Antidepressants are excreted in breast milk, usually in very small amounts. The amount an infant receives is usually so small that it does not register in blood tests. Few problems are seen among infants nursing from mothers who are taking antidepressants.

However, as with antidepressant use during pregnancy, both the risks and benefits to the mother and infant should be taken into account when deciding whether to take an antidepressant while breastfeeding.³⁰

Insider Tips to Living Healthy is a compilation of useful information regarding fitness and health, stress management, personal body care, basic food and nutrition solutions, holistic and therapeutic alternatives, and an overall guide to a complete and healthy well-being. This amazing collection of tips, advice, and guide teaches us that every change starts from within. It talks about choices – and where how every decision we make affects our health, our body, and our future. In this ebook, you can find different tips or hints that can transform your life into a longer, fuller, and healthier way of life. It tells us that there are three important elements that are not (and should not) be separate in our lives. These are pre-requisites in attaining a healthy, full, and happy living.

This ebook helps us evaluate the boundaries and limitations we have set for ourselves – because these decisions have the ability to directly affect our health, success, happiness, and overall balance. It helps us take better control of our life. Managing stress, controlling anger or resentment, releasing negativity and repressed emotions – these are the actions this book teaches us to improve.

As individuals, we strive to make ourselves as best as we possibly could – that includes our physical, emotional, and spiritual health. It does not always come naturally, and more often, we go through different measures in order to reach it. Insider Tips to Living Healthy guides eager individuals in having healthier, happier, and balanced life. It provides useful and creative knowledge in helping everyone create their own daily regimen to keep the attention and motivation alive. The creation of this ebook was written not just for the health fanatics and has taken into consideration many of us who falls off the wagon, more often than not.

Having the right information always goes a long way. This book will start that transformation that is much deserved. It gives you options, guidance, and inspiration that you can use everyday.

At one time, doctors assumed that pregnancy was accompanied by a natural feeling of well being, and that depression during pregnancy was rare, or never occurred at all. However, recent studies have shown that women can have depression while pregnant, especially if they have a prior history of the illness. In fact, a majority of women with a history of depression will likely relapse during pregnancy if they stop taking their antidepressant medication either prior to conception or early in the pregnancy, putting both mother and baby at risk.^27,12

However, antidepressant medications do pass across the placental barrier, potentially exposing the developing fetus to the medication. Some research suggests the use of SSRIs during pregnancy is associated with miscarriage and/or birth defects, but other studies do not support this.²⁸ Some studies have indicated that fetuses exposed to SSRIs during the third trimester may be born with “withdrawal” symptoms such as breathing problems, jitteriness, irritability, difficulty feeding, or hypoglycemia.

In 2004, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning against the use of SSRIs in the late third trimester, suggesting that clinicians gradually taper expectant mothers off SSRIs in the third trimester to avoid any ill effects on the baby.²⁹

Although some studies suggest that exposure to SSRIs in pregnancy may have adverse effects on the infant, generally they are mild and short-lived, and no deaths have been reported. On the flip side, women who stop taking their antidepressant medication during pregnancy increase their risk for developing depression again and may put both themselves and their infant at risk.^28,12

In light of these mixed results, women and their doctors need to consider the potential risks and benefits to both mother and fetus of taking an antidepressant during pregnancy, and make decisions based on individual needs and circumstances.

In some cases, a woman and her doctor may decide to taper her antidepressant dose during the last month of pregnancy to minimize the newborn’s withdrawal symptoms, and after delivery, return to a full dose during the vulnerable postpartum period.

Antidepressants work to normalize naturally occurring brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, notably serotonin and norepinephrine. Other antidepressants work on the neurotransmitter dopamine. Scientists studying depression have found that these particular chemicals are involved in regulating mood, but they are unsure of the exact ways in which they work.

The newest and most popular types of antidepressant medications are called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and include:

• fluoxetine (Prozac)
• citalopram(Celexa)
• sertraline (Zoloft)
• paroxetine (Paxil)
• escitalopram (Lexapro)
• fluvoxamine (Luvox)

Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are similar to SSRIs and include:

• venlafaxine (Effexor)
• duloxetine (Cymbalta)

SSRIs and SNRIs tend to have fewer side effects and are more popular than the older classes of antidepressants, such as tricyclics – named for their chemical structure – and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). However, medications affect everyone differently. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to medication. Therefore, for some people, tricyclics or MAOIs may be the best choice.

People taking MAOIs must adhere to significant food and medicinal restrictions to avoid potentially serious interactions. They must avoid certain foods that contain high levels of the chemical tyramine, which is found in many cheeses, wines and pickles, and some medications including decongestants.

Most MAOIs interact with tyramine in such a way that may cause a sharp increase in blood pressure, which may lead to a stroke. A doctor should give a person taking an MAOI a complete list of prohibited foods, medicines and substances.

For all classes of antidepressants, people must take regular doses for at least three to four weeks, sometimes longer, before they are likely to experience a full effect. They should continue taking the medication for an amount of time specified by their doctor, even if they are feeling better, to prevent a relapse of the depression. The decision to stop taking medication should be made by the person and her doctor together, and should be done only under the doctor’s supervision. Some medications need to be gradually stopped to give the body time to adjust.

Although they are not habit-forming or addictive, abruptly ending an antidepressant can cause withdrawal symptoms or lead to a relapse. Some individuals, such as those with chronic or recurrent depression, may need to stay on the medication indefinitely.

In addition, if one medication does not work, people should be open to trying another. Research funded by NIMH has shown that those who did not get well after taking a first medication often fared better after they switched to a different medication or added another medication to their existing one.^25,26

Sometimes other medications, such as stimulants or antianxiety medications, are used in conjunction with an antidepressant, especially if the person has a coexisting illness. However, neither antianxiety medications nor stimulants are effective against depression when taken alone, and both should be taken only under a doctor’s close supervision.

Depressive illnesses, even the most severe cases, are highly treatable disorders. As with many illnesses, the earlier that treatment can begin, the more effective it is and the greater the likelihood that a recurrence of the depression can be prevented.

What medical conditions cause the same symptoms as    depression?

The first step to getting appropriate treatment is to visit a doctor. Certain medications, and some medical conditions such as viruses or a thyroid disorder, can cause the same symptoms as depression. In addition, it is important to rule out depression that is associated with another mental illness called bipolar disorder.

A doctor can rule out these possibilities by conducting a physical examination, interview, and/or lab tests, depending on the medical condition. If a medical condition and bipolar disorder can be ruled out, the physician should conduct a psychological evaluation or refer the person to a mental health professional.

The doctor or mental health professional will conduct a complete diagnostic evaluation. He or she should get a complete history of symptoms, including when they started, how long they have lasted, their severity, whether they have occurred before, and if so, how they were treated.

He or she should also ask if there is a family history of depression. In addition, he or she should ask if the person is using alcohol or drugs, and whether the person is thinking about death or suicide.

Once diagnosed, a person with depression can be treated with a number of methods. The most common treatment methods are medication and psychotherapy.

As with other age groups, more older women than older men experience depression, but rates decrease among women after menopause.¹³ Evidence suggests that depression in post-menopausal women generally occurs in women with prior histories of depression. In any case, depression is NOT a normal part of aging.

The death of a spouse or loved one, moving from work into retirement, or dealing with a chronic illness can leave women and men alike feeling sad or distressed. After a period of adjustment, many older women can regain their emotional balance, but others do not and may develop depression.

When older women do suffer from depression, it may be overlooked because older adults may be less willing to discuss feelings of sadness or grief, or they may have less obvious symptoms of depression. As a result, their doctors may be less likely to suspect or spot it.

For older adults who experience depression for the first time later in life, other factors, such as changes in the brain or body, may be at play. For example, older adults may suffer from restricted blood flow, a condition called ischemia.

Over time, blood vessels become less flexible. They may harden and prevent blood from flowing normally to the body’s organs, including the brain. If this occurs, an older adult with no family or personal history of depression may develop what some doctors call “vascular depression.”

Those with vascular depression also may be at risk for a coexisting cardiovascular illness, such as heart disease or a stroke.²⁴

You may feel exhausted, helpless and hopeless. It may be extremely difficult to take any action to help yourself. But it is important to realize that these feelings are part of the depression and do not reflect actual circumstances. As you recognize your depression and begin treatment, negative thinking will fade. In the meantime:

• Engage in mild activity or exercise. Go to a movie, a ballgame, or another event or activity that you once enjoyed. Participate in religious, social or other activities.
• Set realistic goals for yourself.
• Break up large tasks into small ones, set some priorities and do what you can as you can.
• Try to spend time with other people and confide in a trusted friend or relative. Try not to isolate yourself, and let others help you.
• Expect your mood to improve gradually, not immediately. Do not expect to suddenly “snap out of” your depression. Often during treatment for depression, sleep and appetite will begin to improve before your depressed mood lifts.
• Postpone important decisions, such as getting married or divorced or changing jobs, until you feel better. Discuss decisions with others who know you well and have a more objective view of your situation.
• Be confident that positive thinking will replace negative thoughts as your depression responds to treatment.

For many years now, the Lungs have always been a vital yet least noticed organ when it comes to fitness. Often, we tend to focus on the popular rather than on what’s really important. Exercises have been made to strengthen the heart with an unfortunate effect of weakening the very organ that supports it – our lungs.

Exercises made to improve the cardiovascular efficiency provide an effect that will burn your fats over that long-period session of your workout. This requires a huge amount of energy that might ultimately wear and tear your muscle tissues.

Researches have been made to help us turn this misjudgment around. The power of our lungs holds the key in our quest of staying young and healthy. A healthy well-maintained pair of lungs can achieve proper respiration that contributes to better blood circulation, which results in an improved performance of our internal system.

Here are five reasons why everyone should increase their Lung Power:

Increase Lung Power results in increase in strength. Most exercises that are made to improve your heart wears out your energy since it requires a long time- which often results in shortness of breath, making you feel sluggish, and always looking for a way to take breaks. Studies suggest that taking a high intensity workout for a short amount of time allows our body to burn out the fats, the right way.

Connection between Lung Power and Aging. Our lungs greatly contribute in the blood circulation. Its primary purpose is to transport oxygen into our bloodstream. Without the right amount of oxygen, our internal system becomes susceptible to infection, which leads to cell degeneration.

Healthier Lungs can decrease the risk of heart disease of up to 200%. Studies made by the European Society of Cardiology have reported that the moderate decline of our lung volume increases the risk of heart diseases even for those who do not have this type of family history. By simply doing nothing, you are increasing a 200% chance of a heart condition.

Increase in your lung volume can decrease the risk of first-time stroke by over 30 percent. The Copenhagen City Heart Study that was made in Denmark found that there is an increase in the risk of first-time stroke for people who suffer from a loss of lung power.

In addition to the study made in Denmark, it was also shown that as a result of the increase in the risk of a first-time stroke, there is a boost in the risk of a fatal stroke of up to 200 percent.

A simple matter of taking care of your lungs and giving it the necessary amount of rest it needs can start the transformation. Having the right information and constantly educating ourselves helps us better understand how to help our body the right way.

Depression often coexists with other illnesses that may precede the depression, follow it, cause it, be a consequence of it, or a combination of these. It is likely that the interplay between depression and other illnesses differs for every person and situation. Regardless, these other coexisting illnesses need to be diagnosed and treated.

Depression often coexists with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and others, especially among women. Anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, social phobia and generalized anxiety disorder, also sometimes accompany depression.^15,16

Women are more prone than men to having a coexisting anxiety disorder.¹⁷ Women suffering from PTSD, which can result after a person endures a terrifying ordeal or event, are especially prone to having depression.

Although more common among men than women, alcohol and substance abuse or dependence may occur at the same time as depression.^17,15 Research has indicated that among both sexes, the coexistence of mood disorders and substance abuse is common among the U.S. population.¹⁸

Depression also often coexists with other serious medical illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, thyroid problems and multiple sclerosis, and may even make symptoms of the illness worse.¹⁹ Studies have shown that both women and men who have depression in addition to a serious medical illness tend to have more severe symptoms of both illnesses. They also have more difficulty adapting to their medical condition, and more medical costs than those who do not have coexisting depression. Research has shown that treating the depression along with the coexisting illness will help ease both conditions.²⁰

Scientists are examining many potential causes for and contributing factors to women’s increased risk for depression. It is likely that genetic, biological, chemical, hormonal, environmental, psychological, and social factors all intersect to contribute to depression.

Genetics

If a woman has a family history of depression, she may be more at risk of    developing the illness. However, this is not a hard and fast rule.   Depression can occur in women without family histories of depression, and women from families with a history of depression may not develop depression themselves. Genetics research indicates that the risk for developing depression likely involves the combination of multiple genes with environmental or other factors.

Brain chemicals and hormones

Brain chemistry appears to be a significant factor in depressive disorders. Modern brain-imaging technologies, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have shown that the brains of people suffering from depression look different than those of people without depression. The parts of the brain responsible for regulating mood, thinking, sleep, appetite and behavior don’t appear to be functioning normally. In addition, important neurotransmitters-chemicals that brain cells use to communicate-appear to be out of balance. But these images do not reveal WHY the depression has occurred.

Environmental and biological factors including stress, poor diet, neurotoxins, or genetics cause cause imbalances in the levels of neurotransmitter chemicals in the brain.  These imbalances can trigger or exacerbate depressive symptoms.

Scientists are also studying the influence of female hormones, which change throughout life. Researchers have shown that hormones directly affect the brain chemistry that controls emotions and mood. Specific times during a woman’s life are of particular interest, including puberty; the times before menstrual periods; before, during, and just after pregnancy (postpartum); and just prior to and during menopause (perimenopause).

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Some women may be susceptible to a severe form of premenstrual syndrome called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Women affected by PMDD typically experience depression, anxiety, irritability and mood swings the week before menstruation, in such a way that interferes with their normal functioning. Women with debilitating PMDD do not necessarily have unusual hormone changes, but they do have different responses to these changes. They may also have a history of other mood disorders and differences in brain chemistry that cause them to be more sensitive to menstruation-related hormone changes. Scientists are exploring how the cyclical rise and fall of estrogen and other hormones may affect the brain chemistry that is associated with depressive illness.

Postpartum depression

Women are particularly vulnerable to depression after giving birth, when hormonal and physical changes and the new responsibility of caring for a newborn can be overwhelming. Many new mothers experience a brief episode of mild mood changes known as the “baby blues,” but some will suffer from postpartum depression, a much more serious condition that requires active treatment and emotional support for the new mother. One study found that postpartum women are at an increased risk for several mental disorders, including depression, for several months after childbirth.

Some studies suggest that women who experience postpartum depression often have had prior depressive episodes. Some experience it during their pregnancies, but it often goes undetected. Research suggests that visits to the doctor may be good opportunities for screening for depression both during pregnancy and in the postpartum period.

Menopause

Hormonal changes increase during the transition between premenopause to menopause. While some women may transition into menopause without any problems with mood, others experience an increased risk for depression. This seems to occur even among women without a history of depression. However, depression becomes less common for women during the post-menopause period.

Stress

Stressful life events such as trauma, loss of a loved one, a difficult relationship or any stressful situation-whether welcome or unwelcome-often occur before a depressive episode. Additional work and home responsibilities, caring for children and aging parents, abuse, and poverty also may trigger a depressive episode. Evidence suggests that women respond differently than men to these events, making them more prone to depression. In fact, research indicates that women respond in such a way that prolongs their feelings of stress more so than men, increasing the risk for depression. However, it is unclear why some women faced with enormous challenges develop depression, and some with similar challenges do not.