Depression may have been dubbed the common cold of mental health, but the mental health buzzword these days is bipolar disorder, possibly because it's often associated with creativity, verve, and charisma.

Sometimes called manic depression, the disorder affects about 2.5% of the adult U.S. population and can cause extreme mood changes—from manic episodes of very high energy to extreme lows of depression. Bipolar disorder is difficult to diagnose, even for the experts; that may explain why the media feel free to invoke the disorder in the wake of a celebrity(TM)s erratic behavior or substance abuse. While some celebs have been outspoken about their struggles with bipolar disorder, others allude mysteriously to manic depression. Here, see which celebrities, past and present, have been linked to bipolar disorder.The rules: Keep it clean, and stay on the subject or we might delete your comment. If you see inappropriate language, e-mail us. [Read the full article]

When your stomach starts to rumble, you need a snack that can curb your hunger without blowing your blood sugar. Just like meals, snacks should be a combination of fat, protein, and carbohydrates. Aim for one that consists of 15 to 30 grams of carbohydrates and 100 to 200 calories (depending on your meal plan and medication). Here are five that typically get a seal of approval from diabetes educators and nutritionists.The rules: Keep it clean, and stay on the subject or we might delete your comment. If you see inappropriate language, e-mail us. An asterisk * indicates a required field.Copyright © 2010 Health Media Ventures, Inc. All rights reserved.The material in this site is intended to be of general informational use and is not intended to constitute medical advice, probable diagnosis, or recommended treatments. See the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy for more information. [Read the full article]

Everyone struggles to come up with a name once in a while. But how can you tell if it(TM)s more serious?One symptom alone does not necessarily indicate that a person has Alzheimer(TM)s or dementia, says Raj C. Shah, MD, of the Rush Memory Clinic at Rush University Medical Center, in Chicago. (Dementia is chronic loss of cognition, usually affecting memory, and Alzheimer(TM)s causes 50% to 80% of dementia cases.) There are many other causes of memory loss, including vitamin B12 deficiency, and brain, thyroid, kidney, or liver disorders. However, having several other symptoms could be a sign of Alzheimer(TM)s disease (AD).Recognizing the signs of dementia can help lead to a quicker diagnosis.The rules: Keep it clean, and stay on the subject or we might delete your comment. If you see inappropriate language, e-mail us. An asterisk * indicates a required field.Copyright © 2010 Health Media Ventures, Inc. All rights reserved. [Read the full article]

Traditional American fare—just like the American waistline—is looking more than a little pudgy these days. Even though some states enjoy healthier reputations than others (Yes, Colorado, we mean you), no state is completely guilt-free when it comes to dishes with huge portion sizes, super-high calorie counts, or sky-high fat content.So if you want to sample some of these regional favorites on your next road trip, your best bet may be to minimize your portion size.The rules: Keep it clean, and stay on the subject or we might delete your comment. If you see inappropriate language, e-mail us. An asterisk * indicates a required field.Copyright © 2010 Health Media Ventures, Inc. All rights reserved.The material in this site is intended to be of general informational use and is not intended to constitute medical advice, probable diagnosis, or recommended treatments. See the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy for more information. [Read the full article]