Thursday, May 28, 2009

Bipolar Medication against Neurotransmitters in Bipolar Symptoms

By Ken P Doyle

One has to understand first the intricacies of the brain functions, its nervous system and how bipolar symptom works to really understand bipolar medication. In a few words, bipolar symptoms is caused by differences in how a person's brain and nervous system work together in our basic behaviors.

The Nervous System

The most complex and least understood organ in the human body is the brain. It is the central and focal point of the nervous system and receives, processes, and sends out billions of signals every day by way of chemicals and electrical impulses throughout the body. Science is just beginning to understand these chemicals and electric currents work.

Malfunction of Nervous System

The human nervous system is an amazing organic machine, creating and reacting to a complex bundle of chemical, electrical, and magnetic impulses. A single misstep in one of these processes can set a chain of events in motion that leads to a neurological event, such as a memory lapse, a seizure, or bipolar symptoms. If such missteps occur constantly, the person has what we call a neurological disorder.

The brain's communication system: Neurotransmitters

Neurons are the brain's internal communication centers, but they don't trade messages directly. Inside a neuron, all the messages are sent via electrical impulses. Electrical impulses have to be translated into neurotransmitters (hormone-like chemicals that send signals to all parts of the nervous system).

The Different Neurotransmitters

There are many different neurotransmitters and related hormones running around in the human brain. Along with the hormone melatonin, several neurotransmitters appear to be involved in bipolar disorders, including:

* Serotonin: (5-HT), controls regulation, appetite, sleep, mood, some types of sensory perception and body-temperature regulation.

* Dopamine. (DA), this neurotransmitter helps control body movements and thought patterns, and also regulates how hormones are released.

* Norepinephrine: it governs arousal, the "fight or flight" response, anxiety, and memory.

Bipolar Symptoms verses Bipolar Medication

Medications change certain hormones and neurotransmitters produced, these chemicals are absorbed into the brain to produce changes in bipolar symptoms. These bipolar medications don't cure the underlying disorder, but in some people they can create major improvements in behavior and emotional stability. It's a bit like taking the hormone insulin for diabetes: you're still a diabetic, and you still must watch you eat, but the insulin injections help you control the illness and prevent its destructive effects.

Finally

What is it about people who have bipolar symptoms that permits this devastating chain reaction to occur? No one can point to a specific gene or brain difference with certainty, but bipolar disorders are probably caused by a complicated mix of inherited genetic differences, differences in brain structure, chemistry, unusual electrical or magnetic activity in the brain, and also environmental factors. The only way known to men is to lessen the work of neurotransmitters by administering bipolar medication

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