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Tired of the Blues? It Might Be a Clue for Depression.

Tired of the Blues? It Might Be a Clue for Depression.

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Everyone feels the blues at several points in their life. In fact, feeling sad is a normal human reaction. At the same time, it’s normal to be asking yourself if you’re just sad or depressed. Both essentially mean that you are feeling down and gloomy. Having said that, there’s a defining factor that separates general sadness from depression. 

What is Depression? How is Depression different from Sadness?

Depression is a form of chronic sadness that doesn’t last a day or two but weeks, months, years or even lifetime. With depression, you feel sad, hopeless and worthless along with other physical and mental symptoms. And if left untreated, it can creep into your life and affect your daily activities. Therefore, you’d not be able to function normally. Plus, this overwhelming feeling of darkness can drain the joy out of activities that you once liked. 

Symptoms of Depression

The signs of depression differ from one person to another. Keep in mind that the below symptoms are common human reactions. It’s important to identify with depression depending on how many of these signs you identify with and how long they last. 

Feelings of hopelessness: This will make you think that nothing will get better, and you may feel like you’re stuck in a rut. 

Loss of interest in daily activities: The hobbies, social activities or even your most beloved passion may feel like a burden. The spark isn’t there anymore.  

Changes in appetite: You will see a significant drop or gain in weight. Think of a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month. This is because you don’t feel like eating or you’re coping by eating. 

Shifts in sleep schedule: You either can’t fall asleep (insomnia) or oversleeping.

Adverse mood: You’re constantly feeling irritated, restless or even violent. All in all, everyone gets on your nerves and you always look and feel like you got up on the wrong side of the bed. 

Loss of energy: You are always tired and drained of energy. You are moving and talking slowly. Even the smallest tasks take a lot of time. 

Low self-esteem: “Stop blaming yourself” is what you hear everyone say to you because that’s all you do. You are too hard on yourself for everything and there’s a constant feeling of guilt even when you do nothing wrong. 

Clumsy behavior: You do things recklessly whether it’s driving or spending. 

Low Concentration: You have trouble focusing, making definite decisions, or even remembering things. 

Sudden aches and pains: There might be an increase in unexplained physical ailments such as headaches, back pain, aching muscles, and stomach pain.

These are the Symptoms-of-depression

Types of Depression

There are different folds of depression that can affect people at various stages of life. Being aware helps to understand any signs of depression better. 

Major Depressive Disorder: Symptoms that affect daily life and can impact you being your usual self. 

Persistent Depressive Disorder: Symptoms that can last for over two years even though symptoms aren’t intense like with Major Depressive Disorder. 

Manic Depression: The common negative depression symptoms that alternate with extreme sparks of joy or euphoria. 

Depressive Psychosis: Symptoms include hallucinations and losing complete touch with reality.  

Postpartum Depression: New mothers can develop a form of depression with mood swings, sleep troubles and anxiety. This usually begins within two to three after delivery and can last up to two weeks. Having said that, it can take as long as a year to show symptoms after childbirth. This is one of the most severe forms of depression, yet it’s often overlooked by many. 

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: This is triggered by menstrual cycles and hormonal changes.

Seasonal Depression: The symptoms worsen depending on different weather conditions. This is mostly common around the colder months. 

Atypical Depression: When there are positive events happening in life, this disappears. However, the moment something makes a wrong turn, this returns. 

Situational Depression: This is a result of something specific such as loss of a loved one, heartbreak, illnesses, etc. And usually, even if these external factors resolve, the depression you developed due to it may not.

Taking Care of Yourself – Managing Depression

One of the worst sides of depression is the feeling that you are all alone in this. Remember, you are not alone.  We are all rooting for you. At this day and age, there is a combination of oral, behavioral treatments readily available to treat and it’s all going to be okay. Meanwhile, here are ways to take care of your mind, body and soul at all times. 

  • At least 30 minutes of physical activity. 
  • Maintaining a healthy sleep schedule. 
  • Consuming healthy meals on the regular. 
  • Staying hydrated, always.
  • Performing your best without pushing too hard. 
  • Connecting with like-minded people and learning from differences. 
  • Avoiding using alcohol, nicotine, or drugs, including medications not prescribed for you.

If you doubt you have depression, no matter how busy you are, get help today. You can talk to one of our psychologists or therapists via the oDoc app in the most convenient way possible. Download the oDoc app here: 

Sources:

  • Cleveland Clinic
  • CDC

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Blog Article Featured Sexual Health

How To Keep Going with Erectile Dysfunction: Causes and Treatments

How To Keep Going with Erectile Dysfunction: Causes and Treatments

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Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is a hard topic for many because it can be awkward to both experience and talk about it. However, it’s very common, especially among those who are above 40, and you’re not alone. Also, the details related to erectile dysfunctionalities are very direct so let’s jump straight into the facts. 

What is Erectile Dysfunction?

You have an erectile dysfunction when: 

  • You’re unable to get an erection. 
  • You’re unable to keep an erection for long. 
  • Your sexual desire has reduced. 

Usually, during sexual arousal, nerves release chemicals that direct blood flow to the penis. And it’s led into the soft muscular tissues. During an erection, the muscles relax and trap the blood flow. While the increased blood pressure in your penis chambers cause an erection. Therefore, your erection is a reflection of the blood level entering and exiting your penis. Any interruption in this process leads to erectile dysfunction. 

Erectile dysfunctionalities are nothing to worry about unless you’re experiencing on the regular.  

Erectile Dysfunction Causes

Usually, ED happens due to stress, tiredness and/or when you’ve had too much to drink. At times, it can even be a side effect for medications. 

However, if it happens regularly, it can be due to one of the following conditions. 

  • High blood sugar
  • අධි රුධිර පීඩනය
  • Cardiovascular diseases 
  • High cholesterol 
  • Smoking
  • Consuming lots of drugs or alcohol 
  • ස්ථූලතාව 
  • Lack of physical exercises 
  • Psychological issues such as anxiety, depression or extreme stress levels 
  • Hormonal changes

Erectile Dysfunction Complications

Since regular erectile dysfunction can be a symptom of a concerning (yet treatable) health condition, always take it as a sign to see your doctor. Failing to do so, can lead to many adverse situations such as: 

To avoid any discomfort or serious developments, talk to a general practitioner.

Erectile Dysfunction Causes​

Erectile Dysfunction Diagnosis

If you find it embarrassing to have this conversation, remember it’s very normal to feel that way and a lot of people face it. In that case, oDoc consultations are perfect. It can be done via a video call and our highly professional team of doctors will make the experience feel like a breeze. 

Generally, the doctor would ask you a set of questions to understand the risk factors and where your health stands. Therefore, expect health history questions related to: 

  1. Use of prescription-drugs, over-the-counter drugs or supplements
  2. Use of any recreational drugs
  3. Consumption of alcohol
  4. Smoking habits
  5. Surgeries or radiation therapies surrounding the pelvic area
  6. Urinary problems
  7. Other treated and untreated health issues 

Besides that, they would also ask you questions related to your patter of erectile dysfunction like: 

  1. The frequency of the symptoms
  2. On how firm your penis during erections
  3. On any difficulty related to penetration
  4. Any problems with arousal or ejaculation 
  5. Satisfaction with your sex drive 
  6. Waking up or going to bed with erections 
  7. Discomfort or changes related to erections 

It’s imperative to choose a doctor who makes you feel safe and confident while assessing you. Therefore, ODoc always ensures to have the best healthcare professionals in terms of services and conduct to provide you the best medical care via your phone. Therefore, providing you with comfort at the best. 

After assessing your answers, your doctor may lead you to get blood tests, urinary samples, and other tests such as advanced erectile function tests to help diagnose.

Erectile Dysfunction Treatment

Depending on the cause of ED, your treatment will differ. It usually consists of taking your heart and vascular health along with lifestyle changes. In some cases, treatments include oral drugs, testosterone therapies, penile injections, intraurethral medication, vacuum erection devices, implants and surgeries. 

To avoid any complications with your treatment, take good care of your health, always. By eating well, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight for your body, avoiding smoking and reducing the consumption of alcohol and any recreational drugs. And always take the early signs seriously and consult your doctor at the earliest. With oDoc, it’s convenient, efficient and you get the best medical service in the country. Download oDoc here

Sources:

  • WebMD
  • Mayo Clinic
  • Urology Health

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Menopause Brain Fog is real: A Simple Guide with Symptoms and Treatment

Menopause Brain Fog is real: A Simple Guide with Symptoms and Treatment

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Women in their 40s and 50s who are just entering the end of their menstrual cycle and the beginning of the menopause phase, watch out for brain fog. In Sri Lanka, menopauses kick in at around the age of 51. 

According to a study on cognition, Women in the last period cycle begin to score low on memory, motor function and attention. When menopause happens, it’s very normal to forget things. For instance, you will enter a room and wonder why. Your mind goes much in the middle of a conversation. Remembering simple things can start to become a task. The symptoms for menopause differ from one person to another, some women face night sweats, others weight gain or even a combination. 

Regardless, brain fog is quite a common visitor in the early days of menopause.

What is Brain Fog

What is Brain Fog?

Some call it ‘mental fatigue’. It’s a collection of cognitive symptoms such as forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, inability to think clearly or problem solve, and confusion. 

But why? Scientists believe that hormonal changes have a part to play. So the levels of Estrogen, progesterone, follicles stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone are most likely the ones affecting your cognition. Perimenopause lasts for about four years, which means during that you’re your hormones can be a little unpredictable.  

Brain Fog Symptoms

Memory issues: Forgetfulness and can’t remember simple things.

Lack of clarity: Can get easily confused.

Poor concentration: The ability to zone out during important conversations and being distracted around the clock.

Inability to focus: Skills and tasks that require complete focus can struggle. For instance, like driving or carrying out a physical activity can get difficult.

Brain Fog Diagnosis

It can be normal for adults to shrug off these signs of brain fog as a part of aging and move on. That’s a terrible mistake.

 Firstly, age is just a number and doing your best to stay healthy is always equally important. So, if you feel you may have brain fog or even other symptoms of menopause hindering your day-to-day, consult a doctor as soon as possible. 

With oDoc, the task is simpler than you can imagine. All you need to do is schedule a call via the app and one of our highly credible doctors will help you out. Take a few minutes out of your day to get your assessment done and you will be on a healthy path. 

Even if it’s not menopause brain fog, you can find out what else is causing your mental fatigue. It could be depression or even an early symptom for dementia or Alzheimer. That can be scary but it can be contained or managed if it’s diagnosed at its early stages. 

Brain Fog Treatment

Generally, brain fog fades away with time. However, it can get severe by making you neglect your daily functions or forgetting familiar aspects of life. 

In that case, your doctor may direct you towards menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). It means you will be given low-dose estrogen or a mix of estrogen and progestin. This treatment focuses on many menopausal symptoms, not just brain fog. 

However, long -term use of estrogen comes with the risk of chronic diseases such as breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, and others. Therefore, always check with your doctor on how to avoid it and NEVER self-prescribe.

Brain Fog Prevention & Care

Any phase in life requires great care for health and well-being. Therefore, it’s of high importance to continue them to avoid health issues such as menopause brain fog. 

Stay physically active: Try a combination of cardiovascular activities and strength training. You can do cardio 30 minutes a day and have at least eight weightlifting exercises planned twice a week. 

Incorporate a healthy diet: Avoid low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and consume more whole foods and healthy fat. Generally, it’s suggested to have a Mediterranean diet as it’s rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. 

Exercise your mind: Boost brain health by taking up a new hobby or challenging yourself with a cognitive task. 

Minimise stress: Make changes to bring down the stress level with meditation, yoga and regular breaks. 

Get enough sleep: Stick to a schedule as much as you can. Incorporate less screen time, heavy meals and caffeine before bedtime. 

If you need more clarification on diagnosing and/or preventing menopause brain fog, remember your doctor is only a call away. Download the oDoc app here: 

 

Sources:

  • Healthline
  • CDC

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