Lithium is a mood stabilizer and can aid to treat or protect against mania. It can also be utilized to reduce the frequency of clinical depression episodes.
Take this medicine as directed by your medical professional. It is very important to drink a lot of fluids while taking this medication. Lithium may interact with specific medicines that influence serotonin (such as antidepressants, SSRIs, MAO inhibitors). Inform your physician concerning all of your drugs.
Mood Disorders
Lithium is commonly utilized to treat bipolar affective disorder, a mental disease that causes really rapid shifts between the severe state of minds of clinical depression and mania. Bipolar affective disorder can make it hard to live a typical life and can create serious problems in relationships, job or institution. Lithium assists to prevent these severe mood changes and lowers the intensity of anxiety and mania.
The early researches of lithium at Glostrup Psychiatric Hospital in the 1960s and 1970s supplied convincing proof that it can lower the frequency of hospital stays for depression (38 ). Baastrup and Schou's placebo-controlled discontinuance research study was specifically important since it revealed that individuals slipped back on sugar pill however out lithium (39 ).
Your doctor will examine your blood levels on a regular basis to make sure you are taking the appropriate quantity of lithium. It is important to consume a lot of fluids while taking this medicine. Your medical professional may suggest a low-sodium diet plan while you are taking this medication.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Lithium is a mineral so soft you can cut it with a blade therefore light it floats on water. It is found naturally in the atmosphere, with researches linking low levels of it to psychological and psychological health problems and violent criminal offense. The mineral was included in sodas in the 1960s, where it brightened moods and assisted individuals concentrate and concentrate-- thus the name, 7-Up.
Lithium minimizes mania by raising the activity of an enzyme that regulates natural chemicals, reducing glutamate degrees, and aiding to stabilize other chemicals in the brain. It has likewise been revealed to have antidepressant results and boost sleep, irritability, aggression, and stress and anxiety in ADHD individuals.
Individuals taking lithium needs to have regular blood tests to monitor levels-- too expensive can be hazardous. It is necessary to allow physicians understand about other medications and supplements taken, as some can connect with it. Tell your doctor if you have diarrhea, vomiting, drowsiness, tremors, weakness, unsteady walking, or fainting (especially after exercise). Use effective birth control to avoid pregnancy while taking this medicine.
Hyperthyroidism.
Lithium might be made use of as a temporary therapy for over active thyroid glands (hyperthyroidism). This is specifically important if the individual has Graves illness or other autoimmune conditions like thyroiditis or Hashimoto's disease. Lithium inhibits the release of thyroid hormonal agent by obstructing iodine uptake at the thyroid gland via the sodium-iodide symporter and by hindering tyrosine iodination. [9] Lithium additionally prevents thyrotropin-releasing hormonal agent (TRH) excitement and reduces the production of thyroxine from tyrosine in the thyroid gland. [10] Nevertheless, lithium use may lead to hypothyroidism and a goiter in some patients. [11] Hence, constant analysis of thyroid feature tests and size is encouraged in people on lithium treatment.
It is very important to go over best therapy for anxiety the benefits and risks of this medication with your medical professional prior to starting it. It is also important to stay clear of items low in sodium (salt) while taking this medicine and beverage sufficient fluids. If you have any troubles, call your medical professional or the emergency department immediately.
Epilepsy.
The anticonvulsant results of lithium are well established from both professional and speculative researches. It is very important to note that in comparison to a couple of primitive medical reports and the lithium-pilocarpine pet design, a number of current research studies demonstrate that lithium in healing levels does not decrease the seizure limit however actually decreases the threshold for seizure occurrence.
This is believed to be because of the fact that lithium raises cholinergic activity, hinders phosphoinositide metabolism and GSK-3b signalling. It likewise reduces glutamate excitotoxicity by raising NMDA receptor agonist-evoked apoptotic currents and improves the endogenous nitric oxide synthase activity in nerve cells [36]
Lithium is well tolerated by most people with bipolar illness, however it has a couple of adverse effects that must be thought about. These include a reduced capability to concentrate pee (nephrogenic diabetes insipidus) and a rise in the concentration of lithium in the blood (lithium poisoning). It is for that reason really essential to follow your medical professional's directions regarding having normal blood examinations.
