Health and wellness events: Support groups, fund-raising walk and more

Dr. Oz's guest expert, Dr. Michael Breus, is known for his expertise in curing insomnia. He's the best-selling author of "Beauty Sleep: Look Younger, Lose Weight, and Feel Great Through Better Sleep" and "The Sleep Doctor's Diet Plan: Simple Rules for Losing Weight While You Sleep." Among the most common sleep wreckers, says Dr. Breus: Your alarm clock (put it where you can't see the time if you wake up in the middle of the night), reading before bed (don't read in bed) and bright lights (use a dimmer).

Although we love summer weather, it can contribute to those problems in drifting off to dreamland. To ease sleeping, try a surprisingly simple and inexpensive holistic solution: Gelatin, which contains glycine. Glycine functions in your brain to lower your body temperature. You only need two dry envelopes (such as Knox Original Gelatin, Unflavored) to cool yourself down and sleep. You can make it yourself from a home recipe or try the delicious recipe below from Dr. Oz's show:
Mimi’s Sleepytime No-Drip Popsicles

Note: 
Because bananas and orange juice are rich in magnesium, they relax you to fall asleep faster. Combined with gelatin, this recipe helps you slumber peacefully through the night.

Ingredients

• 2 cups orange juice
• 3 (1/4-oz) packets granulated unsweetened gelatin, such as Knox Original Gelatin Unflavored
• 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
• 1 small banana
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt

Directions: 

Add ingredients to blender. Blend and pour into popsicle molds. Freeze for 8 hours. When ready to eat, run popsicle molds under warm water for 15 seconds. Gently remove and enjoy! 

Tip: 

To make it easy to remove the popsicles, looking for a mold made from silicone, such as Zoku Slow Pops: Mini Pop Molds.

Note: 

When it comes to sleeping aids, Dr. Oz wants you to understand that whether they are prescription or over-the-counter, they are drugs. Talk with your doctor before you take any medication, particularly if you have other medical conditions. And try holistic options first, such as the popsicles, before taking drugs.

Research Promoted by Laura Jandras Huff Points Out The Devastating Mental Health Stigma Among Teens

New trends reveal a lack of awareness about mental health that dramatically impacts kids and teens, a reality Laura Jandras Huff strives to improve.

PHILADELPHIA, PA, July 25, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Huffington Post released a recent article displaying urgency among kids and teens regarding youth mental illness, an issue mental health worker Laura Jandras Huff passionately seeks to expose. The report outlines the "deadly combination" of stigma, confusion and a lack of awareness when it comes to teen mental health.

Gordon Floyd, the president and CEO of Children's Mental Health of Ontario comments on the main issues young people struggle with in terms of mental health. He points out the enduring stigma attached with mental health disorders and how "almost one half of adults, or 49 percent, who feel they have suffered from depression or anxiety have never consulted a doctor about it." He comments on the issue of sensitivity. "Kids who are struggling at that age have extra difficulty being open about those struggles," he says. "It's very difficult for someone who is going through that identity-forming experience to expose themselves as needing a type of support that they're perhaps embarrassed about."

Laura Jandras Huff, a psychologist and counselor for teens and young adults suffering from depression and anxiety whole-heartedly concurs with his statement. "Confusion about mental illness continues to negatively impact the lives of teens and kids suffering with mental illness," she said. "I could have benefited greatly as a teen after hearing a message of acceptance. Speaking from someone who came from a dark and confusing childhood, I now try to create a safe space for teens to discover who they are and what they're really facing. They need to come to grips with mental illness rather than pretend it isn't there. That's the only way to make progress and find hope," she said.

Gordon Floyd continues to discuss the importance of recognizing signs between what some may consider normal adolescent emotions and a mental health disorder by identifying an issue when emotion or behavior "persists and interferes with the young person's daily life."

He insists on a need for a new perspective on mental illness, a common goal Laura Jandras Huff shares. "There's power in early diagnosis," she said. "That's reason enough to increase awareness and generate more mental health campaigns. There are different standards for physical and mental health, and it has to change."

Gordon Floyd remarks that people generally use the term mental illness as "an excuse for bad behavior," making it even more challenging to detect disorders among young people. Laura highlights this unfortunate reality. "So many people are afraid to talk about what they're experiencing because of the stigma attached with any mental health diagnosis. There are too many teen suicides because kids feel there is no hope in their future. If they received a proper diagnosis and care, it could save their lives," said Laura Jandras Huff.

ABOUT:

Laura Jandras Huff is a psychologist and counselor who is more concerned with community health and growth rather than economic success. She has helped more than 100 people come to grips with their mental health needs and effectively turn their lives around. Her practice is ranked as one of the most successful in the area because of her passion and personal investment in each teen and young adult struggling with depression and anxiety.

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Press release service and press release distribution provided by http://www.24-7pressrelease.com

Source: http://world.einnews.com/247pr/354349

Antidepressant enhances weight loss

Bupropion can increase weight loss among obese people on a strict diet and exercise program, according to a new study.

There’s an increasing interest in safe medications that can help people lose weight in conjunction with lifestyle modifications. In a trial involving over 300 obese men and women, bupropion has proved to be a useful addition to the weight loss medication range.

Bupropion is normally used as an antidepressant and as an aid to smoking cessation. In this trial, it was added to a regimen of meal replacements, as a way of cutting back calories by 600 per day, in conjunction with moderate exercise.

Those of bupropion lost more weight, over a 48 week period, compared to those just doing the diet and exercise part of the plan. The study shows how powerful a twofold approach of medication and self-help can be in controlling chronic health problems like obesity.

Source: http://www.thealmagest.com/2013/07/antidepressant-enhances-weight-loss/

DHB admits poor care in elderly death

The Northland District Health Board admits the care of an elderly man who died following knee surgery at Whangarei Hospital was inadequate, following the release of a report slamming his treatment.

The Health and Disability Commissioner pointed a finger at both the nursing team and orthopedic specialists, following the investigation into the death of the 75-year-old, who died in 2009.

The man had been admitted to hospital for total knee joint replacement, an operation that was carried out successfully, leaving him in good health.

However, in the days afterwards the man's blood pressure dropped, and he failed to pass urine, a strong indicator of a problem.

Nursing staff recognized the issue but failed to pass on the information to the orthopedic team or other staff who cared for the man in the following days.

Orthopedic staff also failed to inform nurses of other conditions the man suffered that made his case high-risk.

The miscommunication was released four days after the Operation, but only shortly before the man died from cardiac and respiratory Arrest.

In a decision published on Monday, commissioner Anthony Hill Blamed staff for "poor communication, inadequate documentation, and the Widespread failure of the nursing team to consistently comply with relevant Procedures, which compromised the man's right to continuity of care."

Northland DHB said it "profoundly regrets" the incident and accepts that the care was "not to a high enough standard".

The DHB has apologized to the man's family.

Mr Hill made several recommendations in the report aimed at improving the level of care, all of which the DHB says have already been introduced.

"This sad case has led to many changes within the hospital," chief medical officer Dr Mike Roberts said.

"Standards of quality and safety within the organization are much higher now."