Coping with chronic pain and Depression

July 21, 2015

Coping with chronic pain and Depression: Things you need to do when in pain

If coping with chronic pain and depression is giving you helpless night, then you need to seek for help immediately. Early treatment will go along way is dealing with the problem effectively.

Pain is one thing that we will always live with and we cannot just wish away. If you have not been in any kind of pain the probably you don’t know what pain is and so I will take time to briefly describe to you what pain is. According to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, doctor Akoury says that medically pain could derived its meaning in relation to a sensation that hurts. It therefore means that there will be no pain without being hurt, feelings of discomfort, distress and in other times agony and this will also depends on the severity of the pain. When in pain you must be able to understand that generally pain can either be steady and constant and in such cases you may feel some aches. Besides that it might be a throbbing pain – a pulsating pain. The pain could have a pinching sensation, or a stabbing one. From the definition, we can comfortably say that it is not practically possible for one or those who suffer from chronic pain to feel stressed and depressed at times. This is no surprise, given the fact that “chronic pain” usually means pain that lasts more than three to six months. Nonetheless prolonged pain appears to set up a pathway in the nervous system that sends pain signals to the brain, even in the absence of an underlying anatomical problem. Therefore to understand the significance of pain well we are going to focus our discussion on the possibilities of coping with chronic pain and depression. Doctor Dalal Akoury MD and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center will be sharing with us more about pain from a professional point of view.

Besides that it is important to appreciate that some chronic pain may be due to a diagnosable anatomical problem, such as degenerative disc disease or spinal stenosis that can cause continual pain until successfully treated. More often, the chronic pain has no clear anatomical cause, as in failed back surgery syndrome or chronic back pain without an identified pain generator. In such cases, the pain is itself the disease. Yet again for some people, the stress and depression resulting from chronic pain can become consuming, and can even worsen and prolong the pain. Increased pain can, in turn, lead to increased stress and depression, creating a cycle of depression and pain that can be difficult to break. To be fairly safe from all these pains, there are certain things that we can do to prevent, manage or minimize chronic pain and depression. The following are some of the things you can do:

Coping with chronic pain and Depression: Minimizing the chances of developing chronic pain

Talking to a physician about symptoms of depression or stress, or a history of depression, while still in the acute pain phase can alert a physician to the need for consideration of both conditions in creating a treatment plan for the patient’s spine health. While one patient may demonstrate a full recovery from the initial injury, a patient who is more prone to depression and stress, shows signs of depression and/or stress, or who has a history of clinical depression may be more vulnerable to developing a chronic pain problem that persists beyond the initial acute pain complaint. An informed physician can suggest a treatment plan early on that treats the patient’s mental state as well as their physical pain, minimizing the chances of the patient developing a chronic pain problem.

It is advisable for patients to talk with their doctors if they experience any of the following common symptoms of depression that is changes in sleeping patterns, appetite and feelings of anxieties.

Remember that stress a lone can manifest itself in several ways. Therefore it is important for patients to seek their doctor’s opinion if they think or believe that they are displaying symptoms characteristic of stress-related back pain, which are similar to those of fibromyalgia: Back pain and/or neck pain, diffuse muscle aches, muscle tender points and sleep disturbance and fatigue. Besides that doctor Akoury says that chronic pain can also be exacerbated by things such as physical de-conditioning due to lack of exercise and an individual’s thoughts about the pain. Patients can help thwart their pain from developing into or minimizing chronic pain by engaging in an appropriate exercise program and practicing distraction, guided imagery and other cognitive techniques.

Coping with chronic pain and Depression: Stress triggers that can increase chronic pain

Patients can monitor how their own stress and anxiety affects their back pain by keeping a diary of when their back pain changes and what kinds of stress could be triggering the pain. This exercise can redirect a patient’s focus from the pain to the elements in their life that affect their pain. Identifying stress triggers or emotional triggers that affect the pain will give the patient the opportunity for better pain relief through avoiding or eliminating these stress triggers. Recognizing how depression and stress affect their pain can lessen anxiety by giving patients more control over their chronic pain problem.

Coping with chronic pain and Depression: Share your experience about depression

Doctor Akoury says that depression and an emotional reaction to chronic pain are normal. However many patients do not speak to their physicians about their depression because they believe that once the initial pain problem is resolved, the depression, anxiety, and stress they are feeling will go away. Nevertheless, secondary losses from a chronic pain problem, such as changes in the ability to do favorite activities, disrupted family relationships, financial stress, or the loss of a job, can continue to contribute to feelings of hopelessness and depression. Therefore talking to a physician about your feelings of depression will keep the physician better informed and better able to provide appropriate care. Remember that depression can affect the frequency and intensity of pain symptoms, and the healing process. In the meantime it is important to appreciate that getting simultaneous treatments for both the back pain and depression is healthy and will give the patient a better chance of realizing a full recovery.

Coping with chronic pain and Depression: Seek multi-disciplinary care for pain and depression

Did you know that by sharing your story with your physician about the challenges of depression, you can be creating an opportunity for a multi-disciplinary course of treatment involving both a physician and a mental health professional? This is very possible and with a team approach formula, both the pain problem and the depression are monitored simultaneously, and both doctors can communicate about how each area affects the other. It’s important for physicians to understand that changes in the physical symptoms of pain can also be related to changes in a patient’s mental state. Finally remember that even as you seek for these medications, some common treatments for pain, including opioid pain medication, can actually worsen your depressed situation. This worsening depression can then affect the physical presentation of the pain. Therefore if both physical and mental well-being is being monitored closely by medical experts, treatment and medication recommendations, including antidepressants, can be made that take both the physical pain and the emotional health of the patient into account. There are a lot more that can be done to remedy the situation. Therefore you can schedule for an appointment with doctor Akoury for more professional guidance today.

Coping with chronic pain and Depression: Things you need to do when in pain

Depression in Women with Breast Cancer

April 30, 2015

Depression in Women with Breast Cancer: The most talk about type of cancer

Depression in Women with Breast Cancer is realistic and must be addressed timely if we have to keep the beauty and health of our loved ones breast.

Of all the cancer types, breast cancer is the one most studied more so when it comes to the psychosocial effects. It therefore goes without mention that of all the studies done, most of them are focusing on women and breast cancer. This is what the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury are going to help us understand. Remember that doctor Akoury is also the founder of this facility and ever since she has been of great help to many people across the globe. You can be among the many that have been treated and are now enjoying their lives to the fullest by seeking an audience with her today through a phone call and you will not regret it. In the meantime, let us settle into the discussion focusing on the depression in women with breast cancer.

Depression in Women with Breast Cancer: Longitudinal studies of depression in women with breast cancer

Like I had said before, this has become a great point of concern to researchers and a lot is being done in this direction. Like for instance and according to one of the prospective study where 160 women with breast cancer and were schedule for breast surgery, it was established that about 22% prevalence of depression in women who had a mastectomy for breast cancer. In relation to those with initial stages of cancer this prevalence was consistent for two years. During this period a 30% rate of anxiety in a study of 58 ambulatory women who were 5 years post treatment for breast cancer. Nonetheless women who had partial mastectomy followed by radiation had better body image but similar amount of anxiety and depression symptoms and fear of recurrence as did women who had modified radical mastectomy.

Depression in Women with Breast Cancer: Depression in breast cancer patients by surgical procedure

Of the many studies conducted, when the specialist were analyzing the various findings and in comparison with the psychological outcomes of the women undergoing different surgical procedures, it was established some low levels of depression but higher levels of anxiety in 133 ambulatory breast cancer patients receiving radiotherapy after mastectomy or lumpectomy. The end result of this study shows clear evidence that in a cutoff score of 10 on HADS only two mastectomy patients were considered significantly depressed. And on the other hand if a HADS cutoff score of 8 was applied, then 6.7% were depressed. In contrast, in a study of 123 women with breast cancer, there was a clear evidence of high prevalence of depression (50% in mastectomy, 50% in lumpectomy with radiation versus 41% in lumpectomy only). These high percentages may have resulted from a use of a self-report depression scale (Center for Epidemiology Self-report Depression Scale [CES-D]) rather than a DSM-IIIR criteria-based clinical interview.

Depression in Women with Breast Cancer: Prior History of Depression in Women with Breast Cancer

Few researchers have noted the time of onset of depression or correlated patients’ history of depression with current depression or functioning. Notably, researchers reported findings on a homogenous sample of 79 women evaluated with the Diagnostic Interview Schedule and CES-D 3–7 months after their diagnosis of breast cancer. Nearly 18% of this sample had a past or current history of depression according to DSM-IIIR criteria. Women with elevated depressive symptoms had more physical symptom distress and more impaired functioning than subjects with depressive disorders and without depression.

In a cross-sectional study of 303 relatively young (mean age 46 years) women with early (stage I or II) breast cancer at 3 months after breast surgery using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire and HADS, it was again established that a past history of depression was associated with depression. It was also noted that women with few psychological symptoms and good emotional adjustment to cancer may have refused participation in this study because these women were also being recruited into an intervention study.

Depression in Women with Breast Cancer: Hormones and Depression in Women with Breast Cancer

In one of the studies involving 257 women with lymph node-negative breast cancer, 155 of who were treated with tamoxifen and 102 who were not. On the basis of clinical interview, 15% of the tamoxifen-treated group had depression compared with 3% of those not taking tamoxifen. Of the 23 women with depression, eight had mild symptoms and no change in tamoxifen dose was made, eight had significant depression requiring a dose reduction to relieve symptoms, and seven had to discontinue tamoxifen secondary to depression.

Depression in Women with Breast Cancer: Prevalence of Depression in Women with Advanced Breast Cancer

Studies evaluating the correlation of depression with disease progression in women with breast cancer have shown inconsistent results. Experts have found less depression in women with advanced breast cancer (4.5%) than in those with recurrent disease (15%). Physical disability did not relate to emotional disturbance. And yet in another study experts reported that ambulatory advanced breast cancer patients had a 20% depression prevalence in one study and 9% depression in another. Still again other studies found a 32% prevalence of depression in 22 women with local recurrence comparable with rates found with mastectomy. And in yet another research experts found a 13% prevalence of depression in advanced breast cancer patients (N = 139); increased levels of depression were found in those with lowest socioeconomic status, poorest performance status, and closer proximity to death.

In view of all these studies, researches and their findings it is becoming clearer that depression in women with breast cancer is realistically a problem that we cannot just wish away. It will take a consolidated effort from all us (medical professionals, government authorities, the general public and all interested parties) to pool together in the fight against these life threatening conditions. On her part as a medical expert, doctor Akoury made a decision to create a medical center (AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center) whose main objective is to transform each individual’s life through increasing awareness about health and wellness and by empowering individuals to find their own inner healing power. Dr. Akoury’s practice focuses on personalized medicine through healthy lifestyle choices that deal with primary prevention and underlying causes instead of patching up symptoms. I strongly believe that you want your life to be transformed for the best of the very best. If this describes your interest, then you can schedule for an appointment with doctor Akoury today and being the life transformation journey with the best in the medical practice.

Depression in Women with Breast Cancer: The most talk about type of cancer

Understanding Depression in Women in totality

February 2, 2015

Understanding Depression in Women in totality – What can be done

Understanding Depression in Women in totality is the beginning of getting lasting solutions.

In our previous article we dwelt much on the causes and effects of depression in men and in this session we want to do the same but singling out on women. We are dealing with depression because its effects are so painful to both the individuals, families and the whole society. Therefore understanding the depression in women is very paramount as it will enable women to avoid things that may make them depressed for the benefits of their general good health, skin complexion, premature aging and joyful sex life. To start with when it comes to depression, gender is very important. Remember that not only are women more susceptible to to depression than men, but the grounds of female depression alongside the patterns of symptoms are often different. Understanding the dynamics depression is attributed to various factors that contribute to it. Such factors are ranging from but are also not limited to reproductive hormones to social pressures to the female response to stress.

It is important that you are well informed of these factors as a worthy tool of defeating depression. Doctor Akoury will be helping us to understand the factors, symptoms and even effective treatment so that together women can reduce the risk of depression and keep the beautiful and glowing skin, reduce the premature aging among many other consequences accruing out of being depressed.

Understanding Depression in Women in totality: Effects, Signs and Symptoms of depression in women

Depression like any other health condition is not something to be proud of by any standard. The effects of being depressed is wide and broad in that it affects ones social life, relationships, career, self-esteem among other purposes. Statistics has it that in every eight women at least will develop depression in the course of life. Doctor Akoury suggest that if you’re suffering from some past or present guilty situations, or just feeling sad , tired and generally down in spirit, you may want to consult with your doctor because you could be suffering from a major or developing state of being depressed. This piece of information is not to trigger fear in you but to make you take prompt decisions for a better health. Remember that depression is treatable and the more informed you’re about it the better as this will make you effectively deal with the problem as it is a woman.

To be on the safe side, you need to know the symptoms of depression in women even though they are the same as those for major depression. Depressed women common complaints often include:

Depressed mood
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
Feelings of guiltiness, hopelessness and worthlessness all the time
Recurrent suicidal thoughts or even death
Irregular sleep patterns (sleeping more or sleeping less)
Appetite and weight changes
Difficulty concentrating
Lack of energy and fatigue

Understanding Depression in Women in totality: Causes of depression in women

The intensity of women suffering from depression is always higher than that of men. Interestingly the variance is almost uniform in all racial, ethnic, and economic divides cutting across most countries globally. In view of this, different theories are attempting to explain the higher incidence of depression in women including elements like biological, psychological, and social factors.

Understanding Depression in Women in totality: Biological and hormonal causes of depression in women

Premenstrual problems – Hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle can cause the familiar symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), such as bloating, irritability, fatigue, and emotional reactivity. For many women, PMS is mild. But for some women, symptoms are severe enough to disrupt their lives and a diagnosis of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is made.
Pregnancy and infertility – The many hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy can contribute to depression, particularly in women already at high risk. Other issues relating to pregnancy such as miscarriage, unwanted pregnancy, and infertility can also play a role in depression.
Postpartum depression – Many new mothers experience the baby blues. This is a normal reaction that tends to subside within a few weeks. However, some women experience severe, lasting depression. This condition is known as postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is believed to be influenced, at least in part, by hormonal fluctuations.
Perimenopause and menopause – Women may be at increased risk for depression during perimenopause, the stage leading to menopause when reproductive hormones rapidly fluctuate. Women with past histories of depression are at an increased risk of depression during menopause as well.
Health problems – Chronic illness, injury, or disability can lead to depression in women, as can crash dieting or quitting smoking.

Understanding Depression in Women in totality: Psychological causes of depression in women

Concentrating on and revisiting negative feelings – Women are more likely to ruminate when they are depressed. For instance, most women would cry to release emotional tension, making effort to understand the cause of your depression by investigating from your friends about your depression. Nonetheless, this practice (rumination) in many cases acts as a facilitator of depression and occasionally even worsens the situation of depression. Yet on the other hand, men tend to distract themselves when they are depressed which is very helpful in reducing depression.
Overwhelming stress at work, school, or home – Some studies show that women are more likely than men to develop depression from stress. This is because the female physiological response to stress is different possibly because women often produce more stress hormones than men. The female sex hormone progesterone prevents the stress hormone system from turning itself off as it does in men.
Body image issues – It is important to note that in many cases the gender difference in depression originates in adolescence. Like for instance the emergence of sex differences during puberty is likely plays a role. This could be due to body dissatisfaction which increases in girls during the sexual development of puberty according to some research findings.

Understanding Depression in Women in totality: Social causes of depression in women

Just like in men, social factors also play a part in causing depression in women, along with lifestyle choices, relationships, and coping skills. These may include:

Matrimonial or correlation problems; balancing the pressures of career and home life
Family responsibilities like bringing up children, communication issues among spouse, or aging parents
Experiencing discrimination at work or not reaching important goals, losing or changing a job, retirement, or embarking on military service
Continuous financial problems
Death of a loved one or other stressful life event that leaves you feeling useless, helpless, alone, or profoundly sad

Understanding Depression in Women in totality: Treating depression in women

Like in any other treatment of depression, women suffering from depression will also receive normal type of treatment as everyone which may include psychotherapy and antidepressant therapy. Even though this may be the case there are some special treatment considerations for depression in women as will be discussed by the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under Doctor Akoury’s care. If you have any concern about the effects of depression and you need help, call doctor Akoury today and schedule for that appointment that will live you healthy and well rejuvenated all the time.

Understanding Depression in Women in totality – What can be done

Offering solutions to men suffering from Depression

January 31, 2015

Offering solutions to men suffering from Depression: What you can do to help

Offering solutions to men suffering from Depression.Women are equally suffering from depression and needs help.

We have in our previous articles discussed various effects of depression to the individuals and the impact to the society. We realized that depression does not have boundaries on who to affect. However in this article, we want to further the discussion by offering solutions to men suffering from depression. Therefore if you’re worried that somebody you know might be so depressed to the point of committing suicide then this article is going to be very helpful to you. The consequences of depression are not everyone cup of tea and any suspicion of depression should not be ignored by all means. This according to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center would mean that the life of every individual is very important. It is therefore very important that if you have any suspicion that an a loved one is suffering from depression, then the matter must be taken seriously because this can be fatal if it ends up in suicide.

Even though depression affects every body indiscriminately as I had earlier indicated, men often suffer greater damage. The fatality of depression can be very disturbing and frustrating particularly when it ends up in suicide. Therefore how do we give a helping hand to a depressed person? For instance if a man who feels suicidal shares this and he is not taken seriously, he can be demoralized and develop a feeling that his condition is not given the attention it deserve. Doctor Akoury says that “there is nothing more demoralizing than to feel that others do not take your depression problem seriously”. Remember that before this man shares his situation, it must have taken him great courage to open up and so all that is expected is nothing less of support. Therefore as a society, we have a duty to perform in offering solutions to men suffering from depression. On our part as AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center we are offering the best and real time professional treatment to all depressed people from all walks of life. You can schedule an appointment with doctor Akoury today for commencement of treatment. In the meantime let us get into the business of helping you relieve yourself of this depression problem.

Offering solutions to men suffering from Depression: Helping Depressed men

Many men find it difficult to ask for help when they are depressed. It can help to see depression as a result of chemical changes in the brain or as the result of living in a demanding and stressful world. It is nothing to do with being weak or having failed.
Men can get help more easily if people recognize their particular needs. For instance, a man who is depressed is more likely to talk about his physical symptoms than his feelings. Probably this could explain the reason why doctors sometimes don’t recognize depression in men.
Ii is important that those depressed men who are in steady relationships have their partners involved in there depression treatment process, this way they will be able to understand and appreciate what is happening even as they give their support in finding lasting solutions.

Offering solutions to men suffering from Depression: How to help your-self when depressed

Share the problem with someone – if something is upsetting your life, don’t keep it to yourself, bottling things all by yourself may not be a good idea. Instead share with someone how you feel about it or just write it down your feelings about the whole thing.
Exercise – get out of doors and take some exercise, even if it’s only a walk during your lunch-break at work. This will help to keep you physically fit and sleep better. It can also help you not to dwell on painful thoughts and feelings.
Food nutrition – this is very important because occasionally you may not feel very hungry nonetheless try to eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables. Remember that it’s easy to lose weight and run low on vitamins when you are depressed or to eat too much junk food and put on weight you don’t want.
Avoid alcohol and drugs – it is true that alcohol can make you feel better for a while, but when sobriety sets in, it will make you more depressed even more. This is also true with street drugs, particularly amphetamines, cocaine and ecstasy.
Don’t get upset if you can’t sleep – do something restful that you enjoy, like listening to the radio or watching television. If you feel tense all the time, try exercise, yoga, massage, aromatherapy etc.
Do something you enjoy – take some regular time to do something you really enjoy – exercise, reading, a hobby.
Check out your lifestyle – you may be a perfectionist who drives yourself too hard. Try to set yourself more realistic targets and reduce your workload. You may need to be compassionate to yourself.
Take a break – it can be really helpful to get away and out of your normal routine for a few days. Even if it is going to be for just a few hours it will still be helpful.
Get more information about depression – we have very many resources these days about depression. Look for books about this topic and search for information on websites about depression. Such information will help you to cope and also help friends and relatives to understand what you are going through.
Join a support group – helping yourself may be difficult on your own therefore you can get help by joining a support group. Remember that talking with other men in a similar situation can help.

Finally in everything you do it is very important that you keep hopes alive. Giving up and regrets are not options in this journey as explained by doctor Akoury in the following helpful points:

It may be hard to believe, but you will feel better in the end with great determination.
Some people come out of depression stronger than they were before. You may find that you find situations and relationships more clearly than before.
Some people continue to have periods of depression but all the same learn to live with them;
Remember that depression is common, it can be helped and you are entitled to the help you need.

Tag Archives: Defeat Depression