Alcohol and Depression: What’s the Link?

The exact cause of this relationship isn’t entirely known. Some experts believe certain people may be genetically prone to both depression and alcohol use disorder. Environmental or social factors, such as drinking to cope with stress or depressive symptoms, may also play a role.

The link between the two is complex and multifaceted.

Depression Raises the Risk of Alcohol Use Disorder and Vice Versa

As mentioned, the relationship between depression and alcohol use disorder goes both ways. Research suggests that many with depression use substances, such as alcohol, to cope with their symptoms, and have an increased risk of substance abuse disorders like alcohol use disorder.

Studies have found that depression and alcohol use disorder often co-occur, with each disorder worsening the severity and prognosis of the other.

Alcohol Can Make Depressive Symptoms Worse

Many of us have been there — after a bad day or a stressful event, it’s not uncommon to turn to a glass of wine to take the edge off. But making this a regular habit can impede your mental health, especially if you already have depression.

“Some folks drink alcohol as a way to alleviate some of their anxiety and depression, like a reward-seeking or self-medicating type of [behavior],” says Akhil Anand, MD, a psychiatrist at Cleveland Clinic who treats addictions and alcohol and drug withdrawal. “But alcohol itself is a depressant, so while it may help the patient in the short term, it does actually cause depression in the long term.”

Alcohol can affect your brain chemistry. This includes increasing the effect of a brain chemical called GABA, which calms the brain and body, and decreasing the effect of glutamate, which stimulates the brain and body, creating a numbing, less alert feeling.

It can also increase suicide risk, boost feelings of irritability and aggressiveness, increase feelings of hopelessness, and reduce the efficacy of your depression treatment.

The effects of drinking too much can also seep into your daily life and may impact areas like work, finances, relationships and aspects of your physical health like sleep, diet, and exercise, says Dr. Anand. That could lead some people, for example, to turn to drinking to cope with stress caused by these issues.

This can become a cycle, adds Anand. “None of this will help with mood, which precipitates depression. So now you’re also depressed because of your drinking and because alcohol is what you turn to, to feel at least temporarily better, you continue to drink,” Anand says.

Alcohol Can Make Antidepressants Less Effective

Alcoholic beverages can be problematic — even dangerous in some instances — if you’re taking antidepressants. “Whenever we prescribe antidepressants, we really advise against combining them with alcohol and other drugs like cannabis — regardless of the type of antidepressant,” Anand says.

Alcohol not only neutralizes the effectiveness of a lot of medications, including psychiatric drugs, but it can also trigger negative drug interactions. For instance, you need to avoid drinking entirely if you’re taking an antidepressant called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Combining alcohol and MAOIs can cause a dangerous spike in blood pressure.

 The following antidepressants are MAOIs:

  • isocarboxazid (Marplan)
  • phenelzine (Nardil)
  • selegiline (Emsam)
  • tranylcypromine (Parnate)

MAOIs aren’t often prescribed because they’re an older class of antidepressants, but they’re still used in cases when newer options aren’t effective for some patients, Anand says. If you’re taking an MAOI, you should consult with your doctor to understand what’s safe to eat and drink.

Other potential risks of drinking while on antidepressants include becoming sedated or drowsy and having increased depressive symptoms because, as mentioned, the effects of the alcohol can lessen or diminish the benefits of the medication.

Source link

What Is Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD)?

Treatment options are straightforward and will depend on the type of GVHD you have, which parts of your body are affected, and the disease’s severity.

Acute GVHD Treatment

If your symptoms are mild, treatment can be simple. “If only the skin is affected and this affection is limited, patients can use a steroid topical treatment like a cream or ointment,” says Dr. Ponce.

If acute GVHD symptoms are more severe or affect more of your body, it’s first treated with corticosteroids to suppress the immune system. These can include medications such as:

  • prednisone
  • methylprednisolone
  • dexamethasone
  • beclomethasone
  • budesonide

If steroids don’t work, your doctor may prescribe another type of immune system-suppressing medication known as ruxolitinib. Otherwise, your doctor may choose to prescribe a different medication for off-label use, Levine says. Off-label drug use happens when physicians prescribe a medication for an indication not yet approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Chronic GVHD Treatment

As with acute GVHD, mild cases of chronic GVHD that affect a single organ can be treated with local therapies, such as a steroid skin cream or steroid eye drops.

If you have more severe symptoms, or more organs are affected, you may be treated with systemic corticosteroid medications, such as prednisone.

If you don’t respond to steroid treatment, your doctor can prescribe another type of immunosuppressant, such as:

  • ruxolitinib
  • belumosudil
  • ibrutinib

It’s also possible to seek treatment through clinical trials, adds Holtan. Researchers continue to look into other GVHD treatment options that can replace steroids, since steroids suppress your immune system and can make you more susceptible to infections or illnesses when taken for long periods of time.

Source link

Essential Functions and How to Keep It Healthy

“There are several factors that increase the risk of liver disease that are, for the most part, under your control,” says Dr. Kodali. Here’s how to help protect your liver:

Limit alcohol consumption. Nearly half of all liver disease deaths in America are related to alcohol use.

 Experts recommend that women of any age and men over 65 have no more than one drink per day; men under 65 should have no more than two drinks a day. (One drink equals 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of spirits.)

 “The risk of liver damage increases with the amount of alcohol you consume,” says Kodali. Nearly all heavy drinkers develop MASLD and up to 20 percent develop cirrhosis. Fortunately, you can often reverse alcohol-related liver disease by stopping drinking.

Maintain a healthy weight. “Excess weight causes fat to accumulate in the liver, which can lead to inflammation and development of scar tissue,” explains Kodali. For people living with excess weight or obesity, losing just 10 percent of their body weight can reduce liver fat, calm inflammation, and even help heal scarring.

Move your body. Regular physical activity improves blood flow to the liver, decreases inflammation, and reduces liver fat. It also helps with weight loss.

 Research has found both aerobic and resistance exercise improved liver health in as little as 12 weeks, regardless of weight changes.

 More reason to move: Physically active people at risk for liver cancer may be up to 60 percent less likely to develop the disease.

Regular activity also protects your heart — an important benefit since heart disease is the leading health risk for people with fatty liver.

Follow the Mediterranean diet. Dr. LeBrett recommends the Mediterranean diet, noting that it’s the best studied for people with fatty liver disease. Research has shown that a traditional Mediterranean diet reduced liver fat by about 20 percent, while an enhanced “green” Mediterranean diet reduced liver fat by 39 percent.

 The green version emphasized plant-based proteins, like frozen Mankai (an edible aquatic plant), placed stricter limits on red and processed meats, and added green tea to the mix.
Consider coffee. Drinking more than three cups of coffee daily may help reduce fibrosis, according to research.

 “The effects are likely due to the antioxidant content in coffee, so this holds true for decaf and instant coffee, too,” says LeBrett. Just be sure to avoid adding a lot of sugar and creamers to your coffee, as those can negate the overall health benefits.

Keep up with appointments and vaccines. Because liver disease is often silent, regular checkups are essential. “Some people only know something is wrong with their liver through abnormalities in their liver enzymes on routine blood tests,” says LeBrett. Ask your doctor if you’re up to date on your hepatitis A and B vaccines.

Be safe with supplements. “Several commonly used OTC supplements, including green tea extract, turmeric, and certain workout supplements, have been associated with liver injury or liver failure,” warns LeBrett. Those with underlying liver conditions should be particularly cautious. That said, there’s no need to panic: Complications are rare. In one study, researchers reported only 10 cases of serious liver injury from turmeric among millions of users over nearly two decades.

 Always inform your healthcare provider about any supplements you’re taking.
Use medications wisely. Even common over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen can damage your liver if misused. Follow dosing instructions carefully.

Source link

Should I Be Worried About Getting Bird Flu From Eggs?

As bird flu spreads across the country, with egg-laying chickens especially hard hit, people are asking the question: Is it possible to get bird flu by eating eggs?

Since bird (avian) flu was first detected in commercial poultry in the United States in February of 2022, more than 147 million poultry have died or been killed to prevent further spread of the highly infectious H5N1 virus, according to federal data.

The virus, which is showing no sign of letting up, has also infected hundreds of dairy cow herds. Barn cats and pet cats have become ill or died from drinking unpasteurized milk from dairy cows that tested positive for the virus.

For now, however, experts say the risk posed to humans by eating eggs is minimal.

Eggs Can Contain Bird Flu Virus, but the Risk to Humans Is Very Low

“Infected poultry can have the virus in their eggs,” says Andrea Cox, MD, PhD, a professor of internal medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine’s division of infectious diseases. But she adds that it’s highly unlikely that contaminated eggs would make it to stores, because of testing programs and federal inspections that identify infected flocks before their eggs can be sold.

To be on the safe side, however, David J. Cennimo, MD, an associate professor of medicine and pediatric infectious disease at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, has this to say: “As of now, I would make sure my eggs are thoroughly cooked with no runny yolks.” Cooking eggs until they are firm and fully set, with an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, kills avian influenza viruses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

So far, there is no evidence that anyone in the United States has gotten bird flu after consuming properly handled and cooked eggs.

The type of egg you eat — organic, free-range, cage-free — makes no difference when it comes to the chance of infection, Dr. Cox adds.

Pasteurization Lowers the Risk of Getting Sick From Raw Eggs

Pasteurization can make eggs safer, as the process is intended to inactivate viruses and kill off bacteria.

Some foods made with raw eggs — such as mayonnaises, salad dressings, and homemade ice creams — don’t pose a bird-flu risk if the eggs are pasteurized, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A major brand like Hellman’s Real Mayonnaise, for example, uses pasteurized eggs to ensure safety.

Other Tips to Play It Safe With Eggs

To further ensure egg safety, the FDA offers the following tips:

  • Purchase only eggs sold from a refrigerator or refrigerated case.
  • Open the carton and make sure the eggs are clean and the shells are not cracked.
  • Store promptly in a clean refrigerator at a temperature of 40 degrees F or below.
  • Keep eggs in their original carton and ideally use them within three weeks.
  • Hard-cooked eggs (in the shell or peeled) should be eaten within a week after cooking.
  • Refrigerate leftover cooked egg dishes and use within three to four days.

Source link

COVID-19 Linked to Clogged Arteries and Increased Heart Attack and Stroke Risk

A new study has found that COVID-19 may accelerate plaque buildup in the arteries (atherosclerosis) and raise the risk of heart attack and stroke.

“This study builds on prior research linking COVID-19 to systemic inflammation and long-term cardiovascular complications,” says study senior author Junbo Ge, MD, a professor and the director of the cardiology department at Zhongshan Hospital at Fudan University in Shanghai, China.

“COVID-19 is not just a respiratory illness: It has lasting cardiovascular consequences,” Dr. Ge says. “Even mild infections may accelerate atherosclerosis and increase heart attack risk.”

COVID-19 Poses Long-Term Health Risks

Now that we’ve been living with COVID-19 for the past five years, many Americans may not view the virus as a serious health threat. A poll from Gallup last year found that only 20 percent of U.S. adults were very or somewhat worried that they would contract COVID-19.

Concerns may have faded as these infections are generally milder than earlier in the pandemic, and hospitalization rates have declined over the past couple years.

Still, health threats from COVID-19 can linger. While typical respiratory symptoms may pass rather quickly, other health effects can spring up later, including problems with the gut, kidneys, brain, nervous system, and heart.

How COVID-19 Affects the Arteries

To see how the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, might affect coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart, Ge and his collaborators reviewed scans of the heart and blood vessels in about 800 older adults, taken between September 2018 and October 2023.

Participants, who were 64 years old on average, had at least two examinations performed about three years apart. A total of 690 adults with an associated 2,108 coronary plaques had confirmed COVID-19 over this time period, and 113 adults with 480 coronary plaques did not.

Ge and his team compared how plaque volumes changed between initial scans and follow-up imaging. The findings showed that plaque volumes grew faster in participants who had COVID-19.

In participants with COVID-19, the incidence of lesions (abnormal growths in blood vessels) developing into high-risk plaques that are likely to break away and cause a clot was just over 20 percent, compared with almost 16 percent in participants who didn’t have COVID-19.

“Inflammation following COVID-19 can lead to ongoing plaque growth, particularly in high-risk, noncalcified plaques,” says Ge.

The investigative team also found a 27 percent incident rate for coronary inflammation in the COVID group, versus just under 20 percent in the non-COVID group.

In addition, participants who’d had COVID-19 experienced a greater chance of having target lesion failure, in which a lesion in a blood vessel targeted with treatment is unsuccessful.

 The rate was 10.4 percent in the COVID group, versus 3.1 percent in the non-COVID group. This indicates increased heart attack and stroke risk, the authors wrote.

“While systemic inflammation was expected to influence atherosclerosis, the magnitude of plaque progression underscores the profound impact of COVID-19,” says Ge. “The study shows that even nonhospitalized COVID-19 patients face heightened risks of plaque progression and cardiovascular events.”

Taking Action to Protect the Heart

Patricia Nguyen, MD, an associate professor of cardiovascular medicine at Stanford Health Care in California, notes that these new findings align with her own previous research, which found a link between respiratory viruses, inflammation, and a higher risk of heart disease complications.

“The results are intriguing and correspond in some ways to research we’ve done looking at plaque on a cellular level to see why patients who have viral infections like flu and SARS have an increased risk of heart attack,” says Dr. Nguyen.

She stresses, however, that this study is limited because it’s retrospective — looking at already existing imaging and data, rather than directly following a group of participants. Furthermore, patients were all Asian and selected from a single health center, reducing any generalization of results to other populations.

Also, the analysis did not take lifestyle factors into account.

“There is no information about diet and exercise, for example,” says Nguyen, pointing out that a lack of physical activity and poor eating habits could be contributing factors to negative heart health outcomes in some of these participants.

Ge urges people who get COVID-19 to talk to their healthcare providers and prioritize their heart health post-recovery. Steps to take include:

  • Pursuing heart-healthy diets, exercise, and smoking cessation
  • Taking steps to manage heart disease risk factors, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and LDL cholesterol
  • Considering statins or other anti-inflammatory agents under medical guidance
  • Getting regular heart screenings and imaging if they’re at high-risk for heart attack or stroke
  • Staying vigilant for symptoms of heart distress, including chest pain and shortness of breath

Source link

How Does Depression Affect Romantic Relationships?

Depression can weigh on many aspects of people’s lives, and that includes romantic relationships and marriage, research shows.

Although the exact causes of relationship strain vary from couple to couple, one key reason may be that common symptoms of depression — such as irritability, loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, fatigue, and lack of energy — can affect a relationship.

For instance, “Some individuals who experience depression may feel guilty about not having the energy to spend time with their partner, but they may also feel stuck due to their depressive symptoms,” says Ernesto Lira de la Rosa, PhD, a New York City–based clinical psychologist and an adviser for the Hope for Depression Research Foundation. “Although they know that doing things with their partner will be good for them, they sometimes do not have the mental and physical energy.”

If depression is negatively affecting your relationship, it’s important to work together with your partner to address it. In fact, not doing so can have serious consequences. One study of more than 20,200 Norwegian married couples, published in 2015 in BMC Public Health, showed that rates of divorce are significantly higher among couples in which one partner experiences some form of mental distress, such as depression, than in couples in which neither partner experiences mental distress.

Here are five signs that depression is taking a toll on your relationship (plus, five tips for lessening its impact).

1. You’re No Longer Doing Activities You Both Used to Love

Anhedonia — loss of interest, enjoyment, or pleasure in things once enjoyed — is a hallmark symptom of depression, according to Cleveland Clinic.

If you have depression, the condition can affect all parts of your life, including activities you used to find fun and that once made you happy, per Cleveland Clinic. This can be difficult for some partners without depression to understand.

“If the couple usually enjoys going out together for movies, dinner, time with mutual friends, and one partner withdraws from these activities because of depression, it may become a point of contention for the other partner,” says Stacey Neal, MD, a psychiatrist at Kaiser Permanente in Baltimore.

2. You Experience Self-Esteem Issues That Negatively Affect the Relationship

Depression is linked to low self-esteem and self-criticism, according to Mayo Clinic. It can make some people with the condition feel like there’s something wrong with them, and that other people around them — including their partner — are judging them, explains Dr. Lira de la Rosa. As a result, some people with depression may also question whether their partner truly wants to be in a relationship with them, he adds.

“Some partners may internalize that something is wrong with them and may feel that their partner does not find them desirable,” says Lira de la Rosa. “This can translate to them spending a lot of time alone and perhaps saying no to their partner when they would like to do some activities together.”

3. You Isolate More From Your Partner

Some people with depression may become withdrawn, even from family and loved ones, according to Mayo Clinic.

“For instance, this can lead to someone with depression not sharing with their partner that they are going through a tough time or asking for support from their partner,” says Lira de la Rosa. “As a result, the other person in the relationship may not be aware of what is happening or know how to best support their partner.”

Having support from loved ones can be a key part of managing depression, and becoming isolated from others can worsen your symptoms, according to Mayo Clinic.

4. You and Your Partner Have More Frequent Misunderstandings

While all couples have conflict — and some conflict can be healthy, experts say — conflicts tend to happen more frequently among couples in which one partner has depression. Research shows that many people with depression have more negative interactions than positive interactions with their spouse or partner, compared with people without depression.

One potential reason: Heightened irritability and sensitivity are common symptoms of depression. Sometimes in relationships, these symptoms can cause issues that may seem small or innocuous to one partner — like playful teasing, for example — to be misconstrued by the partner with depression, says Dr. Neal.

Another common type of misunderstanding, which Lira de la Rosa often sees among his patients, has to do with not knowing the best ways to support each other. For instance, the partner with depression might feel that their partner doesn’t check in on them in ways that they find helpful, or that their partner doesn’t care. “When in reality, the other partner may have tried to check in and offer support and it was rejected,” says Lira de la Rosa.

“This then creates a cycle of someone feeling that they are not getting the support they need, but they may not see that their behavior and emotions may push supportive people away,” he adds.

5. You and Your Partner Are Less Intimate Than You Used to Be

If you find that depression is hindering your sex life, you’re not alone. Depression leads to sexual dysfunction in almost 83 percent of women and 63 percent of men with the condition, research shows.

This can happen for several reasons, including symptoms such as fatigue and lack of energy. What’s more, certain antidepressants can weaken sex drive, cause erectile dysfunction, or make it difficult to reach orgasm, per Mayo Clinic.

If depression is negatively affecting your sex life, it can pose several challenges for a relationship. Sexual problems may be something you find distressing, which in turn may exacerbate your depressive symptoms. Or, for instance, some partners may not understand why sex has dwindled and could feel confused or even hurt as a result.

RELATED: How to Have a Healthy Sex Life if Depression Is Getting in the Way

Source link

What Is a Therapist? Psychologists, Social Workers, and More, Defined

Mental health coaches help their clients develop a greater understanding of themselves, how to be the best version of themselves, and how to forge a clear path to reach their goals in life and self-development, according to Shane O’Neil-Hart, LCSW, a senior clinical manager of the mental health coaching program at Lyra Health in San Francisco, which provides online mental health care, including coaching, medication management, and blended care therapy.

They are trained to help people with less severe mental health concerns, including stress and burnout, coping with major life transitions, and indecisiveness or feeling stuck in life.

They are not, however, able to diagnose mental health conditions or prescribe medication, says Wendy Nickerson, PhD, professor of psychology at Calsouthern University in Arizona and founder of the Nickerson Institute of Integrative Health Training, which provides mental health coaching certification that’s accredited by U.S. and Canadian regulatory bodies.

Americans should seek help from mental health coaches if their concerns aren’t severe. If you’re grappling with severe depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidal thoughts, or trauma, Nickerson and O’Neil-Hart suggest that you seek help from a clinician, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. And be aware that the coach will let you know if, after meeting with you, what you’re dealing with falls outside their area of expertise.

What Degrees or Education They Need This is an unregulated field, so there are no prerequisites to go into mental health coaching. Unlike other therapists, anyone can call themselves a mental health coach. There is training provided to those who want to get properly accredited and registered. This coursework is typically done over about eight months, according to Nickerson.

Nickerson says individuals who pursue mental health coaching training usually have an undergraduate degree at baseline, a passion for mental health awareness, and some work experience in helping others.

What Licensures They Need Because mental health coaching is an unregulated field, you are not required to get licensed or registered to practice in the United States. If mental health coaches complete their training from an organization recognized by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners, Health Coach Alliance, or International Coaching Federation, they can voluntarily apply to be a registered coach in their state.

Where They Work Most mental health coaches run their own private practice, according to Nickerson, or they’ll work for organizations, such as Lyra Health, that provide online telemedicine. Trained mental health coaches also work in various settings, such as schools, hospitals, outpatient centers, and social work settings.

Source link

What Is Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)?

Restless legs syndrome (often called restless leg syndrome or RLS) is a disorder that causes an overwhelming urge to move the legs, usually to alleviate unpleasant sensations. Also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, RLS occurs when the legs are at rest. It is typically most severe in the evening and night, potentially disrupting a person’s sleep and affecting daily activities.
Types of Restless Legs Syndrome Types There are two types of restless legs syndrome: primary and secondary. Primary, or idiopathic, RLS has no known cause, but it can run in families, meaning there’s a genetic component. People with familial RLS typically experience an earlier onset — before age 45 — and slower disease progression. Secondary RLS occurs as a complication of another disease or disorder, such as iron deficiency, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease, or as a medication side effect.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976296c7b0c66-009f-45bf-92d0-44185d60223c
Signs and Symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome Symptoms People with RLS experience uncomfortable feelings in their legs when sitting or lying down. People with RLS frequently describe these feelings as: Creeping Crawling Pulling Itching Tingling Burning Aching Painful Hard to describe Children may identify symptoms differently from adults. They may describe their leg discomfort as an uncontrollable urge to move, wiggle, or kick.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629418b73fc-9466-4da9-8608-27dfffbc5dbd These sensations usually occur in the lower leg (calf), but can less commonly affect the arms, and, rarely, the chest or head. Although the sensations can occur on just one side of the body, they most often affect both sides. They can also alternate between sides. The sensations range in severity from being uncomfortable to irritating to painful.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629e43aa873-da12-4c40-b337-18ada4977074 Some individuals experience symptoms throughout the day, but the symptoms will always be worse at night. In general, getting up and walking will immediately relieve the symptoms; but they usually return as soon as you settle back into a restful state. People with mild cases may experience symptoms a few times a month, while those with more severe cases may have symptoms every night.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976295b25024e-0d47-4bc7-8a88-f3de3939fda0
Causes and Risk Factors of Restless Legs Syndrome Causes While the direct cause of RLS is often unknown, changes in the brain’s signaling pathways likely contribute to the disease. It’s thought that impaired transmission of dopamine signals in the brain’s basal ganglia may play a role.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762925098017-a80c-4b16-b0dc-b6a9198b3bc7 Dopamine is needed to produce smooth, purposeful muscle activity and movement. Disruption of these pathways frequently results in involuntary movements. Individuals with Parkinson’s disease , another disorder of the basal ganglia’s dopamine pathways, have an increased chance of developing RLS. There is a genetic component, and the disorder can be found in families where the onset of symptoms is before age 40.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629121393a3-7ba5-4bfc-ab34-5fd37b372e29 As many as 40 to 90 percent of people with RLS report having at least one affected first-degree relative, such as a parent or sibling, and many families have multiple affected family members.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629a0d0d5f4-5129-48f0-8053-62051f16f2f8 When the cause is unknown, the disorder is called primary RLS. When restless legs syndrome is caused by another disease or condition, or is a side effect of certain medications, the disorder is known as secondary RLS. Certain conditions seem to be associated with the development or worsening of restless legs syndrome, including:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629c6affc05-cc8d-43a5-bb82-96a22118bf14 Iron deficiency (with or without anemia ) Kidney failure Diabetes Parkinson’s disease Damage to the nerves in the hands or feet (peripheral neuropathy) Rheumatoid arthritis Pregnancy Medications that may aggravate RLS symptoms include: Antinausea drugs, such as prochlorperazine (Compazine) or metoclopramide Antipsychotic drugs, such as haloperidol (Haldol) or phenothiazine derivatives Some cold and allergy medications that contain older antihistamines like diphenhydramine In some cases , the use of antidepressants Alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine can also trigger symptoms.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976296af6b6e9-e647-473e-b90e-e7f9b618137b
How Is Restless Legs Syndrome Diagnosed? Diagnosis There are no medical tests to diagnose RLS, but your doctor may perform blood tests and other exams to rule out other disorders.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629da6be556-e973-4f21-8390-bfdd366b3442 Your doctor may also order blood tests to look for underlying conditions that can cause RLS, such as diabetes or kidney disease. In addition, your doctor may use a neurological and a physical exam, information from your medical and family history, and a list of your current medications to make a diagnosis. In some cases, sleep studies such as polysomnography (a test that records the individual’s brain waves, heartbeat, breathing, and leg movements throughout the night) are used to identify the presence of other causes of sleep disruption (such as sleep apnea), which may impact management of RLS. But guidelines suggest this method should only be used to diagnose RLS in cases when clinical history is ambiguous, and it is deemed necessary to document periodic leg movements. In most cases, polysomnography does not provide any necessary additional information for an RLS diagnosis to take place.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629ab7e1898-17cf-486c-8e8e-ba0dbd8b5c59 Diagnosing RLS in children can be especially difficult, since it may be hard for children to describe what they are experiencing, when and how often the symptoms occur, and how long symptoms last. Pediatric RLS can sometimes be misdiagnosed as “growing pains” or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder .e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976292d3732cd-bf5b-4ce8-9567-24b70311b310 As a result, this condition often goes undiagnosed in children.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629ba570711-1fad-4a14-bbfd-6677e0df0fe0
Treatment and Medication Options for Restless Legs Syndrome Treatment The goals of treatment for RLS are to relieve symptoms, increase the amount and quality of sleep, and treat any underlying condition that may be causing RLS.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629243cc53a-d995-4598-b959-d0fc8d22f428 Treatment options for RLS include:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762988556533-4562-4934-b56a-ac7a3aa6969c Medications: Gabapentin enacarbil, Gabapentin, and Pregabalin are medications advised by the American Society of Sleep Medicine (AASM).e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976291f744252-205b-4d6d-a50e-cc24d9d7e0ce Iron: A trial of iron supplements is often recommended as a first treatment if your blood test indicates low or low-normal ferritin, a protein in the body that binds to iron. Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose : The AASM advises this for people with a serum ferritin level lower than 100 micrograms per liter (mcg/L).e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976291f744252-205b-4d6d-a50e-cc24d9d7e0ce Anti-seizure drugs: These can be effective in decreasing sensory disturbances such as creeping and crawling as well as nerve pain. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved gabapentin (Neurontin) for the treatment of moderate to severe RLS. Opioid drugs: Methadone (Dolophine), codeine, hydrocodone, or oxycodone (Oxycontin) are sometimes prescribed to treat individuals with more severe symptoms of RLS who do not respond well to other medications. Benzodiazepines Medications such as clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan) are sometimes prescribed to treat anxiety, muscle spasms, and insomnia. Until very recently, dopaminergic agents were also a standard treatment method for RLS, approved by the FDA and a standard practice advised by the AASM. But research showed that while these medications helped in the short term, in the long term they actually made RLS symptoms worse.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976291f744252-205b-4d6d-a50e-cc24d9d7e0ce Medications previously recommended, that are now strongly advised against by the AASM include:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976291f744252-205b-4d6d-a50e-cc24d9d7e0ce Ropinirole Pramipexole Rotigotine Levodopa Cabergolinee60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976293a1d6c3d-729e-4842-b2a6-05bac2c22347 The AASM also advises against the use of these medications:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976291f744252-205b-4d6d-a50e-cc24d9d7e0ce Bupropion Carbamazepine Clonazepam Valerian Valproic acid
Alternative and Complementary Therapies Several studies have shown that acupuncture can improve symptoms of RLS. One study found that patients treated with acupuncture in combination with a low dose of gabapentin reported greater improvement in symptoms than did those who were treated with gabapentin alone.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629f4b3bc61-28b1-4284-be14-d80a72bb177d In addition, studies have shown that certain other nonpharmacological therapies, including exercise and pneumatic compression devices, which improve circulation, can be effective in alleviating symptoms of RLS.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629687490be-a3ed-4b1c-b6db-8109d00d6eba Relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga may alleviate symptoms as well, but more studies are needed to determine exactly how effective these practices are.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976292c834eef-6b1f-41bb-b42f-d363ea612ab5 Hot baths and massages can be helpful in relieving symptoms as well.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976297a72a298-5c49-479d-8c1d-a3ec2133ea3a
Prevention of Restless Legs Syndrome Prevention There is no known way to prevent RLS, because doctors aren’t sure what causes it. Lifestyle changes may help to prevent symptoms as well as limit them. Please see below for more information on lifestyle changes.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629697da6d0-5c2f-4023-93c9-8d3a8163183f
Lifestyle Changes for Restless Legs Syndrome Lifestyle Changes Symptoms of RLS also can be alleviated by some lifestyle changes. You can try the following:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762921e7592a-a8e0-4697-b6f7-c16b1f451c69 Implement a regular exercise program. Maintain regular sleep patterns. Limit use of tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine. Staying active throughout the day helps alleviate symptoms for some. This gives your muscles the chance to exert the energy that they would otherwise release at night. Regular exercisers are 3.3 times less likely to have RLS than nonexercisers.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629514d3eaf-8475-4f0c-8dc2-8c2578ed7537 Some people find that good sleep habits can also help with symptoms of RLS. These habits can include: Only use your bedroom for sleep (not for watching TV or using a computer or cell phone). Go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning. Make sure you get enough sleep so that you feel rested when you wake up. If RLS symptoms are mild, do not produce significant daytime discomfort, or do not affect an individual’s ability to fall asleep, the condition does not have to be treated.
Restless Legs Syndrome Prognosis and Outlook Prognosis and Outlook Once it starts, primary RLS usually becomes a lifelong condition. Over time, symptoms tend to get worse and occur more often, especially if they began in childhood or early in adult life (before age 45). Late-onset RLS, which begins after age 45, tends to worsen more rapidly.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976297e3dbf53-d007-49ce-87ce-d885fc9877cd That said, current therapies can control the disorder, minimize symptoms, and increase periods of restful sleep. People with RLS can sometimes experience remissions — spontaneous improvement for a period of weeks or months before symptoms reappear. This usually occurs during the early stages of the disorder.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629b51459ba-6f4a-4513-a808-52729381ec63 In cases of secondary RLS, when your RLS is caused by another disease or condition, symptoms usually go away when the disease or condition improves. In addition, if your restless legs syndrome is triggered by medications or the use of caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol, the condition usually improves or goes away once you stop using the medications or substances. When RLS accompanies pregnancy, it usually occurs during the last three months and often improves or disappears within a few weeks after delivery. But some women may continue to have symptoms after giving birth or may develop RLS again later in life.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629564fe7f9-1d0a-4db3-812b-f8bd6c0dbe3b RLS as a disorder is not dangerous or life-threatening, but it can be uncomfortable, making it hard to sleep and affecting your quality of life.
Complications of Restless Legs Syndrome Complications RLS can affect both the quality and amount of sleep you get. As a result, affected individuals may experience difficulty concentrating during the day. Others may develop mood swings or depression.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976293f2d3b98-6b48-4ac7-81bb-0eb4071bedc9
Research and Statistics: How Common Is Restless Legs Syndrome? Research and Statistics Restless legs syndrome affects between 5 and 10 percent of the adult population in the USA. It affects 2 to 4 percent of children.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762918bdc28b-4397-4244-a7d1-fe31d59d4ad9 Reports suggest that most people do not visit a healthcare practitioner about their symptoms until middle age, although up to 40 percent of people may experience symptoms even before the age of 20.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976296c7cd540-a82c-441f-86b5-1354a9e06de8 Research suggests that RLS affects an estimated 1.5 million children and adolescents in the United States.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629f2cd7ede-e982-4d89-b5ef-2fbda9fd9c97 RLS occurs in both men and women, although women are more likely to have it than men. According to a review published in 2020, changes in hormone levels may play a role in explaining why women are more vulnerable to RLS. This theory is based on the fact that both pregnancy and menopause appear to increase rates of occurrence. Another theory is that the higher prevalence in women is because RLS is comorbid with several disorders to which women are particularly prone, such as migraine , depression, and anxiety.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762978de9395-6434-4b68-8572-bc6fee332c96
Related Conditions of Restless Legs Syndrome Related Conditions RLS is common during pregnancy, particularly in the last trimester. A study published in 2020 found that 22.9 percent of women experience RLS in the third trimester.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976299ae481a6-2ea7-46e0-9882-a9188d899863 Many people with RLS also experience uncontrollable, repetitive leg movements that occur while they are relaxed, drowsy, or sleeping. When these movements occur during sleep, they are called periodic limb movements of sleep (PLMS). When these occur while a person is awake, they are called periodic limb movements of wakefulness (PLMW). It is unclear whether PLMS and PLMW are features of restless legs syndrome itself or represent similar, but separate, conditions.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762996bae783-1f3f-4bd9-bfe5-a13a8ed77ea9 RLS can cause exhaustion and daytime sleepiness, which can have a negative effect on mood, contributing to depression and anxiety. It can also affect your ability to perform well at school or at work. Many people with RLS say they’re often unable to concentrate, have impaired memory, or fail to accomplish daily tasks. Untreated moderate to severe RLS can lead to a 20 percent decrease in work productivity.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629dc1bc24a-e564-4ca6-b9ac-81ec6f9c6755
The Takeaway Restless legs syndrome (RLS) causes an overwhelming urge to move the legs. It is often accompanied by unpleasant sensations like tingling, itching, or burning, and it typically worsens at night, disrupting sleep. The exact cause is unknown, but RLS can be linked to problems with dopamine signaling in the brain, genetic factors, iron deficiency, kidney disease, and certain medications. Treatment usually centers around alleviating symptoms and improving sleep quality with a combination of medications and lifestyle changes. Some alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, may provide relief.
Resources We Trust Mayo Clinic: Mayo Clinic Q and A: Restless Legs Syndrome in Children Cleveland Clinic: Restless Legs Syndrome Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation: Diagnosis & Treatment National Sleep Foundation: Do I Have Restless Legs Syndrome? National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Restless Legs Syndrome

Source link

Is Snoring Bad for Your Health?

If that sounds like you, there are some simple changes you can make to help you snore less. Keep in mind the solution to your snoring will depend on what’s causing it.

“Snoring is not a health risk in and of itself and is more of a symptom, so it depends on the cause of the snoring to address the treatment,” says Kendra Becker, MD, a sleep medicine director and internist at Kaiser Permanente in Fontana, California.

For example, you may be forced to breathe through your mouth because allergies have you chronically congested, or a deviated septum (displacement of the cartilage inside your nose) obstructs your nasal airflow. Treating those can help you breathe easier, and may reduce or eliminate your snoring.

Kilkenny also recommends:

  • Losing weight if you’re overweight
  • Avoiding alcohol and sedatives such as narcotics and benzodiazepines
  • Taking medications to free up congestion when you’re feeling sick
  • Sleeping with your head elevated
  • Sleeping on your side instead of your back
  • Quitting smoking
  • Prioritizing sleep quantity and quality

Beyond those lifestyle changes, you can try:

Nasal Strips Designed to Keep Your Nasal Passages Open A study found study participants who wore a nasal strip to bed reported an improvement in sleep quality nearly twice as high as those who used a placebo.

A Snore-Reducing Pillow “These help keep your airway open by repositioning your neck and head,” Kilkenny says, though he admits they aren’t the most powerful way to end snoring. A small study found using a pillow with an expansion angle of 20 degrees resulted in no snoring during the first 30 minutes of sleep, compared with five snoring episodes for those using a standard pillow.

Oral Appliances That Reposition Your Jaw to Maximize Air Flow Oral appliances can greatly reduce or eliminate snoring.

Surgical Procedure “Surgery is usually not recommended for simple snoring,” Dr. Becker says. And insurance companies typically don’t pay for surgical treatments for snoring, Kilkenny says. However, if you have another condition such as OSA, you may benefit from surgery to remove tissue from your mouth or throat. A small study found that the use of a device called a pillar implant to stiffen the soft palate reduced the frequency and loudness of snoring among participants.

What are the chances you can implement the above and stop the snoring for good? “Everything is relative, but if one improves these conditions, the snoring should improve,” Kilkenny says. However, he adds that anatomy is still the major reason snoring develops, and that is more difficult to fix.

Source link

REM Sleep Issues May Be an Early Symptom of Alzheimer’s Disease

A good night’s rest is essential for a healthy brain, and research increasingly suggests that poor sleep may heighten the risk of developing dementia.

“Previous studies have mostly focused on slow wave sleep, or deep sleep, as a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease,” says senior study author Yue Leng, PhD, an associate professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at University of California in San Francisco. “This is really the first study to look at how long it takes you to enter REM sleep as a novel mark for Alzheimer’s disease.”

The Link Between Sleep and Brain Health

When it comes to brain function, the REM stage of sleep appears to play an outsized role in processing emotional memories.

Dr. Leng and her collaborators found that a delay in REM sleep appears to disrupt the brain’s ability to consolidate memories by interfering with the process that contributes to learning and memory.

She notes that poor or reduced REM sleep may raise levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can impair the hippocampus, a part of the brain critical to memory consolidation.

More Toxic Brain Proteins in People With Late REM

For this investigation, researchers followed 128 adults, who were 70 years old on average, from the neurology unit of the China-Japan Friendship Hospital in Beijing. Half had Alzheimer’s disease and about one-third had mild cognitive impairment, a common precursor to Alzheimer’s. The remainder had normal cognition.

The team monitored participants while they slept overnight in a clinic and measured their brainwave activity, eye movement, heart rate, and breathing.

Researchers divided the patients into those who reached REM sleep early (in less than 98 minutes after falling asleep) and those who reached REM sleep late (more than 193 minutes after falling asleep).

Those with the markers for Alzheimer’s were more likely to have delayed REM sleep. These participants tended to have higher levels of the two toxic proteins, amyloid and tau, common in people with the disease.

The results showed that subjects with delayed REM sleep had 16 percent more amyloid and 29 percent more tau than those with early REM sleep. The late REM group also had 39 percent less of a healthy protein called brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which decreases in patients with Alzheimer’s.

Good Sleep Is Essential for Alzheimer’s Prevention

For Stefania Forner, PhD, director of medical and scientific relations for the Alzheimer’s Association, these outcomes support a growing body of evidence demonstrating that sleep disruption may impact the risk for Alzheimer’s and other brain diseases.

“This study may contribute to a better understanding of modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer’s, such as poor sleep,” she says. “However, replication of these findings in larger and more diverse study populations is needed. The study was conducted in a very controlled environment — inside a clinic — and a real world data study would be important for a future study.”

Paying More Attention to Healthy Sleep

Most people will not be able to tell on their own if their REM sleep is delayed, according to Yuko Hara, PhD, director of aging and Alzheimer’s prevention at the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation.

But wearable devices like smartwatches and EEG headsets (devices for measuring brain activity) can estimate the timing and length of different sleep stages, she says.

Even without knowing the timing of your REM sleep, you can minimize your dementia risk by following good sleep hygiene practices, according to the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation and the Alzheimer’s Association. These include:

  • Get seven to eight hours of sleep every night.
  • Abstain from caffeinated beverages near bedtime.
  • Avoid alcohol several hours before sleeping.
  • Keep your room dark and comfortable at night.
  • Use blue light–blocking filters on your phones and computers after sunset. “Electronics are a major source of blue light, which promotes wakefulness,” says Hara.
  • If you suspect you have insomnia, sleep apnea, or other sleep disorders, talk to your healthcare provider.
  • Consult with your doctor about any medications that may be disrupting your REM sleep.

“If you don’t get enough sleep or have poor quality sleep, addressing these issues may optimize your sleep cycles and help lower your risk for Alzheimer’s disease,” says Hara.

Source link

Exit mobile version