(Natural News) The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMMS) announced this week that it has begun auditing the nation’s nursing homes to see if they are accurately diagnosing and treating elderly patients for schizophrenia. Because of widespread overuse and abuse of antipsychotic pharmaceutical medications in seniors, CMS says it aims to crack down on […]

(Natural News) Anticholinergic drugs are prescribed by doctors to treat a variety of conditions. These range from inflammatory lung diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to gastrointestinal disorders like diarrhea and brain disorders like Parkinson’s disease. Anticholinergic drugs work by blocking a chemical called acetylcholine, which serves as the chief neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic […]

(Natural News) The use of anticholinergic medications is widespread, especially among older adults. These medications are often prescribed by physicians to treat a wide variety of health problems, including bladder disorders, gastrointestinal issues, seasonal allergies and even depression. However, recent studies have found a connection between the use of anticholinergic drugs and acute cognitive impairments. In particular, these […]

(Natural News) Talk about the dose making the poison – a common class of drugs prescribed to treat Parkinson’s disease and depression can increase a person’s risk of dementia, according to a large study conducted by the University of Nottingham in England. The study, which was published in JAMA Internal Medicine, investigated the link between taking anticholinergic drugs and dementia risk. […]

(Natural News) In the news, it’s all too common to encounter a story of a horrific crime that leaves you wondering how someone could ever commit such an act. Many times, it turns out the perpetrator was taking psychiatric drugs – a trend that is especially common among mass shooters. Why are so many people […]

(Natural News) If you’re expecting, you already have a lot to worry about. Sometimes ensuring that you avoid all of the dangerous foods and chemicals that can put your baby at risk can feel like a full-time job. Now, pregnant women who take antipsychotic drugs have one more thing to worry about in the form […]

(Natural News) Around two million Americans suffer from schizophrenia, and it’s a frustrating chronic mental illness that is marked with disabling symptoms like delusions and hallucinations. Unfortunately, the antipsychotic medications that are often given to address these problems come with their own set of risks. Now, scientists have discovered that certain nutrients could help to […]

(Natural News) In the aftermath of every mass shooting in the United States – and such shootings take place with shocking regularity – the discussion always seems to be about the weapon used by the shooter. All anybody seems interested in is getting guns out of the hands of the American public, with the assumption […]

(Natural News) Back in 1996, annual spending on psychiatric disorders was $79 billion in the United States. Two decades later, that figure has nearly trebled to $201 billion. While some might see this as evidence of progress and a sign that more people are receiving the mental health care that they need, others recognize that […]

(Natural News) An estimated 5.5 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease. The symptoms of this debilitating illness include memory loss, agitation, mood swings, impaired judgment, difficulty handling money effectively, struggling with normal everyday tasks, confusion, misplacing things and difficulty communicating, among many others. The incredible strain this illness places on families and caregivers […]