National Depression Screening Day: Stop a Suicide Today
Thursday, October 04, 2007
JC Jones MA RN
Each year in the US, 30,000 people take their own life and 70% of them tell someone they are planning to do so, or give warning signs.
National Depression Screening Day events hope to identify people at risk and get them into treatment. Depression takes a toll on the lives on the depressed individual and family, but the effects of a suicide are indelible, like a tattoo.
Find a site near you by
clicking on your state at their website. This year, returning military personnel and their families are especially encouraged to participate. Want more anonymity? You can complete the
screening process online. Colleges are also participating in
CollegeResponse. Young adults are vulnerable during their first time away from home.
SOS Signs of Suicide programs are now reaching out into High Schools and Middle Schools. I just signed the form yesterday for my own daughter to participate in her middle school program. I will never forget my two high school friends who I lost to suicide. Bill Lane - senior class president, class clown. Rich Erpel - brilliant violinist. You both made me laugh. Rest in peace, where ever you are... My wish for today is that no other child has to feel the pain of that tragic loss.
Labels: depression, screening, suicide prevention
Permalink |
0 Comments|
Email Post 
Post your comment
American Thyroid Association Clinical Guidelines for Thyroid Dysfunction
Friday, August 24, 2007
JC Jones MA RN
The Standards of Care Committee of the
American Thyroid Association (ATA), an organization of scientists and physicians dedicated to a better understanding and treatment of
thyroid disease, has come out with some clinical guidelines for detection of thyroid dysfunction. Thyroid disease has been the most popular topic on this Health Observances blog, so Leigh Schevchik, the Blog Manager and I agreed to cover thyroid topics for the rest of the month of August, since the calendar of Observances is light this month.
Healthline has added a lot of exciting new content and we hope our
new video content about thyroid disease from
Healthology will help all of you with an interest in this subject matter. The ATA is recommending:
The rationale for this is that the test itself is inexpensive yet prevalence of thyroid dysfunction is high, especially in women. I have not been able to get my hands on the exact numbers for prevalence but it looks like it is somewhere greater than 4% and under 10% for hypothyroidism, higher for hyperthyroidism. Please correct me if you have access to the exact numbers!
Risk Factors include:
- goiter
- family history
- diabetes mellitus
- pernicious anemia
- previous history of thyroid dysfunction
- vitiligo
- leukotrichia
- medications like lithium carbonate, amiodarone hydrochloride, kelp
The
thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped
endocrine gland found in the neck. It secretes
hormones involved in growth and metabolism - T4 and T3, which are in turn regulated by thyrotropin (TSH). The
hypothalamus in the brain regulates the secretion of TSH, and the amount of
iodine and calories consumed also effects the process. The amount of calcium in the blood is regulated by the thyroid's secretion of the hormone
calcitonin. All of these hormones interact with the central nervous system - an increase can result in anxiety and a decrease can result in infertility, decreased concentration and ability to think.
Our endocrine system is the very core of who we are - so no wonder so many of you have concerns about that little butterfly inside your neck! One alternative healing technique is
visualization therapy. Using meditative techniques - relaxation, deep breathing - you can focus on visualizing your thyroid as a beautiful, healthy butterfly as you fall asleep and before you arise in the morning. It can't hurt and it just might help!
Thank you heyjules45 for use of photo.Labels: meditation, screening, thyroid, TSH, visualization
Permalink |
1 Comments|
Email Post
Post your comment
The Healthline Site, its content, such as text, graphics, images, search
results, HealthMaps, Trust Marks, and other material contained on the
Healthline Site ("Content"), its services, and any information or material
posted on the Healthline Site by third parties are provided for informational
purposes only. None of the foregoing is a substitute for professional medical
advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a
physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may
have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice
or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Healthline
Site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911
immediately. Please read the Terms of Service for more information regarding
use of the Healthline Site.
