Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling brain disorder that affects about 1.1 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year. People with schizophrenia sometimes hear voices others don’t hear, believe that others are broadcasting their thoughts to the world, or become convinced that others are plotting to harm them. These experiences can make them fearful and withdrawn and cause difficulties when they try to have relationships with others.
Symptoms usually develop in men in their late teens or early twenties and women in the twenties and thirties, but in rare cases, can appear in childhood. They can include hallucinations, delusions, disordered thinking, movement disorders, flat affect, social withdrawal, and cognitive deficits.
This is a time of hope for people with schizophrenia. Although the causes of the disease have not yet been determined, current treatments can eliminate many of the symptoms and allow people with schizophrenia to live independent and fulfilling lives in the community.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.
There are 23.6 million children and adults in the United States, or 7.8% of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 17.9 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, unfortunately, 5.7 million people (or nearly one quarter) are unaware that they have the disease.
Type 1 diabetes
Results from the body's failure to produce insulin, the hormone that "unlocks" the cells of the body, allowing glucose to enter and fuel them. It is estimated that 5-10% of Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes
Results from insulin resistance (a condition in which the body fails to properly use insulin), combined with relative insulin deficiency. Most Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.
Gestational diabetes
Immediately after pregnancy, 5% to 10% of women with gestational diabetes are found to have diabetes, usually, type 2.
Pre-diabetes
Pre-diabetes is a condition that occurs when a person's blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. There are 57 million Americans who have pre-diabetes, in addition to the 23.6 million with diabetes.
There are 23.6 million children and adults in the United States, or 7.8% of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 17.9 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, unfortunately, 5.7 million people (or nearly one quarter) are unaware that they have the disease.
Type 1 diabetes
Results from the body's failure to produce insulin, the hormone that "unlocks" the cells of the body, allowing glucose to enter and fuel them. It is estimated that 5-10% of Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes
Results from insulin resistance (a condition in which the body fails to properly use insulin), combined with relative insulin deficiency. Most Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.
Gestational diabetes
Immediately after pregnancy, 5% to 10% of women with gestational diabetes are found to have diabetes, usually, type 2.
Pre-diabetes
Pre-diabetes is a condition that occurs when a person's blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. There are 57 million Americans who have pre-diabetes, in addition to the 23.6 million with diabetes.
Using Protection
Reasons to use condoms
1. Condoms are the only contraceptive that help prevent both pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV) when used properly and consistently.
2. Condoms are one of the most reliable methods of birth control when use properly and consistently.
3. Condoms have none of the medical side-effects of some other birth control methods may have. 4. Condoms are available in various shapes, colours, flavours, textures and sizes - to increase the fun of making love with condoms.
5. Condoms are widely available in pharmacies, supermarkets and convenience stores. You don't need a prescription or have to visit a doctor.
6. Condoms make sex less messy.
7. Condoms are user friendly. With a little practice, they can also add confidence to the enjoyment of sex.
8. Condoms are only needed when you are having sex unlike some other contraceptives which require you to take or have them all of the time.
Facts about Birth Control Pills
The effectiveness of birth control pills depends entirely on how they are used. While the stated effectiveness is 96-99% in reality this rate is much lower, around 87%. Poor user habits are the reason for the discrepancy. Taking the Pill at different times of day, missing days or skipping pills all decrease the effectiveness.
Some birth control pills can help control acne. Others can reduce menstrual cramping, lighten your flow or help with irritability. There are even birth control pills that can be taken for three months at a time reducing the number of periods you have each year. Ask your doctor to find out which type of birth control pill is right for you.
1. Condoms are the only contraceptive that help prevent both pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV) when used properly and consistently.
2. Condoms are one of the most reliable methods of birth control when use properly and consistently.
3. Condoms have none of the medical side-effects of some other birth control methods may have. 4. Condoms are available in various shapes, colours, flavours, textures and sizes - to increase the fun of making love with condoms.
5. Condoms are widely available in pharmacies, supermarkets and convenience stores. You don't need a prescription or have to visit a doctor.
6. Condoms make sex less messy.
7. Condoms are user friendly. With a little practice, they can also add confidence to the enjoyment of sex.
8. Condoms are only needed when you are having sex unlike some other contraceptives which require you to take or have them all of the time.
Facts about Birth Control Pills
The effectiveness of birth control pills depends entirely on how they are used. While the stated effectiveness is 96-99% in reality this rate is much lower, around 87%. Poor user habits are the reason for the discrepancy. Taking the Pill at different times of day, missing days or skipping pills all decrease the effectiveness.
Some birth control pills can help control acne. Others can reduce menstrual cramping, lighten your flow or help with irritability. There are even birth control pills that can be taken for three months at a time reducing the number of periods you have each year. Ask your doctor to find out which type of birth control pill is right for you.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is an escalating pattern of abuse where one partner in an intimate relationship controls the other through force, intimidation, or the threat of violence. Abuse comes in many forms:
Physical: Kicking, punching, shoving, slapping, pushing, and any other acts that hurt your body.
Sexual: Calling you vulgar names, criticizing your body parts or sensuality, forced or pressured sexual acts, including rape.
Emotional: Assaults against your self-esteem.
Verbal: Name-calling, threats, put-downs.
Psychological: Causing you to feel as if you are "going crazy".
Spiritual: Attacking your spiritual or religious beliefs.
Financial: Controlling and manipulating you by threatening your economic status and basic needs.
Homophobic: Threatening to "out" you to people who do not know your sexual orientation.
Immigration: Using your immigration status and fear of deportation to control you.
Destructive Acts: Actual or threatened assault of your property or pets to scare you.
Nearly 25% of women and 7.6% of men were raped and/or physically assaulted by a current or former spouse, cohabiting partner, or dating partner/acquaintance at some time in their lifetime
Approximately 1.3 million women and 835,000 men are physically assaulted by an intimate partner annually in the United States.
Physical: Kicking, punching, shoving, slapping, pushing, and any other acts that hurt your body.
Sexual: Calling you vulgar names, criticizing your body parts or sensuality, forced or pressured sexual acts, including rape.
Emotional: Assaults against your self-esteem.
Verbal: Name-calling, threats, put-downs.
Psychological: Causing you to feel as if you are "going crazy".
Spiritual: Attacking your spiritual or religious beliefs.
Financial: Controlling and manipulating you by threatening your economic status and basic needs.
Homophobic: Threatening to "out" you to people who do not know your sexual orientation.
Immigration: Using your immigration status and fear of deportation to control you.
Destructive Acts: Actual or threatened assault of your property or pets to scare you.
Nearly 25% of women and 7.6% of men were raped and/or physically assaulted by a current or former spouse, cohabiting partner, or dating partner/acquaintance at some time in their lifetime
Approximately 1.3 million women and 835,000 men are physically assaulted by an intimate partner annually in the United States.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Mental Retardation
Mental Retardation is a developmental disability that first appears in children under the age of 18. It is defined as an intellectual functioning level that is well below average and significant limitations in daily living skills. Mildly mentally retarded is approximately 85% of the special needs population. Their I.Q. ranges from 50 to 75. Moderate mentally retarded is 10% of the special needs population. I.Q. range is 35 to 55. Severely mentally retarded is only 4% of the special needs population. I.Q. range is 20 to 40. Profoundly mentally retarded is only 2% of the population. I.Q. is below 20 to 25. The normal I.Q. range is 90 to 110. About 7 million people in the United States our considered to be special needs.
Down Syndrome is caused by a defect in the 21 chromosome. Down Syndrome occurs one in ever 800 births. Your risk of a having a baby with downs grows as you get older.
5% of mental retardation is caused by hereditary factors.
3% of the generally population is mentally retarded.
7.5 million in the United States alone.
Down Syndrome is caused by a defect in the 21 chromosome. Down Syndrome occurs one in ever 800 births. Your risk of a having a baby with downs grows as you get older.
5% of mental retardation is caused by hereditary factors.
3% of the generally population is mentally retarded.
7.5 million in the United States alone.
Death
This is not a topic that most people do not like to talk about. My class had this discussion on a wednesday. My uncle had just died the past thursday and the funeral had been on Sunday so this was a fresh insident. This was not a topic I really wanted to talk about this is a touchy subject for me.
My father pasted away on May 24,2004; so it has almost been five years. Its become easier to talk about but I don't like how people think you can just get over something like this. I don't think I ever will. My father died from a disease called ALS( Amyothropic Laterial Sclerosis), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's disease," is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.
Death is hard and everyone copes in their own way.
My father pasted away on May 24,2004; so it has almost been five years. Its become easier to talk about but I don't like how people think you can just get over something like this. I don't think I ever will. My father died from a disease called ALS( Amyothropic Laterial Sclerosis), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's disease," is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.
Death is hard and everyone copes in their own way.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Eating Disorders
Anorexia
Those who are suffering with this illness have a low self-esteem and often a tremendous need to control their surroundings and emotions. The person suffering with Anorexia may be abnormally sensitive about being perceived as fat, or have a massive fear of becoming fat -- though not all people living with Anorexia have this fear. They may be afraid of losing control over the amount of food they eat, accompanied by the desire to control their emotions and reactions to their emotions. With a low self-esteem and need for acceptance they will turn to obsessive dieting and starvation as a way to control not only their weight, but their feelings and actions regarding the emotions attached.
Belimia
Men and women who live with Bulimia seek out binge and purge episodes -- they will eat a large quantity of food in a relatively short period of time and then use behaviors such as taking laxatives or self-induced vomiting -- because they feel overwhelmed in coping with their emotions, or in order to punish themselves for something they feel they should unrealistically blame themselves for.
Binge Eating
Men and Women living with Binge Eating Disorder suffer a combination of symptoms similar to those of Compulsive Overeaters and Bulimia. The sufferer periodically goes on large binges, consuming an unusually large quantity of food in a short period of time (less than 2 hours) uncontrollably, eating until they are uncomfortably full. The weight of each individual is usually characterized as above average or overweight, and sufferers tend to have a more difficult time losing weight and maintaining average healthy weights. Unlike with Bulimia, they do not purge following a Binge episode.
Those who are suffering with this illness have a low self-esteem and often a tremendous need to control their surroundings and emotions. The person suffering with Anorexia may be abnormally sensitive about being perceived as fat, or have a massive fear of becoming fat -- though not all people living with Anorexia have this fear. They may be afraid of losing control over the amount of food they eat, accompanied by the desire to control their emotions and reactions to their emotions. With a low self-esteem and need for acceptance they will turn to obsessive dieting and starvation as a way to control not only their weight, but their feelings and actions regarding the emotions attached.
Belimia
Men and women who live with Bulimia seek out binge and purge episodes -- they will eat a large quantity of food in a relatively short period of time and then use behaviors such as taking laxatives or self-induced vomiting -- because they feel overwhelmed in coping with their emotions, or in order to punish themselves for something they feel they should unrealistically blame themselves for.
Binge Eating
Men and Women living with Binge Eating Disorder suffer a combination of symptoms similar to those of Compulsive Overeaters and Bulimia. The sufferer periodically goes on large binges, consuming an unusually large quantity of food in a short period of time (less than 2 hours) uncontrollably, eating until they are uncomfortably full. The weight of each individual is usually characterized as above average or overweight, and sufferers tend to have a more difficult time losing weight and maintaining average healthy weights. Unlike with Bulimia, they do not purge following a Binge episode.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)