What We Need to Know About Seasonal Affective Disorder
Posted by Editor in Health Watch on Mar 16th, 2016 | 0 comments
Not Many Singaporeans are familiar about the Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is also known as summer depression, seasonal depression or winter depression. This is a major depressive disorder (according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV and DSM-5). SAD is a recurrent depressive disorder that happens at a particular time of the year but it fully remits.
Although at first experts were cynical about the condition, it is now documented as a common disorder. In fact, in the United States, SAD’s prevalence is made known in Alaska and Florida. Although we do not hear of this disorder often here in our country, there are chances that someone we know might suffer from this. With this, it is imperative that we need to know about SAD. We have to remember that some people encounterserious mood changes when the seasons change.
Here the things that we need to know about SAD:
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms include difficulty getting up in the morning. It does not end there because one might also feel nauseous. There are people who have tendency to over eat and over sleep. When the person over eat, the craving is more of carbohydrates which will eventually lead to weight gain. Other signs include exhaustion or lack of energy, having difficulty completing or concentrating on tasks, withdrawal from social activities, decreased sexual drive, irritability, anxiety and insomnia. All these symptoms will lead to feelings of depression, displeasure and pessimism.
Cause
Experts have pointed out many causes of the mood changes during a particular time of the year. For example, during winter, activities are diminished because of the weather. There will be reduction of sunlight and difficulties in surviving the weather. The lack of activities and sunlight can cause depression. Another point of view is that serotonin plays an important role in the development of SAD. There is also a theory saying that melatonin plays an important role in the development of SAD.
Diagnosis
According to the DSM-IV criteria, SAD is not a different disorder. SAD is actually a “specifier” attached or added to patients with bipolar or major depressive disorder. The “specifier” must meet four criteria for it to be called such. Mayo Clinic actually described three kinds of SAD with different symptoms.
Management
The good news is that there are many therapies that patients can consider if they want to get better. For example, if one is affected by the winter-based SAD, therapies include cogitative-behavioural therapy, supplementation of melatonin, light therapy, medications and ionized-air. Of all the therapies, the most effective treatment is light. Light therapy maximizes light box that discharges lumens. Lights include white light at 10,000 lux, the blue light at 2,500 lux and green light at 350 lux. The patient needs to sit according to the prescribed distance (from thirty to sixty centimetres) with his/her eyes open for at least thirty to sixty minutes. When doing this, it is important that we designate aschedule.Antidepressants have proven helpful in treating SAD too. Antidepressants like paroxetine and sertraline can help. In the case of the negative air ionization therapy, it implicates the discharging of particles (charged) into the environment. The most basic therapy is physical exercise. In any depression therapy, physical exercise has a potential. Treatments can be used in conjunction with the other depending on the patient.
Pathophysiology
There are studies saying that SAD patients have delayed circadian rhythm. The light therapy treatment can treat such delays which will eventually improve the mental state of the patients. SAD is prevalent in arctic regions. SAD is something that should be considered because patients suffering from such have higher risk of potential suicide.
Remember that SAD does not only cover winter. There are people who suffer depression during summer. If we notice someone we know with such symptoms, it is important to give him/her support and understanding. Indeed there is a connection between mood, energy levels and the weather. Even healthy individuals can suffer SAD.
For more information about the disorder, we need to consult the doctor and ask for therapies. Though it will usually go away by the time the weather is fine, the moments lost during the depression and the productivity will never return.
China’s New Venture: Creating an Artificial “Sun”
Posted by Editor in Information Technology on Mar 14th, 2016 | 0 comments
There are different sources of power in this world. Everyone is gearing towards the greener solution which is harnessing the power of the sun. Solar energy is a welcome venture here in Singapore. In fact, industry holders are continuing research and development when it comes to solar energy. We have a long way to go but there is one country that almost made things possible.
China is close to creating an ‘artificial sun’. There were Chinese scientists who managed to build a hydrogen gas that is hotter than the sun three times. This artificial energy could be used in the future as an infinite source of power. This will surely end China’s reliance of fossil fuels and eventually help the world solve energy crisis.
The research was done at the Institute of Physical Science in Hefei. Chinese built the hydrogen gas in a massive magnetic fusion reactor. The reactor was actually invented by Russian scientists way back 1950s. Russians called it Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak or EAST. It looks like an enormous doughnut-shaped chamber and is twisted into number eight. The good news is that researchers managed to use the reactor and extract results – it actually produced temperatures up to fifty million Kelvins (about 49.99 million Celsius). They also sustained it for one hundred two seconds. According to research, the core of the sun is only about fifteen million Kelvins.
The reactor produced fifty million Kelvins which means it is hotter than the sun. With this new development, this ‘artificial sun’ can help billions of lives plus it can help the environment. Other researchers claimed that they already made such experiments. German scientists for example said they produced temperatures more than fifty million Kelvins but they were not able to sustain it for more than one hundred seconds. This is a breakthrough for the Chinese.
The news gave the people and the industry hope. Although it could take decades to perfect the process and the procedures, the important thing is we already know that it is possible. Going solar has its benefits. There are many homeowners here who realize the benefits of solar energy. When you consider solar energy, you save thousands of dollars because solar panels are cheaper and it can bring monthly savings of more than S$100. It does not end there because you also contribute in alleviating global warming.
Solar energy is a crucial source of renewable energy and the technologies depend on it can convert into solar power. The conversion of sunlight into electricity includes the use of concentrated solar power of photovoltaic. The development of infinite and affordable solar energy technologies can have long-term benefits. It can increase the energy security of countries through reliance on the sun, reducing pollution, enhancing sustainability as well as moderating global warming.
If you want your house to have this energy, it is better to look for experts or read more about it. In Hawaii, almost homes consider solar energy. It is time that we enlist the help of the sun. Using solar energy can in fact, keep the prices of fossil fuel lower.
Survival Guide for Travelling to a New Country for the First Time
Posted by Editor in Go and Explore, Lifestyle Hacks on Feb 21st, 2016 | 0 comments
Everyone loves a good and fun travel adventures from time to time. May it be a simple or fancy get away from a tiring life you used to have – people do enjoy travel. It is there escape to the reality – a getaway to some fantasy to create peace in their mind and rejuvenate the lost energy.
Usually, people loves to go around and spend their vacation like they never had one before. But they usually forget that when traveling for the first time in a new city, there are things that must be kept in mind. To help you get on track and always be ready for your first visit, here are 5 survival guides for traveling first time in a new country;
- Learn their basic language – and survive!
Communication is everything. It is a number one rule in travelling to always be acquainted with the language of the place you’re visiting in especially if they do have different language from the place you came from. You don’t necessarily have to be a linguist or a master of all language before you can travel, just get yourself acquainted with the basic words that you will surely come in handy when travelling.
Try to practice the words that you can use in asking direction, or asking where the nearest food store is. Words like that will be very useful from time to time. It is also important that you know how to speak the languages that is most common in most countries like English and Mandarin. Example, you want to travel to Singapore, you must keep in mind that Singaporeans speak more than one language, they speak English, Mandarin, Malay and even Tamil.
- Familiarize yourself with the laws
Ignorance of the law excuses no one. And by no one, I mean everyone is not exempted – even if you are a tourist, a high profile person, a government leader, a member of a monarch or a plain citizen- everyone must adhere to the laws that every country has. Before going on a trip, educate yourself with the basic laws that this country has.
Find out what laws they have that you find peculiar so that you might not end up regretting about your trip. Googling the basic laws in that country can save you from a lot of possible disasters along the way because you might not know it that you already committed something against their law and might end up in jail. Nobody wants that right? Just like in Singapore, you pay a fine if you failed to flush the public toilet or for even chewing a gum! So better be informed than sorry.
- Embrace the culture – know the do’s and don’ts
Culture is a very interesting part of your travel. There are certain variation of cultures from one country to the other, and that is absolutely normal. But to save yourself from any harm, be acquainted with the country’s basic traditions – the way they live and deal with things. In Singapore, you should know that pointing with one finger alone is construed to be rude, thus they point with their whole hand. Even handing out an item must be done with both hands for handing it with one hand is found disrespectful and off-hand. Thus, to enjoy your stay more, get to know the basic do’s and don’ts of the place that you are planning to visit.
- Just accept the norms of the society
Society plays a very vital role in the community, and we are all aware of that. For first time travels in a new place, be more knowledgeable about the lifestyle and trend of the society you are about to visit. Have yourself informed of the norms that this community practiced so you will not feel “out-of-place” in the area. In Singapore, you can encounter different races coming from different parts of Asia and even Westerners are also seen in the country. This proves that the society in Singapore can be much of a multicultural society since its citizen is composed of varied races.
- Know your geography – get a map!
It is always better to be safe than sorry. When travelling in a new destination, always get yourself a map of the place you are about to travel. Having a map in your bag gives the feeling of assurance and security that you can never get lost in the city since you have the whole place figured out in your map. It will also give you easy access to landmark and city spots that you wish to visit by yourself.
5 Ways to Mend Your Heart After a Painful Breakup
Posted by Editor in Love Problems on Feb 16th, 2016 | 0 comments
Love is a big word. It consumes not just your heart but your whole soul. Falling in love is one of the best feelings a person can experience in his or her life. The feeling of being in love, of having someone to care about, of having that one special person to talk to right before you end your day is simply amazing.
However, a lot of relationships has an end, and many of these end in a devastating way – the kind of break up that breaks not just your heart but your whole being, the kind of ending that leaves you completely broken. You find yourself asking how you will pick up the pieces after he/she left you hanging. To help you heal and finally moved on, here are 5 ways to help mend your heart after a painful heartache:
- Forgive Yourself – Forgive Your Ex
Forgiving oneself is a significant milestone to mend a broken heart. Forgive yourself for the things that you have done when you are still in the relationship. Forgive yourself for not doing the things you should have done when you still have the chance. Also, forgive your ex, forgive him/her for the things that he/she has fail to do. Forgive your ex-lover for the things that he/she has done. Simply forgive, because forgiveness is the only thing that can set you free.
- Acceptance is the Key
After you forgive yourself and your ex-lover, you are now ready to face the new chapter of your life. Acceptance is the next chance you can give yourself. Accept that things happen for a reason – that despite the pain that you’ve been through, it is all part of God’s plan for making you ready for the wonderful things that are yet to come. Accept that breaking up is not an end but a beginning of a new part of your life. Accept the fact that when something ends up, there is always something good that is bound to start. Just accept, and slowly you feel that the pain is finally slowly fading away.
- Let Go of the Memories, But Retain the Lessons
Letting go is sometimes the bravest way one can do after a painful breakup. Let go of the idea that there is still you and him or you and her. Let go of all your memories, stop holding on to the things that only hurts you again and again. You can try to distance yourself from the places, music, or anything that reminds you of all your good old memories together. But always remember, that you can let go of everything you have left that hurt you, but never ever let go of the lessons that you learned along the way. Never let go of the things that helped you become tougher and stronger. Never let go of the things that will remind you of what you’ve become after overcoming it all.
- Too Much Isolation is Dangerous
Solitude is good, but too much of it is not. Yes – it is nice to have a time alone with yourself –to mend, to think things over, to heal what’s wounded and to fix what’s broken, but spending too much time alone is not healthy. Do not feed your mind with self-pity, do not feed yourself with too much loneliness. Go out with your friends, hang out, have fun and laugh hard the way you laughed before having your heart broken. Do the things that you find satisfaction with, do the things that will make you happy again, do the things that will save you from thinking too much of the pain. You can isolate yourself but then again, too much isolation is a no-no.
- Give Yourself the Luxury of Time
They say that time heals all wounds – and yes, by all it means all kinds of pain even the one that the heart endures. Like all things in life, time takes away the pain. It helps you move forward, it helps you take things the way they should fall into place. Never rush in having a new love, never rush in making decisions you might regret someday. Never rush into something you know you will surely be desperate to take back when the time comes. Just feel the moment, let time heal the pain. Let time give you the moment to become stronger and tougher after the pain. Let time do its way and help you mend your way.
Common Misconceptions about Drinking
Posted by Editor in Lifestyle Hacks on Jan 18th, 2016 | 0 comments
Festive drinking is inevitable here in Singapore come holidays. With this, we are constantly reminded not to drink too much and if it can’t be helped, we are certainly advised not to drive as it can lead to traffic accidents. Drinking is fun but the after effects are not that pleasant.
This article will discuss about the common misconceptions about drinking so we are not ignorant about it. Here are some misconceptions about drinking together with its actual facts:
- Beer is less intoxicating: There are many alcoholic beverages and among them all, it is said that beer is less intoxicating. This is one of the most common misconceptions. You have to remember that whether it is one twelve-ounce can of beer or four-ounce glass of wine, it is equally intoxicating.
- Mixing alcoholic beverage will make you drunker: Many people believe that mixing alcoholic beverage will make it worse. You have to know that mixing alcoholic beverage will not make you drunker – it will only upset your stomach.
- Cold showers or hot coffee can sober up: After getting drunk, the next challenge is how to sober up. You believe that cold showers or hot coffee can sober you up because you heard a friend claim it. This is not true. There is no other way to remove the alcohol from your system except for time.
- Eating before drinking will sober you up: Another common misconception is that eating a meal before the drink will keep you sober. This is not true. Eating will only delay the body’s absorption of alcohol not prevent it.
Now that we are more educated about drinking, we will know how to deal with it.
