ARE YOU DEPRESSED?

Depression is a mood disorder characterized by persistently low mood and a feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It is a persistent problem, not a passing one, lasting on average of six to nine months. It affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn't worth living. It is important to seek the help of a health professional to rule out different causes of depression, ensure an accurate differential diagnosis, and secure safe and effective treatment.

Depression is different from the fluctuations in mood that people experience as a part of normal life. Temporary emotional responses to the challenges of everyday life do not constitute depression.

Likewise, even the feeling of grief resulting from the death of someone close is not itself depression if it does not persist. Depression can, however, be related to bereavement - when depression follows a loss, psychologists call it a "complicated bereavement."

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of depression can include:

• Depressed mood
• Reduced interest or pleasure in activities previously enjoyed, loss of sexual desire
• Unintentional weight loss (without dieting) or low appetite
• Insomnia (difficulty sleeping) or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping)
• Psychomotor agitation, for example, restlessness, pacing up and down
• Delayed psychomotor skills, for example, slowed movement and speech
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Impaired ability to think, concentrate, or make decisions
• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide, or attempt at suicide

CAUSES

The causes of depression are not fully understood and may not be down to a single source. Depression is likely to be due to a complex combination of factors that include:

• Genetics: Depression is more common in people whose blood relatives also have this condition.
• Biological: People with depression appear to have physical changes in their brains. The significance of these changes is still uncertain, but may eventually help pinpoint causes.
• Environmental: This could be as a result of not liking ones environment, people around, faces etc.
• Psychological and social (psychosocial)
• Hormones: Changes in the body's balance of hormones may be involved in causing or triggering depression. Hormone changes can result with pregnancy and during the weeks or months after delivery (postpartum) and from thyroid problems, menopause or a number of other conditions.

Some people are at higher risk of depression than others; risk factors include:

• Life events: These include bereavement, divorce, work issues, relationships with friends and family, financial problems, medical concerns, or acute stress.
• Personality: Those with less successful coping strategies or previous life trauma are more susceptible.
• Genetic factors: Having a first-degree relative with depression increases the risk.
• Childhood trauma.
• Some prescription drugs.
• Abuse of recreational drugs: Abuse of alcohol, amphetamines, and other drugs are strongly linked to depression.
• A past head injury.
• Having had one episode of major depression: This increases the risk of a subsequent one.
• Chronic pain syndromes: These and other chronic conditions, such as diabetes, HIV/AIDS, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cardiovascular disease make depression more likely.

TREATMENT

Depression is a treatable mental illness. There are three components to the management of depression:

• Support: Ranging from discussing practical solutions and contributing stresses, to educating family members.
• Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy is the use of psychological methods, particularly when based on regular personal interaction, to help a person change behavior and overcome problems in desired ways.
• Drug treatment: Antidepressants are drugs used for the treatment of major depressive disorder and other conditions, including dysthymia, anxiety disorders, obsessive–compulsive disorder, eating disorders

PREVENTION

There's no sure way to prevent depression. However, these strategies may help.

• Take steps to control stress, to increase your resilience and boost your self-esteem.
• Reach out to family and friends, especially in times of crisis, to help you weather rough spells.
• Get treatment at the earliest sign of a problem to help prevent depression from worsening.
• Consider getting long-term maintenance treatment to help prevent a relapse of symptoms.

(For counseling, email: richmondmez@gmail.com)

YOUR HEALTH AND CAFFEINE

Caffeine is a natural stimulant most commonly found in tea, coffee and cacao plants.

It works by stimulating the brain and central nervous system, helping you to stay alert and preventing the onset of tiredness

Once consumed, caffeine is quickly absorbed from the gut into the bloodstream.

From there, it travels to the liver and is broken down into compounds that can affect the function of various organs.

That being said, caffeine's main effect is on the brain.

It functions by blocking the effects of adenosine, which is a neurotransmitter that relaxes the brain and makes you feel tired.

Normally, adenosine levels build up over the day, making you increasingly more tired and causing you to want to go to sleep.

Caffeine helps you stay awake by connecting to adenosine receptors in the brain without activating them. This blocks the effects of adenosine, leading to reduced tiredness.

Many of us rely on a morning cup of coffee or a jolt of caffeine in the afternoon to help us get through the day. Knowing the symptoms of caffeine and its long-term effects on your body may make you think twice about having it always.

ALERTNESS:  The stimulating effects of caffeine cause immediate alertness. It can also temporarily relieve drowsiness and fatigue.

RAPID HEARTBEAT: Caffeine can cause a rapid heartbeat. This may be a concern if you have a preexisting heart issue. You may notice arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat) whenever you take it.

MUSCLE ACHES: Muscle ache could be a sign of caffeine withdrawal.

FERTILITY ISSUES: Some women who consume too much caffeine might experience difficulties getting pregnant. If you are trying to get pregnant, it’s best not to consume more than 300mg per day.

PREGNANCY ISSUES: Overconsumption of caffeine during pregnancy may cause miscarriage and developmental issues in newborns. It’s recommended that women who are pregnant consume not more than 200mg of caffeine per day.

JITTERS: If you are not used to caffeine, it can give you jitters. If you have an anxiety disorder or sleep disorder, caffeine may make it worse.

HIGH URINATION: Caffeine causes increased urination. Long-term use of caffeine may increase bladder instability and worsen the risk for those already experiencing bladder problems.

CAFFEINE IN BONES: Caffeine prevents calcium absorption in the bones, thereby increasing your risk of osteoporosis. As one gets older, your bones may break more easily.

NAUSEA AND VOMITTING: Nausea and vomiting are symptoms of having too much caffeine.

CONFUSION: Too much caffeine can over stimulate the brain, leading to confusion.

HEADACHES: Headache can occur from either too much caffeine or as a symptom of caffeine withdrawal. In small amounts, it can relieve symptoms of a hangover.

Caffeine provides no nutritional value on its own. It’s tasteless, so you won’t necessarily know if it’s in your food either. Even some medications may contain caffeine without your knowledge.

This ingredient almost always causes some symptoms. At a minimum, you may feel more energetic, but over time, too much caffeine may cause withdrawal symptoms. As you consume the same amount of caffeine on a daily basis, your body develops a tolerance to it. Other factors like your age, body mass and overall health can determine your tolerance to caffeine, too.

An overdose of caffeine can result in death due to convulsions. Overdosing happens by consuming large amounts of caffeine, most often in energy drinks or diet pills. Up to 400 milligrams of caffeine is considered to be safe. This equals about 4 cups of coffee, although the amount of caffeine in beverages varies widely.

SUNLIGHT AND CANCER OF THE SKIN

The sun's rays make us feel good, and in the short term, make us look good. But what most people do not know is the long term effects of this short pleasure. Sun exposure causes most of the wrinkles and age spots on our faces. One who is less exposed to sun or protects his skin from direct sunlight actually looks way younger than his mates of same age bracket.

We often associate a glowing complexion with good health, but skin color obtained from being in the sun – or in a tanning booth – actually accelerates the effects of aging and increases your risk for developing skin cancer.

Sun exposure causes most of the skin changes that we think of as a normal part of aging. Over a long time, the sun's ultraviolet (UV) light damages the fibers in the skin. These fibres are called elastin. When these fibers break down or gets damaged, the skin begins to sag, stretch, and lose its ability to return to shape after stretching. The skin also bruises and tears more easily, taking longer time to heal. So while sun damage to the skin may not be apparent when you're young, it will definitely show later in life.

EFFECTS OF SUN TO THE SKIN:

Exposure to the sun causes:

• Pre-cancerous and cancerous skin lesions - due to decreases in the skin's immune function
• Benign tumors
• Fine and coarse wrinkles
• Freckles
• Discolored areas of the skin, called mottled pigmentation
• Sallowness -- a yellow discoloration of the skin
• Telangiectasias -- the dilation of small blood vessels under the skin
• Elastosis -- the destruction of the elastic and collagen tissue (causing lines, wrinkles and sagging skin)

 

SKIN CANCER:

Skin cancer is the most prevalent form of all cancers in the world and the number of cases continues to rise. Skin cancer can be simply explained as the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells. This rapid growth results in tumors, which are either non-cancerous or cancerous.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the number-one cause of skin cancer, but UV light from tanning beds is just as harmful. Exposure to sunlight during the winter months puts you at the same risk as exposure during the summertime, because UV rays are present in daylight.

 

WHO IS AT RISK FOR SKIN CANCER?

Anyone can get skin cancer, but some people have a higher risk to get it. The risk is greatest for people who have fair or freckled skin that burns easily, light eyes and blond or red hair. Darker skinned individuals are also susceptible to all types of skin cancer, although their risk is substantially lower.

Aside from complexion, other risk factors include having a family history or personal history of skin cancer, having an outdoor job and living in a sunny climate.

WHAT IS OVERHYDRATION?

All of the major systems of your body depend on water to work properly. Drinking adequate amounts of water helps your body:

·         regulate temperature

·         prevent constipation

·         flush out waste products

·         perform all major bodily functions

Most people, especially those who exercise in hot weather, are more concerned about not drinking enough water. However, drinking too much water can also be dangerous.

Overhydration occurs when someone takes in more water than the body needs. Overhydration leads to water intoxication. This occurs when the amount of salt and other electrolytes in your body become too diluted, this condition is termed Hyponatremia. Its a condition in which sodium (salt) levels become dangerously low. This is the main concern of overhydration.

If your electrolytes drop too low too quickly, it can be fatal. Death by overhydration is rare, but it can happen.

TYPES OF OVERHYDRATION

There are two main types of overhydration:

INCREASED WATER INTAKE:

This occurs when you drink more water than your kidneys can remove in your urine. This can cause too much water to collect in your bloodstream.

RETAINING WATER:

This occurs when your body can’t get rid of water properly. Several medical conditions can cause your body to retain water

Both of these types are dangerous because they throw off the balance between water and sodium in your blood.

CAUSES

Overhydration is an imbalance of fluids. It happens when your body takes in more water or holds on to more water than your kidneys can remove.

Drinking too much water or not having a way to remove it can cause water levels to build up. This dilutes important substances in your blood. On average, a healthy adult is expected to drink 9-13 cups of water per day. Water needs vary with age, sex, weather, activity level, and overall health. Common situations such as extreme heat, significant activity, and illness with fever will all require more fluid intake than average. There is no exact formula on how much to drink.

In a healthy person, your urine is a good indicator of your hydration status. Pale yellow urine that looks like lemonade is a good goal. Darker urine means you need more water. Colorless urine means you are overhydrated.

Some conditions and medicines cause overhydration by making your body hold on to more fluid. These include:

·         congestive heart failure (CHF)

·         liver disease

·         kidney problems

·         nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

·         uncontrolled diabetes

SYMPTOMS

You may not observe symptoms of overhydration in its early stages. As the condition progresses, common symptoms include:

·         nausea and vomiting

·         headache

·         changes in mental state such as confusion or disorientation

Untreated overhydration can lead to dangerously low levels of sodium in your blood. This can cause more severe symptoms, such as:

·         muscle weakness, spasms, or cramps

·         seizures

·         unconsciousness

·         coma

 

PREVENTION

Endurance athletes can reduce the risk of overhydration by weighing themselves before and after a race

While exercising, try to drink 2 to 4 cups of fluid per hour. If exercising longer than an hour, sports beverages are also an option. These drinks contain sugar, along with electrolytes such as sodium and potassium.  Also, if you are unusually thirsty, consult your Doctor because it could be a sign of an underlying medical problem that needs attention.

TREATMENT

How you’re treated for overhydration depends on how severe your symptoms are and what caused the condition. Treatments may include:

·         cutting back on your fluid intake

·         taking diuretics to increase the amount of urine you produce

·         treating the condition that caused the overhydration

·         stopping any medications causing the problem

·         replacing sodium in severe cases

TOOTH DECAY AND ORAL HYGIENE

Tooth decay is the softening of the tooth enamel and refers to the damage of the structure of the tooth caused by acids that are created when plaque bacteria break down sugar in the mouth. If loss of mineral from the enamel is left untreated, it forms a cavity, or hole in the tooth. Without treatment, these holes grow larger over time and may destroy the whole tooth.  

Plaque acids can also eat away at the next layer of the tooth (dentin) and eventually cause what is known as a root cavity. As a result, nerves in the teeth become exposed and one may feel pain when eating or drinking. When one feels pain near the root of the tooth, chances are you may have some form of tooth decay and should consult with a dental professional.  

Good teeth care  is an important part of maintaining overall health and wellness. A dental cavity is one of the most common results of tooth decay and could be a sign of poor oral health and hygiene. 

CAUSES OF CAVITIES AND TOOTH DECAY

Major causes of tooth decay are sugary, sticky foods and beverages. The more sugar consumed, the more acid, which gets produced leading to decay. Sugar combines with plaque to weaken the enamel leaving you vulnerable to tooth decay. Each time you eat a sugary snack, your teeth are vulnerable to damage from the acids for the next 20 minutes. It is important to understand the causes of tooth decay so you can learn the proper way to care for your teeth and care for your health. Cavity and tooth decay factors to watch out for:

·         Poor Oral Hygiene:  Not brushing your teeth regularly allows plaque to build up and attack the tooth enamel. 

·         Plaque Formation:  Plaque is caused when bacteria, acid, food particles, and saliva all combine in your mouth. This plaque adheres to your teeth and builds up over time. The acid in plaque attacks the enamel of your tooth and eventually can cause holes in your teeth, otherwise known as cavities. 

·         Dry Mouth:  Saliva helps wash plaque from the teeth. If you have a dry mouth with very little saliva, plaque may build up more quickly. 

·         Eating and Drinking:  This is where it all begins. Since we all have to eat and drink to live, there’s no way to avoid this, but it does play a significant role in the formation of cavities. When you eat or drink, carbohydrates remain on your teeth until you brush. Even after brushing, you may not be able to remove all food particles or carbohydrates from your teeth. Foods that tend to cling to your teeth can increase your risk for a tooth cavity. Be sure to brush your teeth regularly, especially after drinking milk or soda, or after eating dried fruit, dry cereal, hard candy, caramel, taffy, raisins, sugary cereals, cookies and breath mints. 

·         Bacteria and Acid:  While most people don’t like to think about it, bacteria naturally live in your mouth. When these bacteria digest the carbohydrates that linger on your teeth and in your mouth, acid forms. 

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:

As tooth decay progresses, cavity symptoms start to appear. If you notice any of these common cavity symptoms, see your dentist:

·         Pain: A toothache is one of the most common cavity symptoms. 

·         Pressure: Both increased tooth sensitivity and pain when biting down can indicate a cavity. 

·         Pits: Cavity symptoms may include a noticeable hole or pit in the affected tooth. Sometimes the holes are only visible on a dental x-ray. 

·         Pus:  One of the more serious and obvious cavity symptoms is pus around a tooth.  

·         Toothache: This is a sign that something is wrong, this could range from cavity forming or a bacterial growth.

PREVENTION:

Prevention is the best way to avoid a cavity. The first step in preventing a dental cavity is by keeping a good oral hygiene routine. While there are many options for oral hygiene these days, here is a basic checklist of core items you’ll need to incorporate into your daily routine to help prevent a dental cavity.

·         Toothbrush: Everyone knows you need a toothbrush, but very few care if the toothbrush actually gets to every corner of their teeth. Some brushes are curvy, some are straight, find one that best gets to clean you more evenly.

·         Toothpaste: This is a critical component of your oral hygiene routine. Get dentist recommended toothpaste.

·         Dental Floss: Flossing on a regular basis is very important. By removing food particles from your teeth, flossing can help prevent dental cavities.

·         Mouthwash: Mouthwash is often the final step. Mouth wash leaves your mouth feeling clean and your breath fresh, it kills the bacteria that can cause plaque and gingivitis.

ORAL HYGIENE ROUTINE

·         Brush more often: Just because your dentist says to brush twice a day doesn’t mean you have to stop there. One great way to prevent the formation of plaque that causes cavities is to brush after every meal or snack. This is the golden rule of oral hygiene. Brushing after you eat or drink with a fluoride-based toothpaste can help keep your teeth clean and free of plaque that leads to tooth decay and cavities.  

·         Limit your intake of sugary foods and drinks: Candy, sodas and other sugary foods contain sugars that help plaque-forming bacteria survive in your mouth. In addition, sugary foods or candies that stay in your mouth for longer periods of time can also have a greater impact in the formation of plaque and tooth decay. If you do indulge, brush your teeth after eating to help prevent the progression of tooth decay. 

·         Floss and Rinse daily: While good brushing is critical, it won’t necessarily do the job alone. Flossing removes the food particles that get lodged in between your teeth and slowly cause plaque build-up that leads to cavities. 

·         Visit Your Dentist: No matter how diligent you are about your daily oral hygiene routine, see a professional twice a year for routine cleanings and examinations.

TREATMENT

The most basic form to treat cavity is filling. This is done by drilling the decayed portion of the tooth and replacing it with a strong filling made of either composite resins, porcelain, silver, gold, or amalgam. Treatment for more extensive cavities includes advanced techniques such as crowns and root canals. Fillings will stop the cavity from growing any larger.

FINAL THOUGHT

In order to keep your mouth healthy throughout your life, learn what causes a cavity, what a cavity is and the impact even a single cavity can have on your long-term oral health.