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| Obesity | |||
| Prevalence (home) | |||
| Definition | |||
| Causes | |||
| Why Be Worried? | |||
| Psycho-Social Factors | |||
| Medical Complications | |||
| Hypertension | |||
| Diabetes | |||
| Cholesterol | |||
| Fatty Liver | |||
| Metabolic Syndrome | |||
| Cancer | |||
| Osteoarthritis | |||
| Gallstones | |||
| Heart Attacks/Strokes | |||
| Sleep Apnea | |||
| Medical Treatments | |||
| Gimmicks & Low Carbs | |||
| FAQ's | |||
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| Weight Management Programs | |||
| For Patients | |||
| For Injured Workers | |||
| For Case Managers | |||
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| Eating Disorders | |||
| Compulsive Overeating | Diagnostic Criteria | ||
| Eating Behaviors & Moods | |||
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| Resources | |||
| Patient Education | |||
| Obesity Education Programs (first airing June, 2004) | Consulting & Med-legal Asst | ||
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| Cigna Hall of Shame | |||
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| Accessibility/Section 508 | |||
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| Office Location/Appts. | |||
| Michael D. Myers, M.D.,Inc. | |||
| 10861 Cherry Street, Suite 300 | |||
| Los Alamitos, CA (U.S.) 90720 | |||
| Voice: (562) 493-2266 | |||
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Depression
What is depression?
Depression is more than a state of feeling sad or blue. It's not a sign of personal weakness. It is a biologically based illness that affects thoughts, behaviors, feelings, and energy levels. It leads to difficulty in thinking, greatly disrupts a person's daily routine, and lasts for at least several weeks and sometimes years. It is felt that depression results from a chemical imbalance, much like diabetes does (the absolute or relative lack of insulin from the pancreas). Depression appears to occur because of diminished neurotransmitters (especially serotonin and norepinephrine) in the brain. Neurotransmitters "carry" signals from one nerve cell to the next. Lack of these neurotransmitters leads to the abnormal brain activity that we call depression.
What are the symptoms of depression?
Transient feelings of sadness and unhappiness are common, especially when associated with difficult situations in life, such as the death of a loved one or problems in a relationship. However, a persistent feeling of sadness lasting for more than two weeks is a sign of depression. It is not uncommon for people to suffer from undiagnosed depression for years.Symptoms include:
- Persistent sadness, anxiety,
or an "empty" feeling or mood.
- Recurrent crying episodes.
- Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism,
guilt, or worthlessness.
- Loss of interest in activities
that were previously pleasurable, such as sex.
- Sleep disturbances, such as trouble
falling asleep or staying asleep, awakening early in the morning, or oversleeping.
- Changes in weight, either losing
weight without attempting to diet or gaining a significant amount of weight.
- Restlessness, irritability, "moodiness".
- Memory difficulties or having
problems making decisions.
- Low energy and easy fatigability.
- Recurring thoughts of death or suicide.
How common is depression?
Annually, more than 14 million individuals suffer from depression in the United States. Depression is twice as common in women as in men and is also more common in individuals who have a family history of depression.What might I expect when I see my physician?
When initially seen, your physician will obtain a detailed history from you. Additionally, your physician may perform (or refer to for) a physical exam and laboratory tests because depression can result from other underlying illnesses, such as thyroid problems, infections, or even cancer.What are the treatments for depression?
Antidepressant medications are usually used to treat depression, often in combination with psychotherapy. The antidepressant medications "correct" the chemical imbalances associated with depression, while the psychotherapy helps in the resolution of coexisting life problems that may have triggered the depression or developed as a consequence of it.There are many types of antidepressant medications that are not addictive. These medications are not intended to be "happy pills," but are designed to return people to their "normal" selves. Antidepressant medications take several weeks to have an effect and must usually be taken for 9 to 18 months. Stopping treatment earlier frequently results in a relapse.
Only about 70% of individuals with depression who are treated with a particular medication will respond to it, which doesn't mean things are hopeless. If this occurs, your physician will try a different medication; so try not to be discouraged. Unfortunately, there isn't a good way to tell in advance if an individual will respond to a particular medication. If there is a relative who has had a good result from a particular medication, you should mention this to your physician, since similar responses to medication tend to occur in families. It is not uncommon to occassionally feel worse with the medications as the depression starts to lift. Individuals may become cognizant of how miserable their existences may have been for weeks, months, or even years. This is the most dangerous time in the treatment of depression because this is one of the times that the incidence of suicide is at its highest.
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| Updated:
28 May 2004. Copyright © 1996-2004 Michael D. Myers, M.D., Inc. All rights reserved. |
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The above information is for general purposes only and should not be construed as definitive or binding medical advice. Because each person is medically different, individuals should consult their own personal physicians for specific information and/or treatment recommendations.