According to PsychEducation.org, lithium affects the body by changing how nerve cells communicate, significantly affecting a person's mood. Lithium is commonly used to treat bipolar disorder, and has been used since the 1950s to treat all mood disorders. Its dramatic effects on the body also produce several side effects, ranging from mild to severe.
Function
Lithium alters the flow of sodium between nerve cells, changing how nerve cells communicate with each other. This prevents nerve cells from adversely affecting how a person acts emotionally. It lessens manic episodes, bursts of anger and erratic behavior in bipolar patients.
Significance
Lithium is one of the most recommended drugs for treating chronic mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder, mania, depression and schizoaffective disorder. According to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), the success rate for treating mania is between 40 and 85 percent. Current averages are between 40 and 50 percent, however.
Types
Accordig to Drugs.com, several types of lithium medications are used to treat bipolar disorder. Lithobid and Lithonate are two popular types of lithium medications, followed by Lithotabs, Eskalith, and Eskalith CR. Lithium is also available as a generic brand.
Time Frame
Lithium affects the body within one to two weeks of use. Long-term effects are seen within two weeks to one month of use. How fast lithium affects the body depends on the dosage and the strength given.
Side Effects
Lithium also adversely affects the body, producing several side effects. These side effects include dry mouth, nausea, edema and weight gain. Lithium's effects are very similar to salt, causing the body to bloat and retain more water weight. In some cases, lithium causes more severe side effects, including twitching, hallucinations, seizures, abnormal heart arrhythmias and discoloration in the extremities.
Tags: affects body, nerve cells, bipolar disorder, side effects, affecting person