What is Lithium?
Lithium is an extremely soft silvery-gray metallic element, identified by the symbol Li on the periodic table of elements. The metal is used in a range of industries, typically in the form of alloys and compounds, since it is extremely reactive. Consumers may also be familiar with salts of lithium, which are used as mood altering drugs. The reasonably abundant element was discovered in the early 1800s, although it took the work of several chemists to untangle the complexities of lithium. It has an atomic number of three, making it the lightest solid element, and the head of the alkaline metal group. Like other metals in this group, lithium is very reactive in a pure form, and it needs to be handled carefully. The pure metal is not found in nature, since it combines readily with other elements to form compounds. The element was originally called lithion, derived from the Greek lithos for “stone. As the name would suggest, lithium is often found in rocks, and the bulk of lithium extracti
Lithium carbonate–a salt–came to be regularly used to control manic depression in this country in the 1960’s. Today it is the most commonly used medication to treat bipolar disorder (manic depression). There are a variety of different brands of lithium dispensed in tablets, capsules, and liquid form: Cibalith-S, Eskalith, Lithane, Lithobid, Lithonate, and Lithotabs. Lithium is helpful in 70 percent to 80 percent of people with bipolar disorder, making it one of the most effective psychiatric medications available. What does lithium treat? Lithium has been most frequently and effectively used to control and prevent manic episodes in persons with bipolar disorder. Lithium has been successful in treating depression as well. In fact, the occurrence of depression in a person who has been taking lithium is often an indication that a higher dose is needed. In some cases, lithium is even a successful treatment for those with unipolar depression, or those who have never had a manic episode. I
Lithium affects the flow of sodium through nerve and muscle cells in the body. Sodium affects excitation or mania. Lithium is used to treat the manic episodes of manic depression. Manic symptoms include hyperactivity, rushed speech, poor judgment, reduced need for sleep, aggression, and anger. Lithium also helps to prevent or lessen the intensity of manic episodes. Lithium may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Lithium affects the flow of sodium through nerve and muscle cells in the body. Sodium affects excitation or mania. Lithium is used to treat the manic episodes of manic depression. Manic symptoms include hyperactivity, rushed speech, poor judgment, reduced need for sleep, aggression, and anger. It also helps to prevent or lessen the intensity of manic episodes. Lithium may also be used for other purposes not listed.
A primary battery (non-rechargeable) that is quickly entering mainstream electronic designs, particularly in consumer, portable equipment and non-volatile memory back up applications where small size, long life and low cost are the primary requirements. Lithium batteries have superior cold temperature performance and a shelf life of 5-10 years.
