MEDICAL CENTERS

SYNERGY RESEARCH CENTERS
SAN DIEGO, CA

Bipolar Disorder In the Elderly:  Common Causes and More

Bipolar disorder is a chronic psychiatric mood disorder characterized by periods of depression alternating with manic episodes.  Until recently, it was thought that the onset occurred in a subject’s teens to early twenties, and those who experienced bipolar disorder symptoms later in life had simply been suffering in silence or had been misdiagnosed. 

New research indicates that bipolar disorder can manifest later in life and even well into a patient’s senior years.  This has led to a new wave of studies of bipolar disorder in elderly patients and the discovery that many seniors that are hospitalized with manic symptoms are actually experiencing late-onset bipolar disorder.

What Causes Bipolar Disorder In Older Adults?

As of this writing, the exact causes of bipolar disorder in the elderly aren’t fully known. 

But many factors can lead to the disease including:

• Genetics

• Neurological Illness

• Cerebrovascular Disease

• White Matter Hyper-Intensities

• Benson’s Syndrome (Posterior Cortical Atrophy

How Is Bipolar Disorder In Elderly Identified?

One of the main reasons bipolar disorder is often misdiagnosed later in life is because the symptoms can be slightly different from common bipolar disorder symptoms.  For one thing, seniors experience depression but are less likely to exhibit the classic signs of mania.  Instead of the energy, elation and hyper confidence experienced by younger patients, patients over 50 are more likely to experience the following:

• Confusion

• Irritability

• Agitation

• Hyperactivity

• Psychosis

• Problems With Cognitive Functioning

• Difficulty Solving Problems

• Loss Of Perception and Judgment

In older patients, the symptoms can be sudden and very severe, and often cycle faster than in younger people with the disease.  Often seniors report experiencing both the “high” and “low” moods associated with bipolar disorder symptoms simultaneously.

How Is Treatment Different?

Many of the medications that work for younger people can be troublesome or even potentially dangerous for older patients.  They may interact negatively with medications that seniors commonly take or may metabolize at a different rate.  After a careful diagnosis, older adults can find relief from bipolar disorder symptoms in medications including Lithium and various anti-seizure medications.  Further progress can be found in therapy, changes in diet and regular exercise.  As patients age, they will find its also important to have regular support in the form of support groups, close monitoring by family and friends as well as regular visits to a mental health professional

If you or someone you love are elderly and suffering from Bipolar Disorder, Contact Synergy Research Centers today for more information on treatment options.  We’ve been conducting studies for decades in the San Diego, California area, and we are eager to share what we’ve learned about bipolar disorder treatment in elderly patients with our neighbors.

POINT LOMA COMPASSIONATE CARE CENTER
POINT LOMA, CA

Treating Migraines in CA with MMJ

Migraines are identified by severe pain described as “throbbing,” “pulsing” or “piercing” concentrated on one side of the head often behind the eyes or temples.  They can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting and extreme sensitivity to light and sound.  Migraine attacks can cause excruciating pain for anywhere between 2 hours and 3 days and can be severe enough to be disabling. 

Some people who suffer from migraines experience warning signs called “auras.”  They may see flashing lights, wavy lines, blind spots or blurry vision. These warnings only come 20-60 minutes before the onset of pain, which gives little time to prepare.  The majority of migraine victims have no warning and the onset of pain can be quick and severe.

Medical Treatment Of Migraines

There are dozens of medications that are prescribed for migraines daily as well as several over-the-counter drugs.  These drugs effect all users differently and many are completely ineffective once the aura period has passed.  Still others take hours to take effect and there are no guarantees that any given drug will reduce pain in an individual.  Many people who suffer from regular migraines spend years trying to find a medication or combination of medications that work for them.  These users report of a myriad of side effects including:

• Stomach upset or bleeding

• Rash

• Bruising

• Allergic reaction

• Vomiting

• Nausea

• Liver damage

• Numbness or tingling in extremities

• Chest discomfort

• Increased risk of heart attack or stroke

• More

Migraine Alternative Treatment

Some people have reported success with “non-traditional” treatment of migraines.  Biofeedback and Acupuncture are sometimes credited for giving those who suffer relief but, so far, no studies have shown any appreciable data to support these claims. 

However…

Several studies have shown that medical marijuana treatment is an effective and safe migraine alternative treatment.  Most recently, researchers at the University of Colorado have published results of a test of 121 migraine sufferers in the Journal of Human Pharmacology and Drug Therapy.  After weeks of medical cannabis treatment, 85 percent of those studied reported fewer migraines.  11.6 percent said their migraine attacks have stopped completely.  These numbers are unsurprising, as cannabis has been used for centuries to prevent and alleviate migraines up until the 1930s when it became prohibited.

In California, medical marijuana is approved for the treatment and prevention of migraines.  Responsible users can get approved for a medical cannabis card, contact PLPCC and find the best MMJ strains for migraines. San Diego medical marijuana patients are welcome to check out their weekly specials and either visit or schedule a delivery.

If you’ve already got your card, then migraine relief is just a few clicks away.  San Diego Cannabis has never been better.