FDA warning on antidepressants

March 16th, 2010
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Despite the relative safety and popularity of SSRIs and other antidepressants, some studies have suggested that they may have unintentional effects on some people, especially adolescents and young adults. In 2004, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted a thorough review of published and unpublished controlled clinical trials of antidepressants that involved nearly 4,400 children and adolescents. The review revealed that 4 percent of those taking antidepressants thought about or attempted suicide (although no suicides occurred), compared to 2 percent of those receiving placebos.

This information prompted the FDA, in 2005, to adopt a “black box” warning label on all antidepressant medications to alert the public about the potential increased risk of suicidal thinking or attempts in children and adolescents taking antidepressants. In 2007, the FDA proposed that makers of all antidepressant medications extend the warning to include young adults up through age 24. A “black box” warning is the most serious type of warning on prescription drug labeling.

The warning emphasizes that patients of all ages taking antidepressants should be closely monitored, especially during the initial weeks of treatment. Possible side effects to look for are worsening depression, suicidal thinking or behavior, or any unusual changes in behavior such as sleeplessness, agitation, or withdrawal from normal social situations. The warning adds that families and caregivers should also be told of the need for close monitoring and report any changes to the physician. The latest information is available from the FDA.

Results of a comprehensive review of pediatric trials conducted between 1988 and 2006 suggested that the benefits of antidepressant medications likely outweigh their risks to children and adolescents with major depression and anxiety disorders.28 The study was funded in part by the National Institute of Mental Health.

Also, the FDA issued a warning that combining an SSRI or SNRI antidepressant with one of the commonly-used “triptan” medications for migraine headache could cause a life-threatening “serotonin syndrome,” marked by agitation, hallucinations, elevated body temperature, and rapid changes in blood pressure. Although most dramatic in the case of the MAOIs, newer antidepressants may also be associated with potentially dangerous interactions with other medications.

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What are the side effects of antidepressants?

March 12th, 2010
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Antidepressants may cause mild and often temporary side effects in some people, but usually they are not long-term. However, any unusual reactions or side effects that interfere with normal functioning or are persistent or troublesome should be reported to a doctor immediately.

The most common side effects associated with SSRIs and SNRIs include:

  • Headache-usually temporary and will subside.
  • Nausea-temporary and usually short-lived.
  • Insomnia and nervousness (trouble falling asleep or waking often during the night)-may occur during the first few weeks but often subside over time or if the dose is reduced.
  • Agitation (e.g., feeling jittery).
  • Sexual problems-women can experience sexual problems including reduced sex drive and problems having and enjoying sex.

Tricyclic antidepressants also can cause side effects including:

  • Dry mouth-it is helpful to drink plenty of water, chew gum, and clean teeth daily.
  • Constipation-it is helpful to eat more bran cereals, prunes, fruits, and vegetables.
  • Bladder problems-emptying the bladder may be difficult, and the urine stream may not be as strong as usual.
  • Sexual problems-sexual functioning may change, and side effects are similar to those from SSRIs and SNRIs.
  • Blurred vision-often passes soon and usually will not require a new corrective lenses prescription.
  • Drowsiness during the day-usually passes soon, but driving or operating heavy machinery should be avoided while drowsiness occurs. These more sedating antidepressants are generally taken at bedtime to help sleep and minimize daytime drowsiness.
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Taking Care of Our Body

March 11th, 2010
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In today’s world, almost every single one is trying to find that perfect diet or exercise that would allow us to feel younger, healthier, and stronger. We often take extreme amount of measures like spending hours at the gym, and counting every calorie on your salad. These countless high-maintenance regimens are, more often than not, the cause of us becoming more tired, agitated, or confused.

Too many options are presented to us all claiming to be the answer on providing a healthy way of life. Unfortunately, more of than not, these causes even more depression for most of us – especially when we find out it doesn’t work. Sometimes, we even envy people who have tight bulging muscles – always confusing those for being healthy, or having immeasurable amount of energy.

Our body has a complex system where physical aspects do not always mirror the system underneath. Basic science has taught us that energy plays an important role in our quest for being healthy. We also know that energy is not always readily available for our body to use. A low amount of oxygen can bring our body down to exhaustion or fatigue.

The importance of the lungs has always been studied by many. Doctors have been able to prove certain connections between lung function and aging. Further studies have also shown us regarding the importance of lung power, especially on how it affects our energy and stamina – ultimately, our strength.

Increase in our energy requires a high amount of oxygen in our body. In order to give our body that measure, a well-functioning set of lungs is important. Many exercises have already been developed that would help us maintain our lungs to keep it in its best condition.

Some helpful tips that can jumpstart your course into being healthy are the following:

Try to avoid a strict schedule. I understand that time is important, but I do believe that being is more important than following a tight schedule. Allow yourself to relax – especially when stress or anxiety starts kicking in.

Always keep a positive mind. Many people have always disregarded something as simple as a peaceful mind, thinking it’s impossible. Gratitude can produce energy, while pessimism can draw it away.

Have a full cycle of sleep. The importance of rest, especially sleeping, is often underestimated by many. Some may even suggest for you to sleep in a pitch black room, since this is believed to ensure a complete and solid night of pleasant sleep.

Most of the things that are important in keeping your body healthy are usually the simplest. Modern days have made us overlook these simple things in life. Always remember that our body, just like everything else, needs a healthy dose of rest and a generous amount of care.

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Stress The Physical Affects

March 11th, 2010
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Dealing with stress is a constant struggle for most of us. All the challenges and difficulties that arise from day to day activities take its toll on our overall well-being. Though for some, stress has become a way of life, living with it constantly has its consequences.

Stress, as most of us know, is a type of condition where our body reacts to a certain change that causes a mental, emotional, and even physical adjustment. A small amount of stress can sometimes create a positive effect on an individual since it can generate a healthy motivation. But if stress is something you face continuously, your mind – and your body – will always stay on that emergency mode that can trigger a wide range of physiological reactions that can include migraine, or elevated heart rate.

A healthy type of stress activates the nervous system to release stress hormones (cortisol, etc.) that stirs the body to be on alert mode. This can trigger our blood to pump faster, our breathing starts to accelerate, muscles tightening, and a feeling of heightened senses. On a healthy dose of stress, this can help in facing challenges since it can often allow you to think more clearly than usual since it sharpens the senses.

Like anything in life though, there would always be a certain point where beyond it could be damaging. Persistent stress over a long period of time can lead to serious health problems. In cases of chronic stress, a series of physical and mental disorder can be observed. Chronic stress involves a response from the endocrine system wherein a release of corticosteroids occurs – a prolonged reaction of this type can damage a person’s physical and mental health.

Symptoms of chronic stress includes: headache or migraine, ulcers, intense mood swings, anxiety, depression, lack of concentration, insomnia, hypertension, anger; and in severe cases, panic attacks or a panic disorder. Some studies have also shown that stress can trigger the worsening of a depression and cardiovascular disease, and can speed up the progression of HIV/AIDS.

Different types of treatments are provided for those who are suffering from either chronic or acute stress. Most would advice an adequate amount of rest, and other treatments that include diets, techniques on relaxation, exercise, and stress management. We all handle stress differently. Finding out the real cause of stress is always the first step of treatment. After, take a proactive approach in reducing that stress in your life.

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Healthy Aging – Increase Your Lung Power!

March 11th, 2010
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More and more people are starting to educate themselves when it comes to keeping themselves healthy – whether it is emotional, physical, mental, or spiritual. We are at this age where we truly recognize the importance and value of knowledge. Getting the right information, and knowing how to use them properly, guides us in achieving our goals.

Aging has always been one of the most common problems discussed. Unfortunately, some discoveries regarding aging have not been properly introduced in commercial medical practices.

By definition, in medical terms, aging is considered to be the body’s biological decline over a period of time. A lot factors contribute to this natural transition, one of the most common is stress. The main idea in aging is that our body loses the ability to effectively deal with the damaged cells and regeneration of new cells becomes slower – unable to keep up.

Our lungs provide an important role in the process of metabolism. The basic function of the lungs is to transport oxygen from the atmosphere into our bloodstream. A sufficient supply of oxygen in our body gives the right amount of energy our body needs to do certain tasks. This is essential, especially on strenuous tasks such as lifting heavy weights, or doing exercise. Prolonged stress triggers our body to use the reserve capacity of our lungs which can weaken this very important organ. This is why during stressful situations like emotional or traumatic experiences, we often have trouble breathing.

Unfortunately, exercises that are being advised by doctors or fitness trainers are developed to increase the function of the heart but do nothing for our lungs – it only makes it weaker. Cardio exercises which are usually done with less exertion over a long period of time can only wear and tear your muscle tissues and use up your lung’s reserve capacity.

Many scientific discoveries can show us that the key to a healthy and stable aging is to provide better care of our lungs. Certain exercises have been developed that focus more on improving the capacity of our lungs. The objective of these workouts is to give the sufficient amount of rest the lungs and the body needs during the actual workouts. Rest is essential when pressure is applied.

The ideal exercise is for you to do a couple of minutes (depending on how much your body can take) of workout and take the necessary amount of rest to get your energy back – then do it over again. A few minutes of this routine a day can start your way into that healthy and stronger body you have always wanted.

We often forget that before technology, our ancestors did not have fitness trainings and yet they are so much stronger than how we are right now. Their lives were simple – whenever they do a hard work, they take a rest, then start working again. The answer we need is not that complicated either.

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