Skip to main content

Depression


Depression is a psychological low feeling accompanied by sadness and loss of interest in regular social responsibilities and atmosphere. It can be caused by a variety of factors, such as a sudden change of lifestyle, mental and emotional stress, medication, hormonal changes or by after-effects of infections like flu and typhoid.

Symptoms
Depression entails a wide array of symptoms, such as persistent sadness and hopelessness; a feeling of worthlessness and helplessness; tremendous amount of guilt feeling; anxiety, irritability, and agitation; poor memory and concentration skills. It also flames in the patient persistent thoughts of suicide or death as also a desire to cry often. It can lead to a loss of interest in daily activities as also a change in sleep pattern. Depression can disrupt one’s appetite as well as weight, leading to sudden increases/decreases, and thereby cause a general lack of energy and easy fatigue.

Do’s and Don’ts
When you are dealing with a complex problem like depression, it is always safe to seek help and advice from a qualified physician. You should never start taking antidepressants on your own, without adequate medical advice and supervision. Many relaxation techniques, including regular exercises like aerobics and yoga as also the practice of meditation, helps relax both mind and body. To perform meditation, begin by sitting in a comfortable position, with your back straight and your eyes closed. Choose a word such as "Om" and repeat it silently to yourself. Keeping yourself and your mind busy and occupied helps but you should also take care to not follow a tiring routine that makes you feel overworked and exhausted. Identifying the cause of depression is the first step in overcoming it. You should confront the causes and treat each problem separately. When you start doing this, they will begin to appear less overwhelming. While it may be tough to admit that you are unable to handle the problem alone, involving another person or a support group will always be more helpful. It is good to talk and discuss your grievances rather than bottling them up and keeping them to yourself. As for what to eat, a diet of whole grains, lean meat, fresh fruit and vegetables, low-fat dairy products, which contains a generous amount Vitamin B complex, Selenium and carbohydrates are helpful.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Diabetes

Diabetes is an extremely frequent, and probably among the most familiar of disorders. It is a metabolic disorder in which there is an increase in the level of blood glucose and/or an excessive excretion of glucose in the urine. It is caused by a decreased or deficient supply of Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas whose main role is to keep tabs on the levels of glucose in  the blood. Diabetes can be of two types: Type I and Type II. Type I diabetes, also known as Insulin Dependent Diabetes, is caused by the shortage of insulin. Type II diabetes, also known as Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes, is caused by the body's inability to process insulin. Juvenile Diabetes is a Type 1 Diabetes which would be present in some persons since birth. The intensity of diabetes is known by measuring the glucose levels in blood and/or urine. Normal glucose levels, when checked before meals (Fasting Blood Sugar – FBS), ranges from 80-110,  while for a post-meals check-up (Random Blood Sug
6 comments
Read more

Disc Prolapse or Slipped Disc

The discs are the shock absorbers of the spine. They are pieces of cartilage which separate different vertebrae from each other and it also helps to cushion them. The discs have a soft pulpy centre, which may bulge or burst out through the tough outer portion and irritate adjacent ligaments or a nerve root. This is what is called a disc prolapse or a slipped disc. It can result from strenuous activity, especially if the activity is sudden, like lifting something heavy or twisting something around violently. In most cases, the development of a disc  prolapse is gradual, and it is prevalent more often between the ages of 20 and 50. Symptoms A disc prolapse involves an agonizing back pain of a sudden onset. It restricts back movements and may even cause a sharp, shooting and electric-like pain that goes down to the legs. It can also cause a numbness and a tingling sensation in the affected leg or foot. Do’s and Don’ts As a disc prolapse is a very serious injury, one should e
2 comments
Read more

Gallstones

Gallstones are small hard crystal-like deposits that develop in the gallbladder or in the bile ducts, that drain bile from the liver. Bile is a digestive juice which is produced by the liver and is stored in the gallbladder, a small pear-shaped organ. Bile is made up mainly of cholesterol and Bile acid. It is only when these stones get lodged in the duct and block the free passage of bile does the symptoms arise. There are three types of gallstones, viz., Cholesterol stones, Pigment stones, and Mixed stones (which has pigment and cholesterol content). It is caused mainly by an increase in blood cholesterol levels, as also the break- down of Red Blood Cells (RBCs) due to some infectious diseases like sickle cell anemia or malaria. It can also result from an infection of the gallbladder. Some risk factors which can further trigger gallstones include obesity and pre-existing liver diseases. Symptoms Gallstones have a sudden onset. It would entail pain in the right and upper abdom
Post a Comment
Read more