Katarzyna Szczurek

Background: Munchausen Syndrome, classified as a factitious disorder, is a psychiatric condition in which individuals deliberately fabricate or induce medical symptoms to assume the role of a patient. Despite its rarity, the disorder poses significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to its deceptive nature and frequent comorbid psychiatric conditions. Misdiagnosis can lead to unnecessary medical procedures, increased healthcare costs, and delayed psychiatric intervention. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the syndrome, emphasizing its epidemiology, clinical presentation, and treatment approaches. Materials and Methods: A systematic review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Keywords such as "Munchausen Syndrome," "factitious disorder," and "psychiatric deception" were used to identify relevant publications. Twenty four articles were selected based on their relevance to the disorder’s epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and treatment. Case reports, retrospective studies, and systematic reviews were analyzed to synthesize current knowledge on the syndrome. Conclusions: Munchausen Syndrome remains a complex and underdiagnosed disorder that requires increased awareness among medical professionals. Diagnosis relies on identifying behavioral patterns and ruling out genuine medical conditions, while treatment focuses on psychotherapeutic intervention, like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Although pharmacotherapy does not directly address the syndrome, it may be beneficial in managing co-occurring psychiatric conditions. A multidisciplinary approach, including structured medical oversight and improved communication between healthcare providers, is crucial for improving patient outcomes and preventing unnecessary medical interventions.

Background: Ginseng has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years as a cure for various diseases. The term “ginseng” is a popular name for herbal drugs that are based on the roots of several distinct species of plants, mainly Korean or Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius). In this study, we aimed to analyze the health benefits of ginseng. Materials and methods: We analyzed publications found in PubMed and Google Scholar. Articles were selected on the basis of keywords such as “ginseng’’, “Panax ginseng”, “ginsenosides”, and “health benefits”. For the final analysis, the eligible articles were published from 2010--2024. Results: All of the research findings regarding the benefits of ginseng on cognitive function are consistent with their results. Ginseng supplementation has a positive effect on cognition in humans. Seniors are the group of patients who benefit the most from ginseng. Additionally, studies have suggested positive effects on obesity, coronary disease and diabetes. Conclusions: Panax ginseng supplementation can be recommended for patients, as it seems to be relatively safe for them and has several positive effects on health. Further studies are needed to investigate the influence on human health better.

Background: Sport psychiatry is a dynamic and constantly developing discipline of medicine. Professional athletes may experience a variety of mental health problems that influence their everyday life and sport performance. Therefore, the potential risk factors for developing mental disease should be known to coaches and physicians to provide adequate help for athletes. Materials and methods: We reviewed publications obtained from PubMed and Google Scholar. Articles were selected on the basis of keywords such as “sport psychiatry”, “mental health in athletes”, and “depression in professional sport”. For the final analysis, the eligible articles were published from 2015--2024. Results: The prevalence of mental disorders varied across the analyzed studies. The presence of symptoms depends on the type of sport performed by the individual, past history of psychiatric diseases or sex. Additionally, studies have used different types of evaluation tools, which may influence the results. Conclusions: Mental health diseases are present in this group, in some cases more frequently than in the general population. Professional athletes should be watched carefully for the potential development of psychiatric symptoms, especially in the most vulnerable groups. There is also a need for further studies with validated athlete research tools for more reliable results.

Background: Yerba mate is a Paraguayan kind of herbal tea prepared from the dried and roasted leaves of trees called Ilex paraguariensis St. Hill. It is known for high content of polyphenols, methylxanthines and saponins. According to the studies products rich in those nutrients may have a positive influence on the humans cardiovascular health. Materials and methods: We reviewed publications obtained from PubMed and Google Scholar. Articles were selected based on keywords such “yerba mate’’, “Ilex paraguariensis’’, “cardiovascular diseases’’. For the final analysis, qualified articles were published from 2005 to 2024. Results: Confirming positive impact on serum lipid levels individuals using mate tea. Long – term positive influence on blood pressure. Moreover subjects with obesity took advantages of Yerba beverage by decreasing waist-to-hip ratio. Patients with diabetes were observed to have a significant reduction in fasting plasma glucose level and HbA1c concentration. Conclusions: Most of the cited researches support the hypothesis of benefits coming from drinking mate infusions for patients with elevated lipid serum levels, obesity, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes mellitus. All of mentioned health issues can lead to the cardiovascular problems therefore using mate infusions can prevent CVDs. Taking everything into consideration, medical professionals might recommend Yerba mate tea for their patients especially as a replacement of a coffee.

Introduction: Regular yoga practice positively affects physical and mental health, including stress reduction, emotional regulation, and cognitive enhancement. Recent research highlights yoga's potential to strengthen the nervous system's adaptability, promoting well-being and managing stress and anxiety. Aim of the study: This review aimed to demonstrate yoga's influence on nervous system adaptability and provide an overview of how yoga practices enhance neuroadaptation, highlighting benefits in improving neural resilience and adaptive capacities. Materials and methods: This paper analyzes current knowledge on the neurological consequences of excessive body weight. The review focused on clinical studies from 2018 to 2024, including review papers and meta-analyses. Literature was reviewed from PubMed and Google Scholar using keywords: “yoga,” “nervous system,” “stress,” “anxiety,” “depression,” “sleep problems,” “Alzheimer's disease,” “Parkinson's disease,” “epilepsy,” and “emotion regulation.” Discussion: Yoga significantly impacts the nervous system's adaptive capacity, improving mental and physical health. Regular practice enhances neuronal plasticity, aiding stress management and cognitive functions. Yoga breathing techniques reduce cortisol levels and increase certain neurotransmitters, regulating mood and autonomic nervous system function. The study did not explore different types of yoga on specific disorders, indicating a need for further research. Conclusions: This paper underscores yoga's role in enhancing the nervous system's adaptive capacity. Yoga shows promise in improving neural resilience and adaptive capacities, making it a valuable holistic healthcare approach. Understanding these benefits can guide healthcare professionals in integrating yoga into strategies to improve patient well-being, emphasizing its role in fostering physical and mental resilience.

Introduction: Recently, multiple studies have attempted to explain the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder. Many researchers have suggested the potential role of mutations in genes encoding proteins called neuroligins as one of the triggers of autism. Potentially more than one factor is causing the development of ASD. Material and methods: We reviewed publications obtained from PubMed, the Cochrane Library, APA PsychNET and Google Scholar. Articles were selected based on keywords such as “autism”, “ASD”, and “neuroligins”. For the final analysis, 8 qualified articles were published from January 2008 to August 2022. Results: Studies conducted recently have drawn our attention to the significant relationship between autism and NLGN mutations in some autistic populations. One of the studies showed a significant association between blockades of SNPs in the NLGN4X. The second confirmed that the three-marker haplotype blockade was related to an increased risk of ASD in males. On the other hand, one publication stated that SNPs found in the studied population did not significantly differ in allele frequency between ASD patients and controls. Conclusions: Mutations in the NLGN gene should be investigated further as ASD factors. The results of these studies are not consistent. Some of these findings confirm the association between ASD and mutations in neuroligins. At the same time, others negate any links in that matter. It is possible that the ethnicity of the patients influenced the research outcomes. More studies with larger study groups are needed to clarify discrepancies between the authors. Keywords: autism spectrum disorder SNP neuroligin autism mutations

Neuralgic amyotrophy(NA), is a rare and highly variable neurological disorder of unknown aetiology that causes serious diagnostic problems. We described a case of NA with atrophy of the brachialis muscle in order to enrich clinicians’ knowledge about this disorder and to help them in the proper diagnosis of NA. A 21-year-old man presented with sudden, severe pain in the right biceps muscle. The man had consultations with several doctors and physiotherapists. Three magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations, a nerve conduction study (NCS) and needle electromyography (EMG) were performed. Only after 6 months, based on medical history, physical examination and ultrasound imaging (USI), the physiotherapist suggested NA, which was later on confirmed by a neurologist. This case description of NA showed a variety of symptoms that made it difficult to establish an accurate diagnosis for a longer period of time. The diagnostic procedure, as well as the prolonged time between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis, indicates the need for further education of clinicians to better understand the symptoms of NA.

The description of Medical Student Syndrome is based on the assumption that inexperienced medical students are prone to develop a pathological fear of medical conditions they are taught about. The aim of this study is to examine the sample of students (medical and non-medical) in order to assess and compare their level of hypochondriacal attitudes and health-related anxiety. We also examined other factors which might have had an influence on hypochondria and nosophobia attitudes among students. Methods: The study was conducted in two groups of students: 313 medical students at the Medical University of Silesia and 293 students at non-medical universities in Katowice, Poland. The study used the medical student syndrome self-explanatory questionnaire constructed for the study, taking into account the specificity of the group and the research problem. The research questionnaire was completed in an online survey by 606 students. Results: The results of the study showed that medical students obtained the same scores on a nosophobic scale as the non-medical students (p = 0.5). The analysis of hypochondriacal behavior showed significantly higher results in the non-medical student group (p = 0.02). In the entire study group, females and participants with mental disorders obtained higher scores in relation to nosophobia. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were more common in the group of medical students. Conclusions: Medical studies are not a risk factor for the occurrence of health anxiety and hypochondrial attitudes. Such factors are female gender and having a mental illness.