Common Dental Myths
By Dr. Minal Patil
B.D.S, M.D.S. (Periodontist And Implantologist)
How Diet Affects Mental Health?
Table of Content
A proper diet complements your mental health too
Understanding how diet affects mental health
Just like physical health, robust mental health is crucial to lead a balanced and happy life. A lot often people disregard their mental health, owing to various reasons including stigmatisation, ignorance, and lack of pertinent medical facilities. Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia etc. are some of the most common mental health issues. They acutely affect an individual regardless of his race, gender, sexual orientation, or ethnicity. Mental disorders may also be a result of the interaction of neurological disorders with certain psychological and social factors. More clarity can be gained on this by visiting a specialist at one of the best neurology hospitals around you.
According to the studies, India is one of the most depressed countries in the world. As per one of the latest reports by WHO, around 6.5 per cent of the Indians (irrespective of their rural-urban dwelling) suffer from serious mental health issues. The figures are horrifying. Therefore, it becomes all the more important to find a solution to this pressing problem. While treatment options are available, taking care of your own mental health is also of great importance.
A proper diet complements your mental health too
There is no denying the fact that a healthy diet is necessary to ensure the proper functioning of the body. But does the same apply to mental health as well? Let’s discover:
According to a recent study, consumption of fruits and vegetables can greatly enhance your mood. People who eat processed foods like refined sugars are at greater risk of mental health disorders. On the other hand, people who tend to eat whole foods like fruits and vegetables are less likely to suffer from the pangs of depression and anxiety.
Understanding how diet affects mental health
To completely understand the effects of simple sugars and complex carbohydrates, it is important to know how they function in your body.
Simple sugars are absorbed by the body really quickly but if you are not indulging in any physical activity, you won’t be able to burn the sugar which, in turn, secretes insulin. As a result, your blood sugar level goes down which leaves you feeling hungry and tired. On the other hand, complex carbohydrates which are present in fruits and vegetables consist of soluble and insoluble fibers. Since they have a complex structure, they don’t break down immediately. As a consequence, your blood sugar levels do not get affected immediately.
However, some people are of the view that consumption of fruits and vegetables isn’t directly related to mental health. Well, there is a possibility that it might be true. That’s why it becomes imperative to consult your doctor for the same. Meanwhile, you can switch to healthy food options rather than the unhealthy ones.
In case you think you might be suffering from a neurological disorder, you need to visit one of the best neuro hospitals in India to know more about your ailment and seek proper treatment.
All in all, mental health is in no way less important than your physical health. So it’s high time you book an appointment at the hospital for mental health to achieve the much-needed health balance.
Gum Disease
By Dr. Minal Patil
(Periodontist / Gum Specialist)
Common Dental Myths
By Dr. Minal Patil
B.D.S, M.D.S. (Periodontist And Implantologist)
Schizophrenia: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention
Schizophrenia is a serious mental health disorder that afflicts almost 1% of population that means one out of every 100 people will develop schizophrenia in their lifetime.
Schizophrenia affects the way a person thinks feels and behaves and the affected person’s perception of reality changes and they are often unaware of that.
Causes of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a complex illness and multiple factors can contribute to its development. Genetic and biological factors play a significant role but there is no single gene responsible for causing schizophrenia. Apart from that other factors like trauma and abuse in childhood, stressful life events, early and prolonged drug use like cannabis (weed, hesh, marijuana) or other drugs can also contribute or predispose.
Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Delusions
Delusions are fixed, false, firm beliefs which exist despite evidence to the contrary. For eg a person believing people are out there to harm him/her or people are following/talking about him/her, a conspiracy is going on against the person while in reality there is no evidence of anything like this happening. There can also be bizarre delusions (something that never happens in real life) like aliens are controlling someone or that someone’s thoughts are being broadcasted on TV etc.
Hallucinations
Hallucinations are perceptions without stimuli. That means a person is hearing or seeing things when nothing is there. In schizophrenia auditory hallucinations are most commonly seen while visual and other hallucinations can also be there.
Changes in Behaviour or Disorganized Behaviour
Like impaired self care, not taking bath for weeks, wearing odd clothes which are inappropriate to the weather, doing odd behaviours like gesturing or staring, purposeless behaviour, or extreme unpredictable and inappropriate emotional reactions (like laughing after a trauma).
Changes in Speech or Disorganized Speech
Like repetition of words and phrases, talking to people who are not there, inventing new words (neologism), irrelevant or incoherent speech, jumbled speech (word salad).
Negative Symptoms
A person suffering from schizophrenia may also stop doing certain things which normally people do when they are healthy. For example withdrawing from social life, lack of pleasure in things, impairment in social interaction and communication, lack of emotional expression and amotivation.
Treatment
Mainstay of treatment of schizophrenia are medicines and psychosocial therapy.
Treatment usually lasts longer and may be life long as schizophrenia is often a chronic long lasting condition.
Prevention
Unfortunately there is no proven way to prevent schizophrenia but awareness and seeking help early can help in timely diagnosis and management which can improve its prognosis.
If you are aware that schizophrenia runs in your family then:
Avoid substance like alcohol or drugs as they increase the risk.
Seek help if you are going through any traumatic or stressful life situation.
Keep a healthy lifestyle like proper sleep and nutrition, exercise, nurture your hobbies, invest time in your relationships and spend time with loved ones.
Learn to manage stress.
And talk to a psychiatrist if you experience the above mentioned symptoms as early as possible.
Gum Disease
By Dr. Minal Patil
(Periodontist / Gum Specialist)
