In a previous post, I asserted that there are no single genes that are strongly associated with conventional mental illnesses (depression, schizophrenia, etc). However, there are individual genes linked to familial forms of neurodegeneration that do warrant a mention. In …
In this third post in a series on Genomic Medicine in Mental Health Nursing, we will examine how chromosomal changes and gene copy number variation can result in syndromic presentations that have a strong mental health component to them. This …
In this second post in a series on Genomic Medicine in Mental Health Nursing, we will look at some overarching concepts that may help you look at the nature of mental illness in slightly different way. Defining Genomics. How does it differ from Genetics? The use of the term genomics has become more widespread …
This post will be the first of many to examine how genetics and genomics can enhance the job that we do as mental health nurses – both now and in years to come. This first post discusses the need for genomics literacy in nursing practice and the initiatives that can enable this to occur. We …
In this final post, I examine the rationale behind the “do’s & don’ts” of diabetic health promotion, and provide resources for you to find out more about any pharmacotherapy your service users may be prescribed. Health Promotion When managing Type 2 diabetes (DM2), health promotion is arguably the most important of interventions: not only can it help to reduce …
In this post, I focus on the implications of insulin absence/resistance. In other words, the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus. There are numerous signs and symptoms to watch for if the condition goes undiagnosed or untreated. I will categorise these as: Raised blood glucose levels. Tissue degeneration, and immune system / tissue repair dysfunction. Increased cardiovascular disease …
A recent paper has been published in JAMA Psychiatry. It compares the efficacy of different antipsychotic medications, and the route by which they’re given, and I believe it’s reserach that’s well-worth knowing about. If you would like to see the article first-hand, there is a link to it at the bottom of this page. However, …
In a previous blog post, I explained the relevance of metabolic syndrome to mental health nursing. Elevated fasting blood glucose is a diagnostic criterion of metabolic syndrome, and is caused by a steady increase in insulin resistance. Without intervention or a change in lifestyle, this is likely to develop into Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM2). But what exactly does …
