Chinese man’s ‘missing kidney’ found in his own body

A MAN who claimed his right kidney mysteriously went missing after a surgery has been told it is right where it should be – albeit, “displaced” and”deformed”.

Liu Yongwei, from east China, had gone for a chest surgery in the Xuzhou Medical College following a road accident. He was told the surgery went well, and was redirected to a different hospital for further treatment.

It was during a routine CT scan at the second hospital that doctors reportedly discovered several abnormalities, including surgical tubing left in his abdominal cavity and a missing right kidney.

According to the Shanghaiist, a visit to another hospital in Nanjing confirmed the abnormalities, but both hospitals refused to treat Liu.

Liu launched a complaint, accusing the doctor who treated him of “mishandling” his organs and demanded 2 million yuan ($307,200) in compensation.

A special investigations team was formed in Xuzhou City, in the Jiangsu province to look into his case.

Based on medical examinations and records found at the hospital, the investigation found that Liu’s kidney was “displaced, deformed, and atrophied by injuries”, but was still inside his body.

The Shanghaiist reported the kidney as being “decayed” and “shriveled up”, and specialists say further tests will be carried out. The hospital reportedly accused Liu of “seriously distorting the truth” with his claims.

According to China.org.cn, tensions between doctors and patients in China are rising after a string of incidents involving violence and malpractice.

In April, a public health scandal revealed nine companies were selling improperly stored or expired vaccines, meaning an unknown number of children had received numerous shots.

Last week, a retired dentist was stabbed to death by a former patient who was enraged by his discolored teeth. The patient later committed suicide.

Depression and asthma among biggest health threats to Australian youth

Chronic and non-communicable diseases like depression, asthma and musculoskeletal pain are the prevailing causes of poor health among Australian adolescents, a global study on illness and death among 10 to 24-year-olds has found.

Published in the international medical journal The Lancet, the report found two-thirds of young people are growing up in countries where preventable and treatable conditions such as HIV/Aids, early pregnancy and violence threaten their health and chances of living to adulthood.

Self-harm the 'biggest killer of people in their early 20s' in the UK

 

Read more

But in Australia, chronic and non-communicable diseases were responsible for 80% of the poor health experienced by young people aged 10-24, a researcher for the study, Dr Peter Azzopardi, said.

“Australia is a wealthy country,” said Azzopardi, who is a researcher with the Murdoch Children’s Institute.

“We have a reasonably well-funded health system but, having said that, our adolescents, which represent 20% of our population, are experiencing a significant burden of poor health.”

Road injuries followed by self-harm were the leading causes of death for 15 to 19 year-olds, the report found, while in 20 to 24-year-old men, self-harm was the most common cause of death. In 20 to 24-year-old women, road injuries followed by self-harm were the leading causes of death.

“But when it comes to ongoing illnesses, it was predominately poor mental health, asthma, dermatological conditions and musculoskeletal issues that is affecting the health of our young people,” Azzopardi said.

“In terms of the risk factors leading to poor health, 10% of 10 to 24-year-olds are current daily smokers, which has reduced over time, but a health behaviour which hasn’t improved is overweight and obesity, with about 30% of young people now overweight or obese.”

Globally, the fastest-growing risk factor for ill health in 10 to 24-year-olds over the past 23 years is unsafe sex, while in 20 to 24-year-olds alcohol is responsible for 7% of the burden of disease.

The authors of the report, which was led by the University of Melbourne, University College London, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Columbia University, described their findings as a wake-up call to governments to invest in youth health services.

“This generation of young people can transform all our futures,” said Prof George Patton, from the University Melbourne, the lead author of the study.

“This means it will be crucial to invest in their health, education, livelihoods and participation.”

Getup maps $57bn in Abbott-era health cuts hospital by hospital

 

Read more

The report found depression resulted in the largest amount of ill-health worldwide in 2013, affecting more than 10% of 10-24 year olds. Leading youth psychiatrist and executive director of the youth mental health research organisation Orygen, Prof Patrick McGorry, said in Australia mental illness contributed to about 50% of the poor health experienced by young people.

He said The Lancet findings should prompt the federal government to reverse funding cuts to the Early Psychosis Youth Services program run through six treatment centres across the country, an early intervention program McGorry founded which works with young people who have just suffered their first psychotic episode or who are at high risk of experiencing one.

As part of the government’s review of mental health programs and services, funding for the Early Psychosis Youth Services will be cut by 75% from June and be redirected towards primary health networks.

“We wholeheartedly agree with the government that there is a pressing need for other serious mental disorders in young people to also be invested in,” McGorry said.

“However we spent 25 years building up an international evidence base with our colleagues overseas for this service.”

More money needed to be allocated to youth mental health overall, he said.

“We can’t spread existing funding across Australia like a tiny little layer of jam,” he said.

Scientists peel back the carrot's genetic secrets

Scientists have gotten to the root of the carrot, genetically speaking. Researchers said on Monday they have sequenced the genome of the carrot, an increasingly important root crop worldwide, identifying genes responsible for traits including the vegetable's abundance of vitamin A, an important nutrient for vision.    

The genome may point to ways to improve carrots through breeding, including increasing their nutrients and making them more productive and more resistant to disease, pest and drought, the researchers said. The vitamin A in carrots arises from their orange pigments, known as carotenoids. The study identified genes responsible for carotenoids as well as pest and disease resistance and other characteristics. In addition to eyesight, vitamin A also is important for immune function, cellular communication, healthy skin and other purposes.    The researchers sequenced the genome of a bright orange variety of the vegetable called the Nantes carrot, named for the French city. 

The carrot genome contained about 32,000 genes, a typical total for plants, which average around 30,000 genes, which is more than the human genome. "Carrots are an interesting crop to work on because of their wide range of diversity. They are familiar to everyone, and generally well-regarded by consumers, but like most familiar things, people don't necessarily know the background stories," said University of Wisconsin horticulture professor and geneticist Phil Simon, who led the study published in the journal Nature Genetics.    

Worldwide carrot consumption quadrupled between 1976 and 2013 and they now rank in the top 10 vegetable crops globally, the researchers said. In the past four decades, carrots have been bred to be more orange and more nutritious, with 50 percent more nutrients.    The earliest record of carrots as a root crop dates from 1,100 years ago in Afghanistan, but those were yellow carrots and purple ones, not orange ones. Paintings from 16th century Spain and Germany provide the first unmistakable evidence for orange carrots.    

Knowledge of the carrot genome could lead to improvement of similar crops, from parsnips to the cassava, the researchers said. Close relatives of carrots include celery, parsley, parsnips, coriander, cilantro, dill, fennel, cumin and caraway. The common weed called Queen Anne's Lace is a wild carrot. The wild ancestors of carrots were white, the researchers said. While orange carrots are most commonly grown, some purple and yellow carrots are grown from the Middle East to South Asia, while some red carrots are grown in Asia.

Hydration: Why It’s So Important

Why is it so important to stay hydrated?

Your body depends on water to survive. Every cell, tissue, and organ in your body needs water to work correctly. For example, your body uses water to maintain its temperature, remove waste, and lubricate joints. Water is needed for good health.

How does my body lose water?

Water makes up more than half of your body weight. You lose water each day when you go to the bathroom, sweat, and even when you breathe. You lose water even faster when the weather is really hot, when you are physically active, or if you have a fever. Vomiting and diarrhea can also lead to rapid water loss. If you don’t replace the water you lose, you can become dehydrated.

How do I know if I’m dehydrated?

Symptoms of dehydration include the following:

• Little or no urine, or urine that is darker than usual
• Dry mouth
• Sleepiness or fatigue
• Extreme thirst
• Headache
• Confusion
• Dizziness or lightheaded feeling
• No tears when crying

Don’t wait until you notice symptoms of dehydration to take action. Actively prevent dehydration by drinking plenty of water.

Who is at higher risk of dehydration?

People are at higher risk of dehydration if they exercise at a high intensity, have certain medical conditions, are sick, or are not able to get enough fluids during the day. Older adults are also at higher risk. As you get older, your brain may not be able to sense dehydration and send the signals for thirst.

You may need to increase the amount of water you are drinking if you:

• Have certain medical conditions, such as kidney stones or bladder infection
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Will be outside during hot weather
• Will be exercising
• Have a fever
• Have been vomiting or have diarrhea
• Are trying to lose weight

How much water should I drink each day?

You may have heard different recommendations for daily water intake. Most people have been told they should drink 6 to 8 8-ounce glasses of water each day, which is a reasonable goal. However, different people need different amounts of water to stay hydrated. Most healthy people can stay well hydrated by drinking water and other fluids whenever they feel thirsty. For some people, fewer than 8 glasses may be enough. Other people may need more than 8 glasses each day.

If you are concerned that you are not drinking enough water, check your urine. If your urine is consistently colorless or light yellow, you are most likely staying well hydrated. Dark yellow or amber-colored urine is a sign of dehydration.

Besides water, what else can I consume to stay hydrated?

Water is the best option for staying hydrated. Other drinks and foods can help you stay hydrated, but some may add extra calories from sugar to your diet.

Drinks like fruit and vegetable juices, milk, and herbal teas can contribute to the amount of water you get each day. Even caffeinated drinks (for example, coffee, tea, and soda) can contribute to your daily water intake. A moderate amount of caffeine (200 to 300 milligrams) is not harmful for most people. This is about the amount in 2 to 4 8-ounce cups of coffee. However, it’s best to limit caffeinated drinks because caffeine may cause some people to urinate more frequently, or feel anxious or jittery.

Water can also be found in fruits and vegetables (for example, watermelon, tomatoes, and lettuce) and in soup broths.

What about sports drinks and energy drinks?

For most people, water is all that is needed to maintain good hydration. However, if you are planning on exercising at a high intensity for longer than an hour, a sports drink may be helpful. It contains carbohydrates and electrolytes that can increase your energy and help your body absorb water.

Choose a sports drink wisely. They are often high in calories from added sugar and may contain high levels of sodium. Also, check the serving size. One bottle may contain several servings. If you drink the entire bottle, you may need to double or triple the amounts given on the Nutrition Facts Label. Some sports drinks contain caffeine. If you use a sports drink that contains caffeine, be careful not to get too much caffeine in your diet.

Sports drinks are not the same as energy drinks. Energy drinks usually contain large amounts of caffeine and other stimulants (for example, guarana, ginseng, or taurine) that your body doesn't need. Most of these drinks are also high in added sugar. Many experts recommend that children and teens should not have energy drinks.

Tips for staying hydrated

• Keep a bottle of water with you during the day. Purchasing bottled water is expensive and creates plastic bottle waste. Carry a reusable water bottle and fill it from the tap instead.
• If you don’t like the taste of plain water, try adding a slice of lemon or lime to your drink.
• Be sure to drink water before, during, and after a workout.
• When you’re feeling hungry, drink water. Thirst is often confused with hunger. True hunger will not be satisfied by drinking water. Drinking water may also contribute to a healthy weight-loss plan. Some research suggests that drinking water can help you feel full.
• If you have trouble remembering to drink water, drink on a schedule. For example, drink water when you wake up; at breakfast, lunch, and dinner; and when you go to bed. Or drink a small glass of water at the beginning of each hour.
• Drink water when you go to a restaurant. It will keep you hydrated, and it’s free!

RECOMMENDED AMOUNT OF WATER THE BODY NEEDS WHEN EXERCISING

Water is an essential part of any workout and consuming the correct amount of it increases benefits such as increase in the amount of calories burned while exercising, regulate the body temperature, lubricate the joints, regulate muscle, contractions and responses. When water intake is not sufficient, the body could experience decreased endurance, muscle cramps, loss of strength and concentration.

The recommended amount of water the body needs while exercising depends on the gender, size, type and length of exercise and the environment. When exercising, the body lose up to a gallon of water in an hour in a hot climate, and half that amount in a mild climate. Therefore you drink 8 to 16 ounces of water for every 15 minutes of exercise. Importantly, weigh yourself before and after workout to get an accurate estimate of your hydration needs.

Be careful not to chug water during a workout, which can lead to cramping. Sip it and use a container that has a precise measurement because, consuming large amounts of water if exercising for longer than an hour can lead to sodium(salt) imbalance in the body.

ONE EXERCISE WITHOUT MOVEMENT TIGHTENS EVERY MUSCLE AND HELPS YOU GET RID OF THE EXTRA WEIGHT!

Plank” is one of the most effective exercises around the world. It affects not only the abs, but also the muscles of the whole body. Always give it five minutes a day and you will be surprised by the results.

The essence of the exercise is that, you should at least once a day like “float” above the floor for several minutes, relying only on the hands and feet. Undoubtedly, to be in such a position even 2 minutes – is not an easy task. At this point a large number of muscles are activated. But, as a result of this exercise, you will have a strong back, tight ass with no cellulite, shaped legs, flat stomach and beautiful hands.

How to exercise the “Plank”:

“Plank” is a static exercise. It does not require movement, so it is important to keep the body properly.

Lie on the floor on your stomach down. Bend your elbows 90 degrees and set in the lying position on your elbows. The body should form a straight line from head to heels. Rely only on your forearms and the fingertips on your feet. The elbows should be directly under your shoulders. Keep your body as flat as possible, strain the abdominal muscles and do not relax. Try not to lower your hips toward the floor.

Feet. Assemble them. It will be difficult to keep the balance that will increase pressure on the abdominal muscles.

Legs. They should be straight and tight, otherwise, the pressure in the right abdominal muscle, which reserves the lumbar spine, will also be reduced.

Buttocks. Stretch and do not relax until the end of the exercise, as this increases the activation of all muscles of the lower torso.

Lower back. The most important moment. For proper execution of the exercise, your lower back should be flat. This means that it must not be curved or dented. Imagine that your back adheres tightly to the wall.

Stomach. Bring it in, and in such a position, try to even tuck it under the ribs. During the exercise hold your stomach in such a position, but do not hold your breath.

Elbows. To avoid unnecessary burden on your shoulders, put your elbows directly below the shoulder joints.

Hold this position as long as you can. To begin with, is enough for 10 seconds. As a rule, people with different physical readiness maintain this posture for 10 seconds to 2 minutes. After a break of 2 minutes, repeat the exercise. 5 repetitions will be enough. If you are a beginner, do not try to break the record, start slowly.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO DRINK WATER, BEFORE EATING OR AFTER?

Water is important to our body. We all can definitely agree to that but here’s a question that many can’t quite agree upon:

When is the best time to drink water, before or after eating?

Unfortunately, Science cannot give us a definitive answer because studies on when is the best time to drink water yield different result and offer differing opinions. So, instead of choosing between the before-eating camp and after-eating camp, let us take a look at the benefits of drinking water before and after a meal. Read on and be the judge.

WHY DRINK WATER BEFORE EACH MEAL?

IT HELPS REDUCE YOUR CALORIE INTAKE: A number of studies have shown that drinking water before meals will make you consume less calories during those meals. This is probably because the water will make you feel full, so you don’t need to eat much food to reach the point of satiety. Not to mention, choosing water as your mealtime drink makes you avoid sugar and calories-laden beverages such as sodas and juices.

IT CLEANSES YOU INTERNAL SYSTEM: Especially when taken before breakfast in the morning, water offers many such health benefits for your body. It purges out toxins from your body, gives your stomach and intestines a good cleansing, purifies your colon, organs and kick start your metabolism, preparing them for the day ahead.

IT REHYDRATES YOUR DEHYDRATED BODY: Your body is naturally dehydrated when you wake up after a long sleep. Thus, refilling the tank is necessary, and this should be done provide you natural energy throughout the morning.

WHY DRINK WATER AFTER EACH MEAL?

IT AIDS DIGESTION: Some people will tell you that drinking water right after a meal will dilute your digestive juice and interfere with your digestion. Well, according to researchers, drinking water after meal shouldn’t be a cause of concern. This is because water actually aid digestion. It helps digest food so that your body can easily absorb the nutrients.

DO LEMON PEEL HAVE USES AND BENEFITS? YES THEY DO

The lemon is a species of small evergreen tree native to Asia. The tree's ellipsoidal yellow fruit is used for culinary and non-culinary purposes throughout the world, primarily for its juice, which has both culinary and cleaning uses. 
Scientific name: Citrus × limon
Higher classification: Citrus
Rank: Species
Genus: Citrus

Lemons are one of the most beneficial citrus fruits in the world and they abound in minerals and vitamins. However, we shouldn’t neglect its yellow peel that protects its fruit and at the same time offers many health benefits and has many other uses.

Health

• It lowers cholesterol levels and has a detoxifying effect on one’s organism;

• The white skin that surrounds the lemon is a rich source of antioxidants;

• It abounds in flavonoids that normalize the cholesterol levels as well as naturally cleanse      the organism;

• It contains 5-10 times more vitamin C than lemon juice;

• It helps in the fight against cancer;

• It maintains bone health;

• It provides perfect hygiene and health to the oral cavity;

• It helps with weight loss;

• It prevents the proliferation of parasites and intestinal tapeworms (taenia infection) in the       digestive system;

• It has antibacterial and antifungal properties;

• It regulates the blood pressure;

• It helps with cystitis and tumors.

Shred some lemon peel, pour water over it, and then leave it to stay for several minutes. Afterward, squeeze some lemon juice and drink this concoction during the course of a week, every morning, so that you cleanse your body system.

BEAUTY

It softens the skin on your elbows: Mix some shredded lemon peel together with 1 teaspoon of baking soda and squeeze several drops of lemon juice. Stir the mixture and apply to your elbows and cracked feet after showering.

Body scrub: Mix ½ a cup of sugar together with some shredded lemon peel and add 1/8 cup of olive oil to it. Use this mixture on a wet skin, rub it into your skin, and leave it to stay for 10 minutes. After that, rinse with lukewarm water.

HOUSEHOLD

Disinfection product for kitchen worktops: Lemon peel has antibacterial properties and thus it is ideal for disinfection of kitchen worktops. It is great for cleaning cutting boards. Dip the cutting board in some hot water and then rub it with shredded lemon peel mixed with some lemon juice.

Natural product for microwave cleaning: Put some shredded lemon peel and water in a ceramic vessel and place it in your microwave oven. Heat it up at to the highest temperature and let the mixture boil for 3 minutes so that its steam removes those stubborn stains and neutralizes the smell.

Removes lime scale buildup: You can remove lime scale buildup from your sink by using a mixture of lemon peel. Place a pot, to which you’ve added lemon peel, 2 tablespoon of baking soda, and 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, on the stove and turn the heat to high. Pour 3 dl of water and leave it to boil. Afterward, strain the mixture and pour it over the surfaces with lime scale buildup. Leave it to work for about 10 minutes and then rinse with cold water.

Protects from Insects: You can get rid of insects with the help of lemon peel. Cut several notches into the lemon peel and the ethereal oil that will be released from it will prevent the unwanted guests (insects) from entering your home.

DOES COLD WATER HAVE ANY EFFECT IN THE BODY?

Is drinking cold water good or bad for you? Does the temperature of the water matter at all? Believe it or not – it does matter.

Cold water is not as good for hydration as room temperature. The theory is that the cold water causes the blood vessels surrounding stomach to shrink, slowing absorption.

One theory, upon which medical researchers have varying opinions regards whether drinking cold water is as good as drinking tepid water, particularly when exercising. Some doctors suggest that room temperature or body temperature water is better than cold water, because the body has to expend energy to heat cold water to body temperature, resulting in some water loss. On the other hand, some doctors say that after physical exertion, you should drink cold water since it will help cool the body more effectively than room temperature water.

What is clear is most people who drink cold water are likely to consume more of it, since it tends to taste better and is more satisfying. Even if drinking cold water results in marginal water loss, the extra water you will probably drink will help make up for this.

The problem is that as the COLD drinks pass through our system, they solidify the fats from the foods we have just eaten or are eating at present. This makes the body find it harder to digest and disperse the unwanted fats from our body.

However, if we simply swap our cold drinks for a warm drink (warm water/ coffee/tea/herbals) the warm fluids help the fats in our foods to remain fluid and so easing the digestive system and helping the fats pass through our body (and reduce risk of clogged arteries).

If attempting to help bring down a fever, or assist someone with sunstroke (animal or person), you should not immerse that person or animal in cold water. Instead you should use lukewarm water, or even slightly warm water. Cold water can provoke chills, which may actually raise body temperature. Though baths can be a helpful way to bring down high fevers, you especially want to avoid allowing someone to shiver or get chilled. If people with fevers drink cold water that is very icy, they may also get chilly, so lukewarm or tepid water may be a better choice.

Cold water might be more refreshing, but it may disrupt your vocal cord, that’s why singers always drink room temperature water.

The best indicator on whether your body is getting enough water is urine colour. If your urine is dark yellow, chances are you’re not getting enough water. If you pass clear to very light coloured yellow urine, your fluid intake is adequate. But remember that urine colour in the morning will always be a little darker.

Controlling Anger Before It Control You: Anger Management

The goal of anger management is to reduce both your emotional feelings and the physiological arousal that anger causes. You can't get rid of, or avoid, the things or the people that enrage you, nor can you change them, but you can learn to control your reactions.

Are You Too Angry?

There are psychological tests that measure the intensity of angry feelings, how prone to anger you are, and how well you handle it. But chances are good that if you do have a problem with anger, you already know it. If you find yourself acting in ways that seem out of control and frightening, you might need help finding better ways to deal with this emotion.

Why Are Some People More Angry Than Others?

According to Jerry Deffenbacher, PhD, a psychologist who specializes in anger management, some people really are more "hotheaded" than others are; they get angry more easily and more intensely than the average person does. There are also those who don't show their anger in loud spectacular ways but are chronically irritable and grumpy. Easily angered people don't always curse and throw things; sometimes they withdraw socially, sulk, or get physically ill.

People who are easily angered generally have what some psychologists call a low tolerance for frustration, meaning simply that they feel that they should not have to be subjected to frustration, inconvenience, or annoyance. They can't take things in stride, and they're particularly infuriated if the situation seems somehow unjust: for example, being corrected for a minor mistake.

What makes these people this way? A number of things. One cause may be genetic or physiological: There is evidence that some children are born irritable, touchy, and easily angered, and that these signs are present from a very early age. Another may be sociocultural. Anger is often regarded as negative; we're taught that it's all right to express anxiety,depression, or other emotions but not to express anger. As a result, we don't learn how to handle it or channel it constructively.

Research has also found that family background plays a role. Typically, people who are easily angered come from families that are disruptive, chaotic, and not skilled at emotional communications.

Is It Good To "Let it All Hang Out?"

Psychologists now say that this is a dangerous myth. Some people use this theory as a license to hurt others. Research has found that "letting it rip" with anger actually escalates anger and aggression and does nothing to help you (or the person you're angry with) resolve the situation.

It's best to find out what it is that triggers your anger, and then to develop strategies to keep those triggers from tipping you over the edge.

Controlling Anger Before It Controls You

Anger is a completely normal, usually healthy, human emotion. But when it gets out of control and turns destructive, it can lead to problems—problems at work, in your personal relationships, and in the overall quality of your life. And it can make you feel as though you're at the mercy of an unpredictable and powerful emotion. This brochure is meant to help you understand and control anger.

The Nature of Anger

Anger is "an emotional state that varies in intensity from mild irritation to intense fury and rage," according to Charles Spielberger, PhD, a psychologist who specializes in the study of anger. Like other emotions, it is accompanied by physiological and biological changes; when you get angry, your heart rate and blood pressure go up, as do the levels of your energy hormones, adrenaline, and noradrenaline.

Anger can be caused by both external and internal events. You could be angry at a specific person (such as a coworker or supervisor) or event (a traffic jam, a canceled flight), or your anger could be caused by worrying or brooding about your personal problems. Memories of traumatic or enraging events can also trigger angry feelings.

Expressing Anger

The instinctive, natural way to express anger is to respond aggressively. Anger is a natural, adaptive response to threats; it inspires powerful, often aggressive, feelings and behaviors, which allow us to fight and to defend ourselves when we are attacked. A certain amount of anger, therefore, is necessary to our survival.

On the other hand, we can't physically lash out at every person or object that irritates or annoys us; laws, social norms, and common sense place limits on how far our anger can take us.

People use a variety of both conscious and unconscious processes to deal with their angry feelings. The three main approaches are expressing, suppressing, and calming. Expressing your angry feelings in an assertive—not aggressive—manner is the healthiest way to express anger. To do this, you have to learn how to make clear what your needs are, and how to get them met, without hurting others. Being assertive doesn't mean being pushy or demanding; it means being respectful of yourself and others.

Anger can be suppressed, and then converted or redirected. This happens when you hold in your anger, stop thinking about it, and focus on something positive. The aim is to inhibit or suppress your anger and convert it into more constructive behavior. The danger in this type of response is that if it isn't allowed outward expression, your anger can turn inward—on yourself. Anger turned inward may cause hypertension, high blood pressure, or depression.

Unexpressed anger can create other problems. It can lead to pathological expressions of anger, such as passive-aggressive behavior (getting back at people indirectly, without telling them why, rather than confronting them head-on) or a personality that seems perpetually cynical and hostile. People who are constantly putting others down, criticizing everything, and making cynical comments haven't learned how to constructively express their anger. Not surprisingly, they aren't likely to have many successful relationships.

Finally, you can calm down inside. This means not just controlling your outward behavior, but also controlling your internal responses, taking steps to lower your heart rate, calm yourself down, and let the feelings subside.

As Dr. Spielberger notes, "when none of these three techniques work, that's when someone—or something—is going to get hurt."

Treatments For Anxiety

Anxiety can be treated medically, with psychological counseling, or independently. Ultimately, the treatment path depends on the cause of the anxiety and the patient's preferences. Often treatments will consist of a combination of psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, and medications.

Sometimes alcoholism, depression, or other coexisting conditions have such a strong effect on the individual that treating the anxiety disorder must wait until the coexisting conditions are brought under control.

Self treatment for anxiety

In some cases, anxiety may be treated at home, without a doctor's supervision. However, this may be limited to situations in which the duration of the anxiety is short and the cause is identified and can be eliminated or avoided. There are several exercises and actions that are recommended to cope with this type of anxiety:

• Learn to manage stress in your life. Keep an eye on pressures and deadlines, and commit to taking time away from study or work.
• Learn a variety of relaxation techniques. Information about physical relaxation methods and meditation techniques can be found in book stores and health food shops.

Learning how to meditate can be an effective strategy for combatting anxiety.
• Practice deep abdominal breathing. This consists of breathing in deeply and slowly through your nose, taking the air right down to your abdomen, and then breathing out slowly and gently through your mouth. Breathing deeply for too long may lead to dizziness from the extra oxygen.
• Learn to replace "negative self talk" with "coping self talk." Make a list of the negative thoughts you have, and write a list of positive, believable thoughts to replace them. Replace negative thoughts with positive ones.
• Picture yourself successfully facing and conquering a specific fear.
• Talk with a person who is supportive.
• Meditate.
• Exercise.
• Take a long, warm bath.
• Rest in a dark room.

Counseling

A standard method of treating anxiety is with psychological counseling. This can include cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, or a combination of therapies.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) aims to recognize and change the patient's thinking patterns that are associated with the anxiety and troublesome feelings. This type of therapy has two main parts: a cognitive part designed to limit distorted thinking and a behavioral part designed to change the way people react to the objects or situations that trigger anxiety.

For example, a patient undergoing cognitive-behavioral therapy for panic disorder might work on learning that panic attacks are not really heart attacks. Those receiving this treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder for cleanliness may work with a therapist to get their hands dirty and wait increasingly longer amounts of time before washing them. Post-traumatic stress disorder sufferers will work with a therapist to recall the traumatic event in a safe situation to alleviate the fear it produces. Exposure-based therapies such as CBT essentially have people confront their fears and try to help them become desensitized to anxiety-triggering situations

Psychotherapy is another type of counseling treatment for anxiety disorders. It consists of talking with a trained mental health professional, psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, or other counselor. Sessions may be used to explore the causes of anxiety and possible ways to cope with symptoms.

Medicines to treat anxiety

Medical treatments for anxiety utilize several types of drugs. If the cause of the anxiety is a physical ailment, treatment will be designed to eliminate the particular ailment. This might involve surgery or other medication to regulate a physical anxiety trigger. Often, however, medicines such as antidepressants, benzodiazepines, tricyclics, and beta-blockers are used to control some of the physical and mental symptoms.

Anxiety historically has been treated with a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. Their use has declined, however, due to their addictive nature. These drugs tend to have few side-effects except for drowsiness and possible dependency. Some common benzodiazepines include:

• Diazepam (Valium)
• Alprazolam (Xanax)
• Lorazepam (Ativan)
• Clonazepam (Klonopin)

Seniors who take benzodiazepine have a significantly higher risk of developing dementia during the next 15 years, researchers from the University of Bordeaux Segalen, Bordeaux, France, reported in the BMJ (British Medical Journal)(September 2012 issue). Approximately 30% of seniors in France are prescribed benzodiazepine. Rates of benzodiazepine prescribing in the UK and USA are much lower, but still represent a sizeable number of patients.

Anti-depressants - especially those in the class of serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) - are also commonly used to treat anxiety even though they were designed to treat depression. SSRIs have fewer side effects than older anti-depressants, but they are still likely to cause jitters, nausea, and sexual dysfunction when treatment begins. Some anti-depressants include:

• Sertraline (Zoloft)
• Paroxetine (Paxil)
• Fluoxetine (Prozac)
• Escitalopram (Lexapro)
• Citalopram (Celexa)
• Venlafaxine (Effexor)

Tricyclics are a class of drugs that are older than SSRIs and have been shown to work well for most anxiety disorders other than obsessive-compulsive disorder. These drugs are known to cause side-effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, and weight gain. Two types of tricyclics include:

• Imipramine (Tofranil)
• Clomipramine (Anafranil)

Additional drugs used to treat anxiety include monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), beta-blockers, and buspirone. MAOIs, such as phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and isocarboxazid (Marplan), are an older type of anti-depressant that is used to treat some anxiety disorders. These drugs carry with them several restrictions on diet and prevent one from taking other medications such as pain relievers. Beat-blockers, such as propranolol (Inderal), are usually used to treat heart conditions, but they can also treat physical symptoms that accompany some anxiety disorders. Buspirone (Buspar) is another type of medication that affects neurotransmitters to control anxiety but lacks the side effects of sleepiness and dependency. However, it has been associated with dizziness, headaches, and nausea.

How can anxiety be prevented?

Consider reducing your caffeine consumption to help reduce bouts of anxiety.

Although anxiety disorders cannot be prevented, there are ways to reduce your risk and methods to control or lessen symptoms.

Recommendations to reduce anxiety include:

• Reducing caffeine, tea, cola, and chocolate consumption.
• Checking with a doctor or pharmacist before using over-the-counter or herbal remedies to see if they contain chemicals that may contribute to anxiety.
• Exercising regularly.
• Eating healthy foods.
• Keeping a regular sleep pattern.
• Seeking counseling and support after a traumatic or disturbing experience.
• Avoiding alcohol, cannabis.