Faith May Complement Treatment for Mental Illness

Patients with stronger belief in God did better in small study

By Robert Preidt

HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, April 25 (HealthDay News) -- A belief in God may boost the effectiveness of short-term treatment for mental illness, according to a small new study.

The study included 159 psychiatric patients whose levels of depression, well-being and self-harm were assessed at the start and end of the study. The patients also were asked about their belief in God.

Patients with higher levels of belief in God were twice as likely to respond to treatment as those with no or little belief in God. Even among the more than 30 percent of patients who said they had no specific religious affiliation, those who had a moderate or high belief in God had a better response to treatment than those with little or no belief.

The study appears in the latest issue of the Journal of Affective Disorders.

"Our work suggests that people with a moderate to high level of belief in a higher power do significantly better in short-term psychiatric treatment than those without, regardless of their religious affiliation," study author David Rosmarin, a clinician at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Mass., and an instructor in the psychiatry department at Harvard Medical School, said in a hospital news release. "Belief was associated with not only improved psychological well-being, but decreases in depression and intention to self-harm."

A strong belief in God may boost patients' conviction that treatment will help them and their expectations of success, the researchers suggested.

Although the study found an association between belief in God and increased response to psychiatric treatment, it did not prove a cause-and-effect relationship.

"Given the prevalence of religious belief in the United States -- more than 90 percent of the population -- these findings are important in that they highlight the clinical implications of spiritual life," Rosmarin said. "I hope that this work will lead to larger studies and increased funding in order to help as many people as possible."

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starting at 153, 5'2.. taking prescription steroid for illness

I'm back! It's been at least a year and I have never successfully lost more than 10 pounds in my life. Lack of confidence I guess.. I need help. I'm on a steroid due to the inflammation in my inner ear which causes buzzing and pressure all day long. Med causes bloating and crazy weight gain.. Oh like I need to gain more... Any suggestions

:)

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Your Autoantibody 'Profile' Might Someday Help Spot Illness

THURSDAY, April 18 (HealthDay News) -- Human blood contains thousands of autoantibodies that could serve as signals for certain diseases, according to a new study.

Researchers found that every person has a unique autoantibody profile, which remains consistent over time.

People with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and breast cancer all had much lower numbers of autoantibodies than their peers, the study showed.

"This research supports our proposal that autoantibody profiles will be useful as diagnostic biomarkers for a wide variety of diseases," study corresponding author Robert Nagele, director of the Biomarker Discovery Center at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-School of Osteopathic Medicine, said in a university news release.

Autoantibodies are proteins released by the immune system that attack parts of the body rather than targeting foreign "invaders."

In conducting the new study, the researchers examined the immune-response profiling of 166 people. Among the participants were groups of patients with different medical conditions.

Participants' autoantibody profiles were affected by their age, gender and disease. Autoantibodies appeared to bind to antigens -- substances within organs and tissues throughout the body -- in response to injury and disease, and help rid the cells of waste.

As people age, the number of detectable autoantibodies increases, the investigators found. And women have significantly more autoantibodies than men. This could be associated with higher rates of autoimmune disease among women, the researchers suggested.

"Given the evidence supporting an abundance of autoantibodies, it is probable that there are even more naturally occurring autoantibodies than we were able to detect here," Nagele concluded. "The complex profile of autoantibodies suggests that they carry out an essential function, and the clearance of debris generated by the body on a day-to-day basis is a reasonable bet."

The study was published April 2 in PLoS ONE.

-- Mary Elizabeth Dallas
Copyright © 2013 HealthDay. All rights reserved. SOURCE: University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, news release, April 9, 2013

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Number of U.S. Foodborne Illness Cases Stalled: CDC

THURSDAY, April 18 (HealthDay News) -- Progress in reducing foodborne illness in the United States seems to have stalled, health officials reported Thursday.

"Every year, we estimate that about 48 million of us -- that would be one in six people in the United States -- gets sick from eating contaminated food," said Dr. Robert Tauxe, deputy director of the division of foodborne, waterborne and environmental diseases at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In 2012, the nation's food surveillance program identified about 19,500 infections, about 4,500 hospitalizations and 68 deaths, Tauxe said at a noon press conference on the study results. Those numbers are similar to ones reported between 2006 and 2008, the report noted.

The findings appear in the April 19 issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published by the CDC.

"We see, once again, that salmonella was the most commonly diagnosed and reported cause of infection among those that are tracked," Tauxe said, and while some types have decreased, others are on the rise.

Although the second most common infection, Campylobacter, decreased since the early 1990s, "it's still lower than it was in the 1990s but it has increased by 14 percent since a baseline period of 2006 to 2008," Tauxe said.

While still quite rare, he said Vibrio infections increased 43 percent in 2012, compared with 2006 to 2008.

"Vibrio organisms are found in marine waters where shellfish are harvested and many Vibrio infections are due to eating oysters," he noted. "However, not all are due to oysters and some infections are acquired from contact with marine water causing, for instance, wound infections."

E. coli O157 levels in 2012 were similar to those observed in 2006 to 2008, although in the past "substantial declines were observed following regulatory change and improvement in the food industry that particularly targeted ground beef," Tauxe noted.

"It is still the case now that numbers were lower than they were back in the 1990s," he said. "But right now we're just about where we were in 2006 to 2008, and we may need to identify additional ways to reduce contamination, as well as heightening awareness among consumers about the importance of thoroughly cooking and safely handling ground beef in their own homes."

A general measure that combines sickness from six key pathogens that are usually transmitted by food decreased 22 percent from the late 1990s, but really hasn't changed since 2006 to 2008, he added.

Last year, the highest incidence of foodborne illnesses caused by Cryptosporidium and bacteria other than listeria and Vibrio was among children younger than age 5. The highest incidence of illnesses caused by listeria and Vibrio was among seniors, according to the report.

Tauxe noted some caveats in the results. Surveillance data do not cover the entire country -- only about 15 percent of the population. Some of the illnesses are also acquired from sources other than food, and norovirus ("cruise virus") isn't covered because it typically isn't tested for in clinical labs.

Also speaking at the conference was Dr. David Goldman, assistant administrator at the Office of Public Health Science, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service.

"We have seen that there have been some positive trends . . . but compared to recent years we have seen some troubling trends that we continue to address," Goldman said.

In 2012, the USDA added six strains of E. coli in its industry testing of beef-trim products, he said, and the agency continues to evaluate data and is considering testing of other beef products.

They've also tightened standards for salmonella and implemented new Campylobacter standards for plants producing chicken and turkey, Goldman noted.

-- Robert Preidt
Copyright © 2013 HealthDay. All rights reserved. SOURCES: April 18, 2013, news conference with: Robert Tauxe, M.D., M.P.H., deputy director, division of foodborne, waterborne and environmental diseases, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and David Goldman, M.D., M.P.H., assistant administrator, Office of Public Health Science, USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service; U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, news release, April 18, 2013

View the original article here

Number of U.S. Foodborne Illness Cases Stalled: CDC

More vigilance needed from regulators, industry and consumers, health official says

By Robert Preidt

HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, April 18 (HealthDay News) -- Progress in reducing foodborne illness in the United States seems to have stalled, health officials reported Thursday.

"Every year, we estimate that about 48 million of us -- that would be one in six people in the United States -- gets sick from eating contaminated food," said Dr. Robert Tauxe, deputy director of the division of foodborne, waterborne and environmental diseases at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In 2012, the nation's food surveillance program identified about 19,500 infections, about 4,500 hospitalizations and 68 deaths, Tauxe said at a noon press conference on the study results. Those numbers are similar to ones reported between 2006 and 2008, the report noted.

The findings appear in the April 19 issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published by the CDC.

"We see, once again, that salmonella was the most commonly diagnosed and reported cause of infection among those that are tracked," Tauxe said, and while some types have decreased, others are on the rise.

Although the second most common infection, Campylobacter, decreased since the early 1990s, "it's still lower than it was in the 1990s but it has increased by 14 percent since a baseline period of 2006 to 2008," Tauxe said.

While still quite rare, he said Vibrio infections increased 43 percent in 2012, compared with 2006 to 2008.

"Vibrio organisms are found in marine waters where shellfish are harvested and many Vibrio infections are due to eating oysters," he noted. "However, not all are due to oysters and some infections are acquired from contact with marine water causing, for instance, wound infections."

E. coli O157 levels in 2012 were similar to those observed in 2006 to 2008, although in the past "substantial declines were observed following regulatory change and improvement in the food industry that particularly targeted ground beef," Tauxe noted.

"It is still the case now that numbers were lower than they were back in the 1990s," he said. "But right now we're just about where we were in 2006 to 2008, and we may need to identify additional ways to reduce contamination, as well as heightening awareness among consumers about the importance of thoroughly cooking and safely handling ground beef in their own homes."

A general measure that combines sickness from six key pathogens that are usually transmitted by food decreased 22 percent from the late 1990s, but really hasn't changed since 2006 to 2008, he added.

Last year, the highest incidence of foodborne illnesses caused by Cryptosporidium and bacteria other than listeria and Vibrio was among children younger than age 5. The highest incidence of illnesses caused by listeria and Vibrio was among seniors, according to the report.

View the original article here

Mental Illness a Frequent Cell Mate for Those Behind Bars

Title: Mental Illness a Frequent Cell Mate for Those Behind Bars
Category: Health News
Created: 4/5/2013 10:35:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 4/5/2013 12:00:00 AM

View the original article here

Antihistamine Meds May Raise Risk for Diarrheal Illness

Title: Antihistamine Meds May Raise Risk for Diarrheal Illness
Category: Health News
Created: 3/29/2013 6:35:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 4/1/2013 12:00:00 AM

View the original article here

Brain Changes Could Contribute to Gulf War Illness: Study

Title: Brain Changes Could Contribute to Gulf War Illness: Study
Category: Health News
Created: 3/21/2013 10:35:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 3/21/2013 12:00:00 AM

View the original article here

Eat Well to Recover From Illness

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This content is selected and controlled by WebMD's editorial staff and is brought to you by Boost®.Food to Table Better Brain Power Over 60 and Cooking Cooking for One 10 Foods for Grandkids and YouPower-Packed RecipesHave Your Meals Delivered 10 Tips to Help Your Loved One EatHelping Someone Eat After an IllnessSigns a Loved One Isn't Eating Enough What to Do if You're Not Hungry Meet the Experts Good Nutrition is Essential SponsoredStaying ActiveFitness Tips for Fatigue Myths About Exercise as You AgeStrong and Agile Keep Your Heart Healthy Eat for a Long Life Exercise, Belly Fat and Your Health Tips to Keep Your Bones Strong Lower Blood Sugar With ExerciseNutrition You NeedEat for Strength When Sick How to Get the Protein You Need Top Nutrients You May Be Missing How to Stimulate An Older Appetite Eat for Digestive Health Avoiding Problem Foods Best Nutrients for Your EyesHelp With Eating ProblemsEating to Control Blood SugarFiber & Whole Grains: Diabetes Power FoodsFalse Help a Loved One Eat Right to Recover From Illness WebMD Feature

Reviewed By Laura J. Martin, MD

When a senior is sick or recovering from an injury, it's important for them to eat a healthy diet. Getting enough calories from nutritious foods can help their recovery. It will help their bodies heal and give them the mental and physical energy they need.

"The most important thing is to ensure that their immune system is working at its best," says Madeleine Glick, MS, RD, a dietitian at Greenwich Woods, a long-term care facility in Greenwich, Conn.

6 Tips to Help Your Senior as She Heals

1. Don’t assume she’ll eat when hungry. Even when they're feeling well, many seniors don't have a great appetite. As we get older, we lose taste buds, making some foods taste blander. Sometimes dental problems can also limit what we can chew.

When sick or recovering, many seniors are even less likely to eat. Many illnesses cause our bodies to lose appetite, says Mary Fennell Lyles, MD. She teaches gerontology and geriatric medicine at the Wake Forest School of Medicine.

Some prescription medications can further squash the urge to eat.

2. Count her calories. How many calories should she be eating? Dietitians figure out how many calories an older adult needs by converting her weight in pounds to kilograms (divide weight in pounds by 2.2), then planning on 25 to 35 calories per kilogram.

For example, a 130-pound person recovering from a broken hip might need about 2,068 calories a day. (Divide 130 by 2.2 to get their weight in kilograms. Then multiply that by 35 calories to get the calories in a day.)

A person who is overweight or has diabetes needs closer to 25 calories per kilogram. For seniors who are ill or recovering, dietitians commonly recommend 35 calories per kilogram. Getting too few calories can slow healing and leave an ill senior without the energy to work on physical therapy or get moving.

Talk to your senior’s doctor or dietitian for guidance on how many calories your senior needs.

3. Work with her favorites. Glick finds out which foods the people she works with like best so she can tailor meals to their tastes. You’re more likely to get your senior to eat by serving their favorites, she says. 

"If someone just wants to eat pudding all day, it may not be what you think they should be eating, but maybe you can work with that," she says.

Glick often fortifies favorite foods to improve nutrition. She’ll add whole milk or protein powder to the pudding, for example.

Offering nutrition supplement drinks as snacks between meals can also help you meet her calorie needs. However, the drinks should be used as supplements, not meal replacements.

4. Focus on healing nutrients. When feeding your loved one, choose foods with nutrients that help healing. Foods rich in vitamin C and zinc are particularly helpful for seniors recovering from any type of skin wound, Glick says.

Vitamin C. Because supermarket juices can lose their vitamin C content, she recommends whole citrus fruits. Try tangerines, juice squeezed at home, or homemade smoothies that include vitamin C-rich fruits such as strawberries.

Zinc. This mineral is found in fortified breakfast cereal, beef, crab and other shellfish, and chicken.

Vitamin D. Found in milk, salmon, and tuna, vitamin D may also help seniors as they recover. According to studies, having enough vitamin D can mean a lower risk of falls and fractures with falls. It may be a good idea to give your senior vitamin and mineral supplements. Talk to her doctor. 1 2 #url_reference {display: none};#url_reference { display: block; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 10px; }#logo_rdr img { visibility: visible; }.titleBar_rdr .titleBarMiddle_fmt { padding-top: 1.5em;} Next: Over 60 and Cooking #sb-4275-world-05 .dynbm_body { float: left; } #sb-4275-world-05 .dynbm_body { padding-right: 10px; } #sb-4275-world-05 #dynbm_screens .screen { width: 300px; } #sb-4275-world-05 #dynbm_screens .screen em { display: block; position: relative; font-style: normal; font-size: 75%; color: #666; } #sb-4275-world-05 #dynbm_screens #screen1 em { margin: -10px 0 0 5px; } #sb-4275-world-05 #dynbm_screens #screen2 em { margin: -5px 0 0 19px; } #sb-4275-world-05 #dynbm_screens #screen3 em { margin: -3px 0 0 6px; } #sb-4275-world-05 #dynbm_screens .screen sup { font-size: 55%; top: -0.6em; top: -0.8em\9; } #sb-4275-world-05 #dynbm_screens .screen h3 { line-height: 1.25em; margin: 0 85px 0 0; padding: 6px 10px 8px 10px; position: relative; z-index: 2; } #sb-4275-world-05 #dynbm_screens .screen .action_link { position: relative; z-index: 2; } #sb-4275-world-05 #dynbm_screens .screen ul { position: relative; z-index: 2; width: 160px; *margin-bottom: 5px; } #sb-4275-world-05 #dynbm_screens .screen li { line-height: 1.35em; } #sb-4275-world-05 #dynbm_screens .screen p { font-size: 90%; margin: 0 125px 0 1px; padding-bottom: 10px; } #sb-4275-world-05 #dynbm_screens .screen img { position: absolute; right: 0; z-index: 1; } #sb-4275-world-05 .dynbm_body h3 a:link, #sb-4275-world-05 .dynbm_body h3 a:hover, #sb-4275-world-05 .dynbm_body h3 a:visited, #sb-4275-world-05 .dynbm_body h3 a:active { text-decoration: none; } #sb-4275-world-05 { font-family: arial; font-size: 15px; height: 290px; margin-bottom: 10px !important; width: 298px; } #sb-4275-world-05 .screen a.ctaImage { float: right; } #sb-4275-world-05 .screen a.ctaImage img { -moz-border-radius-topright: 15px; -webkit-border-top-right-radius: 15px; border-top-right-radius: 15px; margin-top: -2px; } #sb-4275-world-05 #screen3.screen p { margin-right: 80px; } #sb-4275-world-05 .dynbm_base { top: 200px; left: 3px; z-index: 2; } #sb-4275-world-05 .dynbm_base .dybm_nav { margin-bottom: 17px; } #sb-4275-world-05 .socmed_nav { display: none; } Complete Nutritional Drink You're Guaranteed to Love! Love the Taste or Get Your Money Back See Delicious Recipes Made with BOOST® Products Learn More

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Chronic Illness and Relationships: Communicating and Managing Stress

Don't let chronic illness weaken the bond between you and your partner.Reviewed by Kimball Johnson, MD

Having a chronic illness such as diabetes, arthritis, or multiple sclerosis can take a toll on even the best relationship. The partner who's sick may not feel the way he or she did before the illness. And the person who's not sick may not know how to handle the changes. The strain may push both people's understanding of "in sickness and in health" to its breaking point.

Studies show that marriages in which one spouse has a chronic illness are more likely to fail if the spouses are young. And spouses who are caregivers are six times more likely to be depressed than spouses who do not need to be caregivers.

Making Lust Last

By Keith Ablow, M.D. Rekindling Passion For The Husband You Still Love   People sometimes tell me they know a couple married 20 years whose sex life is still as good as it ever was. Here's what I tell them in return: "There are only three possibilities. One: This couple is lying. Two: They are telling the truth, because they didn't have good sex to begin with. Or three: Sex is all they really have together. They never connected emotionally." I've drawn that conclusion by listening...

Read the Making Lust Last article > >

Clinical psychologist Rosalind Kalb, vice president of the professional resource center at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, says, "Even in the best marriages, it's hard.  You feel trapped, out of control, and helpless."

But with patience and commitment, there are ways you and your partner can deal with the strain a chronic illness can place on your relationship.

Relationships can suffer when people don't discuss problems that have no easy or obvious solution, Kalb says. And that lack of discussion can lead to feelings of distance and a lack of intimacy.

"Finding ways to talk openly about challenges," she says, "is the first step toward effective problem-solving and the feelings of closeness that come from good teamwork."

Marybeth Calderone has limited use of her legs and hands because of a neurological disorder called Charcot-Marie-Tooth. Her husband Chris says that figuring out when to communicate is his biggest challenge.

"My wife gets frustrated with herself when she can't do things, like organize our 8-year-old daughter's desk," he says. "A lot of times, I'm not sure if Marybeth is angry at me or with her condition. Often, I try to figure it out on my own and don't say anything.”

The right level of communication is key. Boston College social work professor Karen Kayser says, "If the couple is consumed with talking about the illness, that's a problem. If they never talk about it, it's also a problem. You have to find a middle ground."

View the original article here

Chronic Illness and Relationships: Communicating and Managing Stress

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Track your way to weight loss success Manage your family's vaccinations Join the conversation See more benefits Sign Up Why WebMD? My WebMD Show Menu My Tools My WebMD Pages My Account Sign Out FacebookTwitterPinterest WebMD Home Health & Sex Center Health & Sex Feature Stories Email a FriendPrint Article Health & Sex Tools & ResourcesFight ED With Exercise Sex Quiz: Fact or Fiction?Infidelity Quiz: Who Cheats?Sex and Dating After Divorce Low Testosterone ExplainedMale Orgasms: How They Change Font Size A A A 7 Ways to Keep Your Relationship Strong Despite a Chronic Illness Don't let chronic illness weaken the bond between you and your partner. ByKaren Bruno
WebMD Feature Reviewed byKimball Johnson, MD

Having a chronic illness such as diabetes, arthritis, or multiple sclerosis can take a toll on even the best relationship. The partner who's sick may not feel the way he or she did before the illness. And the person who's not sick may not know how to handle the changes. The strain may push both people's understanding of "in sickness and in health" to its breaking point.

Studies show that marriages in which one spouse has a chronic illness are more likely to fail if the spouses are young. And spouses who are caregivers are six times more likely to be depressed than spouses who do not need to be caregivers.

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Clinical psychologist Rosalind Kalb, vice president of the professional resource center at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, says, "Even in the best marriages, it's hard.  You feel trapped, out of control, and helpless."

But with patience and commitment, there are ways you and your partner can deal with the strain a chronic illness can place on your relationship.

1. Communicate

Relationships can suffer when people don't discuss problems that have no easy or obvious solution, Kalb says. And that lack of discussion can lead to feelings of distance and a lack of intimacy.

"Finding ways to talk openly about challenges," she says, "is the first step toward effective problem-solving and the feelings of closeness that come from good teamwork."

Marybeth Calderone has limited use of her legs and hands because of a neurological disorder called Charcot-Marie-Tooth. Her husband Chris says that figuring out when to communicate is his biggest challenge.

"My wife gets frustrated with herself when she can't do things, like organize our 8-year-old daughter's desk," he says. "A lot of times, I'm not sure if Marybeth is angry at me or with her condition. Often, I try to figure it out on my own and don't say anything.”

The right level of communication is key. Boston College social work professor Karen Kayser says, "If the couple is consumed with talking about the illness, that's a problem. If they never talk about it, it's also a problem. You have to find a middle ground."

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Next Page > #url_reference {display: none};#url_reference { display: block; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 10px; }#logo_rdr img { visibility: visible; }.titleBar_rdr .titleBarMiddle_fmt { padding-top: 1.5em !important;} Top Picks When Sex Triggers 'Accidents' What's New in Sex Therapy Antidepressants: Sexual Side Effects and More Getting Intimate: Talking Together About ED Is Your Mouth Kissably Healthy? Find Out How Diabetes Affects A Woman's Sexual Health Further Reading: If sex is painful, will avoiding sex cause it to hurt less? How often do married people have sex? Is Your Marriage Bliss, or a Miss? What Does "For Worse" Look Like? What Your Friend's Divorce Means for Your Marriage The 'Good Enough' Marriage First Marriages Often End in Divorce See All Marriage Topics Health & Sex Home Health & Sex News Health & Sex Reference Health & Sex Videos Sexual Health Community Health & Sex Questions and Answers Health & Sex Glossary Health & Sex Guide 1 Just the Facts 2 Sex, Dating, & Marriage 3 Love Better 4 Expert Insights 5 Sex and Health 6 Help & Support Living Healthy Centers Balance Family & Pregnancy Living Healthy Men’s Health Pet Health Raising Fit Kids Teen Health Women’s Health Top 12 Concerns 1. Dating Ideas 2. Oral Sex 3. Better Sex 4. Low Libido 5. Marriage Tips 6. Sex: Fact or Fiction 7. Erection Killers 8. Sexy Massage 9. Penis Facts 10. Sex Mistakes 11. Yeast Infections 12. Toxic Marriage? 091e9c5e80b50150 091e9c5e80b6bedc prm-answrs module_prm-answrs_091e9c5e80b50150.xml wbmd_pb_templatemodule 0 10 10/15/2012 07:57:27 0 RSS http://answers.webmd.com/api/answers/AnswerAPIService.svc/question/topicids/answered/helpful/1/2/?btn=0/cfg=lr/skn=wellness/ex=1/v=1/id=1101 1 The remote server returned an error: (404) Not Found.:12/18/2012 16:10:02 --> Related to Sex Erectile Dysfunction Genital Herpes HIV/AIDS HPV/Genital Warts Infertility & Reproduction Low T & Sex Drive Sexual Conditions Sexual Health Teens and Sex More Related Topics Today in Sex & Relationships Article 6 Secrets to Get in the Mood Article How to Handle Bad Sex   Article 10 Reasons Why Sex Is Good for You Video Exercises for Better Sex   Article How Age Affects a Penis Slideshow Top Myths About HIV   Quiz Sex: Fact or Fiction Video Common Women's Sexual Problems   Article Are You in Love? 6 Tips for Teens Article Antidepressants: Sexual Side Effects and More   Slideshow A Visual Guide to ED Article Facts About the HPV Vaccine   Subscribe to WebMD Newsletters

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