Apr 15 2009

Common Symptoms of Menopause

Category: Anxiety & Depression, Signs of Depression, Symptoms of DepressionDepression Rescue @ 12:15 pm

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by Al Short

Many women enter into menopause at different times of their life. Some experience a few of the symptoms while others can have more.

Hot flashes, flushes, night sweats and/or cold flashes, clammy feeling is most likely the most common sensation but, Irregular heart beat, irritability, mood swings, sudden tears, difficulty sleeping, irregular periods; shorter, lighter periods; heavier periods, phantom periods, shorter cycles and longer cycles often occur.

One of the most troubling symptoms is Loss of libido. However it is not limited to a drop in desire but also a dry vagina, crashing fatigue, anxiety, feelings of dread, apprehension, depression, difficulty concentrating, disorientation, mental confusion,  memory lapses, incontinence upon sneezing, or laughing.

Women have also report having Itchy, crawly skin aching, sore joints, muscles, breast tenderness, headaches, gastrointestinal distress, indigestion, flatulence,  nausea,  bloating, increase in allergies weight gain, hair loss, but with an increase in facial hair. Many have experienced dizziness, light-headedness, tingling in the extremities, gum problems, increased bleeding, burning tongue, burning roof of mouth, bad taste in mouth, change in breath odor.

One of the biggest problems of menopause is Osteoporosis (porous bones).

A select few have noticed changes in fingernails: softer, crack or break easier. Tinnitus: ringing in ears, ‘whooshing,’ buzzing etc.   Reason For Symptoms

Hot flashes are due to the hypothalamic response to declining ovarian estrogen production. The declining estrogen state induces hypophysiotropic neurons in the arcuate nucleas of the hypothalamus to release gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in a pulsatile fashion, which in turn stimulates release of luteinizing hormone (LH). Extremely high pulses of LH occur during the period of declining estrogen production. The LH has vasodilatory effects, which leads to flushing. Loss of libido for some women the loss is so great that they actually find sex repulsive, in much the same way as they felt before puberty. What hormones give, loss of hormones can take away. Aching sore joints may include such problems as carpal tunnel syndrome. Depression different from other depression, the inability to cope is overwhelming. There is a feeling of loss of self. Hormone therapy ameliorates the depression dramatically. Weight gain often around the waist and thighs, resulting in ‘the disappearing waistline’. Tingling in extremities can also be a symptom of B-12 deficiency, diabetes, alterations in the flexibility of blood vessels, or a depletion of potassium or calcium  Tinnitus is one of those physical conditions that seems to manifest in some women at the same time as menopause. It can be associated with health conditions such as hypothyroidism and heart disease, and is a known side-effect of many medications, including aspirin (salicylates) and Prozac.

SOME OF THE  SYMPTOMS MAY ALSO BE SIGNS OF THE FOLLOWING: *hypothyroidism *diabetes *depression with another etiology other medical conditions

About the Author
Al Short: WorldClassNutrition is a leader in discout nutrition supplements with the largest selection of diet pills, creatine products, protein powders, and bodybuilding supplements.  Find more information on the products you are searching for at http://www.worldclassnutrition.com .  If interested in Femestra go to http://www.femestra.com .
Copyright © 2009 Al Short

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Apr 13 2009

The Link Between Hearing Loss and Depression

Category: Signs of Depression, Symptoms of DepressionDepression Rescue @ 6:16 pm

Before he started losing his hearing, Steve was an outgoing young man with a promising life ahead of him. He had several close friends he enjoyed spending time with, he visited with family regularly and cherished spending time with his nieces and nephews. His career and social life was also thriving. Steve was an IT specialist in line for a promotion, he was active in his community, and participated in charitable events throughout the year – but this all changed as Steve’s hearing deteriorated.

During this gradual hearing loss, which eventually left Steve partially deaf in both ears, Steve started sleeping more than usual. He began to lose weight because he lost his appetite. Steve became restless and irritable, which impacted his personal relationships as well as his career. He began to experience chronic headaches, which made him more irritated. Although Steve’s hearing loss was not the only thing responsible for his reduced quality of life, his hearing loss was a  primary factor because it added to his depression.

Although Steve suffered from hearing loss at a relatively early age, many older adults endure hearing loss which is often accompanied by depression. In one study conducted by the Geriatric Mental Health Foundation, 15% of participants over the age of 65 reported feelings of depression. These feelings are often linked to health concerns which include the onset of hearing loss.

Depression is a disease which affects many people each year. Symptoms such as feeling sad, fatigue, loss of appetite, irritability and even chronic health problems such as headaches or GI issues are just some of the indications of depression. It is not uncommon for depression or even aggression to accompany hearing loss at any age. This is because those suffering from hearing loss tend to feel overwhelmed and helpless. Also, they do not know how to cope with their hearing loss and may even be resistant to devices such as hearing aids.

Fortunately there are steps you can take to combat depression  accompanying hearing loss. These steps include accepting the condition, joining support groups, using Learning and Communication Enhancement (LACE), and consulting with a medical professional about getting digital hearing aids.

The first step to overcoming depression associated with hearing loss is to learn to accept the condition. This is critical because it will help you become more proactive in healing yourself. Although you might not be able to reverse your hearing loss, you can take steps to avoid feeling helpless. Simply defining the problem and learning about alternatives for communicating will help you realize all hope is not lost. You can still live a full life even with a hearing loss.

The best way to overcome depression related to hearing loss is with hearing aids.  The technology available in today’s hearing aids enables them to perform better than ever before.  And they are so small, no one will even know your wearing one!

Joining support groups can also be very beneficial. Meeting with others who share similar obstacles can help you feel empowered. It’s so helpful just to be able to talk about your feelings with others who truly understand the problem. Your friends and family may try to be supportive but unless they are also dealing with a hearing loss they cannot fully understand how hearing loss really affects your life.

Listening and communication enhancement (LACE) was developed by leading audiologists at the University of California at San Francisco to improve listening and communication skills in those who are suffering from hearing loss. LACE is an interactive computerized training program designed to assist those suffering from hearing loss by helping them to adapt strategies for compensating when their current level of hearing is inadequate. This program has been shown to increase the listening and communication skills of users by 40%. A program like this can really help you cope better with your hearing loss , especially when used in conjunction with a hearing aid.  When you regain your life through better hearing it can really help lessen feelings of depression.

Finally, if you’re still battling depression it may be a good idea to consult a medical professional for treatment for depression. It is important to remember depression is a disease and it will not go away on its own. A medical professional can assess your symptoms to help you to combat depression and get back to enjoying life.

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Hearing Loss can be devestating and extremely depressing.  This is where the professionals at AidRight Hearing Aids can help.  Make an investment in your hearing today by calling us 877-777-1710 or visit our website at http://www.aidright.com

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Apr 11 2009

Sleep & Your Immune System…They Work Together!

People, who catch cold, can recover quicker, and in some cases even prevent catching cold in the first place, as long as they help their bodies to improve its immunity. There are some well-known ways to improve your self-defense system and there are some surprising ways that are less obvious to us. For example, when you inhale a cold virus, it inflames your nasal passages. The inflammation process causes the body to release chemicals, which include histamine. When you have a weak immune system, you are at a higher risk of catching a cold or a virus. Your immune system is responsible for helping you fight off infections; therefore, when your immune system is weak it cannot function properly.

Sleep apnea can have severe effects on your health and has been linked to such problems as heart failure, stroke, high blood pressure and diabetes. Obstructive sleep apnea involves repeated pauses in breathing that occur when the muscles relax during sleep, causing soft tissue in the back of the throat to collapse and block the upper airway.  A number of clinical trials have shown regular exercise to be strongly linked to heightened immunity, with the emphasis on regular.

If you stay inactive, this body temperature pattern will lead to poor sleep, which will prevent you from sleeping deeply. Approaching stress management from a wellness lifestyle approach can give you “money in the bank” when it comes to preventing stress, it can give you the energy you need to handle stress when it happens. The following components are part of a wellness lifestyle approach. The authors suggested that restoring sleep is an important preventative measure and critical component of medical therapy. These findings are underlined by a number of studies, the latest reported in the previous volume of the Sleep Bulletin, demonstrating that adequate sleep is associated with a decreased mortality risk in the general population.

They’re not gaining anything, but are losing a huge amount of their health, you can see it in their social interactions, their ability to learn and think clearly. Sleep is one of the keys to a successful diet and a healthy lifestyle. Other public health hazards, such as poor nutrition, smoking, excess alcohol and lack of exercise is the subject of endless research. On the contrary, little research has been done on the subject of sleep.

- Stage 1 is light sleep. You’ve probably experienced this during boring classes in school. Your body is barely asleep, your eyes move slightly, and you’re easily awakened, usually with a startled “jump.” During this stage, you’ll often have dream-like visuals.
- Stage 2 is when the eye movements stop and your brain waves begin to slow down.
- Stage 3 begins deep sleep, as very slow brain waves, called delta waves, take over the more rapid brain waves, called sleep spindles.
- Stage 4 is a deep state where all muscle movements stop. It’s hard to be awakened during this state, and when you are, you’re often in a groggy, disoriented condition.
- Stage 5 is called REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. In this stage, your breathing becomes shallow, your heart rate and blood pressure increase, your eyes jerk rapidly in all directions, and you have your wildest dreams.
- We sleep in cycles wherein all five stages are completed in around one-and-a-half to two hours. As the cycles increase, we spend less time in deep sleep and more in stages 1, 2, and REM.

Stage three and four, deep sleep, being the health sleep where the brain and heart slow to a resting phase and this stage takes up 50% of sleeping time. Dreaming takes place during stage five with waking off and on. Millions of people suffer with some form of insomnia, resulting in fatigue, lack of mental alertness, and weakened physical and mental health. It also contributes to both minor and major injury accidents.

Physically active people catch fewer colds and other upper respiratory infections, but more exercise isn’t always better. Therefore that makes us vulnerable to diseases from colds to cancer, flu to heart disease. Some studies found that taking vitamin C (about 600 milligrams/day) for three weeks before an ultra marathon reduced post race cold symptoms, yet others have found that vitamin C supplementation made no difference. Getting frequent colds can be a sign of over training or overtaxing your body. Cold and flu viruses are spread by airborne particles, so when you cough, sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue instead of your hands, if possible. When this happens, you can expect to feel weak and run down. To be susceptible to colds and the flu and more likely to be affected by disease, when your immune system is not functioning well, germs can easily penetrate the body and wreak havoc on your organs.

Many natural ways are available in order to boost your immune system. Some of the important tips to boost your immune system are given here. Immune-boosting foods include organically grown fruits and vegetables, wholegrain, beans and other legumes, natural oils such as expelled-pressed olive oil, hemp oil, walnut oil, flax oil and coconut butter. Brazil nuts, a rich source of selenium, are particularly good for the immune system. First, the immune system manufactures antibodies, which identify and fend off invaders. Also, your immune system has a built-in memory, it remembers how it defended your body against those past invaders, and it stands ready to do it again. Adequate restful sleep helps to restore our bodies and refresh our minds. During deep sleep, our bodies release potent immune-enhancing substances that strengthen immune function.

Everyone needs to work at resetting your body clock naturally.

On average, college students today are going to bed 1-2 hours later and sleeping 1-1.6 hours less than they did a generation ago. As a result, sleep complaints and depression have increased dramatically among college students and doctors have discovered that sleeping for nine or more hours a night is not necessarily beneficial, either.

About the Author
Another fine article by Chuck Arnone in regards to our day to day health and your immune system.
http://www.immune-system-healthy.com
&
http://www.provitaminliquid.com

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Apr 09 2009

How To Get Motivated and Stay Motivated

Category: Diet & Exercise, Home Remedies, Motivation, Self HelpDepression Rescue @ 2:17 am

“Most people ask for happiness on condition. Happiness can only be felt if you don’t set any condition.” Artur Rubenstein

1) Practice patience, perseverance, and prayer. There’s a story of the person who prayed, “God, please give me patience, and hurry!” In this day and age of cell phones, fax machines and instant gratification, it’s easy to want what we want NOW. No one is willing to wait anymore. However, as we mature, we discover that it often takes patience, perseverance, and a lot of hard work to get the things we really want. Whether it’s a promotion at work, losing weight, or having a great relationship.

If you believe in God, pray for patience, persistence and guidance. God sees the big picture. We don’t. Often, looking back, we see that many of the things we just “had to have” weren’t really right for us anyway.

2) Learning how to overcome procrastination helps you get motivated and stay motivated. I believe deep down most people know what they’re supposed to do to improve their lives. But we procrastinate doing that activity. We just don’t want to do it. Whether it’s getting rid of the clutter in our home or office, cleaning up our eating habits or cleaning out the garage. Most of us know there’s something we need to do that we’ve been procrastinating. Yet, by procrastinating a task, we end up cluttering our minds further by thinking about what we should be doing.

Again, if you have certain spiritual beliefs, just ask for the courage to do it. Turn to God. This is not something I discuss in my speaking engagements as my audiences are diverse businesspeople from different backgrounds. But asking for strength works. By admitting your weakness you will often gain strength in overcoming procrastination. And getting help in many other areas of your life as well.

Stop trying to do it all yourself. Give yourself a break. Give up some of the control. Take it in baby steps. For example, clean up just half of the garage. Or, begin that exercise program just three days a week for 30 minutes a day. Too often we fall into the “all or nothing” mentality. If we can’t do it all at once, well, we simply don’t do it at all!

3) Practice positive thinking.Think about what you’re thinking about! I read on the internet that the number one thing people would like to change for the new year is to have a more positive attitude. Thoughts lead to words. Words lead to actions, and your actions determine your approach to your career, relationships, health and just about everything else. Positive thinking is something you often have to practice.

I am a worrier. And of all things, a motivational speaker! It’s my job to help people become more productive, improve morale and stay motivated. In many cases, it’s also my job to help them increase profitability. Worrying is a habit I’ve tried to consistently break. After all, worrying is negative thinking. Worry doesn’t solve anything. It doesn’t add a single day to your life. I make a conscious effort to think about what I’m thinking about. I shift my thinking to the positve whenever possible and it’s becoming more of a habit. Becoming more aware of your thoughts is half the battle.

4) Eat right in order to feel happier, healthier, and stay motivated. We all know what to eat but often need to be reminded. Too many junky foods produce junky negative thoughts. Start your morning with protein to stabilize your blood sugar. Increase your daily intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. Switch to organics whenever possible toavoid exposure to harmful pesticides. If you travel a lot this isn’t always easy. Do the best you can. Remember, moderation is the key. The minute you have that all or nothing approach, you set yourself up for disaster by beating yourself up for not being perfect.

See your doctor to find out what types of vitamins and minerals you should be taking. Studies show that even when we’re eating at our healthiest many of us are still missing vital nutrients. Drink more water. If you’re under a time crunch, and who isn’t these days, try eating raw nuts such as almonds or pumpkin seeds for protein and iron. Dried fruits such as apricots, raisins and cranberries contain vital nutrients and add lots of flavor. I do this all the time when I’m conducting day-long speaking engagements. It’s vital for me in keeping up my energy and blood sugar levels not to mention improved mental acuity. Find out what works for you because everyone is different.

How To Get Motivated and Stay Motivated…Choose To Be Happy In Spite of Your Circumstances

5) Make a decision that you will be happy in spite of your circumstances. Don’t wait until everything is going your way in order to be content. Otherwise you will spend much of your life discontented. Avoid the “when script.” For example, “When I get that promotion then I’ll be happy.” Or, “When I get pregnant and have children then I’ll be happy.” How many times have you heard people say, “Once the kids are grown and out of the house THEN I’ll be happy!”

There’s always that illusive “when script” projecting into the future. And just because you count on something positive to happen, doesn’t mean it always does. People aren’t perfect and can disappoint you. You can lose your job. Your money can disappear. Things won’t always go your way. It’s okay to plan ahead and set goals for where you want to be. Just make certain you’re also happy where you are now.

6) Don’t compare yourself to others. We tend to compare the worst in ourselves with the best in others. Don’t compare your insides to someone else’s outsides. This is especially true for women. In our society, we’re bombarded with magazines and media projecting an unrealistic standard of what we are supposed to look like. Many magazines feature ads with supermodels who are six feet tall. Even worse, the photos have been airbrushed and retouched dozens of times. Focus on developing your own unique gifts and talents. If you’re too focused on trying to be like other people, you will become discouraged, give up, and lose sight of your dream.

7) Rest, relax, and recharge completely. It’s one thing to get motivated, but to stay motivated you need downtime. If you’re sleepy on a weekend afternoon, take a nap. In our fast-paced American society, this is virtually impossible during the work week. America is one of the few countries in the world that doesn’t take an afternoon break. Lots of scientific research has shown that lack of sleep negatively affects mood, stress levels, mental acuity, weight, and overall performance. If you’re tired, you’re more likely to snap. You won’t be a pleasant person to be around.

8) Exercise plays an important role in getting and staying motivated. For example, many participants in my speaking engagements tell me that walking outdoors during a short lunch break is enough to reenergize them. Exercising outdoors is especially beneficial in helping reduce depression during the winter months.

While you’re exercising, and driving to and from work, listen to your favorite music. One of my favorite songs is “It’s On,” from Boney James “Pure” CD. Very upbeat music with lots of saxophone, and serves as a huge energy booster and mood lifter for me! I’ll often play it after finishing a project. It’s a small but very positive reward.

9) Get out of yourself. Be grateful for what you have. Do you have enough clothing, food, and a roof over your head? Probably so. Do volunteer work, or spend time listening to a friend or family member in need. By helping others you realize that whatever your “trauma of the day” happens to be, really isn’t so important after all.

Focus more on what you have, not on what you don’t have. Today, make a conscious decision to be happy in spite of your circumstances.

About the Author
Colleen Kettenhofen is a speaker, workplace expert, & co-author of “The Masters of Success,” as featured on the Today Show, along with Ken Blanchard and Jack Canfield. For free articles, e-newsletter, or to order the book visit http://www.ColleenSpeaks.com Topics: leadership, success, difficult people, public speaking. Colleen is available for keynotes, breakout sessions and seminars. (971)212-2412.

http://www.ColleenSpeaks.com

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Apr 08 2009

Facts About Popular Drugs For Depression

Category: Drug Therapy, Treatments for DepressionEstelleB @ 10:19 am

by Thomas Henricks

It can surely be stated that mental depression has affected people in all societies of the world and all social levels. When depression is treated in the earliest stages it is much more likely to result in a total cure from the condition. However, if the symptoms are ignored it could develop into highly dangerous condition that is dangerous to not only the sufferer but also to those around him or her. It is fortunate to all of us that the venues to get information out to the world have become more widely utilized and the general public has become much better informed about a wide range of issues and topics.Popular Drugs For Depression

There are number of drugs used to treat depression which are commonly known referred to as anti-depressants or anti depression drugs. These potent and sometimes addictive drugs are usually only available by prescription. Many of these powerful drugs can have some very undesirable side effects. One popular drug commonly prescribed in the treatment of depression is Ultram or Tramadol.

It brings to the table a number of properties that have proven effective in treating chronic symptoms of a wide range of conditions such as migraines, body aching, restlessness and irritability. It is also known to treat a mild form of depression labelled the blues, and promotes a higher level of energy in the person using it. So effective is it in pain management, sometimes this drug is prescribed for people who are recovering from surgery or those who are fighting the late stages of cancer.

However, this is not why Ultram is considered one of the biggest factors contributing to its popularity. It is highly recommended due to its ability to relieve the symptoms of depression and promote a feeling of well being and happiness. This improved mental state helps the patient heal faster. History has shown that people in an optimistic frame of mind have healed more quickly and have demonstrated a higher ratio of total cures.

The Side Effects Of The Drugs For Depression

All anti-depression medications carry the baggage of some undesirable side effects. However many feel that the benefits of using Ultram drugs for depression outweigh the risk of side effects. Common to most effective drugs for depression, the worst side effect of this medication is that it is highly addictive and must be used under strict medical supervision. Abuse of the recommended dosages leads to the desire for increased dosages and tolerance to the drug.

Users have been reported to suffer physical side effects using this drug as well. It has been reported to cause extreme drowsiness sometimes to a degree where persons are relegated to a state of near unconsciousness. Unless it is used exactly as prescribed, users may suffer the effects above in abuse of dosage levels.

The treatment properties and potential of this medication are very attractive. As is the case in any drug treatment, the side effects must always be considered. All drugs for depression should be used only on the advice of a medical professional and recommended dosage levels must be strictly adhered to.

About the Author
Tom Henricks is a retired utility worker and charter fisherman from The Canadian of Shore of Lake Erie. To learn more about depression please visit Depression and Treatment For Information about Care for the elderly please visit Care for the elderly

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