Flu during pregnancy could heighten risk of bipolar disorder

Geodon users know that there are a number of biological factors that go into the genetic inheritance of bipolar disorder. Now, researchers are discovering that a common illness experienced during pregnancy may severely increase the chances of contracting the mental condition.

In a study funded by the National Institute of Health, doctors have alluded to the common flu during pregnancy as potentially being able to quadruple the risk of bipolar disorder in offspring. The research is just another example of the growing trend in evidence that sickness and illnesses arising during pregnancy could have an impact on a child's likelihood of developing a mental illness, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

The researchers investigated the backgrounds of 92 people who had , analyzing their medical records to compare whether their mothers' had any cases of maternal flu during pregnancy. Doctors concluded that according to the data, influenza infection during gestation at any stage led to the child becoming four times more susceptible toward becoming stricken with bipolar disorder. The results also led the researchers to believe that if flu symptoms were experienced during the second or third trimesters, there were slightly higher odds of mental illness emerging as well.

Dr. Alan Brown, a professor at Columbia University and collaborator in the study, stressed the importance of expecting mothers getting immunized during pregnancy to reduce the odds of their child bearing a mental condition.

"Prospective mothers should take common sense , such as getting flu shots prior to and in the early stages of pregnancy and avoiding contact with people who are symptomatic," Brown said in a statement. "In spite of public health recommendations, only a relatively small fraction of such women get immunized. The weight of evidence now suggests that benefits of the vaccine likely outweigh any possible risk to the mother or newborn." 

Reducing the risk of bipolar disorder
According to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, there are who are living with bipolar disorder. While in most cases this mental illness is passed down through genetics, one of the best ways to aid side effects is by being able to identify symptoms at a young age. Some ways to detect bipolar disorder indicators include:

• Difficulty sleeping
• Chronic pain without knowing where it is coming from
• Poor performance at work or school
• Problems concentrating
• Aggressive behavior or increased irritation
• Recklessness with drugs or alcohol

Immunizations are crucial for expecting mothers to help prevent severe mental illness. If you are experiencing a number of the symptoms listed above, ask your doctor about Geodon to see if it could be the right prescription for you. You can buy Geodon at a Canadian online pharmacy.