Tag: #Healthymind

Mindfulness found as effective as leading antidepressant in treating anxiety disorders

 

(Mindfulness is a cognitive skill that involves being aware of your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings in the present moment without judgment. It’s a practice that can help you feel calmer, more self-aware, and better able to cope with difficult thoughts and feelings.) 

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders affect millions of people and are frequently treated with medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).  SSRIs can be an effective tool in countering the symptoms of anxiety disorders.  However, they also come with side effects that can negatively impact a patient’s quality of life in other ways.

Escitalopram (sold as Lexapro and Cipralex), adverse effects include nausea, headaches, dry mouth, excessive sweating, insomnia and fatigue.

Research

The research demonstrated that eight weeks of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) was non-inferior to escitalopram in providing stress relief.  In addition, no emotional regulation without having additional drawbacks.

In a new research letter, published in JAMA Network Open, the research team presented the secondary outcomes of patient-reported anxiety, depression, and quality of life from the previous study.

New Study

The study involved 276 adults diagnosed with various anxiety disorders.  They included agoraphobia, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and social anxiety disorder. Participants were randomly assigned to either the MBSR program or escitalopram treatment. The MBSR group attended weekly sessions focused on mindfulness meditation techniques.  While the escitalopram group received dosages ranging from 10 to 20 mg per day with regular clinical follow-ups.

Researchers used multiple standardized scales to measure anxiety, depression, and quality of life, both from patient and clinician perspectives. Blinded evaluators conducted assessments using tools like the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the PROMIS Anxiety Short Form.

The Findings

Findings revealed that both groups experienced similar reductions in anxiety symptoms over the study period. No significant differences were detected between MBSR and escitalopram in overall anxiety reduction by week 8, the study’s primary endpoint. Escitalopram showed a slight edge in symptom reduction at the midtreatment point (week 4), but these improvements were not sustained by the end of the study.

Adverse effects

Adverse event rates were the only significant difference between the two treatments. Nearly 79% of escitalopram recipients reported at least one study-related side effect, compared to just 15% of those in the mindfulness group.

The findings lend greater support for the use of mindfulness-based stress reduction as a reliable treatment for anxiety disorders with fewer risks.  The study makes a compelling case for its broader application in clinical settings.

Source: JAMA Network Open (2024)

 

Related:  Mindfulness for Beginners – TUTORING YOU

Most Common Ailments in America

There were about 860.4 million doctor’s office visits in 2018, or about 2.67 visits per person. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 83.4% of adults and 94% of children had a visit with a doctor or health care professional in 2020. Many of these visits were likely prompted by the most common ailments in America.

The list includes a host of chronic diseases, mental health problems, various hereditary conditions, infectious diseases, and more. According to the CDC, 6 in 10 adults in the U.S. have a chronic disease, and 4 in 10 have two or more chronic diseases. 

Source: sturti / E+ via Getty Images

6. Acute bronchitis and URI

Source: kudryavtsev / iStock via Getty Images

5. Skin disorders

4. Trauma-related disorders

3. Heart conditions

2. Mental disorders

According to a report from the Mental Health Million Project by the nonprofit Sapien Labs, 45% of people in the United States who have a clinical-level mental health problem don’t seek professional help. These findings hint that mental health problems may be more widespread than is widely acknowledged.

Source: Egor Kulinich / Getty Images

1. COPD, asthma

Asthma, the No. 1 ailment in the U.S., is not preventable – although a major contributing factor in the development of the condition is air pollution, which is structurally preventable. People who live in urban areas, where the air quality is likely worse, are more likely to have asthma.

In addition to regularly visiting a doctor and adhering to recommended screenings and tests, a healthy diet and lifestyle – including being physically active, not smoking, and limiting alcohol intake – can help lower the risk of a wide range of diseases. But many of the most common ailments, including trauma-related ailments (like broken bones), allergic reactions, glaucoma, and auto-immune diseases may not be preventable. 

By Josie Green for 24/7 Tempo©

Source: Most Common Ailments in America | 24/7 Tempo (247tempo.com)

Understanding aphasia, the condition ending Bruce Willis’ acting career

Legendary actor Bruce Willis announced Wednesday his departure from the big screen following his diagnosis with aphasia, which is “impacting his cognitive abilities,” his family said in a statement.

Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

While details of what led to Willis’ aphasia diagnosis are unknown at this time, medical experts stress the importance of the brain condition and how its specifically treated — depending on its severity.

Aphasia is defined as a condition that affects the ability to speak, write and understand language, according to the Mayo Clinic. The brain disorder can occur after strokes or head injuries — and can even lead in some cases to dementia.

“As a result of this and with much consideration Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him,” his daughter, Rumer Willis, said on Instagram. “This is a really challenging time for our family and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion and support.”

It impacts the way a person can communicate

Medical experts say the impacts of aphasia can vary, depending on the person’s diagnosis. But mainly, the condition affects a person’s ability to communicate — whether it’s written, spoken or both.

People living with aphasia can experience changes in their ability to communicate; as they may find difficulty finding words, using words out of order or will even speak in a short manner, according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Aphasia diagnoses are more common than you think

According to the National Aphasia Association, the communication disorder affects roughly two million people in the U.S., as it’s more common than Parkinson’s Disease, cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy.

Nearly 180,000 people in the U.S. acquire the condition each year. Most people living with aphasia are middle-aged or older, as the average age of those living with the condition is 70 years old. But anyone, including young children, can acquire it.

Treatment for aphasia focuses on the symptoms

Fortunately, treatment options for aphasia are indeed possible.

Traditionally, most people undergo a form of speech and language therapy to restore their communicative skills. Kiran said this form of therapy is a big part of what medical experts can do to help someone recover.

“The road to rehabilitation or therapy can be long and hard, but it’s possible for people to improve,” she said.

Additionally, there are ongoing clinical trials that use brain stimulation and may help improve one’s ability to regain skills, Kiran says. However, no long-term research has been conducted yet.

By JONATHAN FRANKLIN for NPR©

Source: Bruce Willis: What is aphasia and how does it impact communication : NPR