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Depression Medicine |
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| Publisher: |
David McEvoy |
| Date: |
2007-03-09 |
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No one knows what causes depression and there are many variations in the way a depressive disorder can manifest itself. It isn't possible to tell who is going to develop depression, and there is no way of knowing what medication might help or even exactly how each medicine works. What is known is that without assistance, it is possible for depression to continue for weeks, months or sometimes years and that medicine can help, but which one? Again, this will differ from person to person and with so many medicines available, both on prescription and over the counter, where do you start? The following represents a list of medicines commonly used to treat depression.
Prescribed Medicines
If you suffer from clinical or more severe forms of depression, then it likely that you will be prescribed medication by your Doctor. There are several different types available and these include Tricyclics (TCAs), Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), Serotonin and Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs), Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) and many others. All of them work in various ways to alter the activity of certain chemicals in the brain that have an impact on our mood and how we feel.
Just as depression affects each individual differently, so too does the effect of any medication. After an assessment of your symptoms and the possibility of undesirable side effects, your Doctor will identify the most appropriate one to begin with and will probably start you on a low dose and if there is no change after a number of weeks, a higher dose or perhaps an alternative medication will be prescribed.
Over the Counter Medicines
There are many preparations on the market that can be bought over the counter, which are probably more suited to milder forms of depression but it is always important to discuss options with your Doctor first as even seemingly safe medicines can carry risks, particularly if you have other health problems and are already taking some form of medication.
SAMe
SAMe or S-Adenosylmethionine to use its full name, is a naturally occurring substance in the body that is involved in many biochemical processes. Research has shown that some people suffering from depression have lower levels than those who are not. SAMe appears to work by increasing the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, for example, serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, all of which play an important role in determining our mood. One advantage of taking SAMe is that it can start to work quite quickly and has the added bonus of having fewer side effects than conventional medicine.
St John's Wort
St. John's Wort or Hypericum perforatum has increasingly been recognised for the beneficial effect it can have on mild to moderate depression. It appears to work, at least in part, in much the same way as Prozac by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin. One of the main concerns with St. John's Wort is that it does interact with many other drugs to produce some undesirable effects so it is particularly important to discuss the implications of taking St John's Wort with your GP first.
5-HTP
The full term for this is 5-hydroxytyptophan, which is a type of amino acid produced by the body that can be converted into serotonin. As well as lifting mood by increasing serotonin levels, it also appears to improve sleeping patterns, aids weight loss, and exerts a positive influence on many other physiological processes. It has been used to help alleviate the symptoms of migraine, insomnia and Fibromyalgia amongst others, but is most commonly used to help treat depression.
Fish Oil
People suffering from depression tend to have lower levels of Omega 3 fatty acids in their blood and supplementing with fish oil has been found to be effective in reducing the symptoms of depression and other mood related disorders including bipolar disorder and post natal depression. The most important Omega 3 fatty acids are Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), however, DHA is important for healthy structure of the brain but it is EPA that appears the most significant for healthy brain function on a day to day basis. EPA has powerful anti inflammatory properties, can increase serotonin levels and improve blood flow to the brain. Research indicates that fish oil with a high EPA content is better than standard fish oil containing lower ratios of EPA to DHA.
Homeopathic Remedies
There are a number of Doctors and other health professionals who also prescribe homeopathic remedies. Although it is possible to purchase homeopathic remedies over the counter, it is wise to seek the advice of a trained homeopath that will be able to take into account many other factors in order to give the most appropriate preparation. Homeopathy works on the philosophy that "like cures like" so that whatever causes the symptoms of a particular condition can be cured by the very same thing if given in a much diluted form. Examples of homeopathic remedies include Veratrum album, Natrium muriaticum and Ignatia, all of which can be used to treat depression. One of the main benefits of homeopathic remedies is that they are safe to use and you don't have to discontinue other medications whilst taking them. The Homeopathic Association keeps a register of qualified doctors, nurses and dentists who are also qualified homeopathic practitioners.
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Related Article:Depression Medicine |
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Ondamed Ondamed |
2007-08-19 |
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Title: Depression symptoms
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I would like to describe why I am optimistic about the future of medicine in general and anti-aging medicine in particular. My optimism is due to the growing popularity and effectiveness of energetic approaches to medicine. Western biomedicine has held back in looking at life from the energetic perspective because the predominant focus has been on chemistry, biochemistry and pharmacology. From my perspective, chemistry is one of many successful approaches to life and health. Energy medicine is filling in many of the previously unexplored or unknown areas in the puzzle of life and healing, and thereby increasing our understandings of how to help patients live longer and happier lives.
Recent medical research is showing that one of the main obstacles to longevity is best described in terms of energy. And the best approach to treatment is energetic. This is exciting to someone who has spent 25 years studying energetics and written two medical texts on energy medicine.
Energy medicine is growing in popularity because it is extremely successful, sometimes resolving conditions that have previously been considered incurable. The main side effect of these methods is an enhancement of the functioning of the immune system, and this is obviously the best thing that we can do to improve health and increase longevity
Let me explain this. If the body is injured or if there is an infection, a set of energetic reactions takes place to alert the whole body that something has happened, and to regulate the healing process. For example, if I get an injury to my arm, a wave of electrical energy called the injury potential spreads away from the site of injury. An orthopedic surgeon, Robert O. Becker, MD, documented this process in papers published in the early 1990’s. Ideally, the injury potential spreads throughout the body and informs every cell of the size and location of the injury. In this way, cells a distance from an injury can participate in the repair process if necessary. For example, in a serious injury, cells from the bone marrow or liver may be recruited to assist in the repair process.
For more read at http://www.ondamed.net
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Nicholas Tan |
2007-07-31 |
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Title: Understanding Zoloft Depression Better
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Always feeling under the weather? Always not in the mood to be around others and have a good time? If you’re suffering from prolonged sadness for quite some time now, you should face these bouts of depression and get yourself diagnosed by a psychiatrist, they’re doctors who can actually help you out with your problem. Also, with the introduction of Zoloft depression, the number one, most-prescribed medicine for depression treatment, the problems concerning depression can easily be gone. Depression or prolonged sadness is actually quite common in the United States, around 9.5 percent of the American population actually suffer from this illness, however, not all of them get to be treated, thus, depression and its ill-effects continue to be a burden to some individuals. This illness may seem quite simple to treat but in reality, it takes more than a little cheering up to actually cure depression. Constant visits to a cognitive behavior therapist is a must as well as taking all the prescribed medicines that the doctor will ask the patient to take – none of these exactly come cheap, but the amount of suffering that a person is going through because of depression is enough reason already for others to start taking notice and face depression head on. Here’s where Zoloft depression actually steps in, proven to be a safe and very effective treatment for various types of depression as well as anxiety, Zoloft depression has actually been around for around 12 years. Patients have been proven to respond well to treatments from Zoloft depression while doctors favor Zoloft depression’s availability in various strengths, this way, someone who’s suffering from depression doesn’t have to settle for something else just cause they don’t have the right dosage available, with Zoloft depression, it’s hard to not get the right dosage for you. In a nutshell, Zoloft depression is actually a type of antidepressant which is known to people as “selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor” or SSRI. It’s well-known to be a good treatment for patients over the age of eighteen that are being treated for the following: depression, posttraumatic disorder or PTSD, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder or PMDD and obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD. Some commonly asked questions about Zoloft depression are the following: How long does it take before the effect of Zoloft depression actually kicks in? How important is it to follow the doctor’s prescription for Zoloft depression? To be frank, Zoloft depression is actually not for everyone, those patients who are taking pimozide or MAOIs are strictly discouraged from using Zoloft depression. Various side effects can stem from actually using Zoloft depression such as: diarrhea, nausea, sleepiness/insomnia, dry mouth and sexual side effects. Although according to studies, a lot of people actually didn’t care about the side effects and still opted to continue on taking Zoloft depression. Some good points to consider though is that Zoloft depression is actually in no way addicting unlike other medication and it is not in any way, can be associated with weight gain. Since Zoloft depression actually comes in various dosages (25mg, 50mg and 100mg tablets), it is definitely best to consult your doctor first before taking any Zoloft depression tablet. This is one of the main reasons why Zoloft depression was actually created in various dosages, since each person is unique, one’s need for Zoloft depression may actually differ from the other and that is why we need professional doctors to assess how much or how little of Zoloft depression does one actually need. Self medication has always been a problem of doctors since their patients usually just end up in worse state than usual whenever they self-medicate and conduct their own diagnosis. Depending on a person’s body makeup or ability to respond to treatments as well as one’s willingness to actually help him or herself get better, the effects of Zoloft depression can be felt in as early as 2 weeks, just continue on following the doctors prescriptions as well as showing up for every therapy session, Zoloft depression will seriously work for you. We provide free articles and information. Check us out at Free Articles
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James Kronefield |
2007-03-07 |
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Title: Depression Medication Alternative Tips
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Depression is a serious problem that affects millions of people everyday. There are different levels of depression ranging from mild to very severe. It can interfere with the way you live your daily life. If depression is bad enough it can cause you to lose your job, destroy friendships and even cause families to be destroyed. Anyone that suffers from depression does need to seek help to keep it under control. However, many people let it go because they are uncomfortable with taking anti-depression medicine to control their depression. If you or someone you know falls into this category then here are some medication depression alternative ideas. One of the medication depression alternative ideas would be to consider treatment that includes talking. Sometimes depression can be more deep rooted than you may think. For instance, it can be induced by some traumatic event that occurred recently or in your childhood. By receiving talk treatment you will be able to get to the heart of your depression which in turn can help you get your life back under control. At the very least it will help you to recognize part of what is causing you to be so depressed. Other medication depression alternative ideas include beginning an exercise program. Fitness and happiness go hand in hand. A person that is physically healthy just seems to be naturally happier. This is because you have control over something in your life. It can help you to feel better, have more energy and have a way to release stress and anger that can be a source for depression. The main thing to remember when you begin an exercise program is to set realistic goals. Start out small and accomplish little things at first, then move up. If you start out with expectations that are too high you may be setting yourself up to be let down. Other medication depression alternative ideas include finding a method of relaxation and diet. Many people don’t realize that what you eat also has an effect on how you feel. Overeating can make you feel sluggish and can make you feel depressed to a degree, especially if you are already overweight. Therefore, controlling your diet can also help with depression. Finding a way to relax can make a big difference as well. This could be anything from getting a hobby to practicing yoga. Whatever you enjoy doing that makes you feel happy and relaxed can improve the symptoms of depression. Get proven information on Depression Medication Alternatives and other ways to Overcome your Depression at http://www.overcome-depression.net/medication_depression.html
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Stephen Lau |
2007-08-21 |
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Title: Depression And The Oriental Health
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The Oriental approach to depression is very different from that of Western medicine. The former bases on the physical to the exclusion of the psychological, whereas the latter focuses on both the physical and the psychological aspects of the disease.
The concept of depression in Eastern cultures is not as well received as it is in Western cultures. This is not to say that depression is less common in the Orient. In Eastern cultures, illness is based on the physical rather than psychological aspects. If you do not have physical illness, you are not sick. Culturally, the idea of psychological illness is not well accepted. This leads to the frequent association of depression with somatic complaints, because it is much easier for patients to have a physical complaint than to have a psychological one. In addition, depression is often a stigma in Eastern cultures.
From a Chinese medicine perspective, depression is largely related to the stagnation of liver"qi." ("Qi" is internal life energy coursing through the physical body, nourishing your body cells with life-giving oxygen. When there is blockage, instead of smooth flowing, of "qi", disease and disorder occur.)
Essentially, stagnation of liver "qi" means the "qi" within your body is not flowing smoothly, resulting in symptoms of depression. Some of the common lifestyle habits which may have contributed to the stagnation of "qi" are: lack of exercise; poor dietary habits – especially fried foods and/or alcohol; and repressed or overly expressed emotions - especially anger and/or grief.
Alongside with or as a result of liver "qi" stagnation, your heart, spleen and kidneys may also be affected. In the short term, weakness in your spleen may lead to problems with fatigue and digestion; in the long term, problems related to phlegm not only can distort your thinking but also deteriorate the quality of blood in your body, thereby ultimately affecting your heart with symptoms of insomnia and restlessness. Your kidneys, being strongly related to the foundations of "yin" and "yang" in your body (the Oriental medicine holds that "yin" and "yang" need to balance and complement each other for harmony and wellness), are also likely to play a role in your sluggishness and sleeping problems, which are common symptoms of depression.
Lifestyle factors also play an important role in improving your mental health.
In depression, exercise is particularly important. As depression is often linked to a stagnation of your liver "qi", movement and the circulation of energy within the body may resolve this stagnation problem. With the energy of your body flowing more smoothly, the corresponding symptoms related to "qi" stagnation should improve. Simple exercises such as walking and riding a bicycle are often beneficial, as well as Chinese exercises, such as Tai Chi and QiGong. In depression, diet is also important. You should avoid foods contributing to your liver "qi" stagnation, such as fried foods, excessive meat intake, and alcohol. Your diet should consist of wholesome foods, which are beneficial to your liver, such as apples, cabbage, cucumber and watercress, and which clear your liver qi stagnation, such as ginger and onion.
Your liver is related to the emotions of anger and frustration. It is important you learn how to manage your anger and frustration, including expressing and repressing them. Stress management plays a critical role.
Since "qi" regulates your spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical balance, and "qi" is influenced by the opposing forces of "yin" and "yang," the balance of which is responsible for the natural flow of "qi" in your body, acupuncture is most effective in controlling the symptoms of depression.
In 1998, a study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reported that acupuncture resulted in a 43 percent reduction in depression symptoms, and that more than 50 percent of patients no longer met the criteria for clinical depression.
Acupuncture may help your body's immune system function in an optimum way, thereby guiding your body to heal itself. Acupuncture may also help your body recover from years of abuse brought on by medication, excesses in food and drink, poisoning of chemicals. Acupuncture may even enhance the efficacy of Saint John's wort.
Your body has more than 2,000 acupuncture points on your body, connecting with twelve main and eight secondary pathways known as meridians, which conduct your body's qi between your body's surface and internal organs. Acupuncture stimulates these acupuncture points, unblocking the stagnation of "qi", which in turn enable your central nervous system to release chemicals into your muscles, spinal cord, and brain, thereby promoting your body's natural self-healing capabilities. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), studies have shown that acupuncture may alter your brain chemistry by changing the release of neurotransmitters and neurohormones in a beneficial way, thereby attaining the balance of "yin" and "yang", and the restoration of health and wellness to your body and mind.
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Kerry Ng |
2007-04-30 |
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Title: Natural Remedies For Depression
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There are many reasons why some people shun chemical cures for a variety of ailments and seek out natural remedies for depression as well as other conditions. Depression is one of medicine’s most frequently diagnosed ailments and the mortality rates for those with depression is almost four times higher than those without it. Before seeking out and experimenting with a natural remedy for depression, it’s important to know that you do, in fact, suffer from depression. A deficiency in Vitamin B12 has shown to cause effects which appear like depression. Some studies have indicated that Vitamin B12 can appear to be a natural remedy for depression when in fact the patient did not suffer depression, but a lack of B12.
Some studies also suggest similar results for those with Vitamin C and Magnesium deficiencies. It’s been noted that reduced serotonin is present in depression and that Vitamin C is the catalyst which transfers tryptophan in to serotonin. Similarly, magnesium levels have been shown to be lower in a person with depression than in a control group. Studies concluded that simply ingesting Vitamin C or magnesium reduced the symptoms of depression, but were not conclusive to be determined that depression was present to being with and can’t conclude they should be used as a natural remedy for depression.
Licensed in Germany and other European countries, St. John’s Wart is a top seller as a natural remedy for depression. How it reduces depression isn’t fully understood, but some theorize that different complexes in the extract work together to help as a natural remedy for depression. Ginkgo, while not a first choice cure for depression has shown to be helpful for elderly patients whose response to traditional antidepressants is insufficient. Those treated with Gingko as a natural remedy for depression for a period of eight weeks saw the average Hamilton Depression Scale score drop from 14 to 7. In a control group which was given placebos, their score dropped one point.
Physicians with a more nutritionally-based orientation towards treatment believe the natural remedy for depression are simply a good, balanced diet. They recommend against refined carbohydrates and a low sugar diet. This has shown helpful to those who suffer the symptoms of depression either in the morning, late afternoons or if they missed a meal. Remember, though, all practitioners recommend a proper diagnosis before any type of treatment.
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Alex Matis |
2007-04-21 |
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Title: Herbal Depression Medicine: St Johns Wort
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A growing number of depression patients are interested in using herbal depression medicine rather than prescription drugs to treat their condition. While herbal treatment for depression is in many cases not really proven to be effective the herbal depression medicine St Johns Wort is the only one that has been shown to have a positive effect on certain types of depression. So a closer review of this herbal treatment for depression is warranted.
St Johns Wort (Hypericum Perforatum), also known as goats weed, is a perennial herb with small yellow flowers that originally stems from Europe, but was also introduced to the American continent. The plant derives its name from the old tradition of harvesting its flowers on St. Johns day (June 24th). The herb is toxic to grazing animals and invasively replaces other plants wherever it grows. Thus, if not actively grown as herbal depression medicine, it is often controlled by the use of herbicides or by biological means. The use of St Johns Wort as medicinal plant is documented since antiquity, with the first recorded mentioning as herbal treatment for depression in the 17th century. Today St Johns Wort extracts, mostly in the form of pills and tablets, and in some instances teas are used as herbal depression medicine and as treatment for anxiety. Especially in Europe, and in particular in the German speaking countries there is a long tradition of prescribing this herbal depression medicine rather than prescription drugs for mild cases of depression, while in the US there is still some scepticism from medical professionals.
A large number of clinical studies have repeatedly shown that St Johns Wort is as effective as standard prescription medicine and far superior than placebo in dealing with mild to moderate depression. In addition this herbal treatment for depression showed a better side effect profile than conventional anti depressants. However, other clinical studies on the use of St Johns Wort as treatment for moderate to severe depression showed no significant effect of the drug. All in all this indicates that this herbal depression medicine is a treatment of choice for minor depression, but not for more severe cases where more traditional approaches are indicated. As is the case with prescription anti depressants the exact mode of action by which St Johns Wort works is unknown. However, it is believed that the herb and in particular its active compounds hyperforin and hypericin and others act as serotonin re-uptake inhibitors. As is often the case with herbal extracts the quality of St Johns Wort extracts can vary significantly depending on where the plant was grown and how the extract was derived at and purified. This has of course implications for clinical studies and for the individual patient taking this herbal depression medicine. Thus, if a patient is successfully using one St Johns Wort-based brand of product he is advised not to switch to other brands. St Johns Wort is usually well tolerated, though side effects such as tiredness, sedation, confusion, photosensitivity and stomach pain have been reported. This herbal depression medicine also interacts with contraceptives as well as with some other drugs, usually decreasing the effect of those drugs.
Concluding it can be said that St Johns Wort is herbal depression medicine that is definitely worth considering for sufferers of mild depression as a great alternative to traditional prescription medicine approaches.
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Janie Jonah |
2006-10-19 |
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Title: Introduction To Alternative Treatments For Depression
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There are a number of treatments available to sufferers of depression who are looking for more help than using antidepressants alone in fighting depression. Treatments ranging from herbs and acupuncture to guided imagery are all finding their place in an ever modernising approach to treating depression. Although this field of medicine is vast, it is worth looking at treatments that are becoming increasingly popular with those looking to help them deal with their depression.
There are a number of herbal treatments available all claiming to relieve the symptoms of depression. Very few of them however do as most are unstudied or have had limited studies into their effectiveness.
Those herbs that are effective are just a few that have undergone multiple clinical trials whose outcome provides clinic proof backed by research. It is important to note that these herbs have proven to be effective only when taking the correct dosage of the herb and in a quality equal or greater to that used in the studies. There is conclusive proof that pharmaceutical-grade St John's Wort is very effective in relieving the symptoms of depression. Studies have found that high quality St John's Wort is just as effective as popular anti-depressive drugs such as Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil. It also causes less side-effects than the anti-depressive drugs. Studies have thus indicated that high quality St John's Wort is the most effect herbal treatment available for depression.
Ginkgo Biloba is considered to be the oldest living tree species in existence. Ginkgo Biloba is affective in increasing blood flow throughout the body. This includes the brain where it helps increase memory function. Memory impairment is one of the symptoms of depression and very prevalent in a major depressive episode.
Meditation is the art of breathing. Maintaining a steady breath while sitting relaxes the body and mind. You cultivate mindfulness by concentrating on the present moment and what it brings to you. Some say it is about clearing the mind of clutter, but that is not the sole purpose of meditation. Daily practice will promote relaxation not just during sitting but throughout the day.
Reflexology is the practice of applying pressure to various parts of the hands and feet such that it will stimulate the body to heal itself. These various points are said to represent various parts of the human body, and by applying pressure to them, they induce healing in that particular part of the body.
The ancient Chinese practice of acupuncture involves 'puncturing' the patients skin with very fine needles into carefully positioned points on the human body. Acupuncture stimulates the release of chemicals that alleviate the sensation of pain. It also corrects imbalances by stimulating the body functions to fight illnesses and conditions such as depression.
Massage is the art of using touch to promote relaxation concentrating on the link between mind and body. When the body is relaxed this is believed to promote relaxation and calmness in the mind. This will lead to lowering symptoms of depression. There are a number of massage therapies available such as shiatsu, Swedish and spinal release therapy.
Guided Imagery uses powerful mental image techniques to promote harmony between the mind and body. The patient is encouraged to see peaceful mental images that create calm within the mind of the patient. This is taught as a coping skill that can be used to fight unhealthy negative emotions such as anger, as well as helping relieving pain, stress and depression. It can also help relieve insomnia which is a symptom of depression and anxiety.
Physical exercise produces endorphins which cause a natural 'high' felt by the person. Exercise is known to relax the body and mind along with relieving stress and depression.
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Stephen Lau |
2007-08-21 |
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Title: Depression and the Oriental Health
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The Oriental approach to depression is very different from that of Western medicine. The former bases on the physical to the exclusion of the psychological, whereas the latter focuses on both the physical and the psychological aspects of the disease.
The concept of depression in Eastern cultures is not as well received as it is in Western cultures. This is not to say that depression is less common in the Orient. In Eastern cultures, illness is based on the physical rather than psychological aspects. If you do not have physical illness, you are not sick. Culturally, the idea of psychological illness is not well accepted. This leads to the frequent association of depression with somatic complaints, because it is much easier for patients to have a physical complaint than to have a psychological one. In addition, depression is often a stigma in Eastern cultures.
From a Chinese medicine perspective, depression is largely related to the stagnation of liver"qi." ("Qi" is internal life energy coursing through the physical body, nourishing your body cells with life-giving oxygen. When there is blockage, instead of smooth flowing, of "qi", disease and disorder occur.)
Essentially, stagnation of liver "qi" means the "qi" within your body is not flowing smoothly, resulting in symptoms of depression. Some of the common lifestyle habits which may have contributed to the stagnation of "qi" are: lack of exercise; poor dietary habits
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Webmaster |
2007-06-27 |
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Title: Jim Oschman, Ph.d. Ondamed and Energy Medicine Anti-aging Conference
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I would like to describe why I am optimistic about the future of medicine in general and anti-aging medicine in particular. My optimism is due to the growing popularity and effectiveness of energetic approaches to medicine. Western biomedicine has held back in looking at life from the energetic perspective because the predominant focus has been on chemistry, biochemistry and pharmacology. From my perspective, chemistry is one of many successful approaches to life and health. Energy medicine is filling in many of the previously unexplored or unknown areas in the puzzle of life and healing, and thereby increasing our understandings of how to help patients live longer and happier lives.
Recent medical research is showing that one of the main obstacles to longevity is best described in terms of energy. And the best approach to treatment is energetic. This is exciting to someone who has spent 25 years studying energetics and written two medical texts on energy medicine.
Energy medicine is growing in popularity because it is extremely successful, sometimes resolving conditions that have previously been considered incurable. The main side effect of these methods is an enhancement of the functioning of the immune system, and this is obviously the best thing that we can do to improve health and increase longevity
Let me explain this. If the body is injured or if there is an infection, a set of energetic reactions takes place to alert the whole body that something has happened, and to regulate the healing process. For example, if I get an injury to my arm, a wave of electrical energy called the injury potential spreads away from the site of injury. An orthopedic surgeon, Robert O. Becker, MD, documented this process in papers published in the early 1990’s. Ideally, the injury potential spreads throughout the body and informs every cell of the size and location of the injury. In this way, cells a distance from an injury can participate in the repair process if necessary. For example, in a serious injury, cells from the bone marrow or liver may be recruited to assist in the repair process.
For more read at http://www.ondamed.net
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Alex Matis |
2007-04-21 |
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Title: Herbal Depression Medicine: St Johns Wort
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A growing number of depression patients are interested in using herbal depression medicine rather than prescription drugs to treat their condition. While herbal treatment for depression is in many cases not really proven to be effective the herbal depression medicine St Johns Wort is the only one that has been shown to have a positive effect on certain types of depression. So a closer review of this herbal treatment for depression is warranted.
St Johns Wort (Hypericum Perforatum), also known as goats weed, is a perennial herb with small yellow flowers that originally stems from Europe, but was also introduced to the American continent. The plant derives its name from the old tradition of harvesting its flowers on St. Johns day (June 24th). The herb is toxic to grazing animals and invasively replaces other plants wherever it grows. Thus, if not actively grown as herbal depression medicine, it is often controlled by the use of herbicides or by biological means. The use of St Johns Wort as medicinal plant is documented since antiquity, with the first recorded mentioning as herbal treatment for depression in the 17th century. Today St Johns Wort extracts, mostly in the form of pills and tablets, and in some instances teas are used as herbal depression medicine and as treatment for anxiety. Especially in Europe, and in particular in the German speaking countries there is a long tradition of prescribing this herbal depression medicine rather than prescription drugs for mild cases of depression, while in the US there is still some scepticism from medical professionals.
A large number of clinical studies have repeatedly shown that St Johns Wort is as effective as standard prescription medicine and far superior than placebo in dealing with mild to moderate depression. In addition this herbal treatment for depression showed a better side effect profile than conventional anti depressants. However, other clinical studies on the use of St Johns Wort as treatment for moderate to severe depression showed no significant effect of the drug. All in all this indicates that this herbal depression medicine is a treatment of choice for minor depression, but not for more severe cases where more traditional approaches are indicated. As is the case with prescription anti depressants the exact mode of action by which St Johns Wort works is unknown. However, it is believed that the herb and in particular its active compounds hyperforin and hypericin and others act as serotonin re-uptake inhibitors. As is often the case with herbal extracts the quality of St Johns Wort extracts can vary significantly depending on where the plant was grown and how the extract was derived at and purified. This has of course implications for clinical studies and for the individual patient taking this herbal depression medicine. Thus, if a patient is successfully using one St Johns Wort-based brand of product he is advised not to switch to other brands. St Johns Wort is usually well tolerated, though side effects such as tiredness, sedation, confusion, photosensitivity and stomach pain have been reported. This herbal depression medicine also interacts with contraceptives as well as with some other drugs, usually decreasing the effect of those drugs.
Concluding it can be said that St Johns Wort is herbal depression medicine that is definitely worth considering for sufferers of mild depression as a great alternative to traditional prescription medicine approaches.
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