Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder that significantly affects behavior, cognitive function, and social skills. Those with the disorder often engage in repetitive behaviors, suffer from low intelligence, and have severe difficulty verbalizing their thoughts. In fact, a subset individuals with autism are incapable of any verbal communication and resort to gesturing …
Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder associated with the brain’s inability to regulate sleep-wake cycles (and the circadian rhythm). As a result, individuals diagnosed with narcolepsy often experience excessive daytime sleepiness and may fall asleep unexpectedly. Some have suggested that the excessive daytime sleepiness stemming from narcolepsy is akin to how a normal person feels if …
Bipolar disorder is a condition characterized by cyclical mood swings, transitioning from depression to mania (or hypomania). For a period of time, an individual with bipolar disorder will experience debilitating bouts of depression – and often unexpectedly, their entire neurophysiology will shift to facilitate a state of mania (elevated mood). Diagnostically, there are multiple types …
ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) is a condition characterized by inability to concentrate and often comorbid hyperactive behaviors. It is considered the most common psychiatric disorder among children and adolescents (affecting approximately 5%) and is fairly common among adults (affecting approximately 4%). Individuals with ADHD may face serious difficulties completing projects, studying at school, holding a steady …
For individuals in the United States between the age of 15 and 44, major depression is the leading cause of disability. Major depression is often a heritable condition, caused by maladaptive genes getting transferred across generations. That said, not everyone diagnosed with major depressive disorder inherited the condition from ancestors or should be blaming their …
It is estimated that over 2.5 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with schizophrenia; this equates to approximately 1.1% of the population. There are many different types of schizophrenia, in fact, genetic clusters suggest it is 8 distinct diseases. Therefore not everyone diagnosed with schizophrenia has the same set of symptoms. Certain …
Fluoride is considered a colorless inorganic anion of the chemical fluorine and is commonly used as an additive in drinking water to improve dental health. Adding fluoride to tap water is a proven method for decreasing rates of tooth decay and cavities. The United States Center for Disease Control markets fluoridation of tap water as being …