Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained

In my research for writing, I come across a number of health articles related to this site – these are ones about depression.

From the National Institutes of Health:

An easy-to-read booklet on depression in women that explains what it is, when it starts, how long it lasts, and how to get help

Do you feel very tired, helpless, and hopeless? Are you sad most of the time, and take no pleasure in your family, friends, or hobbies? Are you having trouble working, sleeping, eating, and functioning? Have you felt this way for a long time?

If so, you may have depression.

Click on the link for the free booklet:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-in-women/index.shtml

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
How Serotonin Works: Findings Point to New Treatments for Schizophrenia and Depression
From Science Daily

Scripps Research Institute scientists have shown for the first time that the neurotransmitter serotonin uses a specialized signaling pathway to mediate biological functions that are distinct from the signaling pathways used by hallucinogenic substances. The new findings could have a profound effect on the development of new therapies for a number of disorders, including schizophrenia and depression.

Click on the link for the full article:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101005171034.htm

~~~~~~~~~~~~
From Mercola.com

Sleep deprivation is such a chronic condition these days that you might not even realize you suffer from it. Science has now established that a sleep deficit can have serious, far reaching effects on your health, including depression.

Check out the full article:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/10/02/secrets-to-a-good-night-sleep.aspx

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Next post will be about one of the other health issues related to this site.

Until next time,

Karen Cioffi
Author, Ghostwriter, Freelance writer, Reviewer,
Acquisitions Editor Intern for 4RV Publishing

http://KarenCioffi.com
http://DKVWriting4U.com

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karencioffiventrice
Twitter: http://twitter.com/KarenCV
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kcioffiventrice

Magnets Used to Treat Patients With Severe Depression

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101018165836.htm

ScienceDaily (Oct. 19, 2010) — John O’Sullivan had struggled with bipolar depression since he was a teen. He has tried numerous types of psychotherapy and medication but nothing seemed to help for long.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Depression, Anxiety May Raise Surgery Risks

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_104545.html

TUESDAY, Oct. 19 (HealthDay News) — People with depression and anxiety have a slightly increased risk of death after undergoing surgery, a new study suggests.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fish Oil Pills Don’t Affect Postpartum Depression: Study

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_104552.html

TUESDAY, Oct. 19 (HealthDay News) — Although some studies have shown a benefit to mothers and their infants from taking supplemental fish oil in the form of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a new Australian study finds no such benefit.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
New Theory Links Depression to Chronic Brain Inflammation

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101020091857.htm

ScienceDaily (Oct. 20, 2010) — Chronic depression is an adaptive, reparative neurobiological process gone wrong, say two University of California, San Diego School of Medicine researchers, positing in a new theory that the debilitating mental state originates from more ancient mechanisms used by the body to deal with physical injury, such as pain, tissue repair and convalescent behavior.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Animal Study Explores Potential Gene Therapy for Depression

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_104600.html
(*this news item will not be available after 01/18/2011)

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 20 (HealthDay News) — A combination of animal and human research is pointing the way towards a novel gene therapy that could ultimately help in the treatment of major depression, researchers say.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hope you find these articles interesting.

Until next time,

Karen Cioffi
Author, Ghostwriter, Freelance Writer, and Acquisitions Editor Intern

http://karencioffi.com
http://dkvwriting4u.com

I have a great article from Bottom Line’s Daily Health News that is pertinent to the topics on this site.

Secondhand Smoke — Can It Blow Away Your Sanity?

There’s no question about the physical hazards of smoking — both for smokers and for those around them who breathe in the secondhand smoke — but did you know that secondhand smoke actually may threaten your sanity as well? A compelling research study in a recent issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry reported that secondhand smoke not only causes physical harm but also increases the likelihood of psychological distress and psychiatric disorders severe enough to require hospitalization!

SMOKING AND STATE OF MIND

In the Scottish Health Survey, health and lifestyle information was collected at random from more than 8,000 adults, none of whom had any history of mental health problems. Participants completed questionnaires about their physical and mental health — assessing smoking habits, sleep patterns and measures of happiness, depression and anxiety. A saliva sample also was taken from each participant at the start of the study and tested for levels of cotinine, a chemical metabolite produced during nicotine breakdown in the body that is considered a marker of tobacco exposure. Then, six years later, mental health was assessed once again and — at the risk of sounding dramatic — the differences were breathtaking. Here’s what researchers found:
• Self-reported nonsmokers with high levels of cotinine in their bodies had nearly 50% greater incidence of psychological distress (depression or anxiety) than nonsmokers with no cotinine in their systems.
• This same group was nearly three times more likely to have been hospitalized for psychiatric problems, including depression, schizophrenia and delirium, than those who had minimal or no measurable cotinine in their bodies.
• People who smoked were about four times more likely to have been hospitalized for a psychiatric problem than people with no cotinine in their systems — in other words, the smokers were only somewhat more likely to have suffered psychological issues than people who had been exposed to secondhand smoke.

HOW WORRIED SHOULD I BE?

This study establishes a link, not causation, emphasized Mark Hamer, PhD, an epidemiologist at University College London and one of the study authors, but he also said that he believes it offers yet more support showing the strong need for public policies that help to curb smoking so innocent people won’t be victimized by exposure to secondhand smoke. Dr. Hamer told me that in spite of widespread antismoking measures, a shocking 60% of children ages three to 11 in the US have measurable levels of cotinine, indicating that they are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke. Other studies have even shown evidence that there is significant danger from exposure to “third-hand smoke” — what’s left in the air and on floors and furniture after a cigarette is extinguished.

The advice is self-evident but bears repeating. Do anything and everything you can to avoid being around cigarette smokers and in places where they congregate. To reduce the likelihood that you will suffer ill effects — physical or mental — try to…
• Make your home and your car nonsmoking zones.
• Choose smoke-free restaurants and hotel rooms.
• Advocate for elderly family, children, teens and friends to protect them from exposure to smoke in their environments.
In the meantime, based on this study, I think it would be crazy not to protest when someone lights up nearby!

Source(s):

Mark Hamer, PhD, epidemiologist, department of epidemiology and public health, University College London. Dr. Hamer’s research focuses on aging, cardiovascular health, mental health and population health.

Reprinted with the permission of:
Bottom Line Publications/HealthyWoman
Boardroom Inc.
281 Tresser Blvd., 8th Floor
Stamford, CT 06901
www.BottomLineSecrets.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Until next time,

Karen Cioffi,
Ghostwriter and Freelance Writer
Acquisitions Editor Intern

http://karencioffi.com

According to an article at ProHealth.com, by Jerome Sarris, there is encouraging evidence that herbs and supplements along with prescription medication may provide relief for depression sufferers.

Sarris states, “While some evidence supports nutritional adjuvancy with various psychopharmacotherapies, adjuvant use of herbal therapies has not been sufficiently studied to warrant standard clinical application. This remains a promising area of research via robust, safety-conscious studies.”

What exactly does this mean?

Well, in initial studies, supplements such as St. Johns Wort, Omega-3 fatty acids, SAMe, Folic Acid, and 1-tryptophan used in conjunction with antidepressants boost the patient’s response and improve effectiveness.

This sounds promising. I hope they actually do more studies focusing on herbal remedies for depression.

According to Henry Zhen-Hong Lee, NYS licensed acupuncturist and NCCA DPL. Herbalogist, depression comes from a kidney system disorder, low energy. The neurotransmitters are out of balance. With a treatment of acupuncture and his specially designed herbs (formulated specifically for each patient), he has found much success.

In addition to treatment, Lee recommends eating properly/healthy; exercise, including breathing properly; and mediation.

Tip: The key to breathing properly is to make sure your stomach rises/expands with each breath.

Check out the Depression page to learn where you can find out more about this topic.

As a special note: Lee provides FREE mediation instruction for cancer patients. You can contact him at: 1-516-822-6722.

Please be aware: This is for cancer patients only and may not be available indefinitely.