Depression And Its Mental And Physical Effects

Depression And Its Mental And Physical Effects

                   Depression And Its Mental And Physical Effects    

Have you ever felt depressed? Do you know what it is? Depression can be characterized as feeling bad on a regular basis. When you’re diagnosed as suffering from depression, you may feel sad for no apparent reason and cannot make yourself happy. It is when your mood changes dramatically, but the feelings persist in spite of your attempts to change them. You may also experience low self-esteem, anxiety and/or restlessness. Sometimes depression might lead to physical symptoms like weight loss, poor vision or impaired physical ability. Your doctor will tell you about how to treat your mental symptoms. Most people can get better with medication or therapy, but sometimes depression can’t be treated and needs medications or mental health treatment.

Causes of depression Symptoms of a major depressive disorder are common even among teens who seem healthy! The following causes can affect many people. Major depression occurs more frequently in women than men. Depression also develops quicker in some groups, such as those with certain medical conditions that can cause brain chemistry changes. Certain genetic factors also play a role in causing depression. A family history of depression increases the risk for a child to develop a mental disorder. Some social and environmental stressors can also increase depression. For example, divorce, financial instability or work stress can all trigger depression. Stress might play a part in other mental disorders including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Many different drugs can influence serotonin levels in the body and cause depressive symptoms. Antidepressants, antidepressants and other brain medicines help treat depression. Drugs can affect how well they work, resulting in withdrawal effects. People may have to stop taking their drug regularly to feel better. Medications are the most effective way of treating depression, since taking medication consistently lowers the chances of relapse when symptoms disappear. The duration of depression may vary widely because there isn’t a single cause. However, researchers believe depression can be prevented by eating healthier foods and limiting alcohol consumption. Eating junk food (such as fried snacks) and drinking too much alcohol can worsen depression. In addition to diet and lifestyle changes, antidepressants may help. Research shows that certain types of mood stabilizers can reduce the signs and symptoms of depression. Examples include tricyclic antidepressants (benzodiazepines), imipramine, venlafaxine (a monoamine oxidase inhibitor) and serotonergic reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs are often used together with anti-anxiety meds (corticosteroids and anxiolytics). Anti-depressants are often prescribed as first-line treatments for people with depression. They can also be taken alongside prescription drugs. Side effects Treatment for depression depends on what kind of drugs are being used. This doesn’t mean every person is going to respond in a similar way to every antidepressant. However, many side effects of antidepressant drugs are reversible. Common side effects include headache, dizziness, dry mouth, muscle pain, diarrhea, tiredness, insomnia, insomnia or irritability, lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting, constipation, blurred vision, acne, hair loss and rash. If these symptoms don’t go away within a week, talk to your doctor about an alternative medication. Taking medication should never be stopped or reduced. Other possible consequences include liver damage and infection. Keep up with your daily activities while using any new antidepressants or medications. Monitor any changes in your behavior before changing your medication. These changes could include not having sexual intercourse, becoming more likely to smoke or using tobacco, losing or gaining weight, experiencing stomach problems, urinating more frequently, sweating or urinating less, seeing or hearing things that aren’t there, getting angry, more easily irritated, feeling less energetic, feeling sick or being more vulnerable. Learn more about how to stay safe while taking medication at https://www.mymedicare.gov. It is hard to see the effectiveness or risks of each medication. Each medication has its own side effects and benefits. Be sure to weigh the risks and benefits of each treatment prior to starting, so you know how well it helps the way you think you do, and what changes may occur if you don’t take it properly.

Side effects of the SSRI sertraline (Zoloft) Sertraline is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSI). People who are prescribed SSRIs often have fewer side effects than those prescribed another type of antidepressant. Common side effects of SSRIs include drowsiness, headache, decreased appetite, constipation, fatigue, nervousness, constipation, headaches, dry mouth, abdominal discomfort, insomnia, sleepiness, irritability, dizziness, fatigue, insomnia, constipation, nausea and vomiting. It is important to note that SSRIs can cause suicidal thoughts and actions if misused. Please call your healthcare provider right away if you feel these symptoms occur. Always use caution when driving, working or doing other dangerous tasks. Use only appropriate medications for the problem, not for another cause. Follow your medical prescriptions and follow instructions carefully and safely.

How does depression affect your immune system? Depression often makes your immune systems weak and doesn’t function the same as normal. An imbalance in chemicals called cytokines in the blood increases the likelihood of illness. Cytokines are proteins that regulate immune functions in the body. Increased production of cytokines can result in increased inflammation. As a result, cells fail to produce enough cytokines, and the immune system becomes overworked. Studies show that the immune system of people with obesity will respond to chronic and acute health problems differently from normal. Depressed people tend to have weaker immunity and have a harder time fighting off infections. How does this affect you? Depression affects the immune system in three ways. First, it causes inflammation and inflammation-induced autoimmune diseases. Second, it reduces the number of cytokines produced from white blood cells. Third, depressed people have weaker natural killer cells, which guard against viruses and bacteria. These weakened natural killers can leave people more susceptible to pneumonia or cold viruses. How does depression affect your immune system?

How does depression affect the skin? Depressed people often complain of thinning and aching skin. Why is this the case? Low levels of serotonin in the brain and nerves in the skin result in decreased skin elasticity. This means, the surface area of the skin lacks moisture. Although both depression and smoking may contribute to skin thinning, research shows smokers are especially prone to skin aging in several easy ways. Smoking interferes with the production of glutathione, which protects the skin from free radicals. Glutathione helps eliminate toxins and other harmful substances from the body. However, smokers often lack sufficient quantities of glutathione, which may play negative roles in keeping blood vessels clear of debris. Nicotine also affects the level of skin water loss. Excessive water loss can increase the amount of humidity present in the skin. This is partly why some areas in the world have dark spots that look like sunken eyes. High amounts of water loss can make the skin feel tight and dry. Researchers believe the overproduction of melanin in the skin caused by excessive hormone levels may be the explanation behind darker skin (especially in people with diabetes and HIV). Skin conditions caused by abnormal collagen levels and stress include wrinkles, blemishes and age spots. Are there any remedies? There is no cure for depression, but you can try to manage your depression symptoms in various ways. Some popular methods include meditation, listening to soothing music, avoiding stressful situations, deep breathing exercises or exercising regularly. Learning about coping mechanisms (also known as “psychotherapy”) can help you find ways to deal with depression and reduce its impact. Caring for Yourself It is critical to keep up with regular exercise, eat a healthy, balanced diet and avoid stressful situations. Practice mindfulness, relaxation techniques in your day-to-day life and seek professional help if needed. Avoid substance abuse, including alcohol and tobacco. Learn more about managing depression here at http://www.mymedicare.gov.

How depression impacts the heart? Many factors can raise stress hormones in order to protect us from harm. One of these hormones involves stress response, particularly in our hearts. Scientists have found that elevated blood pressure, as well as high cholesterol and triglycerides, are associated with cardiovascular disease and heart failure. Depression can put extra strain on those factors, leaving you more vulnerable to coronary artery disease. Heart attack patients have higher rates of hypertension, heart attack and heart failure. High cholesterol and lowered levels of HDL (good cholesterol) can raise the chance for heart attacks and strokes. Higher blood pressure is a strong predictor of subsequent heart attacks. High blood pressure, high cholesterol and lowered blood levels of good “good” cholesterol can all increase the chance of heart failure. Chronic stress and depression increase the risks of heart disease and stroke significantly. How does depression affect the heart? Depression can also increase the risk of sudden cardiac death. According to a recent clinical study, depression raises the risk and severity of heart failure by nearly 20 percent. Depression also increases the risk of sudden death from sudden cardiac arrest. Uncontrolled, untreated depression can increase suicide rates. Find out about other symptoms of depression here at www.mymedicare.gov.

How depression affects the lungs? Depression often increases the risk of lung diseases. Lung damage and inflammation can lead to respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis and emphysema. Less oxygen leads to shortness of breath. Over time, this can become serious for individuals who suffer from severe asthma. Anxiety and depression can also increase the activity of inflammatory cells in your lungs. More inflammation means a higher chance of developing lung diseases. How does depression affect the lungs?