Tag Archives: Depression (mood)

Leaky Gut definition and its possible remedies

February 16, 2016

Leaky Gut definition and possible remedies about it: The compound of illness?

Leaky Gut definition

It is not just about Leaky Gut definition, finding lasting solution requires real professional to help you through. Contact AWAREMED today.

The bodies of human beings contain a host of organs which are under consistent threats of various infections and diseases. For a better health, this should concern all of us and for a couple of weeks we are going to be looking at some of the underlying problems caused by the Gut in our bodies even as we get the clear leaky gut definition progressively. The Gut or Leaky Gut also known as intestinal sponginess which causes a host of health complications including obesity, IBS, headaches, allergies, depression, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, anxiety, and autoimmune conditions. With this information, it is amazing that quite often this escapes the experts and patients go without the real problem being addressed? The question we want to respond to in this article is why? With the help of doctor Dalal Akoury MD, President and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, we want to get to the bottom and bring to light how Leaky Gut definition is relevant to your health for an appropriate action to be taken.

Leaky Gut definition and possible remedies about it: What is leaky gut?

From the name one will be excused to believe that the Gut has several openings dispensing substances, Leaky Gut primarily occur at a microscopic level which we cannot see with our naked eyes. To help you comprehend this, ideally Leaky Gut happens in the small intestine particularly in the section of your digestive system that lies between the stomach which is the first entry point for food and also where food is first broken/digested into usable form by the body and large intestine which is the final exit point of our food’s journey before allowing all the waste to be dispense out as feces through the anus and from the rectum. For a good health doctor Akoury notes that all the food items arriving at the small intestine must be systematically broken to allow only the food nutrients to be taken in through the walls of the small intestine and finally to the blood for circulation throughout the body.

According to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, it is important to note that all the cells that make up the walls of the intestines replace themselves every 72 hours automatically. They are also adversely affected by external forces like stress. Therefore if you are under any form of psychological stress or your digestive tract is under stress either because of exposure to medications, antibiotics, alcohol, or caffeine etc., then the effect of this is that the intestinal walls cells will not be healthy as they should. Any unhealthy cells will allow undigested food to “leak” through the intestinal wall and into the space underneath where your immune system is on guard for enemies like viruses and bacteria. At this point your immune system notices partially undigested proteins and food and mounts an immune response to get rid of these foreign bodies putting your health at risk. This attack leads to an inflammatory response which creates more stress on your system resulting in further damage to the intestinal wall.

Leaky Gut definition and possible remedies about it: Identifying the problem

Ordinarily in many cases, the inflammation caused by Leaky Gut is associated with digestive symptoms such as heartburn, gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, cramping, and/or hemorrhoids. Besides that, you might also start to suspect Leaky Gut if you have any of the following symptoms un-resolved:

  • Achiness and pain including head or joint pain
  • Menstrual pain
  • An autoimmune condition like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or M.S.
  • Weight related issues
  • Unexplained headaches
  • Anxiety, depression
  • PMS
  • Fatigue
  • Allergies or allergic reactions on your skin

Leaky Gut definition and possible remedies about it: Why is it often unidentified or misdiagnosed?

Although there has been research on Leaky Gut around for several decades, it is not well recognized by traditional medical doctors or gastroenterologists so don’t be surprised if they don’t mention it at all if you talk to them about your symptoms. Neither an endoscopy nor a colonoscopy will show Leaky Gut, so it won’t be reported there either. Nonetheless there are fairly simple tests currently being developed to help in identifying Leaky Gut however, at this point in time, one of the best ways according to AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center experts on how to identify Leaky Gut is a food sensitivity panel. Besides, this will also clarify about the healing process. And as we had noted earlier we will be discussing more about this including the types of testing for Leaky Gut in our upcoming article in this series. So keep reading and stay with us on the link to get the best from the best.

Leaky Gut definition and possible remedies about it: Can it be treated?

The correct answer to that is YES. Even though many patients have in the past been told that their health issues will never heal, this is not true with Leaky Gut because it is treatable and that is why it is the perfect example of a condition where a completely different approach to health is beneficial.

Because, as we said at the top of this article, the cells of the intestinal wall renew themselves every 72 hours, it stands to reason that all we need to do to allow Leaky Gut to heal is remove, or stop, what is causing damage to the intestines. Once we have done that, we can then add in nutrients and herbs that assist and support the process, thus speeding up the healing process. So yes, the good news is that Leaky Gut can heal. And as it does so, you are likely to feel better and better over several months or years.

Finally in this series of articles we will be talking more about Leaky Gut examining the research on what causes it, looking at how to test for it, and most importantly, how to heal it. Be the time we will be done with the series you shall have learnt about the health issues associated with Leaky Gut, and how healing Leaky Gut can reverse even those conditions that are thought to be unresolvable. It is important that if you have this problem, the action needs to be taken timely because healing is possible.

Leaky Gut definition and possible remedies about it: The compound of illness?

 

Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin

The Prevalence of Depression in Cancer Patients

April 29, 2015

The Prevalence of Depression in Cancer Patients: Depression and Cancer

The Prevalence of Depression in Cancer Patients

The Prevalence of Depression in Cancer Patients is the concern of everybody. Even the medics are victims of the two health conditions

The impact of depression in cancer patients has of late been receiving much attention. This is because of the health risks that are involved when the two conditions marry together in an individuals’ life. It is no wonder that depression is actually seen as the psychiatric syndrome that has received the most attention in persons struggling with cancer. Nonetheless the study of depression has equally had a host of challenges due to the symptoms that associates with it on a broad spectrum that ranges from sadness to major effective disorder. The prevalence of depression in cancer patients is further put to test because of the changes in moods are often very difficult to evaluate more so when the patients in question is also receiving treatment of cancer and continuous threats of stress, fatigue and the pain they experience.

Doctor Akoury agrees that even though many research groups have assessed depression in cancer patients for several decades in the past, the reported prevalence varies significantly because of varying conceptualizations of depression, and in fact the definition of depression is not standard and different principles use for the definition of depression. Some of the differences may include the methodological approaches to the measurement of depression, and even the different populations studied. Depression is highly associated with oropharyngeal, pancreatic, breast, and lung cancers. A less high prevalence of depression is reported in patients with other cancers, such as colon, gynecological, and lymphoma. In this discussion we are going to make certain reviews on the prevalence of depression in cancer patients even as we desire to get the perfect links between the two health conditions.

Depression affects 121 million people and is among the leading causes of disability worldwide. If not treated in time depression can lead to personal suffering and increased mortality. Although the prevalence of depression varies considerably globally, the most common symptoms of depression may include:

Looking at gender, women are the most vulnerable to be depressed than men. Even though the available estimates shows that major depression are common with people in their late twenties, research findings puts children also at risk where in every ten children, one will have periodic feelings of sadness. This has been seen as one of the greatest indicators of depression says doctor Dalal Akoury. Experts also put the prevalence of depression in pre-pubertal children ranges from 1% to 3% and from 3% to 9% in adolescents; however, the lifetime prevalence through adolescence is estimated to be as high as 20%. Although there is no difference in the prevalence rate between sexes before puberty, females are at higher risk after puberty. Depression in children negatively affects a child’s development and often manifests as behavioral problems or somatic complaints.

The Prevalence of Depression in Cancer Patients: The Coexistence of Depression

Depression is not alone ranger and it is commonly coexisting with other syndromes and symptoms, like for instance the anxiety disorders posttraumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and pain. The National Comorbidity Survey data show that in a 12-month period, 51% of patients with major depressive disorders are diagnosed with an additional anxiety disorder. Patients with comorbid depression and anxiety disorders experience more severe symptoms, have a longer time to recovery, use more healthcare resources, and have poorer outcome than do those with a single disorder.

The symptoms of depression and personal suffering resulting from this disorder have been well described. The complex biological underpinnings result from disturbances in neurotransmitters and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis dis-regulation. The last two decades have produced exciting science and advances in the understanding of the neurobiology and pathophysiology of depression. Electro-physiologic studies, neuroimaging techniques i.e., magnetic resonance imaging; computed tomography; single photon emission computed tomography; positron emission tomography; functional magnetic resonance imaging and neuropsychological studies are providing information about the neuroanatomical substrate of depression as we are learning more about how systemic disease effects vulnerability to depression.

The Prevalence of Depression in Cancer Patients: Early Studies of Depression in Cancer Patients

When a significant number of mental health professionals began working in oncology settings, they asked oncologists to describe their perceptions of the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in cancer patients. They were able to find common responses ranging from “everyone is depressed which is very true because they have cancer” to “no one is depressed; these are just normal people” and likely were a reflection of the respondent’s mood and coping style.

One of the first efforts in psycho-oncology was to obtain objective data on the type and frequency of psychological problems in cancer patients. Using criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders–Third Edition (DSM-III) classification of psychiatric disorders, the Psychosocial Collaborative Oncology Group determined the psychiatric disorders in 215 randomly selected hospitalized and ambulatory adult cancer patients in three cancer centers by structured clinical interview. Although 53% of the patients evaluated were adjusting normally to stress, the remainder (47%) had clinically apparently psychiatric disorders. Of this 47% with psychiatric disorders, more than two-thirds had adjustment disorders with depressed or anxious mood, 13% had a major depression, 8% had an organic mental disorder, 7% had a personality disorder and 4% had a preexisting anxiety disorder. The authors concluded that nearly 90% of the psychiatric disorders observed were reactions to or manifestations of disease or treatment. Personality and anxiety disorders can complicate cancer treatment and were described as antecedent to the cancer diagnosis. The finding of 4% anxiety disorders was far below what would have been expected in the general population.

Thirty-nine percent of those who received a psychiatric diagnosis experienced significant pain. In contrast, only 19% of patients who did not receive a psychiatric diagnosis had significant pain. The psychiatric diagnosis of the patients with pain was predominately adjustment disorder with depressed or mixed mood (69%), but of note, 15% of patients with significant pain had symptoms of a major depression. Finally in whichever way you look at depression and cancer, these two conditions put together in an individual’s live can be very dangerous. We must therefore do all within our reach to keep distance from all these complications. One of the most important things you must keep in mind is the consistent consultation with the experts for professional advice. Doctor Akoury and her team of experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center will handle your situation with great confidentiality and most importantly offer you lasting solutions professionally. Your health should come first and therefore, schedule for that appointment today.

The Prevalence of Depression in Cancer Patients: Depression and Cancer

 

Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin

Understanding Depression and the Causes of Depression

January 30, 2015

Understanding Depression and its Causes – Men are the most affected by Depression

Understanding Depression and its causes is very important for your health as it makes you take the right treatment solutions in good time

The demands of life around us are full of tight deadlines and great expectations. In our quest to meet these deadlines we are often faced with a lot of pressure from our authorities and our own responsibilities which also hang on our shoulders. Depression is a disease causing families lots of discomfort, people actually lose their sources of lively hood, sexual relationships is affected, skin complexion is under threat and in very fatal cases suicide takes place. This is why we want to take time and understand depression and its causes, how it is affecting us and the society at large. First of all we must appreciate that depression has no respect to anybody. It affects people indiscriminately in all genders, social class, ages and religion. If you are on this link now and is feeling depressed, tackle this with speed and consult with the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under Doctor Akoury’s care for a more professional approach in dealing with depression.

Doctor Akoury founded this facility to give you hope and healing. An appointment with her will save you from the risks of so many health; social and psychological complications which are associated with depression. Remember that we have this life to live once and all the opportunities offered by this life are supposed to be enjoyed and celebrated. Doctor Akoury understand what it means to be depressed and that is why her treatment is focus on personalized medicine through healthy lifestyle choices that deal with primary prevention and underlying causes instead of patching up symptoms. As you consider scheduling for that appointment with doctor Akoury let us continue into the discussion by understanding depression and its causes in details.

Understanding Depression and its causes: Difference between feeling miserable and being depressed

In the course of attending to our normal daily assignments, we are bound to meet low moments from time to time. These low moments are often managed and do not last long. They come and we deal with them putting them behind us, they never dominate our lives and because of this we would say that in such moments we were just miserable and not depressed. However, if the low moments (depression) goes on for weeks, months, or becomes very bad, to the point that you find yourself stuck and unable to lift yourself out of it, this time it will be clear that you are depressed. This will begin to affect every area of your life which necessitates the need for professional help. It must however be clearly understood that depression is not a sign of weakness, and like I have indicated it cut across the board and has affected many famous and successful men and women across the globe.

Understanding Depression and its causes: What makes men depressed?

There are quite a number of things that are inclined to depression. Therefore for us to understand depression and its causes, the following points are very fundamental.

Understanding Depression and its causes: Relationships

Oh my goodness the trouble in a marriage or important relationship is the single thing most likely to make you depressed. How does it achieve this, doctor Akoury share with us the following:

Communication style

A difference in communication style can be a problem, particularly between married couples. For instance if a disagreement or argument makes you feel uncomfortable, you may chose not to talk about it. However your choice may not go well with your partner who may want to have it discussed. Therefore choosing to be quite may make your partner feel ignored. The feeling of being ignored may propel your partner to press you into the discussion which in turn will cause you to feel nagged and will tend to withdraw further which can make your partner feel even more ignored. The result of all this is that both of you will be depressed.

Separation and divorce

  • Men have traditionally seen themselves as being in charge of their families’ lives. However, women are more likely to start the process of separation and divorce.
  • Depression is more common and more severe in men who are divorced. This may be because, as well as losing your main relationship:
    • You often lose touch with your children
    • You may have to move to live in a different place
    • You often find yourself short of money.

Pregnancy and children

  • We have known for many years that some mothers become depressed after having a baby.  We now know that more than 1 in 10 fathers also have problems at that time.
  • This shouldn’t really be surprising. We know that major events in people’s lives, even good ones like moving house, can make you depressed. And becoming a parent will change your life more than almost any other thing. Suddenly, you have to spend much more of your time looking after your partner, and possibly other children. You may get very tired.
  • A new mother will tend to be less interested in sex for a number of months. Simple tiredness is the main problem, although it’s easy to take it personally and feel that you are being rejected.
  • You may have to adjust, perhaps for the first time, to taking second place in your partner’s affections.
  • You may have to re-balance the demands of home and work – there’s a lot more to do at home and you just can’t spend so much time at work.
  • A new father is more likely to become depressed if his partner is depressed, if he isn’t getting on with his partner, or if he is unemployed.
  • If you get depressed at this time, it will affect your partner.

Work

Work can be stressful. If your work makes you depressed, you won’t be able to cope as well. This will make you feel worse and less able to cope and further makes you feel even worse.

Unemployment

Besides relationship difficulties, unemployment is the greatest impediment to piece and this is likely to push people (particularly men) into a serious depression. Professional studies have established that 1 in 7 men who become unemployed will develop a depressive illness in the next 6 months. This means that your work may form a large part of what makes you feel good about yourself. If you lose your job, you will also lose other privileges that come with it like the company car, home staff like cooks, gardeners. Coming to terms with this can be hard to adjust to. Further to that being at home and looking after the children while your wife or partner becomes the bread-winner is another headache. From a position of being in control, you may face a future over which you have little control, especially if it takes a long time to find another job. And depression itself can make it harder to get another job.

Retirement

You may even find it hard if you retire at the usual time, especially if your partner carries on working. Although life may be less stressful, you may miss the structure of your day, your social life with colleagues and the sense that you make a difference.

Problems with sex

  • When men are depressed, they feel less good about their bodies and less sexy.  Many go off sex completely.
  • Some men who are depressed have intercourse just as often, but they don’t feel as satisfied as usual.
  • A few depressed men seem to have sex more often, perhaps as a way of trying to make them feel better.
  • Some antidepressant drugs can reduce your sex-drive.

The list is endless suicide is also a factor but in all this prompt treatment is very vital and the sooner you do it the better.

Understanding Depression and its causes – Men are the most affected by Depression

 

 

Related articles
Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin

  • Recent Posts

  • Blog Categories