Caring For A Family Member With Schizophrenia

Caring for a family member with schizophrenia is a challenging and a responsible role that can leave the care giver stressed out and feeling down.

Family members own needs are sometimes not met leaving them in need of care themselves.

Caregivers can do a lot to ensure their needs are not left out.  This starts by:

• Being realistic about what to expect from the loved one
• Knowing what is expected of themselves
• Accepting that the loved one has a mental illness

Caregivers can make their work easier by being informed, by knowing what support is available for the loved one and for him/herself.  Being informed about the disease would allay any anxiety and remove unnecessary myths associated with it.

Support from mental health centers and mental  health workers can relieve some of the burden, making it easier for the caregiver to cope.

Here is a list of some common problems that  may present, The article has tips on how caregivers can best handle them . They are:

1.  If the loved one refuses to accept treatment
2.  If the loved one makes bizarre statements
3. if the loved one gets very angry

Click Here to read the article for tips on to deal with these situations.

Honey Is Good Night Remedy For Kids

If you use over the counter cold remedies for kids coughs and colds, you may want to rethink the way you manage cold symptoms at home.

Over the counter cold medications have not been given the green light by medical experts for use on young children.

The good news is a simple food product has, it is honey.

Researchers found that children who were given honey as a cold remedy had better relief from night time cough than those who weren't.

In the double blind study the participants were given: eucalyptus honey, citrus honey, labiatae honey and a placebo called silan date extract.

The particpiants were 270 children age 1-5 years with upper respiratory infection.

The children who were given the honey products had greater relief from night time cough compared to those who were given the placebo.

All three types of honey were equally effective.

Meditation, Exercise May Help With The Flu

According to researchers those who involve themselves in regular meditation or exercise regularly have fewer colds and flus than those who participate in neither.

The study involved 149 participants.

In a randomized trail they were split into three groups:

1-Those who participated in mindless meditation

2-Those who had regular moderate-intensity exercise

3-A control group that did neither.

Group 1 had 257 days of the cold or flu
Group 2 had 241 days
The control group had 453 days.

The study ran from September 2009 to May 2010.

Read about the report in the spec.com.
TheSpec - Meditation, exercise may help limit cold, flu, study...

Both meditation and regular exercise are effective in controlling blood pressure and in the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

It is not surprising that they have a positive effect on the immune system.

The Elderly Not affected by Intensity of Aerobics

Aerobics and moderate intensity aerobics are recommened for overall health and vitality and to prevent non-communicable diseases such as heart disease and strokes.

More vigorous aerobics exercise may be necessary for those who need to lose weight and keep it off.

Researchers wanted to evaluate the different intensities of aerobic exercise on the elderly with mild cognitive impairment.

According to the result of study the intensity of aerobics had no effect on the participants.

The randomized study involved 48 patients in residential homes for the elderly.

They were placed in one of three groups:
1-Performed aerobics exercise at 40% heart rate reserve
2-Performed aerobic exercise at 60% heart rate reserve
3-Performed recreational activities.

Their functional ability and cognitive level were assessed:
1-Before the intervention
2-At the end the study (3 months)
3-Three months later

On completion of the study, all patients in the aerobic training improved marginally.

There were no differences regarding cognitive level and functional ability among those in the aerobic training program and those who performed recreational activites.

The study was published in the Clinical Rehabilitation in May, 2012

Popular Vitamins-How Healthy Are They?

I am sharing this article with you because you, as many, may believe that vitamin supplements are good. You may even take them regularly.

Some nutrition experts recommend vitamin supplements when their is a deficiency or when the diet consists of inadequate amounts for a healthy eating.
These three vitamins , although are essential and are good when taken as supplements have experts worried that they may not be doing any good.
According to the article, their benefits in preventing cancer and heart disease have not been proven.

They have been known for immune function.

They are:
1-Vitamin- A
2-Vitamin-C
3-Vitamin-E

Vitamin A- Useful for reproduction and bone health.

Vitamin C -Known for infection fighting powers.

Vitamin E- Known for its fight against cancer.

To read this article/report Click Here
After reading the article you may or may not agree.

Depression-Suicide Linked To Sexting

In a cross- sectional study involving 23,000 students researchers found a linked between sexting and psychological distress.

When compared with teens who didn't sext, twice as many teens who reported sexting had depressive symptoms.

In the study 'sexting' was defined as sending or posting sexually suggestive or explicit nude photos or videos.

Read more on this study and about the cautions given by experts.

Tai Chi Has Health Benefits-Study

The ancient practice of Tai chi has gained favour at Harvards Medical School for its health benefits with people of all ages.

The alternative medicine is a combination of martial arts and deep breathing and has benefits for everyone from children to seniors.

Several research studies have linked it to reducing health risk factors that cause disease.

At one study at Harvards researchers reviewed 26 different studies in english and chinese and found that in 85% of trials it lowered blood pressure.


Other health benefits reported are:
-Improve quality of life for breast cancer patients
-Improve quality of life for Parkinsons sufferers
-Maintainance of bone density in postmenopausal women
-Cardia vascular fitness
-relief of stress and anxiety

Tai chi is also known to improve balance, flexibilty and strength.

10 Signs You're Exercising Too Much - On Fitness (usnews.com)

Here they are a list of the 10 signs, then click the link to for details of each.

1. Decreased performance
2. Disinterest in exercise
3. Mood changes
4. Delayed recovery time
5. Elevated resting heart rate
6. Fatigue
7. Insomnia
8. Diminished appetite
9. Fat gain
10. Weakened immune system

\10 Signs You're Exercising Too Much - On Fitness (usnews.com)

Alternative Medicine Hope For Alzheimers Patients

According to recent research, magnets can help Alzheimers patients by relieving symptoms of the disease.

The study was a randomized controlled trial.

The study was small but researchers reported that the findings offer considerable hope that magnets can alter brain activity and help those suffering with the disease.

Magnet therapy has been known to help with stimulating hair growth and boosting energy.

According to the report it can help Alzheimers patients understand what is being said to them.

Read more on this study.

Another Law against The use Of Solariums

Austria is set to ban the use of solariums for teenagers under 18.
The law comes into effect on September 01.

According to research studies, the risk of developing skin cancer from solariums is 75 % for people under 35 who use them regularly.
Solariums breaking the law can be fined up to 2,180 Euros.

Another Tanning Bed Health Warning

Britain is to pass private members bill that would ban children under 18 from using tanning beds.

Cancer experts have called this beauty treatment comparable to arsenic in a previous study.

Self bronzing creams and gels are recommended as an alternative

Read Report

Related Post

Text Messaging Good For Mothers-Be

Text messaging has again been identified as effective in delivering wellness tips, this time to pregnant women.
A free health education program in the USA is making it possible to deliver health teaching through text messaging. Topics will include nutrition, immunization, prevention of birth defects and more.

Mothers will receive weekly messages by texting "BABY" to 511411. Until the end of the first year of life.

The program organizers are expecting to reduce risk factors such as poor nutrition, excessive stress, smoking and alcohol use from their lifestyles.

Related links:
Behaviour change
Smoking cessation

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Text Messaging Linked to Smoking Cessation

It is good news for smokers planning to quit. According to a recent report, text messaging and email are linked to smoking cessation.

Researchers analysed data from 4 trials in the UK, New Zealand and Norway.

The interventions were:

1. Text messages with advice and encouragement sent regularly to smokers' mobile phone
2. Text messages to the phone in conjunction with email

They found that mobile phone intervention appeared to increase the prevelance of self reported smoking abstinence at 4 weeks after cessation.

They also found an increase in long term self reported quitting with the Internet and text messsages. data was taken from the same trials.

More studies are planned on the long term effects of mobile phones

It has also been proven that help from family and friends is effective in bringing about that change.
If you know of someone whose goal is to quit, give them one of these instead of a pair of shoes, for example. Give them that gift of health. Read the report here

Related Post

This is an example of text messaging available in both a US & a UK version.

Behaviour Change & Health

I remember when behaviour modification programs for conditioning new behaviour was only possible through 1:1 interaction and face to face with a health professional.
Today it is possible at home, online, on mobiles and even while travelling.
Advances in technology and the trend towards self care have contributed to this shift.
For example:
*Text messaging can be delivered to your mobile at a time when the change is required.
* Subliminal messaging through CD's, DVD's and MP3 can reach the subconscious mind to help bring about change.
*There are online programs with 1:1 coaching
If you know of someone who is struggling with a behaviour change problem. Instead of giving them just a gift, give them one of these for health 'With love.'

Tanning Beds Are A Health Risk

Tanning beds have been used for many years for beauty and attractiveness, but cancer experts say they are as deadly as arsenic.

The report analysed about 20 studies, they found a 75 % increase in skin cancer when people start using tanning beds before age 30.
Because of the ultraviolet rays these sunbeds are a health hazard, and are classified as a health risk. The research was published in the Lancet Oncology in July of this year.

If you know of someone who will be heading for the tanning salon give them a gift of health.
Self tanning cream or self bronzing products are recommended as an alternative to tanning beds.

Giving Gifts At Times Of Need

We give gifts throughout the year and for many occasions. Gifts for:Get well, sympathy, birthdays, retirements, graduations, christmas, weddings, family days and more. This list can go on.
Have you considered giving a gift of health instead of another?
If you or someone you know have an interest in being healthy, giving and receiving gifts of health can be a source of support and encouragement. A gift of health carefully chosen can be of financial help at a time of need.
You can ask for one of these instead of another. To encourage this type of support we have made this blog possible.