Efficacy and safety of antidepressants in cardiac patients

Passive lifestyle

Modern working conditions and dependence on social networks harm not only the waistline. Doctor of Medical Sciences, gastroenterologist A. Iqbal says that staying in a sitting position for long periods of time creates kinks in the colon and prevents the passage of feces out. Therefore, it is important to practice regular breaks during work, during which you can stand up, walk around or do simple exercises. Walking and deep squats are the most effective ways to speed up bowel movements.

How do antidepressants work?

To understand the effect of antidepressants on the body, you will need to study the principles of brain function. This will require at least basic knowledge of the physiology of higher nervous activity and anatomy.

With their help, it is possible to regulate the chemical imbalance that has arisen in the body. These drugs compensate for the existing lack of hormones of happiness and joy - dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine. The resulting charge of vigor makes a person forget about apathy and lethargy. He begins to get enough sleep, his good mood and appetite return.

This happens due to the fact that each neuron located in the nervous system and brain is able to transmit a signal to other neurons without even coming into direct contact with them. This occurs due to the synapse - a microspace located between neurons. Neurotransmitters are responsible for signal transmission - these are the same hormones of joy and happiness.

Antidepressants prevent the breakdown of neurotransmitters. In fact, they perform a function that is assigned to the brain. This is a big problem, since a dependence on antidepressants may develop, the brain will get used to the fact that there is an artificial alternative, so it is not necessary to perform the functions intended for it.

Cheese enriched diet

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If you are a die-hard cheese fan and add your favorite product to all your meat dishes, scrambled eggs and pasta, you probably have irregular digestion. The main gastronomic cause of constipation is processed cheese with high fat content. Many people eat this product instead of vegetables full of fiber or whole grains. A passion for cheese marks you as someone who makes unhealthy food choices. For example, if you order pizza, there's a good chance you'll skip the coleslaw. To avoid the unpleasant symptoms of constipation, make sure there is always room for plant fiber on your plate.

Depression

It is common knowledge that depression forces people to change their eating habits. Some people refuse food, while others strive to find joy in sweet or fatty foods. Changed eating habits often lead to digestive tract problems. However, the biggest enemy of your gut may be antidepressants.

Psychotropic medications have an extensive list of side effects. They slow down your metabolism and create serious digestive problems. Researchers recommend that people experiencing depression try other treatments that may be as effective as antidepressants. We are talking about cognitive behavioral therapy, lifestyle changes and meditation.

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High Protein Diet

People who want to lose weight mostly abandon carbohydrate foods in favor of foods rich in protein. According to the expert, a diet based on meat, eggs, milk and healthy fats leaves little room for plant fibers. Unfortunately, many people deliberately avoid foods containing fiber. They avoid all carbohydrates, including whole grains, vegetables, leafy greens and fruits. Therefore, if you decide to get rid of excess weight, approach your diet choices with the utmost care. Remember that not all carbohydrate foods are your enemies; some of them are very beneficial for your digestion.

How to live without antidepressants?

If a depressive state regularly accompanies a client, it is necessary to look for alternatives to taking potent medications in order to prevent the negative effect of antidepressants on the human body.

In reality there is a way out. When fighting depression, you can seek professional advice from psychologist Nikita Valeryevich Baturin, who will suggest the most effective solutions to the current problem.

1. Change your own thinking. It is necessary to come to terms with the idea that certain processes in human life cannot be predicted or prevented, for example, a serious illness or the death of a loved one. You just need to learn to live with it.
2. Set realistic goals and objectives. Without a real opportunity to achieve the realization of inflated goals set for oneself, a person may develop depression. In this case, you need to reconsider your position in life, starting to strive to solve simpler and more realistic problems, gradually raising the bar. This way you will be able to realize yourself gradually, step by step, without causing harm to your psychological state.
3. It is necessary to be left alone with yourself as little as possible. Finding yourself depressed, a person plunges into self-examination. To get rid of unpleasant thoughts, spend as much time as possible with family, colleagues and friends. Discuss as many positive plans as possible, look hopefully into the future to take your mind off depressing prospects.
4. Find a hobby for yourself. If you previously had a similar hobby that you were ready to devote literally the whole day to, you definitely need to find a similar alternative. There are many options - drawing, collecting stamps, fishing, aircraft modeling, writing poetry. The only condition is that you manage to distract yourself from sad thoughts during this activity.
5. Try to be outside the home more often. Left alone in the apartment with the problems around you, your psychological state will only worsen over time. It is necessary to strive to be in the fresh air more often - for a walk in the forest, in the park. In combination with a favorite hobby, fresh air and sun have a beneficial effect on eliminating the consequences of a psychological disorder.
6. Play sports. This will not only distract you from disturbing and unpleasant thoughts, but also promote the natural production of joy hormones. First of all, it is recommended to focus on cycling, running, and swimming. Team sports are suitable, which will allow you to combine physical activity with communication.
7. Include antidepressant foods in your diet. Antidepressant products promote the natural production of hormones of happiness and joy. To do this, you need to include in your daily menu dishes with sea fish, rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, almonds, walnuts, vegetable and olive oil, eggs, herbs, and avocado.
8. Absolutely quit bad habits. To effectively fight depression, you will need to give up drinking alcohol and cigarettes. These substances themselves become depressants. As long as alcohol and tobacco remain in your life, you will not be able to get rid of depression.

Professional psychologist Nikita Valerievich Baturin will tell you how to effectively resist depression without the negative consequences of taking antidepressants. He will formulate personal recommendations that will help in your specific case.

Taking dietary supplements

This sounds completely paradoxical, but fiber, if consumed indefinitely, can become the enemy of your intestines. A plant-based diet reduces the sensitivity of the gastric mucosa, which, in turn, provokes delayed digestion. This is especially common when people are given unlimited amounts of dietary supplements and powders with a high fiber concentration. Experts recommend stopping taking herbal supplements if you experience signs of constipation. Moreover, at present there is no evidence that dietary supplements have tangible health benefits.

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Chocolate

This isn't the best news for those with a sweet tooth, but chocolate and candy can also cause digestive problems. Although the effects in this case may vary from person to person. A recent survey found that chocolate was the culprit for recurring constipation for 70 percent of respondents. One way or another, the correlation cannot be identified if chocolate is completely excluded from the diet for at least two weeks. If digestive problems persist even after taking this measure, then it’s time to look for a new culprit.

Special Recommendations

Before you start taking any antidepressant, it is important to know:

• these medications can inhibit the functioning of the nervous system, so those people whose profession is related to concentration and car enthusiasts need to choose a drug without a sedative effect;
• antidepressants and alcohol are incompatible; simultaneous use will make treatment useless or may cause an exacerbation of the disease;
• For long-term treatment, it is important to choose drugs from this group together with your doctor and constantly be under his supervision.

Let’s say right away that there is no need to take sleeping pills for one-time insomnia. However, if difficulties with falling asleep appear from time to time or bother you for more than 5 days in a row, it’s time to think about correcting your sleep with the help of medications.

For long-term problems with sleep, taking sleeping pills is simply necessary. Constant lack of sleep due to sleep disorders leads to chronic fatigue, lack of initiative and loss of motivation. It is considered impossible to work normally and do household chores in this situation. Therefore, medications to improve sleep can help in this case.

Talk to your doctor before taking sleeping pills. Discuss with him whether you should use medications or whether you can get by with other methods of normalizing sleep.

If you are prescribed or decide to use sedatives, consider the following points. First, medications for good sleep should be taken regularly, as indicated in the instructions. Compliance with this rule will help to avoid side effects when taking sleeping pills. Secondly, while using sedatives, it is better not to drive a car and engage in professional activities that require attention with caution.

Laxatives

If you suffer from constipation, taking laxatives may seem like the best solution. Unfortunately, this measure may only make your problem worse. A laxative is applicable as a short-term measure for a period of no more than one week. If you take the pills longer, your gut may develop an addiction. Thus, a vicious circle begins, consisting of alternating constipation and diarrhea.

Therefore, before you turn your attention to medications, we suggest that you determine the root cause of constipation and then eliminate it. Try to evaluate your lifestyle and habits, and remember what medications you take. The problem can probably be solved without resorting to laxatives.

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Contraindications for use

Antidepressants are recommended and widely used in the treatment of:

• neuroses;
• phobias (fears);
• increased anxiety;
• chronic depression;
• prolonged stress;
• panic states;
• anerexia or bulimia;
• sexual dysfunctions;
• affective disorders;
• giving up drugs, alcohol, nicotine.

Patient reviews of taking antidepressants are varied. Sometimes, when they are discontinued, symptoms of depression or anxiety reappear in patients; also, some drugs are not used in women using a diet to lose weight, as they can contribute to excess weight gain. Therefore, it is very important to choose the right drug and carefully study its side effects. Only after weighing all the pros and cons at an appointment with a doctor (neurologist, psychotherapist, psychiatrist) can you go to the pharmacy to purchase an antidepressant.

It is rational to use antidepressants for the prevention and treatment of depression, neuroses, panic conditions, enuresis, obsessive-compulsive disorder, chronic pain syndrome, schizoaffective disorder, dysthymia, generalized anxiety disorder, and sleep disorders.

There is evidence of the effective use of antidepressants as auxiliary pharmacotherapy for early ejaculation, bulimia and tobacco smoking.

Drugs to improve sleep are contraindicated if:

• Severe kidney and liver diseases.
• Hormonal diseases.
• Cardiovascular pathologies.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Allergies and skin itching.
• Alcohol abuse

In addition to this, it is not recommended to use sleeping pills for children under 3 years of age.

Prescription drugs

All medications have side effects, which most often interfere with intestinal function. The most common causes of constipation are antidepressants (especially Prozac), heartburn medications, and blood pressure pills. If you associate digestive tract problems with taking medications, you always have the opportunity to tell your doctor about this and ask for an alternative.

Many heartburn medications contain calcium, which itself causes constipation. Therefore, instead of these drugs, choose tablets containing magnesium - they have a more gentle effect on your intestines. Another problem is taking calcium channel blockers, which are indicated for hypertensive patients. If these medications cause constipation, you can always ask for beta blockers.

Kinds

Currently, the most widely used antidepressants that cause severe addiction are the following drugs:

• Fluoxetine (Prozac);
• Lyrics.

Let's take a closer look at them.

Fluoxetine

Fluoxetine is a drug belonging to the group of antidepressants. It is a domestic analogue of the foreign Prozac. The cost of the latter is significantly more expensive, since it is produced by British pharmaceutical companies. In terms of effectiveness and action, they are almost identical.

Taking multivitamins

Vitamins with high levels of calcium and iron can also harm your gut, experts say. Many people don't realize this and take multivitamins on a daily basis for a long period of time. If you consider that a certain amount of minerals enters the body with food, then you may encounter exceeding the daily intake. This condition, in turn, slows down the digestion process in the large intestine. If your doctor doesn't recommend that you take a multivitamin on a regular basis, don't ignore this advice.

Alternative ways to sleep

Night sleep is an important component of normal life. Before starting treatment for insomnia, doctors recommend taking several measures to make it easier to fall asleep:

• go to bed with the lights off;
• complete silence;
• ventilate the room before going to bed;
• use a comfortable sleeping place;
• go to bed at the same time every evening;
• avoid sleeping during the day.

Before going to bed, you can take a bath with herbal decoction or essential oil. Afterwards, without drying yourself with a towel, get dressed and lie down under the blanket. This procedure will help you relax and fall asleep faster.

If these methods do not help within a week, then you can use herbal remedies. Sleeping pills are quickly addictive, so they should only be taken as prescribed by a doctor. Herbal preparations are prepared on the basis of herbs such as hops and valerian, motherwort and lemon balm.

Motherwort has a good hypnotic effect. It contains alkaloids and glycosides, which have a beneficial effect on the performance of the heart and the entire nervous system. To prepare a tincture from this plant you will need 50 g of ethyl alcohol 60% and 10 g of dry motherwort. Take 30 drops 20 minutes before dinner. The tincture is diluted with water.

You can treat insomnia with valerian; its root is rich in alkaloids and essential oils, which have a calming effect. This plant helps reduce excitability and make it easier to fall asleep. Valerian root is finely chopped and poured into a bottle of vodka. It is necessary to insist in a dark place for at least five days. Take one small spoon before bedtime.

Taking painkillers

Anyone who has had surgery knows that painkillers can cause severe constipation. This also applies to over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen, as well as the prescription opioids Hydrocodone and Oxycodone. These medications, once in the stomach, bind to receptors and dull not only pain, but also slow down the functions of the digestive system. According to doctors' recommendations, painkillers should not be taken for more than 30 days. You should make every effort during this time to eliminate the cause of the discomfort, or find other methods of treatment.

Formation of addiction

Modern medications can effectively relieve symptoms of depression. With the right choice of remedy, very soon a person will return to his former energy, balance, and ability to enjoy life.

However, after discontinuation of the drug, there is a risk of relapse. Symptoms may not only return, but may also lead to significant deterioration in the client's condition.

After completing the course of treatment, withdrawal symptoms may occur, similar to withdrawal symptoms in a drug addict. A person experiences aches throughout the body, drowsiness, and headache. Feelings of anxiety and hopelessness are depressing.

When treating depression, it is important for the doctor not only to choose the most effective drug, but also to accurately determine the duration of its use and dose. Antidepressants can cause harm if you take them for too long. Because of this, addiction begins to form. As with withdrawal symptoms, it has a lot in common with drug addiction. It is difficult to get rid of it, since the body is no longer able to maintain homeostasis without them.

While strong antidepressants can only be purchased with a doctor's prescription, weak ones are freely sold in pharmacies. They are often purchased by those who want to quickly get rid of stress, worries and anxieties without turning to doctors for help.

Even seemingly harmless drugs that are sold without a prescription can be addictive. Therefore, you should not self-medicate, as there is a danger of causing irreparable harm to the body.