Heart & Vascular Center
Holiday Depression
The holiday season can be a time of joy, cheer, parties and family gatherings. But for many, it can also be a time of self reflection, loneliness, memories of past failures and anxiety about an uncertain future.
Causes
Researchers still have a lot to learn about why people become depressed. Some say it is caused by an imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain (neurotransmitters). There’s also a genetic connection. Research indicates that depression in the family can increase your risk. Being diagnosed with a serious disease or medical condition can also cause depression. For instance, people who have suffered a heart attack have a 65 percent risk of developing depression. Women are also two times more likely to have depression when compared to men. Some seasons or situations can trigger depression such as Christmas, holidays, death of a close family member or friend, divorce or a traumatic event.
Seasonal depression, oftentimes referred to as the “holiday blues”, can be caused by stress, fatigue, unrealistic expectations, financial stress, and/or difficulty dealing with friends and family. Demands of shopping, parties, family reunions and house guests can also cause feelings of tension. Even more people experience a holiday letdown after January 1. This can result from disappointment after the holidays in addition to stress and fatigue.
What's all this talk about Vitamin D?
Did you know that Vitamin D is not actually a vitamin, but a metabolic hormone targeting more than 2,000 genes in the human body?
The skin produces 10,000 IU of Vitamin D during 20-30 minutes of summer sun exposure. That is equivalent to more than 50 glasses of milk or 10 multivitamins, neither of which is recommended.
How can a lack of Vitamin D impact my overall health?
Current research has associated Vitamin D deficiency with the pathology of at least 17 varieties of cancer; heart disease, stroke, hypertension, auto-immune diseases, diabetes, depression, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, birth defects, periodontal disease and more.
Signs and Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease
Signs and Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease
Do you feel tired all the time? Does your upper back hurt? Are you more short of air when doing things around the house? Maybe it’s something you’ve tried to ignore, assuming it has to do with your age. But in reality, it could be a severe health issue known as Coronary Artery Disease (CAD).
Is a Lack of Sleep Taking a Toll on You?
Has your sleeping partner ever complained about your snoring? Do your ribs ache from your bed partner jabbing you at night? Do you wake up in the morning feeling as if you are not rested? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you may have sleep apnea.The Connection Between Erectile Dysfunction and Heart Disease
Erectile dysfunction can be caused by a reaction to medication, obesity and emotional stress. But did you know that it is often the first sign of heart disease?
As we get older, we are more susceptible to atherosclerosis, a condition that causes our blood vessels to become narrowed and less elastic from fatty deposits on the walls of the heart arteries. In men, this can reduce the flow of blood to the penis causing erectile dysfunction.
Read more: The Connection Between Erectile Dysfunction and Heart Disease
Women's Health Blogs
- Surprise! Contraception sometimes fails!
- Contraception
- H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu) and Pregnancy
- Questions you’ve always wanted to ask your OB/GYN (but were afraid to ask): Tampons
- Questions you’ve always wanted to ask your OB/GYN (but were afraid to ask): Vaginal Discharge
- Questions you’ve always wanted to ask your OB/GYN (but were afraid to ask): Anatomy
- Questions you've always wanted to ask your OB/GYN (but were afraid to ask): Yearly Exams
- Preparing for Pregnancy
