Posts Tagged risk
Health Benefits Of Probiotics
The mere mention of the word bacteria to the average person is more than likely to guarantee a fairly negative and adverse reaction: the reason for this is that bacteria have become the byword synonymous with a variety of unpleasant and potentially lethal health complaints. In reality, just as there are good and bad people, so too are there different types of bacteria that can pose a risk or benefit to a person’s wellbeing.
Friendly bacteria, or use to the more formal term probiotics, have been identified by researchers from across the globe as a very potent ally in the treatment of a number of different pathologies, predominately related to gastrointestinal functionality.
Medical professionals have been especially impressed with the potential relationship that exists between the consumption and ingestion of the probiotics in the diet and the health condition known as “AAD” (Antibiotic associated Diarrhoea).
AAD occurs within a person whenever there is an imbalance in the levels of gastrointestinal bacteria in their body, thereby meaning that more harmful strains of bacteria such as Clostridium Difficile are allowed to grow, thrive and flourish. More in-depth studies that have been conducted to more precisely identify the strains of probiotics that may help to break the cycle of AAD and the efficacy of antibiotic therapy as a whole have identified that the Lactobacillus DDS-1 strain not only reduced the severity of bowel evacuation episodes but furthermore; actually bolstered the autoimmune system as a whole.
One of the primary concerns with the over-reliance upon antibiotic agents of any description is the fact that they will gradually lose their usefulness and effectiveness in the treatment of diseases and foreign cells within the body. By ensuring that the autoimmune system is strengthened, this in turn means that the need to rely upon such antibiotic treatment is significantly reduced, even eliminated.
The implications of such a breakthrough are nothing short of incredible and indeed, there have been many medical professionals who have identified that one of the most remarkable and significant benefits that probiotics have to offer the average person is a chance to make use of medicinal cycling.
With medicinal cycling, the patient will alternate between ingesting antibiotic agents with the usage of probiotic drinks, probiotics foods, and even probiotic supplements to help replenish the immune system as a whole. This way, the efficacy of the antibiotic agents is not compromised; nor is the quality of care provided to the patient.
Mental Illness – Schizophrenia and Violence
Posted by admin in Mental Health on May 16, 2011
By Roger Johansen
Hollywood and the general media have a morbid fascination with violence and mental illness, especially psychosis and “madness.” This fascination sells tickets, but it also maintains the stigma and negative image that society holds towards people with mental illness and schizophrenia.
Studies in Australia found that mentally disordered TV characters were 10 times more likely to be displayed as violent as compared to non-mentally disordered ones. Television has also influenced people to believe that having someone with a mental disorder as a neighbour, would endanger them.
This trend crosses the Atlantic where in the States, 75% of a survey believed that people with severe mental illness were dangerous.
But the question is… does schizophrenia deserve this bad reputation?
The answer is “yes” and “no”.
This same survey in the States found that severe mental disorders was associated with increased rates of violence (assault, sexual assault, arson) but that this was only significant when there was CO-OCCURRING substance misuse. Read the rest of this entry »