ionizing radiation is problematic. We are faced with the dilemma of how best to detect early breast cancer and do it as safely as possible without exposing our patients to risk in the process.

No doubt you have heard of MRIs and mammograms for detecting breast cancer, but let us introduce you to thermography which gives women individualized breast cancer risk assessment and provides the earliest detection available.

In fact, breast thermography has the ability to warn women up to 10 years in advance-before any other procedure-that a cancer may be forming, thus allowing for prompt and timely measures to prevent it from occurring. We know that breast cancer survival depends upon its earliest possible detection. Research has shown that if it is discovered in its earliest stages, the cure rates are excellent.

Who is at greatest risk for breast cancer? Your chances of getting breast cancer increase if you have a family history of the disease although 75 percent of women who get breast cancer have no such history. Excess estrogen is the greatest single risk factor for breast cancer.

Thermography can warn women if they have excess estrogen within their breasts and the risk factors can be decreased with proper diet and lifestyle change.What is Thermography? Thermography is;

o Non invasive

o No radiation

o Painless

o No contact with the body

o F.D.A approved

This quick and easy test starts with your medical history being taken before you partially disrobe for the scanning to be performed. You do not have any contact with the equipment and your first 15-minute session provides the baseline of your 'thermal signature'. A subsequent session assures that the patterns remain unchanged.

Thermography detects the subtle physiologic changes that accompany breast pathology, whether it is cancer, fibrocystic disease, an infection or a vascular disease. We can then plan accordingly and lay out a careful program to further diagnose and/or monitor you during and after treatment. All of your thermograms (breast images) are kept on record so any changes can be detected during your routine annual studies.

When should women be screened? All women should be screened starting at age 20. Approximately one third of all breast cancers occur in women under the age of 45. Thermography provides a detection device that can give a warning signal far in advance of invasive tumor growth. Mammography, MRI, CT, ultrasound, and PET scans are only helpful once the tumor is actually there. But by then it may be too late. Early low-cost, non-invasive screening is the most important thing a woman can do with regard to her breast health. Thermography is the best method to do this.

Thermography is available at LifeWorks Wellness Center. For more information, go to [http://www.lifeworkswellnesscenter.com/infrared-thermography.asp]

Dr. David Minkoff founded LifeWorks Wellness Center in 1997, now one of the most advanced, cutting-edge alternative health centers in the US. He currently devotes time to research and writing, including two weekly newsletters, The Optimum Health Report and The BodyHealth Fitness Newsletter. For more information about Dr. David Minkoff and to read more of his work visit http://www.drminkoff.com.

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