China plans to train 300,000 general practitioners
China will train up to 300,000 general practitioners within 10 years to satisfy the needs of primary-level medical and health care institutions, Xinhua News Agency reported Friday.
The plan, announced by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), will also encourage doctors to serve at primary-level hospitals or clinics.
General practitioners provide primary care, treating acute and chronic illnesses in community-level medical institutions. They also provide preventive care for local residents.
To implement the plan, the country will push forward reforms in the medical education system and adjust student enrollment numbers as well as majors, Xinhua said.
To encourage college graduates to work in primary-level clinics, authorities will offer tuition fee remission, student loans and an early promotion.
Students who agree to work as general practitioners in county and village-level clinics in rural areas of west and central China after graduation can get their medical training free.
In this year\’s government work report, Premier Wen Jiabao promised to accelerate reform in health care and support development of village clinics and rural doctors.
Training general practitioners for primary-level hospitals is also an important part of China\’s public hospital reform. A medical student will have to complete his residency before becoming a general practitioner in the future, according to the reform plan released on February.
Chocolate may be good for heart, blood pressure
Chocolates are pictured during the opening of the Nestle Chocolate Centre of Excellence in Broc near Fribourg September 7, 2009. The Chocolate Centre of Excellence is dedicated to the research and development of chocolate products.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
German researchers recently found having a moderate amount of chocolate may be good for blood-pressure control and therefore better protect the heart, according to a report published on European Heart Journal.
Researchers in German Institute of Human Nutrition conducted a study on more than 19,300 people.
Over a decade\’s study, they discovered that those who ate the most amount of chocolate, that is, an average of 7.5 grams a day, had lower blood pressure and a 39 percent lower risk of having a heart attack or stroke compared to those who had an average of 1.7 grams a day, the least among the subjects.
\”Small amounts of chocolate may help to prevent heart disease, but only if it replaces other energy-dense food, such as snacks, in order to keep body weight stable,\” said Brian Buijsse, leader of the study.
But Buijsse warned those who may use the finding to indulge themselves with the sweets.
The researchers contribute the reason why chocolate seems to be good for people\’s blood pressure and heart health to flavanols in cocoa. Since dark chocolate has more cocoa, it is believed to have a greater effect.
Depression can take its toll not only on the individual but also their family and friends. Figures indicate that depression affects at least 17 million Americans annually which is actually more than the number of people affected by ailments like AIDS and cancer. At least 15 percent of those affected by chronic depression end up committing suicide. Also women are more prone to depression than men. Each individual has his or her own way of dealing with depression and this choice is left to you unless there is a medical need for immediate intervention.
Many people prefer dealing with depression in the natural way, avoiding medications and drugs unless absolutely necessary. In this method of dealing with depression exercise, nutrition, and a positive outlook are of the utmost importance. Irrespective of whether or not you are on medications for combating depression, there are a few things that you can keep in mind when dealing with depression. Find some interesting activities to pursue, preferably something that involves social interaction and stepping out of the house. Eating healthy food helps increase your energy in turn making you feel more happy and peaceful. Reading books that talk about ways of dealing with depression is also a good idea.
Talk about your depression and negative feelings to a friend or a physician on a regular basis. Getting out the negative feelings gives you a good start on the road to recovery in your effort of dealing with depression. If you are someone who is helping a friend or family member overcome depression, then make sure that your are understanding and remember that depressed people can often act in unpleasant ways. It may often be hard for a depressed person to carry on a conversation and questioning or nagging is not going to help in any way.
When dealing with depression be reassuring and offer comfort in subtle ways that do not make the depressed person feel overprotected. Being a good listener is the best way in which you can help your friend overcome depression and go back to a normal life. If you feel that your friend is slipping more and more into depression instead of coming out of it then see to it that he gets professional assistance immediately. It is your responsibility as a friend to ensure that you do the best for him at this crucial time.
Your friend is sure to appreciate your standing by him during this critical time and offering him the required support to get life back on track. Dealing with depression is not an easy road, but the right attitude and the right people can help an individual get out of this dark phase. If necessary, recruit the help of more friends and family. For many, a combination of medication and therapy works best when dealing with depression. Once the best method for you is figured out and treatment begins, its almost as good as being halfway there. Patience, understanding, and willpower are the key to getting out of the rut.
About the author:
Juliet Cohen writes articles for depression treatment and depression clinic. She also writes articles for depression home remedies.
Depression and anxiety can sound like a major contradiction. However, these two problems often like to hang out together and they can make their host feel like they are a yo-yo. Depression and anxiety can make a person have low energy, phobias, panic attacks and more. To put it plainly, a person who has both depression and anxiety will experience the symptoms of depression and anxiety all at the same time. The good news is that depression and anxiety can be treated and no one has to feel that they have to live with either. A person who is depressed will generally experience despair, sadness, anger or hopelessness. Energy levels are generally low and the person may feel overwhelmed with life and feel that it is just too hard to cope. A person who has anxiety will generally experience panic and fear in some areas in their life.
A person with anxiety may start to worry intensely and this can make the anxiety manifest into physical symptoms such as panic attacks, changes in the gastrointestinal tract, shaking and more. Both depression and anxiety can quickly hamper a person\’s capability to maintain relationships, perform their work or even get out of bed in the morning. No one can truly say why a person can have both depression and anxiety. However, what is known about depression and anxiety is that nearly 85 percent of people who have major depression are also found to have some sort of anxiety disorder. Of these patients, 35 percent of them will be diagnosed with a panic disorder.
There is no doubt that someone who has both depression and anxiety has a lot of work to do to get back onto solid ground. Having both depression and anxiety intensifies the feelings of each and each can aggravate the other. Unfortunately, the road to recovery is often longer for someone who has both depression and anxiety than it would be for someone who is just suffering from one or the other. The good news is that it is possible to overcome both. To beat depression and anxiety the individual must connect with a doctor who is capable of treating both. It is useless to treat just the depression or just the anxiety. Both problems must be addressed and treated. Many people who have depression and anxiety often benefit from one of the various anti depression medications that are on the market.
Which medicine that will be described will be incumbent upon the severity of the depression and anxiety, as well as the person\’s overall health, age, weight and so on. In addition to medication, people with depression and anxiety are generally encouraged to start some form of therapy. Therapy can help a person get to the root of their depression and anxiety, teach them coping mechanisms and help them identify targets which could make their depression and anxiety worse. By taking medication and going to therapy many people overcome their depression and anxiety and get back to leading their lives within a few months.
About the author:
Juliet Cohen writes articles for depression treatment and depression clinic. She also writes articles for depression home remedies.
Depression is something that occurs naturally. For sure, none of us would like to be depressed by choice. But life is not always predictable and things do not always happen as we want them to. Depression is not the same thing as sadness and can differ in intensity, frequency, and duration. A person suffering from depression is more likely to respond to a certain incident with a more deeper level of sadness than normal. When depressed the sadness seems to come and go in bouts. The sadness lasts much longer than it would in most other people in similar circumstances.
Contrary to popular belief, depression self help is a definite possibility with high rates of success. There are many ways in which you can help yourself overcome your depression. The first step in depression self help is identifying and admitting that you are indeed suffering from depression. Find out all you can about the causes and symptoms of depression. As part of your efforts in depression self help, make some changes in your daily routine. You could begin by making sure you stick to a daily sleep pattern. If you have difficulty getting out of bed in the mornings, ask a family member or a friend to wake you up each day.
Eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day even if you are not particularly hungry. Proper nutrition gives you energy which in turn helps fights depression. Another aspect of your depression self help should involve taking up activities that keep you occupied. When you have nothing to do, your thoughts can often turn negative and this is not a good thing. Activities can include sports or even a brisk evening walk, pursuing a hobby, getting a massage or a hot bath and numerous other such things. Research has indicated that exercise helps in alleviating depression greatly.
Yet another step in depression self help is improving your social life and interaction with other individuals in society. Talk to your neighbors – even a friendly “hello” can bolster your spirits a good deal. Participating in volunteer groups such as those working with underprivileged children or senior citizens, spending some time at homeless shelters and the like are other ways of contributing to society. These depression self help measures are sure to give you a better and improved outlook on life.
Certain simple changes around your home can form part of your depression self help regime. Just by changing the type of lights you use throughout your house can change your outlook. Other ways of changing the appearance of your home could involve painting the walls in a new shade, rearranging the furniture differently, putting on some music, and placing some attractive, bright flowers all around. Always remember that depression is not a permanent situation. You can overcome it if you really try and make an effort. Once you are able to put it behind you life will be a whole new spectrum of challenges and rewards; something to look forward to with enthusiasm.
About the author:
Juliet Cohen writes articles for depression treatment and depression clinic. She also writes articles for depression home remedies.
While the birth of a new baby is a happy occasion, many women experience post partum depression within two years after the birth of a baby. Although 80% of parents have what is called “baby blues,” which is characterized by occasional tearfulness and feeling overwhelmed, these moods are temporary, and are not actual post partum depression. The symptoms of post partum depression are quite similar to those of regular depression, except that post- partum depression deals with the specific circumstance of having a baby. While it is said that some men experience post partum depression as well as women, 5 to 25% of mothers will experience post partum depression at some point of their lives. Those who have a history of depression or are in certain circumstances are more likely to experience post partum depression than other mothers. There are many treatment options available for the problem, but women who are breastfeeding may not be able to take certain medications. Doctors may prescribe alternative treatments.
The signs of post partum depression are similar to other types of depression. Sadness is a symptom but it is not like ordinary sadness or moodiness. Negative thoughts become obsessive and are characterized by feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. The mother feels as if she is trapped, and at the same time, experiences unjustified guilt feelings and low-self esteem. She may sleep very little or excessively, and her eating patterns may change dramatically. She may neglect personal hygiene and have a feeling that she may harm herself or her baby. It is very important that a woman who is suffering from post partum depression seek help immediately, and that close family members are alerted to the problem. It is essential that a baby bond wit his or her mother at an early age, and since post partum depression can interfere with bonding, a mother should seek treatment for the problem.
Just the circumstances involved in having a baby can set a woman up for post partum depression, especially if she has a predisposition for depression or a history of the problem. Since babies often wake up in the middle of the night and demand constant care and attention, the extreme pressure and sleep deprivation takes a toll on a woman who might already be vulnerable. Other factors such as an absent spouse, a recent divorce, financial strain, and alienation from relatives increase the likelihood of post partum depression. It is for this reason that a support system for a new mother is essential for her health and the health of her baby.
Some women have traumatic births that give them symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder as well as post partum depression. If the mother is suffering from a trauma, she might have flashbacks to the event or nightmares, may dread discussing it or returning to the place where she gave birth. She may feel alienated from her infant as the result of her trauma. This form of post partum depression is quite serious, and may require that someone else, like a spouse or a parent, take over the role of primary carer of the baby while the woman received the help she needs.
About the author:
Juliet Cohen writes articles for depression treatment and depression clinic. She also writes articles for depression home remedies.
Manic depression is also known as bipolar disorder and is a chronic, recurring condition. Though less common than other types of depression, this involves cycles of depression and elation. A person with this condition can be identified easily if he or she exhibits manic depression symptoms. One of the significant manic depression symptoms is that the individual has an alternating pattern of emotional highs and lows which vary in intensity depending upon whether it a mild or severe condition. The characteristics exhibited by the individual will vary with the mental phase in which he or she is.
Euphoria, high self-esteem, optimism, rapid speech and thoughts, increased physical activity, poor judgment, recklessness, aggressiveness, inability to concentrate, and difficulty sleeping, are all manic depression symptoms associated with the manic phase of the disorder. Sadness, anxiety, guilt, or hopelessness, fatigue, lack of interest in daily activities, chronic pain and suicidal tendencies are some of the manic depression symptoms associated with the depressive state. There are many reasons why someone becomes depressed. This could be due to a hereditary problem or as a result of some external situation. Neurochemicals are believed to be the culprits that bring about manic depression symptoms.
Manic depression symptoms also have an impact on the physical appearance of the individual. The period of time a person remains manic or depressive could be anywhere from a few days to many months. The intervals between episodes can also vary. In some individuals there is a predictable pattern for manic depression while in others there may not be any such indications. Treatment also is dependent upon the kind of manic depression symptoms exhibited by the individual and the intensity with which they are displayed. First episodes of manic depressive illness usually occur in young adults.
If the first such episode takes place in an individual who is over the age of fifty, then it is more likely to be due to some other illness or as a result of a reaction to some other stimuli. The incidence of men and women contracting manic depression is the same. No single cause of the illness has been identified by researchers as yet. Many people do not seek help partly because they do not realize what they are going through and partly because they think that they can handle their recovery on their own. But it is essential that manic depressives realize their problem and get help as soon as possible.
It is important to know that manic depression is not a hurdle to having a happy and productive life. A few changes in your lifestyle and appropriate medical guidance can go a long way in easing the problems arising from manic depression issues. Each person is a unique individual and what is true for one may not be right for the other. Depression in one member of the family has its effects on the others one day or the other and this is definitely not a good thing for anyone, particularly in the long run.
About the author:
Juliet Cohen writes articles for depression treatment and depression clinic. She also writes articles for depression home remedies.
Major depression treatment almost always includes the use of anti depressant medication. However, people should know that this depression treatment does not cure depression. This depression treatment simply works by treating the depression symptoms. Once the depression treatment kicks in and symptoms are under control individuals with depression can begin the work of finding the root of what caused their depression. A great way to do this is through therapy.
Depression treatment with medication does not always work with the first medication that is given. People will have different responses to different medications. There is no magical pill that works for everyone and for each level of depression. What is common about depression treatment that involves the use of medication is that it takes a few weeks for the medication o take effect. This means the person may not see immediate relief. This is important for people to understand or they may discontinue their depression treatment before it has had a chance to work. If after a few weeks you find that a particular medication is not bringing relief the doctor will either up the dosage or prescribe a different medication. This process can continue until the individual is matched with a medication that works.
There is no way to know which depression treatment medication will work for an individual. It takes experimentation and a lot of patience on the patient\’s end. It is important that patients work closely with their physicians until a medication match is found. Remember, using medication as a depression treatment means that moods and feelings will change slowly. However, some symptoms may lessen early on such as improvement in sleeping and eating. Patients who have no relief after taking a medication for six weeks are generally given another medication.
How long a patient stays on a depression treatment medication will depend on the patient. Some patients only have to take a depression treatment for a few months. Other people may have to stay on some form of depression treatment indefinitely. Patients who have to stay on a depression treatment medication for a long time need to be matched with a medication that has little or no long term side effects. If you are experiencing depression and avoiding depression treatment you should be very careful. Depression can plunge you into a host of intense emotions. They can range from sadness, exhaustion, worthlessness, hopelessness and helplessness. Without depression treatment these negative thoughts can spiral out of control.
Without depression treatment you may never be able to view life clearly again. You do not have to live with depression. Depression treatment is available. If you do not want to start out taking a depression treatment medication you may benefit from therapy alone. The first step is seeking help. Seeking help is sometimes hard when you are depressed. If this sounds like you, talk to a trusted friend or family member and see if they will help you find the depression treatment that you need.
About the author:
Juliet Cohen writes articles for depression treatment and depression clinic. She also writes articles for depression home remedies.
Clinical depression affects 16% of the population at one time or another and is one of the most widespread ailments in the world. Although both men and women are affected by clinical depression, one in four women will suffer from the problem, while one in 8 men might have clinical depression. The discrepancy disappears after women reach menopause, and older women are less likely to suffer from the problem than their younger counterparts.
Many people erroneously confuse clinical depression with “the blues” or regular sadness. They may expect themselves or others to simply “snap out of it” or may believe that a simple diet and exercise routine will solve the problem. This may be a good way of dealing with occasional slumps or the blahs, but clinical depression is radically different in that it is more persistent than an occasional bad mood. Although sadness is one of the major symptoms of clinical depression, it is not the same thing, and there are many more signs of clinical depression than a low mood.
Clinical depression varies from regular depression or sadness in that it reaches a level at which the sufferer can no longer continue with his or her regular routine. Some of the symptoms of clinical depression include: a persistent sadness that will not go away, feelings of worthlessness or guilt that seem obsessive, a lack of interest in activities that were once pleasurable, a shift an appetite in which one either eats radically more or less than before, changes in sleep patterns, a lack of interest in personal hygiene, obsessive thoughts of death or suicide, and social withdrawal or aggression. If any of these, particularly having suicidal thoughts, reaches such an intense level that normal functioning is no longer possible, it is very likely that the person is suffering from clinical depression, for which he or she needs treatment immediately.
Treatment for clinical depression varies and often there may be disagreement concerning the best way to deal with the problem. The combination of drugs and talking therapy is the most common form of treatment for clinical depression. Sever cases of clinical depression require hospitalization, particularly if the patient seems likely to harm him or herself or another person. The length of hospitalization can vary form person to person depending on the severity of the case. Medicine to treat clinical depression is often considered to be an effective treatment, although it should be used in conjunction with other forms of treatment which will teach the patient how to adapt coping mechanisms into his or her life to deal with clinical depression.
Many people who have suffered from clinical depression will have another episode later in life. It is not uncommon for a woman who has had clinical depression in her teens to suffer from post-partum depression after she has a baby. However, some people do not have repeat episodes later on and can continue living a normal life after the cessation of treatment. The most successful recovery from clinical depression involves learning ways of coping with stressors and events that may trigger the depression. Once a person learns to deal with these external and internal factors, the chances of clinical depression recurring are relatively low.
About the author:
Juliet Cohen writes articles for depression treatment and depression clinic. She also writes articles for depression home remedies.
New breast study to tailor drugs to patients
Researchers launched a clinical study Wednesday to test five experimental breast cancer drugs in a collaboration between the U.S. government and three major drug companies, Reuters reported Friday.
The study called I-SPY2, will aim to use DNA from the tumors of individual patients to match the most effective drug to each patient and to find the most promising treatments.
Five new experimental anti-cancer drugs will be tested as part of the study, which is expected to cost 26 million dollars over five years.The trial will match patients to one of five experimental:ABT-888, AMG 655, AMG 386, CP-751,871 and HKI-272.
\”I-SPY 2 promises to leverage convergence of progress on a number of research fronts to speed the evaluation of promising new breast cancer drugs using molecular cancer biomarkers to identify those agents that are effective in specific subpopulations of breast cancer patients,\” said Anna Barker, deputy director of the National Cancer Institute
\”I-SPY 2 will provide a path to personalized medicine,\” said Dr. Laura Esserman, a breast cancer surgeon at the University of California San Francisco who will help lead the clinical trials. \”We intend that every drug will graduate with a companion marker.\”
If the study is a success, it is hoped it might cut both the costs and time to develop new drugs for the public. More importantly, the most promising treatments can then be matched with patients.
