An Overview of Schizophrenia

Published on: 14 March 2016 Last Updated on: 12 July 2021

Schizophrenia remains one of the most misunderstood mental health disorders in the U.S. Many people assume that schizophrenia refers to a complete inability to accept life. However, schizophrenia actually describes a severe, chronic brain disorder characterized by abnormal thought processes and rationale. Many of the symptoms of schizophrenia are similar to other mental health conditions, which makes accurate diagnoses difficult for mental rehabilitation experts.

Prevalence of schizophrenia

Schizophrenia affects between 0.5 percent and 1 percent of individuals around the globe. The first episode tends to occur at age 21 for men and age 27 for women, explains the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). About 33 percent of those with schizophrenia attempt suicide and 10 percent will succeed. In a Canadian study, schizophrenia diagnoses resulted in a total cost of $6.85 billion for the U.S. and Canada.

Risk factors

Across mental health facilities, mental health professionals have yet to determine an exact cause of schizophrenia. However, a family history of schizophrenia, exposure to toxins while in utero, increased immune system response, older age of a person’s father, and exposure to psychotropic substances during adolescence have been thought to be the primary risk factors for developing schizophrenia (Mayo Clinic).

Signs and symptoms

The signs and symptoms vary from person to person. According to the Mayo Clinic, most signs and symptoms reveal abnormal brain functioning and include the following:

1. Hallucinations :

Hallucinations may involve any of the five senses; however, hearing voices is the most common hallucination

2. Delusions:

Delusions are similar to hallucinations. Delusions occur when a person has a false belief about a given event or situation. For example, a person may believe he or she has a role in global politics when it is not true

3. Thought disorders:

Thought disorders are unusual, counter-productive ways of thinking

4. Movement disorders:

Movement disorders are characterized by repetitive, involuntary movements, which are most commonly noticed in the face. Alternatively, someone with schizophrenia may become catatonic, which means he or she does not move at all

5. Disruptive emotions and behaviors:

Emotional states in schizophrenic individuals may mirror the ups and downs of other mental health disorders, such as bipolar disorder.

6. Poor cognitive functioning:

Someone with schizophrenia may be incapable of understanding information and making decisions on the basis of the information. Furthermore, working memory and difficulty concentrating are common aspects of poor cognitive functioning

Treatment Options

Depending on the severity of the episode, treatment for schizophrenia may occur in inpatient mental health facilities. However, outpatient treatment is a vital aspect of treatment after discharge.

1. Antipsychotic medications:

Antipsychotic and atypical antipsychotic medications focus on eradicating the symptoms of schizophrenia. Some of these medications may cause serious side effects

2. Psychosocial treatment:

Psychosocial treatment involves teaching a person to readapt to life through physical, speech, and occupational therapy

3. Integrated Treatment :

If a person with schizophrenia has a co-occurring mental health disorder, the treatment must include address all other disorders

Although schizophrenia can present some of the most difficult symptoms in mental health therapies, the disorder can be effectively managed. However, understanding the symptoms and treatment options of schizophrenia plays a significant role in preventing the disorder from developing further.

Abdul Aziz Mondol

Abdul Aziz Mondol is a professional blogger who is having a colossal interest in writing blogs and other jones of calligraphies. In terms of his professional commitments, he loves to share content related to business, finance, technology, and the gaming niche.

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The Relationship Between Oral Health and General Health

Dentists have been stressing the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene habits for decades as well as the use of braces, in some cases. If you're interested in getting a feel on braces and their average prices, click here. We are all well aware that following the proper daily routines can help to prevent conditions such as cavities, gingivitis, dental emergencies, gum disease, and bad breath. However, were you aware that there is a very real connection between oral health and the overall state of your body? Let us take a look at this principle in a bit more detail, for what you learn may indeed be quite surprising. Read also: 5 Protein Enriched Food To Improve Mental Health The Mouth as Your Health "Barometer" The first thing that we need to appreciate is the notion that the mouth is a very powerful indicator of what may be happening within our bodies. Why is this the case? Many practitioners will point to the saliva that we naturally secrete minute by minute. There are numerous chemicals contained within this fluid and specific concentrations can hint that there may be metabolic imbalances that would otherwise go unnoticed. Cancer markers, specific types of proteins, and hormones such as cortisol can all be measured by taking a sample of saliva. If the levels of these and other substances are determined to be abnormal, this may very well be the symptom of a more endemic problem. Oral Health and Inflammatory Response Were you aware that the condition of your mouth can also hint at the presence of potentially serious conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes? Gum disease can sometimes be a precursor to such health risks. Gum disease is an inflammatory response due to poor oral hygiene and the build-up of other harmful substances within the mouth. While inflammation is one of the ways in which the body naturally protects itself, studies have found that this very same inflammation can spread to other areas; particularly to the bloodstream. Many now theorize that this can contribute to the breakdown of blood vessels and other circulatory tissues over time. As a result, certain individuals could be at a potentially higher risk of developing other serious ailments. The brain itself could even be affected (a stroke is an example here). The Risk of Infections Not only is the mouth intended to begin the digestion process, but it is also a very important barrier against harmful infections. Unfortunately, this biological "firewall" can often be compromised if the proper levels of hygiene are not practiced. For example, gingivitis can lead to periodontal disease and there may be instances when harmful bacteria will enter into the circulatory system. Although this might not necessarily be a problem for healthy individuals, those whose immune response is already compromised could become quite ill. And for those that are pregnant, oral health is an important part of prenatal care because poor oral health during pregnancy can affect the baby - and everyone wants a HEALTHY BABY. Read also: The Disturbing Trend Of Multiple Chronic Medical Conditions These are some of the surprising relationships between oral health and overall health. Unfortunately, millions of individuals do not practice proper habits in order to protect their mouths. This can lead to more profound problems over time. As we gain a further understanding of how multiple systems of the body are connected, it is likely that oral hygiene will have an even greater impact. For information regarding oral health, please visit the dentist in Cardiff.

Egyptian Cotton Sheets: The Ultimate Choice For People With Sensitive Skin

Comfort and quality are very important when it comes to bedding, particularly for people who have sensitive skin. Egyptian cotton sheets are among the finest available on the market. These particular sheets have been people's choice because they are luxurious, durable, and skin-friendly. In this article, we will discuss reasons these cotton sheets give special advantages to sensitive-skin people. What Is Egyptian Cotton? You guessed it right—Egyptian cotton is cotton grown in Egypt. The Nile River's delta offers the most perfect cotton growing conditions. Egypt's nutrient-rich soil and climatic conditions produce the highest-quality cotton. This helps produce the much-valued, long-stapled, and strong fibers. It denotes that weavers can make more durable and luxurious textiles of the highest quality in the world. In addition, the long stapled cotton has an unmatched feel of ultimate luxury. Hence, all these attributes make the sheets the most premium, longer-lasting fabric. Alongside durability, these cotton sheets have a reputation for their beautiful luster and absorbent capabilities. This is how you get these luxury bedding sheets. Egyptian cotton sheets are a hallmark of quality, and they easily distinguish themselves from common mediocrity. This is why experts rate them high on the list of high-quality cotton. The Advantages Of Egyptian Cotton Sheets The Egyptian cotton sheets have a reputation of being of the highest quality. This is why they are the preferred choice for people seeking the ultimate luxury. You can call it a gold standard for quality. The cotton sheets are the perfect blend of quality, comfort, and luxury. However, we discuss some of the key reasons why Egyptian cotton is ideal for sensitive skin: Superior Softness When you think of exceptionally soft fabric, one name comes to mind: Egyptian cotton! This is wholly attributed to the fact that this material comprises long staple fibers. This makes up its composition, unlike other types of cotton, whose fibers are shorter and coarser. Hence, they are less prone to being woven into thin threads. That means we now have fabrics that are smoother upon touch than all others. That is the reason you get more comfort during sleep. Besides, its softness also creates an environment conducive to relaxation at bedtime for those with skin sensitivity. Hypoallergenic Properties People with sensitive skin are most concerned about allergic reactions. These may occur due to various causes, including anything touching or rubbing against their body parts. Furthermore, this fabric is so tightly woven that it excludes dust mites and some other typical allergens like molds. Thus, all these factors help reduce the chances of getting an allergy. Hence, Egyptian cotton enhances sleep quality by ensuring a person breathes in cleaner air at night. Therefore, while sleeping on hypoallergenic Egyptian cotton sheets, those with sensitive skin do not need to bother. These sheets of linen guard them against any kind of discomfort or allergic reactions that might arise during the night Higher Thread Count One of the key indicators of high quality is the thread count. It is the number of threads that are woven to create one single square inch of sheet. You have the thread count by counting the width-wise threads called weft and the lengthwise thread counts or the warp. The higher thread count is one of the key indicators of higher-quality sheets. The Egyptian Cotton Sheets are known all around for their higher thread counts compared to the other thread counts. This happens as a result of the staples' length. You can get a diverse range of thread counts in the Mediterranean climate. It includes a super soft 200 thread count, a sumptuous 400 thread count, and also the 5-star quality 600 thread count Egyptian cotton bed linen. Breathability And Moisture-Wicking Egyptian cotton sheets are highly breathable because they are made from natural fibers. Their composition allows free air circulation within them, thus regulating the human body's warmth while asleep. Moreover, this characteristic is essential for people who have fragile surfaces. Excessively high temperatures and sweating make their skin more harmful than before. Egyptian cotton has excellent moisture-wicking abilities. It enables the sheet to soak, dry sweat faster, and keep skin dry throughout the process. However, proper moisture regulation makes Egyptian cotton bedding the right choice for a cool sleeping atmosphere. Anti-Pilling Properties Pilling is the formation of small balls of fiber on fabric due to friction. It can be especially disturbing for those with sensitive skin because it creates a rough and uneven texture. Moreover, Egyptian cotton that has long staples does not pill excessively, hence maintaining a consistently soft and smooth surface. This implies that even with frequent use, the development of comfortable and non-irritating bed sheets will take longer. Resistance to pilling helps maintain the luxuriousness of the sheets by ensuring a constantly soft touch, which is very important when dealing with delicate skin. Durability And Longevity For comfort and long-term value, top-quality bedding should be considered a must-have as durability and long-lastingness are the two characteristics that make Egyptian cotton sheets trendy. Forgetting their softness or integrity, the fibers of Egyptian cotton are strong enough to endure many washes and maintain their original touch even after being used over time. This means that people with sensitive skin can enjoy gentle sleep for many years into the future by simply keeping their bedsheets intact. Smooth And Lustrous Finish The fabric's smoothness is particularly useful for people suffering from delicate skin since it minimizes friction while providing relief by touching a soothing material across it. The sumptuous feel of Egyptian cotton beddings enhances the overall sleep experience, making you look forward to sleeping on them every night. Such enhancement ensures that your surfaces remain delightful regardless of whether you have sensitive skin to worry about or not. No Piling Cotton usually tends to piling. This means the piling of cotton fiber creates little pills, which can be uncomfortable for users. You will often find them in sheets of lower quality or lower thread count. But with Egyptian Cotton Sheets, you won't find them. The Fibres from Egyptian cotton plants are longer. Moreover, they produce lints, which stops the development of piling on the sheets. Cost Effectiveness As we discussed, Egyptian cotton sheets are of the highest quality, and it is natural that they may look expensive initially. However, there is no denying that these cotton sheets are an investment. You can not mingle them with cheap sheets. With adequate impetus on the care and maintenance of the cotton sheets, you can extend their longevity. They last much longer than ordinary cotton sheets. Not that the cotton sheet lasts long, but it turns out to be cost-effective in the longer span of a lifetime. The Mediterranean linens offer quite a choice of styles, colors, and textures. You can get a range of products, which include Egyptian cotton fitted and flat sheets, Egyptian cotton duvet covers, and also the Cotton Oxford Pillowcases. The vast choices make these sheets unique in their own realm. Conclusion Egyptian cotton sheets have various advantages, which make them perfect for persons with delicate skin. For people with sensitive skin and those who want to select environment-friendly products, choosing these cotton sheets means supporting sustainable farming methods and avoiding harmful chemicals found in other types. This can be achieved by getting your Egyptian cotton sheets at Pure Parima store because their sleeping materials do not harm or cause irritation to delicate skin. Read Also: How To Pick The Best Towels A Complete Guide on Using IRON on Transfer Paper 6 Upgrades to Make Your Bedroom Seem Like a Luxury Hotel

Addiction Treatment: 11 Tips to Find the Best Rehabilitation Center

When you're in the depths of an addiction or someone you love is, you don't know where to turn. It's a scary, confusing, dark, and overwhelming time for everyone involved. How do you get help? Where do you get help? Can you afford it? Those are all valid questions. Especially if you don't know if you can convince your loved one to go to rehab! All those factors can lead you down a road of what ifs, but there's only one what if that matters. What if you find the best rehabilitation center? Then things will start looking up. Get our guide on where to start and what questions to ask here. What Makes the Best Rehabilitation Center The Best? We can't give you one answer, or one center, that's definitively best. That's because the right rehabilitation center for your loved one isn't the same as the right one for someone else. Some people need a single-gender environment, some need more of a detox, and others need a holistic offering. We'll get more into what all that means and how to tell what they need below. Before we analyze them and their needs, don't take their opinion completely out of the picture. They may be on drugs, but they should get a say in their treatment (except, you know, the sobriety part). 1. Ask A Professional: If you think your loved one needs treatment for addiction, try to get them to a doctor or a professional. There the doctor can diagnose the specifics of the addiction. Maybe they'll run some vitals and decide that your loved one needs a more medically-oriented care setting. Or they can see patterns in their addiction, that the untrained eye can't. You can ask your doctor or professional for a recommendation of the best treatment center. If they don't know any specifics, ask them some of the following questions. 2. How Long of Treatment Do They Need? In theory, the only person who decides how long treatment takes is the addict. The classic programs last ninety days, which gives people time to reform their body, mind, and attitude. But some people can't afford a whole ninety-day stay or maybe their addiction isn't that developed. A thirty-day stay may be more appropriate for a budding addict. Ask your doctor their opinion on length, so you know what programs to look for. If you can't get the addict to a doctor and you've known them a while, think about how they learn and function. Has your addict done well in highly-structured environments? Or do they do better working at their own pace? Think back to school days and the challenges they had in that setting. This can tell you how long and arduous of a program they need. 3. What's The Treatment Approach? On that last note, there are as many types of treatment approaches as there are to teaching or parenting. That's to say, each person believes in a slightly different version than someone else. If you're the addict's mother or family member, this gives you good insight on the type of treatment approach they'll thrive under. Someone who's sensitive and needs coddling won't do well in an orders-barked center. However, someone who went to military school or likes the idea of having structure may like the rules-are-law approach. 4. Counseling Services: What kind of counseling services does the rehabilitation center offer? This, again, is all about the right fit for the addict in your life. In general, there are two types of behavioral therapy: cognitive (ct) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Cognitive only therapy (CT) is a theory from the 1960's that looks at how the patient interprets the situation. It's the more classic, lay on the couch and talk about what's bothering your type of therapy. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is different, but only slightly. CBT therapists look at how behaviors and perceptions work together to create interpretations. CBT usually uses more hands-on approaches, if the situation calls for it, like the empty chair technique. They may not get into the specifics of this on their website, so if you care, call and ask. Most therapists use a mix of both theories, while others use different ones altogether. An up and coming method is called kinetic therapy, where the professional urges the client to connect feelings in their mind to parts of their body. If the addict has had luck with therapy before, even if it's not addiction related, this can help you choose the path that's right for them. 5. Medical Comforts: We all know that apart from the emotional turmoil of addiction, the hardest part is the detox. Detoxification symptoms differ by substance. For opioids and painkillers, the addict can feel like they have the flu for five to seven days, fevers and all. For Benzodiazepines such as Xanax, seizures and an increase in anxiety attacks are common. Cocaine withdrawal looks like depression and restlessness, while alcohol withdrawal symptoms include seizures or tremors. The effects of benzos and alcohol can last for weeks, if not months. That said, you may want to choose a rehabilitation center that offers symptom relief. Having a doctor on-site to prescribe non-psychoactive drugs can help ease the detox process. You need to ask this before-hand. Some centers believe in a completely drug-free approach. 6. Residential or Outpatient care: Whether or not your addict needs to be on site all the time is up to them you and your budget. Residential programs are the most expensive since they have to provide things like meals and housing. However, they're also the most full-service and some think the best for advanced addicts. Other things to take into consideration about residential care is the types of patients. Do they only take opioid patients or do they mix people with different addictions? This is another personal preference area. Some people believe that the similarity of the experience leads to a better rehab, while others believe that addicts of the same kind egg each other on. There's no right or wrong answer. 7. Budget: A lot of the time, when you see rehabilitation centers advertised, they say things like "luxury" and "all inclusive". These are centers that charge an arm and a leg - that have money left over for marketing. Their calls of luxury don't mean their the best. They could be, but they could also spend all their money on the amenities and not pay or pick high-quality staff. You want to find rehab centers that have a balance of both. Obviously, you don't want your addict in a falling-apart facility, but is a waterfall in their room really going to aid recovery? Don't over-spend or over-shoot your budget because one looks fancier than the other. A grand pool or beautiful location won't heal your loved one any quicker. 8. Co-Occurring Disorders: The statistics and correlation between people with addiction issues and people with mental illness are staggering. Approx 7.9 million adults in the united states suffer from substance abuse with a co-occurring illness. We call this a "co-occurring" disorder and most drug treatments won't work unless you also treat the other issue. Someone may do a lot of cocaine because they're depressed and cocaine gives them energy. If you take the cocaine away from them, but they don't address the depression, they're going to turn back to cocaine for energy. Find a center that treats co-occurring disorders along with addictions. This combination gives your loved one a better shot at lasting recovery. 9. Visitation Policies: When you pick a center for your loved one, will they allow you to visit them? Some centers believe in isolation from outside sources. Others don't. Figure out which situation will be best for your addict - and your own sanity as someone as that loves them. 10. Financing Options: Does your rehabilitation center offer a payment plan? Most do these days, but some will ask for half or a deposit up front. You know your finances and there's only so much you can do. Most insurance carriers don't cover rehab, but it's worth a call to see if they'll cover a percentage. 11. Ask the Addict: If you've gotten the addict to agree to rehab, good for you and for them! The biggest success factor in rehab situations is whether or not the addict wants to recover. Ask them what kind of treatment center they see themselves in. It'll give you an idea of what to look for. Rehab Centers: Finding The Right One: Did you know that you can tour some rehabilitation centers before you commit to one? The tours may be short or only show you a bit of the facility to protect patient privacy. At the very least, the best rehabilitation centers should offer a consultation with a therapist or an intake specialist. There you can ask them the questions we talked about in this list and any others burning on your mind. We hope you've gotten some good information out of this eleven part guide and that you'll trust us for more advice in the future. Read Also: 5 Reasons Why It’s Not Too Late To Get Help Is A Loved One Addicted To Opiates? Here Are Common Signs Of Opiate Use

An Overview of Schizophrenia

Prevalence of schizophrenia

Risk factors