Prozac could help stroke patients regain motor function and independence. Image: Wikimedia Commons

The result of a stroke is often very severe and frustrating for patients and their families. A new study shows that with Prozac, stroke patients might regain motor skills faster with treatment. The small study, published in the Lancet, shows a promising new avenue for research.

Prozac for stroke recovery one of many multi-use drugs

After the FDA approves a particular drug for use in the U.S. market, that drug gets a “second life.” Secondary uses for the drug are researched, and this “off label” use is not endorsed by the FDA, but is not prohibited. Drugs that become useful for many different things become known as “multi-use drugs.” Even if some uses are not approved by the FDA, they may be very effective and useful.

Prozac shows stroke patients regaining motor skills

In a small study of 118 stroke patients in France, Prozac appeared to help patients regain motor skills. Half were given Prozac, half were given a placebo. The people in the group given Prozac improved their motor skills and became more independent more quickly. The group also had lower incidences of depression, though that was expected with the known effects of Prozac. Both groups were given physiotherapy, as well as consistent tests of motor function and independence. The people in the group who took placebos improved their test scores by 24.3 points,and the Prozac-takers improved their scores by 34 points, a difference of more than one-third.

How Prozac for stroke recovery may work

The study connecting Prozac to stroke recovery does not conjecture as to why, exactly, the drugs do work. Prozac is one of the class of drugs known as SSRI drugs – Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors. It is theorized that SSRI drugs help rebuild the neural pathways that are damaged during a stroke. The serotonin receptors are not specifically responsible for motor functions, but a healing brain may use the re-uptake inhibitors as a way to circumvent damaged neural pathways.

Source

National Post

Are you suffering from a chronic illness? (Image: Thinkstock)

What is a chronic illness? It is an illness that lasts for a long time; it is not easily cured by medicine or a simple surgery. What makes this type of  illness difficult to bear is not really the sickness part of it but how long one must suffer with it. Not only does the patient suffer, effects are felt by the whole family. Chronic illness can leave the patient feeling depressed and full of anxiety, and when family members are close, they too will share some of the same feelings.

Chronic illness challenges

Each family member will handle the effects in different ways, but if they can better understand how chronic illnesses affect others, they can meet the challenges and be more prepared for any  situation they face. Another thing to remember is that others, such as workmates, friends, schoolmates and neighbors, can help in providing much needed and comforting support.

Adjustments needed for help with chronic illness

When an individual is suffering from a chronic illness, expect a lot of changes. Depending on the illness, it could affect normal routines and adjustments will need to be made to make it easier to deal with. If you are caught between paydays and need to see a doctor regarding your symptoms, you may want to consider applying for an installment loan or personal loan to help with your care.

Chronic illness and its effects

Depression can sometimes set in along with a chronic illness, and some schedules will need to be adjusted to accommodate what the sufferer can and cannot do. Often, the patient will become more dependent on the  family for emotional support and general assistance. It is good to realize and understand that each family member may need to care for the patient, and each will also need to adjust their emotions, attitudes and lifestyle accordingly. As time goes on, the situation might not be as bad as it first appeared. Know that there are others who have experienced some of the same things and can offer tips on ways you can help.

(Helga Weber/Flickr/CC BY-ND)

There are many people who suffer from some form of mood disorder such as clinical depression or bipolar disorders. It can make everyday tasks seem daunting and affect the way one perceives all the different facets of life. It could be as simple as thinking people are talking about you or taking advantage of you for no apparent reason. Your mind can play tricks on you. If these things torment you and take over your thoughts and behavior, it could be a great benefit for you to seek advice from a doctor. Many people have felt like this and have sought help. Just talking about it can be the first step to finding the right help needed.

Clinical depression and its effects

Individuals who are suffering from serious depression have reported extreme sadness and are unable to find enjoyment in regular activities. With major depression, these feelings don’t go away, and it can become so intense that it feels like things will never get better. People who experience this may need to get a loan to get immediate help or escape to somewhere with lots of sunshine bright.

There are different types of clinical depression. Some may have seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which can be triggered at certain times of year for a multitude of reasons. Many fall prey to this type of mood disorder during the winter season, when less time is spent outdoors and the weather seems gloomy. There is not a clear answer to why clinical depression happens, and it has been linked to genetics, in some cases. Also, personal life experiences can be another reason. When it does strike, it affects one’s entire being, and it can be devastating.

Difficulty diagnosing mood disorders

It can be difficult to diagnose mood disorders, but there is hope and help out there. Some of the symptoms found in severe depression are things such as extreme fatigue, feeling unworthy, hard to concentrate, suicidal thoughts, excessive sleep, no interest in everyday activities and a notable gain or loss of weight.

This article is not intended to treat or diagnose, but is offered as an informative overview of what other sufferers have experienced. If you need to see a doctor and need help with medical expenses, you can apply for a payday loan here.

(Photo: Lisa Cyr/Flickr/CC-BY)

In today’s society, there are many factors that can lead people to being afraid and living in fear. The world we live in has many people feeling insecure and not very safe. People turn on the news and hear of rapes, thefts, road rage and murders going on in their own neighborhoods. This can greatly affect how people feel about the security of their lives.

Fear can affect your whole being

When you continue to have thoughts of ongoing fear, it will soon affect your whole being. Fear, when left unchecked, can lead to major health problems. Fear can cause tremendous stress that can, in turn, affect internal organs. You can develop mental anxieties, depression, heart problems, insomnia, indigestion and a host of other stress and fear-related symptoms. Over time, dealing with an overload of fear can leave a person completely exhausted. If you lose sleep you may have to take time off work, leaving you temporarily financially unstable and in need of some cash until payday, like a no-hassle payday installment loan.

Fear affects social life and work choices

Fear can even affect your social life and work choices. After awhile, it can take over your thoughts and prevent you from doing the things that make you happy. You may stop going out later in the day, avoid family and friends or pass up everyday needs, like grocery shopping or gassing up the car.

Precautions to take to help alleviate fear

It’s true that we need to be cautious and aware of our surroundings to lessen the risks and dangers of everyday life, like being careful about where you decide to park and observing your surroundings when you’re at an ATM during late hours. It is best to avoid walking or jogging alone, especially in dark, secluded areas.

Taking these precautions can help alleviate some of your fear and anxiety. From time to time, it may be wise to go over some tips to help keep you on track and lessen the fear and anxieties you are living with.

Is there a deeper chocolate depression link? From Wikimedia Commons.

It is a known phenomenon that some people eat chocolate to relieve depression, but there is growing concern about whether the chocolate-depression relationship is a vicious cycle.  A recent study found that people who eat the most chocolate are more likely to suffer from depression. The study was headed by Dr. Natalie Rose, MD, of the University of San Diego, and was published in a recent issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.  I could go for my own chocolate study about now, but I don’t want to run for short term loans to pay the dentist and the personal trainer I’d need.

Chocolate depression link

The study of the chocolate depression link, as reported by WebMD, was conducted on 931 individuals in the San Diego area. Of the test subjects, those who ate 8.4 servings or more per month tested positive for possible depression. Those who ate 5.4 servings or fewer did not test positive for depression. Individuals who ate 11.8 servings or more monthly tested positive for possibly having major depression, a worse form of the disease.  The study was done via questionnaire, and none were on anti-depressant medication.

No link known at present

In the same study, Dr. Rose, et al., did not conclude causality was implied, or that one was caused by the other.  (Correlation, as ever, does not imply causality.)  The authors decided that “Future studies are required to elucidate the foundation of the association and whether chocolate has a role in depression, as cause or cure.” This doesn’t, essentially mean that any concrete link between the two has been established, so don’t go getting no fax loans to lobby the FDA to ban chocolate just yet.

What this all means

People are known to eat chocolate when depressed. Eating sweets releases endorphins which counteract depression.  In other words, the study determined that people who ate more chocolate were likely to be more depressed. In other words, people that are more depressed try to do more about it.  Currently, the mainline treatments for depression are SSRI medications.

Huh?

SSRI stands for Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitor. The quick version: nerves have gaps between their ends.  Chemicals are fired into them to send certain signals, and a portion of these chemicals are re-absorbed after firing.  An imbalance can be corrected (in theory) by people taking medication that limits the amount withdrawn, thus boosting the serotonin levels and thus, lifting depression. Chocolate is one of the many things that naturally works in the same capacity.