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Health
Note: Once diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a person needs extensive and long-term treatment.
Generally medications are prescribed by doctors, but those who are interested in nat- ural treatment, can also con- sider herbal remedies. Make sure to consult a qualified naturopath or medical herbalist for proper guidance.
Here are the top home reme- dies for bipolar disorder.
1. Fish Oil
Being rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil can help in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Its EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) content is essential for hormone production and nerve tissue health. Fish oil improves the functionality of brain and helps overcome de- pression.
So, take fish oil supple- ments. For proper dosage, consult your doctor. Also, you can regularly eat fatty fish such as albacore tuna, mackerel, salmon, herring and trout which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
2. Brahmi
Brahmi, also known as ba- copa, is another useful herb for bipolar disorder because it
works as a mild stimulant as well as sedative. It also helps enhance memory and relieves mental strain.
* Drink a few teaspoons of juice extracted from brahmi leaves daily for several weeks. Another option is consume brahmi ghee prepared by frying brahmi leaves in clarified but- ter (ghee).
* Alternatively, take this herb in supplement form. For proper dosage, consult your doctor.
* An invigorating head mas- sage with brahmi oil is also beneficial.
3. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha works as a nervine tonic to improve the symptoms of bipolar disorder. A 2013 study by the University of Pittsburgh found that sensorial, an ingredient in ashwagandha can improve 3 separate cognitive functions in those suffering from bipolar disorder as it can help with auditory-verbal working memory, reaction time and so- cial cognition.
Take 500 mg standardized extract of Ashwagandha root and leaves daily for several weeks.
4. Valerian Root
Valerian root is known for its strong sedative properties which can help calm the nervous sys- tem. It is often used as an alter- native medicine for anxiety, sleep problems and mood disor- ders.
Valerian promotes feelings of calmness and reduces nervous tension and stress along with anxiety, restlessness and mild to moderate mood changes.
This herb is easily available in the market in various forms such as dried valerian root, tea bags, capsules, and liquid extract.
5. Passion Flower
Passion flower has sedative
properties that can reduce anxi- ety and excitability experienced during the manic episodes of bipolar disorder. It also helps treat insomnia.
Although this herb has no side effects, yet at times it may cause stomach upset. However, before taking this herb it is ad- visable to discuss with your doc- tor.
1. Add 1 teaspoon of this herb to a cup of hot water.
2. Let it steep for 10 to 15 min- utes.
3. Strain and drink this tea a few times a day.
6. Magnesium
Magnesium works in a way similar to lithium but with fewer health risks. It works as a mood balancer and reduces the symp- toms of mania. It also promotes good sleep. In fact, magnesium deficiency often leads to insom- nia and anxiety. Magnesium lev- els are naturally depleted during periods of stress and hard work.
* Take oral magnesium sup- plements.
* You can also include mag- nesium-rich foods such as spinach, Swiss chard, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, cashews, soybeans, and black beans in your diet.
Hormones — such as estrogen, testosterone, adrenaline and insulin — are extremely important chemical messengers that affect many as- pects of your overall health.
Hormones are secreted by various glands and organs including your thyroid, adrenals, pituitary, ovaries, testicles and pancreas.
The entire endocrine system works together to control the level of hor- mones circulating throughout your body, and if one or more is even slightly imbalanced it can cause widespread, major health problems.
Conventional treatments for hormonal imbalances usually include synthetic hormone replacement therapies, birth control pills, insulin in- jections, thyroid medications and more.
Unfortunately, for the majority of people suffering from hormonal dis- orders, relying on these types of synthetic treatments often does three things:
1. It makes people dependent on taking prescription drugs for the rest of their lives in order to keep symptoms under control
2. It simply masks the patient’s symptoms, but doesn’t solve them, which means that the patient can continue to develop abnormalities in other areas of the body while the disorder progresses
3. It causes a higher risk for serious side effects such as stroke, osteo- porosis, anxiety, reproductive problems, cancer and more
The good news is there are ways to balance your hormones naturally. But first things first:
Signs And Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalances
Some of the most common signs and symptoms of hormone imbal- ances include:
* Infertility and irregular periods
* Weight gain or weight loss (that’s unexplained and not due to in- tentional changes in your diet)
* Depression and anxiety * Fatigue
* Insomnia
* Low libido
* Changes in appetite
* Digestive issues
* Hair loss and hair thinning
Symptoms of hormonal imbalances can range drastically depending on what type of disorder or illness they cause.
Some specific problems associated with some of the most common hormonal imbalances include:
* Estrogen dominance: changes in sleep patterns, changes in weight and appetite, higher perceived stress, slowed metabolism. * Poly- cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS): infertility, weight gain, higher risk for diabetes, acne, abnormal hair growth.
* Low estrogen: low sex drive, reproductive problems, menstrual irregularity, changes in mood.
* Hypothyroidism: slowed metabolism, weight gain, fatigue, anxi- ety, irritability, digestive issues, irregular periods.
* Low testosterone: erectile dysfunction, muscle loss, weight gain, fatigue, mood-related problems. * Hyperthyroidism & Grave’s Disease: anxiety, thinning hair, weight loss, IBS, trouble sleeping, irregular heart- beats.
* Diabetes: weight gain, nerve damage (neuropathy), higher risk for vision loss, fatigue, trouble breathing, dry mouth, skin problems.
And, Adrenal fatigue: fatigue, muscle aches and pains, anxiety and depression, trouble sleeping, brain fog, reproductive problems.
Next Week: What you can do to help yourself.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 11-B