Online Pharmacies Canada Health Blog

July 21, 2010

Here Comes the Sun – Vitamin D Treatment For Depression

Filed under: Depression — Tags: Depression, depression treatment, treat depression, vitamin d3 — Nicole @ 8:49 pm

It’s called the sunshine vitamin for a reason, and not just because it comes from the sun. If you’ve ever noticed that your mood has been drastically improved by the bright sunshine of the morning, studies have shown that it probably had something to do with the production of vitamin D in your skin, which occurs naturally when your skin is exposed to sunlight. Recent studies have concluded that there is a link between a lack of vitamin D and symptoms of depression. Although vitamin D deficiency has not been confirmed as a definite cause for depression, this new link opens up many new and inexpensive treatment options for patients with depression.

Vitamin D is not a naturally occurring vitamin in food, but it can easily be obtained through sun exposure and vitamin D3 supplements. Vitamin D rich foods include sweet potatoes, sprouts, mushrooms, sunflower seeds, salmon and other seafood products, as well as fortified milk and juice. For many patients with depression, an increased intake of vitamin D works as an effective bonus treatment, which comes free with a fresh walk outdoors. Those who enjoy a high intake of vitamin D will also experience a decreased risk of diabetes, autoimmune disorders, cancer and heart disease.

While depression isn’t likely to be caused or cured by the subtraction or addition of just one factor, the link of low levels of vitamin D to depression is a great reason to spend more time outdoors in the sunshine. If you find that you continually experience burning in the mouth or throat, constipation, dental cavities, insomnia, joint pains, muscle cramps, or frequent colds or flu; you may have a vitamin D deficiency that could increase your risk of depression along with many conditions. If you find that you aren’t able to get enough vitamin D from sun exposure and food supplement, talk to your doctor about taking a multivitamin or vitamin D3 supplement.

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May 27, 2010

Dreaming Links to Depression

Filed under: coping with depression,Depression,sleep — Tags: Depression, sleep — Nicole @ 12:08 am

Depression has become a relatively common condition in the modern society. In North America alone, it is estimated that over nine million people struggle with depression on a day to day basis. For some people, dealing with depression will involve fighting what is usually described as a “black curtain” of despair, while others experience constant irritation or find that they have no energy to complete their daily tasks. Although depression is not caused by one single factor, sleep patterns and dreaming have been directly linked to those who suffer from depression.

The dreaming component of sleep is called REM sleep (short for rapid eye movement sleep), and usually occurs after a couple hours have passed since the time when you fell asleep. During REM sleep, only the chemicals that are responsible for the emotions and visual imagery of your brain are activated, while the other chemicals in your brain that are associated with rational thought and reasoning remain turned off. Because of the “emotional overflow” which occurs as a result of depression, many people who are struggling with depression will often dream more – causing the symptoms of exhaustion that are associated with depression to occur, and effectively creating a twenty-four hour cycle of depression.

If you find that you are experiencing any symptoms of depression, especially over-exhaustion, vivid dreaming and what may feel like an “emotional overload”, you can talk to your doctor about treatment methods to help treat your condition. These methods may include anything from relaxation techniques and practices such as yoga or taking naps to compensate for lack of restful sleep due to over-dreaming, to speaking to a therapist in order to relieve what you may perceive as an “emotional overflow”, to taking anti-depressant medications. Your doctor will choose the method that will treat your depression most effectively.

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February 27, 2010

5 Alternative Methods for Coping with Depression

Filed under: acupuncture,benefits of video games,coping with depression,depressed,Depression,Depression Medication,Uncategorized — Nicole @ 12:09 pm

Depression is primarily treated by a series of prescription antidepressant drugs, including Celexa, Bupropion and Zoloft. However, with these drugs come side effects, causing anything from slight inco-ordination to hallucinations. Because depression can be caused by several different factors, including lack of vitamins and minerals in the body and exercise habits, there are several other methods, apart from taking antidepressant medications that can help with coping with depression.

5 Alternative Methods for Coping with Depression:

Eat Healthy – Incorporating foods like brown rice, fish, whole grain oats and cabbage into your diet will improve depression symptoms. Fish, for example, contains omega 3 fatty acids, which are proven to help reduce symptoms of depression, while brown rice and whole grain oats contain folic acid, a crucial component in reducing the stress and anxiety associated with depression. Although cabbage exhibits an extremely distinguishing taste, it too contains folic acid as well as vitamin C, which will additionally help to reduce symptoms of depression and also reduces the risk of cancers, heart disease and infection.
Exercise – If you aren’t currently active, start slow with exercise, by setting simple exercise goals and finding an activity that you enjoy that promotes physical exercise. You can talk to your doctor about incorporating exercise into your treatment plan, in a way that fits into your personal lifestyle. Exercise is an important component in combating symptoms of depression because it not only provides a distraction from your worries, but also is clinically proven to increase your energy and self-esteem.
Dietary Supplements – If you can’t possibly stand the sight of fish or cabbage, or are unable to incorporate them into your lifestyle, taking dietary supplements of folic acid and or omega 3 fatty acids can help to treat any symptoms of depression. Be sure to talk to your doctor before including any dietary supplements into your treatment plan, as they may interfere with other medications.
Acupuncture – Acupuncture is a form of treatment that involves inserting needles into specific parts of the body to relieve pain or in this case, depression. A recent study demonstrated that acupuncture is an effect form of treating symptoms of depression, especially in pregnant women.
Video Games – It may seem a little hard to believe, but video games can be beneficial to one’s health. Video games that involve exercise, such as those played on the Nintendo Wii console, are clinically proven to decrease symptoms of depression.

Depression can be difficult to cope with, however, these methods all provide an alternative to taking medication for your depression, and may just be what you need to get back on track.

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February 18, 2010

Links Between Accutane and Severe Skin Conditions

Filed under: Accutane,acne medication,birth defects,Depression,miscarraige,side effects,Stevens-Johnson syndrome,Uncategorized — John @ 4:06 pm

Acne medication Accutane may be dangerous to some users. Although Accutane has been helping many people deal with severe acne problems, the medication has also been linked to a series of extreme skin reactions. These are rare, but they can result in hospitalization, disability, or death.

Officials are warning those using Accutane to discontinue their use if they experience a rash, often accompanied by a fever, malaise, or irritated eyes, blisters or sores on the legs, arms or face, sores in the mouth, throat, nose or eyes, or skin peeling. Contact your doctor immediately after you notice any of these signs.

Some that have reported severe side effects have experienced rather gruesome skin conditions. Stevens-Johnson syndrome has been caused by Accutane, which results in the outer layer of skin separating from the dermis.

This isn’t the first time Accutane has been criticized for its side effects. In the early 80′s, women were reported to be having miscarriages or having children with birth defects as a result of the medication. Additionally, the medication has also been linked to causing depression and suicide; however there is no completely proven link.

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January 5, 2010

Top 5 Strange Cases in Medicine

Filed under: allergic reaction,allergy,cataplexy,Depression — Tags: allergic reaction, allergic reaction to water, Depression — John @ 4:09 pm

There are many different medical disorders and diseases out there, more than most people could ever learn in their lifetime. New conditions are being discovered all the time, while some of the older ones are being prevented through new research into cures. However, while there are many, MANY, different medical conditions, there are a few that are very interesting, and make everyone ask if the condition is real, or if it’s just some internet hoax. Let me tell you that there are very weird and seemingly impossible conditions that are still out in the world today, I’d like to share my top 5 strange cases in medicine.

5. Progeria (Hutchinson – Gilford syndrome)

Progeria is an extremely rare disorder that causes rapid aging normally starting during childhood. When a person with Progeria is born, there appears to be no difference between a baby without Progeria and a baby with the disorder. However, when childhood begins the disorder become very apparent, causing the child to experience rapid aging, which manifests in the loss of hair, wrinkles, and severe damage on the arteries that will result in death within the first years of adolescence.

4. Jumping Frenchmen of Maine

Jumping Frenchmen of Maine is a much exaggerated form of startle reflex called hyperexplexia. Suffers were reported to react strangely to loud sudden noises, and obeying the commands of another. When asked by a loud authoritative voice to do something like hit someone they would obey and go hit someone.

Walking Corpse Syndrome

Walking corpse syndrome is a very unusual syndrome, in that the sufferer believes that they are dead, decaying, or have lost a body part or internal organ. Those suffering with the disease sometimes do not even think they exist.

The Girl That Collapses Every Time She Laughs

Have you ever laughed so hard that you’ve almost fallen over in tears, well a young women living in the UK feels something like that every time she laughs. The young lady suffers from cataplexy, which means that any strong emotion triggers a weakening of her muscles. This weakening of muscles means whenever she laughs, or is afraid, embarrassed or just about any other sort of emotion, she collapses right on the spot. It’s almost like being allergic response to your emotions.

The Girl Who is Allergic to Water

The majority of our beautiful planet Earth is water, but what happens when you can’t go near the stuff. A teen from Australia, suffers from a very rare skin disorder called Aquagenic Urticaria. This condition means that whenever any water makes contact with her skin, she breaks out in a painful rash. If you think that this just means she can’t go swimming think about all the things you do every day that requires water. Showering/taking a bath, washing your hands, and sweating are all painful things for her to do. I would probably be pretty depressed if I had an allergic reaction to water.

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January 4, 2010

Lack of Sleep in Teens Could Lead to Depression

Filed under: Depression,high blood pressure,insomnia,lack of sleep,sleep disorder — Tags: Depression, high blood pressure, lack of sleep, sleep disorder — John @ 3:46 pm

There’s no denying that each and every one of us need proper amounts of sleep to function properly every day, but not all of us get the necessary amount of sleep every night and this is particularly true among teenagers.

Teenagers experience a change in their internal clocks and this tends to cause them to go to bed at later hours and wake up later as well. However because of school in the morning most students find that they do not get enough sleep and often feel tired throughout the day. Some high schools have adjusted to this and set their start times later to allow students to sleep longer in the mornings. However, those students that must wake up early need to be aware that getting little sleep can result in more than just a cranky attitude.

Along with a nasty attitude throughout the day, inadequate sleep can result in many harmful effects. Some things caused by lack of sleep are impaired memory and physical performance, increased risk of high blood pressure and heart disease, problems with insomnia, impairment to the ability to stay alert, inability to stay focused, troubles solving problems, difficulty retaining information, and a lack of ability to deal with stress. Additionally, teenagers who find they’re lacking sleep on a consistent basis are more at risk for fall-asleep car accident, tobacco and alcohol use, poor impulse control and violence, and lower performance in academics and athletics. Now, a new study has found that teens that lack sleep are much more likely to suffer from depression and have thoughts of suicide.

Generally, teens require about 8.5-9.5 hours of sleep every night, but most are getting less than 7 hours. These teens need to try to go to bed a little earlier to give their bodies some much needed rest. The lower the amount of sleep a teen gets results in a higher risk of depression and other very harmful effects. If you are a parent try anything you can to get your child to bed at an appropriate time. This doesn’t have to mean sending them to bed before 8 at night, but try getting them to sleep at maybe 10 or 11 at the latest. Teens really need the extra sleep and without it they will definitely know something is wrong, even if they never admit it.

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November 19, 2009

Seasonal Affective Disorder, And What Your Should Look Out For

Filed under: anxiety,chronic fatigue,depressed,Depression,SAD,seasonal affective disorder,suicide,Uncategorized,weight gain — John @ 4:03 pm

Depression is a very serious condition that many people worldwide are affected by. However, there are some people that experience these depressed states of being during specific times of the year. Most commonly, late fall and all winter are the seasons many people experience symptoms that are part of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The acronym is very fitting considering the symptoms and the effects the disorder has on a person.

Seasonal affective disorder is very often thought to be caused by the decreased amount of sunlight and the cold, dark weather that is common during the winter months. I’m sure the stress of buying presents during the holidays also has something to do with it. Although SAD occurs during specific times of the year, it can lead to serious cases of depression, that can often persist year long, even when the weather is warm.

Because depression is very serious, and can lead to suicidal thoughts, and actions, you should talk to your doctor if you experience any symptoms. The primary symptom of SAD is the same depressed feeling at around the same time every year.

Here are some of the most common symptoms associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder

1.Recurring annual symptoms
2.Anxiety
3.Increase in amount of sleep
4.Decreased energy
5.Hopelessness
6.Difficulty concentrating
7.Decreased sex drive
8.Body aches and pains
9.Loss of interest in usual/favorite activities
10.Difficulty processing information
11.Weight Gain
12.Depression

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October 26, 2009

Treat Depression With Folic Acid

Filed under: Antidepressant,Depression,folic acid — Tags: depression treatment, folate suplements, Vitmain B complex — Amanda @ 4:30 pm

It has been found that those with a folate deficiency are more likely to suffer from depression than those who consume the right amounts of folate in their diets.

Supplementation with increased amounts of folic acid has shown to drastically increase the condition of patients with depression. Low levels of folic acid were detected in up to 38% of adults who suffer from depression. In a recent trial involving 20 elderly patients with depression treatment with folate supplements were found to markedly improve the effects of standard antidepressants.

There are other benefits of folic acid. Researchers also pointed out that chronic diseases, certain cancers, alcoholism, and poor dieting are all capable of leading to a folate deficiency and possibly depression. In addition, folate helps the synthesis between adenine and thymine – basic nucleic acids that make up our genes and is required for the proper metabolism of amino acids that are found in animal proteins. Pregnant women use Folic Acid supplements to aid the cell replication of the fetus and reducing their risk of giving birth to a baby with neural tube defects. Further studies showed that Alzheimer patients also had lower levels of folate and vitamin B12 in their bodies than patients who did not have Alzheimer’s.

The benefits of vitamin B however, are extensive. Not only are they known to improve and stabilize the mood, but they are also capable of improving the quality of our hair, skin, and nails, and our bodies ability to turn food into energy. When treating depression with folic acid, try supplementing with vitamin B complex as well.

The healthy dose of synthetic folic acid for adults is up to 1000 micrograms per day – this will help treat depression patients. Women using folic acid to prevent neural tube defects during their pregnancy should take 400 micrograms per day.

Make sure you are getting enough folic acid in your diet in order to balance your mood and keep your body healthy.

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October 15, 2009

Feeling Depressed?

Filed under: Antidepressant,chronic fatigue,Depression,grief,suicide — John @ 4:34 pm

If you here the word depression right now you’d probably think about the economy and be thankful that we didn’t dive down to the point where we would be repeating the 1930′s. That was the Great Depression and your history lesson for the day.

However, when I say depression I’m talking about the medical condition, or clinical depression. The condition that affects more people than you might think. A condition that just seems to be getting worse as time goes on, not better.

Depression can be triggered by a large number of things. A passing of a family member may be very traumatic and cause you to become depressed. Psychological factors and chemical imbalances in the brain can also cause a person to become depressed. A lot of people do feel sad after a relative passes away, but for the “normal” person the depressed feeling only last for a brief period of time. However, someone who is depressed may experience very severe symptoms that last for a longer period of time.

Some of these symptoms are: sleeping more or less than normal, eating more or less than normal, having difficult concentrating/making decisions, loss of interest in activities, feeling worthless, helpless, or hopeless, decreased sex drive, avoiding people, strong feelings of sadness or grief, feeling unreasonably guilty, loss of energy, chronic fatigue, thoughts of death or suicide.

There is some responsibility that must be taken by close family members. If you think someone is depressed try to get them some help, they may need antidepressant medications. Also be patient with that person and try to comfort them. When you’re feeling depressed you will need all the support of your close friends and family. This may help prevent serious long-term depression, and the repetition of depression.

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August 31, 2009

15% of Preschoolers Suffer From High Levels of Depression or Anxiety

Filed under: anxiety,childhood,children,Depression,preschool,Uncategorized — John @ 11:06 am

Think that the children have it easy? Well it looks like you thought wrong. According to a recent study, 15% of preschoolers suffer from high levels of depression and anxiety. While some minor forms of depression and anxiety are normal in young children, elevated levels are very concerning. Difficult temperaments and maternal depression were found to be the most important risk factors.

Now I want to know what this means. Is it simply a factor of childhood, or is it a reflection of the world in which we know live in? Or was there just an abnormally high amount of depressed people in the testing region? The reason for the high rate of depression amongst preschoolers is unknown to me, but the one thing that is most alarming is the fact that 15% of preschoolers are suffering from abnormally high levels of depression and anxiety.

How is it that 15% of children who are not even in school yet are feel depressed and anxious. What are they depressed about? The only thing I can think of is, blame the parents. Sure maybe not all the cases are the parents fault, but at the same time, I don’t see how it is possible, in most of the cases, to not be the parents fault. The children haven’t really been exposed to the world and have only had the chance to take in the emotions, and general energy of the parents. Some sort of change needs to happen first with the parents because we can’t have a society where that many people are depressed. They deserve better.

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July 21, 2010

Here Comes the Sun – Vitamin D Treatment For Depression

May 27, 2010

Dreaming Links to Depression

February 27, 2010

5 Alternative Methods for Coping with Depression

February 18, 2010

Links Between Accutane and Severe Skin Conditions

January 5, 2010

Top 5 Strange Cases in Medicine

January 4, 2010

Lack of Sleep in Teens Could Lead to Depression

November 19, 2009

Seasonal Affective Disorder, And What Your Should Look Out For

October 26, 2009

Treat Depression With Folic Acid

October 15, 2009

Feeling Depressed?

August 31, 2009

15% of Preschoolers Suffer From High Levels of Depression or Anxiety

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