Alternative & Allopathic Medicine

Alternative Health Solutions: Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)

2009-03-10T14:45:00.000-07:00

Tap your way to better health and chi peace. Read this interesting article and others by Amanda at linkedin...
Alternative Health Solutions: Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)

Compliments of referring staff at AmericanEasternInstitute.org

100 Calorie snack Winners!

2009-03-05T06:29:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Bevers for sharing this info with us...

How to Make your own 100 calorie snacks!

A great gal on Gather did a bit of research for you and came up with several lists of items that can be made into something close to 100 calorie snacks. You will notice that some lists overlap. And you may also notice some discrepancies in similar items. That's bound to happen since some items vary due to type and size.

Each list is sourced so you can look these up yourself.

With snack-size plastic bags or small plastic containers, you can easily make your own 100-calorie snacks, and control the nutritional quality. From applesauce to peanuts to grapes or chocolate chips, here are some examples of how much makes roughly 100 calories:

1-1/2 cups grapes
¼ cup raisins
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
8 saltines
4 cups raw broccoli
8 pecan halves
25 baby carrots
3 oz sliced turkey
2 rounded TB peanuts
2 TB chocolate chips
20 pickle slices
lettuce with 1 TB Italian dressing
½ pita pocket (about 1 oz)
2 TB almonds

Fresh fruit comes closest to the ideal. Examples include:

1 large (6 oz) apple
1 medium (4 oz) banana
1 large navel orange
Many yogurts are packaged in small sizes close to 100 calories.
3 oz can of water-pack tuna
one package of string cheese.
Some granola and energy bars are roughly 100 calories, but check the labels to be sure.

Source: The Diet Channel
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The 100-Calorie Healthy Snacks by Debra McDuffee
http://www.diylife.com/tag/100-calorie-snacks/

7 baby carrots (five calories each) (35)
2 tsp. all-natural almond butter or peanut butter (about 66 calories)

1/2 c. strawberries (25 calories)
1/2 c. plain whole milk yogurt (75 calories)

small fruit salad
1 TB slivered almonds (33 calories)

2 TB hummus (50 calories)
5 baby carrots
as many cucumber and celery sticks as you'd like

1 medium apple (75 calories)
1 TB cheese chunks or slices (25 calories)

1/2 medium banana (55 calories)

1-2 TB shredded coconut (for dipping!) (30 calories)

1 TB grain-sweetened chocolate chips (35 calories)
10 spelt pretzels (60 calories)
Hey, how'd that snack get in there? Well, I guess it is semi-healthy.

1 rice cake (35 calories)
2 tsp. almond butter

nearly unlimited veggies sticks if they are green (cucumbers, peppers, celery)
1 TB Goddess dressing for dipping (basically Italian dressing with lemon and tahini)

Use http://www.caloriecount.about.com/ to figure out portions for 100 calories

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1/2 portion of cereal with skim milk
4 med strawberries dipped in 1/2oz of melted (microwave) choc chips
1/3 of the largest size of any Jamba Juice Enlightened smoothie (they keep in the fridge without melting)
3oz (approx 1/3) of a can of Pork-n-beans
1 large egg, scrambled, with 1/2oz of feta and chopped tomato
14 dark chocolate covered espresso beans
1/2 of a Wendy's small chili (you could freeze the other half)

1/2 slice of whole bread toasted around 50 calories (these together)
1/4 can of tuna around 35 calories
1 tsp of salsa around 15cal
(a little hot sauce for a kick)

My Favorite 100 cal savory snack is a veggie burger. I like Morningstar just because you can get them at any grocery store... no bun, just some mustard and hot sauce, sometimes lettuce and tomato. 10g of protein and really low in fat.

For something sweet, I like a cup of Ovaltine, either hot or cold. 2 tbsp in a cup of skim milk is around 100 cal. The Ovaltine has no fat, lots of other vitamins and minerals and the milk is something we all need.

Fage Yogurt (Greek Yogurt) 0%. Add one packet of splenda and 1/4 cup strawberries or rasberries and it is a sweet and filling 100 calorie snack.

from http://www.peertrainer.com (community comments)

DIY 100-Calorie Snacks

Goldfish crackers = 40
Mini Oreos = 7
Mini Teddy Grahams = 36
M&Ms (Plain) = 26
Pretzel sticks = 48
Wheat crisps (Pepperidge Farm) = 12
*Pumpkin seeds = 2 tablespoons
*Soy nuts = 7 teaspoons
*Mixed nuts = 2.5 tablespoons
*Grapes = 28
*healthy options

from http://www.fatfightertv.com

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1. Whip together a cup of unsweetened applesauce with 3 tablespoons of a non-fat whipped topping; sprinkle with cinnamon. Pack in small covered containers.

2. Gourmet coffee to go. Fill a travel mug 3/4 of the way up; stir in a packet of no-sugar hot cocoa mix. Make sure to choose one that is sweetened with Equal or Splenda. Sprinkle on some cinnamon and stir. You've saved hundreds of calories over your coffee-shop drink, and about $3!

3. Craving chips? Slice parsnips and sweet potatoes ultra thin. Toss a tablespoon of olive oil with 2 cups of the sliced veggies and sprinkle on the Mrs. Dash. Avoid salt if you can. Spray a cookie sheet with a non-stick spray, spread out the veggies, and bake about 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Split this recipe up into 6 ziploc bags for 100 calorie servings.

4. Microwave a packet of instant oatmeal, flavored with Splenda or Equal.

5. Microwave a half a potato; scoop out the inside and mash. Put it back in the potato skin and add 2 tablespoons salsa on top. Salsa is a great calorie bargain and a real boon to dieters!

6. Try a small can of V-8 or tomato juice. Sprinkle in the hot sauce, and serve with a stick of celery. Another wake-me-upper snack with well less than 100 calories. Plus, you'll get a daily dose of lycopene, so recommended by doctors as being essential to health. [one 5.5 fluid oz. can of V-8 juice = 30 calories]

7. Microwave a veggie-burger or a veggie-sausage patty; Plop on some mustard, a slice of tomato and pickle, and roll it in a lettuce leaf. At just a bit over 100 calories, this snack will easily tide you over till dinner without splurging on carbohydrates. Filling and fun!

http://weight-loss-methods.suite101.com/article.cfm/save_money_on_100calorie_snacks

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100 calories

4 Nabisco ginger snaps
2 fig newtons

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Under 25 calories:
Broccoli, cup = 12 calories
Cauliflower, cup = 12 calories
Celery, one stalk = 6 calories
Chewing gum, one stick = 5 calories
Cucumber, cup sliced = 7 calories
Dill pickle, one medium = 12 calories
Fortune cookie = 15 calories
Gummy bears, three = 20 calories
Kumquat, one medium = 12 calories
Lollipop = 22 calories
Marshmallow, one regular = 23 calories
Melba toast, two pieces = 25 calories
Strawberries, cup = 25 calories

Under 50 calories:
Blackberries, cup = 37 calories
Carrot, one medium = 31 calories
Cheese, nonfat, one ounce = 40 calories
Cranberries, one cup = 46 calories
Currents, cup = 34 calories
Fruit cocktail, water packed, cup = 40 calories
Grapefruit, medium = 37 calories
Kiwi fruit, one medium = 46 calories
Oyster crackers, ten = 33 calories
Peach, one medium = 37 calories

Up to 100 calories:
Almonds, ten = 70 calories
Animal Crackers, five = 56 calories
Apple, medium = 81 calories
Apricots, three medium = 51 calories
Banana, medium = 53 calories
Blueberries, one cup = 82 calories
Bran cereal, one cup = 60 calories
Chicken noodle soup, one cup = 75 calories
Chocolate pudding pop = 79 calories
Cottage cheese, four ounces = 90 calories
English muffin, one half = 68 calories
Fruit bar = 81 calories
Gelatin, cup = 80 calories
Ginger snaps, two = 59 calories
Graham crackers, two = 66 calories
Grapes, one cup = 58 calories
Honeydew melon, one cup cubed = 60 calories
Licorice, red, six bite sized pieces = 75 calories
Mandarin oranges, canned, cup = 76 calories
Mango, medium = 68 calories
Nectarine, one medium = 67 calories
Orange, one medium = 65 calories
Peanut butter, all natural, two tablespoons = 66 calories

Source: from helium.com article by Ginger Voight

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Try this Twenty100- Calorie Snacks
by Niyaprakash
http://stanford.wellsphere.com/wellpage/100-calorie-snacks

Almonds- 16-20

Pistachios ( in shell )- 1 handful

Apple -1

Orange- 1

Banana - 1

Air-popped popcorn - 3 cups

Baked tortilla chips -10

Fig bars -2

Fruit juice Popsicle -1

Ginger snap cookies -2

Grapes -1 /4 cup

Hard cooked egg -1

Low fat or nonfat yoghurt, plain or artificially sweetened -1 cup

Low- fat string cheese-1 piece

Granola bar - 1

Peanut butter - 1 tablespoon

Pretzels - 40 thin sticks

Pumpkin or sunflower seeds (in shells) - 1 handful

Raisins- 3 tablespoon

Sorbet - 1/2 cup

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This 'n That

A large stalk of celery stuffed with one of the following:
A tablespoon of chunky peanut butter
A tablespoon of soft light cream cheese

About 2-tablespoons of water packed tuna mixed with a teaspoon of light mayonnaise and sprinkled with a dash of onion powder

A large dill pickle wrapped in a thin slice of boiled ham or swiss cheese, (or both)

Jello For the sweet tooth:
Lime diet jello:
Two packages to three cups water with a scoop of cottage cheese

Strawberry, raspberry or cherry diet jello:
Two packages to three cups water, chilled until thickened but not set and one- third cup of whipping cream whipped into the jello until it has a souffle consistency. Refrigerate a little longer until set. Makes six servings (100 calories each?)

Orange diet jello:
Prepare as above, but add one-half teaspoon of vanilla and one-quarter teaspoon of almond extract along with whipping cream. Chill until set. Looks and tastes a lot like cantaloupe. Add a scoop of cottage cheese if desired.

Lime diet jello prepared the same way, but with one-half teaspoon of lemon extract
Tastes a lot like key lime pie!

Cereal:
Cream of Wheat Regular or quick Mix'n Eat, plain, prepared, 1 packet
Frosted Mini-Wheats, 1 ounce (about 1/2 cup)
Grape-Nuts Flakes, 1 ounce (about 3/4 cup)
Honey Smacks, 1 ounce (about 3/4 cup)
Total, 1 ounce (about 3/4 cup)
Wheaties, 1 ounce (about 1 cup)

Pasta:
Noodles, cooked, plain, 1/2 cup Spaghetti, cooked, plain, generous 1/2 cup

Crackers:
Rye wafers, whole-grain, 1 -7/8 X 3- 1/2 inches, four
Saltines, 1- 7/8-inch square, four

Fruit:
One medium banana
Generous 1/2 cup of sweetened applesauce, or 1-cup unsweetened
Dried apriocot halves, cooked, unsweetened, 1/2 cup
1 cup raw cherries, or 1/2 cup sweet in heavy syrup
1/4 cup Cranberry sauce
Four Dates, dried, pitted, whole
Scant 1-cup Grapes
One medium pear or 1/2 cup canned pears in heavy syrup
1/2 cup sliced, cooked plantains
1 cup raw strawberries or 1/2 cup frozen, sweetened
Raw wedge of watermelon (about 1-1/2 pound piece) or 2-cups diced!
Pineapple, canned, unsweetened, six ounces

Waffle From mix, 7-inch diameter from frozen (about 1- 1/2 ounces), one square

Meat:
Bacon, cooked, two slices
Chicken Roll, light meat, two ounces (two slices)
Chicken or Turkey Frankfurter - one
Two ounces boiled ham
Crabmeat, 3/4 cup canned or cooked

Some more "This 'n That"
Omelet, plain with one large egg, skim milk
One scrambled egg, skim milk added

Sunflower seeds, roasted, hulled, 2-tablespoons

Generous 1-cup serving of Minestrone
One cup tomato soup prepared with 1-percent milk (85 calories if prepared with water)
Vegetable soup - 1-1/8 cup with beef, chicken or turkey

Sweets 'n Stuff:
Two chocolate chip cookies, 2-inches in diameter
Two fig bars, 1-1/2 inch square each
Two chocolate or vanilla sandwich cookies, 1-1/2 inch in diameter
Five vanilla wafers, 1-3/4 inch in diameter
One-third cup baked custard
Ice milk, 1/2 cup hardened
One-third cup sherbet
1/2 cup Frozen Yogurt
Eight pieces M and M's candies
One ounce of Gum Drops (about eight pieces)
Hard Candy, one ounce (about five pieces or two lollipops)
One ounce of Jelly Beans (ten pieces)
One ounce marshmallows - Four large
Lemonade or Limeade, frozen concentrate, sweetened, reconstituted, 8 fluid ounces

http://www.fitnessandfreebies.com/fitness/100cals.html

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WebMD blog: Elaine Magee RD
http://www.fitnessandfreebies.com/fitness/100cals.html

You know how the latest thing in lunch box packing is these 100-calorie (or more) snack bags? Well, I did the math and they are a money waster that's for sure.

One of the best reasons to make your own snack packs is that you can choose the reduced fat or whole grain snack options whenever possible whereas the prepackaged bags tend to come in the "original" versions.

I wanted to calculate the money we would save if we made our own snack bags after bought a big box or bag of the snack and divvied it up into individual snack bags (using the snack bag size baggies).

I used the ever popular, strangely irresistible goldfish snack crackers as my example.

A 6.6-ounce bag of "Goldfish made with whole grain" costs around $2.39.

A box with 5 pouches of goldfish (100 calories each) costs around $3.49.

Here's how to make your own goldfish snack bag:

A slightly heaping 1/3-cup measure is about 41 goldfish and equals about 105 calories.

The 6.6-ounce bag of goldfish makes 8 servings total - just fill snack bags with slightly heaping 1/3 cup of the goldfish and they are just as easy to add to that lunch bag or box as the store-bought 100-calorie bags.

$2.39 divided by 8 snack bags = 30 cents each!

The box with 5 pouches= 70 cents per pouch.

What Could You Save?
If you made your own snack bags and put them in your children's' lunch bags every day for a week (5 days) and you had two children, you would save 4 dollars a week! And you were able to increase the fiber a little by switching to the "made with whole grain" goldfish.

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http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/byauthor/258896
by Kathy Manweiler

1 s'more (1 1/2 graham cracker squares with 10 mini marshmallows and 14 chocolate chips [100 calories and 2.3 fat gm]

11 Baked Tostitos Scoops with 2 tablespoons salsa: 100 calories and 2.2 fat grams.
48 pretzel sticks: 100 calories and no fat.
7 mini Oreos: 100 calories and 4.7 fat grams.
13 Sweet Tarts: 100 calories and no fat.
23 Skittles: 100 calories and 0.9 fat grams.
26 gourmet jelly beans: 100 calories, no fat.

6 dried apricots, cut into four pieces each: 100 calories and no fat.
8 Ritz Bits peanut butter sandwiches: 100 calories and 5.4 fat grams.
12 Twizzlers cherry bites: 100 calories and 2 fat grams.

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Looking for ways to snack sensibly? Try these 20 ideas to keep your calorie budget in check. Most of these ideas add up to roughly 100 calories.

1/2 cup of sugar-free gelatin, any flavor, and two tablespoons of low fat whipped topping.
15 chocolate-covered raisins.
Stir 2 teaspoons of chocolate syrup into a cup of coffee for Cafe Mocha.
Six animal crackers.
Add 1/4 cup of fat-free Ranch dressing to 1 cup of mixed fresh veggies such as zucchini, red bell pepper, celery, carrot sticks and cherry tomatoes.

Either six saltine crackers or two graham cracker squares with 2 teaspoons of peanut butter or fruit jam.

One 1/2 cup of fat-free ice cream.
A luscious parfait: 1/2 cup of low-fat pudding layered into a parfait glass alternating with two crumbled vanilla wafers and a dollop of low fat whipped topping to garnish the top.

Spoon 1/2 cup of salsa and 2 tablespoons of non-fat sour cream over a small baked potato.

One rice cake thinly spread with fat-free sour cream and sprinkled with one tablespoon of crumbled bleu cheese.

Place a marshmallow on top of a graham cracker and microwave until gooey, drizzle with a teaspoon of chocolate syrup.

Cut half an apple into slices and spread with 2 teaspoons of peanut butter.
1/2 cup of applesauce and 1 piece of toast cut into four sticks for dunking.
10 dry roasted cashews or 12-15 natural almonds.
26 grapes.
An eight oz. low-fat yogurt or a fat-free chocolate pudding cup.
One two-inch slice of angel food cake.
One hard boiled egg.
Four Hershey's kisses.
Two tablespoons hummus with 12 grape tomatoes.

To build your own healthy snacks and lunches, keep this handy list of ingredients around to keep portions and calories under control.

Bread, Cereal, Rice and Pasta Calories
½ cup plain cooked instant oatmeal 80
1 oz. Cheerios cereal 110
1-cup cooked tender macaroni noodles 115
1 twisted Dutch pretzel 65
1 slice French bread 100
1oz. shredded wheat cereal 100

Fruits
1 cup fresh blueberries 80
½ cantaloupe melon 95
1 cup unsweetened applesauce 105
1 medium size banana or pear 105

Vegetables
1 cup mixed vegetables cooked 105
1 ear corn on the cob (plain) 85
1 cup squash (baked acorn or butternut) 100
1 sweet potato baked/boiled and peeled 115
½ cup frozen broccoli with cheese sauce 116

Meat, Poultry, Fish, Eggs, and Nuts
1 fried egg 90
¼ cup frozen egg substitute 30
1 roasted chicken drumstick (1.5 oz.) 75
1 Tablespoon peanut butter 95
5 oz. Turkey breast (roasted, no skin) 115
12-15 almonds 110
2 Tablespoons pistachios (25) 92

Dairy, Milk, Yogurt, and Cheese
1 cup skim milk 90
1 oz. Bleu cheese 100
1 oz. Cheddar or Swiss cheese 115
3 fl oz. fat-free vanilla ice cream 100

Sweet Treats
1 3.5 oz. brownie (from a box mix) 160
1 cup hot cocoa (from a powdered mix) 100
1 oz. hard candy or jelly beans 100

Fats, Oils and Sugars
1 Tablespoon Olive or Canola oil 120
1 Tablespoon whipped butter 80
1 Tablespoon regular mayonnaise 99
1 Tablespoon light mayonnaise 44
10 french-fries 110

Source: http://www.hap.org/healthy_living/womens/100_calories.php

Many factors affect cancer risk

2009-03-03T14:22:00.000-08:00

1 in 3 Common Cancers May Be Preventable

February 28, 2009 10:34 AM EST

Miranda Hitti - WebMD Health News 2009.

February 26, 2009 — About a third of common adult cancers may be preventable in the U.S. -- and that doesn't even count cancers that could be prevented by not smoking.

That's according to a new report from the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) and its sister organization, the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR).

In the new report, the WCRF and AICR estimate that in the U.S., eating a nutritious diet, being physically active, and keeping body fat under control may prevent:

38% of breast cancers
45% of colorectal cancers
36% of lung cancers
39% of pancreatic cancers
47% of stomach cancers
69% of esophageal cancers
63% of cancers of the mouth, pharynx, or larynx
70% of endometrial cancers
24% of kidney cancers
21% of gallbladder cancers
15% of liver cancers
11% of prostate cancers

Diet, physical activity, and limited body fat could prevent 34% of those 12 cancers overall in the U.S., and 24% of all cancers, according to the report.

Those estimates are all about the big picture -- the effect on the overall population -- not an individual's chance of developing cancer.

The WCRF/AICR report also includes tips for governments, industries, school, media, and other institutions worldwide to promote healthy lifestyles. Among those recommendations:

New developments should be designed to encourage walking and cycling.
Government and school cafeterias should provide healthy foods and drinks.
Food and drink industries should price healthy fare competitively with other products and stop promoting sugary drinks and unhealthy foods to kids.
Workplaces should have policies and environments that are supportive of breastfeeding.
Media should promote cancer prevention and flag misleading cancer claims.

That guidance is in line with the American Cancer Society's recommendation for community action, notes Colleen Doyle, the American Cancer Society's director of nutrition and physical activity. "Reversing the obesity epidemic will require bold action and multiple strategies, including policy changes at national, state, and local levels that make it easier for people to eat better and be more active," Doyle says in an American Cancer Society statement.

The WCRF/AICR, which has previously published cancer prevention tips for individuals, stresses that cancer prevention means trimming the odds of developing cancer, not totally eliminating cancer.

Many factors affect cancer risk, and some of them -- like family history -- aren't within your control. A healthy lifestyle doesn't wipe out cancer risk -- but it also has no downside. And, because early detection is often a big help in treating cancer when it does occur, check with your doctor about routine cancer screening tests.

SOURCES:

World Cancer Research Fund/American institute for Cancer Research: "Policy and Action for Cancer Prevention."

Statement, American Cancer Society.

Alternative Medicine Mainstream 2009

2009-02-26T13:15:00.000-08:00

Acupuncture Blog Chicago: Hospitals Turning to TCM and Acupuncture as well as Other non-Western Treatments

July 29, 2008 05:52 PM EDT (Updated: February 24, 2009 08:04 PM EST)

views: 94 | rating: 10/10 (5 votes) | comments: 6

According to a 2006 survey by the American Hospital Association (AHA), more than one out of every four hospitals in the U.S. now offer some "alternative" therapies, including acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, homeopathy, and massage therapy, among other types of non-Western treatment.

The survey, conducted every other year by the AHA, involved more than 6,000 hospitals across the country in December 2005. The percentage of hospitals offering "complementary and alternative medicine" (CAM) therapies grew from 8 percent in 1998 to 27 percent in 2005, the survey found.

The survey also found that patients paid for most of these services out of pocket.

Source: American Hospital Association, July 2006

www.acupuncturechicago.blogspot.com

www.tcm007.com

Radientlife.wordpress.com

Seven Different Types of Depression

2008-10-27T08:17:00.000-07:00

A Look at the Different Types of Depression
By : Jason Anderson

When people talk about depression, they usually mean a person who is feeling down and lethargic, and who has generally lost interest in life. Most people don't realize that there are many different types of depression a person can be suffering from, with each type often showing different symptoms.

While this isn't an exhaustive list, here is a quick overview of the most common forms of depression.

Mild/Minor Depression is the least severe form of depression. Usually the symptoms aren't so severe that they have a major impact in the life of the sufferer, although the depression can still cause distress and disruption. Many people who are suffering from mild depression never seek treatment - they don't believe the symptoms are severe enough.

Dysthymic Disorder is a long-term form of mild depression (lasting two or more years). Like mild depression, most sufferers never seek help as they don't believe their symptoms are severe enough. Also like mild depression, the symptoms of dysthymic depression don't usually have a huge impact on the sufferers day-to-day life. But when the long-term results from the depression are considered, the impact can be huge. People who suffer from dysthymic depression often can't remember a time when they weren't depressed.

Moderate Depression fits somewhere between mild depression and major depression. The symptoms of moderate depression are more severe and numerous than mild depression, and they begin to have an impact on the work, home and social life of the sufferer. While mild depression and dysthymic depression can go unnoticed by others, the symptoms of moderate depression are usually noticeable. If left untreated, people suffering from moderate depression can slip into major depression.

Major Depression (also known as clinical or unipolar depression) is what most people think of when they think of depression - the individual seems to have totally given up on life, and has a large number of obvious symptoms. It is unlikely that someone suffering from major depression could function normally in a work, social or home setting - their symptoms are too pronounced. Suicide can be a huge risk with major depression, and professional help needs to be sought to treat the depression.

Bipolar Depression (BPD) is sometimes known as manic-depression, and is characterized by the sufferer having large mood swings from very upbeat and energetic to extreme lows. Both periods normally last for several weeks at a time. Bipolar depression is usually categorized into a number of sub-categories. While there is no firm consensus on how many sub-categories there are, the four most common are Bipolar I Disorder, Bipolar I Disorder, Cyclothymic Disorder and Bipolar NOS.

People with bipolar I disorder have the most extreme mood swings. Their low moods can be classified as major depression, while in their positive moods they can engage in crazy, outrageous and even dangerous activities. During this 'mania' state they may even suffer from paranoia or hallucinations.

People with bipolar II disorder have much less extreme mania periods. Indeed, many bipolar II sufferers go untreated because people mistake their 'mania' phase for simply getting over their depression. People with bipolar II don't suffer from paranoia or hallucinations.

Cyclothymic disorder is a milder but much more long-term version of bipolar disorder (usually lasting for two or more years). Like bipolar II the mania phases are relatively minor, but in addition their depressive phases aren't so severe that they classify as major depression. If left untreated, cyclothymic depression can develop into bipolar II depression.

Finally, Bipolar NOS (Not Otherwise Specified) is a catch-all category for people who have some of the symptoms of bipolar, but those symptoms don't allow the person to be neatly categorized in one of the three other categories. For example, the sufferer may have fast cycling between the manic and depressive states, or manic states without depressive states.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) that affects between 3% and 8% of women. Symptoms of depression appear around a week prior to menstruation, and disappear within a few days of menstruation beginning.

Postnatal (Postpartum) Depression can occur any time in the first 12 months after a baby is born. Some form of postnatal depression affects over 80% of new mothers, although most who are affected only have a very mild form of depression that usually passes naturally with rest and the support of family and friends. However around 15% of mothers get a more severe form of postnatal depression, and like major depression the sufferer needs treatment and support to overcome the illness.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression caused by the changing light levels throughout the year. The most common for of SAD is caused by the low-light levels of winter, but a much rarer form of the disorder is triggered by the high-light levels of summer.

As you can see, depression comes in many different forms - each type of depression has different triggers and symptoms associated with it, and each type of depression also responds better to different treatments. By being aware of the different forms depression can take, you can be much more prepared to help a friend of family member.

Seven Types of Depression

2008-10-27T08:11:00.000-07:00

DifferentTypes of Depression
Original article by : Jason Anderson

When people talk about depression, they usually mean a person who is feeling down and lethargic, and who has generally lost interest in life. Most people don't realize that there are many different types of depression a person can be suffering from, with each type often showing different symptoms.

While this isn't an exhaustive list, here is a quick overview of the most common forms of depression.

Mild/Minor Depression is the least severe form of depression. Usually the symptoms aren't so severe that they have a major impact in the life of the sufferer, although the depression can still cause distress and disruption. Many people who are suffering from mild depression never seek treatment - they don't believe the symptoms are severe enough.

Dysthymic Disorder is a long-term form of mild depression (lasting two or more years). Like mild depression, most sufferers never seek help as they don't believe their symptoms are severe enough. Also like mild depression, the symptoms of dysthymic depression don't usually have a huge impact on the sufferers day-to-day life. But when the long-term results from the depression are considered, the impact can be huge. People who suffer from dysthymic depression often can't remember a time when they weren't depressed.

Moderate Depression fits somewhere between mild depression and major depression. The symptoms of moderate depression are more severe and numerous than mild depression, and they begin to have an impact on the work, home and social life of the sufferer. While mild depression and dysthymic depression can go unnoticed by others, the symptoms of moderate depression are usually noticeable. If left untreated, people suffering from moderate depression can slip into major depression.

Major Depression (also known as clinical or unipolar depression) is what most people think of when they think of depression - the individual seems to have totally given up on life, and has a large number of obvious symptoms. It is unlikely that someone suffering from major depression could function normally in a work, social or home setting - their symptoms are too pronounced. Suicide can be a huge risk with major depression, and professional help needs to be sought to treat the depression.

Bipolar Depression (BPD) is sometimes known as manic-depression, and is characterized by the sufferer having large mood swings from very upbeat and energetic to extreme lows. Both periods normally last for several weeks at a time. Bipolar depression is usually categorized into a number of sub-categories. While there is no firm consensus on how many sub-categories there are, the four most common are Bipolar I Disorder, Bipolar I Disorder, Cyclothymic Disorder and Bipolar NOS.

People with bipolar I disorder have the most extreme mood swings. Their low moods can be classified as major depression, while in their positive moods they can engage in crazy, outrageous and even dangerous activities. During this 'mania' state they may even suffer from paranoia or hallucinations.

People with bipolar II disorder have much less extreme mania periods. Indeed, many bipolar II sufferers go untreated because people mistake their 'mania' phase for simply getting over their depression. People with bipolar II don't suffer from paranoia or hallucinations.

Cyclothymic disorder is a milder but much more long-term version of bipolar disorder (usually lasting for two or more years). Like bipolar II the mania phases are relatively minor, but in addition their depressive phases aren't so severe that they classify as major depression. If left untreated, cyclothymic depression can develop into bipolar II depression.

Finally, Bipolar NOS (Not Otherwise Specified) is a catch-all category for people who have some of the symptoms of bipolar, but those symptoms don't allow the person to be neatly categorized in one of the three other categories. For example, the sufferer may have fast cycling between the manic and depressive states, or manic states without depressive states.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) that affects between 3% and 8% of women. Symptoms of depression appear around a week prior to menstruation, and disappear within a few days of menstruation beginning.

Postnatal (Postpartum) Depression can occur any time in the first 12 months after a baby is born. Some form of postnatal depression affects over 80% of new mothers, although most who are affected only have a very mild form of depression that usually passes naturally with rest and the support of family and friends. However around 15% of mothers get a more severe form of postnatal depression, and like major depression the sufferer needs treatment and support to overcome the illness.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression caused by the changing light levels throughout the year. The most common for of SAD is caused by the low-light levels of winter, but a much rarer form of the disorder is triggered by the high-light levels of summer.

As you can see, depression comes in many different forms - each type of depression has different triggers and symptoms associated with it, and each type of depression also responds better to different treatments. By being aware of the different forms depression can take, you can be much more prepared to help a friend of family member.

10 frequently asked questions about alternative health practitioners

2008-05-08T06:20:00.000-07:00

Question #1: What is the difference between alternative and integrative?
Answer: Alternative medicine generally refers to that which is not in our traditional medical schools. Alternative medicine is a subset of integrative medicine. Integrative medicine utilizes what is safe and effective of both alternative and traditional medicine to come up with a well rounded, optimal health treatment plan. In the example of our clinic, we will work with your current medications to offer suggestions such as dietary modification, nutritional supplements, herbal therapies, acupuncture, or IV therapies to complement what is already being done.

Question #2: Does an alternative health practitioner use any traditional treatments?
Answer: Yes. Alternative health practitioners use the treatment that is safe, beneficial, and cost effective. This will include traditional and nontraditional therapies.

Question #3: Can an alternative care practitioner be my primary care physician?
Answer: Many patients already have a working relationship with a primary care physician. I think this is fine. I try to assist you to optimal health, and will make suggestions to aid what is already being done. Alternative care practitioners better serves patients with mild to severe chronic problems, as well as prevention. We try to make sure patients have an established primary care physician to meet the health needs that our office cannot provide.

Question #4: Can an alternative health care w work with my primary care physician and just help with my supplements?
Answer: Absolutely. They will try to find the best available supplements for your condition. The choice of a given supplement is determined by safety, how effective the supplement is, and cost.

Question #5: Can alternative treatments do anything for my cholesterol, high blood pressure, or sugar?
Answer: There are several treatments available to aid these problems. Some supplements make up the main part of a program, others are to be used in conjunction with traditional medicine.

Question #6: Does acupuncture hurt?
Answer: Acupuncture is typically very relaxing. While some acupuncture points can initially be tender, many are painless. Often, patients fall asleep during the treatment.

Question #7: Will the supplements interfere with the medication I am on?
Answer: Careful attention is given to make sure that the supplements we suggest will not interfere with your current medication.

Question #8: Can alternative treatments help with weight loss?
Answer: Several aspects should be addressed for weight loss. Exercise, appropriate diet, weight lifting, and nutrient supplementation should all be considered to attain an ideal weight. I try to discuss all these topics with patients so that a multi pronged approach can be started right away. Treatments such as acupuncture can be helpful for some people.

Question #9: Where do alternative health practitioners get training? There are many good schools and colleges which offer alternative health education and training. It is important that you find an accredited program if you want your credentials to have any substance. American Eastern Institute is a well regarded, accredited distance education and training alternative health college offering a wide range of programs and degrees in the United States and they are reputed to be the best schools for national certification exam prep and review. This school is tough to get into and their programs are not for weak students. I have heard it referred to as "the Harvard of alternative health education" (especially distance learning) The upside is that their tuition is remarkably reasonable for the programs offered. http://AmericanAlternativeHealth.com

Bastyr University is another very good school. They are located in Washington State and offer acupuncture, among many other accredited programs. http://bastyr.com. Bastyr has a great campus, but you have to live there or near by to take advantage of it.

The University of Metaphysics is one of the oldest colleges for metaphysical training and probably among the best in the world for metaphysical/spiritual development without a lot of dogma. Dr. Paul Masters hosts an internet TV show monthly on a variety of metaphysical healing topics. This school is not accredited, but it is definitely one of the best around and offers genuine, quality degrees. http://universityofmetaphysics.com

Question #10: Is it important that my alternative health practitioner be certified? Yes. Increasingly states are requiring certification for all body workers. Plus, you know if someone has passed a certification exam they probably know what they are doing. Just because a person gets a diploma or degree from some school doesn't mean they have really mastered the material. Again, we have to mention American Eastern Institute. They have an excellent rep for getting their students through national certification exams. The people who pass can then practice just about anywhere.