Major depression is also known as major depressive disorder or clinical depression, is a mental disorder. Its characteristic symptoms are pervasive mood swings, low self-esteem and loss of pleasure or interest in activities that the individual generally found enjoyable.

Major depression is different from depression, although the terms are often used synonymously. But the fact is major depression is different from what is referred to as ‘depression, which is actually a depressed mood. Major depression is a disabling condition which affects and impairs an individual’s work, family life, school life, sleeping and eating habits and overall health. Women are at a greater risk for major depression as compared to men, but suicide is more common among men. In the United States, about 3.4% of individuals with major depression commit suicide, while depression is a problem with 60% of all those who commit suicide.

Major depression is most likely to occur between the ages of 30 years to 40 years with a later peak between 50 years to 60 years. There are, however, no laboratory tests for depressions. Physicians and psychologists often do refer laboratory tests to assess that the symptoms are not the result of other diseases.

The symptoms of major depression are sometimes obvious, other times not so. Many a times they are mistaken for a depressed mood but the fact is major depression lasts longer and the symptoms will go well beyond two weeks. A person suffering from major depression will exhibit the following symptoms;

1. Persistently sad or irritable mood

2. Pronounced changes in sleep, appetite, and energy

3. Difficulty thinking, concentrating, and remembering

4. Physical slowing or agitation

5. Lack of interest in or pleasure from activities that were once enjoyed

6. Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, hopelessness, and emptiness

7. Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

8. Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain

Major depression can be brought about by a number of reasons and it’s hard to pinpoint a single culprit. Psychological, biological and environmental factors may all play their part and often it is the combination of these rather than one isolated factor. Regardless of what caused if, major depression is a serious medical illness that warrants medical care.

What happens inside the body to bring about major depression? Scientists believe that norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine are three neurotransmitters (chemical messengers that transmit electrical signals between brain cells), and these are involved in major depression. When a chemical imbalance occurs in these neurotransmitters, major depression is the result. Anti-depressant medication works by stabilizing the chemical balances. Anti-depressants either increase the availability of neurotransmitters or change the sensitivity level of the receptors for them.

The heredity nature of major depression has been found to be quite a determining and predicting factor. An individual who has a family history of major depression is at a higher risk for developing major depression than those who don’t have major depression in the family. This doesn’t mean that every person with a family history of major depression will develop the illness, but for such individuals, there may be a genetic vulnerability.

Whatever the case may be, if you suspect that you or a loved one has major depression, you should immediately consult a psychologist as the condition will affect both your health and your life.

jeniferhobson
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/major-depression-is-a-serious-medical-illness-1000013.html

I need sleep. I am thinking of a combination of DIPHENHYDRAMINE, Melatonin and valarian root. How does that sound? If not does anyone know a quicker way to fall asleep? I am addicted to my sleeping pills I know but right now I can not sleep and I need to sleep. Any help?

if you an addiction kind of medication you have to take lifelong try with yoga hypnotherapy

Sudden cravings for refined food, mood swings and insomnia are all symptoms associated with low blood sugar levels or hypoglycemia.

By a little research and understanding you can help yourself overcome these problems!

Hypoglycemia is caused by allowing your body, amongst other things, to become dependent on sweets and other junk food. High starch and carbohydrate diets create a dependency on refined foods to keep up sugar levels. When these drop, you suffer the symptoms of low blood sugar levels.

Hypoglycemia may be seen as a symptom of the onset of diabetes. If you are suffering from any of the following symptoms below, you could be hypoglycemic.

* Sudden hunger and shakiness

* Sweating, dizziness or light-headedness

* Sleepiness

* Confusion or difficulty talking

* Weakness and fatigue

* Anxiety

Many of these symptoms will occur during the day, but if you wake up tired and irritable, to find your sheets are damp from sweating, you are probably experiencing hypoglycemic symptoms during the night.

While medical advice is imperative, there are things you can do.

Form a dieting plan. It is important to eat food at regular intervals to avoid hypoglycemic symptoms. By training your body in healthy food choices, you can stave off low blood sugar levels.

Reduce alcohol. When overused this can contribute to hypoglycemia. If you must drink, don’t overdo it. Insulin production is increased with the intake of spirits, beers and wine? Eat a snack or meal with your drink. However, if your symptoms are clear- cut you should not drink alcohol at all.

If you are experiencing hypoglycemia and low blood sugar levels as a result of diabetes medications, make sure you are checking your blood sugar levels regularly and take your insulin or other medication consistently at the same time each day. Also consult your medical advisor to work out the appropriate dosages. While not all people who experience hypoglycemia become diabetic, it increases your chances exponentially.

Although you may be working with your doctor to treat your hypoglycemia, you may still be struggling to overcome the symptoms. There is hope! There are fantastic resources available that will give you pointers, and give you hope that your life can be normal again.

Get your sleeping patterns back, lose your anxiety, quit grabbing the first foods that you can get your fists around and experience happiness again.

Noel Glass
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/hypoglycemia-the-symptoms-687936.html

Depression disproportionately affects the elderly. Unfortunately many times the signs of depression can be confused with signs of aging.  In order to properly diagnose and treat depression in the elderly, individuals, their care takers and health care providers need to be vigilant in looking for the signs and symptoms. Depression in the elderly can be debilitating and effect other areas of health. Determining if depression is involved is an important part of the health screening process.

Warning Signs of Depression

When dealing with the elderly and depression, some detective work is often needed.  It is important that the elderly and their caretakers know the signs and symptoms of depression. As the elderly tend to have a lot of confounding factors coming into play at the same time which affect their health, symptoms of depression are easily masked as signs of aging. Symptoms of depression vary from person to person.  Some common signs are:

• Tiredness and lack of energy
• Difficulty focusing, remembering and staying on task
• Irritability
• Feelings of guilt, emptiness or helplessness
• Sleeping too much or insomnia
• Eating more or less than normal
• Loss of interest in activities that were enjoyed before
• Crying for long periods of time
• Thoughts of suicide

While these are only a few of the possible symptoms, one can readily see how depression can easily be mistaken for signs of aging, precisely because these symptoms are so prevalent among the elderly. Mental and physical sickness and “old age” are often considered to be one in the same. According to the Rotterdam Scan Study, people with an early onset of depression had an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease. The study also found that the depression symptoms did not have to be obvious to run this risk.[i] This study highlights the fact that early detection and treatment of depression in the older population is vital in the fight to lower the risk of Alzheimer Disease. Much more research is being done to investigate the link between the two. It is clear however, that the two are linked.

What You Can Do to Improve Quality of Life

One thing is certain:  the earlier depression is diagnosed and treated, the greater the chance a person will recover and regain a healthy lifestyle. There are many treatments available for depression. Once diagnosed a referral should be made to a geriatric psychiatrist. This is a specialist who is trained to treat depression in the older population. The treatment can vary from things as simple as talk therapy, diet changes and exercise to medication. A combination of all these methods is often used.

It should be understood that the elderly deal with problems that younger generations do not. They are often dealing with deaths of loved ones, illness and retirement. They may suffer financial burdens, not to mention a sense of loss of control over their lives. These may be issues they have never dealt with previously and will need to learn new methods to deal with them emotionally.

Diet is an important factor in dealing with depression in the elderly. Older people may not be eating like they should. They may be living alone or on a limited income. Their diets should be carefully analyzed. While there is no one food that will “cure” depression, as the saying goes, we are what we eat, and food does often affect how we feel. Plenty of whole fresh fruits and vegetables are essential. These will provide essential vitamins and minerals as well as antioxidants. Carbohydrates in small amounts can have a calming effect. Whole grains are especially important for heart and digestive issues. Good sources of protein, especially those with Omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish and legumes, are recommended.

Exercise is an excellent way to make anyone feel better. During exercise, the brain releases a neurotransmitter called serotonin as well as endorphins. These are the body’s natural “feel good” chemicals. They help a person sleep better, stabilize the mood and even affect appetite and cell generation.

Exercise does not have to be an intense workout at the gym. It can be something as simple as a brisk walk through the park for 10 to 15 minutes. Elderly people could be encouraged to take a dance class or a fitness class with other seniors. This will provide exercise and also give them needed social interaction.

Getting the elderly population involved socially is also an essential part of depression treatment and prevention. Many elderly people withdraw. They may have experienced the loss of a loved one or friends and feel they are alone. Getting them back out in the community and involved in activities that they find enjoyable is helpful.

As you can see, communication and education are vital in detection of depression in the elderly. If you believe an older person you care about may be suffering from depression, bring it to the attention of a health professional. Effective treatment may make a significant improvement in the elder person’s overall health.

[i] http://www.neurology.org/cgi/content/abstract/70/15/1258

Lori Somekh
http://www.articlesbase.com/mental-health-articles/is-depression-being-mistaken-for-old-age-1202459.html

According to the American Lung Association, smoking-related diseases claim an estimated 438,000 American lives each year, including those affected indirectly, such as babies born prematurely due to prenatal maternal smoking and victims of exposure to tobacco’s carcinogens through secondhand smoke.

Approximately $167 billion each year in health-care costs, an average of $3,702 per adult smoker. It has been shown that quitting smoking now greatly reduces risks of heart disease, emphysema, and other serious medical conditions, and several drugs have been developed to assist patients in quitting smoking.

Chantix or Champix, known also as Varenicline Tartrate, is a prescription medicine given to patients seeking to end their smoking addiction. In the past, quitting aids have mostly focused on Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRT’s) which use a limited release of nicotine into the body to ease cravings.

The drug operates without using any nicotine. Instead, it focuses on reducing cravings and decreasing the pleasurable effects of cigarettes and other tobacco products, specifically as a partial agonist that activates release of 35 to 60% of the dopamine that nicotine would have caused.

Common side effects of the drug include nausea, headache, difficulty sleeping and abnormal dreams. It is estimated that 5 million prescriptions have been written and Pfizer, the medicine’s manufacturer, reports there are 3 million Americans taking Chantix now.

In November 2007, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) began investigating reports of depression, agitation and suicidal behavior among patients taking the medicine, after they had received reports of 37 suicides and more than 400 of suicidal behaviors in connection with the non-smoking aid. A link between Chantix and serious psychiatric complications is becoming progressively probable, according to the FDA.

Additionally, the drug may further worsen preexisting psychiatric illness or cause a recurrence of past issues. Two weeks after this report, Pfizer added stronger drug warnings to the drug’s packaging, stating publicly that while a direct link between the drug and the reported psychiatric problems did not exist, the possibility of the drug-induced psychotic episodes could not be ruled out.

Pfizer has suggested that these episodes of irrational behavior have been caused by nicotine withdrawal. However, the FDA’s findings stated that even those patients who had continued smoking had similar psychiatric episodes. Indeed, cases of such extreme psychiatric problems have not manifested themselves as prominently in over the counter quitting aids, such as NRT’s.

The most publicized case thus far has been that of Carter Albrecht, who, after assaulting his girlfriend, was shot and killed by his neighbor who mistook him for a burglar. Some questioned the bizarre circumstances surrounding Albrecht’s death, and many close to him blamed his irrational behavior on the drug. In fact, after ABC published the story on their website, they received over 200 comments on the article, the large majority of them describing similar reactions of nightmares, depression, suicide ideation, broad mood swings, and generally abnormal behavior.

Many of these cases involved consumption of a moderate to heavy amount of alcohol, but an almost equal number reported these severe side effects with no alcohol imbibed. The possibility of real serious adverse side effects from the drug, including a relationship between the drug and suicide seems more and more likely.

Considering the evidence, it would appear that the drug has produced extreme or serious effects in a larger percentage of patients than what was originally found in the FDA tests.

Thoughts of suicide, euphoric to depressed mood swings, anxiety, and hallucinations appear to be almost common in the majority of available information from patients reporting back. As such, patients taking the drug should seriously consider consulting with their health care provider about the continued use of the drug, especially in cases where patients have a history of psychiatric illness.

If you or someone you know is taking the drug, or has taken the drug in the past, it may be in your best interest to consider consulting with an expert Chantix attorney about the prospect of any Chantix lawsuit, especially as the possibility of a Chantix class action lawsuit looms.

Alan Haburchak
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/possible-dangerous-side-effects-of-chantix-353606.html

We all know we live in a fast world! Our lifestyle is harried, our food is fast and statistics now show itâ??s taking a toll on one of the most important parts of our life–our sleep. The 2002 National Sleep Foundation (NSF) Sleep in America poll found that 74 percent of American adults are experiencing a sleeping problem a few nights a week or more, 39% get less than seven hours of sleep each weeknight, and more than one in three (37%) are so sleepy during the day that it interferes with daily activities. Our fast paced way of life is getting the best of us. What about you?

Answer True or False?

1. Five hours of sleep at night is good enough.
2. It’s ok to skimp on sleep during the work week as long as you make up the time over the weekends.
3. The effects of sleep deprivation are short-term (e.g., darkness under the eyes and dull and/or splotchy skin after a bad night’s sleep) and has no effect on long-term health.
4. Drinking caffeine early in the evening does not affect sleep.
5. Keeping a TV or computer in the bedroom has no effect on sleep.
6. The amount of sleep I get has nothing to do with my weight.

If you answered â??trueâ? to two or more questions you may need to make a few changes in order to achieve the highly coveted â??goodâ? nightâ??s sleep and keep yourself in optimal health.

Experts suggest that most people need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night but that doesnâ??t apply to everyone. Some people only require 6 hours while those who are more active or have an illness may require more.

So how do you know if you are getting enough quality sleep? Those who are sleep deprived often look the part. Dark circles and the â??sleepyâ? look are common, but they also can have unpredictable moods, drowsiness during the day, have difficulty concentrating, weak immune systems, recover poorly from injury and get sick more often. Sounding a little too familiar?

In fact, poor sleep has been found to impair the ability to perform tasks involving memory, learning, and logical reasoning. This may contribute to mistakes or unfulfilled potential at school or on the job as well as strained relationships at home. Even more disturbing, inadequate amounts of sleep have been linked to an increased risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, weight gain, obesity, heart disease and depression, to name just a few.

But what if you go to bed early, have every intention on logging in your 7-9 hours but only to lie awake watching the clockâ?¦eyes wide open? Well, there are several simple adjustments you can make to stack the cards in favor of a better nightâ??s sleep.

1) Avoid watching TV before bedâ?¦especially in bed!- The bed should be reserved for two thingsâ?¦sleep and romanceâ?¦not Desperate Housewives or football! Research shows that those who experienced the most sleep disturbances had televisions in their bedrooms and used the TV to fall asleep.

2) Try a different pillow or mattress. Itâ??s scary to think how long some of us have been sleeping on the same pillows and mattresses for years and years. Does your mattress provide the support you like? Do you wake with your back aching? Is there enough room for you and your sleep partner? Do you sleep better, or worse, when you sleep away from home? These are all things to ask
yourself to determine if your mattress could be the â??sabotagerâ? of your good nightâ??s sleep. Or more simply, just replacing your pillow with a new, fresh, higher quality version could be all that you need.

3) Avoid caffeine late in the day. Did you know that even a small amount of caffeine even 10-12 hours before bedtime can cause problems falling asleep! Try eliminating the tea, soda and even chocolate and see if sleep improves.

4) Listen to relaxing music. Establishing a relaxing bedtime routine, such as listening to music, could be just the thing you need to signal your body it is time to sleep. So, dim the lights and throw some slow jazz or purchase a â??relaxing soundsâ? CD to help slow your mind and body down for an evening of peaceful sleep.

5) Try mind- body techniques. After an action-packed day, your brain and body need to unwind and detox before sleep can occur (a.k.a. you need to chill!) Create a â??ritualâ? for bedtime - take a bath, meditate, do some easy stretches or yoga. Try to do your â??ritualâ? in the same way, in the same place, at the same time each night. The repetition will trigger your mind and body that it is time to relax and sleep.

6) Try a natural sleep aid. For many people, while the above tips and suggestions may help, it often isnâ??t enough. if you are one of those people who really have a hard time getting to sleep and staying asleep, you may want to try a natural sleep aid.

While over the counter sleep medications may help you fall asleep, they cannot be taken long-term and have risky side effects. A sleep aid that uses natural ingredients is a better approach to getting a solid nightâ??s sleep.

Jennet
http://www.articlesbase.com/sleep-articles/6-things-to-get-a-better-sleep-tonight-729153.html

Anyone who has had to wear prescription glasses during the hot humid summer months will be thrilled to know that they can enjoy the summer months prescription glass free. Lasik surgery is an easy procedure that will allow you to be free from wearing glasses on a daily basis.

In order to make sure that your recovery is fast and pain free you need to follow certain guidelines that are enforced by your doctor. Keep in mind that there will most likely be some dryness and discomfort in your eyes once the numbing eye drops have worn off.

The good thing is this discomfort should go away fairly fast. In order to prevent infections your doctor will give you antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication to reduce any swelling. You may also be given special eye drops to keep them from becoming dry.

After the surgery is completed you are not allowed to swim in a pool, hot tub, or whirlpool for eight weeks. This is because the water can get in your eyes and damage it as well as irritate it. At night you need to shield your eyes for up to four weeks. It is possible for people to rub their eyes or roll over on them while they are sleeping. This can irritate the eyes and slow down the healing process.

For eight weeks you are also not allowed to participate in any contact sports or other strenuous activities. This can hurt anyone with normal eyes - but also with those people who are recovering from lasik surgery.

Before you begin to panic you need to make sure that it takes three to eight weeks for the personâ??s eyes to stabilize and completely recover. Because of that you might experience symptoms that can develop. These symptoms include; haloes, glare, and a difficulty in driving.

If these symptoms last longer than you should wait until the vision is fully functional. Preexisting conditions that occurred before the surgery may not be fixed after the surgery is completed.

nlwest21
http://www.articlesbase.com/vision-articles/lasik-eye-procedure-recovery-742406.html