Chiropractic + Wellness

Depression is one of the most common mental health issues in the United States. Current research suggests that depression results from a combination of genetic, biological, ecological, and psychological aspects. Depression is a major psychiatric disorder worldwide with a significant economic and psychological strain on society. Fortunately, depression, even the most severe cases, may be treated. The earlier that treatment can begin, the more effective it is.

As a result, however, there’s a need for robust biomarkers that will aid in improving diagnosis in order to accelerate the drug and/or medication discovery process for each patient with the disorder. These are objective, peripheral physiological indicators which presence can be used to predict the probability of onset or existence of depression, stratify according to severity or symptomatology, indicate predict and prognosis or monitor response to therapeutic interventions. The purpose of the following article is to demonstrate recent insights, current challenges and future prospects regarding the discovery of a variety of biomarkers for depression and how these can help improve diagnosis and treatment.

Everyone will experience some type of pain throughout their lifetime, however, for those people who have anxiety or depression, pain can become especially intense and it can be challenging to treat. Individuals experiencing depression, for instance, often experience more severe and long-term pain than other individuals. The overlap of anxiety, depression, and pain is very evident in chronic pain and sometimes debilitating syndromes, such as fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, low back pain, headaches, and nerve pain. Psychiatric disorders not only bring about pain intensity but also contribute to increased risk of disability.

Researchers once believed that the connection between pain, anxiety, and depression resulted mostly from psychological rather than biological factors. Chronic pain can lead to depression, and also, major depression may feel emotionally painful. But as researchers have learned more about how the brain works, and how the nervous system interacts with other areas of the body, they’ve found that pain shares some biological mechanisms with depression and anxiety. Therapy is challenging when pain overlaps with anxiety or depression. Focus on pain can conceal both the clinician’s and patient’s awareness that a psychiatric disorder is also present. Even when the two types of problems are properly diagnosed, they can be difficult to treat.

OVERVIEW OF THYROID

Thyroid disorder is one of the most common disorders. It happens due to under or over functioning of the thyroid gland. According to the statistics on the American Thyroid Association’s website, around 12% of Americans are likely to suffer from some thyroid disease. Moreover, more than 60% of the people are not even aware of their thyroid disorder. There are many kinds of thyroid diseases, and some of them are Goiter, Hyperthyroidism, Thyroid Nodules, Thyroid cancer, and hypothyroidism.

These types of thyroid disorder can be annoying. It is better to treat this type of disorder. First of all, Doctors use various tests to diagnose your disorder to suggest different types of available treatment methods for your thyroid disorder. You should know about the symptoms of thyroid disorder first because you won’t go to the doctor without any reason, will you?

What are the 8 symptoms of thyroid disorder you should not ignore?

As I said before, 60% of the people are not even aware of their thyroid disorder. This shows how important this article is. Here are the 8 symptoms of thyroid disorder you cannot afford to ignore. 

UNEXPLAINABLE WEIGHT LOSS

The amount of hormones released by your thyroid gland has an impact on your weight. When your thyroid gland releases more hormones than usual, you are likely to lose weight. This condition is called hyperthyroidism. However, it is the symptom of hyperthyroidism only if it is unexplainable, and i.e. without any change in your regular diet or fitness routine.

SADNESS OR DEPRESSION

Both overactive and under-active thyroid can have an impact on your mood. Too much thyroid hormone can make you feel anxious, irritable, or restless; whereas too less thyroid hormone can make you sad or depressed. It is one of the common thyroid symptoms. 

CONSTIPATION

If you are having the problem with constipation, and you are not able to kick it, then it could be because of disruption in the production of thyroid hormone. It can slow down your digestion process. This is one of the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism.

HEART RATE

Your thyroid has an impact on many organs of your body, and it includes your heart too. If the rate of your heartbeat is more or less than normal, then it is likely to be a symptom of thyroid disorder. The normal heartbeat is between 60-100 beats per minute, and it depends on various factors like weight, age, height, and other physical conditions.

SWELLING IN NECK

If your neck is swollen, then it is obvious that something is not right with your thyroid. You just cannot ignore this symptom. It should be taken very seriously, and you should immediately see your doctor. The inflammation in your neck could also have the presence of cancer or nodules. Because many people are not even aware of the common symptoms of thyroid.

HAIR LOSS

Can your hair loss be the result of thyroid disorder? Yes, it can be. The study shows that abnormal function of your thyroid can lead to hair loss. This is a common symptom, which is shared by both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Some people look for many different problems to tackle the problem of hair loss, but they don’t have a clue that it could be because of thyroid disorder.

TOO MUCH SLEEP

It is obviously very good for your health to have an adequate level of sleep. However, if you are sleeping too much, then there is a problem. If your thyroid is not functioning in a normal manner, then it can have an adverse impact on your body functions. It can slow down your body functions. You may even feel sleepy during daytime if you have a thyroid disorder.

NO INTEREST IN SEX

If your mind and body are in the right condition, then you will feel very excited even to hear the word ‘sex.’ However, if you are losing interest in sex, then you should realize that there is something seriously wrong with your health. The study shows that thyroid disorder may cause sexual dysfunction among men, and it can also affect sexual health of women. If you’re having the problem of low libido, then you should be concerned about your health. 

CONCLUSION

By now you are aware of all the 8 symptoms of thyroid disorder you cannot afford to ignore. If you experience any of these symptoms, then you must be alert. Some types of thyroid disorder demand a regular visit to the doctor along with regular treatments.

Neither you should keep your thyroid disorder untreated, nor you should be careless regarding your treatment by keeping it under-treated because this can lead to serious consequences. This may also result in life-threatening problems. The study shows that thyroid disorder is also linked to the increased risk of sudden cardiac death. Analyze your body conditions and stay safe.

References:

http://en.newsner.com/6-hidden-symptoms-of-a-thyroid-problem-that-you-should-never-ignore/about/science
http://www.webmd.com/women/guide/understanding-thyroid-problems-basics
https://familyshare.com/24832/health/7-symptoms-of-thyroid-disease-you-should-never-ignore

Depression approximately affects more than 3 million people in the United States alone. A majority of people resolve to taking antidepressants in an attempt to relieve their symptoms of depression but using medication doesn’t have to be your first option for treatment. You can reduce your depression, and improve your mood and overall mental health by using the following natural antidepressants.

Exercise is believed to be the number one, but often underused, natural antidepressant effective towards treating mild to moderate depression. When you exercise, the body releases chemicals known as endorphins which collaborate with receptors in the brain to reduce the perception of pain. Endorphins trigger a positive feeling in the body, helping to reduce stress, boost self-esteem, and avert anxiety and feelings of depression.

Sunlight exposure is also a great natural antidepressant. An exposure to sunlight triggers the brain’s release of a hormone known as serotonin. If there is not enough exposure to sunlight, an individual’s levels of serotonin in their body can drop significantly. The low levels of serotonin can often be associated with an increased risk for people to develop depression. Getting anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes of indirect sunlight, 2 to 3 times a week can be enough to feel the positive benefits of the sun on your mood.

Sugar can also largely aggravate depression. The consumption of sugar causes tremendous highs and lows in the body’s glucose metabolism. Also, the body uses vitamin B to process sugar. Vitamin B helps convert food into energy as well as regulate the nervous system. If you use up your vitamin B processing sugars, there won’t be much left to help regulate your mood.

One standard hypothesis of depression is that individuals who are depressed have a lack in monoamine receptors within the body, which in turn leads to reduced levels of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and norephinephrine, in the brain. But growing evidence supports that at least some kinds of depression might also be linked to continuing low-grade inflammation in the body.

Previous research studies have linked depression with higher level of inflammatory markers when compared with people who aren’t depressed. When individuals are given pro-inflammatory cytokines, they report experiencing more symptoms of depression and anxiety. Chronically high levels of inflammation due to health issues, including chronic pain conditions, are also associated with high rates of depression. Even brain imaging of patients with depression show their brain scans have improved neuroinflammation. If your body is in an inflammatory state, fighting off the common cold or influenza, you can experience symptoms overlapping with depression, including, interrupted sleep, depressed mood, fatigue, foggy-headedness and impaired concentration.

A new study published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry supports the assumption that an increase in inflammation might play a role in depression. The huge study analyzed data from 14,275 people who have been interviewed between 2007 and 2012 using the Patient Health Questionnaire, or PHQ-9, to screen for depression and had blood samples drawn. They found that people who had depression had 46 percent greater levels of C-reactive protein, or CRP, a marker of inflammatory disease, in their own blood samples. The research study was just able to establish an association between inflammation and depression but not causation, even though it confirms the association of depression with high levels of inflammation as measured through CRP.

The theory that depression might be viewed as a psychoneuroimmunological disorder may also help explain why attempts to reduce chronic inflammation in the body also enhances and helps prevent depression. The purpose of the article below is to demonstrate as well as thoroughly discuss the role of inflammation in depression. Furthermore, the article will describe the evolutionary imperative to the modern treatment target, including a discussion of phytocannabinoids and their association with the treatment of a variety of health issues, including chronic pain symptoms.

The calming poses and meditation of yoga may be just what the doctor ordered when it comes to beating depression, new research suggests.

Researchers found that weekly sessions of yoga and deep breathing exercises helped ease symptoms of the common condition. They believe the practice may be an alternative or complementary therapy for tough-to-treat cases of depression.

The intervention seemed helpful for “people who are not on antidepressants and in those who have been on a stable dose of antidepressants [but] have not achieved a resolution of their symptoms,” study lead author Dr. Chris Streeter said in a news release from Boston Medical Center. He’s a psychiatrist at the hospital and an associate professor of psychiatry and neurology at Boston University.

Major depression is common and often persistent and disabling, Streeters’ team noted. Up to 40 percent of people taking medication for this form of depression won’t see their depression go away, according to the researchers.

STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THE ANCIENT PRACTICE OF YOGA MAY HELP


THE MECHANISM OF ACTION IS SIMILAR TO OTHER EXERCISE TECHNIQUES

These Activate The Release Of ‘Feel Good’ Brain Chemicals explains Dr. Alan Manevitz, a clinical psychiatrist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, who reviewed the new findings.

He added that exercise, especially yoga, may also “reduce immune system chemicals that can worsen depression.”

Then there’s yoga’s meditative quality, as well, Manevitz said.

“It has been demonstrated that ‘mindful’ movement — conscious awareness — has a much more beneficial impact on the central nervous system,” he said.

But would this bear out in a rigorous study? To find out, Streeter’s team tracked outcomes for 30 people with major depressive disorder. All were randomly assigned to partake in either a “high-dose” or “low-dose” yoga intervention. The high-dose group had three 90-minute yoga classes each week along with home practice, while the low-dose group engaged in two 90-minute yoga sessions each week in addition to home practice.


THE PARTICIPANTS PRACTICED LYENGAR YOGA,

A Method That Focuses On Detail, Precision & Alignment In Posture And Breath Control.

The study found that both groups had significant reductions in their depression symptoms. Those who took three weekly yoga classes had fewer depressive symptoms than those in the “low-dose” group, but Streeter’s team said even two classes a week was still very effective in improving people’s mood.

Streeter noted that this intervention targets a different neurochemical pathway in the body than mood-altering medications, suggesting that yoga may provide a new, side effect-free avenue for treatment.

For his part, Manevitz called the study “practical and well-designed.” He believes the findings support yoga as a treatment “that can help the millions of people suffering from major depressive disorders around the world.”

Dr. Victor Fornari is a psychiatrist at Zucker Hillside Hospital in Glen Oaks, N.Y. He agreed that the new study “supports the use of yoga for the treatment of depression… Yoga, like regular exercise, is good for most people for health maintenance as well as to treat what ails them.”

The study was published March 3 in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.

SOURCE: Alan Manevitz, M.D., clinical psychiatrist, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City; Victor Fornari, M.D., psychiatrist, Zucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, N.Y.; Boston University Medical Center, news release, March 3, 2017

News stories are written and provided by HealthDay and do not reflect federal policy, the views of MedlinePlus, the National Library of Medicine, the National Institutes of Health, or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Many people who battle fibromyalgia symptoms also deal with depression. Discover five fibromyalgia therapy strategies that may help relieve depression.

Most fibromyalgia patients are exhausted all the time and suffer from painful muscles and joints. But these aren’t the only common symptoms of fibromyalgia — at least one fourth of fibromyalgia patients also have some form of depression. In fact, adult fibromyalgia patients are much more likely than those without fibromyalgia to be depressed.

The link between fibromyalgia symptoms and depression makes sense. First, coping with the severe pain and fatigue of fibromyalgia can be frustrating and disruptive to your lifestyle. And fibromyalgia symptoms can also lead you through unchartered territory as you work through a maze of health care providers.