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Lithium

Lithium Carbonate is a drug used primarily for treating people with manic depression (Bipolar), as well as other depressive disorders. Although dosage could vary from one patient to another, typically a person would be treated with between 600 and 900mg daily, which are divided in three doses. Then within a short time, the dose is increased to 1,200 to 1,800 daily, again divided into three doses. For elderly patients, the dose would usually begin around 300mg a day.

Manufactured by Able Laboratories, it is important to keep in mind that Lithium has a very, narrow therapeutic/toxic ratio so concentrations need to be measured on a regular basis. The way in which Lithium works is by interfering with the reuptake and synthesis of chemical messengers, which is the way the nerves communicate with each other. In addition, concentrations of tryptophan and serotonin within the brain are also affected by Lithium. These things coupled by an increase in the production of white blood cells found in bone marrow, the Lithium usually shows improvement in the patient within seven to ten days.

Sold in capsule form of 300mg and tablet form of 450mg, it is important that Lithium be taken with food. For people dealing with various types of kidney disease, less Lithium is excreted. Therefore, treatment must include a lower dose in most cases. In addition, consumption of caffeine has shown to reduce serum Lithium concentrations and side effects are often increased. Although some people experience different side effects, most commonly seen are nausea, vertigo, dazed feeling, muscle weakness, and discomfort.

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This Week's Bipolar News

Overeating and substance abuse are similar disorders
Los Angeles Times
People with bipolar disorder have higher-than-average rates of obesity and substance abuse. But McIntyre found that the obesity rate in bipolar patients was ...

Club stoush bowls out member
The Advertiser
A MAN suffering from bipolar disorder and depression has been barred from membership at a Sydney bowling club after a clash over club bylaws.

Mom abandons 18-year-old under Nebraska safe-haven law
Richmond Times-Dispatch
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- Police say a woman has abandoned her 18-year-old daughter at a hospital, saying she can't control the girl, in what may be the latest use of Nebraska's unique safe-haven law. The woman told officials at BryanLGH Medical Center West that her daughter, who was adopted, is bipolar and has a learning disability, Assistant Police Chief Jim Peschong said today.

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Featured Article:

Romancing Your Spouse

"Romancing your spouse?" Ok, I can already hear you yelling at me! I know, it's a strange concept, but hear me out. Some of the longest-running marriages have lasted because of this very concept.

You may be thinking that this has nothing to do with Bipolar Disorder, but it does. Even the best of marriages has some strain on it - the pressures of day-to-day living, at the very least. However, Bipolar Disorder puts additional pressure on your marriage because of the issues you have to face in dealing with the disorder, whether you are the survivor or the supporter.

No matter how long you've been married, the suggestions in this article can put some "spark" into your marriage. And if you've only been married a short time, putting these suggestions into place now can help ensure a long, happy, healthy marriage (of course, you will still have to do some hard work yourself to make that happen as well!).

Click here to read the entire aritcle

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