Social Anxiety

Social anxiety disorder symptoms can vary. Some individuals may only suffer from a specific fear such as eating or drinking, speaking, or writing if others are around or watching. Some people have a fear or going to the bathroom in a public restroom. Other people are fearful in all social situations and are never comfortable. 

The normal daily activities that most people take for granted are so horrifying and worrisome it can be physically debilitating. This illness can cause people to miss work or school if they fear they will have to get up and be seen or noticed. Many persons with social phobia may have problems with relationships and can find it very difficult to meet and keep friends. Even when the person has friends they may not be able to enjoy going out with them or being with them in large crowds of other people who might be less known. Five of the most common symptoms are:

* Blushing often in social situations.

* Profuse sweating when anxious.

* Trembling when approached or spoken to.

* Nausea as anxiety increases and possibly vomiting. 

* Extreme difficulty talking.

This disorder affects approximately 5.3 million American adults with men and women being affected equally. Social phobia usually starts to develop in childhood or the early teens. There is belief that social anxiety disorder can also be hereditary so if a family member has it you are at a higher risk of developing it. 

Because of the nature and the severity of the anxiety people with this disorder have a higher risk of self-medicating with drugs and alcohol to try to relax and calm down. This only leads to worse problems and possibly addiction. To treat this disease one needs to see a doctor and seek psychotherapy and/or medications. 

Mental Health anxiety and how to cope

I work with seniors on a volunteer basis in the area of Health and Wellness. Over the past seven years I have given many workshops on topics of interest to seniors in this area, but what I find interesting is that there is a reluctance to talk about and deal with mental health issues, especially among my sex (male).Mental health issues vary, and individuals with anxiety will likely experience different symptoms than those with depression. The following are some of the warning signs of mental health issues in seniors.

·       Noticeable changes in mood, energy level, or appetite;

·       Feeling flat or having trouble feeling positive emotions;

·       Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much;

·       Difficulty concentrating, feeling restless, or on edge;

·       Increased worry or feeling stressed;

·       Sadness or hopelessness;

·       Suicidal thoughts;

·       Engaging in high-risk activities;

·       Obsessive thinking or compulsive behavior;

·       Thoughts or behaviors that interfere with work, family, or social life.

If you're a senior experiencing mental health issues or noticing these warning signs, it's important to seek help and support. Here are some of the best ways to get assistance:

Start by scheduling an appointment with your primary care physician or geriatric specialist. They can assess your symptoms, provide a diagnosis, and recommend appropriate treatment options.

Consider seeking help from a mental health professional who specializes in working with seniors. This could be a psychologist, psychiatrist, or licensed clinical social worker. They can provide therapy, counseling, or medication management tailored to your specific needs.

Joining a support group can be immensely beneficial as it allows you to connect with others who are going through similar experiences. Look for local support groups focused on mental health issues in seniors, or consider online communities if in-person options are limited.

Reach out to your loved ones and confide in them about what you're going through. They can offer emotional support and be there to listen and understand your struggles. Sometimes, simply talking about your concerns can bring relief.

If you're in immediate distress or experiencing a mental health crisis, don't hesitate to contact helplines or crisis services. Organizations like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (in the US), Samaritans (in the UK), or local crisis hotlines can provide you with immediate support and guidance.

Investigate local community resources specifically tailored to seniors' mental health. Senior centers, community centers, or nonprofit organizations often offer programs and services aimed at promoting mental well-being in older adults. These may include counseling, therapy, educational workshops, or recreational activities.

In recent years, telehealth services have become more accessible and convenient. Many mental health professionals now offer remote appointments via video calls, allowing you to receive care from the comfort of your own home. This can be particularly helpful if mobility or transportation is a challenge.

Engage in activities that promote self-care and overall well-being. This can include regular exercise, maintaining a healthy diet, practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation or deep breathing exercises, getting enough sleep, and participating in hobbies or activities that bring you joy.

Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, and you deserve support and assistance in managing your mental health. Don't hesitate to reach out to the appropriate resources and professionals to get the help you need.

 

Rheumatoid arthritis (more)

Recently, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). At first, I was overwhelmed. I knew I had osteoarthritis, and I was coping with it. I like to research and to learn and so I started looking for information. There are, I found steps that can help me manage my symptoms and improve my quality of life. It is important to work closely with your healthcare team and to communicate openly about your symptoms and concerns. There are several important steps you should take:

The first step will be to consult with a rheumatologist, who is a specialist who is trained to diagnose and treat autoimmune disorders such as RA. My doctor said RA is a complex disorder and so a rheumatologist can hopefully provide me with a thorough evaluation, confirm the initial diagnosis, and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

My doctor said that I needed to continue to exercise, reduce my stress and keep eating healthy. He also suggested that I start on an anti-inflammatory medicine while I wait for my appointment with the rheumatologist, so I have started on the medication.  

What I found out at the start of my research is that early treatment is critical in managing RA and preventing further joint damage. Treatment options may include medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and biological agents. When I see the rheumatologist, I hope they can help determine the best course of treatment based on my needs.

I deal with issues on my own, but I know that dealing with a chronic condition like RA can be challenging, and it helps to seek support from family, friends, or support groups. As I embark on this new adventure, life has thrown my way, I will look at what resources there are and pass them along to those of you who may know someone who is on the same journey as I am. My rheumatologist will also provide resources for support groups and other resources that I need.

Leading causes of death during Covid

 I read an interesting article about the leading Causes of Death in the US During the COVID-19 Pandemic, from March 2020 to October 2021. It was written by Meredith S. Shiels, PhD, MHS1; Anika T. Haque, MPH1; Amy Berrington de González, PhD1; et al Neal D. Freedman, PhD, MPH1 and published online by Jama Internal Medicine online July 5, 2022. Here are some excerpts from the article.

In 2020, heart disease and cancer were the leading causes of death in the US, accounting for 1.29 million deaths, followed by COVID-19, accounting for 350 000 deaths.1-3 The pandemic may also have indirectly led to increases in other causes of death, including heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer disease, and unintentional injuries.2,4 We examined the leading causes of death in the US, overall and in various age groups, from March 2020 to October 2021.

Methods

We obtained final national death certificate data for 2020 and provisional data for 2021 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (accessed May 5, 20225). We excluded data more recent than October 2021 because they were incomplete. We determined the 5 leading causes of death by year and age group, and compared the period March to December 2020 with the period January to October 2021. Because the data are publicly available, the study did not require institutional review board review.

Results

From March 2020 to October 2021, heart disease (20.1%), cancer (17.5%), COVID-19 (12.2%), accidents (6.2%), and stroke (4.7%) were the most common causes of death in the US. There were 2.875 million deaths in March to December 2020 and 2.855 million deaths in January to October 2021; the 5 leading causes of death were the same in each year. Among those older than 1 year, the number of deaths increased across age groups.

Deaths from cancer, heart disease, and COVID-19 accounted for the largest number of deaths in every group aged 55 years and older. The leading 3 causes of death in these age groups were the same in 2020 and 2021. Among people aged 85 years and older, COVID-19 was ranked as the second leading cause of death in 2020 (110 000 deaths, 12.8% of deaths), and third in 2021 (69 000, 8.9% of deaths). Among those aged 45 to 54 years, COVID-19 was the fourth leading cause of death in 2020 (17 000 deaths, 10.4% of deaths), following heart disease, cancer, and accidents; in 2021, however, it was the leading cause of death (30 000 deaths, 16.8% of deaths).

In both time periods, accidents accounted for the largest number of deaths in every age group 1 to 44 years. Compared with 2020, COVID-19 increased from the fifth (6100 deaths) to the second leading cause of death (13 000 deaths) among those aged 35 to 44 years in 2021, became the fourth leading cause of death in 2021 among those aged 25 to 34 years (5000 deaths), and those aged 15 to 24 years (1100 deaths).

Discussion

From March 2020 to October 2021, COVID-19 accounted for 1 in 8 deaths in the US and was a top 5 cause of death in every age group aged 15 years and older. Cancer and heart disease deaths exceeded COVID-19 deaths overall and in most age groups, whereas accidents were the leading cause of death among those aged 1 to 44 years. Compared with the 2020 time period, deaths from COVID-19 in the 2021 time period decreased in ranking among those aged 85 years or older but increased in ranking among those aged 15 to 54 years, and became the leading cause of death among those aged 45 to 54 years.

The pandemic also has had indirect effects on other causes of death in the US. From 2019 to 2020, death rates increased for heart disease, accidents, stroke, Alzheimer disease, and diabetes. Potential explanations are fear of accessing health care or misattribution of COVID-19 deaths to other causes. Accidental deaths (including drug overdoses and unintentional alcohol poisoning), assault, and suicide remain major causes of death in the US, particularly in younger age groups; the pandemic may have contributed to some of these deaths.

For all those coffee lovers out there

 2-3 cups of coffee a day may reduce kidney injury risk by 23%

I love my coffee as to many of us. I never knew that coffee could be good for us. The following is taken from Medical News Today and the link to the entire story is above.

The most beneficial amount of coffee

For the study, the researchers used data from 14,207 adults ages 45 – 64 from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.

The researchers assessed the participants’ coffee consumption during their first visit via a food frequency questionnaire. In total, they found:

·        27% never drank coffee

·        14% drank less than a cup of coffee per day

·        19% drank 1 cup per day

·        23% drank 2-3 cups per day

·        17% drank more than 3 cups per day

To define acute kidney injury, the researchers looked at rates of hospitalization, including an International Classification of Diseases code indicating AKI throughout a median period of 24 years follow-up. They noted 1,694 cases of incident AKI during the follow-up period.

After adjusting for demographic factors, they found that individuals who consumed any amount of coffee had an 11% lower risk of developing AKI compared to individuals who did not consume the beverage.

The researchers further noted a dose-dependent relationship between AKI and coffee intake, with those consuming 2-3 cups of coffee per day experiencing the most substantial risk reduction.

Coffee’s protective effects

When asked what might explain the potential protective effects of coffee for acute kidney injury, Dr. Matthew Weir, professor of medicine and the head of the Division of Nephrology at the University of Maryland, who was not involved in the study, told Medical News Today that the study did not offer clues.

“[The researchers] provide theories, but there are numerous problems with retrospective data review, which may confound the observations and limit the validity. At least there was no evidence of harm,” said Dr. Weir.

In the study, the researchers noted their findings might be the result of bioactive compounds in coffee that improve perfusion and oxygen utilization in the kidneys.

Dr. Kalie L. Tommerdahl, assistant professor of pediatric endocrinology at the University of Colorado, and Dr. Chirag Rohit Parikh, director of the Division of Nephrology at Johns Hopkins University, who were both authors of the study, told MNT that they conducted a companion study to further understand the potential mechanisms.

“We studied ten youths aged 12 to 21 years old with type 1 diabetes and aimed to assess the effects of a confirmed 7-day course of a single daily Starbucks cold brew (325 ml, 175mg caffeine) on [various measures of renal function],” they said.

“The study included a small sample size. While it confirmed that we can effectively assess these intrarenal measures in adolescents with type 1 diabetes, we did not find any differences in [renal function] following a short course of daily coffee consumption,” they added.

The researchers concluded that they needed to further evaluate the physiological mechanisms underlying the potentially protective effects of coffee consumption in larger studies of a longer duration.

“In addition, consumption of other caffeinated beverages such as tea or soda should also be considered a possible confounding factor. Further limitations include reliance on the inclusion of AKI on the problem list during inpatient hospitalization and the potential for confounding effects from differences in etiologies for participant hospitalization,” they said.