Depression is not a sign of weakness or a negative personality, it is a major public health problem and a treatable condition. There are different types of depression as well, including seasonal, postpartum, and even anxiety can be considered a form of depression.Many of us feel down or sad at times, however, it becomes a problem when that feeling lingers day after day. Lack of interest in activities and the persistent down-in-the-dumps feeling is a sign that something more serious may be going on. When these feelings interfere with the ability to carry out daily functions and appreciate things in life, then the condition may require treatment. These feelings can last for weeks, months, or even years with a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms.The exact cause of depression is unknown. Events in a person’s life may be a trigger among other risk factors. Certain types of brain chemistry may also be a contributing factor, certain circuits in the brain which regulate mood may not work as efficiently. Women may be more likely to suffer from depression, although men are also susceptible. Some other common risk factors include:• Family history, or spouse with depression• Stress, fatigue, decreased energy• Illness, persistent aches or pain, headaches• Hormonal changes• Anxiety, insomnia, personality disorders• Concussion or other traumatic brain injury• Drug/alcohol abuse• Domestic violence• ObesitySocial and emotional factors can also play a role in depression. Negative thoughts and beliefs can bring a person down. Lack of social support or lack of control over certain circumstances can cause a feeling of helplessness. These factors as well as lifestyle choices may lead to low self-esteem.Symptoms and risk factors can be very similar, and can vary from person to person depending on how they deal with stress. Symptoms can change over time, some of which include:• Persistent sadness, anxiety, emptiness• Hopelessness• Guilt, helpless• Tired or exhausted• Restless, irritability, insomnia• Trouble concentrating or remembering• Appetite changes, weight loss or gain• Thoughts of death or suicideIf you have any of these symptoms it is important to seek help or treatment. There are no specific diagnostic tests for the condition. Personal and family history may be taken into account with a focus on the above symptoms. Mental health exams may be done to give the doctor more detailed information about thoughts and memory to rule out a number of causes.Treatment in the chiropractic office may be quite different from that of a medical office. Chiropractic focuses more on lifestyle changes to help decrease the feelings of depression. Dietary changes or supplementation may be helpful. Certain B-vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids may help to reduce symptoms. St. John’s wort is an herbal supplement that has shown some evidence to fight mild depression, be sure to talk to your health care professionals to make sure any medications will not be affected by supplementation. A regular exercise program has also been shown to relieve some symptoms of depression, especially in cases connected to obesity or dissatisfaction with self-image.Treatment options can vary depending on the severity. More serious cases of depression may need to be treated with medication or therapy such as counseling designed to help cope with personal difficulties. Medications used to treat depression are believed to improve the communication between nerve cells, the goal is to make them run normally. There are many other treatment options, the goal is to find what works best for each individual in each situation. Depression is a treatable condition which should not be ignored.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Dr. Chris and Dr. Emily of Optimal Chiropractic are no strangers to stress and fatigue. There are many things involved in being a small business owner that cause stress levels to increase, and sleep and physical activity to decrease. The doctors share a few common facts about chronic fatigue syndrome in order to help people recognize the disorder and seek out proper care.From time to time, nearly everyone struggles from being overworked, tired, or unmotivated. Fatigue can be a very normal response to physical activity, certain stressors, or lack of sleep. Chronic fatigue is a condition typically characterized by a debilitating feeling of fatigue for at least 6 months.People who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome generally operate at a significantly lower level of activity when compared prior to their illness. Chronic fatigue differs from fatigue when it cannot be relieved by sleep, proper nutrition, or low stress environment.The specific cause of chronic fatigue varies from person to person. Women between the ages of 25-55 are the most susceptible to chronic fatigue syndrome. There may be links to stress, the immune system, toxins, the central nervous system, or even a virus. It may be caused by lifestyle, psychological, or medical conditions including the following:• Alcohol use/abuse• Depression or grief• Sleep disorders• Iron deficiency (with or without anemia)• Thyroid issues• Anorexia• Cancer• Diabetes• Medications (sedatives or antidepressants)Symptoms vary in each person. Many of which are unexplained and have lasted at least 6 months. Some of these include muscle aches and joint pain without inflammation. Headaches or difficulty concentrating are common, as well as forgetfulness and memory troubles. Many people experience irritability, anxiety, insomnia or other sleeping troubles, and even disturbances in vision. Allergies and food sensitivity are also common.For cases of chronic fatigue, patient history can be one of the most important factors in determining whether or not a patient is suffering from the condition. Treatment options will include increasing physical activity, stretching, massage, chiropractic care, and yoga may also help to balance daily activities. Stress is a common in many who experience chronic fatigue. Try finding a new hobby or outdoor activity to increase activity levels and eliminate fatigue and stress in your life.
Cortisol and Stress
Many people have different reactions to things or events which are causing them stress. Stress can have a variety of negative effects on the body, depending on the mechanisms we each use to cope with that stress. One of these stress responses can include increased hunger and weight gain.Often times, stress will initially cause a decrease or loss of appetite depending on the cause of stress. Chronic stress, however, can be linked to an increase in appetite and weight gain if the stress continues. Hormones released by the body are to blame for this response. Adrenalin is a hormone released when we are in the “fight or flight” mode, which is the body’s natural survival mode. While adrenaline is designed to decrease appetite initially, the effects generally don’t last long.Also released during times of stress, is cortisol. Part of the job of cortisol is to bring the body back to normal after stress has passed during the “rest and digest” phase. In smaller doses, it can have a positive effect on things like memory, immunity, and pain sensitivity. During times of stress, cortisol is meant to increase blood sugar to be used by the brain and tissues. After a threat has passed, these increased hormone levels return to normal. However, in a constant heightened state of stress, the body is not allowed to return to normal and become balanced. Studies have shown that people who maintain a higher cortisol level tend to eat more food, especially those higher in carbohydrates, which can lead to weight gain.Causes of stress in today’s world are quite different from our ancestors. We are no longer running or fighting for our lives, but instead worrying about work, school, and relationships. We are constantly bombarded with stressors that keep our bodies from relaxing and restoring the balance. Other negative side effects of high cortisol can include impaired cognition, blood sugar imbalances, decrease in bone density and muscle tissue, and elevated blood pressure.There are many stress management techniques which can be utilized to help restore balance to the body. Breathing exercises, meditation, and yoga are a few relaxing activities which aid the body in maintaining healthy levels of cortisol. Regular exercise and other lifestyle choices also help to lower stress and even reduce future stress. People are wired differently to react to things in life in different ways. For some, maintaining a low stress lifestyle is easy, and others are constantly on edge. At Optimal Chiropractic, we teach patients simple and effective stretches and breathing exercises to help reduce stress and improve posture. Give our office a call to see how we can help you manage your stress and live a more active and healthy lifestyle, (208) 777-4305.
Coping with Stress
Do you know where you currently hold or carry your stress?It’s no secret that many Americans are chronically stressed. Polls have shown that 1 in every 4 Americans are dealing with chronic stress in one way or another. It is estimated that 90% of disease is caused or complicated by stress. Stressors can cause a breakdown in the body’s communication and overuse of the system.There are many different types of stress we deal with on a daily basis, which can be broken down into physical, chemical, or emotional stress. Physical stressors are often thought of as an injury or sickness of some kind. Chemical stress can be caused by poor diet or lifestyle choices such as drinking or drugs. Emotional stress can often be the worst, it may include things such as relationship difficulties, family, or major life changes.So what does that mean for health? The body has built in mechanisms to properly deal with every day stressors and keep the body balanced. However, with today’s fast paced society, our bodies rarely have the opportunity to combat the stress before more is added on. This creates a confusing environment for the brain and nervous system, which are designed to communicate and respond to stress. The system may become unstable, and gets stuck in the “fight or flight” survival mode.When we are trapped in constant survival mode, our ability to heal, grow, and flourish are greatly reduced. Since our bodies aren’t designed to deal with all the negative input, the system starts to run inefficiently. Fatigue, illness, chronic pain, digestive problems, and insomnia are all potential signs of an over stressed system.We can re-establish the balance and neutralize stress with lifestyle changes. Proper diet and nutrition, as well as some form of regular exercise program can have a significant effect on bringing the body back to normal. Chiropractic care helps to stabilize brain and nervous system function, which helps restore balance to the system to help reduce stress. If chiropractic could help you, would you want to know? If you are located in the North Idaho or Post Falls area, give our office a call at (208) 777-4305.
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Do you ever feel like you have the winter blues, lack of energy, or even depressed with changes in the weather? You may be experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder, or “SAD”. It is a type of depression which is related to the changes in seasons. It is generally a recurring cycle which begins and ends around the same time each year.SAD most commonly affects people in the late fall or winter months, it is less common during the spring or summertime. Symptoms of SAD may be similar to those of depression, including:• Decreased energy or losing interest in activities• Trouble sleeping• Weight or appetite changes• Difficulty concentrating• Feeling fatigued or agitatedSince the days are cold and shorter during the winter months, much of our daylight hours are spent at work or in school. This can cause a change in our biological clock (circadian rhythm). Many people have difficulty oversleeping in the mornings, and have low energy to continue activities in the evenings after dark. It is not uncommon to develop cravings for comfort foods as well, especially those high in carbohydrates.Summertime SAD can have symptoms quite different, and often opposite of those associated with winter SAD. Depression is still one of the main symptoms, however, many people experience trouble sleeping or insomnia, weight loss, poor appetite, and agitation or anxiety. Many are able to recover their energy and increase activity when the days become longer.Causes of SAD are unknown, for the most part. Neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin, have an effect on mood and may play a role in SAD. This is also a very common contributor to depression as well. A drop in melatonin can cause changes in sleep patterns and mood, and as such may be a possible cause of SAD.There are some things to do at home which may help symptoms. Making the work or school environment brighter, or by sitting closer to the windows can provide a better space. Doing outdoor activities in the morning within 2 hours of starting your day is an ideal time to be outside. Regular exercise will help to relieve stress and anxiety, both of which may exacerbate SAD symptoms. Supplementing the diet with Omega-3 fatty acid, melatonin, and St. John’s wort may also be beneficial.At Optimal Chiropractic, Dr. Chris and Dr. Emily encourage their patients to stay active, especially during the winter months. Find an outdoor sport or activity you enjoy during the winter time to stay active and keep your spirits up. Give our office a call at (208) 777-4305 if you are in North Idaho, or the Post Falls area and are interested in seeing how chiropractic care can benefit your life.