DEPRESSION

Depression is an illness and its not the same as feeling a bit down from time to time, which is normal and is a part of life and they are transient and go away. In suffering from depression these feelings don't go away, sometimes people don't realise they are depressed or they may feel if they admit to it they will see it as a sign of weakness as like most mental illnesses there can be a stigma attached. There is nothing to be ashamed off if you are depressed and it saddens me when ignorant people say its all in the mind or say snap out of it, with depression you can't.

The vast majority of severe emotional illnesses are in fact breakdowns in the internal chemistry of our bodies, brought about by stress.  The broken chemistry is the source of great suffering for the purpose involved, who often does not realise why they are having such trouble coping and why they are suffering so much.

Some of the symptoms are:

• Feeling hopeless and there's no point in doing anything
• Crying a lot and feeling sad most of the time
• Disliking yourself/self hate
• Lacking energy, lethargy
• Feeling guilty for feeling depressed
• Eating more binging or hardly eating at all
• Being irritable, short tempered 
• Feeling lonely
• Sleeping problems often waking in the early hours
• Poor libido
• Poor concentration
• Self harming
• Thoughts of suicide

If you have had a few of these symptoms and especially the latter two please speak to someone how you are feeling, ideally your doctor or health professional, don't suffer in silence. Depression is not something to be ashamed of, it is treatable and you can get better and it should be viewed like any other illness. Don't listen to anyone who says pull yourself together or snap out of it, you can't help it and anyone who says that to a depressed person clearly has never experienced depression and is extremely ignorant.

So if you are feeling depressed and you've been feeling this way for a couple of weeks or more take that first step to getting well please go and speak to your doctor

There is an alternative to suicide

Go to sleep, so that the pain can subside.   Suicidal ideas go up and down in intensity and in suffering.   People who have felt as bad as you are eventually very glad they are still alive, and wish they could convince you of this.   There are multiple telephone services, support services, counsellors, psychologists, GPs, psychiatrists and medications that can stop the distress you currently feel.   And life changes continuously, so that it is inevitable that you will feel much better in a short period of time.   Human beings do recover from earthquakes and wars, so you are genetically programmed to recover from pain.   Please stay alive, and give both nature and those who care about you a chance to fix your pain.  

AND THERE IS HOPE

And there is hope

When all is lost and Pandora's box is open wide

Strength and hope were left inside

Together to help our pain and sorrow

Together getting us through tomorrow

For what it's worth no pain is too great nor sadness too high

When tears torment and bleed your eye

Hope and strength will never leave us on our own

No matter how it hurts so bad and so low down

They wrap us up in a cape of healing

Soothe us gently no matter what we are feeling

We only have to ask, a whisper will do

Shshshsh cry no more, they are helping you

MPB ©  

Maggie Brown (Author)

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IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN! PLEASE TAKE CARE

It's this time of year again when we go crazy when we see that big golden ball shining in the sky, albeit in my part of the world anyway and being of Celtic origin (I'm lucky not to have typical Celtic colouring) my kinsfolk like to take full advantage of lying in the sun. However the skin in the upper northern hemisphere has evolved such that does not have the same protection as those of who have evolved of living in sunnier climates. As a result it's not unusual here to see copious cases of sunburn. Some sun is beneficial to us and to understand what advantages and disadvantages the sun has you need to know how the largest organ in the body works.

HOW THE SKIN WORKS

The basics so you will understand how the skin works. The skin is comprised of 3 layers, the Epidermis the layer you can see, the Dermis the true skin and the subcutaneous. Cosmetics only work on the Epidermis and you can see how deep it is, if you have ever experienced a blister. A blister is caused when friction causes the Epidermis and the Dermis to separate and the fluid within the blister is lymph. The Epidermis has no nerve endings or blood supply that is why removing the top layer of a blister is not painful, not to be recommended though as it exposes the Dermis which is rich in nerves and a blood supply to infection.

The skin  has several functions to secrete sebum that oily substance on your skin, this is to help keep the skin moisturised by trapping moisture and forming a barrier together with sweat known as the 'Acid Mantle' The Acid Mantle is slightly acidic and acts as a Bacteriastat to inhibit bacteria. The skin secretes sebum via the sebaceous glands within the hair follicles and sweat via theEndocrine glands (there are another type of sweat glands know as Apocrineglands these are found in the axillary and pubic regions unlike Endocrine sweat bacteria act on Apocrine sweat quickly and this causes the characteristic Body Odour, these glands only become active after puberty and have a role to play inpheromones)

Our body temperature is regulated by the skin this is due to the  peripheral circulation either dilating to bring blood to the extremities of the body like the skin causing flushing to help loose some of the heat and also by sweating for as the sweat evaporates heat rises with it. The opposite happens when its cold the body conserves heat to vital organs more important than the skin, giving a more white/bluish appearance and may even induce shivering. At the base of everyhair follicle there is a tiny cilary muscle when its cold and we start to shiver this muscle contracts causing the hair to stand up trapping a layer of air next to the skin, giving the appearance of goosebumps. Within the Dermis there aresensory nerves that detect temperature. We also have an insulatory layer of fat in the subcutaneous. 

Our skin is waterproof so absorbs very little, the only things that can permeate the skin are medications, this includes patches such as Nicotine  and HRT and Essential oils (see Aromatherapy articles on Blog) COSMETICS CAN NOT.Do not believe the hype and sales talk ladies if it could be absorbed by the skin you you have to go to your Doctor for it and it would need to be licensed as a Medicine.

Our Skin is protected by sensory nerves that alert us to pain, pressure, touch, heat and cold, it is waterproof largely impermeable except to the substances above, fairly tough and it with its layer of fat below the dermis in the subcutaneous layer keeps us warm, protects our organs and bones, gives us shape. As fore mentioned the Acid Mantle helps protect from bacteria as bacterial growth is inhibited in its slightly acid environment. Melanocytesspecial little cells in the dermis increase as a result of UV light and give us tanning, the epidermis also thickens to help protect our skin. Also in the skin are mast cells and when they are damaged, they produce histomine, it gives the characteristic itching a weals associated by allergies, its function is to stimulate blood to the skin to repair and maintain it. However with allergies the body is hypersensitive producing this effect.

The skin also excretes some toxins through sweat but this is very very minimal, so do not believe the hype of some sales people who will suggest you have a detoxifying foot bath that will rid you of toxins as it changes the water to a dirty brown colour. Again this is sheer hype and nonsense for if ridding the body of toxins was that easy we wouldn't have a need for Dialysis Machines for those suffering kidney failure. It is the Liver, Kidneys and large Intestine that detoxify us.

Vitamin D is also formed in the skin as a result of the action of UV light acting on 7-dehydrocholesterol present in the skin, so everything in moderation we do need some sunlight.

SKIN CARE THE EFFECTS OF UV LIGHT

The effects of ultra-violet on the skin are a mixed blessing!

Some is beneficial, necessary for the formation of vitamin D, some is harmful. Much of what happens to the skin as a result of ultra-violet light is the result of the skin trying to protect itself and the body inside from the harmful effects of an excess of the rays; the skin is quite effective at preventing the rays penetrating deeply into the body.

The Stratum Corneum is a major factor in this prevention (see diagram below)

Reflection of rays by layers of the Stratum Corneum

The Stratum Corneum is maintained at such a thickness that with the ‘usual’ intensity of ultra-violet falling on it, very little passes through and no damage is caused to the live cells beneath. The Stratum Corneum of exposed parts of skin such as the face, neck and hands will be thicker than those parts normally covered by clothing.

However, exposure to higher than normal intensities of ultra-violet will allow sufficient rays to pass through the epidermis possibly to cause damage to the living cells underneath.

Penetration of Ultra-Violet Rays into the Skin

In a skin, which has active melanocytes producing melanin pigment granules, this extra ultra-violet will develop the colour of this melanin, resulting in a Tan.

But not everyone’s skin is in such a state of readiness; their melanocytes may be inactive, as a result damage will be caused to the live cells. The result reddening, discomfort, may be even blisters and peeling i.e. Sunburn.

Regardless, more UVB rays will penetrate to the Stratum Germinativum to stimulate its dividing cells into greater activity, this will produce new epidermal cells at a more rapid rate and this will eventually thicken the Stratum Corneum, thus helping to reflect UV rays.

The general increase in the skin’s metabolism reflects throughout the body in creating ‘a feeling of well-being’.

The physical, physiological and psychological effects of Ultra-Violet

Beneficial effects:

• Vitamin D production
• Stimulation of Metabolism
• Tonic Effect
• Has slight Germicidal effect on the skin
• Causes hyperkeratinisation (thickening described as above), which is thought to help with some skin conditions such as Acne Vulgaris and Psoriasis.

Screening responses against excess:

• Suntanning
• The irritant effect of sunburn
• The thickening effect of the Stratum Corneum

Damaging effects:

• Short term – Sunburn
• ***Long term – Premature aging, thickens the epidermis giving a ‘leathery’ appearance, irreversibly damages Collagen and Elastin fibres, causes dehydration, can cause allergic reactions, can produce dark pigmentation patches; Skin Cancer.

Vitamin D Production

A normal varied diet including dairy produce will supply all the vitamin D required; however through sunshine the vitamin may be made in the body with the help of ultra-violet.

In the body there are two substances, which can be converted into vitamin D, these precursor substances are 7-dehydrocholesterol and ergosterol. When vitamin D is required these substances are moved to exposed skin where using ultra-violet energy these substances are converted to Vitamin D.

The potential for making vitamin d in the skin is so enormous that merely exposing the face for less than an hour on an overcast December day will make all that is required for the day, the body is able to regulate this however so a days long sunbathing will not cause over production.

***How too much sun and UV light damages and ages the skin

So a little is good for us but too much has the opposite, sadly skin cancer is on the increase, we always think it won't happen to us, no matter what colour our skin is we can burn albeit the palest skins burn the easiest.

There are two types of skin cancer, a slower growing type often known as a rodent ulcer (basal cell carcinoma), this tends to be found across the cheek bones and under the eyes and on the nose and can be successfully treated since it is relatively slow growing. However the deadliest type of skin cancer is the malignant melanoma 

Types of malignant melanoma

Skin cancer is broadly classed as either non-melanoma, accounting for about 90 per cent of cases, or melanoma, which is generally faster-growing.

These cancers grow from the layer of melanocytes – cells that produce pigment that protects the body from sun damage – below the surface of the skin.

If not caught early, the cancerous cells can quickly grow deeper into the layers of the skin, and then into the blood vessels and lymph channels (tiny tubes that carry lymph fluid, part of the immune system, around the body).

At this point, melanoma cells may travel to other parts of the body, causing tumours elsewhere, known as metastasis. In the early stages, treatment involves surgery and sometimes radiotherapy. More than 90 per cent of these cases are curable. However, patients whose cancer has spread rarely survive longer than a year.

Symptoms of melanoma include moles growing bigger, having irregular edges, or changing shape. Lesions that bleed, itch, crust over or are pink should also be checked by a specialist, as should moles that have at least two different colours or grow darker.

Use the chart above and if you suspect any changes to you skin don't be afraid to go and see your doctor, it could save your life.

Above all treat the sun with respect and common sense, know your limits for your skin type and don't allow yourself to burn for it's better to be pale and interesting than leathery and deadly

Maggie Brown (Author)

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SEEING EYES

This is a phenomena that is very common to developing psychics and mediums, basically its the Universe's way of letting you know you have the potential to be clairvoyant. The commonest time to see "eyes" is when you are dropping off to sleep at night, sometimes this manifests of seeing eyes looking at you when you have closed yours or that you have a sensation that you are being watched and when you open your eyes you see eyes staring at you from the ceiling. It can be very disconcerting to see 'eyes', just relax you have been bestowed with a gift, the gift of clairvoyance. My advice would be to talk to an experienced Medium or join a development group to help you develop your psychic potential, there is nothing to fear.

Maggie Brown (Author)

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MEDITATION IMPROVES BRAIN WIRING IN JUST A MONTH

I saw this article in the Daily Mail today, I am surprised it taken them so long to realise this, those of us involved in holistic therapies have known this for decades and in fact Clinicians involved with heart disease saw the link and how valuable meditation helped reduce stress and thus lowered the increased risk stress has on the heart in causing heart attacks. There are many benefits to meditation, it induces a sense of peace and helps us focus on what is really important in life as well as the physical effects by instigating the reducing effects of stress by the parasympathetic nervous system. Where adrenaline and other stress hormones have a detrimental effect on the body. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE HOW STRESS AFFECTS THE BODY

Why meditation helps you focus: Mindfulness improves brain wiring in just a month

• Scientists saw improved brain connections after participants had just 11 hours of training

Just a month of meditation training alters brain wiring in ways that could open the door to new treatments for mental disorders, research has shown.
Scientists looked at the effects of integrative body-mind training (IBMT) on two groups of university students.
After just four weeks, or 11 hours, of training scans showed physical changes in the brains of the volunteers.

Becoming mindful: The study gives a much more detailed picture of what changes it is making in the brain

Nerve fibres, known as 'white matter', became denser, providing greater numbers of brain-signalling connections. At the same time there was an expansion of myelin, the protective fatty insulation surrounding nerve fibres.
The effects were seen in the anterior cingulate cortex region of the brain, which helps regulate behaviour.
Poor nerve activity in this part of the brain is associated with a range of mental problems, including attention deficit disorder, dementia, depression, and schizophrenia.
The study built on previous research based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans that first highlighted brain changes induced by IBMT.
Scientists revisited results from two 2010 studies, taking a closer look at what the scans revealed.


One involved 45 US students from the University of Oregon; the other 68 students from China's Dalian University of Technology.
The researchers found greater density of axons, or nerve fibres, after two weeks of IBMT training, but no change in myelin formation.
After a month both increases in axon density and myelin were seen.
Students undergoing IBMT also reported improvements in mood, experiencing reduced levels of anger, depression, anxiety and fatigue. They also had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
Study leader Professor Michael Posner, from the University of Oregon, who carried out the original US research, said: 'This study gives us a much more detailed picture of what it is that is actually changing.
'We did confirm the exact locations of the white-matter changes that we had found previously. And now we show that both myelination and axon density are improving.
'The order of changes we found may be similar to changes found during brain development in early childhood, allowing a new way to reveal how such changes might influence emotional and cognitive development.'
The findings are reported in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
In their conclusions, the scientists wrote: 'This dynamic pattern of white matter change involving the anterior cingulate cortex, a part of the brain network related to self-regulation, could provide a means for intervention to improve or prevent mental disorders.'
Neuroscientist Dr Elena Antonova, from the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, said: 'The findings of this study are potentially good news for all of us. If as little as 11 hours of mindfulness training makes the brain wiring more prolific and better insulated, then simply by being mindful, which is accessible to anyone at any time, we might enjoy a lifetime of mental clarity and emotional stability.'
Dr Eva Cyhlarova, head of research at the Mental Health Foundation, said: 'This study is another example of brain neuroplasticity in adulthood and how with some simple techniques we can affect its structure as well as its function.
'Furthermore, these changes appear to lead to improvements in mood, which is consistent with self-regulation being a core feature of many mental health problems.
'If such a simple and cheap method of training shows positive results, there is hope for more people with mental health problems to be able to access support through affordable interventions.'

Maggie Brown (Author)

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COULD AUTISM BE TRIGGERED BY VERY LOW DOSES OF ANTI-DEPRESSANTS OR OTHER CHEMICALS FOUND IN THE WATER SUPPLY?

Since I have pasted a few articles on Autism on this blog in the past I came across this article from the Daily Mail. Fish obviously don't have the same genetic make up as humans but I feel not enough research is done into this condition so all avenues should be explored. I feel also because it develops in childhood it's almost as if its a second class condition and if this condition was to appear overnight in adults perhaps more attention would be paid to Autism.

Autism 'could be triggered by very low doses of anti-depressants or other chemicals found in water supply'

• Just traces of drugs appear to bring on disorder
• Scientists test fish swimming in water contaminated with low levels of medication
• Disorder appears to be combination of environmental and genetic factors

Autism in genetically vulnerable people could be triggered by very low levels of chemicals found in the water supply, researchers have discovered.
Experts from the University of Idaho in the US were 'astonished' to find that just traces of common medication such as anti-depressants can bring on the disorder.
They made the discovery by observing the changes in the genetic pathways of fish swimming in water contaminated with psychoactive drugs.

Flushed away: Traces of psychoactive drugs found in our water supply could trigger developmental disorders, scientists believe

Lead scientist Dr Michael Thomas said: 'While others have envisioned a causal role for psychotropic drugs in idiopathic autism, we were astonished to find evidence that this might occur at very low dosages, such as those found in aquatic systems.'


The fish were exposed to two kinds of anti-depressants - Prozac and venlafaxine - and a drug used to control seizures, called carbamazepine.
Concentrations were comparable with the highest estimated environmental levels.

Fascinating find: Scientists examined fish swimming in water contaminated with small doses of anti-depressants or anti-seizure drugs

They found patterns of gene activity in the fathead minnows that mimicked those seen in humans susceptible to the developmental disorder.

WHAT IS AUTISM AND HOW IS IT TREATED?

Autistic spectrum disorders begin in childhood and last through adulthood.
Symptoms include problems with social interaction, an impaired ability to communicate and unusual patterns of thought and physical behaviour.
There is no cure for ASD but a wide range of treatments can help improve symptoms.
The number of cases of ASD has increased over the past 20 years, but many believe this is due to improved rates of diagnosis.

The findings, published in the online journal Public Library of Science ONE, suggest a potential environmental trigger for autism in genetically vulnerable people, the authors of the study claim.
It could radically change treatment for the one in 100 children in England who have autism, improving doctors' understanding of how to prevent or treat the disorder.
The genetic pathways affected were the same as those associated with 'idiopathic' autism spectrum disorders, whose cause is unknown.
Experts suspect the disorders were brought about by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Caroline Hattersley, Head of Information, Advice and Advocacy at The National Autistic Society, said: 'It’s important that we expand research into the causes of autism. We know that environmental and genetic factors have some role to play, but our understanding is still very limited as it’s such a complex disability.
'However, we need to be cautious when looking at these particular findings. There’s simply not enough evidence to draw any firm conclusions and so people should not be alarmed by this research.'

Maggie Brown (Author)

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RESEARCH INTO AUTISM WITH ANTIOXIDANTS

Another interesting article on Autism I have come across recently about how an antioxidant can lower irritability in children in children

Antioxidant supplement 'reduces irritability and repetitive behaviour in autistic children'

• Scientists believe N-Acetylcysteine, or NAC, could be an effective therapy for autistic children

An antioxidant supplement may be an effective therapy for autism, according to scientists.

The antioxidant - called N-Acetylcysteine, or NAC - lowers irritability in children with autism and also reduces their repetitive behaviour patterns.

Irritability affects 60 to 70 per cent of children with autism.

Future treatment? An antioxidant called N-Acetylcysteine, or NAC, lowers irritability in children with autism and also reduces their repetitive behaviour

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital studied 31 children with the disorder.

Lead researcher Dr Antonio Hardan said: 'We're not talking about mild things - this is throwing, kicking, hitting, the child needing to be restrained.

'It can affect learning, vocational activities and the child's ability to participate in autism therapies.'

The study tested children with autism ages 3 to 12. They were physically healthy and were not planning any changes in their established autism treatments during the trial.

In a double-blind study design, children received NAC or a placebo for 12 weeks. 

The NAC used was a pharmaceutical-grade preparation donated by the neutraceutical manufacturer BioAdvantex Pharma.

Subjects were evaluated before the trial began and every four weeks during the study using several standardised surveys that measure problem behaviours, social behaviours, autistic preoccupations and drug side effects.

During the 12-week trial, NAC treatment decreased irritability scores from 13.1 to 7.2 on the Aberrant Behaviour Checklist, a widely used clinical scale for assessing irritability.

The change is not as large as that seen in children taking antipsychotics. 

'But this is still a potentially valuable tool to have before jumping on these big guns, Dr Hardan said.

'Today, in 2012, we have no effective medication to treat repetitive behaviour such as hand flapping or any other core features of autism'

In addition, according to two standardised measures of autism mannerisms and stereotypic behaviour, children taking NAC showed a decrease in repetitive and stereotyped behaviours.

Finding new medications to treat autism and its symptoms is a high priority for researchers.

Currently, irritability, mood swings and aggression, all of which are considered associated features of autism, are treated with second-generation antipsychotics.

But these drugs cause significant side effects, including weight gain, involuntary motor movements and metabolic syndrome, which increases diabetes risk.

By contrast, the side effects of NAC are generally mild, with gastrointestinal problems such as constipation, nausea, diarrhoea and decreased appetite being the most common.

The state of drug treatments for autism's core features, such as social deficits, language impairment and repetitive behaviours, is also a major problem.

Dr Hardan said: 'Today, in 2012, we have no effective medication to treat repetitive behaviour such as hand flapping or any other core features of autism.'

The researchers believe that NAC could be the first medication available to treat repetitive behaviour in autism - if the findings hold up when scrutinised further.

'One of the reasons I wanted to do this trial was that NAC is being used by community practitioners who focus on alternative, non-traditional therapies,' Hardan said.

'But there is no strong scientific evidence to support these interventions. Somebody needs to look at them.'

Dr Hardan cautioned that the NAC for sale as a dietary supplement at chemists differs in some important respects from the individually packaged doses of pharmaceutical-grade NAC used in the study, and that the over-the-counter version may not produce the same results.

He said: 'When you open the bottle from the drugstore and expose the pills to air and sunlight, it gets oxidised and becomes less effective.'

Although the study did not test how NAC works, the researchers speculated on two possible mechanisms of action. 

Firstly, NAC increases the capacity of the body's main antioxidant network, which some previous studies have suggested is deficient in autism.

In addition, other research has suggested that autism is related to an imbalance in excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in the brain. NAC can modulate the glutamatergic family of excitatory neurotransmitters, which might be useful in autism.

The scientists are now applying for funding to conduct a large trial in which they hope to replicate their findings.

Dr Hardan said: 'This was a pilot study. Final conclusions cannot be made before we do a larger trial.'

Stanford University is filing a patent for the use of NAC in autism, and one of the study authors has a financial stake in a company that makes and sells the NAC used in the trial.

The researchers said that the findings must be confirmed in a larger trial before NAC can be recommended for children with autism.

The study appears in Biological Psychiatry.

Maggie Brown (Author)

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PERFECT A GREAT EXCUSE TO EAT CHOCOLATE

From the Daily Mail. One other fact about dark chocolate you may not know but one ounce of dark chocolate contains enough iron to meet your daily requirements, though remember it must be dark chocolate, milk chocolate does not.

Another excuse to eat chocolate: Dark variety can help heart-risk patients and cut diabetes

Lovers of dark chocolate have known for some time that their favourite treat can help protect them against high blood pressure and cut the risk of diabetes.

But now scientists say that it can even benefit those who are already at high risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Although regular chocolate eating doesn’t work quite as well as drugs, the researchers say it has virtually no side effects and, perhaps not surprisingly ‘high rates of compliance’.

Miracle food: Dark chocolate can benefit people who are already at high risk of heart attacks and strokes

A team of researchers from universities in Melbourne, Australia, used a mathematical model to predict the effects and cost effectiveness of daily dark chocolate consumption in 2,013 individuals at high risk of heart disease over a decade.

They all had metabolic syndrome – a mix of problems including raised blood pressure, obesity, high fat levels in the blood and an inability to control blood sugar levels – but no history of heart disease or diabetes and they were not on blood pressure drugs. 

Daily consumption of 100g of dark chocolate could potentially avert 70 non-fatal and 15 fatal cardiovascular events per 10,000 people treated over ten years, according to the study published on bmj.com.

This could be considered an effective intervention, said the researchers. It would be cost-effective too, costing £25 a year per head of population.

This would cover advertising and possible subsidising of dark chocolate for the less well-off.

The protective effects have been shown only for dark chocolate which is at least 60-70 per cent cocoa. Milk or white chocolate does have not provide the same benefits.

It is rich in flavonoids which are known to have heart protecting effects.

Sceptics say the high calorie content of chocolate tends to offset the benefits.

Previous research shows eating chocolate reduces blood pressure and improves insulin sensitivity, reducing the risk of diabetes.

Maggie Brown (Author)

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