Lithium for bipolar disorder
For decades Lithium has been used to treat mood affective disorders, including bipolar disease , as it can be effective in smoothing out the mood swings common to this disorder .For many people it works great, and it is safe when properly prescribed and monitored.lithium for bipolar disorder was the first mood stabilizer.
History of lithium for bipolar disorder
Lithium has been in use since the early 1800s, and in 1880 it has been used to treat psychiatric ailments. In 1947 it was first used for manic-depression .The lithuim medication was approved by the FDA to treat bipolar disorder in 1970, thus the first of the many off-label meds used to treat bipolar disorder.
Most patients who suffer from bipolar disorder take more than one medication including, along with lithium and/or an anticonvulsant, a medication for accompanying agitation, depression,anxiety or insomnia. It is very important for the patient to find the best possible combination of these medications. This requires close monitoring by the physician.
Lithium bipolar disorder has proven to be effective in preventing future episodes of bipolar disorder and reducing suicidal thoughts in adults.
Patients taking Lithium must have regular blood tests. Lithium will not be effective if too little is taken. But in case where too much is taken, severe side effects may occur. The range between an effective dose and a toxic and dangerous one is small. Blood lithium levels are checked frequently at the beginning of bipolar disorder treatment. The lithium level is checked every few months once a person is stable on a maintenance dosage. How much lithium people need to take may vary over time, will depend on their body chemistry, how ill they are and their physical condition.
Some Important points to consider on lithium for bipolar disorder
If people stop taking lithium, depressive or manic episodes are more likely to recur.
Lithium can ,eventually ,help prevent episodes of mania and depression from recurring.
When we use it medically,lithium can be very toxic. It is of utmost importance to check the levels to ensure that it does not get to excessive doses. Lithium toxicity produces confusion ,disorientation, muscle hyperirritability. It would be better not to take lithium without consulting your Doctor.
Check from time to time your blood level, serum sodium and thyroid levels .
Side effects of lithium as bipolar treatment
According to news-medical.net Lithium commonly used to treat bi-polar disorder increases the lifespan of Nematode worms.
Neuroscientists at UCLA have shown that lithium bipolar treatment increases the amount of gray matter in the brains of patients with the illness.
More on bipolar disorder treatment