The Difference between Social Anxiety and Shy

The Difference between Social Anxiety and Shy

By KAS   03:21   4 comments:

Maybe you are or someone you know is extremely shy and you might be asking yourself whether this behavior is comparable to social anxiety. It is difficult for most people to understand these conditions since they usually assume they are same. Well, people need to understand that these two are very different from each other. However, a person who is immensely shy may or may not have social anxiety disorder. Confusing? Read along to better understand the difference between these two.

According to Dr. Thomas Richards, a Psychologist and director of Social Anxiety Institute – Social Anxiety is the fear of social situations and the interaction with other people that can automatically bring feelings of self-consciousness, judgment, evaluation and inferiority. A person having this anxiety, fear social circumstances and avoid it as much as possible because they are afraid that they might do something embarrassing or humiliating leading to scrutiny and criticism from others. Most of the time, they are aware of this behavior and regards the fear as excessive and unreasonable.

Social anxiety is a specific form of anxiety. It is an emotion characterized by a discomfort or a fear when a person is in a social interaction that involves a concern of being judged or evaluated by others. Social anxiety significantly affects the person’s normal routine, especially when it comes to work and relationships with other people. It is all-consuming and greatly affects how a person thinks, talks and behaves.  This condition becomes a vicious cycle disrupting their whole being and more often than not, it leads to severe depression.

Shy is the feeling of apprehension, lack of comfort, or awkwardness especially when a person is in proximity to other people. In most cases, a person who is extremely shy may manifest physical symptoms, feelings of inferiority and worried how people judge them in general. They have the tendency to withdraw from situations that require social interactions.  However, this behavior does not necessarily affect a person’s life choices compared to people who have social anxiety.

Social Anxiety

In some studies, some people diagnosed with social anxiety disorder do not define them self as shy, some of them are friendly and talkative. In fact, some of them are sociable, but they feel suffocated and stuck with anxious thoughts, feelings and negative habits. Thus, shyness is not a pre-requisite for social anxiety disorder.

Shyness can advance to social anxiety, depending on an individual’s coping mechanism. Extreme shyness can lead to a vicious feedback loop causing severe fear of social interactions. When it comes to this point, no matter how friends and family try to say encouraging words, it will be ineffective not unless the person gets help from a professional who can give cognitive-behavioral therapy. This kind of therapy can help an individual recognize the core of social anxiety and assist him how to face fears and overcome it.

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The Difference between Sucrose and Fructose

The Difference between Sucrose and Fructose

By KAS   12:52   No comments:

While many people today are conscious about their cholesterol and fat intake, most are not aware of the dangers of sugar consumption. This is so alarming because of the increasing dreadful effects of overindulgence of sweets. Sugar is one of the leading causes of Obesity, Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes. According to some research, the worldwide epidemic of the said diseases has more to do with the consumption of sugar than fat.

Don’t take me wrong, sugar is not really bad and you shouldn’t deprive yourself with it. In fact, right kinds and amount of sugar intake give us energy to do all the things we want to do. However, excess consumption is atrocious – it can do more harm than good. At this point, it is reasonable for you to understand what sugar is made of.

Sugars are carbohydrates. As carbohydrates, these simple sugars share a unique property where molecules connect together to form a more complex carbohydrates. Sugar in its simplest form is known as monosaccharides and when two simple sugar molecules connect together they form a complex one, termed as Disaccharides. Perhaps you have heard of some of the simple sugar-carbohydrates, such as glucose or fructose and the more complex one like the sucrose or commonly known as table sugar. Sucrose is actually a glucose and fructose molecule attached together.

It is essential to know these types of sugar in order to make the right choices and avoid all the harmful effects that they can bring. I have relegated a discussion regarding sucrose and fructose as these two terms are commonly misunderstood by some people because they get a little too technical to comprehend.

Sucrose

As mentioned Sucrose is a Disaccharides carbohydrate. It is formed when fructose and glucose molecules connect together. Vegetables and fruits contain sugar and it is abundantly found in sugar cane and sugar beets. The food industry separates this sugar from these plants to produce processed sugar like the table sugar (sucrose) and other kinds of sweeteners.

During digestion, disaccharides are broken into their simplest form by an enzyme know as sucrase for easier absorption, which in this case, the glucose and fructose. Monosaccharide is absorbed into the blood stream and cause a rapid rise in blood glucose levels, which can be a problem for those suffering from Diabetes.

Fructose

Fructose is known to many as fruit sugar. It is one of the three dietary monosaccharides (the other two are glucose and galactose). It can exist as a monosaccharide but it can also be a component of sucrose. It is the most water-soluble kind of sugar and it is directly absorbed into the blood stream during digestion.

Fructose is a natural sugar that is found abundantly in fruits such as berries and root crops. It is also found in honey. In addition, Fructose can also be derived commercially from corn, sugar cane and sugar beets. Commonly, there are three derivatives of this kind. The following are:

        Sucrose

   Crystalline Fructoseis
   This is a monosaccharide and has the highest purity when it is has been dried and ground.

   HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup)
   This is derived from corn and it is a mixture of fructose and glucose. The use of HFCS in foods and drinks    has increased dramatically over the years, increasing the prevalence of obesity more than ever before.

Normally, fructose is stored in the liver as glycogen and the liver can handle a daily intake of this kind of sugar up to 50-100 grams. However, excess fructose can stimulate lipogenesis or otherwise known as accumulation of fat to store the extra sugars. This is the primary reason why people who consume food high in sugar content become fat or obese. But take note of this, a fruit contains 5-7 grams of fructose, so you have to take a lot of it in order to saturate the liver. In contrast, most carbonated drinks and sweetened juices contain more than 50 grams of fructose along with other complex sugars. So, over consumption of these and other foods high in sugar can make you fat in no time.

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Difference between Hopelessness and Depression

Difference between Hopelessness and Depression

By KAS   05:25   No comments:

Depression and Hopelessness are two interchangeably used terms in psychology. They are two different terms with slightly different meanings. Let us try and understand the difference.

Hopelessness is a feeling of despair. It is an emotional state in which a person sees no hope in his or her life and feels that life is not worth living anymore. The person feels as if things will never improve and he will never achieve what he wants in life. He considers himself a failure. The feeling of hopelessness is present in every patient suffering from depression or any other mental disorder. The person is so overwhelmed with the obstacles and difficulties in his life that he finds himself inadequate to overcome them. Many a times such patients think of attempting suicide. The degree of hopelessness in an individual can be measured by using Beck’s Hopelessness scale. Recent studies have indicated that hopelessness and depression are the main cause of increasing suicides in the recent times.

Researchers have established nine different forms of hopelessness of which three are pure forms and remaining six are blended. These forms arise from disruption of the basic needs like survival, attachment and mastery which give hope to a person.

Alienation is a type of hopelessness in which the individual feels he is different from the society. He feels cut off and unworthy of his surroundings. Uninspired is another type of hopelessness felt among those who are underprivileged. They feel they do not have the right resources to make it big in the world and that society and God have treated them unfairly. Forsakenness is a feeling when the person feels all alone and lonely when he is in the greatest need of someone. He feels abandoned. A feeling of powerlessness can set in when the person is no longer able to chart the path of his life. He has lost the mastery of his own life. Oppression is another type of hopelessness experienced by the weaker section of the society that may be under some financial obligation. Prisoners suffer from a feeling of captivity which is a type of hopelessness. The feeling of being doomed comes when the individual has lost everything in the game of life and can never get it back. He feels that life is over. The feeling of limitedness comes when the person feels that he cannot fight the world because he or she lacks abilities or is deficient mentally or physically. Helplessness is another feeling of hopelessness that comes after having faced mental and physical torture like rape. The fact that perpetrators have not been nailed and can repeat heinous act again, makes the victim so helpless that she is unable to pick up the threads of her life again.

Most of the times the feeling of despair and hopelessness is transient and the phase passes away. But in some cases counselling is required to treat such cases.

Depression is a clinical entity in which the patient is perpetually in a state of low mood. He has aversion to performing any activity or task that he may have liked previously. The condition affects the patient’s thoughts and social behaviour. Depressed people feel sad anxious, helpless, hopeless, worthless and restless. These people either eat a lot or very little. They have difficulty in making decisions. They suffer from very low concentration and have difficulty remembering things. These people also have suicidal tendencies.

Depression can be a part of a larger clinical syndrome or as a result of medications. Environmental factors such as childhood abuse, neglect, substance abuse, financial difficulties, major illness or loss of body part can result in depression.

Depressive state prevails for a longer time and requires proper psychiatric treatment. Symptoms of major depression affect your day to day ability to work, sleep or enjoy life. Such a person has frequent bouts of depression that affect his care givers too. On the other hand persistent depressive disorder stays for a period of more than two years. Postpartum depression occurs after delivery. Some people suffer from winter blues in which state of depression lasts during the winter months. Bipolar disorder is characterised by extreme highs and lows in the mood of the patient.

At times depressive states can be caused due to medications such as interferon or after major illness like stroke, cancer, multiple sclerosis diabetes etc. Beck depression inventory is used to evaluate the degree of depression which is essential while charting out a systematic treatment plan for such patients.

Hopelessness is feeling of despair that can occur singly or as part of bigger clinical syndrome called depression.

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Difference Between Eczema and Ringworm

Difference Between Eczema and Ringworm

By KAS   12:29   1 comment:

We are afflicted by many different skin problems out of which the commonest are eczema and ringworm infection. Both these conditions present with some peculiar distinguishing signs and symptoms.

Symptoms of Eczema

Eczema or atopic dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin. It affects almost 3.5% of the population with kids being more vulnerable as compared to adults. Sometimes children outgrow this condition as they reach adult hood but in some cases it persists. The condition is not contagious.

The patient visits the dermatologist with itchy red skin with slight bleeding and crusting patches. Eczema covers a wide range of skin conditions such as recurrent skin rash, dry, red, itchy skin, bleeding, blistering skin, crusting, flaking and cracking skin occurring due to unknown pathology. Some areas that have healed, give a temporarily discoloured look. The patients are advised not to scratch the lesion as it can increase the rash. Children tend to have few areas of thickened dry skin on the face, hands, neck and inner side of the elbow and knee which indicates the chronicity of the condition.

The exact cause of the condition is not yet known however some theories have been proposed. It has been linked to genes as it has been found more commonly in children born to older mothers.  Most accepted theory is that it is due to dysfunction of the auto immune system towards the skin. Other factors like environment, sensitive skin, defective skin, dry and cold climates, nuts and dairy products, emotional stress and increased pollution tend to aggravate the condition.

There are different types of eczemas:

1. Allergic contact eczema (dermatitis) – occurs when the skin comes in contact with a foreign object which triggers an immune reaction.

2. Contact eczema – when a localized part of skin comes in contact with an irritant triggering a localized allergic reaction.

3. Dyshidriotic eczema – blisters on the palms and soles due to irritation of skin in these areas.

4. Neurodermatitis – scaly patches of skin on head, forearms, wrists, lower legs caused by localized itch such as an insect bite.

5. Nummular eczema – circular patches of irritated skin which is crusted, scaling and itchy.

6. Seborrheic eczema – oily, scaly yellowish patches of skin, usually on scalp and face.

7. Stasis dermatitis – skin irritation on lower legs, usually related to circulatory problems.

Treatment of eczema includes liberal application of moisturiser just after warm water bath to lock in the moisturiser. It is also advised to avoid exposure to extreme hot and cold environments. Keep away from stimulants that trigger eczema.  In severe cases steroid creams for topical application are advised. If these do not help then, creams with calcineurin inhibitors are prescribed. Ultraviolet therapy using UVA and UVB alone or in combination is also effective in some cases. Oral medications to suppress the immune system may also be advised in some cases. Wearing soft loose fabrics is advised.

Symptoms of Ringworm

Ringworm is a fungal infection caused by a fungus called tinea. Depending on the location of skin lesion the condition can be named as tinea capitis (rash on scalp), tinea corporis (rash on body), tinea pedis (rash on feet), tinea cruris (rash in groin/jock itch) etc.

This condition is more common in children as compared to adults. It is contagious and can be transmitted through touch with infected persons or pets and even at times contact with soil. You can also acquire the infection if you use personal belongings like towel, comb, and hair brush of an infected person. The child presents with red scaly skin with a circular rash. There may be blisters and oozing of blood in some cases. The rash has a distinct margin. If the infection affects the scalp there is hair loss.  The condition normally occurs in hot and moist climates.

Microscopic examination and culture sensitivity tests of the skin scrapings can help in making the diagnosis. Fungi can survive on the uppermost dead layer of the skin that is made up of keratin protein. When the affected portion of the skin is kept under blue light (wood’s lamp), the fungus glows.

Ringworm treatment consists of application of antifungal creams. In severe cases antifungal pills are also advised. Personal hygiene is very important in such cases. Always keep body part clean and dry. Do not share personal belongings like towel and hair brush etc. Do not touch infected pets.

Eczema is essentially the result of body’s autoimmune reaction to the skin and is non-contagious. And, ringworm is actually a contagious fungal infection and has no relation to worm.

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Difference Between Conception and Gestation

Difference Between Conception and Gestation

By KAS   01:53   No comments:

Conception vs Gestation

What is conception and gestation?

Conception means beginning of pregnancy from the union of sperm and ovum. It is also called as ‘fertilization’ and it marks the beginning of development of a new individual in the womb of mother. Gestation means carrying the embryo inside the female’s uterus. It is the time period from conception to birth of the child.

Process of conception and gestation

Most women are able to become pregnant from the time of puberty, when they start menstruating. All the eggs are stored in her ovary at the time of birth and one is released from one out of two ovaries each time a woman menstruates. This is called ovulation. The egg enters her fallopian tube and travels towards the uterus for fertilization. If during this time a woman has unprotected sexual intercourse with a man, then one out of millions of sperms may penetrate her ovum in the fallopian tube and cause fertilization. But not all the fertilized eggs implant. If it doesn’t implant or if fertilization does not occur then the egg and the thickened lining of the uterus are shed out of the body and this causes bleeding of the menstrual cycle. If the egg is fertilized then conception is said to have occurred and if the pregnancy continues then gestation shall continue till the baby is delivered.

Conception refers to the successful fusion of gametes. Sperm from male partner unites with ovum of the female during intercourse resulting in formation of zygote. It then implants itself on the uterine wall within a period of 8-9 days and resides there for 9 months. The successful fusion of gametes forms the new organism. The zygote that is thus formed then travels from the fallopian tube to the uterus to implant itself in the wall of uterus for 9 months. These 9 months of pregnancy are termed as gestation.

Process of gestation

Gestation starts with conception, when the sperm unites with ovum in the fallopian tube and implants itself in the uterus, and it ends with the birth of the baby. When the fertilization occurs, the uterus produces a hormone called Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) which prevents shedding of the uterine lining. It is the hormone which is measured in the pregnancy test and confirms the pregnancy.

Gestation is divided into three trimesters, each 3 months long. First trimester is from the last menstrual period till the 13th week, second trimester extends from 14th to 27th week and third trimester from 28th to 42 weeks. There are signs and symptoms of pregnancy which a woman experiences during each trimester as the baby grows in her womb. Birth occurs at any time from 38th to 42 weeks.

Summary:

Conception is the process of meeting of sperm and ovum to form zygote which then implants itself in the uterus of woman. Conception occurs only during the reproductive years of the female from puberty till menopause. Conception can occur in any month at any time of the year unlike other mammals who can reproduce at only specific times in a year. Gestation begins when the fertilized zygote implants in the woman’s uterus and ends when the foetus leaves the uterus. It is the period of pregnancy and is 9 months long.

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Difference Between Fibroids and Cysts

Difference Between Fibroids and Cysts

By KAS   06:11   No comments:

Fibroids and cyst are abnormal over growths of certain tissues. Fibroids are mostly found in the uterus, whereas cysts can occur anywhere in the body. Both fibroids and cysts are benign and not life threatening. Most of the time they lie undetected, and discovered only during regular full body check -up or scan.

What are Fibroids?

Fibroids are cellular growth found in the uterus or the womb. They are non-cancerous in nature. They occur in women belonging to the reproductive age group. Their occurrence is less in females above 30 years of age and in postmenopausal women. There is usually a family history of this condition. Medically they are called as Leiyomyomas, myomas or fibromyomas.

Fibroids can be single or multiple in number. Their size may vary from as small as a pea to big enough to occupy the entire uterus. Fibroids can be located anywhere in the uterus. Fibroids occurring within the muscular lining of the uterus are known as intramural fibroids and are the most common variety found. Sub serous fibroids are located on the outer wall of the womb and at times extend into the pelvis. Sub mucus fibroids grow from the inner wall and penetrate the middle layer of the uterine muscular lining. Pedunculated fibroids are attached to the outer uterine wall through a thin narrow stalk.

The cause of fibroids is not yet understood completely, but there seems to be a connection between the level of female hormones and size of fibroids. High level oestrogen and progesterone tend to increase the growth of fibroids, which is why their size increases in pregnancy, when the level of hormones is the highest. Obesity is another possible cause of fibroids as it is also linked with increased oestrogen levels. When menopause sets in, most of these fibroids shrink or disappear due to fall in the levels of female hormones. Those who eat less vegetables and fruits and more red meat are at higher risk of developing fibroids.

In most cases women having fibroids are unaware of their presence. They come up in routine pelvic scans. Once detected their growth needs to be monitored with regular follow up scans. In some cases women having fibroids present with unusually heavy menstrual flow, severe pelvic pain, pain during intercourse and repeated miscarriages. Fibroids generally do not affect pregnancy, but if they are located near the vagina or are large, they can lead to breech presentation, early onset of labour and caesarean section.

Treatment of fibroids is entirely based on the symptoms presented. In milder cases, painkillers are given to relieve pain. Medications to reduce menstrual flow are prescribed. In very severe cases surgical options hysterectomy (removal of uterus), myomectomy (removal of fibroids), endometrial ablation (using LASER), MRI guided focussed ultrasound or LASER to burn the fibroid and uterine artery embolization (cutting the blood supply to the fibroid) are considered.

What are cysts?

Cysts on the other hand are abnormal fluid filled sacs attached to the nearby organ. But they have a definite and distinct membranous demarcation. They can affect virtually any organ of the body like skin, liver, kidney, breast, ovaries, brain etc. They can be microscopically small or as big as a tennis ball.

The cause of cysts is yet to be identified but genetic factors, faulty organ development, blockage in ducts which affect fluid outflow or medical conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome may play a role in their development.

The symptoms of cysts may vary according to their location. Liver and kidney cysts are asymptomatic and picked up only on regular scans. Breast cysts can be painful. Cyst in the brain causes headache and skin cysts appear as lumps and bumps.

Ovarian cysts are fluid filled sacs within the ovary. It can cause pelvic pain, painful bowel movement, urinary urgency, bloating of abdomen, changes in menstrual flow. They can also make conception difficult as they may block the path of eggs from the ovary to the uterus. They are of two types functional or pathological. Neither variety is cancerous.

Surgical removal of the cyst or aspiration (drainage) of the fluid is the only way to treat cysts.

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Difference Between Mental Health and Mental Illness

Difference Between Mental Health and Mental Illness

By KAS   01:57   No comments:

Mental Health vs Mental Illness

In nursing subjects and in the real medical field, psychiatry can be the best subject ever. Studying varying mental illnesses will help us understand that there is more to the brain and emotions and its varying components. We get to understand why people have it, why there are biological bases behind it, and we understand that not all emotional and attitude problems are under mental illness.

One of the terminologies that should be understood before dealing further with psychiatry are the words “mental health” and “mental illness.” Let us try to differentiate both words.

“Mental health” is also known as “mental hygiene.” These words, as defined by the World Health Organization, refer to someone who is in the state of well-being in which that person can cope and handle his or her stresses in life; knows his or her strengths as a person so that he or she can work efficiently to contribute to her community.

“Mental illness” is also known as “mental disorder.” This is the opposite of mental health. In this situation, the person is not in the state of well-being. He or she is in a state of emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and perceptual stress. He or she may not recognize the normal patterns of living as that person lives in a fantasy. People with a mental disorder or mental illness can be classified in different categories.

Mental health was first used during the 19th century by William Sweetzer. As for the words “mental illness,” there is no data available.

In order for mental health to be attained, people should exercise proper coping mechanisms for their problems. They should not deal with substance abuse as this is one of the number one causes of mental illness such as schizophrenia. People should be able to solve their problems using the right method such as talking to a friend, seeking their faith in their religion, and a lot more.

Mental illness and disorders are listed in the DSM-IV or Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders version 4, which is the latest.

According to the WHO, 50 per cent of the population have mental illness and mental disorders. Not all of the mental disorders are parallel to schizophrenia. Some are not as grave as that. Disorders can be classified according to anxiety disorders which include: phobias, panic disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders, and a lot more. There are also mood disorders such as depression and mania. Personality disorders are also common such as obsessive-compulsive disorder. The last are psychotic disorders which we should avoid which include schizophrenia.

Summary:
1.“Mental health” is also known as “mental hygiene” while “mental disorder” is also known as “mental illness.”
2.“Mental health” as a word or phrase was first used in the 19th century while “mental illness” does not have any data of origin.
3.Mental illnessess are listed in the DSM-IV while there are books regarding mental health.
4.Mental illnesses are categorized into different disorders while mental health does not have any classifications.

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The Difference between Cancer Cells and Normal Cells

The Difference between Cancer Cells and Normal Cells

By KAS   09:39   No comments:

Every organic life form starts from a single cell. Cells form a tissue, tissues form an organ and organs form a human being. These cell divisions by which a single cell divides into hundred trillion times is a process called growth. It is a unique intricate process that happens in the body. A normal cell follows a uniform life cycle and reproduction. The question now is why is there abnormal cell growths?

Abnormal or mutant cells are cancer cells. This happens when a certain cell DNA gets a different signal that causes mutation. Normally, when a cell senses a mistake, it self-destructs or the system eliminates it from the body. But, there are some instances that cell mutation are left undetected, and these cells reproduce and grow erratically, hence the growth of cancers cells.

Cancer cells vary from normal cells. Both have different characteristics that allowed researchers to understand cell mutation extensively. From these, development of therapies and treatments are designed to try to eliminate cancer cells without destructing normal cells.

Normal Cells

Normal cells carry characteristics that are essential for normal body functions. These cells have different in shapes and sizes but are uniform depending on what type they are. Human cells are Eukaryotic because they contain true nucleus that contains genetic information – DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid). These genes are responsible for all cellular activities and functioning. Healthy cells divide in an orderly manner to produce more cells only when the body needs them. They follow a life cycle which includes mitosis and meiosis, and cell death – apoptosis.

Cancer Cells

There are 2 distinct features that cancer cells have: cell growth not regulated by external signals and the capacity to invade tissue and colonize distant sites. The uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells is a property of all neoplasms. Neoplasms can either be benign or malignant.

What’s the Difference between Benign and Malignant Neoplasm?

    Benign Neoplasm

Benign neoplasm is abnormal cell growths that are non-cancerous. They do not invade or other parts of the body. This can be removed surgically and it is not life threatening.

    Malignant Neoplasm

These cell growths are cancerous that invades and destruct other tissue and organs. They can travel through the blood stream and the lymphatic system to form new tumors in other part of the body. A process is known as metastasis.

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