Lithium

Lithium

For those who have bipolar disorder, they tend to have issues with their mood swings and the way that they feel about their life and how they look or feel. When it comes to getting medicated or treated for the disorder, you will most likely get on lithium. Lithium will help you in different ways. First, you will find that it will mange all of the side effects that you may have from the disorder.

Then it will help you to avoid having manic depression periods. It is still not known what exactly the lithium will do to the body, the results are well-known. It will affect your nerve cells and it will make your body adjust to the bipolar disorder and help take control. There are people who take at least 900 mgs of lithium; however, you may end up taking lower doses so that you can get the stabilizer in your mood swings. Your doctor will find out how much you need by giving you a blood test. Also, you will need to get checked regularly so that you don't get too much in your blood stream by getting a blood test on a regular basis. Your doctor will make sure that you are in the right zone with your medications.

When it comes to the side effects of the disorder, you will find that you may get things like kidney problems and psoriasis; however, you will be able to avoid those things by regulating your levels of lithium. The doctor will keep a close eye on your lithium levels so that you can avoid these side effects. In addition, you may end that you will become very dry in mouth and that you will end up drinking a lot more than usual. For those who are taking a high amount of lithium, they will end up drinking so much that it can disrupt your sleep. There are also people who get a very sensitive stomach. They become sick with nausea very quickly. You may also develop tremors or shaky hands. This is just very common for those who have issues with their blood pressure. Most people will gain weight too while on lithium.

However, for those who think that they may get pregnant, you may want to check with your doctor to see if you are able to regulate your bipolar disorder and still be able to carry a healthy child.

However when it comes to starting your medication, you will find that you will be given a small dosage of lithium and then the levels will go up so that you can regulate your need for the medication without being over drugged. Your doctor will explain how to take the medication, but most people will take two pills of low dosage and it is usually in the morning and before bed.