Chonda Pierce interview

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Battling depression

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Top Six Depression Tips- Struck By Living

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Stess and Anxiety in Children, new ways to cope with Depression

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Maude – Walter’s Crisis, Part 2 (Season 5, Episode 5) 2/2

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Chonda Pierce at Charles Stanley’s church

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New Mothers – 10 Health Tips for Women After Delivery

I just found this health related video on YouTube … and thought you might enjoy it!

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This video features 10 health tips for new mothers. These recommendations are based on expert clinical guidelines published in UpToDate online version 19.3, and the American Academy of Family Physicians. This video was produced by Nicholas Cohen, MD in 2011.

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Baba Ramdev -Yoga for Pregnant Women – 1 (Hindi) – Yoga Health Fitness

I just found this health related video on YouTube … and thought you might enjoy it!

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Baba Ramdev -Yoga for Pregnant Women – 1 (Hindi) – Yoga Health Fitness. Key Yoga learnings for pregnant women who want to ward off ailments in their unborn children and seek aa healthy delivery. A complete routine, which enables the spiritual and holistic growth of the embryo inside a woman, is laid out in a lucid and detailed manner in this video. It also helps to imbibe the richness of the pranayams carried out in a subtle manner, the nutritious diet and simple home remedies to be partaken for illnesses during pregnancy. Click on www.rajshri.com to watch more Baba Ramdev Yoga videos and bring fitness and spirituality into your lives.

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Factoring In Gender: Women’s Health Research at Yale

I just found this health related video on YouTube … and thought you might enjoy it!

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Scientists and community members speak about a variety of topics including: 1) the dramatic need for scientific information on women’s health and on gender-specific factors determining health and disease; 2) the scientific tradition of excluding women as participants in many clinical trials, and the continuing practice of “pooling” subject data rather than analyzing health outcomes by gender that have each contributed to this “knowledge gap,”; 3) the progress being made in reversing these historical trends, and; 4) new scientific information being uncovered in women’s health and gender-specific medicine.

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Baba Ramdev -Yoga for Pregnant Women – 2 (Hindi) – Yoga Health Fitness

I just found this health related video on YouTube … and thought you might enjoy it!

youtube.com/watch?v=9fB-VR1ZGW0%3Ff%3Dvideos%26app%3Dyoutube_gdata

Baba Ramdev -Yoga for Pregnant Women – 2 (Hindi) – Yoga Health Fitness. The second part of the ‘Yoga For Pregnant Women’ video describes the pranayams which are fine exercises that would complete the entire process of attaining a healthy delivery. Cures for pre- and post-natal depression, high blood pressure, weight gain, nausea and the like ailments during pregnancy, using readily available home remedies, is taught by Swami Ramdev-ji. Click on www.rajshri.com to watch more Baba Ramdev Yoga videos and bring fitness and spirituality into your lives.

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The Alternative – Mens Health

I just found this health related video on YouTube … and thought you might enjoy it!

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Introduction – Vox-pops from the case studies. Dr. Ian Banks, Men’s Health Forum, introduces the programme by exploding the myth that men don’t care about their health and instead points to the way society does not expect men to discuss their health. Throughout the programme he introduces the different issues: stress, prostate health, exercise and maintaining your identity as you get older. Case Study 1 – Graham was dragged off to yoga by his girlfriend. Case Study 2 – Randy, our second case study. Case Study 3 – Using clear, concise language, together with pictures, the therapist Max Tomlinson is able to describe the prostate gland. Case Study 4 – The final item in the programme shows how complementary medicine can help those men who are going through some kind of change or stressful time in their life.

Tell us what you think about this video in the comments below, or in the Battling For Health Community Forum!
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The Alternative – Women’s health

I just found this health related video on YouTube … and thought you might enjoy it!

youtube.com/watch?v=qb2-kE_INlY%3Ff%3Dvideos%26app%3Dyoutube_gdata

Introduction – Vox-pops from the case studies. Nick Avery, a GP and Homeopath, has taken an interest in the relationship between hormones and women’s health problems. He describes how difficult it is to treat hormone problems because even if you have a blood test progesterone and oestrogen vary widely within the normal range. Case Study 1 – We hear from Anne, who had been treated extensively with hormones by her doctor to try and combat painful and almost continuous periods. Case Study 2 – Annette had been trying to have a baby for over a year before she was diagnosed as experiencing early menopause. Case Study 3 – Dr. Marilyn Glenville is a nutritionist who provides a natural alternative for people not wanting to go on HRT. Case Study 4 – Scilla, however, approached the menopause another way under the supervision of zero balancing therapist, John Hamwee.

Tell us what you think about this video in the comments below, or in the Battling For Health Community Forum!
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How My Skin Condition Devastated Me (And Created Me A New Life)

This is the first in a series of articles by Johnny Palmer of AbsRightNow.com. He talks about how his skin condition turned his life into bouts of depression, nothingness and how he has used this unfortunate illness to his advantage and how it has changed the way he lives for the better.

About ME

The ever increasing science of psychoneuroimmunology is finding out more and more about our brain and how it helps or hinders us in life.

We are also discovering how most dis-ease thought to be externally motivated is intrinsically internal.

There are numerous theories and case studies, but I have no interest in that – I want to know how it will effect ME.

In fact I have actually had the first hand experience of being able to look back and see how my own brain has helped guide me through depression, learn lessons, become a better person and then move on.

When I was born I was diagnosed with Eczema, or at least the doctors thought it was that. Ever since and up until just recently I have been plagued with chronic skin problems – which you might not define a “monster” illness, however the effects skin conditions can have are devestating.

Before you start thinking about how it is only a skin problem and I should be thankful I didn’t have cancer – yes I was very thankful it was only a skin condition, but I am a very proud person and being covered in an unsightly rash that appears on your face, arms, legs, chest and makes your skin look like sandpaper isn’t exactly enjoyable.

Especially not for an 18 year old guy who wants to go snowboarding with his friends, party, talk to pretty girls and enjoy life.

When you feel like you are ugly, you turn ugly.

When you feel like everyone is looking at you and talking about you, you hide.

This is exactly what I did.

I suspected I was allergic to something but no matter how many tests I had done no matter how many Doctor visits I racked up on my account, nobody had an answer.

They said it was Eczema and it will go away as you get older, but it might stay with you for life.

— WHAT?

Am I supposed to walk around with head to toe clothes and then move to India so I can cover my face too without looking out of place until I die?

The night was the worst time though.

Before getting into bed at night I would already be worried about waking up in the morning covered in dry, red, oozing skin, sheets smelling awful and looking like Freddy Kruger.

I would have a chamomile tea before bed, listen to soothing music and try to relax as much as possible. Even my lovely girlfriend would rub my back or chest to help relax me – which it did.

Sometimes I would fade off to sleep, sometimes I wouldn’t, but no matter what, I would wake up in the morning looking like the Devil had scorned me.

Some days I would be so bad I couldn’t go to work, at the times when I actually had a job – often my skin was so bad I couldn’t even bear to leave my bedroom and lived at my mums house.

Some days it wouldn’t be so bad and I would get a burst of confidence and make plans for the week, only to wake up the next morning to have to cancel them because I didn’t want to have to see my friends when I looked like a monster, let alone go to a job interview, appointment or a fun event.

I had specific things I couldn’t do such as:

• Couldn’t stay at anyone’s house
• Couldn’t have anyone sleep in my bed or room
• Could never sleep in a car or tent
• Had to make plans on the day depending on if I had an outburst or not

You might think I am just being dramatic, but unless you have actually had eczema on your face so bad that you scratch it until it is red every single night, you won’t understand.

This was the start of my depression.

I realized that there are starving people in the world, people with AIDS, diabetes, cancer and physically disabled, but I felt like those people were lucky because they still looked normal.

What do you do when you are stuck in your own prison of a mind and you can’t escape?

What do you do when you fool yourself into thinking everyone is laughing at you and you can’t go out into the outside world?

Do you sit in your bedroom and get really good at math, build websites, learn a language, build models or try to invent a new product?

In hindsight I should have done at least a couple of those, but I – did – nothing.

My mom said that one day she asked me to hang out the washing and I stood at the washing line for 35 minutes looking out over the hill our house faced.

Nothing wrong with sight seeing, but I was truly stuck in my own prison, and I didn’t even realize it.

Life seemed worthless if I was going to look like a freak the whole time.

Did you ever feel like that?

To be continued … the next part of this series will be up soon!

About The Author

Johnny Palmer runs absrightnow.com a website specially devoted to teaching you how to get abs and the best way to lose belly fat. Johnny has come from a wildly unhealthy lifestyle and out of shape to having a lean, ripped body and overcoming every obstacle that has been seemingly placed in his way as a test.

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Movember – Health and cooking tips to fight cancer: BBQ Grilling Meat

I just found this health related video on YouTube … and thought you might enjoy it!

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Nutritionist Beth Ginsberg shows you how grilling meat can affect your prostate. Grow a moustache in November to raise money for the fight against prostate cancer. For more information on Movember visit www.movember.com

Tell us what you think about this video in the comments below, or in the Battling For Health Community Forum!
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Female sexual dysfunction and diabetes

Diabetes comes with a lot of complications, including sexual dysfunction. There has been a lot of research on the relation between type 2 diabetes and erectile dysfunction (ED) in male patients with reported prevalence of up to 50%, but little is known about female sexual dysfunction (FSD). FSD is characterized by lack of libido and sexual satisfaction, even discomfort and pain during intercourse.

Italian researchers decided to address this knowledge gap and investigated the factors that are correlated to FSD in diabetic patients.  Their results indicated that FSD was not linked to hemoglobin A1C or time since diagnosis, hypertension or smoking. However, FSD was shown to be most prevalent in women who are married or depressed. Whereas physical activity positive influences FSD, age, metabolic syndrome and poor lipid profile seem have a negative impact. Much more, FSD is more prevalent in menopausal women compared to non-menopausal women. The authors concluded that:

“Further studies are needed to elucidate in full the mechanisms underlying the evident differences between male and female sexual function. In the meantime, evaluation of female sexuality should become a routine evaluation in women with type 2 diabetes, such as other diabetic complications.”

The results indicate sexual dysfunction occurs in both men and women especially among those with diabetes. However, the determining factors seem to differ between sexes. Whereas ED is closely linked to cardiovascular risk factors, FSD seems to be more linked to neurological and social factors. In fact, several studies have linked FSD to depression and marital status

There is something that diabetic women can do to help prevent FSD – improvement in diet and more physical activity. Experts believe it is not just diabetic diet that would help but sticking to the so-called Mediterranean diet, according to the same team of researchers.

Mediterranean diet has been shown to be beneficial for the heart and blood sugar levels. However, this is the first study to demonstrate the positive effect of such a diet in reducing FSD.

Like many chronic diseases, diabetes and its many complications, including sexual dysfunction benefits from lifestyle change that involves diet and physical exercise.

Depression in MS patients

As if pain and impaired mobility are not enough, multiple sclerosis (MS) patients are also plagued by another comorbidity – depression. It is estimated that people with MS have up to 50% lifetime risk for developing depressive symptoms. However, very little is known about the causes and influencing factors of MS-related depression. In a way, this type of depression is quite puzzling. It can occur at any stage of the disease and is not related to the severity of the symptoms. Scientists think that depression in MS patients is not simply a normal reaction to the debilitating symptoms but has a neurological reason.

According to lead author Dr. Stefan Gold

“Depression is one of the most common symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis. It impacts cognitive function, quality of life, work performance and treatment compliance. Worst of all, it’s also one of the strongest predictors of suicide.”

Thus, researchers at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) decided to investigate the cause(s) of MS-linked depression. Their hypothesis is that it is not a simply psychological problem but rather due to structural changes in the brain, i.e. “atrophy of a specific region of the hippocampus, a critical part of the brain involved in mood and memory, among other functions.”

The researchers used high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to study the MS brain and found three key sub-regions of the hippocampus that were smaller in people with MS when compared to those without MS. This observed atrophy was also linked to the hyperactivity of three interacting glands of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This axis plays a role in the regulation of reactions to stress other physiological processes. In depressed MS patients, the HPA axis released excessive amounts of the stress hormone cortisol.  The researchers believe that this hyperactivity results in dysregulation and atrophy of the hippocampus that leads to the development of depressive symptoms.

The researchers found similarities between MS-linked depression and depression in people without MS but these should be further investigated in future studies.

According to co-author Dr. Nancy Sicotte

“Interestingly, this idea of a link between excessive activity of the HPA axis and reduced brain volume in the hippocampus hasn’t received a lot of attention, despite the fact that the most consistently reproduced findings in psychiatric patients with depression (but without MS) include hyperactivity of the HPA axis and smaller volumes of the hippocampus….So the next step is to compare MS patients with depression to psychiatric patients with depression to see how the disease progresses in each.”

X’mas stress and depression: tips for prevention

`Tis the season to be jolly, tra la la la… But the holiday season can bring not only good mood and goodwill but stress and depression. The holiday season in the US starts can start as early as November at Thanksgiving until New Year. In Europe it starts from early December till 6 January, the feast of the 3 Kings. In an Asian country where I was born, Christmas starts when the month’s name ends with “-ber”, e.g. as early as September! It goes without saying that the holiday season can become too long and although many of us start off quite happy and gay, we get burned out towards the end of the season, what with too much shopping, too much cooking and baking, too much wining and dining, too much celebrating. It puts a burden on us financially, physically, as well as emotionally. It can cause strain in our personal relationships, our professional life, thereby tipping over that ever precarious life-work balance. It is no wonder that the holiday season can end in stress and depression. Fortunately, there are ways and means to prevent these. Health experts at the Mayo Clinic give us some good advice.

The first step is to recognize the most common holiday triggers that lead to a meltdown and immediately try to diffuse these triggers. The second step is to take control of the holidays and not let the holidays control you. The Mayo Clinic experts give us some 10 concrete steps to avoid stress and depression this holiday season

• Acknowledge your feelings. If someone close to you has recently died or you can’t be with loved ones, realize that it’s normal to feel sadness and grief. It’s OK to take time to cry or express your feelings. You can’t force yourself to be happy just because it’s the holiday season.
• Reach out. If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out community, religious or other social events. They can offer support and companionship. Volunteering your time to help others also is a good way to lift your spirits and broaden your friendships.
• Be realistic. The holidays don’t have to be perfect or just like last year. As families change and grow, traditions and rituals often change as well. Choose a few to hold on to, and be open to creating new ones. For example, if your adult children can’t come to your house, find new ways to celebrate together, such as sharing pictures, emails or videotapes.
• Set aside differences. Try to accept family members and friends as they are, even if they don’t live up to all your expectations. Set aside grievances until a more appropriate time for discussion. And be understanding if others get upset or distressed when something goes awry. Chances are they’re feeling the effects of holiday stress and depression too.
• Stick to a budget. Before you go gift and food shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then stick to your budget. Don’t try to buy happiness with an avalanche of gifts. Try these alternatives: Donate to a charity in someone’s name, give homemade gifts or start a family gift exchange.
• Plan ahead. Set aside specific days for shopping, baking, visiting friends and other activities. Plan your menus and then make your shopping list. That’ll help prevent last-minute scrambling to buy forgotten ingredients. And make sure to line up help for party prep and cleanup.
• Learn to say no. Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Friends and colleagues will understand if you can’t participate in every project or activity. If it’s not possible to say no when your boss asks you to work overtime, try to remove something else from your agenda to make up for the lost time.
• Don’t abandon healthy habits. Don’t let the holidays become a free-for-all. Overindulgence only adds to your stress and guilt. Have a healthy snack before holiday parties so that you don’t go overboard on sweets, cheese or drinks. Continue to get plenty of sleep and physical activity.
• Take a breather. Make some time for yourself. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. Take a walk at night and stargaze. Listen to soothing music. Find something that reduces stress by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and restoring inner calm.
• Seek professional help if you need it. Despite your best efforts, you may find yourself feeling persistently sad or anxious, plagued by physical complaints, unable to sleep, irritable and hopeless, and unable to face routine chores. If these feelings last for a while, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.

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Adolescent angst is not just about hormones

Puberty is an important stage in a person’s life. It is also a difficult time for both the teen and the adults (especially the parents) around them. Teen problems such as mood swings, depression, and even physical health problems are quiet common. Most of the time, these problems are attributed to growing pains and raging hormones. Alarmists would jump into conclusions and shout “drugs!”

Canadian scientists, however, that these symptoms of angst may be are more than just rites of passage or effects of drug abuse. A person’s experiences as a child may also play a role in his or her behaviour and well being as an adolescent.

Childhood experiences can influence a person’s self-worth later in life, from puberty to adulthood. Thus, “insecure infants grow up to be insecure adolescents, and later, insecure adults.” This insecurity leads to emotional problems such as depression but may even translate into physical symptoms such as abdominal pain, headaches, and joint pain.

But what be the main factor in childhood that determines insecurity? The researchers believe they have identified the cause – interpersonal relationships. According to psychologist Dr. Isabelle Tremblay, a researcher at the Université de Montréal and its affiliated Sainte-Justine University Hospital Center

“We found that adolescents with insecure relationships tend to be more ‘alarmist’ about their pain symptoms; they have a tendency to amplify the degree of threat or severity of their pain. This amplification leads to more intense pain and more severe depressive symptoms.”

Co-author Dr. Michael Sullivan, a psychology professor at McGill University adds:

“It is possible that individuals who have insecure relationships may perceive the world as more threatening or more stressful and that manifests in physical symptoms. Alternately, it is possible that individuals who feel insecure might ‘express’ more intense distress as a means of eliciting support from others in their social environment.”

Their findings were based on a study of 382 high school students in Montreal and highlighted the importance of looking at interpersonal relationships starting at childhood in order to understand the root cause of adolescent problems like pain and depression.

Dr. Sullivan continues:

“Adolescents have different health and mental health needs than adults. Although interpersonal factors have not been considered integral component of the treatment of pain and depression in adults, these factors might need to be considered in the treatment of adolescents.”

Depression, sleep problems in children – the latest updates

More and more reports are coming on regarding depression among children that it just makes you as parent well – depressed. Below I summarized the latest studies on depression and sleep problems in children:

Study # 1:

15% of preschoolers have “atypically high levels of depression and anxiety“, according to Canadian and French researchers. The researchers looked at 1,758 children in Quebec  and followed them up from age 5 months to five years. The family members were also monitored and interviewed.
The researchers found that some kids are more at risk of developing depression than others and indicators are also evident as early as 5 months. The predictors are:

• 1^st : Difficult temperament as a baby
• 2^nd: Lifetime maternal depression

According to senior author Sylvana M. Côté of the Université de Montréal’s Department of Social and Preventive Medicine

“Our study is the first to show that infant temperament and lifetime maternal depression can lead to a high trajectory of depressive and anxiety problems before school entry. It is critical that preventive interventions be experimented with infants who risk developing depressive and anxiety disorders.”

Study # 2:

Another indicator of depression and anxiety among young children is sleep problems. Although in many cases, poor sleep is mainly due to bad habits and poor sleep hygiene,  in some cases it is an indication of emotional disorders. Italian researchers looked at 322 children between 7 and 11 years old. 112 of the participants have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder but were not taking any medication. 200 of the children did not suffer from depression.

The results of the study showed that 82% of children with depression have sleep problems. Only 5% of children in the control group have similar problems. Specific problems reported were:

• Insomnia
• Bedtime difficulties
• Sleep anxiety
• Fragmented sleep
• Tendency to co-sleep with parents

According to author Dr. Flavia Giannotti of Center of Pediatric Sleep Disorders at the University of Rome

“Sleep problems are very common in typically developing children. Even though they are more frequent in toddlers and preschoolers, they affect also school-aged children. What was most interesting about this study was the finding that certain types of comorbid conditions might be especially disruptive on sleep. Therefore, in childhood, considerable attention needs to be paid to the interrelation between sleep patterns and emotional disorders. To ensure the most effective care, parents of sleep-disturbed children are advised to first consult with the child’s pediatrician, who may issue a referral to a sleep specialist for comprehensive testing and treatment.”

Study # 3:

British researchers report that early treatment of sleep disorders in children can actually prevent depression. Results from the twin study suggest that sleep problems are mainly due to genetic factors. In the case of depression however, the role of genetic factors diminishes as the child grows older but the environmental factors take a more important role.

According to author Alice Gregory of the department of psychology at Goldsmiths College in London

“We reported in a study previously, that genes were the most important factor in explaining the association between sleep problems and depression in eight year olds. However, when we examined this issue at age 10, we found that genes were less important in explaining the association and that environmental influences had become more important. This could be because environmental experiences are becoming more relevant as children grow older and could therefore play a role in both sleep problems and depression.”

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Do anti-depressants make the heart stop?

Sudden cardiac death or sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) has gained worldwide attention because of Michael Jackson’s passing last month. To review some SCA statistics from the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Coalition:

• Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is a leading cause of death in the United States, claiming more than 250,000 lives per year.
• That’s a life every two minutes or over 650 SCA-related deaths each day.
• This number is greater than the number of deaths each year from breast cancer, lung cancer, stroke, or AIDS.
• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the U.S. and most deaths from CVD are attributable to Sudden Cardiac Arrest.
• SCA is extremely deadly, with a mortality rate of approximately 95 percent.

As I’ve posted before, there are many things that can interfere with the heart’s electric system, leading to a full stop and death. A recent study by researchers at Columbia University indicates that depression – and the use of anti-depressants  – can also cause SCA. And it’s not about overdose on anti-depressants, but regular use at normally prescribed dosage.

The study followed up 63,469 women who were participants in the Nurses’ Health Study and who did not have a history of cardiovascular disease or any other life-threatening disorders. The participants were monitored for depressive symptoms and anti-depressant use for eight years. The study results confirmed what previous studies have reported: Depressive symptoms were significantly associated with cardiac events, and especially strongest with fatal events.

However, what is new is the fact that the use of antidepressants to manage the depressive symptoms does not actually lower the risk for cardiac events but rather increases the risk of SCA. According to the present study

“61% of subjects were using selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), while 39% used other, nonspecified antidepressants.”

It is not clear how these medications exactly can affect heart function but researchers believe it has something to be with triggering arrhythmia or irregular heart rhythms. A previous study has linked antidepressant use to increased high blood pressure.

The authors warn that more study is needed to confirm the antidepressant use – SCA link.

“It is unclear whether SSRI agents might cause [sudden cardiac arrest]. While cardiac events are well documented with . . . tricyclic antidepressants, evidence for a link with SSRIs is mixed… Moreover, it is quite possible that antidepressant use merely indicates that depression is of sufficient severity to merit treatment.”

There have been high profile deaths due to SCA mainly because of the widespread use of prescription drugs among celebrities as a means of coping with their stressful, high-flying lifestyles. Among these prescription drugs are sleeping pills, anti-depressants, and pain killers.

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