OrganizedWisdom Health Blog

Best wisdom of the week: drug cocktails for bipolar, diabetes and anger, and more!

Each week I'll post here to highlight some of the best new WisdomCards we've added to our collection. Our WisdomCards are hand-crafted, doctor-approved research summaries to help you find the health information you're after. See what our hardworking Guides found this week: 

• Dealing with bipolar disorder or other mood disorders?  Guide Jacky found resources for you on both medicinal and supportive therapies. Bipolar is often treated with "drug cocktails" which are explained on the Drug Cocktails for Bipolar Disorder WisdomCard.  And if you need help remembering to take those drugs, or simply need emotional support, maybe you should consider a service dog -- they're not just for the blind anymore.  Read all about them on the Service Dogs for Bipolar Disorder and Emotional Support Animal WisdomCards. 

• Concerned about psychotherapy?  Guide Susan found answers to your questions on the Benefits of Psychotherapy and What Is a Psychiatrist Appointment Like WisdomCards. 

• Confused about the difference between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis?  Guide Susan also found some excellent resources and fast facts for you on the Rheumatoid Arthritis vs. Osteoarthritis WisdomCard that will help clear the confusion.   

• When newly diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, it's natural to be worried about your prognosis. Guide Catherine did the research for you and found encouraging news that she shares on the Rheumatoid Arthritis Prognosis WisdomCard.  

• Diabetes is another condition that will bring up unwanted feelings and concerns.  If you're angry about your diabetes, Guide Kenyotta discovered you're not alone.  Check out the Diabetes and Anger WisdomCard to read about dealing with the emotional impact of diabetes. 

• If you're pregnant, Guide Kenyotta has also found some tips for you on how to avoid gestational diabetes. The Gestational Diabetes and Weight Gain WisdomCard has some concrete numbers for you on what is a healthy weight gain while pregnant, and what to do if you do develop gestational diabetes.

Want more? You can always find the newest WisdomCards right on the OrganizedWisdom homepage!

Browse our new slideshows: famous fictional shrinks, celebrities with mental illness, and the best foods for your mood.

Sometimes you're itching to read and research, sometimes you just want to flip through pictures and captions. We know. We're like that, too. That's why the OrganizedWisdom team is so happy to announce the arrival of our latest project -- slideshows.

Here are our first three installments. Happy browsing:

Famous Fictional Shrinks
They can make you laugh, they can make you cry, but they can't actually write you a prescription. From Dr. Melfi to Frasier Crane, you're sure to find your favorite on-screen psychiatrist on our list.

Celebrities with Mental Illness
Everyone has their ups and downs. It's reassuring to know that even the biggest stars are no exception. Find out which conditions celebs like Mel Gibson, Axl Rose, and rapper DMX deal with daily.

The Best Foods to Boost Your Mood
Not only are salmon, lobster, and chocolate delicious, they're natural "uppers." Be sure to add these foods to your grocery list for the ultimate feel-good pantry!

(Be sure to drop us a line here if we've missed any great items in our lists above. Thanks!)

Compassion in the ER, Resources You Need at OrganizedWisdom

There was nothing usual about the paramedics bringing an elderly woman from a nursing home to the ER last week. She was an 89 year old woman with chronic dementia who was found unconscious by the nursing home staff that morning. On arrival, she had a high fever along with an irregular, rapid heart rate and shallow, rapid respirations. After lots of IV fluids, antibiotics, and medications to lower her fever and control her heart rate, she remained in critical condition with a grim prognosis. 

As I read through her paperwork from the nursing home, it became apparent that this woman had no living family members. Her health care proxy was a young woman in her 40's who was a former neighbor and looked after her from time to time.  When I thanked her for coming to the hospital so quickly, she simply stated, "no one should have to die alone." 

That moment of compassion and humanity was genuinely palpable, and it prompted a time to reflect upon what's truly important as we go through our daily lives. In the hospital, we often remind ourselves that it's not just about living long enough to reach a certain age, but how well life is lived during the years we have. 

At OrganizedWisdom, we take pride in what we do because we know we're helping millions of people find better health information. Our WisdomCards reflect our passion for delivering information that people can use to become more informed about their conditions, medications, treatments, and doctors. For example, whether it's living better with bipolar disorder, learning about the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, or discovering new ways to deal with stress, you'll find all the helpful resources you need. Visit our site often, follow us on Twitter, and stay up to date with the latest health trends and topics. 

Have you had these questions? Now, we've got answers!

 Have you ever wondered:

• How will bipolar disorder affect my relationship?
• Is gaining weight part of bipolar disorder?
• Why do I have trouble sleeping?

If you're one of the 5.7 adult Americans with bipolar disorder, these are likely the same questions you asked when you were first diagnosed. And how do we know that? They're some of the questions we see coming up in the search queries we look at every day, and we thought it was time they got answered!

You see, OrganizedWisdom is taking our focus -- helping people find the health information they're seeking -- to the next level. Our new Frequently Asked Questions section (see our first installment, Bipolar 101) invites doctors and other qualified medical professionals to help answer these hot questions while directing users to WisdomCards loaded with helpful resources.

We invite you to flip through these new FAQs, tell a mental health professional you know to submit a response, and share with friends or family members who live with this condition.
 
And don't forget to tell us what you think. Please share your feedback here!

Feeling short of breath? Don't delay

In emergency departments like the one where I work in New York City, shortness of breath remains one of the most common complaints, accounting for approximately 3 million visits in the United States each year. Also known by medical professionals as dyspnea, shortness of breath has many possible causes, many of which are life-threatening if not urgently identified and treated.  In Robin Williams' case, his symptoms were due to aortic stenosis, a heart condition that affects the aortic valve.  In addition to lung diseases such as asthma, COPD, pneumonia, and pulmonary fibrosis, other common causes of shortness of breath include CHF, heart attack, arrhythmia, pulmonary embolism, severe anemia, and allergic reactions- all very serious medical problems deserving prompt medical attention.

Surprisingly enough, denial plays a role in determining when a person becomes concerned enough to seek medical attention. For example, most people living with asthma and COPD are familiar with the danger of delaying medical care when an exacerbation strikes, yet they often delay going to the hospital for hours or even days.  In fact, it's not unusual for a person with mild shortness of breath to wait several days before seeking help- only to have further progression and worsening of symptoms before finally arriving at an emergency department.

Whether it's shortness of breath at rest (dyspnea), lying down at night (orthopnea), or with physical activity (dyspnea on exertion), be sure to pay attention and tell your doctor if you've noticed a change in your breathing. Also take note of other concerning symptoms like pain, fever, palpitations, and changes in mental status. Above all, don't delay- call your doctor or 911 when new symptoms arise.

Why you should never ignore shortness of breath (and other health lessons learned from celebs)

The OrganizedWisdom team was saddened to learn of Robin Williams' hospitalization and aortic valve replacement. While he surely gave his family, friends, and fans a big scare, doctors say the surgery should be routine (just as long as the patient can refrain from telling jokes while they're holding their scalpels).

The silver lining is that every time a celebrity comes forward to disclose a health condition, thousands of average Joes pay closer attention to their own symptoms and get them checked out. In this case, Williams complained of shortness of breath, which can be a symptom of asthma, COPD, heart attack, and heart failure. It's definitely something to tell your doctor about if you've experienced it.

OrganizedWisdom has tracked down great resources to help you learn more about celebs with conditions you may be curious about. Here are some highly searched stars and the valuable health lessons they've shared.

• Sometimes major fatigue is a sign that you need more than just a day off: Halle Berry and Diabetes
• Extreme pain in feet and hands is nothing to shrug off: Kathleen Turner and Rheumatoid Arthritis
• A bout of indigestion can be an early sign of something worse: Anne Rice and Diabetes
• Many skin conditions stay with you for life, but new treatments can help you manage: Leann Rimes and Psoriasis

More on Celebrities and Health at OrganizedWisdom

One of our favorite celebrity health blogs: Celebrity Psychings