| In its purest form, lithium is an essential trace mineral | | | | The late side effects of lithium include hazy sight, |
| that occurs naturally in many things. Most rocks | | | | fainting spells, seizures, and difficulty maintaining |
| contain lithium and it is also present in sea water. | | | | balance. These are all serious side effects and should |
| From the land and water, lithium may find its way | | | | be notified to your doctor immediately. |
| into plants and animals and is thus found in some | | | | However, most of these side effects are an |
| plant and animal foods as well. | | | | indication of lithium toxicity, which usually happens |
| In addition to the mineral form, lithium is also available | | | | when an overdose of the medication is taken. |
| as a drug. In the drug form, lithium is the preferred | | | | Thus, if you take your lithium medicines as |
| medication for those who suffer from bipolar | | | | prescribed, you should be quite safe from these side |
| disorder as it is very effective in controlling the manic | | | | effects. |
| moods and depression that are symptoms of this | | | | Lithium Side Effects: Mineral Form |
| disease. | | | | Apart from lithium drugs, the mineral is also available |
| Apart from being used in the treatment of bipolar | | | | as lithium supplements. These supplements contain |
| disorder, lithium (in the mineral form) has proved to | | | | very low levels of lithium, which seem to be quite |
| be very beneficial for the health of your brain. | | | | safe to take. |
| It keeps the brain cells from 'dying' thus preventing a | | | | The levels of the mineral in supplements is not that |
| whole host of problems such as memory loss, mental | | | | low so as not to be effective, but is low enough that |
| imbalances, degeneration of the brain, preventing | | | | there is no serious chance of an overdose, which |
| Alzheimer's etc. | | | | could result in serious lithium side effects. |
| Seeing all these benefits of lithium, the next obvious | | | | If taken in the supplement form, lithium cannot be |
| question would be regarding lithium signs of toxicity. | | | | useful in treating diseases such as bipolar disorder or |
| So, let's take a look at what the lithium side effects | | | | Alzheimer's as the concentration of the mineral is |
| are. | | | | very insufficient to treat these problems. |
| Adverse Effects of Lithium: The Lithium Medication | | | | But for maintaining your health, the amounts of |
| 1) Frequent Urination: The most common adverse | | | | lithium present in lithium supplements is quite enough. |
| effect of the lithium drug is increased frequency in | | | | Even with lithium supplements, you may experience |
| urination. | | | | mild and common side effects as mentioned above. |
| Women, more than men complain about this lithium | | | | But these usually go away in time, and if not, you |
| side effect, which is usually brought on a couple of | | | | can be free from the lithium side effects by simply |
| years after lithium medication has been started. | | | | discontinuing your lithium intake. |
| 2) Mild Signs of Toxicity: Excessive thirst, nausea, | | | | Tips On Choosing A Lithium Supplement |
| shaking of the hands, heavy feeling in the stomach, | | | | As minerals work in combination with one another, |
| acne, slight twitching of the muscles and skin rash are | | | | you should choose a lithium product that has other |
| some of the mild side effects of lithium medication. | | | | essential minerals such as copper, zinc, calcium etc |
| These adverse effects of lithium are usually seen in | | | | too. |
| the initial stages of treatment with lithium drugs and | | | | In order to make sure that you purchase a quality |
| generally abate with time. If these lithium side effects | | | | product, you should buy lithium supplements only |
| persist for long, you should consult your doctor. | | | | from pharmaceutical GMP compliant makers. |
| 3) Serious Signs of Toxicity: Some people who take | | | | Do not buy any lithium product that has harmful |
| lithium medicines may suffer from side effects such | | | | additives such as sugar, silica, starch etc. |
| as loose stools, vomiting, dizziness, appetite loss, and | | | | Look for a natural multivitamin supplement that not |
| trembling in the body, which are all initial indications of | | | | only contains lithium, but also other essential vitamins, |
| lithium toxicity. | | | | minerals and other specialty ingredient. |